Questing knight

Overview

Questing knights are romantic figures in Dawn, knights-errant who continue to pursue an adventurous lifestyle after passing their Test of Mettle, seeking greater glory for themselves and their houses. They travel far and wide across Dawn - a quest isn't just a monster to kill or a people to free from barbarian tyranny, after all, but a long and arduous journey to get there first.

Questing knights strive to embody the high ideals not just of Dawn, but of the quest. If they come to a place where there is a wicked magistrate abusing his power, or a monster snatching children away, or an innocent young fellow about to be forced into a marriage he doesn't want, then it is their right and duty to right the wrong. Questing knights who ignore evil or danger that they meet along the way are no better than mercenaries paid coin for their work. Most questing knights prefer to travel in the company of a troubadour, who can document their triumphs.

Some questing knights form groups called knightly orders. A knightly order may create and display their own heraldry Noble membership of most knightly orders is by invitation only, and orders often require solemn oaths, as they have a glorious reputation of their own to protect. Some knightly orders have a patron - a powerful and wealthy individual who provides support for the group. Knights-errant often have an Earl for a patron but groups of questing knights sometimes ask an Eternal to become their patron.

Creating a Questing Knight

If you want to play a noble character who focusses on achieving glory and avoids the politics of playing in a noble house then you should consider playing a questing knight. You should decide what noble house your character is part of - questing knights have already passed their Test of Mettle. If you know a group who are playing an existing noble house then you can ask them but you can play a knight who is part of an obscure minor house that is simply part of your own background.

Although the word knight is usually used to describe a warrior, a questing knight can be any noble character - you might be a warrior but you could just as easily be a witch, a troubadour or a craftsman.

If you intend to play a questing knight, it is important to appreciate the large scale of the PD Empire events. You will have epic opportunities for battles as part of a great army fighting the orcs, but you won't be going off on a lone quest to slay a monster. It isn't possible to create that kind of experience for characters at a game that has hundreds of players attending.

Some knights-errant have a patron - usually an Earl or other powerful Dawnish political figure - who provides them with financial backing. Having a patron can create an interesting additional dimension to your character - you shouldn't expect them to give you actual money you can use in the game (although some might) - but you can roleplay that your character's armour, weapons and wealth are from your patron. A useful patron might be able to help you politically at events, or they might place demands on your character forcing you to do tasks for them. A patron may be able to give you some real in-character advantages but ultimately the relationship exists to create interesting roleplaying around.