The Knights of The Krakenstone are an elite chivalric order within the Empire of Bastile, steeped in martial tradition and bound by an unyielding code of honor. Founded during the early years of the Northern Wars, this order has come to symbolize the might, resilience, and enduring reach of the Bastilian Empire.
Founding the Order
The order was established by Lord Eryndor Wargrym, a legendary knight whose valor and cunning saved the Empire during a pivotal battle against the Kingdom of Avoronia. At a time when the Imperial forces were on the verge of defeat, Eryndor led a daring counterattack that broke the enemy lines, turning the tide of the battle. His unmatched skill, ferocity, and unwavering loyalty earned him the personal blessing of Immortal Emperor Caeus, who granted him the authority to found a chivalric order to embody the ideals of Bastilian knighthood.
Eryndor chose the Krakenstone, an ancient coastal landmark near the Fortress City of Bastile, as the order’s namesake and spiritual heart. Beneath the city of Bastile, a cliffside cavern houses the Krakenstone Table, a massive stone altar carved in the shape of a kraken with eight outstretched arms, symbolizing the unyielding grasp and indomitable strength of the Empire. Embedded within the table is the Tendrilled Tablet, inscribed with the Tenets of the Tendrils, which every knight swears upon when joining the order.
Tenets of the Tendrils
The Tenets of the Tendrils form the moral and martial code of the Kraken-Knights, reflecting the kraken's symbolic traits of adaptability, resilience, and might. Each knight is expected to live and die by these principles:
- The Grasp Unyielding – Never relinquish what is justly yours, whether it be the battlefield or your honor.
- The Tide’s Patience – Know when to strike and when to wait; strength comes not only from action but from foresight.
- The Depths’ Mystery – Guard the secrets of the Empire and your brothers with unbreakable resolve.
- The Tendrils United – Each knight is but one arm of the Kraken; unity is the lifeblood of strength.
- The Abyss’ Embrace – Fear not death, for it is but the tide’s return to the deep.
- The Storm’s Fury – When you strike, strike with relentless force and unyielding conviction.
- The Harbinger’s Call – Serve as the vanguard of the Empire’s will, bringing its reach to every corner of the world.
- The Eternal Vigil – Protect the Krakenstone and the sanctity of your oath until your final breath.
Composition and Rituals
The Knights of the Krakenstone consist of eight members at all times, each representing one of the kraken's arms. Membership is a sacred honor, bestowed only upon knights of the Imperial Army or Imperial Navy who demonstrate unparalleled valor and adherence to the Bastilian ideal. The Golden Kraken, head of the order, is traditionally a member of House Wargrym, reflecting the lineage’s deep ties to the Immortal Emperor and their historical role as enforcers of imperial will.
Upon selection, each candidate descends into the cavern beneath House Wargrym to swear their oath upon the Krakenstone Tablet. In the flickering light of ceremonial braziers, the knight places their hand upon the tablet, reciting the tenets. Their oath is sealed with the draping of the Kraken’s Mantle, a cloak emblazoned with the sigil of a kraken, symbolizing their lifelong service to the Empire.
Sanctum of The Kraken
The cavernous sanctum of the Krakenstone lies beneath the towering cliffs of Bastile, overlooking the turbulent seas. The Krakenstone Table dominates the chamber, surrounded by relics of the order’s storied past, including the blade of Eryndor Wargrym and banners from the Northern Wars. The crashing waves below serve as a constant reminder of the vastness of the Empire and the depths from which the knights draw their strength.
Imperial Influence
The Knights of the Krakenstone have been instrumental in securing the Empire’s dominance over Tolria, often serving as vanguard commanders in campaigns of conquest and guardians of imperial interests abroad. Their fearsome reputation extends beyond the battlefield; their adherence to the Tenets of the Tendrils makes them revered and feared throughout the Empire.
Despite their unwavering loyalty to the Emperor, the order is not without controversy. The brutality of their methods and the shadowy influence of House Wargrym have led some to question whether the Krakenstone is a symbol of justice or a harbinger of imperial tyranny.
Notable Members
- Lord Eryndor Wargrym – Founder of the order and hero of the Northern Wars.
- Lord Gawain Wargrym - ...
- Lord Lucius Wargrym - ...
Legacy
The Knights of the Krakenstone embody the Empire’s enduring strength and relentless ambition. They are not merely knights but living symbols of Bastile’s reach and resolve. Bound by their sacred tenets and anchored by the Krakenstone’s legacy, they serve as both protectors of the Empire and enforcers of its will, their eight arms stretching across the known world.