by Nick Brooke and David Hall
History
The Rules of Chivalry were taught by Prince Hrestol, the First Knight, in the second year after the Dawning. He instituted the noble Order of Knighthood, went on the first Knightly Quest to save his home city of Frowal and establish the Kingdom of Seshneg, and (during the period of his exile) was founder of the custom of Knight-Errantry.
The most noble Knights of all the world have always hailed from the Kingdom of Seshnela. The history of Seshnela is that of the clash between Chivalry and Sorcery. Hrestol himself was banished by an evil enchantress and slain by sorcerers. Knighthood is a loyal and manly state, always thrusting forward and shining its light wherever there is darkness. Knights confront their foes directly, face to face, whereas Sorcery teaches subtle, underhanded, treacherous ways, festering in the shadows of the soul.
In the long-ago Crusade Against Chaos, the forces of Seshnela were led by King Gerlant Flamesword. His greatest Knight was the valiant Sir Arkat, his kinsman and comrade in battle. Side by side they fought against the corrupted Vampire Kings of Tanisor and the krjalki monsters of Ralios. Yet when Sir Arkat turned aside from the path of virtue, and sought to overcome his foes through the use of dark secrets and pagan magic, King Gerlant banished him forever from the land. In revenge, Sir Arkat founded the terrible Dark Empire of Stygia, which did so much to harm Seshnela early in the Second Age.
The line of Flame Kings, descended from Gerlant, ruled the mighty Middle Sea Empire of the Second Age. Seshnegi Knights formed the cutting edge of the Return to Righteousness Crusade that overthrew the Trollish rulers of Safelster. The Kings of Seshnela were at first wise and pious monarchs. But in later years they paid too much heed to the words of their wizards, and were led step by step into overweening pride. The whole land of Old Seshnela was destroyed by vile Sorcery at the close of the Second Age: the earth rolled over, sending the fair cities and castles crashing down; a tidal wave swept through the south, eradicating all in its path; finally, the seas rose up to engulf all but the highest places of the old Kingdom. Our ancestors survived the tragic downfall of their native land by fleeing to Tanisor, where they ruled for centuries, preserving the manners and customs of the old Kingdom in its most glorious years. But then a vile heresy spread by the Rokar the Sorcerer dissolved the bonds of feudal obligation that held the land together; Bailifes the Oath-Breaker fought against his rightful liege lord at the Second Battle of Asgolan Fields, and winning by treachery, drove all who remained loyal from his lands. Crossing the Iron Mountains and Kanthor's Forest, they settled along a remnant of Old Seshnela now known as the Castle Coast, near the ruins of Frowal, capital of the Old Kingdom. Here we dwell, living lives of chivalrous and gallant adventure, so different from the grim oppression of the usurper Kings of Tanisor.
Theology
We Hrestoli know that God assigned a place in society for every ordinary man, and he should stay in his place, be he peasant, soldier, wizard or lord. By serving diligently within his caste, a man achieves Solace. Outside of normal society, though, there is the noble Order of Knighthood. This select band combines functions from all the other four castes, and accepts those individuals who feel the call to bold adventure, and can demonstrate their proficiency in all of the necessary arts and skills.
There are many requirements to be met before admission to the Order of Knighthood can be attained: when an individual has fulfilled all of these, he is ordained at a religious ceremony held after a night-long Vigil. A prospective Knight must find a sponsor from each of the four castes to testify to his mastery of the relevant arts.
Women are more ethereal, fragrant and enchanting creatures than men. They should be revered, held in awe, and worshipped from afar. No woman is bound by the caste system: she may choose whatever husband she desires.
Marriage is a blessed state, and all men (of whatever caste) are encouraged to marry and raise fine sons. Divorce is shameful, and can only be caused by the shortcomings of a man's wife. Adultery is sinful, but only if the knight's desires are consummated: chaste, chivalrous devotion to a lady is a virtuous state. As Malkion said, "Do not ruin that which you love." If circumstances require it, it is a great honour for a peasant to be Tapped of his life force at his lord's command. Just as knights will spend their blood, and wizards their magical power, peasants can strengthen and defend the land with their own vital essence.
Krjalki are non-human monsters, like dwarfs, elves and trolls. It is a knight's duty to defend his land against their incessant onslaughts, and slay them wherever they can be found.
Hierarchy
The head of the Church is the Ecclesiarch of Frowal, Ethilian ai Demibras. He is the rightful leader of all Malkioni everywhere. Serving under him are the Bishops of Old Seshnela. The direct succession of holders of these religious offices from the now submerged lands was preserved during the Downfall, when God smote the unrighteous but spared his pious and dedicated servants.
Famous Knights
Sir Hrestol, Sainted Prince of Seshneg, was the First Knight. One year after the Dawning, Prince Hrestol received a vision of the angelic Prophet Malkion during a vigil. This inspired him to break with the traditional bounds of society in order to rescue the Kingdom of Seshneg from its barbarous enemies. He instituted the rank of Knighthood, went on the first Quest, and discovered the spirit of the Crusade. Later, banished by an evil enchantress, he wandered as a Knight-Errant, before being murdered by treacherous sorcerers in Akem.
Sir Gerlant Flamesword, Sainted King of Seshnela, son and liege lord of Sir Arkat the Black, ordered the great Crusade Against Chaos that overthrew the evil King of Tanisor in his day. His descendents were the Flame Kings, who ruled the glorious Middle Sea Empire in the Second Age before they placed their trust in Sorcery and were overthrown. As a Saint, Gerlant gives his blessing to all wars fought against corrupt and usurping monarchs of Tanisor, and is remembered for his perfect Chivalry.
Sir Arkat, the Black Knight, was the infamous Traitor Knight who turned to Sorcery when his courage failed him. Though he had striven valiantly to save Seshnela before his mind was turned, Good King Gerlant exiled him forever for his shameful crimes. Arkat's fall from the path of Chivalry and Virtue serves as a dire warning to all Knights.
Attitudes to Other Sects
Rokari
These treacherous heretic upstarts deny Hrestol's institution of Knighthood altogether. They claim that their mere footsoldiers and horsemen are "knights," and have placed them under the command of wizards and lords who know nothing of the ways of Chivalry. They rule in Tanisor, which they falsely name a "Kingdom of Seshnela," and they call the sorcerer Rokar a "Third Prophet". We must drive them out with fire and the sword, and return the righteous rule of Chivalry to their barren land. Once again, the true Knights of Seshnela will overthrow a false and corrupt King of Tanisor who is draining the very life-blood of his people with his sterile doctrine and empty lies!
Hrestoli Idealists
A rather modern sect, these Loskalmi colonials are doing their best to reinvent the Hrestoli wheel. They have, of course, made the fundamental error of assuming that everyone should follow Hrestol's virtuous path, and moreover they have completely failed to understand what that path was! (Prince Hrestol, born a farmer!? The very idea is preposterous!). Still, you can hardly fault them for trying (and they have been very cut off, until recently...). We must educate them in the ways of Chivalry, and bring them back to the true Hrestoli path.
Stygians
Black pagan sorcerers, dabblers in the arcane arts, treacherous and sly. We despise them and their unmanly ways. When Tanisor is restored, our war in the East will be swift and sure! The teeming cities of Ralios will be overthrown, their merchant rulers cast down, their heretics rooted out and put to the flame!
Don't miss the expanded sect description for Old Seshnelan Chivalry, including RuneQuest rules, extra notes and a story!
