Dawn military concerns
Very few things provide as many opportunities for glory as warfare. Drawn to glory as it is, it is unsurprising that Dawn prides itself on its martial traditions.
Knights are those nobles who dedicate themselves to a martial life. Groups of Knights from a noble house will fight together in battle, supported by the house War Witches. They are expected to serve as living banners to the men and women who fight beside them, exemplifying the glory of Dawn to friends and enemies alike. Not all knights deck themselves in a harness of plate, but every knight looks for opportunities to fight their foes toe-to-toe. Not for the Dawnish knight the cowardly ambush or the subversive flank - they smash their foes down through might of arms and force of will.
Beside the Knights, the Dawn currently maintains three armies to fight in the Imperial wars and has provided four in better times when Imperial fortunes allowed. The rank and file soldiers are eager yeomen, seeking opportunities for glory. They are led by the most capable nobles available who share their soldiers ambitions. Few Dawn generals will lead from the rear. While there is some glory in a well-planned battle, but nothing compared to the glory of a lord or lady who leads their troops to victory. As such most yeomen have an abiding respect for their military leaders, born of shared ambitions and shared dangers.
Great swords or sword and shield are the most common weapons for Knights on the field of battle, while yeoman are usually equipped with axes, halberds or spears. Missile weapons are rare, and regarded with some suspicion. Despite their obvious uses, it's difficult to see anything glorious in shooting an enemy at thirty paces. Archery is seen as a fitting contest of skill, rather than a glorious weapon of war.
Knighthood is not the only calling for the nobility, there are talented noble craftsmen, mages and legislators, but so many nobles are Knights that the word Knight is sometimes (incorrectly) used to describe anyone connected with nobility, regardless of their martial skills. This helps to make the existance of the Knights-errant slightly confusing. These are men and women engaged upon a Test of Mettle, seeking to prove their glory. Technically they are not nobility, since they have not yet proven their worth and the term is used equally to describe anyone looking to prove themselves, not just warriors. However they are usually the sons and daughters of noble houses and as such they are generally forgiven for assuming such airs and graces as will one day be their right.
Knights-errant often travel the land together, helping each other to triumph in their tests. Such bands travel the land to wherever they are most needed, seeking out opportunities for heroism. Groups of knights-errant are often accompanied by loyal yeomen; house retainers, faithful servants, or childhood friends. The yeomen handle everyday responsibilities allowing the Knights to concentrate on less worldly matters. It is not unusual for yeomen to declare themselves Knights-errant but they often prefer to adventure by themselves or with others from similar humble upbringings.
The easiest way to pass a Test of Mettle is to petition the noble house you were raised in and pass the challenges they set you. It is a much more challenging to petition another noble house, particularly one with which you have little existing connections. But the most ambitious Knight-errants seek the ultimate prize – achievements so glorious that they are recognized by all the noble houses – and for a prestigious noble house to approach them and offer a Test of Mettle. Such achivements are rare, but a Knight Errant who is invited into a house rather than petitioning one is seen as being worthy indeed.
The travails of a Knight-errant are not just difficult, they can also be expensive. Most Dawn nobles have a fairly cursory disdain for money, it tends to get in the way of a glorious ambition, but no-one can completely ignore the realities of mundane life. To facilitate their quests, many Knights-errant or groups of knights, take a patron, a wealthy noble who can financially support their heroic lifestyle. Patrons can be useful, but often come with strings attached, even if just a requirement to serve the patron when called.
Some Knight-errants enjoy the life of high adventure so much that they continue the lifestyle after passing their Test of Mettle, declining the political life of a house noble. Questing Knights, as they are usually known, usually form a tight knit group with other, similarly minded Knights, and often dedicate themselves to some great quest or higher cause that they know can never be completed. Such groups are often perpetuated through the generations as newly ennobled Knights join the ranks to replace losses. Such groups are usually distinctive, perhaps a unique code of honour that every member must swear or an Eternal patron to whom they swear loyalty.