Thronebearers of Calanfer

The Thronebearers of Calanfer, or just Thronebearers, are a Knight Order in the service of the Eternal Throne of Calanfer.

Overview

Thronebearers are the primary Knight Order of Calanfer. Serving as both diplomat and soldier, they excel at politics and protecting their charges from court politics, However, they are considered weaker than other Terandrian Knight Orders in terms of military strength, as most of their training also involves education of court politics and social conventions.

They cost the crown tens or hundreds of thousands of gold coin annually to maintain. They are considered a net gain to the areas they patrol, and occasionally generate profit by slaying monsters with valuable parts or locating treasure.

Princesses of Calanfer are typically accompanied by a minimum of four Thronebearers. In a group assigned to be bodyguards, at least one must be capable of magic. A group of ten Thronebearers is called a Ray of Dawn.

Ranks

• Grandmaster of the order
• Lightherald - champion of the order
• Great Knight - one rank below the Lightherald
• Knight Resplendent / Radiance Commander - High ranked member, below unique individuals and personal Knights of the monarchs
• First-Knight - leader of a group of Thronebearers
• Thronebearer
• Lightholder - The lowest rank of Thronebearers

History

Over four thousand years ago, Calanfer and Noelictus were at war, with the Thronebearers part of Calanfer's forces.

Two centuries ago, the Dawn Concordat's forces had broken against four armies. Archmage Chandler arrived to help, intending to stall the enemy at Krawlnmak’s Pass. The Thronebearers and the Lightherald refused to retreat, pledging to hold as long as the Archmage did. They defended him as he raised the dead, then charged with him as he engaged with his rapier. They won the battle, having broken an army of four hundred thousand at the pass.

Chronology

Gravesong Book One

A contingent of Thronebearers led by Ser Dalimont escorted Princess Seraphel through Noelictus for her wedding to the earl of Ovela. They were ambushed by a cabal of [Necromancers] who mistook the group as the escort of the local [Lord] of Afiele, Lantal. Seraphel managed to stall long enough for Lord Lantal and his men to arrive and killed the cabal, with only the leader, Feremont escaping. The [Princess] and the Thronebearers stayed in Afiele until a better escort could be arranged and fugitive [Necromancer] was hunted down.

During their stay in Afiele, they looked down on the local retainers despite how they had saved them due to their wounded pride. To solve this, Lantal requested their aid in hunting down the [Necromancer], and would allow them to show off when putting down the local undead.

While at a tavern, some Thronebearers overheard Cara O'Sullivan disparaging the concept royalty, provoking a debate between her and them. The debate grew heated until one of the [Knights], Ser Vimel, tried to attack Cara. He was stopped by Feremont, who put him to sleep, and they left the establishment. They returned once they realized that Feremont was the necromancer they were searching for, but he was had already left.

When the village of Qet was attacked, the Thronebearers accompanied Lantal and his forces on Seraphel's orders. They fought the ghouls and Crypt Lords the villagers had been turned into, but were forced to retreat when they faced a Draugr and it killed one of them.

They fought in the siege of Adreissel with the people of Afiele against thousands of undead raised by Feremont from the compromised Tomb of Afiele. The walls were eventually felled by a Zombie Giant and they were forced to evacuate with Seraphel.

In battered armor, they stayed with Princess Seraphel when she stood with Afiele against the [Necromancer]. They protected her and Lord Culin as they advanced.

Volume 7

Thronebearers are present in Phel's Light, a port city in Pheislant, when a funeral barge carrying the remains of Knights from various orders arrive. Ser Dalimont is specifically mentioned and would have witnessed Cara's performance when she went to the docks to pay her respects.

Volume 8

The Thronebearers fought along with the other members of the Dawn Concordat against Ailendamus. The Knightly Order started off by avoiding use of their high-level knights, but even the high-level knights and Lightherald had to join the battle eventually. They fought together with the forces of Tyrion Veltras, The Order of Seasons, and Eldavin, but even still it was a hard battle. Their Lightherald died fighting against one of Ailendamus' Great Generals, Merila. A new Lightherald was temporarily chosen from the battle using a long distance [Boon of the Princess] on Rabbiteater.

At the same time, another group of Thronebearers had journeyed to Izril in hopes of finding Lyonette du Marquin.

Military Strength

The Thronebearers are a fairly large [Knight] order, comprising of at least several thousand members and possibly over ten thousand. They are led by their champion, the Lightherald of Calenfer. A member with the rank of First-Knight is at least Level 20.

Armor and Weapons

Thronebearers wear golden armor polished to a bright shine. They are capable of concentrating their auras in order to coat their blades in magical light and effectively attack ghosts.

Training

Thronebearers serve as diplomats and bodyguards. As such, Thronebearers take lessons in combat, language, and runecraft. They exercise for two hours daily.

Lightherald

The Lightherald is the most powerful member of the Thronebearers. Their power is derived from a variety of external factors including the most highly enchanted armor and greatsword from Calenfer's army as well as a Blessing given directly from the king of Calenfer. Their strength is highest at the dawn and weakest at night.

Members

Known Members:

• Dalimont
• Iltorst (Deceased)
• Isni
• Julius
• Kyetne
• Lormel
• Loxlet
• Merene
• Nifvta
• Sest (Deceased)
• Tobb
• Ushar
• Vensha
• Vimel Laudrel

Lightholders

• Neranthei - Assigned to Princess Seraphel

Knights Resplendent / Radiance Commanders

• Thilowen

The Lightherald of Calanfer

• Currently vacant

Trivia

• It is the practice of the Order to return the bodies of their Knights home rather than burying them where they fall.
• A common expression is "Never challenge a Thronebearer in court. Find him on the battlefield and beat him to death."
• One tactic used by the Thronebearers is the Fool, the Blade, and the Bodyguard. Three Thronebearers take different roles: the Bodyguard protects their charge, the Blade eliminated the threat, with the aid of the Fool who throws themselves into danger to occupy the threat.