Dread Knights

Among the many enigmatic entities that dwell within The Veil, none are as imposing or as feared as the Dread Knights. Towering and silent, these hodded figures serve as the realm's unyielding wardens, ensuring its sanctity remains intact. Their presence is a chilling reminder that The Veil is not a place to be trifled with; it is a realm with laws of its own, and the Dread Knights are the enforcers of those laws. To see one is to stand in the shadow of inevitability, where no pleas, bargains or strength can prevail. The origins of the Dread Knights are shrouded in mystery, even to other inhabitants of The Veil. They are not born of mortal souls, nor do they share the celestial or infernal lineage of beings like The Forsaken. Many believe they are constructs of The Veil itself, manifestations of its will, created to maintain balance and order. Some legends suggest they were once mortal champions who, upon death, were bound to The Veil in eternal servitude as punishment or reward. Others claim they are fragments of Death's own essence, splintered off to act as extensions of his neutrality. Regardless of their true origins, one fact remains clear: the Dread Knights exist solely to enfore the boundaries and laws of The Veil. They answer to no one, not even Death himself, though their purpose often aligns with his. Mortals rarely encounter the Dread Knights, as their presence typically signals a grave transgression. Those who do see them often describe the experience as paralysing. The sheer size and power of the Dread Knights, combined with their unrelenting silence, instill a sense of inevitability that no mortal can withstand. If a mortal does find themselves face-to-face with a Dread Knight it is almost always too late. The Knights do not speak, nor do they offer explanations or warnings. Their approach is slow and deliberate, giving their target time to realise the gravity of their mistake before they are consumed. In the Terrestrial Realm, stories of the Dread Knights have fueled countless myths and superstitions. Some cultures view them as divine enforcers, sent to punish those who tamper with the natural order. Others see them as omens of doom, their appearance signalling a great and terrible calamity. These tales often emphasise the importance of respecting boundaries, both physical and metaphysical, lest one draw the attention of these fearsome wardens. The Dread Knights embody the concept of inevitability. They are the physical manifestation of consequences, a reminder that no action goes without reaction. Their unyielding nature reflects the impartiality of The Veil, where justice is not a matter of morality but of balance. To encounter a Dread Knight is to confront the inescapable truth that every transgression has its price. The Dread Knights are among the most feared and respected beings in The Veil. Their unwavering dedication to their purpose makes them both terrifying and awe-inspiring, a force that cannot be reasoned with or avoided. They are not villains, nor are they heroes - they are the guardians of a realm that exists beyond mortal comprehension, ensuring that its delicate balance is preserved for all eternity.

Basic Information

Anatomy

The Dread Knights are towering, humanoid figures draped in heavy, tattered cloaks that seem to merge seamlessly with the swirling mist of The Veil. Their cloaks are dark and ethereal, shifting constantly as though alive, exuding an aura of foreboding. These enigmatic wardens remain hooded at all times, their faces hidden entirely within an impenetrable void that offers no hint of humanity or recognition—only a consuming emptiness that instills dread in any who dare meet their gaze. Their immense stature only adds to their intimidating presence, their massive forms radiating an unnatural, oppressive weight. The Dread Knights are not creatures of flesh and blood but manifestations of The Veil’s neutrality and law. They ride equally fearsome steeds—great, muscular horses with blackened coats and glowing ember-like eyes that burn with an intense, smoldering light. These steeds, a fusion of shire horses and Belgian draft horses, move with a slow, deliberate power, their hooves leaving faint scorch marks or trails of smoke as they cross the mists. Each Dread Knight exudes an aura of inevitability, a palpable force that seems to press down on anyone in their presence. Their movements are steady and deliberate, free of hesitation or emotion, as they carry out their duty to protect the sanctity of The Veil. The sound of their approach—a low, rhythmic thrum from their horses’ hooves—echoes through the mist like the final toll of a bell, signaling that no being can escape the consequences of their actions. The Dread Knights are more than just wardens; they are the embodiment of The Veil’s law, their physical forms a reflection of its impartiality and unyielding nature. To see them is to confront inevitability itself, a reminder that no one escapes judgment within The Veil.

Ecology and Habitats

The Dread Knights maintain a unique relationship with other Creatures of The Veil. While they enforce the realm's rules impartially, they are not entirely discuonnected from its other denizens. Beings like The Unseen and The Forsaken view the Dread Knights with a mixture of fear and respect, understanding that even their own power is no match for these enforcers. The Dread Knights are also colsely tied to Death, though they do not serve him directly. Instead, their goals often align, as both exist to maintain balance and ensure that natural order is upheld. However, the Dread Knights' loyalty remains solely to The Veil, and they will act against even Death himself if his actions threaten its sanctity.

Behaviour

The Dread Knights are silent and deliberate, their actions governed by an unyielding adherence to the laws of The Veil. They do not pursue or hunt without cause, but when the sanctity of The Veil is threatened, they act with terrifying precision and efficiency. Trespassers, whether mortal or otherwise, are given no opportunity for escape or negotiation. The Dread Knights consume any being that breaches The Veil's bondaires, their victims disappearing without a trace. Despite their fearsome reputation, the Dread Knights are not cruel. They act without prejudice or emotion, driven solely by their purpose. To them, enforcing the rules of The Veil is neither a pleasure not a burden - it is simply what they exist to do.

Additional Information

Uses, Products & Exploitation

The Dread Knights are the ultimate enforcers of the The Veil's neutrality. Their primary duty is to ensure that no being enters or leaves The Veil without purpose. This includes mortals who accidently stumble into The Veil, spirits attempting to escape their fate, and even celestial or infernal beings who overstep their bounds. Any breach of The Veil's sanctity is met with swift and absolute action. In addition to guarding the realm's borders, the Dread Knights also patrol its interior, maintaining order among its inhabitants. They are particularly vigilant against beings like The Forsaken, whose bitterness and ambition often lead them to disrupt the balance of The Veil.