Knights
The knightly orders of the human kingdoms have brought much ill will down upon themselves. Arrogant they are called. Greedy beyond measure. From the backs of their horses they stare down at all others, even those other humans whom provide the support the knights can not do without. They knights live only for glory, and rumors say they have even betrayed their own allies in this quest. While no one doubts that the knights are some of the most effective cavalry fighters the land has ever seen, it may only become a matter of time before the knightly allies find their former allies, and even their own people, presenting a united front against them.
Humans have alway excelled in two areas: screwing and killing things. Put the two together under the right conditions and you have the makings of an empire. The Knights are the martial arm of the Empire of the Steel Rose, carving out territory in the name of their god and leader. Wherever they roam, the citizens of the Empire follow quickly to populate the area. This has been one of the strengths of the Empire, and the means of it's rapid expansion.
As elitist and racist as they are deadly, the Knights pledge allegiance to the Steel Rose, Emperor Wilhelm Schade as the rightful heir to the world. Schade is the last in a long line of marginally effective leaders who make a pretense at ruling an Empire that keeps expanding under its own inertia. His moniker of the Steel Rose was a suggestion by the Empire's public relations representatives who felt he needed something "tough yet sensitive" to send a message to other species.
Though the Knights claim several human and inhuman allies, it's more a matter of tolerance for mutual benefit than the belief that any other being could be their equal. Whether for trade or common defense, any bond is sure to have an ulterior motive for the Empire.
Rosenstadt, Kreigheim, & Thaumus
Rosenstadt serves as the capitol of the Empire and the religious seat of the Church of Deusism. Here, the manifold legions of Knights are recruited, trained, and indoctrinated into the Empire's creed before being sent off to chop out another piece of the Empire.
The average citizen of the Rosenstadt is fairly wealthy and ignorant of the goings on outside the city walls. They believe they inhabit a gleaming bastion of humanity and civilization unaware that manure-streaked peasants labor in fields to support their standard of living. Of course, they are exposed to town criers on nearly every corner extolling the virtues of the Empire and the latest festival in honor of the Emperor (the most popular being the Emperor Schade Family Fun and Public Execution NIght held every Friday).
The neighboring city of Kreigheim houses the Academy of War. Here the greatest scientific minds of the Empire gather in the name of humanity's advancement. In other words, they come up with new ways to kill shit. Thanks to the technological leaps of the Academy, the Knights benefit from advanced armor and weapon design on the battlefield. On occasion, it has been known for the Academy to trade knowledge with the Dwarves of the Huestiathah Hills, though this fact is one that many would rather keep private.
To the north lies Thaumus, boasting the University of Thaumaturgy. The University is a melting pot of various practitioners, researchers, and students of occult arts who come together for the express purpose of furthering the Empire's arcane standing. In other words, they come up with magical ways to kill shit. Though the Empire takes a sterner stand on magic (the Church of Deus preaches against it regularly) they are more than willing to turn a blind eye to anything that might expand their power.
The Church of Deus
No one is sure just where this Deus fellow came from. Some races say the humans just made him up. Others believe that he is a new god, slowly gaining power through the sheer number of human followers he gathers. One thing is for sure; many of the Knights are willing to kill in his name.
There are also rumors that the priests of this new god are gaining power, as well. The Holy Knights of the Empire are a legendary unit, feared and whispered of by their enemies. It is said that the blessing of the priests of Deus, and the fervent zeal of the Holy Knights manifest in a blaze of faith and ferocity that quickly spreads among the Empire's troops on the battlefield. Whether this is true, or just another battlefield tale is hard to say, yet many old-timers swear they've seen it.
Lord Marshall Farwat stood at the map table in his war chamber. Staring down at the large map of Farrenhall and the small wooden figures representing different units, he frowned. Things weren't going well. If the Rosenstadt didn't send reinforcements soon, the kingdom would be lost to the forces of Evil. He turned as the door to the large room opened. Lord Corad strode toward him, decked in gleaming plate armor and his robes of office. "What news, Corad?" Farwat asked. "Where are Sir Justar and his reinforcements?" Corad cleared his throat. He picked up one of the wooden miniatures and placed it dead center in the middle of Amazonia. "What?" Farwat exclaimed. "My lord, it seems Justar has diverted his troops around the Hulestiathah Hills and the Red Desert to Amazonia." "Have a mage send a transmission. Tell him to get his forces to Farrenhall at once!" "We have, my lord. Alas, it seems Justar and his men have surrendered to the Amazons." "Surrendered?" Farwat blurted. "But we aren't even at war with the Amazons!" "Indeed," Corad mused. "Therein lies the difficulty of it all. The Amazon Queen has been most reasonable with the situation. However, her patience is wearing thin, as the appearance of so many men has caused quite a morale and discipline problem within her own ranks. She has requested that we do something." "What's wrong with Justar? Damn him!" Farwat pounded his fist. "Wait! I passed him up for a promotion last year, didn't I?" "You did, my lord." "Damn him! What do we do?" "Fear not," Corad held his hand up. "I shall personally set out to Amazonia to retrieve Justar and our forces." "That's good of you, Corad." "Isn't it?" "Very brave," Farwat clapped his shoulder. "Good man." He glanced past Corad into the hallway beyond. A train of porters carrying luggage, furniture, and Corad's personal items rushed past the doorway. "I say, aren't those your porters, Corad?" "Hm? Oh, yes. Heh." He stepped toward the hall. "Well, I must be going." "Do you really need all those things? I mean, you're just going to bring Justar back, aren't you?" "Oh, absolutely, my lord!" Corad rushed out the door, calling back: "I wouldn't dream of defecting to an entire nation of nubile warrior women!" His fits of hysterical laughter faded in the distance. Farwat stood alone in the chamber. He raised an eyebrow. Come to think of it, he had passed Corad up for a promotion last year, too. "Damn him!"
