Knights of the Hart
Encyclopedia
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting
for the Dungeons & Dragons
role-playing game
, the Knights of the Hart is a chivalric order
in the Flanaess
. They are one of the least militant orders in the Flanaess, although that reputation is changing since the end of the Greyhawk Wars
.
, Veluna
, or Highfolk
. No matter to which order a member belongs, all are sworn to defend the others and the lands of all three nations at a moment's notice.
This branch's coat of arms is blazoned thus: Azure, a pair of antlers Or.
, but recently has begun admitting clerics
with strong combat abilities. Most members worship Rao
; worship of Mayaheine, St. Cuthbert
, or Heironeous
is also seen, though uncommon. The order accepts humans and half-elves.
This branch's coat of arms is blazoned thus: Sable, a pair of antlers Or.
. They are skilled at skirmishing in the wild, and concentrate their efforts in the Vesve Forest, but also spend brief amounts of time outside the forests as merchant lords in an effort to raise money for their causes.
This branch's coat of arms is blazoned thus: Vert, a pair of antlers Or.
, Dyvers
, Nyrond, the Knights of Holy Shielding
, and the Knights of the Watch.
, Highfolk
, and Veluna
.
Campaign setting
A campaign setting is usually a fictional world which serves as a setting for a role-playing game or wargame campaign. A campaign is a series of individual adventures, and a campaign setting is the world in which such adventures and campaigns take place...
for the Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy role-playing game originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. . The game has been published by Wizards of the Coast since 1997...
role-playing game
Role-playing game
A role-playing game is a game in which players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within a narrative, either through literal acting, or through a process of structured decision-making or character development...
, the Knights of the Hart is a chivalric order
Knight
A knight was a member of a class of lower nobility in the High Middle Ages.By the Late Middle Ages, the rank had become associated with the ideals of chivalry, a code of conduct for the perfect courtly Christian warrior....
in the Flanaess
Flanaess
The Flanaess is the eastern part of the continent of Oerik, one of the four continents of the fictional world of Oerth in the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game. The Flanaess has been the setting of dozens of adventures published between the 1970s...
. They are one of the least militant orders in the Flanaess, although that reputation is changing since the end of the Greyhawk Wars
Greyhawk Wars
In the Dungeons & Dragons World of Greyhawk campaign setting, the Greyhawk Wars raged across the whole of the Flanaess from 582-584 CY.-History:...
.
Structure
The Knights of the Hart are a tripartite organization. Each branch is generally devoted to the defense of a single country -- FuryondyFuryondy
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Furyondy, properly known as the Kingdom of Furyondy, is a feudal kingdom of the Flanaess, and a successor state of Ferrond.-History:...
, Veluna
Veluna
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Veluna, properly known as the Archclericy of Veluna, is a theocratic political state of the Flanaess.-History:...
, or Highfolk
Highfolk
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Highfolk, properly known as the Free Town of Highfolk, is a political city-state of the Flanaess...
. No matter to which order a member belongs, all are sworn to defend the others and the lands of all three nations at a moment's notice.
Knights of Furyondy
The Knights of Furyondy is the largest branch of the Knights of the Hart; as of 591 CY, the order had 170 knights, as well as many other warriors associated with it. About 50 members died during the Greyhawk Wars and Great Northern Crusade (583–588 CY); recruitment of new members, and strengthening the Furyondyian border with the Empire of Iuz has been a primary focus since that time. The order accepts humans and half-elves.This branch's coat of arms is blazoned thus: Azure, a pair of antlers Or.
Knights of Veluna
The Knights of Veluna are the most politically active branch of the Knights of the Hart. All of its 120 members are landowners, and encourage resolution of disputes with diplomacy and negotiation as much as with martial prowess. The membership once consisted exclusively of fightersFighter (Dungeons & Dragons)
The fighter is one of the standard playable character classes in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. A fighter is a versatile, weapons-oriented warrior who fights using skill, strategy and tactics....
, but recently has begun admitting clerics
Cleric (Dungeons & Dragons)
The cleric is one of the standard playable character class in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. In the game, clerics are versatile figures, both capable in combat and skilled in the use of divine magic. Clerics are powerful healers due to the large number of healing and curative...
with strong combat abilities. Most members worship Rao
Rao (Greyhawk)
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, Rao is the Flan god of Peace, Reason, and Serenity. His holy symbol is a heart-shaped mask with a calm expression, or a simple white heart crafted of metal or wood...
; worship of Mayaheine, St. Cuthbert
Saint Cuthbert (Dungeons & Dragons)
In some versions of the Dungeons and Dragons roleplaying game, Saint Cuthbert of the Cudgel is the combative deity of Wisdom, Dedication, and Zeal...
, or Heironeous
Heironeous
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting and the default pantheon of deities for the third edition of the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Heironeous is the Oeridian god of Chivalry, Justice, Honor, War, Daring, and Valor. His holy symbol is a silver lightning bolt, often clutched in a...
is also seen, though uncommon. The order accepts humans and half-elves.
This branch's coat of arms is blazoned thus: Sable, a pair of antlers Or.
Knights of the High Forest
All forty-five members (as of 591 CY) of this order are elvenElf (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, elves are a fictional humanoid race that is one of the primary races available for play as player characters. Elves are renowned for their grace and mastery of magic and weapons such as the sword and bow...
. They are skilled at skirmishing in the wild, and concentrate their efforts in the Vesve Forest, but also spend brief amounts of time outside the forests as merchant lords in an effort to raise money for their causes.
This branch's coat of arms is blazoned thus: Vert, a pair of antlers Or.
Tenets
The Knights of the Hart are devoted to opposition of Iuz; since the end of the Greyhawk Wars and the Great Northern Crusade, their goal is to destroy him, his armies, and his empire. The order also distrusts PerrenlandPerrenland
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Perrenland, properly known as the Concatenated Cantons of Perrenland, is a political state of the Flanaess.-Geography:...
, Dyvers
Dyvers
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, Dyvers, the "City of Sails," is a free city and political state in the central Flanaess...
, Nyrond, the Knights of Holy Shielding
Knights of Holy Shielding
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, the Knights of Holy Shielding is a chivalric order in the Flanaess.-References:...
, and the Knights of the Watch.
Founding of the order
The Knights of the Hart were founded in service to the nobility of FuryondyFuryondy
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Furyondy, properly known as the Kingdom of Furyondy, is a feudal kingdom of the Flanaess, and a successor state of Ferrond.-History:...
, Highfolk
Highfolk
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Highfolk, properly known as the Free Town of Highfolk, is a political city-state of the Flanaess...
, and Veluna
Veluna
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Veluna, properly known as the Archclericy of Veluna, is a theocratic political state of the Flanaess.-History:...
.