Knighthood in Attellaria consists of a series of 'circles' of rank, with a 'first circle' knight being the lowest ranking. There are six orders of knights, each progressively more difficult to achieve, and each containing a smaller number of members. All knights must pass through the ranks, even great nobles, high level warriors, and children of kings. The organization is about 75% human, and about 75% male. Any fighter who is Lawful, especially those who are lawful good, will probably be invited to join at some time after he reaches ninth level. Rangers, cavaliers, and paladins are similarly likely to be invited. Acceptance shows an explicit willingness to serve the crown, especially in wartime. Few barbarians are invited to join; also, many non-leveled people become knights, but few make it past knight initiate.
The headquarters of the knights of Attellaria is in Aertael, and is called the Royal Society of the Knights of the Ebon Blade, is where senior offices have quarters (although most, if not all, of them have private homes, they quarter here when needed), where various ceremonies (investiture and such) are held, and where those wishing to apply to knighthood apply.
Title Number of members
Knight Initiate 10,000 approximate
Knight of the Dawn 5,000 approximate
Knight of the Sun 2,000 approximate
Knight of the Star 1000 approximate
Knight Exemplar 100
Knight Councilor 10
Approximately half of the Knights of the Sun and Star hold military commands of some sort.
The Knight Councilors are:
Nimlaure Aglarion, King of Attellaria
Old Baron Trask
Baron Astar Trask
Duke Ithrindil Saraxin
Viscount Merciale of Belegram
Marquis Restael
Marquis Grendon of Grendon
Viscount Atavar of Caepla
Baron Artel of Artel
High General Artorion de Rue
Note that knighthood does not confer any particular military rank. Many knights hold no military rank. However, all knights are expected to serve in military actions if called to service, as knighthood does make one part of the armed forces of the country, and knights are conferred a battlefield rank of a non-commissioned officer, at a minimum, during any active service.
See Attellarian Army entry for more details.