White Knight

The story of the white knight is captured in the imagination of dozens of cultures, remaining a constant touchstone of romantic stories of high fantasy. A graceful protector, sworn to fight evil and uphold the causes of right and good. The appeal of such a story is obvious, and thousands of bards have crafted their own take on the tale, often making it difficult to determine the truth behind such words.   Rule of Law In famous stories, white knights are always staunch defenders of purity and righteousness, their infallible moral compass allowing them to always settle on the side of good. In reality, white knights usually allow the law to determine for them what is right and what is not, simply following the orders of those who command them. For some, this can place a white knight firmly on the side of an opponent, marking them as little more than another enemy to be defeated. In the stories, a white knight usually rides alone, saddled on a stallion of pure white, traveling the countryside to rescue those in need of defending. But more often than not, a white knight fights among others of their kind, working in units to follow orders and combat whatever opponent is marked for them.   In Good Company A collection of white knights all working towards the same cause is certainly a feature of most tales, but normally they quest separately for the same goal, each working hard to further a united cause or search for a long-lost relic. But a true company of white knights, often known as a table, is just as likely to be united only in who they serve, whether that happens to be the king of a large country or the religious leader of a church. Some white knights certainly choose to venture off on their own, seeking a better life or desiring to someday have their tales sung in a feats hall, but few remain alone for long. In a world of dangers, traveling alone through treacherous lands is rarely a good idea, no matter how well-trained or dedicated a person is. For white knights that work together, the leader they serve is rarely also a knight, and most have never seen combat firsthand. Political leaders and kings often establish tables of white knights to serve as powerful guardians and peacekeepers in their lands, or strong shock troops in times of war. While the most adept might be chosen to act as a leader for the others to follow, a chosen leader might also just be the favorite member of a table for whoever truly gives the knights their orders.   Truth in History A white knight does not always ride upon a gleaming steed, or wear gilded armor which shines in the sun, and are just as likely to fall prey to the ills of sin as any other. But the stories told today of white knights are influenced by the original knights, a group of knights who were granted the blessing of angels, and imbued with some of their holy power. These original knights were said to be a terror to behold, shining with a light that blinded those born of sin, who swept down upon battlefields to slaughter those who fought on the side of evil. It is said that to sin in their presence was to experience an agony unlike any other, and that no mercy would be shown to those who committed an evil deed in their sight. These knights were blessed with incredible longevity, so that as long as they were never defeated by evil, they could continue their crusade for all time. Certainly many must have fallen since then, and been blessed with a peaceful rest in far-flung worlds, but not all may be given such rest. Occasionally stories and sightings do occur, of villages and town saved by strangers who shine with an unearthly light, destroying foul beasts with a single swing of their sword, only to ride away and disappear once more.