Knights of Tahkisis Foreword by the Retyper This document was copied out of the last pages of The Second Generation; a collection of stories relating to the years following Test of the Twins. This document is in no way attempting to cause trouble for TSR (or Wizards of the Coast when they purchase the company) and is not intended to be seen as an alternative to the actual book. The stories in the book are a must read for anyone incorporating Knights of Takhisis in their game and I thoroughly recommend reading it before doing so. Everything from the next page onwards is copyrighted by TSR, so there is to be no editing, copying or claims of authoring this stuff. I have published this document to make it far more convenient, allowing quick access to information needed for a game. I hope you enjoy it…. Knights of Takhisis Dark Warriors Many readers who love the novels of the DRAGONLANCE® saga go on to live the adventure by playing Ansalonian characters in the ADVANCED DUNGEONS & DRAGONS® role-playing game. The following expansion of existing campaign rules provides players yet another option for their gaming. The Knights of Takhisis are a new nonplayer character (NPC) class in the DRAGONLANCE world of Ansalon. Nonexistent during the War of the Lance, these lawful evil knights were formed some twenty years after the downfall of Neraka, when the Queen of Darkness was banished back to the Abyss. The knights are an emerging and cohesive force of order and darkness in a world still reeling from years of war. What does their emergence mean for the forces of freedom in a shattered world? Game Statistics Characters must meet the basic warrior ability requirements in order to qualify for any of the orders of the Knights of Takhisis. (See the AD&D® 2nd Edition Players Handbook.) All characters start in the Order of the Lily and may progress to other orders later if they so choose. All beginning characters of this class start with a patron (Lily), sponsor (Skull), or mentor (Thorn). This is an elder NPC who has brought the new character into the order. Knights of Takhisis never just “sign up” or enlist. They must always be sponsored by an older knight (7th level or higher) of any of the three orders. This NPC becomes guarantor and advocate for the character. The advocate’s commands and judgments are the final law and always unquestionably obeyed. It is the responsibility of the advocate to forward the advancement of the character in the knighthood–or to kill the character who is disobedient. The advocate assumes the role of parent, judge, executioner, and, depending on the relationship, occasionally lover. Regardless of the relationship, the NPC will hunt down and destroy the character without compassion if he or she shows the least sign of disobedience to the order. To do otherwise would bring death on the advocate from his or her own sponsor. As with the Knights of Solamnia, women may enter the ranks of the Knights of Takhisis. One of the most renowned leaders during the War of the Lance was Dragon Highlord Kitiara Uth Matar, and despite the fact that she was, in large part, responsible for the death of Lord Ariakan’s father, Kitiara is celebrated as one of the heroes of the knights, for her courage and daring in battle. Women may enter any order without restriction and may rise as high as their own abilities take them. Class Ability Requirements Class Str Dex Con Int Wis Cha Knight of Takhisis 14 12 10 – 13 – Racial Class Limitations Race Subrace Level Limitations Human Unlimited Kender NA Gnomes NA Elves Dark Unlimited Qualinesti NA Silvanesti NA Kagonesti NA Dimernest/Dargonesti NA Half Elves 14th Level Dwarves Fatherless Unlimited * Hill Dwarves NA Mountain Dwarves NA Gully Dwarves NA Irda NA Minotaurs Unlimited * Cannot become Knights of the Thorn History The capture and subsequent imprisonment of Ariakan, son of the powerful Dragon Highlord Ariakas and–so it is rumoured–the sea goddess Zeboim, was one of the best-kept secrets of the War of the Lance. His very existence was not even suspected by the forces of the west until the fall of the Temple of Neraka. Solamnic Knights discovered the young man during the occupation of the evil temple. He had been hiding in one of the lower levels of the temple, his father having left his son under the protection of a large draconian force led by nine of Lord Ariakan’s most trusted lieutenants. In the fierce battle that ensued, the young man did not accept the mercy that was offered him, but refused to surrender. He fought bravely and skilfully, killing five of the Solamnic Knights in combat before being forcible subdued. On his capture, Ariakan made no secret of his lineage, revealing his parentage proudly. Although the knights did not believe the bold youth, they were impressed by his obvious skill, courage, and intelligence. The fact that he was being guarded by such a strong force indicated he was someone in whom the late Dragon Highlord took an interest. The knights removed Ariakan to the High Clerist’s Tower for holding and questioning. At length, they credited his story and realised what a valuable prisoner had fallen into their hands. Ariakan was to remain their prisoner for more than six years. During this time, Ariakan learned all that he could about the structure, organisation, and mentality of the Solamnic Knights. A personable youth, handsome and charming, he soon won both the favour and admiration of his captors. The knights were, of course, eager to indoctrinate him in the Oath and the Measure, believing that such a course of study would benefit the young man and teach him the error of his ways. The error, however, was on the part of the knights. Ariakan studied the knighthood as any warrior would study his enemy–in detail. It was only a matter of time before he knew all the right things to say that would convince the knights of his total rehabilitation and conversion. Indeed, after two years, he was given an early release from the High Clerist’s Tower, but he asked to stay and finish his studies. His request was happily granted. It has been rumoured that the knights actually considered offering Ariakan knighthood. Everyone now denies it, of course, but the lord knights all fall noticeably silent when the subject is broached. If knighthood was offered to Ariakan, he most politely and graciously refused. At the end of six years, having learned all he could from the knights, he offered his farewells. Many among the knighthood were sorry to see him go, for Ariakan was a charming companion, a knowledgable scholar, and an excellent fighter. Only after he had left the knights did it occur to them that–during all the time he was with them–he had been careful never to actually proclaim any true allegiance, swear any vow, take any oath. Ariakan was in his mid-twenties when he rode out onto the Solamnic Plain. He had an escort–knights bound for other parts of the realm–but he soon managed to divest himself of his unwanted companions. Immersed in their own affairs, attempting to put back together a country shattered by war, the Solamnic Knights made only a halfhearted attempt to locate Ariakan, but to no avail. He had lad them to believe he was going to enter the mercenary line of work and, though they considered this a lowly occupation, they agreed that he must be off in some realm, selling his sword to earn his living. Ariakan had no thought of selling his sword. He had learned much more from the knights than just their culture, tradition, and history. Using the skills the knights had taught him, he eluded their watch and slipped back across the plains. Amidst a raging blizzard, he climbed the forbidding mountains of Neraka. He soon lost his way. Frozen and starving, he would undoubtedly perish without help. He collapsed in a snowdrift and, with his last breath, prayed to his mother, Zeboim, for aid. He had no more than ended his prayer when he saw, in the snow before him, a seashell. Accepting this as a sign from his goddess mother, Ariakan struggled to his feet. A trail of seashells led him to a cavern. Here he found shelter against the storm, a cache of food, and dry wood for a fire. He ate and, exhausted, soon fell fast asleep. He woke from a sound sleep to find a warrior, clad all in shining black armour, seated near the fire. Ariakan did not fear the warrior; the man seemed familiar to him, and he thought deep in his heart that this might be some manifestation of his dead father. The warrior spoke with Ariakan, encouraged him to relate his experiences. Ariakan spoke in admiration of the discipline and training of the Solamnic knighthood. He explained how they had achieved victory over the forces of darkness through their willingness to sacrifice themselves for the good of the cause. “We are our own worst enemy,” he told the dark warrior. “Each commander in our armies was out for his or her own personal gain. Our troops lacked discipline because their leaders lacked discipline. Our soldiers had no respect for their commanders. Our commanders had no respect for each other. The Knights of Solamnia refer to this as ‘evil feeding upon itself’ and have proclaimed that this is an inherent trait of all evil beings.