Knightly, chivalrous, high medieval ideals in Eberron [Archive] - Wizards Community

Knightly, chivalrous, high medieval ideals in Eberron [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
JulesCARV
09-16-06, 01:04 AM I'm just wondering how ideals like chivalry, knightly honor, and the like are regarded in Eberron. Do people still take them seriously, did they ever exist and are now regarded as outdated, or did they never exist (like sexism is presumed never to have existed (much) in Eberron or other D&D worlds)?

Is someone who talks about gallantry, honor, chivalry, and all that in the age of domination by moneyed dragonmarked houses and "magitech" regarded as a bit... well... quixotic?
Syltorian
09-16-06, 05:55 AM Check out the Eberron Expanded for Player's Guide II (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ebee/20060911a), specifically under the "Knight" heading.

In essence:

In the golden age of Galifar, noble knights existed across Khorvaire. In the wake of the Last War, knights still live in any land, but the flower of chivalry blooms in two nations that remain bitter rivals -- Thrane and Karrnath.
Madhouse
09-22-06, 02:09 PM I'm just wondering how ideals like chivalry, knightly honor, and the like are regarded in Eberron. Do people still take them seriously, did they ever exist and are now regarded as outdated, or did they never exist (like sexism is presumed never to have existed (much) in Eberron or other D&D worlds)?

Is someone who talks about gallantry, honor, chivalry, and all that in the age of domination by moneyed dragonmarked houses and "magitech" regarded as a bit... well... quixotic?

I think you'll find that "true" chivalry in Eberron is probably limited to the Church of the Silver Flame and other religious adherants. I quantify "true" chivalry because there's such a disparity between the idealized version of chivalry common to today's perceptions and the actual nature of chivalry.

The idealized version bears little resemblance to actual chivalry. Chivalry in its truest form was meant to stem the inevitable addage "Power corrupts". Knighthood represented an obligation to church and liege, but it also bestowed outrageous powers and liberties over the general populace. Such seductive authority, especially in a medieval setting, is tailor-made for egregious abuse. Thus, chivalry was introduced to keep the knights in line and avoid giving the church and/or lord a bad name.

Given the idealism of the Church of the Silver Flame (as well as the wide-spread corruption therein), I'd say that chivalry is likely alive and well in the world of Eberron.
Nived
09-22-06, 02:35 PM Syltorian pretty much hit in on the head.

Karrnath, with its heavy military tradition, Rekkenmark Accademy and noble 'Warlord' caste still hold to battlefield codes of honor and respect. Even if they do use the undead the Warlords still consider themselves men of honor and valor.

Thrane on the other hand is less about glory and more about their religious ideals and their moral superiority. It goes to the core of their faith to hold up the ideals of honor, justice, loyalty, and other chivalrous things.

Breland and Aundair have more of a 'for the common man' mentality to them. For Aundair its their farmers, and for Breland its their working class. I'd group Cyre in with these guys too.

You may have some Dwarves from the Holds, or Goblins from Darguun that consider themselves chivalrous knights, but I don't think they'd be as concentraited as in Thrane and Karrnath.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
JulesCARV 09-16-06, 01:04 AM	I'm just wondering how ideals like chivalry, knightly honor, and the like are regarded in Eberron. Do people still take them seriously, did they ever exist and are now regarded as outdated, or did they never exist (like sexism is presumed never to have existed (much) in Eberron or other D&D worlds)? Is someone who talks about gallantry, honor, chivalry, and all that in the age of domination by moneyed dragonmarked houses and "magitech" regarded as a bit... well... quixotic?
Syltorian 09-16-06, 05:55 AM	Check out the Eberron Expanded for Player's Guide II (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ebee/20060911a), specifically under the "Knight" heading. In essence: In the golden age of Galifar, noble knights existed across Khorvaire. In the wake of the Last War, knights still live in any land, but the flower of chivalry blooms in two nations that remain bitter rivals -- Thrane and Karrnath.
Madhouse 09-22-06, 02:09 PM	I'm just wondering how ideals like chivalry, knightly honor, and the like are regarded in Eberron. Do people still take them seriously, did they ever exist and are now regarded as outdated, or did they never exist (like sexism is presumed never to have existed (much) in Eberron or other D&D worlds)? Is someone who talks about gallantry, honor, chivalry, and all that in the age of domination by moneyed dragonmarked houses and "magitech" regarded as a bit... well... quixotic? I think you'll find that "true" chivalry in Eberron is probably limited to the Church of the Silver Flame and other religious adherants. I quantify "true" chivalry because there's such a disparity between the idealized version of chivalry common to today's perceptions and the actual nature of chivalry. The idealized version bears little resemblance to actual chivalry. Chivalry in its truest form was meant to stem the inevitable addage "Power corrupts". Knighthood represented an obligation to church and liege, but it also bestowed outrageous powers and liberties over the general populace. Such seductive authority, especially in a medieval setting, is tailor-made for egregious abuse. Thus, chivalry was introduced to keep the knights in line and avoid giving the church and/or lord a bad name. Given the idealism of the Church of the Silver Flame (as well as the wide-spread corruption therein), I'd say that chivalry is likely alive and well in the world of Eberron.
Nived 09-22-06, 02:35 PM	Syltorian pretty much hit in on the head. Karrnath, with its heavy military tradition, Rekkenmark Accademy and noble 'Warlord' caste still hold to battlefield codes of honor and respect. Even if they do use the undead the Warlords still consider themselves men of honor and valor. Thrane on the other hand is less about glory and more about their religious ideals and their moral superiority. It goes to the core of their faith to hold up the ideals of honor, justice, loyalty, and other chivalrous things. Breland and Aundair have more of a 'for the common man' mentality to them. For Aundair its their farmers, and for Breland its their working class. I'd group Cyre in with these guys too. You may have some Dwarves from the Holds, or Goblins from Darguun that consider themselves chivalrous knights, but I don't think they'd be as concentraited as in Thrane and Karrnath.