Deep in the forgotten annals of war and myth, the Knights of the Brazen Throne stand as figures of dread and awe. Clad in tarnished brass armor and driven by an unyielding code, these knights were neither champions of justice nor instruments of chaos. They were something else entirely an elite order sworn not to a kingdom, but to the will of the Brazen Throne itself, a sentient relic of ancient power. Their legend echoes across battlefields and darkened halls, raising questions of loyalty, purpose, and what it truly means to serve a throne forged from ambition and blood.
The Origin of the Brazen Throne
The Brazen Throne was not built it was unearthed. Found beneath the ruins of an ancient city during a great war, the throne was said to radiate heat and whisper to those who approached it. Unlike any artifact known to scholars or sorcerers, it was crafted from a strange bronze-gold alloy that never tarnished, etched with runes from a forgotten language. When seated upon it, the first warlord experienced visions of conquest and clarity that allowed him to win impossible battles. From that moment, the Brazen Throne demanded followers, and the knights emerged to serve its purpose.
The First Warden-Knight
History remembers him only as Marvax the Bound. Once a general, he abandoned his army to guard the throne, forging his armor in the molten fires surrounding it. He was the first to take the oath, and from his vow came the order that would be known as the Knights of the Brazen Throne. Others followed, drawn not by loyalty to a ruler but to the throne’s will a will that seemed both divine and ruthless.
Structure of the Knightly Order
The Knights of the Brazen Throne were highly organized, despite their enigmatic origins. They operated independently of kingdoms and empires, answering only to the throne’s demands. The order was divided into different ranks, each with specific duties and responsibilities.
Key Ranks Within the Order
- Warden-Knight: The commander of the order, bound directly to the throne and its visions.
- Scorchbearers: Elite warriors tasked with leading charges and burning enemy fortifications.
- Oath-Watchers: Keepers of the sacred vow, these knights enforced loyalty within the order.
- Throne Heralds: Messengers and diplomats who spread the will of the throne across lands.
- Bronze Reapers: Executioners and final enforcers, used to cleanse betrayal or failure.
Each knight underwent a brutal initiation rite known as the ‘Brazen Trial,’ which tested not only combat ability but the mind’s resistance to the throne’s whispers. Only those who emerged with their purpose intact were allowed to wear the brass armor and wield the blade of the order.
The Code of the Brazen Vow
Unlike traditional chivalric codes that emphasized honor, loyalty to a monarch, or protection of the innocent, the Knights of the Brazen Throne followed a much harsher doctrine. Their code, known as the Brazen Vow, was carved into stone tablets placed at the foot of the throne.
Principles of the Vow
- Obedience to the Will: The throne’s visions are law, regardless of personal belief or consequence.
- Endurance of Flame: Pain purifies. Suffering is not to be avoided but embraced as strength.
- No Kingdom but the Throne: All rulers are temporary. Only the throne endures.
- Justice Through Fire: Mercy is weakness. Peace is forged through decisive flame.
These principles set the knights apart. They were feared not just for their strength, but for their unwavering resolve to enact brutal justice wherever the throne’s influence stretched. To many, they were little more than fanatics wielding blades in the name of a silent god.
The Armor and Weaponry of the Knights
The armor worn by the Knights of the Brazen Throne was as iconic as it was intimidating. Forged in sacred fire and sealed with molten brass, the armor seemed alive capable of repairing itself slowly over time. Some claimed it whispered battle chants before a charge. Their helms were adorned with flame-shaped crests and slit visors that glowed faintly in darkness.
Signature Weapons
- Brazen Blades: Long swords imbued with heat magic, able to sear through enchanted armor.
- Scorched Lances: Heavy spears tipped with burning iron, used during mounted assaults.
- Ember Shields: Shields that could absorb fire spells and release them in a burst of heat.
The weapons were not mass-produced but individually crafted for each knight upon completing the Brazen Trial. These tools were extensions of their oath, personalized to match their strengths and ceremonial roles.
The Role of the Knights in War
In war, the Knights of the Brazen Throne were rarely allies and often unexpected enemies. They intervened in conflicts where the throne sensed imbalance or weakness. Entire cities were burned to ash not because of moral failure, but because they threatened the long-term vision the throne projected. Their interventions were swift and unforgiving.
Infamous Campaigns
- The Siege of Emberhold: A fortified city razed in a single night without a formal declaration.
- Valemarch Purge: A noble family accused of betraying the throne’s prophecy executed to the last heir.
- The Ashen Border War: The knights fought on both sides of the conflict at different times, enforcing balance.
For rulers, hiring or opposing the Knights of the Brazen Throne was a gamble. They were a force of nature, with no interest in treaties, wealth, or diplomacy only vision and order as dictated by the throne.
The Decline and Disappearance
As the world moved toward organized kingdoms and magic regulation, the influence of the Brazen Throne diminished. Scholars believed the throne’s power was tied to forgotten ley lines, and when those magical pathways weakened, so did its voice. The knights grew fewer, their armor dulled, and the last known Warden-Knight vanished into exile.
Legends of the End
Some say the throne was shattered by a coalition of archmages. Others claim it still exists, hidden in the molten heart of a dormant volcano, waiting for the next war to awaken it. A few rumors speak of lone knights still wandering, bound by oath even if the throne’s voice has gone silent.
Legacy of the Knights Today
While the order no longer marches in full force, their legacy remains. Some war colleges still study their tactics. Their armor is displayed in museums, and adventurers seek the Brazen Throne as a forbidden relic. In literature and songs, they are portrayed as either cursed heroes or noble tyrants, depending on the storyteller’s view.
Modern Influence
- Rituals in some warrior cults mimic the Brazen Trial
- Secret orders seek to uncover the throne’s location
- Mages study the throne’s metallurgy for clues about its origin
What remains certain is that the Knights of the Brazen Throne were unlike any other martial order. They served no banner, bowed to no crown, and fought not for gold but for fire-born conviction. In their silence, the world remembers their flame and fears its return.