Appropriate Cavalier Order for a King?

[Derek Weil]

I'm building out my homebrew setting with some key NPC's, and one of them, who needs to function in combat, is going to have several levels of cavalier. (I plan on him being a key recurring character, hence the extra effort here).

I first thought that Order of the Lion would fit best thematically for this character. But he's the king. It's not as though he'd swear loyalty to himself. Maybe he'd swear loyalty to his queen? Maybe he can just do Order of the Sword and be devoted to chivalry without needing to swear himself to anyone.

Any thoughts?

[AndIMustMask]

what was it, shield? the one where you defend the common man from those who would oppress them--keep your nobles in line to prevent abuse of power, keep the lands safe, all that jazz. good for king, and keeps your PR high by looking out for the little guy.

dragon is always a good choice as well.

[RainyDayNinja]

Order of the Shield is a good choice, assuming he's a benevolent king. The Order of the Blue Rose could also be good, for a more peaceful and diplomatic bent.

[AndIMustMask]

cockatrice works for the more showboat-y king (think ephraim from FE: Sacred Stones)

[Shimnimnim]

AndIMustMask wrote:

cockatrice works for the more show-boat-y king (think ephraim from FE: Sacred Stones)

Is an order of the Lion dedicated to the King any different really when you are yourself the king?

[AndIMustMask]

Shimnimnim wrote:

AndIMustMask wrote:

cockatrice works for the more show-boat-y king (think ephraim from FE: Sacred Stones)

Is an order of the Lion dedicated to the King any different really when you are yourself the king?

pretty sure at that point you dont have a king to follow at that point. you could shift it to following a deity or some kingly ideal instead i suppose, as long as they're "farther up the chain" than you consider yourself.

[Necroluth]

Shimnimnim wrote:

AndIMustMask wrote:

cockatrice works for the more show-boat-y king (think ephraim from FE: Sacred Stones)

Is an order of the Lion dedicated to the King any different really when you are yourself the king?

Not really. At that point you are sworn to the throne itself, and the continuation of the line. Striving to protect the life and lands of the sovereign (yourself), and striving to expand the power and prestige of the realm are all things the king should be doing ANYWAY, so formally pledging yourself to these things is just a formality. The part where you have to obey the commands of the king without question could be interpreted that you never go back on your royal decrees, even if it hurts you. If you decree that murderers are always put to death, and then discover that your brother the prince has been murdering people, you are honor-bound to follow the royal decree and execute the prince.

[Kazaan]

For most kingdoms in the western world (and some in the east as well), the "kingship" is more of a corporation for which the reigning monarch is considered the CEO. For the British monarchy, for example, God created "The Crown" as his agent of authority on Earth and the King/Queen is the person who adjudicates the power and authority of "The Crown". So to serve "your sovereign" can easily be interpreted as the sovereignty of the land for which the monarch (or oligarch or any other kind of -arch) is the chief executive.

Some kings come to power through more mundane means such as being the leader of the mercenary band that primarily operates in an unincorporated countryside. If the people respect this group enough, they may make its leader their de-facto executive so the "kingship" starts as a small, tight-knit, loyal band of followers that have authority thrust upon them by the people; this would be conducive to a tradition around an order that favors these things such as the Dragon or the Sword.

A kingdom with a significant magical tilt may favor the magical orders such as Staff. A kingdom that is famous for its grand library may traditionally favor the Tome and a famous (or infamous) artifact or location may inspire the order of the Seal. A more theocratic country may favor the Star.

Lastly, you could say that the King belongs to an order all his own. Come up with edicts that befit a "kingly" cavalier order. If your king isn't all that honorable, he probably isn't a cavalier but a fighter who specializes in mounted combat.

[tkul]

Is there a reason the cavalier order has to be tied to his nobility. Maybe he was a cavalier of order x before succession now he just also happens to be a king.

[Derek Weil]

Thanks for the ideas! In this case, his exact order is to be determined, but he's at least the sixth monarch in the current line. His direct ancestors founded the country he now rules. He's definitely benevolent. I like Kazaan's idea about a kingly order.

To tkul's point, I think it's likely he would have joined the Lion, Dragon, or Shield as a young man, following his own father's traditions. It's an interesting decision for me, so thanks for the input!

[Mysterious Stranger]

A king following the order of the Lion would be in service to his kingdom. Instead of following the orders of the king he puts his duty to his kingdom first. His own wants and desires must take second place to the good of the kingdom. For example instead of marrying who he loves he marries for political reason. Catharine Kurtz King Kelson is a perfect example of this.