Knights of the Stone Wheel

The Knights of the Stone Wheel is an ancient order of warriors sworn to defend Fortitude from the frequent sieges against its walls by monsters from The Alderwood. For hundreds of years, stories of their bravery, honour, and sacrifice spread even beyond the borders of Frostide, inspiring squires and pages from all corners of Kerebos to take up arms: including inspiring the formation of The Wild Hunt.

Like so many factions and communities upon Frostide since the arrival of the The Prime Dragons, their membership has dwindled to record lows, with only a handful of would-be Knights remaining in its service.

Lore

When the first Human settlers arrived upon Frostide, only the bravest and most foolhardy of them dared settle in the northern reaches of the continent. Each isolated community suffered complications, none moreso than Fortitude, which had broken ground in the heart of the cursed Alderwood itself. Even before it had the life leeched from it, stray magic created gargantuan beasts of flesh, bone, and shadow that sought to feast upon the naive pioneers treading upon their territory.

Ser Roland lead the city guard in first defending the walls, but as the attacks grew more frequent and fearsome, he became convinced that a more specialized group of warriors would be needed to mount proper defense. Conscripting his best and brightest while leaving the others to focus on the construction of the city's famous walls, The Knights of the Stone Wheel are first mentioned by name following their first and most famous battle: The Winterhold Siege, where an army of beasts sought to destroy the fortifications and lay waste to the city within. Against overwhelming, nearly impossible, odds, Roland and his Knights proved victorious: though it took nearly a year to break the attack.

A monument to Roland was built in Fortitude, and construction upon their new headquarters soon followed. The massive structure, located in the very heart of the city, is rumoured to contain a subterranean fortress built in the event the walls ever fell, but only sworn members of the knighthood are permitted entrance, as the door is protected by old magic. Campaign: Wither & Bloom

The party's journey to Fortitude was impeded by the sound of heavy quakes, finding the city under siege by a Stone Colossus at the time of their arrival. They aided young members of the city guard in fending off the attack, though not before the city gates had suffered considerable damage. Having heard rumours of the famed Knights of the Stone Wheel, the party was then surprised to learn that the children they had assisted were all that remained of the once-great order.

Now led by Samara Helyes, she explained that the able-bodied citizens of Fortitude had all but abandoned the city, leaving behind their children, parents, and sickly to fend for themselves. Though they were not technically Knights of the Stone Wheel — not sworn in by any officiant — they were the city's only line of defense against the pervasive monster attacks, which appeared to be coming more frequently now than ever.

Seeking to help defend the city, the party agreed to assist the Knights prepare for another attack while also investigating the root cause of the elemental's appearance. As part of this, they agreed to find a way into the Knights' famed headquarters in an abandoned section of town, with Samara believing something inside would be able to assist them, though she was not certain of what.

Membership