The Knights of Eclipse

Introduction

The ancient order of Eclipse is outlined in the Sunset Dawn and the pre-history of Gareth. This knowledge is from the end of Eclipse's reign when Nag'Shuggoth DarkShade was one of the last Highlords of the Eclipse.

Motto of Eclipse

Te Occidere Possunt Sed Te Edere Non Possunt Nefas Est

By Extinguishing the Sun May We Die Free of Sin

Battalions and their purpose

The Highlord of the Eclipse

The leader's interests should never be for him/herself, but for the clan. The Highlord's self is the clan, and when the clan is suffering, so is the Highlord. The Highlord must be able to keep the "reputation" and "image" of Eclipse's Honor intact. They must never betray the clan's interests nor health for their own ends. A good Highlord is a stressed Highlord, always busy, there for, they should be able to handle high stress. Put in any hands but the MOST capable could be severely damaging for Eclipse. A Highlord should strongly consider co-operating with the Keeper and Guardian in order to take some of his load off.

The Guardian of the Eclipse

The Highlord's second in command. In charge of overseeing training of all Lower ranking members. In charge of the keeping of the modern history of the Eclipse. In charge of the personal well being of the HighLord.

The Keeper of the Eclipse

The Keeper job is to act as HighLord in their absence. They must at all times uphold the Highlord's law, and may initiate new law or approve of law set by the General's.

The Nightmare

Followers of this discipline destroy our enemies. They are expected to put all priority upon that end unless otherwise ordered by the Skull. They organize vicious and ruthless offensives against warring enemies.

The General of the Nightmare

The General of the Nightmare must develop keen strategies against our enemies, and coordinate efficient attacks in groups.

Member's of the Nightmare

Are Expected the following:

· To be able to kill and rarely themselves be killed

· Respond to calls of help (attack) quickly

· Inspire fear within their enemies

The Skull Knights

The Genocide

The Skull

The Thorn

The Nine Points of Knightly Virtue

Honor - Honor thy masters and their word, and give respect to all sentient life.

Loyalty - Be not disloyal to the oaths ye have taken, lest thee be forsaken by thine masters.

Wisdom - Be prudent in the mind and show not ignorance with thy words or actions.

Pride - Doubt not the integrity of thy clan nor thy masters. Nor be a detriment to the morale of neither thy brothers nor thy sisters.

Unity - Be as one with all thy peers and allies; also strive for wholeness and completion.

Strength - Show not weakness on the field of battle nor in support of thy fellows.

Glory - Know no other glory than to see thy masters and their cause hurtle forward toward realization.

Courtesy - Show naught but respect, even in the face of total ignorance or discourtesy.

Sacrifice - Offer all to thy masters and thou shalt receive all that thy masters have.

As a member of the Eclipse, you must apply these ideals to your everyday life. Adherence to these are mandatory, punishment will be dealt quickly and severely. If you find yourself doubting these ideals, then you must take a deep look within your heart, and decide if this is the right path for you.

The Brotherhood of Eclipse, Code of Chivalry

1. Thou shalt believe all thy church teaches and observe all its directions.

2. Thou shalt defend thy church.

3. Thou shalt defend thy Masters unto death.

4. Thou shalt defend thy country against all whom oppose it without cessation and without mercy.

5. Thou shalt respect all those whom are beneath thee or above thee.

6. Thou shalt never speak that which might compromise the words of thine superiors.

7. Thou shalt never brandish thy weapon against those who have no wish other than to submit to thine command.

8. Thou shalt perform scrupulously thy feudal duties, if they be not contrary to the laws of thine god.

9. Thou shalt be everywhere and see from every shadow, destroy that which doth stand in your Masters' way and be forever the foe of what thine Master hath decreed.

10. Thou shalt always fight to the best of thine capabilities and in an honorable fashion.

11. Thou shalt be charitable, and give largesse to thine brothers and sisters in Eclipse.

Squire Ship Program

1. Which member holds each position from General to Highlord.

2. What the rank structure is.

3. Clan Conduct. The rules about talking on public channels, and proper military bearing.

4. Current war's and loot policy with those clans.

5. What to do incase of a violation of clan policy, from either side.

6. Knowledge of the Codex of Ultimate Wisdom.

7. Knowledge of the Sunset Dawn.

8. Battalions and their purposes.

I expect face to face time, and/or correspondence between Squire and Knight. I will periodically check to see if this has been done on both sides.

Knights who do not comply will be demoted. Squires who do not comply will be demoted, and forced to redo there squire ship. Second time they fail, two week exile minimum and/or renegading.

A stupid warrior, is a dead warrior.

Nag'Shuggoth DarkShade

HighLord of the Eclipse

Enlistment

Men and Women of Darkness,

Are you a follower of darkness or even the dark side of neutrality, you have the basics to be of the Eclipse. The next step is to search your soul. The Eclipse is a higher form of evil so to speak. We follow virtues and honor, for friends as well as foes. We hunt down those of good, but we are not mindless killers. We are above common insults, and take lives in silence and with grace. If you do not live up to this, there is no reason to read further.

Recruitment is essential to the survival of our clan. All members of the Eclipse are asked to take an active role in bringing in new members.

Primary screening and training of new recruits is to be done by recruiters, although any member can promote our clan. Those who carry out these duties well, will likely earn prestige and respect in the ranks and eyes of the clan.

But remember, the main purpose of recruitment is for the prosperity of the clan as a whole, and to encourage the forging of new friendships.

Raising new Squires and recruits at a high rate is desirable, but more importantly, training with care and quality is demanded.

Failure to conduct training procedures properly may result in corrective measures or penalties. We are not to sacrifice quality of members for numbers.

Requirements for Recruitment are as follows:

1. Person must be of the 15th cycle unless cleared thru the Highlord, Guardian, or Keeper. Or current members who have chosen to retrain.

2. Make sure your personal features and personality is visible when looked upon

3. Study the Realm.. Knowledge of places, items, directions is required.

4. Study the arts of combat. Know your forces and weaknesses

5. Expect a few cycles of walking the Realm alone.

6. An oath of Loyalty to the Eclipse.

7. Thief's will not be guilded unless they promise never to steal and understand the punishment of renegading if caught.

These are the minimum requirements, anything else a recruiter sets for the prospective gain shall be in a missive to the clan.

Nag'Shuggoth DarkShade, HighLord of the Eclipse

Sir Akasi's Memories of Eclipse and the Forces of Evil

Akasi says 'Vette was assasstinated by Tenoyar of Malice'

Akasi says 'In ofcol'

Akasi says 'Whilst recruiting the first giant ogre barbarian to wander the realms'

Akasi says 'Its name was Nevian'

Akasi says 'He had a strange code did the Sho'Ghul'

Gwaine says 'Hrm. I remember Nevian.'

Gwaine grimaces.

Gwaine says 'And Nerull.'

Akasi says 'He only ever fell once, and it was a permanent death'

Gwaine says 'Nevian?'

Gwaine says 'or Vette?'

Akasi says 'Vette'

Gwaine nods.

Akasi says 'Then the mantle went to a Minotaur known as Mithrax'

Akasi says 'One of the first rangers if memory serves'

Gwaine says 'Ah, yes, Mithrax. I knew him well.'

Akasi says 'Particularly of the Minotaur lineage'

Akasi says 'Malice made war on all at that stage'

Gwaine says 'Well, I knew his back well.'

Gwaine says 'Minotaurs, broad backs.'

Akasi says 'The Eclipse didn't recover until the emergence of Yang'

Akasi says 'Drakkon and Vaquero and many others turned from the Eclipse and made their home in Gaar Volen'

Akasi says 'Under Yang the Eclipse started to rise again though'

Datai nods at Akasi.

Akasi says 'Meanwhile you had the likes of Lyndros and Agamek pillaging the land'

Akasi says 'And an overly crazy minotuar crusader who walked alone who went by the name Bumpas'

Akasi says 'You also had another fiend in malice causing all sorts of problems'

Akasi says 'One Tuefry'

Gwaine says 'Agamek and Lyndros I remembered well.'

Gwaine says 'And Tuefry.'

Akasi says 'It was rumored he had an affinity to sheep'

Akasi says 'It wasn't too far past this that the divine creatures started to emerge'

Akasi says 'It also saw the beginning of a new trend from some who felt the need to retire'

Gwaine says 'New trend?'

Akasi says 'I believe the first was an ogre named Diablo'

Gwaine says 'Retirement, the devil's own choice.'

Akasi says 'Well, he created what they called the Demon Horde'

Akasi says 'He styled himself the Demon Lord of Terror'

Akasi says 'Under which were Demon Lords of Pain and others I can't remember'

Akasi says 'Followed by Demon Prices of Wrath and such'

Akasi says 'The Demon Horde was later picked up by Ethigrax'

Akasi says 'Who eventually became a demon himself'

Akasi says 'He also left Eclipse for Malice'

Akasi says 'Not so long after the one they called Bystrick'

Akasi says 'It would be somewhere around about here that you'd find the sea faring clans emerging I believe'

Gwaine says 'If there was a fellow that deserved a good choking, it was Bystrick.'

Akasi chuckles.

Gwaine says 'He purely did admire the sound of his own voice.'

You say 'Thank Siccara we are the ones who survived all this, and not all of them.'

Akasi says 'It would be about that time that Saravhana would have emerged'

Akasi says 'After which you'd see the other families emerging also'

Akasi says 'the D'Aerthes'

Akasi says 'then the dra'Har'

Akasi says 'Zendus and Zakfien were fearsome '

Akasi says 'As were Vokkyn and Vahk'

Akasi says 'I don't believe the Eclipse ever did recover after the purist war'

Akasi says 'Not really'

Gwaine says 'I believe that is when the term was coined ' He got thoroughly Vahked. ''

Datai grins wryly at Gwaine.

You say (to Akasi) 'Yah, seems alot of the wind was taken out of their sails.'

Akasi says 'And it would be shortly after that I left those halls'

Akasi chuckles.

Akasi says 'Hard to believe I used to practice the arts of an assassin'

You say (to Akasi) 'Shadow was more knightly, so it seemed, and if yah wanted to wreak havoc there were pirates and malice to join, I reckon.'

Akasi nudges Gwaine.

Datai grins wryly at Akasi.

You say (to Akasi) 'I knew there was a reason why I liked yah, Suh!'

Gwaine chuckles.

Akasi says 'Although, one would emerge not long after that who would become one of the more sigificant bastions of evil our realm has seen'

Akasi says 'One Crelius Atennim'

Gwaine says 'If the only constancy is change, then it is not a bad thing to have some room to change to good to.'

Gwaine says 'I do not know much of him, and on the field, saw him rarely.'

Akasi says 'It would have been about then that swashbuckers found their way to the realm'

Akasi says 'Its hard to say who wielded more influence during those days'

Gwaine says 'But I have heard some rather odd tales of his vampire legacy, apparently he died, revived, then died again.'

Akasi says 'That transmuter'

Akasi ponders.

Akasi says 'Moargoth'

Akasi says 'Who later become a Demon also'

Akasi says 'And that blue dragon of old'

Akasi ponders.

Akasi says 'Jormungander'

Gwaine says 'Jormugander.'

You say (to Akasi) 'How could yah forget, Suh? Sparky!'

Akasi chuckles.

Akasi says 'Sparky?'

Akasi laughs.

You say (to Akasi) 'He would electocute myself and Lord Rhiedyr reguarlly.'

You say (to Akasi) 'Some sort of shock therepy or something'

Akasi says (to You) 'That explains everything'

Akasi grins.

Datai grins wryly.

Gwaine says 'We slew him once, Seal and I.'

Gwaine says 'Left him a tidy scar.'

Akasi says 'Now that would be a feat worthy of a ballad indeed'

You say (to Akasi) 'Yah, he slew a dragon, like really, not poisoning it with his squire.'

Datai winks wryly.

Gwaine says (to You) 'Desperate strategies.'

Akasi says 'One of the more interesting things I noted at some point'

Akasi says 'Before I left them'

You say (to Akasi) 'What, Suh?'

Akasi says 'I remember vividly the oath of vengeance sworn by the Knights of Eclipse on those of Storm'

Akasi says 'Crelius & Arithon were very specific in their intent'

You say (to Akasi) 'Oh, I think I remember that as well, or something to that effect.'

Akasi says 'Curious to note that in later years they both came to be Shadow Knights'

Akasi says 'And lead that clan'

You say (to Akasi) 'If yah can't beat them, join them?'

Akasi says 'I wonder if they changed it from the inside out'

Akasi says (to You) 'I don't think so, they were very grave characters'

Akasi says 'Either way, interesting none the less'

Akasi says 'In fact, they were both quite vehemently "seperatists"'

Akasi says 'If the stories are true'

Akasi says 'Crelius was a goblin anyway'

Akasi says 'Aedon killed one known as Einochus'

Akasi says 'Who later re-emerged as a human, Crelius'

Akasi says 'Curious point when looking at "purists" hmm?'

Akasi grins.

You say (to Akasi) 'Egads!'

You say (to Akasi) 'Thats.. kinda weird.'

Akasi says 'Anywho, that is enough of the past'

You say (to Akasi) 'But yah do raise an interesting point. I wonder what they changed, or if they had changed.'

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Kuromaru: The Honor of the Eclipse

Thu Mar 29 14:05:04 2012

To: Datai Caenarfon Rassilon Gwaine Aetheonyc ( Imm RP Religion Austinian )

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Knights of the Eclipse were formed when the second Lord Knight, San

Gohdam left the Knighthood over disputes with Serpontol. He felt the

Empire's rule was corrupt and no longer in the best interest of the people,

due to their unwillingness to fight the growing Yinn threat.

As a result, he formed the Knights of the Eclipse. Rumored to have come up

with the name when he himself witnessed the moon pass through the sun,

blocking out it's rays and bringing darkness. The Knights Eclipse, were in

some ways similar to the Knights Gareth. Though they were formed in

Darkness, and hailed from Necrucifer's Kingdom Verminasia, they claimed

their actions for the betterment of Algoron. Where they were misguided

though was that they set no precedent to uphold laws. They lived by the

motto 'The ends will Justify the Means'. As a result, the did what they

felt necessary. Their drive turned from bettering Algoron to one of selfish

gain or personal glory.

In their earliest days, being that Lord San Gohdam took with him many

Knights of Gareth, the organization was able to thrive and flourish. It

opened it's door to nonhumans, and their number soared. But as the

organization grew, it found itself becoming overshadowed by the one thing it

was founded to stop, corruption. A splinter organization, later to be known

as Malice, formed and eventually overthrows the Eclipse. Malice forms from

the lack of rules and laws. Seeking power, glory, and battle rather then

the noble, yet misguided vision of Lord San Gohdam.

The question now arises, was Lord San Gohdam dishonorable for leaving, and

forming the Knights Eclipse. It is my opinion that no, he was not. He

left, with the best interest at heart, or so I feel. He learned quickly

though, 'That the best laid plans of Mice and Men, do often go awry'. The

act of leaving, and forming the Knights Eclipse, was misguided but not

dishonorable. Instead, it was the acts perpetrated by the Knights that lead

them down a dishonorable path. Lying, cheating, stealing. Murdering,

plundering. Claiming that 'The ends Justify the Means', this is where

dishonor plays it's role.

Lord San Gohdam founded his Knights in the doctrine of Evil. Were he to

found it in the Light, his honor may have remained. Valor and now

modern-day Justice are seen as more fanatical then we in Gareth. And some

may see their acts of fanaticism as dishonorable, but because Justice acts

for the Light to stand against tyranny, corruption, and the pain and

suffering of those who cannot defend themselves their acts are Just. Lord

San Gohdam turned to Darkness to seek power, in his hopes to better Algoron,

but instead met his end at the hands of those who sought to usurp his power

for their own ends.

In conclusion, 'Absolute Power corrupts Absolutely'. Lord San Gohdam found

this out the hard way, and perhaps too late. The betterment of Algoron is

not something that will be found within Darkness. It is only through the

teachings of the Light that we will flourish. True Honorable Acts are

stemmed in the Love of the Mother, the Compassion of Lady Sicarra, the Peace

from the Fallen Lady Kadiya, the Strength of Lord Nadrik, the Arcane gifts

brought by Lord Kantilles, and of course the Wisdom and Knowledge of the

Father Austinian.

Sir Kuromaru Shiroken

Knight of the Shield

Priest of Father Austinian

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Meagan: Analysis of Son Gohdam - First Act

Sun Apr 10 09:38:15 2022

To: Thasgerd Angela Knighthood ( Imm RP )

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Son Gohdam's actions have had some of the most long-lasting and impactful

effects of any to walk Algoron. I've taken the time to read various story,

narrative, and tale of him and there are quite a few important lessons to be

refreshed lest we see ourselves doomed to repeat histories mistakes.

Tesalon Gareth, the founder of Knighthood, lead Knighthood of old with valor

and virtue until he was succeeded by Son Gohdam. Son Gohdam was a very

ambitious and aggressive Knight who often looked to see his own plans and

devices fulfilled without little concern for long term or far reaching

repercussions. This is implicit in how fast his history seemed to unfold

from Lance General, to Lord of Gareth, to innovator and progressive

politician that would see him through the rest of his tale.

The first topic I'd like to highlight is Son Gohdam's emigration from

Serpantol. Understand first that Knighthood was not originally Althainia's

protective branch, rather it was Serpantol's military. When Son Gohdam felt

threatened by an aggressive and advancing Yinn force that swept across

Shalonesti, his interest was protecting Serpantol. As the threat grew, Lord

Gohdam felt threatened by the encroaching Yinn forces and starved by the

lack of support from his city.

In an act uncharacterstic of a Knight, instead of being resourceful,

reliable, valorous, or brave, Son Gohdam up and fled the original fortress.

He took many Knights with him and erected "Son Gohdam's Fortress", more

commonly known as Eclipse Fortress. He started a band of Knights

independent of Serpantol and the oath he swore to the protect them, opting

to rather keep a flexible battallion of knights that could serve the Empire

as he saw fit.

So to sum up: Pressure? Mounting. Support? Waning. Options? Limited.

This is where chivalry and courage are brewed. This is where a true hero

can be born. Rather than keep his oath to Serpantol, Son Gohdam fled out of

desire for immediate result to act in their defense, to be elaborated on

shortly. This would reveal a very potent and a very toxic trait of his:

impatience. Rather than uphold and support the system he was a part of to

temper its weaknesses, he abandoned it altogether to get the quickest

outcome he desired.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Meagan: Analysis of Son Gohdam - Second Act

Sun Apr 10 09:39:47 2022

To: Thasgerd Angela Knighthood ( Imm RP )

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The second topic I'd highlite is what precedent this set for Eclipse.

Founded by a man with no care for law or order (demonstrated by his

abandonment of his oath, and post at Serpantol), he sowed these very seeds

in the soil beneath Eclipse keep. From all across Algoron he would muster

strength, men of similar virtue: Cut any corner necessary to succeed now.

Forsake any hierarchy or law in place that stands in your way. Tend to your

own needs first.

Embracing the literal imagery of the "Eclipse", a Shadow blotting a sun,

Gohdam's knights would alter their course from a bastardized set of

Knighthood's laws and turn to Necrucifer and his prophecy of old. This put

them in direct contest with Knighthood, resulting in both rising tensions

between Son Gohdam and Privus the Good (Son Gohdam's successor in

Knighthood, and friend) and Croyden Vesuvias (Privus the Good's successor,

and an overt rival of Gohdam). As Lord Vesuvias took command of Gareth, an

all out-civil war would begin. Fascinating to me is that both Lord Vesuvias

and Lord Privus both made monumental changes to Serpantols defenses through

legal, formal channels: something Gohdam had not the patience to do. They

got what he desired through persevearance.

As Eclipse and Knighthood battled and sapped resources from eachother, the

yinnae of dae'Tok would ravage Shalonesti and sack Serpantol outright. Not

once would Son Gohdam or the Knights of Eclipse try to prevent this. His

war became a personal vendetta against Knighthood, and his goals became

selfish and perverted. Pride suffused Son Gohdam some time after founding

Eclipse. He witnessed Privus and Croyden work hard to support the system he

betrayed. They bolstered, tempered, and improved something he fled from and

rather than admit his wrong and plead forgiveness or confess his impertinence,

he let pride poison him outright.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Meagan: Analysis of Son Gohdam - Third Act

Sun Apr 10 09:41:49 2022

To: Thasgerd Angela Knighthood ( Imm RP )

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

At this point in Son Gohdam's tale he was able to proudly declare

multiple victories. He saved the lives of the Knights who followed him, for

many of Knighthood died in defense of Serpantol. He could point cleanly and

say, "I knew Serpantol was a lost cause, I am a prophetic leader. ",

showing he was wise. He could also point to his rapidly inflating numbers,

drawing a sense of charisma and gravitas to his actions. These are false

positives, but it sets the stage nicely.

Let us now witness the third and final act of Son Gohdam's reign. Serpantol

was sacked and exhausted. The Knights of Gareth would fight the Knights of

Eclipse in a bloody, long-standing civil war but the scales were tipping in

Eclipse's favor. Men of weak will are far easier to come by, and their

sheer numbers battled back the moral and chivalrous Knighthood of old at

every corner.

Bloody victory after bloody victory was tallied for the Knights of Eclipse.

They marched victoriously right up to Gareth keep, now west of Althainia,

and made preparations to siege and sack the entire organization. Rumor of

old is that Son Gohdam sought to genuinely become the sole protector of

Althainia and the remains of Serpantol, hoping to usher in an age of order

and law as he saw fit. Across the drawbridge of Gareth he marched, his men

at his back. As well as their knives, as well as their morals.

The seeds Son Gohdam had sown had come to fruition. By cutting corners,

betraying law, undermining order, and circumventing any sense of community or

brotherhood he had invited in the very forces that would destroy him and his

goals. The organization named Malice would form in that very moment, the

men of no moral regard banding together to murder Son Gohdam before he could

enact his regime as the sole judicial force of the land. We are all subject

to the environment we build. Our actions reflect into our surroundings and

into our futures. At no point did Son Gohdam stop to consider the people or

lessons he was promoting and it led directly to his demise.

The Knight's of Shadow would ultimately form as descendants of Eclipse.

Their progenitor, Son Gohdam, had no regard for law, order, or obedience.

Even today you will witness them bicker, bite, and backstab their own for

personal gain. Son Gohdam slept in the bed he made, as will the Knights of

Shadow today.

Our three principles and eight virtues are in place from days of old for a

reason: Goodness is not easy. We take the hard road, not the short path.

We value the emboldening of the family, not the rewarding of self. We stand

so that others may find peace. We shed light so that others may not live in

dark.

Let Son Gohdam's journey be proof of the squalor of living an unvirtuous

life. Let the long-reigning Knights of Gareth and their morals and values

show their merit by examining this tale.

By Dame Meagan Equid, Shield