By Alex Feely (af2e+@andrew.cmu.edu)
The Spiritual Knights have a hazy past; they seem to have spawned roughly around the mystic age, when knights proper and wizards wyld thrived, magickal beasts roamed the earth, and the Garou, in their ferocity, terrorized the towns. The Knights are the protectors of humanity and the most stalwart opposers of the Wyrm. Not only blunt, crass buffoons who like soldiers ride against the Wyrm and it's minions, these are men and women of thought and action, they cover several scopes of thought and activity, converging in only one spot always; Oppose the Wyrm and protect humanity, always, forever, and completely will all your soul.
As the mythical age came to an end, they were forced underground. Their use of magick along with combat and noble influence eventually wore thin, and was almost cut off when the Rennisance age came to Europe, and more attention was paid to their coat of arms than themselves. Throughout history, they have been allied with some sects of Garou, those that do not wish to wipe out the humans they protect, and the Immortals. They are the initiators of change, the nobleman, the man of royal descent in your quiet little town who one night killed a rapist with his bare hands, those who oppose crime. Irish policeman of olden days who threw themselves into dens of pain and fought tooth and nail, opposing the pestilence, the Wyrm. The philosophers that spoke of the merits of good, and not just god. The good samaritans, the woman who dragged her child out of drug-dens and led civil movements against these drugs, cleaning up the neighborhood even a bit, although getting killed in the process. Harriet Tubman and those like her, who helped humanity free itself from the grip of slaves. These are the Spiritual Knights of history.
Philosophy: You see the corruption that grips our world, you see the malignancy that, like a cancerous tumor, feeds on our lives? That, we must combat every step of the way. But, not by sacrificing these people, these mortals we protect with every breath. They are innocent, and we will one day bring them to Ascension. We must protect them from the Wyrm, always.
Organization: The Knights put minor importance on organization amongst themselves. They tend to associate with whatever tradition fits their goals, and are usually welcome. However, they do hold a yearly meeting known only as 'The Round Table'. Somewhere in rural Europe, most likely England, there is a cave, kept secret by the magi, that in an unknown section houses a gigantic Round Table, of more than 100 seats easily. The representatives from areas of population attend, usually one knight per 1000 sq. miles. They act as senators for the others, and are invariably of high rank. The Round Table is where all formal business of this Tradition is conducted. The meeting of the Round Table usually takes a week, and although caves exist to sleep in, it is can be a contest of Stamina.
Initiation: One seen as worthy is followed for at least a year, and kept under observation. If still deemed worthy when the meeting of the Round Table rolls around, a profile is taken to there and a vote is cast. The Initiate is swiftly brought to the meeting, and all the Initiates who pass are spoken to by knights over the course of the meeting, and on the last day, they are knighted.
Chantry: The main chantry is in England. The Royal House of Windsor.
Acolytes: Activists, nobleman of character, fighters for the depressed
Sphere: The Apprentice may choose between Life, Forces, or Prime as the primary Sphere.
Foci:
Choice of Weapon or Gauntlet as Unique.
Concepts: Knight of the People, Knight of noble Lineage, Activist Leader
Quote: You have come to the borders of reality. I have dragged you here through sleepless nights and effort everlasting. Your taint has spread across my realm as I watch helplessly, waiting for this moment. Now, Wyrm creature, you who have destroyed the lives of those I protect, find the Wyld at the tip of my blade!
Akashic Brotherhood: These are our kin. They too are Spiritual Knights, of an eastern sense.
Celestial Chorus: They lose touch with what is, through their place of blame upon Mortals.
Cult of Ecstasy: These are self indulgent people, little better than mortals with magick. Yet they may fight in their own ways..
Dreamspeakers: They speak the words we live by, "The Wyrm grows to strong" they say, and we agree.
Euthanatos: Vile! They kill the mortals! Euthanatos are a scourge to us all!
Hollow Ones: These poor, misguided youth. Although awakened, we will protect them as we do the innocent mortals.
Order of Hermes: Power they have, and are not to be rivaled with. But they have opposed us many times in the past for their own gain.. we know not what to think, and decide on merit.
Sons of Ether: Nice toys, and they oppose the Technocracy now. They have been redeemed, we see nothing wrong with them, as long as they know what their purpose is.
Verbena: None can doubt their ferocity or their power, and they, for the most fight for the right side. Their ways, though.. I'm not so sure about.
Virtual Adepts: Precious few of them fight for the right side, to many are indifferent. But we judge on merit often, and can get along with some.
Cerebus: Again our brothers! True combatants of the evil, the Wyrm infested Technocracy. Our equals with their mental power and organization, we truly respect these, when we can find them.
Discordian: Strange ways, yet they seem to want to stop the evil, fearing some immanetization of an Eschalon. We prefer not to work with them, but can tolerate them.
Necromancers: Vile! Tainted with powerlust and evil, I cannot work with them.
Runecasters: Warriors of the north, we are sorry they are few. We get along with them well, when we can find them.
Sons of Jupiter: I don't know quite what to make of them.. they seem to oppose the Wyrm and evil, yet they put more importance on personal Ascension.. time shall convince me.
Technolibertarians: Strange, yet they are separate from the Technocracy. Convince me they have good intentions, and I have no problem with them.
Wanderers: Bah.. they wish to see the world, not prevent the Wyrm.