The Story of the Heldannic Knights (by Geoff Gander).

Here's my take on the thing, and this is how it is IMC:

I think it makes for a better story if we say that certain Hattian worshippers of Vanya (promising fighters and clerics) received dream messages from their Immortal. She told them to secure their birthright (Heldann - their ancestral home, but the Northern Reaches in general, though this works as far as Vanya's concerned, and Heldann/Norwold could also be considered to be part of the "Greater Northern Reaches", but I digress), but before this could be done, they had to secure her sanctified place from infidels. I take it that this was around 925-930 AC.

This sanctified place of course lay in Davania, on the coast of the Gulf of Mar. The boldest and most pious, eager to prove their worth to Vanya, and to show respect for her mortal remains, made a great pilgrimage to that region, as foretold in a dream. They landed after weeks of sailing, and as one force, they stormed the shores, only to find a small settlement, populated by indigenous human tribespeople descended from the Milenians. These people were driven out, their village destroyed, and the entire region was searched until the remains of Vanya were found. The tribespeople would become the Meghaddara, a nomadic people wandering the Meghales Amosses Desert in search of a new home - plaguing Milenian city-states along the way, and also the sworn enemies of the Heldannic Knights

The remains were then reverently placed under a stone cairn, upon which was built the great fortress that Haldemar would later encounter - Vanya's Rest. This fortress is great in size (it must have taken years to build), and once complete, Vanya visited her faithful and told them they had done well, and secured her rest from unbelievers. She then told them that they had to marshal their forces, and return to Hattias, there to bring all who were true to Vanya's Path to the ultimate victory, a home of their own. The fort was probably completed around AC 930-940.

So the Heldannic Knights (as they began to call themselves) returned to Hattias, leaving a battalion to guard the fort. They scoured Hattias, taking every brave man (and woman) along with them on their Great Crusade. Around AC 940-947 their effort paid off, and enough people had been recruited and trained to make an invasion viable (and of course enough ships were built in secrecy to accommodate them).

Finally the invasion was launched, and Heldann was conquered by AC 952, and they publicly declared themselves the Heldannic Knights.

The Simbasta Overseer

Following their major defeat at the hands of the Davanian Simbasta, a race of lion-like humanoids, the knights of the Order have had to yield and swear allegiance to the Simbasta on Vanya's grave. As a result, the Order must obey these regal overseers for all affairs taking place within the Simbasta kingdom. Furthermore, they cannot use their holy artifact and the warbirds for evil deeds, such as oppressing the weak and the innocent. The Simbasta consider native Heldann freeholders as a conquered people, which is acceptable, but do not tolerate undue brutality and injustice from their masters. The conqueror's law, in this case Heldannic Law, must be applied impartially to everyone. Outside of Davania, the Order otherwise remains a sovereign power. Finally, the Order must pay tribute to the Simbasta, in the amount of one tenth of its total earnings.

Having Simbasta as overseers presents problems for the Heldannic Knights. The Order honours wars and conquests, presuming it does the conquering. Aside from healing internal conflicts within the Order, profound soul-searching was needed to cope with the situation, both in terms of personal pride and religious significance. The event is crucial in the history of the Order since it is the one putting the knights back on the track to become morally acceptable to the rest of the Known World community.

The other issue concerns the present bias against non-human races. In this case, the knights are forced to respect a people whom they consider inferior savages. Despite their spectacular victory against the Order, many of the knights still haven't gained
the wisdom to recognise the Simbasta as worthwhile beings but also as the bearers of a divine message. Conquerors must learn
to respect a foe and never underestimate it. Provided its lessons sink in, the defeat may yet make of this Order one that is more powerful and wiser so it may better serve Vanya.

Simbasta may be present among the knights, outside of Davania. These warriors have come to test their bravery and learn the ways of the knights. It also helps verifying that the Order honours its oath. The Heart of Vanya(*) has accepted their presence with some conditions. Simbasta are subject to Heldannic Laws as long as they remain with the Order, and are equivalent to brother knights (without horses). Simbasta must obey the orders of their commander. Simbasta shamans and other spellcasters are not allowed in the Order. Simbasta aren't officially part of the Order since they have no defined terms of service (they aren't
paid like other lay brethren) and have not taken an Oath of Service (**). The knights have assumed that no Simbasta would be willing to take this oath, and therefore could not earn official ranks. The situation has not occurred and hasn't been officially addressed by the Voice of Vanya (***) precisely because of the prevailing bias and the fear of provoking another schism.

Simbasta living among the knights are called Companions of the Order, or "Sir Companion". These Simbasta are few enough that they normally are organised in small detachments (a Simbasta war-party of ten to twelve members). Simbasta remain under
the authority of a Knight Bachelor commanding an infantry company, with one such detachment for roughly forty or fifty such companies. One of the Simbasta among the war- party is a chieftain responsible for executing the Knight Bachelor's orders. So far, Companions of the Order have proven both reliable and outstanding warriors.

(*) & (***) Various branches of the Heldannic priesthood that run the Order, as opposed to secular knights who form the military branch.

(**) Knights and priests take this oath, swearing allegiance to the Order and obedience to Heldannic Law. The Oath of Service implies service for life (without pay).

Of the Simbasta nation and the Heldannic Knights.

Now, what if these brave Simbasta, after having secured the Heldannic artifact, effectively took control of the warbirds? (Just for the sake of creating another upheaval). They decide to fly them back to Davania and use them to defend themselves against a possible Heldannic crusade to recover the artifact. I'm beginning to feel sorry for the Heldannic Knights' cruel reversal of fortunes.

The Heldanners throw in all that they've got since now, this is a religious matter as well as one of military survival in the Known World. Months later, the two armies face off for the mother-of-all-battles, somewhere in the Davanian savannah. Much violence and death is expected, especially on the side of the Heldannic Order.

The Simbasta, being paladin-like at heart, dislike this decidedly one-sided battle. They see no honour in such a massacre. After all, their culture is one where victory and glory lie in their foe bowing before the regal creatures, yielding before their might. This is all the Simbasta truly seek.

The battle begins as a Heldannic warhorse fatefully bolts ahead. The battle begins and soon the Heldannic are encircled and reeling before the fury of the Simbasta. The majestic leader of the Simbasta orders combat to halt. His warriors obey at once. He allows surviving Heldannic Knights to regroup, and sends them a messenger.

He tells the Heldannic Grand Master that the knights may regain their artifact and their warbirds. But they must first yield before the Simbasta, and accept them as their overlords in Davania. They must also swear that they may not use the power of the artifact for evil deeds. Only then could the Simbasta regain their artifact and the use of their fortress. While in Davania, the Heldannic Order becomes a vassal of the Simbasta and must honour them in all ways. Outside of Davania, they are free to act as they please, provided the artifact's power isn't used to support evil acts. As proof of their word, the Grand Master and his lords must swear on the artifact itself upon which their word and their souls are bound to the holy object. The Knights accept. The Simbasta make their entry into Known World politics, although one that is far away... Meanwhile, the knights begin to change their behaviour.

And more about Simbasta and the Knights

Simbasta may be present among the knights, outside of Davania. These warriors have come to test their bravery and learn the ways of the knights. It also helps verifying that the Order honours its oath. The Heart of Vanya(*) has accepted their presence with some conditions. Simbasta are subject to Heldannic Laws as long as they remain with the Order, and are equivalent to brother knights (without horses). Simbasta must obey the orders of their commander. Simbasta shamans and other spellcasters are not allowed in the Order. Simbasta aren't officially part of the Order since they have no defined terms of service (they aren't paid like other lay brethren) and have not taken an Oath of Service (**). The knights have assumed that no Simbasta would be willing to take this oath, and therefore could not earn official ranks. The situation has not occurred and hasn't been officially addressed by the Voice of Vanya (***) precisely because of the prevailing bias and the fear of provoking another schism.

Simbasta living among the knights are called Companions of the Order, or "Sir Companion". These Simbasta are few enough that they normally are organised in small detachments (a Simbasta war-party of ten to twelve members). Simbasta remain under the authority of a Knight Bachelor commanding an infantry company, with one such detachment for roughly forty or fifty such companies. One of the Simbasta among the war- party is a chieftain responsible for executing the Knight Bachelor's orders. So far, Companions of the Order have proven both reliable and outstanding warriors.

(*) & (***) Various branches of the Heldannic priesthood that run the Order, as opposed to secular knights who form the military branch.

(**) Knights and priests take this oath, swearing allegiance to the Order and obedience to Heldannic Law. The Oath of Service implies service for life (without pay).