From the News.
The entire world searches for the shards of Seanan in order to either save or help kill Nadrik, the God of Honor. With enough pieces of the shard, any one can be teleported, even the captive God. Good wishes to teleport Nadrik to safety while evil wishes to force the Gods of Good into battle on the dark moon in an effort to save him. There are 11 shards on Algoron and only 8 need to be combined for the shard to function. If evil finds even 4 shards, the shard will not work.
The first shard was made public by the Centaur tribes of Tropica. The Centaurs, who hoped to avoid an invasion due to the depletion of their numbers by Malachive's army, took the shard to Icewall where they gave the shard to the winners of what was probably Algoron's largest battle in history.
Although Good and Evil both showed up in near equal numbers, evil won the battle and collected the first piece of the shard. The difference in battle seemed to be the rouge group known as they Slayers who wish to rid the world of all things the consider to be unnatural. Dragons, Angels, Demons, Balanx, Vampires and Manatonics are their enemies and they entered this battle in hopes to slay as many dragons as they could. They aligned themselves with evil at the beginning of the battle and helped kill off all of the Metallic Dragons who were fighting to save Nadrik before turning their attention to the Chromatic Dragons. This choice in killing the good dragons first seemed to be the difference in the battle. The backlash for such actions can only be speculated upon.
The search for the 2nd shard continues not only by the Algoron herald, but by the rest of Algoron's population.
Editors note: It is of interest that it was the golden hoard of Galeru which paid off the allegiance of the Slayers at 100 eggs per dragon death. In this Good was outmaneuvered completely. There was some surprise that the Slayers might be (ironically) bought off with dragon gold, and that they would have little to gain from the death of Nadrik. But their purpose remains not moral virtue nor lore, but in the death of unnaturals, and upon this they succeeded.
[ Black Robes ] Bodrum got ***DESTROYED*** by Saio [ Shalonesti ] (Arena)
Kaliper got ***DESTROYED*** by Mercerion (Emperor)(Althainia) (Arena)
(AL) Bolter got ***DESTROYED*** by Sommer [ Bloodlust ] (Arena)
[ White Robes ] Tzerimai got ***DESTROYED*** by Sommer [ Bloodlust ] (Arena)
(THAX) Galik got ***DESTROYED*** by Equorith ( Dragon ) (Arena)
(Darkonin) Xochitl got ***DESTROYED*** by Egill [ Wargar ] (Arena)
[ Wargar ] Villnius got ***DESTROYED*** by Xuerin [ Shadow ] (Arena)
(AL) Lentok got ***DESTROYED*** by Anagaxores [ Bloodlust ] (Arena)
(VR) Trygor got ***DESTROYED*** by Equorith ( Dragon ) (Arena)
(AR) Flike got ROCKED by Orven (Darkonin) (Arena)
(Darkonin) Orven got ***DESTROYED*** by Ayanora [ Justice ] (Arena)
[ Black Robes ] Kiine got ***DESTROYED*** by Ardath [ Bloodlust ] (Arena)
(AL) Meki got ***DESTROYED*** by Galeru ( Dragon ) (Arena)
(Abaddon) Madilyn got RAMPAGED by Kazmunda [ White Robes ] (Arena)
[ Bloodlust ] Jerann got ROCKED by Salinor [ Knighthood ] (Arena)
[ Black Robes ] Vadol got ROCKED by Kazmunda [ White Robes ] (Arena)
(King)(Verminasia) Arimar got ***DESTROYED*** by Orncaex ( Dragon ) (Arena)
[ Wargar ] Xoric got offed by Anagaxores [ Bloodlust ] (Arena)
[ Bloodlust ] Nalinya got ROCKED by Kaikias ( Dragon ) (Arena)
(VR) Craiton got ***DESTROYED*** by Ayanora [ Justice ] (Arena)
(THAX) Kogril got ***DESTROYED*** by Ardath [ Bloodlust ] (Arena)
( Dragon ) Kaikias got ***DESTROYED*** by Sorkan [ Slayers ] (Arena)
[ Justice ] Mraneth got ROCKED by Zuej [ Slayers ] (Arena)
(SH) Ardryll got ***DESTROYED*** by Equorith ( Dragon ) (Arena)
[ Shalonesti ] Drondon got ***DESTROYED*** by Galeru ( Dragon ) (Arena)
(VR) Ezazar got ***DESTROYED*** by Darlen [ Justice ] (Arena)
(SH) Reick got ***DESTROYED*** by Charok ( Dragon ) (Arena)
[ Shalonesti ] Saio got RAMPAGED by Luiz [ Slayers ] (Arena)
(AL) Anreinya got ***DESTROYED*** by Szythrasza ( Dragon ) (Arena)
[ Justice ] Pharia got ***DESTROYED*** by Turssh [ Bloodlust ] (Arena)
[ White Robes ] Ambrosse got ***DESTROYED*** by Drakonn [ Shadow ] (Arena)
(Abaddon) Ainin got ***DESTROYED*** by Egill [ Wargar ] (Arena)
( Dragon ) Equorith got ***DESTROYED*** by Xoraxis [ Slayers ] (Arena)
(Darkonin) Dunnikin got ***DESTROYED*** by Galeru ( Dragon ) (Arena)
(AL) Ramias got RAMPAGED by Steric [ Bloodlust ] (Arena)
[ Bloodlust ] Kukuk got RAMPAGED by Darlen [ Justice ] (Arena)
[ Shalonesti ] Hauen got ***DESTROYED*** by Steric [ Bloodlust ] (Arena)
[ Red Robes ] Arskol got RAMPAGED by Rylie [ Knighthood ] (Arena)
(Nordmaar) Gwendalen got ***DESTROYED*** by Siasxid ( Dragon ) (Arena)
[ Knighthood ] Rylie got ***DESTROYED*** by Galeru ( Dragon ) (Arena)
[ Bloodlust ] Sii got ***DESTROYED*** by Darlen [ Justice ] (Arena)
[ Bloodlust ] Anagaxores got ***DESTROYED*** by Drakonn [ Shadow ] (Arena)
( Dragon ) Savenath got ***DESTROYED*** by Xoraxis [ Slayers ] (Arena)
[ Knighthood ] Mondial got ***DESTROYED*** by Ugrek [ Bloodlust ] (Arena)
[ Slayers ] Jarlaxle got ***DESTROYED*** by Mladen (AL) (Arena)
[ Justice ] Arreana got ***DESTROYED*** by Bhile [ Black Robes ] (Arena)
(AL) Mladen got ***DESTROYED*** by Ugrek [ Bloodlust ] (Arena)
(Nordmaar) Bryanna got ***DESTROYED*** by Drakkl (Darkonin) (Arena)
[ White Robes ] Sar'leas got ***DESTROYED*** by Steric [ Bloodlust ] (Arena)
(AR) Trahan got killed by Orncaex ( Dragon ) (Arena)
[ Bloodlust ] Ornith got RAMPAGED by Atomar [ Red Robes ] (Arena)
(AL) Semphen got ***DESTROYED*** by Anezka [ Black Robes ] (Arena)
[ Knighthood ] Salinor got ***DESTROYED*** by Drakonn [ Shadow ] (Arena)
( Dragon ) Orncaex got killed by Togfu [ Slayers ] (Arena)
( Dragon ) Carrionmaw got RAMPAGED by Xoraxis [ Slayers ] (Arena)
[ White Robes ] Kazmunda got ***DESTROYED*** by Siasxid ( Dragon ) (Arena)
[ Knighthood ] Bannick got ***DESTROYED*** by Szayel (Abaddon) (Arena)
[ Justice ] Ayanora got ***DESTROYED*** by Drakkl (Darkonin) (Arena)
(AL) Ixi'kweez got ***DESTROYED*** by Siasxid ( Dragon ) (Arena)
( Dragon ) Odhranthral got offed by Stormina [ Slayers ] (Arena)
(Emperor)(Althainia) Mercerion got ***DESTROYED*** by Szayel (Abaddon) (Arena)
[ Slayers ] Stormina got ***DESTROYED*** by Chakor [ Justice ] (Arena)
(AR) Damerus got ***DESTROYED*** by Siasxid ( Dragon ) (Arena)
( Dragon ) Siasxid got RAMPAGED by Sorkan [ Slayers ] (Arena)
[ Justice ] Darlen got ***DESTROYED*** by Bhile [ Black Robes ] (Arena)
[ Slayers ] Zuej got ***DESTROYED*** by Ardath [ Bloodlust ] (Arena)
[ Slayers ] Togfu got RAMPAGED by Karael ( Angel ) (Arena)
[ Slayers ] Ga'gnor got ***DESTROYED*** by Ardath [ Bloodlust ] (Arena)
[ Shalonesti ] Seylence got ROCKED by Chakor [ Justice ] (Arena)
[ Bloodlust ] Turssh got offed by Hrag [ Slayers ] (Arena)
[ Knighthood ] Rithor got ***DESTROYED*** by Decin [ Bloodlust ] (Arena)
[ Justice ] Chakor got ***DESTROYED*** by Charok ( Dragon ) (Arena)
[ Slayers ] Hrag got RAMPAGED by Karael ( Angel ) (Arena)
[ Red Robes ] Atomar got RAMPAGED by Zivapu [ Bloodlust ] (Arena)
[ Slayers ] Luiz got ***DESTROYED*** by Mirelth ( Dragon ) (Arena)
[ Knighthood ] Thrakhath got ***DESTROYED*** by Bhile [ Black Robes ] (Arena)
( Angel ) Karael got ***DESTROYED*** by Jazaren [ Shadow ] (Arena)
(Darkonin) Zu'ju got RAMPAGED by Ugrek [ Bloodlust ] (Arena)
(Nordmaar) Rhythia got ***DESTROYED*** by Mirelth ( Dragon ) (Arena)
(AL) Genrak got ***DESTROYED*** by Decin [ Bloodlust ] (Arena)
[ Slayers ] Xoraxis got ***DESTROYED*** by Decin [ Bloodlust ] (Arena)
[ Wargar ] Egill got ***DESTROYED*** by Ugrek [ Bloodlust ] (Arena)
[ Red Robes ] Samiliat got ***DESTROYED*** by Vandavar [ Bloodlust ] (Arena)
[ Slayers ] Talip got ***DESTROYED*** by Mirelth ( Dragon ) (Arena)
[ Slayers ] Sorkan got ***DESTROYED*** by Galeru ( Dragon ) (Arena)
The Second Shard had been in the keeping of Mother Dandridge, who runs an orphanage. She elected to put the shard up to the highest bidder to raise money for her organization.
You of Algoron! You of the Light, and you of the Dark! You speak of gods
and faith, you march to your wars, yet here at your very doorstep the
orphans of Algoron go hungry. I have vowed to care for those children who
have nobody but Mother Dandridge, and so I will. You wish to win your wars?
You wish to prove your faith? I have in my possession one of your precious
shards, and I will release it to the highest bidder. You have but one
week"s time to make your offers. The children are starving and we grow
tired of cabbage soup.
Best wishes,
Martha Dandridge, Headmistress
Algoron Home for Foundlings and Orphans
After nearly two weeks, by the old calendar, of fund raising, the forces of Good and Evil had pooled their funds with the following result:
Mercerion: 8,980
Zayin: 10,004
Thus, the second shard went to the forces of evil. Mother Dandridge commissioned a new orphanage to house her children.
Old Rupert of Nordmaar happened to have the third shard. Being a devout follower of Rajie, he and his beloved deity arranged a ship battle over it. 10 ships. 5 white, 5 black. Evil won this contest as well. All five of the ships of Good were sunk, to only one of the Evil ships. It was reported that there was little organization on the side of Goodness.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fri Jun 17 09:32:16 2011
To: Knighthood Meroveus Nadrik Austinian Immortal (Storyline)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Knight Greyhawk, fellow Knight's of Gareth's Keep,
Ive been present for a lot of discussions regarding the Shards of Seanan,
and some key elements should be made known to those not familiar to exactly
why they are so highly sought by both sides of the Godswar. They are indeed
instrumental in the rescue of Nadrik, the Heavenly Shogun, from his
imprisonment on the Dark Moon. Eight of the Eleven existing shards are
required for this, and can transport any one divine being from one location
to another, so in the hands of Evil, they are doubly dangerous, as another
God may well join in Nadriks imprisonment. Also along those lines, holding
seven Shards is not enough to do anything.
The following shards have been located and fought over:
1st Shard - Discovered by Centaurs, organized a mass bloodbath, claimed by Darkness.
2nd Shard - Discovered by an Orphanage, hosted a fund raiser, claimed by Darkness.
3rd Shard - Discovered by Fishermen, set in motion a ship battle, clamied by Darkness.
As of yet, no new rumors have surfaced regarding the remaining eight pieces.
If Evil have laid claim to even one more that is not public knowledge, then
there is no chance of using them to reclaim the Heavenly Shogun, save to
take them from their current owners by force. And after the previous
conflicts, the shards were claimed by a representative of the Dark Gods.
Likely by now they are in the personal possession of Necrucifer, the Dark
Damiyo, himself.
Given the circumstances of Seanan's arrival in our world, I have always
theorized the remaining shards are relics of his time and place (see the
Keep of the Knighthood section of our library for details) and thus are most
likely to be found in Ancient locations. The Lost Pyramids, the Ruins of
Serpantol, Old Thalos, etc. Failing that, if the shards have been
discovered, they may have been hidden over the centuries, and could be most
anywhere.
Captain Rassilon Shiroken of Gareth's Keep
"Mercy in Victory, Grace in Defeat, Tranquility in Battle"
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fri Jun 17 23:33:35 2011
To: Knighthood ( Immortal Nadrik Siccara religion rp )
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shards For Nadrik
Seanan the amazing traveling mage,
Space and time his magical stage,
His toys the Gods of Magic broke,
Avoiding paradoxes for us ordinary folk,
But now we seek one ancient machine,
A transporter for Gods with a moonbeam,
Shattered into eleven broken shards,
A drama to sing of for us bards,
Where oh where can they be?
The shards that will set Nadrik free.
In a hat, flower pot, or bread box,
Maybe in with Gwaine's holy socks,
Where to look? The great question,
It's okay for Knights to ask for direction,
Our Gods want Nadrik home even more,
(He was to pick up eggs at the store),
Pray, each of you every night,
That Nadrik be returned to the fight,
Where oh where can they be?
The shards that will set Nadrik free.
A way will be found to the Black Moon,
Need be we'll dig Him out with a spoon,
Send Devion back to hide in the hole,
With only a lump of dirty black coal,
Prayer and hope for our holy quest,
Guidance and inspiration we request,
That Nadrik's Honor never fade or cease,
And we will find the last missing piece,
Where oh where can they be?
The shards that will set Nadrik free.
Siccara bless us on our quest.
Lady Datai d'Aggravaine, Lorekeeper of Knighthood
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Datai: From the Bardic News Department: Shard of Seanan Secured!
Sun Oct 2 22:45:33 2011
To: knighthood
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Knights,
Today the champions of Good, our friends and allies, and a few of our
favorite adversaries who support our cause were able to secure a Shard of
Seanan for Father Austinian. We have seven more challenges ahead of us
which we must win in order for the device to be activated to rescue Lord
Nadrik.
The challenge we faced today was much like those of Necrucifier's Hell Week.
There were five Champions guarding the Shard. These Knights each held an
orb, three orbs were needed to summon the Shard forth. These Knights were
very difficult to battle, something like a keep lord, only they would dispel
and firestorm, blizzard and swarm. The forces of evil managed to fell one,
however, our party focused on taking out the evil army. Soon they became
too weak to successfully battle the knights and collect the orbs they
needed.
Thank you to all of you who prepared and readied yourself and others for
this battle. The effort was needed, and not wasted.
Great thanks is owed to our friends in the Kingdoms. They worked to gather
handy potions for the ordeal, and were able to supply many of us who hand
not had time to prepare. Let us resupply, and be ready for our next
challenge which may lay ahead. Siccara may not even know what it may be,
but we cannot fail so long as our faith in Nadrik is strong.
That said, pause and give prayer and thanks for our victory. Let Lord
Nadrik know we are coming to the rescue.
Siccara bless,
Lady Datai d'Aggravaine, Shield
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
=A POSTER IS HUNG UP ON EVERY MAJOR STREET of EVERY MAJOR CITY IN ALGORON=-
(ooc: 05/06/2012 - 5pm Central/System Time, help cardgame, help 'nexus
holdem')
CHAMPIONS GAMING PALACE
NEXUS HOLD-EM TOURNAMENT FOR THE PRIZED "SHARD OF SEANAN"
Five Rooms of Nexus Hold-Em with up to 6 players per table. Each table may
not exceed 3 players playing for the light or for the dark.
5 egg buy in.
Tournament Style.
Once the 5 winners are declared, the winners enter the Wade Room for the
final tournament with a 10 Egg buy in and it will be played out in
elimination style.
Winner takes all AND the shard.
Be sure to get your practice games in!
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Scorn: Poker Tournament
Sun May 6 19:44:06 2012
To: all
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We played through lots of bugs and issues that we thought were fixed.
Fair or not, we got 4 winners from tables and I allowed the last two people
on the last table to carry through to the final table.
There are 3 from the side of good and 3 from the side of evil going forward.
GOOD: Korivan, Esian and Jaidyn
EVIL: Merilith, Gurfing and Kadaris
The final table will be moved to Sunday May 13th at 5pm CST. If any of these final players
can not make it, THEY (and only they) should choose their replacement.
Thanks for the patience.
-Scorn
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kuromaru: --+Lady Fyahy'll Gunn, Shardearner of the Shield+--
Sun May 13 18:08:44 2012
To: Knighthood Aetheonyc Nyidhaw ( Imm RP Religion Austinian )
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Knights, be sure to offer your thanks and appreciation to Lady Gunn when
you see her. She took it upon herself to sit in for Sir Greyhawk with only
a few minutes notice. But, she walks away today as champion of cards, and
Shardearner of the Shield.
Congratulations Lady Gunn, and thank you to all those from this keep who
offered their skills to try to win this shard for Lord Nadrik.
Sir Kuromaru Shiroken
Lieutenant of the Shield:Clerist
Priest of Father Austinian
Warder of Aetheonyc
Dame Fyahy'll Gunn sat in at the last moment for Sir Korivan who could not arrive on time that day.
The poker game for the 5th shard
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Datai: a ballad of the poker game for the fifth shard
Sat Jun 16 06:20:38 2012
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Battle for the Fifth Shard
(Poker Knights)
Our Honorable Lord's plans of rescue,
Hit a dire snag, problem, doom, snafu,
For the fifth shard of the inventive mage,
Was found by the greedy dwarf Del'nichi,
Raising the stakes, growing his money tree,
A bizarre battle he would have us wage,
More gold, to him is the only cause true,
We Knights make poor customers this he knew.
Poker tourney in his gambling den,
So Father Shiroken did make the call,
To all hearts of gold to prevent this fall,
Devion must have felt sure of a win,
We searched high and low across ocean blue,
Seeking players in a hullabaloo.
On tourney day our players assembled,
From Arkane, Icewall, and under the sea,
Cunning dwarves and knights took up the duty,
A more motley group they quite resembled,
Determined to be Nadrik's heroes true,
Win at poker is what they had to do.
One by one cards were dealt and turned,
Chips passed hands as we sat and prayed,
Dealers disputed, and many dismayed,
I watched the Bishop and my stomach churned,
As Merilith, cold, calculating, drew,
This business of Del'nichi's I did rue.
At another table across the way,
Our Sir Esian and Fyahy'll did sit,
Each carefully applying every wit,
Till finally the two were left to play,
The humble squire graciously withdrew,
In favor of bardic Knight with skill true.
Thirty played, finally the chips did fall,
As if according to Kwainin's grand plan,
Good and evil matched man to man,
Next week the match to take it all,
Prayers, blessings from Father Kuromaru,
As with our three all hopes for Nadrik flew.
From Nordmaar, Lord Jaidyn, King of the Norse,
Gareth's Sir Korivan and Sir Esian,
Poker playing Knights of skill and reason,
Surprising many of our winners' source,
On the match eve an angelic wind blew,
To remind us the peril Nadrik knew.
Skill, fate and fortune ruled that day,
Sir Korivan on Knightly quest detained,
Dame Fyahy'll Gunn his champion named,
So by chance she did come to play,
Honor and love of Nadrik, her heart true,
One by one the cards of Honor's fate drew.
Six players sat in garish poker hall,
Gurfing and Jaidyn pushed from the table,
Next, Kadaris was proven unable,
Alas, from our Sir Esian chips did fall,
Till the table was left with only two,
Bloodlust's Merilith's cunning I well knew.
Viciously battled the Dame back and forth,
The suspense thick as the sort a bard sings,
Was ended with a pair of kings,
Thus the Dame defended Lord Honor's worth.
Pleasant surprise, our poker Knight, who knew?
It would be a day Devion would rue.
So let this be a lesson learned,
When it is honor placed at stake,
On Knighthood your bets you should make,
This is how the fifth shard was earned,
By our faith in Nadrik and honor true,
Carried home by a Dame in blue.
- Dame Datai d'Aggravaine, Songstress of Siccara
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fyahy'll: Shard Song - Dame Gunn's Kings Black - Explanation
Thu Jun 28 08:52:07 2012
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Knights of Gareth,
We've seen a few wonderfully written songs and ballads about our latest
victory regarding the Shards of Seanan. Being similarly tasked, I've taken
the opportunity to address a facet that has been missing. We need to reach
the common man as well as scholars and kings. The song I've written is
meant to be sung in taverns with mug in hand, a cheerful spirit in the
heart, and most likely some rude gestures. Think acfl chant meets parable.
Nobilis Factum. Mors ante dedecoro.
Fyahy'll Gunn
Lady Knight of the Shield
|Shardearner|
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fyahy'll: Dame Gunn's Kings Black
Thu Jun 28 08:59:30 2012
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There once was a call across the lands,
Try for the shard with the best of your hands!
You'll gather and sit and show me your cards,
Perhaps gods willing, give work to the bards!
Here Here for the Kings Black are near, my friend!
Here here for the Kings are near!
Heroes of goodness all to a one,
They came a droves, includin Dame Gunn!
Battle field trained, tried, and true,
But in this here contest only wits will do!
Here Here for the Kings Black are near, my dear!
Here here for the Kings are near!
Feet on the table she giggled in mirth,
Taking sorry Gurfing for all he was worth!
Then out with Kadaris, both hobbos were down,
Which left elf Merilith for the final round!
Here Here for the Kings Black are near, good men!
Here here for the Kings are near!
Back and forth, tit for tat,
but the dame in blue had Honor's back!
Where evil drew three's in pair,
Good drew Kings Black out of thin air!
Here Here for the Kings Black are near, my foe!
Here here for the Kings are near!
Jaidyn and Esian, did their part too,
But the Lord Nadrik twas saved by the Dame in blue!
In direst battle or darkest despair,
Known that Honor and Justice will always be there!
Let this be your warcry, courage and whats more,
then have at them with all and give your best whatfor!
The Kings Black are HERE my friend,
The Kings Black are HERE!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mon Jun 25 21:16:34 2012
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I have hoped to share this at the gathering, but other tasks kept me away.
The Shards of Seanan
The second Son, in a dire plight
Did rouse those of Good and insite
The war for the Shards
Gareth rallied with all its Might
Along with them metallics took flight
A sight to sing about for the Bards
The first, an all out battle
Where many a valiant knight fell from the saddle
Yet evil won the day
The second, to support an orphanage in need
All chipped in for this noble deed
But not enough, and the balance did sway
The third, a naval battle upon the ocean
With powder igniting cannon balls, causing much commotion
A third victory for the Dark
The fourth, a harrowing battle on the red moon
Where magic, steel, and prowess in combat gave boon
The victory that caused a spark
The fifth, a game of cards and deception
Something to call a Knight's honor into question
But Victory came to Lady Gunn, hard won
The rest are yet to be uncovered
A task for us mortals to discover
The fight for Honor, has just begun.
Korivan Greyhawk
Knight of the Lance