Order of the Knights

Order of the Knights - A custom faction created back in 2017 for The Official Server, through certain periods of time in 2018 and 2019 existing on Age of Sauron. Officially disbanded on AoS in June 2019, continuous to exist only on TOS.

Name
Full name:

GB:  “Order of the Poor Knights from the South, of Polish house in Cair Andros”

De: "Orden der Armen Ritter aus dem Süden, des polnischen Hauses in Cair Andros"

PL: Zakon ubogich rycerzy z południa, domu polskiego w Cair Andros.

It's full name referees to Order's place of origin, gondorian island of Cair Andros. Since it's creation the name change few times until June of 2019. Order is commonly refereed to as "Knight's Order" or "Order of the Knights".

Origins
The order was founded in May 2017, on The Official Server, by two polish knights who came to the lands of Gondor from the north, according to some records, they left the kingdom of dwarves in Khazad Dum and moved south planning to start a new life. After arriving at the court to King Tarixxiv I, also a Pole himself, they received a small patch of land close to Pelargir, with the task of defending the southern border against the Haradrims. The simple watchtower grew slowly, and MaciejMMMMM became the first leader of the assembly, adopting the official nickname Maciej von Stargard. After the leader's departure, the order fell and was removed from the function of helping the kingdom and was disbanded, under Grand Master Samwell von Blitzen serving as last leader of the order.

Early time
The day is 15th of November 2018. Forces of Sultan Serukala has finally claimed regions of Harondor and Harnedor all the way to the border of Umbar, creating greatest faction of all. In reply the coalition has formed, made of _MaxMax_ of Woodland Realm, Lordkuba of Pelargir and MaciejMMMMM of Night Kingdom (Then Shadow Kingdom). The forces decided to create the arm expedition and "Knight's Order" a faction with all the attends. After few small encounters and withdraw of Mordor from the war caused Sultan to flee and his empire to fall down after just few days of the campaign. 20.11.2018 the expedition is officially over and conquered land has been given to the order. They build three castles to solidify their hold on the new realm, choosing Castle Karak as their main seat, as it was overlooking two rivers that were key to protecting eastern and northern border of Harnennor. But after few weeks of work the Order has been disbanded, in place of its administration new Empire of Harnennor was formed. Those brothers who refused to join the new empire claimed that Order simply lost purpose in Harnennor, moving their home north to the land of Rhun.

Golden Era
After the world died in fire, the moment Fluctist Hosting decided to remove the file without informing staff, the new world had to be created. With that in March of 2019 order has been restored, with their mission moving them again from empty steppes of the North to the coastline of Harnennor. With new leadership and changes in administration seven castles have been build to solidify rule over coast of Harad. In time their northern capital in Marienburg also has been rebuild, with its construction taking two months, with a yearly break finished in November of 2020!

This was the time when order was the most active, having 7 active members, working patrol system that kept borders of their small country secure and for time allowed for trade with Kingdom of Gondor to the north and Umbar to the west. But it was also a time when Haradrims were once again united, under lead of Queen of Umbar attempting to reconquer the coast, planning to push Knights back into the sea. Even after forming a coalition, III. and IV. War for Reconquest of Harnennor ended up with a white peace, which ensured Order's presence in the region. In following months Order did not attempted any wars with its neighbors, focusing on maintaining good relations with northern kings and princes, obtaining few holdings in their domains, such as Summer Keep in Gondor or East Watch in Arnor. Currently, at the end of year 2020.

At 5th of December 2020 Harnennor began it's process of becoming once again a lore friendly pro evil faction, leaving members of the Order to for a second time. The General Capitala, the ruling body of Order decided on forming a Mercenary Company, keeping resemblance of the Order but mostly operating as sell-swords.

Service for Lebennin
Fortunately, in July 2019 the main part of the knights from the order returned.They found their former headquarters are no longer located in the territory of Gondor, which has since fragmented. As King Tarixxiv was no longer in power,they decided to remain in the lands of the new founded Republic of Lebennin,which managed to secede from Kingdom of Gondor .Their task remained virtually unchanged; road protection, construction of fortifications and support in protection of the state against the invasions of evil forces. Under the new organization and support, the order developed rapidly, but the iron rule remained that only Poles could be introduced into the ranks of the order.

Civil War
In June of 2020 Order has became an integrated part of administration of Republic of Lebennin, with Grand Master of the Order also becoming a Lunar Commander, leader of military in Lebennin. But in August a Lebennin Civil War has become, with two sides forming; Republicans lead by one of Senators, Bryan, while Monarchists followed second Senator, MaciejMMMMM. The dispute showed involvement of foreigners into the conflict but until now it stays on the status quo.

New Age
On 19th of December 2020, as the civil war in Lebennin was continuing, Republic of Lebennin has decided to reintegrate into Gondor, ending their 3 years of independence. Thus having no desire to fight against original ledge lords, Duchy of Lebennin and the Order has hold a voting and together decided on ending the interregnum of Lebennin by electing King of Gondor, Lukas as the Ruler, thus becoming direct subjects of Gondor, the land becoming Crownland to King of Gondor, and war finally over.

Leadership
From the beginning of its existence, the order was not an independent state or entity. For obvious reasons, the knights did not have the strength or political support to maintain their independence. That is why their organization is integrated into the organization system of other realms unless Knights managed to form their own state.

General Chapter
The head of the order is the Grand Master "Wielki Mistrz" ("HochMeister"), he has full power but in the most important cases he must use the advice of the Kapituła Generalna (The General Chapter), which consists of 5 brothers. Grand Master is not a permanent title and is elected by the Kapitula every four weeks, with possibility of one brother being often re-elected if proven worthy.
 * Grand Treasurer – overlooks the order finances and taxation (Currently Brother Paul von Blitzen)
 * Grand Komtur – overlooks drilling of troops and patrols (Brother Tobias von Krotoschin)
 * Grand Armourer – overlooks the state of equipment of the order
 * Grand Builder – overlooks maintenance and construction of castles
 * Grand Diplomat – overlooks communication with allies and outsiders

Recruitment
Everyone newly admitted to the order is subjected to strict training in the use of weapons and building fortifications, but also ensures that he is familiar with the mechanics of LoTR Mod and and rules of the server. Until reaching 200 ptk to Gondor, the recruit has the status of Servant Brother(Diener Bruder/Brat Służebny). After reaching 500 ptk he receives the rank of Half Brother (Halb Bruder/Pół Brat) and is assigned to the Komturia in which he serves. Finally, when he reaches 1,000 ptk, he becomes a full member of the order (Bruder des Ordens/Brat Zakonny) and has the right to have the title of Komtur, i.e. the commander of the smallest unit of the order's administration, consisting of one castle and the surrounding area.

Units of Administration
"Komandoria/Komturia (Komanderie/Commandory)" - an administrative unit used in the order. The province received in the feud of the order is divided into many smaller (usually five) units for better organization of the order's activities.The Komandoria consists of a castle with adjacent areas, the largest castle is the capital of the order and is currently under construction. Every castle has its own brother to overlook it and specified banner as a symbol during battles and official meetings.

Warfare
Main two units of the Order:

Knights Brothers:

Half Brothers: