Imperial Orders of Knighthood

[AlHazred]

I have three Orders of "Knights Ordinary," keeping in mind to be elevated to SOC 10 you have to be extraordinary. These are mostly pure @GypsyComet in origin, as the explanation for their origin tickled me and let me include the patent cards IMTU.

Order of the Third Imperium​

Tags: Institution, Nobility, Order of Knighthood, Third Imperium

Founded by Cleon I in 47 as a counterpoint to the Honorable Order of the Emperor's Guard, this Order was originally intended to be used as the Knights Resident on worlds added to the early Imperium. As the exploration and annexation advanced that role would eventually be taken over in many long-annexed regions by the Honorable Order of the Emperor's Guard. The frontiers were dominated by newly-minted Knights of the Order of the Third Imperium, or simply "Knights of the Third Imperium", and some regions retained that balance well past the Civil War. The Order has split twice in its history; the first split occurred by an accident of communication (Order of the Knights Imperial), while the second was more considered (Order of the Empire).

An ordinary member is called a Companion of the Third Imperium (C.T.I.), while a senior member is termed a Knight of the Third Imperium (K.T.I.). The Grand Master of the Order is also termed a Knight of the Third Imperium; this position is always held by the Emperor.

The emblem of the order is 'sable, three suns or'.

The headquarters of the order is located on Capital. It is a sumptuous complex, with archives, four independently-owned dining establishments, two facilities to provide quarters for visiting members, and three museums bearing trophies and displays showing the achievements of members of the Order back to the foundation. The museums are open to the public on Holiday, and also on day 073, the anniversary day of the founding of the Order.

This Order is considered among the "Knights Ordinary", and shares seniority with the Order of the Knights Imperial and the Order of the Empire.

Headquarters: Capital (Core 2118)

Leader: Emperor Strephon

 

[AlHazred]

For some of these that have little to no canonical information (and which are unlikely to get any published documentation), would you mind if I used some of your write-up in the Wiki, credited to you in the citations, for some details at some point?

Feel free to use whatever you wish! It's kind of why I created this thread -- in my last game, this info would all have been super-useful and the source for a multitude of plots, as I had two noble characters of different origin. In my current game, my PCs are the lowest of the low, and this info is unlikely to ever come up, despite my work in recording it after the last campaign!

 

[AlHazred]

Order of the Knights Imperial​

Tags: Institution, Nobility, Order of Knighthood, Third Imperium

During the grinding conquests of the rimward half of the Imperium, the story goes, the founding of the Knights Imperial came on a world with a linguistic history that included the so-called Romance languages of old Terra. While awarding a number of local heroes with Imperial Knighthood, the translation for the local populace's newscasts rendered their titles as "Chevalier Emperialle". Through what was undoubtedly a comedy of diplomatic correctness, the name, rendered as "Knights Imperial", made its way into the communiques back to Capital. Emperor Jerome decided to honor the linguistic lapse, and gracefully accepted his role as the Grand Master of yet another Order. Despite this, the Knights Imperial and the Knights of the Third Imperium present in the rimward campaigns considered themselves to be brothers in the same Order for years after, only officially splitting when the Moot confirmed the Emperor's actions in 575.

This Order has become the largest in the Third Imperium. Along with the Honorable Order of the Emperor's Guard and the Order of the Iridium Throne, it is one of the most common Orders encountered.

Ordinary members are known as Companion of the Knights Imperial (C.K.I.). Members who acquire some renown rise to become Knights of the Knights Imperial (K.K.I.). Higher-ranking members of the order are known as Knight Commanders of the Knights Imperial (K.C.K.I.). The order has about 30 Knight Commanders. The head of the order is the Knight Grand Commander of the Knights Imperial (G.C.K.I.), a position automatically assumed by the Emperor, as the Duke of Core Sector. He may resign and appoint a successor, but this has never been done.

The badge of the order is 'sable, an astral crowned Imperial Sunburst or'.

The headquarters of the order are located on Capital. An unmanned information desk for members is located in the highport, with a few facilities for visiting members. The groundside headquarters is large complex, appropriate considering the order's size. It contains several archives, a museum, three dining facilties, a hostel, a facility of luxury accommodations (available at additional charge), and a spa. It has undergone numerous renovations over the centuries, the most recent ending in 1035.

This Order is considered among the "Knights Ordinary", and shares seniority with the Order of the Third Imperium and the Order of the Empire.

Headquarters: Capital (Core 2118)

Leader: Emperor Strephon

 

[AlHazred]

Order of the Empire​

Tags: Institution, Nobility, Order of Knighthood, Third Imperium

The creation of the Order of the Empire came about during the Civil War, making its official foundation year uncertain. Arbellatra officially split the Order from the Order of the Third Imperium in 630.

All members are known as Knight of the Empire (K.E.); it recognizes no higher rank. Even the Emperor is "only" a knight of the order, although he is by definition the most senior (his seniority date is that of Arbellatra).

The badge of the order is 'sable, a pile reversed ermines and flasks or'.

The headquarters of the order are located on Capital. Considered somewhat small and old-fashioned by the standards of the other Orders, it occupies a fortress dating to the time of the Barracks Emperors. It contains the typical archives, dining facilities, and several recreation areas, but also contains an armory, a parade ground, training facilities, and several workshops, unusually for the headquarters of such an order. It has no lodgings for visiting members, all available quarters being used for the staff (who are also members of the Order).

This Order is considered among the "Knights Ordinary", and shares seniority with the Order of the Knights Imperial and the Order of the Third Imperium.

Headquarters: Capital (Core 2118)

Leader: Emperor Strephon

NOTE: This is the Library Data entry, which is the official line. It's worth noting there's a whole interesing backstory that the members of this order are probably not keen on having publicly discussed.

 

[whulorigan]

NOTE on the Order of the Iridium Throne:

I would make the Order of the Iridium Throne somewhat exclusive. If you peruse the T5 Imperial Patents Registry, you will discover that all of the cards that Marc gave out in that Order were given exclusively to people who had been part of the T5 Beta CD & development process prior to the initial T5.00 Kickstarter release, and all of the land grants associated with the Iridium Throne are on worlds in Core Sector (i.e. "close to the throne").

 

[AlHazred]

NOTE on the Order of the Iridium Throne:

I would make the Order of the Iridium Throne somewhat exclusive. If you peruse the T5 Imperial Patents Registry, you will discover that all of the cards that Marc gave out in that Order were given exclusively to people who had been part of the T5 Beta CD & development process prior to the initial T5.00 Kickstarter release, and all of the land grants associated with the Iridium Throne are on worlds in Core Sector (i.e. "close to the throne").

See, and I originally had it as one of the Knights Ordinary since a lot of the people posting on the boards had them. I hadn't noticed the exclusivity! Thanks, I will modify!

 

[AlHazred]

How does this look? Revised writeup.

Order of the Iridium Throne​

Tags: Institution, Nobility, Order of Knighthood, Third Imperium

The Order was established by Emperor Cleon I before the Third Imperium was declared, to recognize individuals critical to the defense and advancement of interests of the Sector known as Sylea, which was later renamed Core. In later years, the Order has remained an exclusive order, most commonly seen in the Imperial Core.

Ordinary members are known as Knights (K.I.T.), of which there are about 2000. Higher-ranking members of the order are known as Knight Commanders (K.C.I.T.). The order has about 30 Knight Commanders. The highest rank of the order is the Knight Grand Commander (K.G.C.I.T.), a rank which includes the Grand Master of the Order; this position is automatically assumed by the Emperor, as the Duke of Core Sector. He may resign and appoint a successor, but this has never been done.

The badge of the order is 'sable, a throne or'.

The headquarters of the order are located on Capital, in a part of what was once grounds belonging to the Zhunastu family. It has been expanded and restored many times since then, but contains a museum, archives, and even a zoo containing creatures brought from all over Core. There are a few facilities for visiting members to lodge, but most members are assumed to have familial connections across the Sector and would be expected to lodge with them.

Headquarters: Capital (Core 2118)

Leader: Emperor Strephon

 

[AlHazred]

Speaking of exclusive orders, one of the most exclusive orders in my campaign (perhaps the most exclusive) dates from Milieu 0 and is, as far as I can determine, only referenced in the Milieu 0 book for T4.

Order of The Cross of Arlea​

Tags: Institution, Nobility, Order of Knighthood, Third Imperium

Established by Cleon I, this was one of the most exclusive orders of Knighthood at the time, as it included in its membership the most powerful heads and heirs of the nine great families of the Grand Senate of the Sylean Federation which had signed the Charter of Arlea establishing the Third Imperium. To this day all of the Order's members are related (however distantly) to the noble families of the Imperial peerage.

The subdivisions of the Order of The Cross of Arlea are: Companion of the Cross of Arlea (C.T.C.A.) for ordinary members; Knight of The Cross of Arlea (K.T.C.A.) for senior members; and, Knight Grand Cross of The Cross of Arlea (K.G.T.C.A.) for the highest levels of membership. The Grand Master of The Cross of Arlea (G.M.T.C.A.) is the Sovereign of the Order, Emperor Strephon.

The emblem of the Order is 'three crowns argent, on a field sable.'

The headquarters of the order are located on Capital in old buildings that formerly held the administrative and security functions of the Grand Senate. These house opulent facilities for visiting members, as well as dining and entertainment establishments. A nearby exclusive park for members includes a crypt containing memorials to the highest nobles of the Imperium, dating back to the foundation.

Headquarters: Capital (Core 2118)

Leader: Emperor Strephon

 

[AlHazred]

Order of Distinguished Merit​

Tags: Institution, Nobility, Order of Knighthood, Third Imperium

This Order was created by Emperor Artemsus in 65 to honor excellence and accomplishment in diplomacy, ambassadorial service, and service in the Foreign Office.

The Order can be awarded in four degrees; Member of the Distinguished Merit (M.D.M.); Companion of the Distinguished Merit (C.D.M.); Knight Companion of the Distinguished Merit (K.C.D.M.); and, Knight Grand Cordon of the Distinguished Merit (G.C.D.M.). The Grand Master of the Order is currently Ambassador Tabaka Babkot, who also holds the Grand Mastership of the Order of Wampallally.

The emblem of the Order is a golden Imperial Sunburst in a field of black, with a black crescent over the sunburst; one end of the crescent forms a lion's head, the other the head of a dove; this represents the two sides of diplomacy, a desire for peace but also a willingness to make righteous war.

The headquarters of the order are located on Capital. Located near the Diplomatic Corps offices, the Grand Hall of Imperial Merit contains mementos and trophies brought from all over the Third Imperium and far beyond, brought back by members from their posted assignments. A towering structure, it is a veritable treasure trove of oddities and curiosities that defy the ready understanding of Humaniti. The Argushiigi Admegulasha Bilanidin maintains a small staff in the Grand Hall, who act as docents. Tours are conducted for the families of members upon request. Once a year, on Holiday, tours are also opened to members of the public through a Grand Lottery which runs for the entire year. This staff also provides historical and academic services to those members who need more information on one of the cultures or sophonts represented.

Headquarters: Capital (Core 2118).

Leader: Ambassador Tabaka Babkot (W.W.W., G.C.D.M.).