Knights & Mages (The Illustrated Edition)
Page 4
Order of the Crowned Shield
by Sir James Waley of Camelot
The Order of the Crowned Shield was founded in honor of Queen Jeanette - in fact because of her death, it was ‘re-founded’.
Queen Jeanette was not a typical Queen; before becoming Queen, she had been a Makidon. Once, she was even heading the Knight’s Council, but the Royal Chaplain objected vehemently at having a woman involved in such matters of violence, and Queen Jeanette decorously removed herself from office.
However, she designed a new training course that focused on speed rather than strength. Furthermore, she emphasized combat tactics and complex maneuvering designed to outwit rather than outfight an opponent. An emphasis was also placed on war tactics and the handling of sieges and large-scale battles - in effect, these knights were being trained to become generals rather than soldiers.
Training Motto: “If you can kiss your own arse, you’re gonna have to kiss mine!”
“We are the Knights of the Shield that’s Crowned
We can piddle upside-down
Fight while standing on our heads
In war or peace, or the ladies’ beds,
You won’t see us till we’re through
We’re all of us too smart for you
You won’t hear us till we’re gone
And if you do, you’d better run!
We are the Knights of the Shield that’s Crowned
Rightside-up or upside-down
You’ll never know when we are around
Till your face is on the ground!”
- Campfire song of the Crowned Shield Knights
The training grounds of the Crowned Shield Knights are filled with the sounds of young boys’ screams. Students must learn to bend, stretch, twist and turn in such a myriad of acrobatics that even the big Splitspar Knights sometimes wince to see them in training. Speed training is nearly as bad; students are made to dodge pebbles, then darts, then arrows, then fire-tipped arrows, reportedly, the best could even dodge the projectile attacks while standing upside-down!
There is a recent tradition in all Crowned Shield training houses that any tutelary who is able to perform a 180 degree split while on horseback will be awarded 20 tactics coins upon being conferred squire status. Few have done it – many go about with a pained gait and a high voice for a few days after a failed attempt.
Crowned Shield Weapons, Armor and Tactics
Crowned Shield Knights are relatively smaller in built, but very agile and extremely fast, and are often deployed in light cavalry operations. Reconnaissance, scouting, ambush and marksmanship are their key traits. They prefer light weaponry such as swords and daggers, and are proficient in archery such as longbow and crossbow. They ride small, fleet-footed horses and are usually dispatched to the flank of the attacking forces, riding or running at high speed, slashing and slicing as they go past, to hem the enemy and limit escape routes.
They wear scale armor to keep their maneuverability at a maximum; their armor deliberately kept a dull grey, so as to better camouflage themselves. The leadership wears dark cloaks for the same purpose. They also carry small buckler shields bearing the emblem of the golden crown. Personality-wise, Crowned Shield Knights are generally easy-going and extroverted – in fact, part of their tactic to aggravate their opponent with distraction and taunts – for they know well that somebody raging over a slur on his wife is unlikely to be paying much attention to the actual fight!
‘nuff said.
* * * * *
NOTE TO THE READER:
This marks the start of your journey, your fate inevitably
and inexorably entwined with the Heroes of Bretunia in
KNIGHTHOOD
The Camelot Prophecies Volume 1
Continue the heroes’ journey, as they quest for the
Articles of the ‘Armor of Light’ in
Artifacts I & II
Armor of Light Quest
Now available on the Amazon Kindle