Hârn Religion Fighting Orders Larani Order of the Checkered Shield

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Larani: Order of the Checkered Shield COL #4442

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Chivalry, honor, and duty are characteristics of the Order of the Checkered Shield, a fighting order dedicated to the goddess Larani, the Shieldmaiden of the Worthy Cause. The knights and men-at-arms of the Checkered Shield are renowned for their individual and collective military prowess and for upholding the ideals of Laranianism.

The Order of the Checkered Shield is sponsored by the clerical Order of Hyvrik and was founded in 622 by King Andasin I of Kanday to guard the northern border of his realm. The order is based at Menekod castle, which it took from the Agrikan Order of the Copper Hook during Ezar's War. It holds significant lands in Kanday and maintains numerous chapterhouses in that kingdom. The order maintains hostels in the Thardic Republic and has chapters there to guard temples.

The Checkered Shield is one of two Laranian fighting orders active on Hârn. The Order of the Lady of Paladins is the older of the two and has large branches in the eastern Hârnic kingdoms of Melderyn and Kaldor. The Checkered Shield was created largely in response to the great difficulties the Lady of Paladins had in fighting battles in western Hârn, hundreds of leagues from its headquarters in Melderyn. There are no real philosophical differences between the orders; the split is mostly for geographical reasons but also provides a degree of competition for honor in time of peace. Each order recognizes the other's members as brothers in arms and affords them the right to use its chapterhouses.

The order faces many threats and challenges, both from outside Kanday's borders and within. Despite being officially at peace with Rethem, the order clashes regularly with the Order of the Copper Hook, with raids and reprisals being carried out by both sides. Tensions linger from recent wars with the Thardic Republic, Kanday's other neighbor. The order's leaders wrestle with conflicting loyalties between their religious superiors and secular lords, while factions within the Checkered Shield itself struggle to exert their influence and control the future of the order.

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Coat of Arms

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Shield: Argent, a winged lion sejant gules, and a chequey of twenty two, gules and argent.

Supporter: A winged lion rampant proper with wings argent.

Motto: Guard the meek.

Registry: Violet Mantle, 628.

Sponsor: Order of Hyvrik.

Symbols and Regalia

Knights of the Checkered Shield are easily distinguished by their white surcoats emblazoned with the order's arms and by the checkered shields they carry. The surcoat of a squire is all white, while that of a knight has checkered trim. Commanders wear red capes, with only the grandmaster's having checkered trim. The common soldiers of the order wear a white tunic with the order's arms depicted on the front; those of corporals and sergeants have distinguishing trim.

The order's heraldry is recognized by the College of Heralds across Lythia. Although knights may charge the order's arms at the center of their own, few do so while active in the order.

Individual chapters identify themselves with the symbol of their patron saint or some other aspect of Laranian iconography. These are commonly sewn onto the left shoulder of the surcoat or tunic.

CREDITS

Writers

• Shawn Bond
• Kerry Mould
• Brent Bailey

Artist

• Richard Luschek

Editors

• Brent Bailey
• Daniel Bell
• Tom Dalgliesh

Layout

• Brent Bailey

ORIGINS AND HISTORY

Laranian missionaries enjoyed some success in western Hârn and established temples in the Corani Empire and Kingdom of Aleathia. By the middle of the sixth century, the faith was well established in the Empire, but the Balshan Jihad and subsequent Theocracy of Tekhos saw widespread persecution of Laranians. Eladas of Kand, deputy governor of the province of Aleathia, sheltered enemies of the Theocracy, including Laranian priests, for which he was executed and his clan outlawed.

Following Eladas' death, his son Andasin called upon the Laranian Church for aid, which arrived in the form of a ship carrying crusading Laranian knights from Melderyn. Andasin and his clan soon adopted the faith and throughout the many battles with the forces of the Theocracy, the Laranian crusaders were ever at his side. Andasin proclaimed the Kingdom of Kanday in 589 and expanded his power during the Interregnum that followed the collapse of the Theocracy. In return for their loyalty, staunch support, and sacrifices, the king granted lands to many Laranian knights and the Laranian Church.

Carving Out a Kingdom

King Andasin I founded the Order of the Checkered Shield in 622 to defend the northern reaches of his nascent kingdom. Their first major victory was the capture of Quivum, although it came at the loss of the first Chabla (grandmaster), Marabrine. The keep served as the order's headquarters until 695. Ewen, Heroth, Imiden, and Zerien were the next to fall; within five years of its creation, the order had doubled the size of Kanday.

During this period, the Order of the Checkered Shield was placed under the sponsorship of the Order of Hyvrik and assumed responsibility for guarding Church leaders and the Laranian and Peonian abbeys and temples within the kingdom.

From 629 to 654, Kuboran tribesmen under the leadership of Arlun the Barbarian swept south from Peran and created the Kingdom of Rethem. Although Arlun conquered the petty kingdoms west of Kanday, he was deterred by the strength of the Checkered Shield. Many in the order are quick to point out that no lands protected by the Checkered Shield were lost to the barbarians.

The Five-Year War, 661–666

In 661, the Thardic League precipitated the Five-Year War by conquering Moleryn, a minor ally of Kanday. The early years of the war found the kingdom and the order disorganized. Following the death of the Chabla at the disastrous Battle of the Teb Marshes, the progressive Sir Rynal Usforn was elected as his successor. Chabla Rynal reorganized the leadership and called up lay brothers to restore the confidence of the order. Fighting under Queen Arelora, the Checkered Shield smashed the last charge of the Autarch's Guard at the Battle of Eidru in 665 and played a role in the taking of Kuseme Castle. Following the war, the order's leaders vowed to never let down their guard again and took measures to once again become an elite fighting force.

Ezar's War, 682–697

Rethem's King Nemiran, a brutal Agrikan zealot, granted extensive lands to that church's fighting orders, primarily the Order of the Red Shadows of Herpa and the Order of the Copper Hook, prompting concern among many residents of northern Kanday. An assault by the Copper Hook on the Kandian keep of Imiden in 682 failed when the Checkered Shield sent a relief force from Quivum. King Puril of Rethem supported the Agrikan aggression, and the 15-year conflict known as Ezar's War (after the Copper Hook grandmaster) began.

The early years saw indecisive skirmishing along the border, with neither side able to gain a decisive advantage. The order's primary role was to guard the northern frontier, although some members were involved in the southern campaigns of 688–692. The order was instrumental in many of Kanday's victories.

Menekod was captured from the Copper Hook in 695, the last major clash of the war. Captured Agrikans were hung in gibbets in nearby Vaegrath Wood. This somewhat uncharacteristic lack of mercy was the result of the climate of fury that swept Kanday after the assassination of Queen Eriel by an Agrikan fanatic; the event is sometimes referred to as the "single stain on chivalry's mantle." For its key role in the attack, the order was granted Menekod by Queen Mirelael. It was made the order's new headquarters and Quivum Keep was returned to the crown.

The Treaty of Selvos ended the war in 697 and established the present border. The Order of the Copper Hook has never recognized the treaty and continues to launch raids against Kanday and the Checkered Shield from its base at Hyen.

The Kuseme War, 712–713

When the legions of the Thardic Republic besieged Kuseme, the Checkered Shield began to rally its forces to relieve the Earl of Kuseme. King Andasin IV surprised everyone by ceding the occupied land to the Republic in exchange for peace. This action troubles many in the order, who fear that the king will give up anything to appease his aggressive neighbors. The subject is often discussed between the grandmaster and the Sheriff of Peris, Prince Anaflas.

CURRENT SITUATION

Rethem and the Copper Hook

More than 20 years after the Peace of Selvos, Kanday's border with Rethem is anything but peaceful. The skirmishing between the Checkered Shield and Copper Hook continues. The ongoing conflict is not officially recognized by either Rethem's King Chafin III or King Andasin IV of Kanday. Neither wishes to provoke a recurrence of Ezar's War and both officially regard the matter as a religious dispute.

During the last three years, hostilities have increased, in part due to Agrikan action but also because a steadily growing faction in the Checkered Shield is calling for a "cleansing assault" on Hyen. Members of the faction argue that the only sure way to end the strife is to eliminate the last stronghold of the Copper Hook and destroy them "root and branch." This faction's members call themselves "The Banners of Honor" and have occasionally instigated attacks on Agrikan patrols and settlements.

Since 713, the Chabla of the order has been Sir Syman Tolfane. He wishes to see an end to the ongoing conflict and has periodically offered to parlay with Marag Yeredar, the Copper Hook grandmaster, but all such attempts have been spurned.

Parties outside the two orders play a part in the conflict. The Rethemi Earl of Tormau views the struggle as a beneficial distraction to Chafin III and has been giving covert aid in the form of coin and arms to both orders through intermediaries. A secret committee of the Thardic senate sees advantage in conflict between Kanday and Rethem and funds the Copper Hook, which they see as the weaker of the two sides. The Earl of Selvos has discreetly donated moderate sums to Checkered Shield chapters dominated by the Banners of Honor. He would like to see Hyen destroyed, removing a threat to his holdings and improving trade with northeast Kanday.

The Thardic Republic

The Checkered Shield and the Order of Hyvrik maintain a tenuous foothold in the Thardic Republic. The Republic and Kanday are currently at peace but tensions from past conflicts remain. The association between the Laranian Church and the Kandian crown causes many influential Republicans to distrust the orders. The Thardic brethren, like the Laranian knights and senators who support them, are mostly aligned with the Imperialist or Monarchist factions of Republican politics, both of which support the introduction of hereditary nobility and feudalism.

The Checkered Shield holds no lands in the Republic. It has chapters attached to temples in a number of Thardic towns and maintains hostels for its members in others. The Thardic chapters recognize the authority of the Chabla in Kanday but are effectively governed by a deputy grandmaster of their own choosing. Being close to the Order of Hyvrik and far from the Rethemi border has made most Thardic members side with the "Traditionalist" faction of the Checkered Shield.

The city of Coranan is inadequately policed by the Red Guard, who consider garrison duty beneath their dignity. The Order of Hyvrik seeks to capitalize on this by having their Checkered Shield guards openly and vigorously police the streets, especially in areas that are highly visible to the Senate and influential citizens. This occasionally results in confrontations with the Agrikan Cohorts of Gashang, who also actively patrol city districts.

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Chabla Syman Tolfane

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Chabla Syman Tolfane

Chabla Syman Tolfane, 39, is a devoted man of faith. He spends long hours of prayer in the chapel at Menekod. He trains daily and is renowned for his skill at arms. Sir Syman is a strong believer in the chivalric code and its tenets of duty, honor, bravery, and compassion.

The Chabla is well traveled and keenly aware of events outside the kingdom. He believes that Rethem will eventually destroy itself in civil war, leaving Kanday free to capture everything south of the Thard River. He is concerned that the Banners of Honor might provoke a premature war, unifying Rethem and leaving Kanday vulnerable to an attack by the Thardic Republic, which he sees as the greater threat.

The pious Chabla regards the political pragmatism of his rival, the Rekela of Perinore, with some dismay. He believes that the bishop is overly concerned with secular matters to the detriment of his spiritual duties and is interested only in the power and wealth that come from the territory and estates of his diocese. He feels the bishop meddles where he doesn't belong, including foreign policy and the internal leadership of the Checkered Shield.

Sir Syman's clan has close ties to Kanday's royal family. His father, Sir Boromis Telfane, is the Serolan Royal. Although the king is a follower of Save-K'nor, the Laranian royal chaplain remains a close adviser. Sir Syman himself is friends with Prince Anaflas and the two men often hunt and talk politics together.

Internal Conflicts

In addition to threats from outside Kanday's borders, the order faces challenges from within. Chief among these is the contention between various factions within the order, who disagree on matters ranging from the conduct of the conflict with the Copper Hook to the order's relationships with the Kandian Crown and the Order of Hyvrik.

Chabla Syman is concerned that this internal strife will weaken the order. The faction he leads, known as the "Reluctant Warriors," seeks to strengthen the order and better fulfill its mission as the shield of the realm. They believe this is best done by gaining control of all the chapterhouses and unifying the order under the direct command of the grandmaster.

Syman has been thwarted in this by Sir Tamys Bakyth, who holds the offices of both Rekela (bishop) of Perinore and Sheriff of Norea. Sir Tamys feigns friendship but there is considerable enmity between the two men. Sir Syman has petitioned the king for control of the estates around Dovan, a regional headquarters of the Checkered Shield and the moot of Narath Hundred. Rekela Bakyth resists the Chabla's ambition and seeks to reassert clerical control over the Checkered Shield. He has insisted, with the support of Serekela (archbishop) Styfen Millard, that the estates remain under church control and suggests that the Chabla wants the wealth of the manors simply to further construction of Menekod. The Earl of Heroth, a friend of the Rekela and a lay member of the Checkered Shield, seeks to negotiate an end to the dispute.

The grandmaster and bishop are also at odds over the matter of the Copper Hook. King Andasin continues to officially ignore the ongoing skirmishing, largely due to the counsel of Rekela Bakyth, who secretly hopes the actions of the Banners of Honor will embarrass the Chabla and justify strengthening the Order of Hyvrik's control over the fighting order. Some members of the Checkered Shield are loyal to the Rekela, including the commander of the Patry chapterhouse, whose men guard the Rekela's secret prison at Harchesa Abbey.

The Turintesa (clerical grandmaster) of the Order of Hyvrik is Toril Elcher. A supporter of the Traditionalist faction, Toril would like to see the Chabla replaced by a priest from his own staff or at least by someone more willing to carry out his directives.

Checkered Shield chapters sometimes clash with nearby military units. The chapter that guards the temple of Larani in Aleath often "assists" the City Guard, not always by request. Relations between the current two commanders are poor, which is reflected in the activities of their men. Brawls between the two forces are common; weapons have sometimes been drawn. The Sheriff of Eryna (who is also the Earl of Sarkum and the king's father) tries to remain neutral, as he finances half the City Guard but is also an ardent supporter of the Checkered Shield. Likewise, the chapters near Selvos have a "friendly" rivalry with the Green Owls, a mercenary company employed by the Earl of Selvos. The men of the order see the Green Owls as unchivalrous brigands. The Owls return slight for slight and blow for blow; there have been several duels, with fatalities on both sides.

Internal Conflict Fighting Knights

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Factions within the Order

The Checkered Shield finds itself split into three discordant factions. The largest of these groups, known as the Reluctant Warriors, strives to uphold the Laranian ideals of chivalry. Although they are devoted to Larani and loyal to her Church, they see their primary allegiance as being to the Kandian crown. The faction is led by Chabla Syman Tolfane.

The Banners of Honor are a small but growing faction of hot-headed knights who are eager for the glory of the old veterans who proudly show the scars gained during Ezar's War. They wish to see a resumption of war with the Cooper Hook and Rethem. As older knights have died or retired, the Banners have risen to more important positions and have been behind the persistent skirmishing with the Agrikan forces. Their calls to eliminate the last stronghold of the Copper Hook have become more strident.

The smallest faction, the Traditionalists, believe the order should return to the direct control of the Order of Hyvrik. They see the Chabla as overly ambitious and independent and oppose the aggression of the Banners of Honor. The faction is supported by the Turintesa of the Order of Hyvrik and Tamys Bakyth, Rekela of Perinore.

Contention between the factions is frequent but seldom leads to more than anger and harsh words. One of the Chabla's major tasks is keeping peace in his own order.

LIFE IN THE ORDER

Note: ADD a breakdown of the expansion of the three main books to Relgion.

As it is Written...

Three books dominate life in the Checkered Shield: The Declaration of Holy Honor (the "Parables"), The Exaltation of Righteousness (the "White Book"), and The Blessed Ordering of Glory (the "Red Book"). Although the names may differ, similar tomes are used by all Laranian fighting orders.

The Parables seeks to extol the faithful to strive for Laranian ideals and the code of chivalry. It contains stories of the saints, including Orthas the Defender, the order's patron saint, and the Knights of Tirith.

The White Book covers the order's history and includes details of its victories, defeats, heroes, and leaders. The White Book is updated by a conclave of Reblena led by the Chabla and advised by the Turintesa.

The Red Book contains the rules of the order. Marabrine, the first Chabla, assembled the volume, adapting it from the rule book of the Order of the Lady of Paladins. The book has been appended over the years to address situations unique to the Checkered Shield. It spells out every aspect of life in the order, including behavior, dress, training, combat, and discipline, and dictates the schedule of prayers, meals, and fasting.

...So it Shall Be Done

As specified by the Red Book, all members of the order observe a schedule of daily prayer and meditation. On the night before each Soratir (lay mass), melana are expected to fast and perform a vigil. Members are encouraged to seek spiritual guidance from their chaplain, usually the Menoran of a nearby temple. Passages from the order's three sacred texts are read aloud during meals to inspire and to reinforce the rules.

As martial excellence is seen as furthering Larani's cause, training at arms is required on all but holy days. Discipline is given great importance, as is the precise performance of duties. Infractions of the rules or other inappropriate behavior is speedily punished, often harshly.

Celibacy is not required by the order. Members in good standing may marry but only with their Reblena's permission. Relatively few members chose marriage, as most have committed their life to Larani's service; marriage usually ends all hope of promotion. Where space allows, some Reblena permit wives and children to live in the chapterhouse, where they are expected to work as part of the household. Few of the female members of the order choose to marry. Those who do usually leave active service and become lay members. Relations between male and female members is officially frowned upon but far from rare.

Honor and discipline are hallmarks of the Checkered Shield and the order holds these values highly. Members of the order who are accused of breaking secular laws will likely find themselves also answering to a tribunal of Reblenas. Bringing shame or dishonor on the order is an offense, even if no actual crime is involved. Although trial by combat is largely out of favor with the Kandian royal court, it is practiced vigorously within the order. For many, the threat of dishonorable discharge from the order is considered a more grievous penalty than death.

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Code of the Order

The Red Book includes a lengthy code of conduct for members of the Checkered Shield. The following are just some of its many precepts:

Honor comes before victory. The most honorable battle is for a cause that is just.

Bravery, compassion, and honor are expected in all tasks, words, and deeds.

The laws of the land are to be protected from the wrongs of injustice.

Duty to the Church, the Crown, and the Order must be upheld.

Quarter may be offered and accepted with honor. Quarter may be offered to the infidel but never accepted from same.

Never slay nor maim unnecessarily.

Combat of honor is fought to the first blood. The Lady of Justice will determine who is in the right.

Their Portion Due

Members of the order receive quarters, food (including meat three times a week), servants, squires, arms, armour, horses, and the services of bonded guildsmen such as ostlers and physicians, all at the quality and quantity generally accorded to their rank and station.

Members do not earn wages but may keep a share of any spoils of war recovered in battle. Many melana receive stipends from their noble families for extra luxuries. On the Feast of St. Asodan the Generous, wealthy benefactors give gifts to their local chapterhouse, often in the form of coin for the personal use of its members; it is the favorite feast day for most meken.

ORGANIZATION OF THE ORDER

Note: ADD a hierarchy chart, both from the MILITARY and also as subfuedation, to clearly show the ChapterHouses under the King, those under the Church, and those under other Lords. This would allow for expansion on the clashes, feuds, and political strife within the Church, as well as across Kingdoms.

Llywelyn the Great 1173-1195-1240

Gruffudd ap Llywelyn 1198-1244

Dafydd ap Llywelyn 1212-1240-1246

Owain Goch ap Gruffudd d. 1282

Llywelyn ap Gruffudd 1223-1246-1282

Dafydd ap Gruffudd 1238-1282-1283

Rhodri ap Gruffudd 1230-1315

Gwenllian of Wales 1282-1337

Llywelyn ap Dafydd 1267-1283-1287

Owain ap Dafydd 1275-1287-1325

Tomas ap Rhodri 1300-1325-1363

Owain Lawgoch 1330-1378

The order currently has around 800 members. A third are knights, the remainder are men-at-arms. As this is more than double the number of members that the order's own lands can support, it relies heavily on donations from the Kandian crown, noble clans, and the Order of Hyvrik.

Chabla (Grandmaster)

The Chabla is the political and military leader of the order; the rank is the social equivalent of a baron. The Chabla of the Checkered Shield is theoretically under the command of the Turintesa of the Order of Hyvrik but in practice is answerable to the Serekela and the king. In most Laranian fighting orders, the Chabla is selected by the Turintesa but the Checkered Shield has the privilege of electing its own grandmaster. Although a Chabla is invariably well-schooled in ritual, the office is seldom filled by a priest.

Reblena (Commander)

Although most Reblenas command a chapterhouse or military unit, others serve as deputies to the grandmaster or as administrative officers of the order. Reblena are selected by the Chabla from those nominated by the Soylana Assembly, a conclave of the order's most esteemed knights.

Melana (Knight)

The melana are the core of the order's fighting force. They lead raids and patrols and make up the cavalry of the battle line. They fight with a holy conviction, knowing that death in battle will grant them great honor in blessed Tirithor, the "Land of the Mighty." The melana command the soldiers who guard Laranian and Peonian temples and clergy.

Melana are equipped as medium horse; all wear mail armour and some have pieces of plate. Some chapters have a contingent of heavy horse. Most prefer the broadsword but some wield warhammers or battleaxes; maces are unpopular due to their association with Agrik.

Melana are almost always of noble birth. Many are younger sons of the kingdom's powerful clans, although there are more than a few noble daughters among their ranks. Under exceptional circumstances, a commoner may be knighted and given rank as a melana, but this is rare.

Unless they come to the order having already been knighted, melana start as squires. After serving for at least four years, those squires who are deemed to have the necessary skill, desire, and discipline undergo a year-long initiation of physical and mental trials. These trials, symbolic of the challenges faced by St. Ambrathas as he defended Larani, determine if the squire is worthy of becoming a melana of the order. The final trial is the Tirannon, a vigil of fasting and prayer that ends in knighting and induction as a full member of the order. Knights joining the order also undertake the Tirannon as a sign of spiritual rebirth.

Melana (Knight)

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Melana Skills

A new melana opens the Fighting Order Knight MH military occupation skills (see HârnMaster, CHARACTER 27) plus Ritual (Larani)/2 and Heraldry/3.

Option Points are handled per CHARACTER 16 to improve skills or open new ones.

Those selected as Reblena open Law/3, Agriculture/2, Language (Emela)/2, Script (Lakise)/70+SB, Script (Khruni) /70+SB, Oratory/3, Rhetoric (Command)/4.

At GM discretion, some members of the order may have specialized knowledge gained through devoting themselves to studying various aspects of warcraft.

Erana (Wandering Knight)

Inspired by the concepts of the chivalric code, many Laranian knights perform quests or pilgrimages. Others simply wander in search of chance encounters that will prove their skills and honor. A Checkered Shield melana who chooses to follow such a calling, with the permission of his Reblena, is known as an erana. Erana are welcome guests in any chapterhouse.

Venilana (Retired Knight)

Melana who are no longer able to fight may retire and live out their days as honored members of their clans' households. Some, known as venilana, remain with the order and fill custodial roles, such as bailiff or chamberlain, at its manors and chapterhouses.

Rilana (Lay Brother)

Many Kandian noblemen choose to serve Larani as rilana, or lay brothers of the Checkered Shield. These knights are of independent means and serve the order "at need or desire." Although lay brothers live at their own manors, they often use the order's chapterhouses as social clubs.

Although most melana are younger sons, those who do inherit a title and lands usually withdraw from active service but remain on the rolls of the order as rilana. Lay members must heed the Chabla's call to muster under penalty of cowardice and shame.

Meken (Common Soldier)

The meken are the foot soldiers of the order and form the bulk of the fighting force. They fill many roles, usually under the command of melana, including patrolling the kingdom's borders and key roads, defending chapterhouses and their lands, and guarding temples and important clerics.

Meken are soldiers of simple birth. Many are sons of yeomen or other Laranian freemen and join the order possessing various craft skills and militia training. Recruits must be healthy, free of debt or oath of loyalty, and have the blessing of their local priest. Very few are female.

The order's officers are almost exclusively noble. There are corporals and sergeants among the meken but commoners rarely rise higher. Church doctrine and the chivalric code are used to enforce Larani's "Holy Ordering of Man's Estate" and keep meken from resenting their station.

Most meken are equipped as light foot, with quilt gambeson, leather leggings, plate half-helm, broadsword, spear, and round shield. Corporals, sergeants, and other veterans usually add a mail byrnie. Roughly a quarter are trained as bowmen; a few chapterhouses specialize in the longbow.

Once accepted into the order, many meken will serve their career at one chapterhouse, although transfers are not uncommon. Such long-term assignments result in a tight-knit unit and strong loyalty to the chapter. Rivalries between chapterhouses are common and usually remain friendly.

A meken may marry with the permission of his Reblena but such is usually given only to older men. Some chapterhouses have sufficient quarters for wives and children but many married meken live in the manor village instead; they are required to attend services and take their meals in the chapterhouse. Some wives of meken work as cooks or maids in the chapterhouse.

Meken (Common Solier)

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Meken Skills

A new meken opens the Fighting Order Infantry (LF) or Archer (SB) military occupation skills (see HârnMaster, CHARACTER 27) plus Ritual (Larani)/2.

Option Points are handled per CHARACTER 16 to improve skills or open new ones.

Corporals and Sergeants gain Rhetoric (Command)/4.

Those selected as Ataken open Horsecraft/3 and Riding/3.

Erken may open skills such as Acting/3, Drawing (Cartography)/4, Foraging/5, Intrigue/5, Survival/5, Tracking/4, and Script (Lakise)/70+SB.

Ataken (Common Squire)

Meken in certain chapterhouses, such as those that patrol major roads, may be trained to ride. Those who show special aptitude may even be selected to serve a melana as an ataken, or common squire. Equipped as light horsemen, ataken may also be used as couriers or scouts.

Erken (Chosen Man)

Erken are meken who have been selected by their Reblena and trusted with delicate tasks and special missions. Erken are taught to read and write, have good survival and tracking skills, and are able to draw maps. They are used as scouts and messengers and specialize in intrigue, stealth, and mobility rather than open combat. More than one Rethemi lord unwittingly has an erken in his employ.

Veniken (Retired Soldier)

Meken who retire after at least 20 years of service are known as veniken. Although a few veniken return to their home villages, most choose to remain at the chapterhouse. At some chapters, veniken receive a small cottage and a few acres of manor land. Others work as gardeners or ostlers or in other capacities at the chapterhouse.

Many veniken find positions as yeomen on the lands held by Laranian abbeys and provide protection as part of their service. The grandmaster of the Order of Hyvrik has proposed using veniken to help settle Kanday's eastern wilderness and convert the Gozyda tribesmen.

Note: ADD references to the grandmaster's proposed plan, intwining it with political ambitions and diplomatic strife between Tharda, Kanday, and the Church. Add to this the tensions with Rethem, will be the main focus of conflict building for the next war.

HOLDINGS

Note: ADD

The Order of the Checkered Shield has a number of strongholds or chapterhouses and numerous manors that provide it with supplies and men. Some are held directly by the order from the king and others are held by various officials of the Laranian Church. Some churchmen have used this as leverage to ensure the cooperation of the order. The Chabla seeks to bring all chapterhouses under his control to eliminate the "inefficiency and political complications" caused by the current arrangement.

MENEKOD

This formidable castle is the headquarters of the order. The garrison varies from 50 or so in winter to 250 during the summer. The summer garrison includes an additional 40 melana and 80 meken from other chapters plus 70 feudal levies doing their annual duty. The winter garrison consists of a "double-chapter" of 20 knights and 40 men-at-arms, although at least 10 members are away on missions for the Chabla at any given time. MENEKOD is the martial, spiritual, and financial center of the order.

Preceptories

Preceptories are full chapters of the order. They typically include a heavily fortified manor and act as a regional headquarters. Each has roughly 10 melana and 20 meken. DAFARN was the first manor granted to the order and is considered its spiritual birthplace; its chapter has the added responsibility of protecting the Serekela at SHREVE Abbey. In 715, they foiled an attempt on the Serekela's life; it is unknown who was behind the attack.

Commanderies

Commanderies are subordinate chapterhouses with five melana and 10 meken; they are sometimes referred to as "half-chapters." The chapters at KOSTIM, KORRI, and PATRY are responsible for protecting Kanday's Rekelas and their abbeys. Other chapters guard temples of the Order of Hyvrik or patrol important roads or key spots on the borders. The Peonian abbeys at CHANTAER and FORUTE are protected by commanderies but the Pelnala of DUSEDA Abbey had the guards at her abbey recalled for doctrinal reasons.

Granges

Note: ADD in the TYPE category on the table.

Granges are subordinate manors managed for the order by bailiffs, many of whom are retired melana. The granges provide food for the chapterhouses or generate revenue to fund the order's activities. Although grange manors are used as hostels for troops patrolling the area, none are permanently stationed there. Granges are usually grouped near a commandery or preceptory. A handful of granges along the border with Rethem are now ruins, casualties of the skirmishes with the Copper Hook; the Chabla is facing some pressure to rebuild them.

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Kandian Chapters

The Checkered Shield maintains the following chapterhouses in Kandáy.

Note: ADD Bishopric/Diocese, Colour Codes for Chapter Type, etc.

INSERT TABLE

Kandian Chapters

Chapter	Held By	Type	Map
ALEATH	Order of Hyvrik	Preceptory	[E8]
ANDERSA	Checkered Shield	Commandery	[E7]
ANTIVAR	Checkered Shield	Commandery	[D7]
AROBY	Rekela of Perinore	Commandery	[E7]
CHANTAER	Church of Peoni	Commandery	[E8]
DAFARN	Rekela of Daena	Preceptory	[E8]
DAKIEL	Rekela of Perinore	Commandery	[E7]
DINAYN	Checkered Shield	Commandery	[D7]
DOVAN	Rekela of Perinore	Preceptory	[E7]
DYRISA	Order of Hyvrik	Commandery	[E8]
ERINATH	Rekela of Perinore	Commandery	[D7]
FLARU	Rekela of Daena	Commandery	[E8]
FORUTE	Church of Peoni	Commandery	[E8]
GISALA	Checkered Shield	Preceptory	[E7]
GRELDA	Rekela of Perinore	Commandery	[D7]
HEKRA	Rekela of Aleathia	Commandery	[E8]
JENI	Rekela of Perinore	Commandery	[E7]
KITHEL	Rekela of Ternula	Commandery	[E9]
KORRI	Rekela of Ternula	Commandery	[D9]
KOSTIM	Rekela of Aleathia	Commandery	[E8]
LEBENIL	Constable of Ibonost	Preceptory	[F7]
LURYN	Checkered Shield	Preceptory	[D7]
MENEKOD	Checkered Shield	Headquarters	[E7]
PATRY	Rekela of Perinore	Commandery	[E7]
ROGG	Checkered Shield	Commandery	[E7]
SHOMOT	Rekela of Perinore	Preceptory	[E7]
STEDMARY	Checkered Shield	Commandery	[E7]
TYNWYM	Checkered Shield	Commandery	[E7]
UTARATH	Checkered Shield	Preceptory	[E7]
WALDEL	Sheriff of Peris	Commandery	[D7]
WENERY	Checkered Shield	Commandery	[D7]
WHYCER	Checkered Shield	Commandery	[E7]
WOUVASY	Rekela of Perinore	Commandery	[E7]
WRYTHENAL	Rekela of Perinore	Preceptory	[E7]
XERLE	Rekela of Daena	Commandery	[E8]

Thardic Chapters

There are no stand-alone chapterhouses in the Republic. Chapters are assigned to guard the Order of Hyvrik's temples in Shiran, Coranan, and other towns; small hostels are maintained in still others.

Rethemi Chapters

The order maintains no chapters in Rethem but supplies chosen men to the Turintesa to accompany missionaries, and to the Rekela of Perinore, whose diocese includes that kingdom, to use as spies and couriers.

City of ALEATH COL5661

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