When we think of an archetype that epitomizes the ideals of the past, the knight is often the figure who comes to our minds in the Western world. Symbols of bravery, valor, honor and virtue, knights were often the protagonists of great tales and epic romances where their skill and wisdom were tested. Historically, however, knights were simply the warrior caste of society; individuals granted standing through ritualized processes, and expected to do violence on behalf of those above them in the caste system. They fought and killed for their nations, their gods and their own interests far more often than they likely did for honor or duty.
While knights traditionally appear in settings that hearken to the past (or to fantastical worlds that draw inspiration from our past), they’re just as often found in the far future. Whether it’s an order of warrior monks who train in isolation on a lost asteroid colony, a force of self-appointed peace keepers who watch over a particular quadrant or even those rare few whose minds and bodies allow them to merge with colossal war machines that they ride into battle, this archetype is quite flexible, and lends itself to numerous unexpected interpretations.
The following knightly orders are meant to help you flesh out any given sci-fi setting, and they operate as a mix of the chivalric ideals from our romantic tales, and the bloody, dangerous truth of historical knights and their orders. From charitable organizations, to private militaries, to legendary secret societies that are as much rumor as fact, they can act as employers, allies, adversaries, aspirations or simply background figures for your next game!
To use the list, either roll d100 for a random result or select appropriate ones manually.
Here are some sample results:
20. Order of The Ardent Plea: Military codes of justice tend to be far stricter than the laws of the rest of the populace… on paper, at least. In practice this can vary greatly, as armies may seek to bury (or to settle) matters quickly before moving on with business as usual. This results in justice being denied, with scapegoats selected, and the spilled blood lost in the vast workings of the war machine as it trundles ever onward. The Order of The Ardent Plea is made up of lawyers who served in various military branches across a number of forces, and they seek to see that none escape answering for what they’ve done. While not all nations and military forces recognize the legitimacy of this order, their track record as a neutral, outside party has made them a welcome sight for those who need an impartial agent to argue a case.
21. Order of The Steel Hand: Injury is an unavoidable side effect of combat service. While many soldiers are drummed out of service once they’ve been gravely wounded, the Order of The Steel Hand actively recruits these warriors into their ranks by providing the implants and prosthetics necessary for them to take the field once more. Often called into particularly hazardous war zones and the midst of dangerous disasters, those who’ve been protected by the knights of this order have developed a saying over the years: “Steel hands make the strongest shields.”
22. Knights of The Open Road: Travel has been a necessity since the early days of civilization, and as long as there have been highways there have been threats plaguing those who travel on them. The Knights of The Open Road are an old order, and they have altered and changed as the technology of travel has grown. These days they’re found on public forms of transportation, stationed at ports and often being given bunks on vessels traveling routes prone to piracy. Knights of this order are such a regular sight that their absence has been known to cause no small amount of anxiety. While these knights might be hired as official security, they are just as likely to act as pilgrims and guardians wherever they happen to tread.
Released: 15th April 2023 Pages: 24
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“Shining Armor”
100 Knightly Orders For a Sci Fi Setting Preview Video