The knight world of Charlemagnia:

Introduction:

Charlemagnia is considered the first amongst the knight worlds and it's greatest, though quite a few amongst the others would contest that claim. It the home of many of the realms greatest legends and champions. But that greatness comes with a curse for as the old adage goes, heavy is the head that wears the crown, and the responsibilities of being the "first amongst equals" is no different.

Biome: The world of Charlemagnia is slightly smaller than Terra but occupies a similar position relative to it's yellow native star. Like Terra it also has a moon that has been colonized as well, and features a variety of different environments like Terra used to many millennia ago.

Unlike Terra, Charlemagnia has only one large continent named Hyboria and several smaller continent spread across the vast sea called Posidus. Unlike many other worlds, the natural beauty of the planet has been preserved due to careful maintaince and reverence. A wide variety of both flora and fauna call this planet home as well, including many vicious beasts in habiting the forests and deserts.

One example of such beasts is called the phylith, who are large avain creatures akin to griffins of old Terran myth. These proud and majestic creatures are enormous enough to carry grown adult men into battle and are thus a sought-after breed for aspiring adventures. Those than can successfully catch and form a bond with them often venture off world as part of the armies of the realm where they are serve as scouts and airborne troops. Other notable creatures include the Zuhl, massive sandworms that rule much of the desert, some of which were tamed and used by the clans there, and the Zebka, which are large zebras used as ceremonial mounts by some clans.

History:

Much of the earliest history of this world is unknown, even to it's most studious scholars. Anything before the "age of Myth" has long been lost to time or intentional sabotage. The Imperium was for millennia a distant memory at best or entirely forgotten at worst. For millennia most of it's denizens considered it to be mankind's cradle and not Terra, as surprisung as that might sound.

What their earliest records can gleem if one can piece together the truth from the tales of yore, is that the world wasn't originally the capital or the most prominent. Instead it rose to dominance

during the war of "fire and wrath" against the greenskins under the guidance of sir Arkans the great and noble.

Now, there are many legends which speak of the life and eventually rise of Arkas, some claim him of specific noble blood, others that he was a mearger of two rival families, and even some that the Scarlet Queen conceived him herself. None of these are however true, for Arkas born of common blood. In fact he was born of a slave, a fact that would be found scandalous today ironically enough. Only one record of the true of tale exists and this is only in fragments for some have tried to wipe it from history for many different reasons and it is almost entirely ignored except by the peasant classes.

In those days, the world was divided amongst a wide breath of petty warlords and minor nobles, many of whom were of ill repute. The world lacked direction since many of its best and brightest were taken elsewhere and the powers that be didn't care for the world so long as the it's tithe was paid.

He was born in the small village of Bihil, during an affair between an educated slave named Zahoa and a lady of the court named Aheral. How his father had fellen into slavery is unknown as is how they met and fell in love. What is known is that Zahoa was forced to flee and never look back, taking Arkas with him. From there they traveled the world, learning and growing as they went. It was during this journey that Arkas was taught both in body and mind, absorbing both many different ideologies and philosophies as well as learning different fighting techniques, skills, and jobs. It was during this travels as a child and later an adult that he would first met the mysterious being known as the Scarlet Queen.

This strange entity always appeard to him in his dreams. Her appearance would change continually but remained that of a beautiful, regal and majestic woman in a dark red armor. At first, Arkas didn't know to think about this strange entity, afraid that he was going insane. That was until he met others who had met her as well for belief in this entity had stretched back a long time even if it was rare. The exact relationship Arkas shared with the Queen is unknown but from the fragments that survive, it seemed to be more of an odd mentorship.

In these dreams he learned of "silver skinned devils who fought the Eldest alongside star phantoms" as well as tales of the creations of the Eldest and their fall from grace. These fanciful tales were hard to believe but Arkas likely suspected that there was much about the universe that he didn't know. Arkas also learned much wisdom under this tutelage despite the often cryptic nature of the dreams. What stood out most to him where the vague warnings of barbarian hordes coming, "the retaliation of the light and the kin strife of the precursors".

Perhaps he would have remained a nomad or sage and the realm lost to darkness in the future had it not been for fate's capricious intervention. Instead, whilst traveling through a town, a band of brigands attacked the town and looted, slaying as they pleased. Incensed by this cruelty, Arkas rallied the men of the town together and fought back against the brigands, driving them

away. He soon found out that this was not an isolated incident and that many others had suffered a similar fate, the brigands pouring forth from the great desert of Oham.

The desert was said to be cursed and thus few dared to go there. The brigands could therefore attack with impunity and the nobles seemingly did nothing to prevent it. Enraged even further, he sought aid from the nobles directly only to be rebuffed, all except for one. Sir Narath would agree to accompany him, for his own sister had gone missing recently and it was believed that the brigands may be to blame. Thus the two set out alongside what few men could be mustered to brave the desert.

There, Arkas would prove his skill in arms not only slaying many bandits but also saving Narath's life as well as rescuing his sister. For his bravery he was knighted, an act that would have severe consequences for not all had forgotten the affair that given him birth. For the moment though, Arkas had other concerns, for not all were keen on having a commoner of unknown origin rise so quickly. He had to ingratiate himself to many over time, mostly through deeds and contests.

Eventually, word of him reached far and wide and eventually drew the attention of Sir Xil, the jealous husband of Aheral, who sought to slay him and avenge that slight against his honor. Xil challenged Arkas to a duel, but Arkas declined. Incensed Xil stormed off, only to go and find Arkas' father and in a fit of rage, slew him. Once Arkas found out, bitterness and rage roared in his heart. In retaliation he fought and slew Xil, in a brutal and one sided duel.

Unfortunately for Arkas, as is often the case, the problem didn't end there for Xil had a son of his own. A knight named Kai came to avenge him and the two fought for hours. The outcome this time was different, for over the course of the fight they came to understanding. Both say in the other, the fire of vengeance and after exhausting themselves they decided to stop the cycle of revenge. The two later become friends and fight alongside one another.

Arkas didn't have long to mourn the loss of this father or continue to adjust to life as a knight. For the greenskins would soon descend upon the sector and engulf whole worlds in war and destruction. Arkas and many other knights would embark to fight the greenskins and while their suits were mighty indeed, even they were not enough to turn the tide. Slowly but surely the human forces were driven back and eventually even the core systems and knight worlds would be in danger. Arkas would have fallen in this desperate battle had Kai not saved him several times, even giving his life to save him and stop a stompa.

Morale was low for the returning knights and soldiers as they fell back and prepared to defend Charlemagnia itself from invasion. Most turned to desperate prayer for anyone to intercede and save them, Arkas amongst them. He received a vision, telling him to head alone to the deepest parts of the forests where creatures who kill even knights in full suits dwelled. Seeing no other option, Arkas headed out in the night to complete this quest.

After an arduous journey he ventured into the heart of the forest and found the cave of transcendence. At that time no one in memory had ever seen it, much less enter it. So Arkas was on guard and dreaded every second of it. What he found in there has largely been lost but what is known is that he was granted a great deal of psychic and eldritch power when he drank from a holy chalice as a part of a sacred ritual. This ritual would be repeated many times but never with this kind of power and later be known as the Ascendancy and Arkas would become the first Ascended knight.

Not only had he charged physically and psychically, his knight suit had changed as well. Its normally black and red paint changed to a dark green and had a green aura surrounding it all times. This change proved fortuitous for the greenskins began to rain down like hail from the heavens. Arkas slowly but surely rallied the defenders and repulsed the greenskins in a series of great battles. From there he sullied forth once more with all who would follow him, to help liberate other beleaguered worlds.

It is then that he would meet and recruit the rest of the thirteen, who would all become Ascended knights as well, each being granted their own gifts from their mysterious patron. Fabian would be the first of these companions and one the strongest but the most difficult to control for the "blood knight" was an independent spirit at heart and was recalcitrant to say the least. The two would but heads, only kept on track by the intervention of others and their mutual hatred of Orks.

By and large the other companions were on better terms. He had earned their respect in a variety of ways, for example with Chauncey "the trickster" he had to answer a series of riddles and mental contests to prove his wisdom. Others required a show of arms or would agree to serve him as an equal after their worlds were saved. As a unit they would prove to be nearly unstoppable but even in those vaunted days their egos and ideologies would fray at one another and their fellowship waxed and waned.

In the end however they were successful and after a legendary series of campaigns they shattered the Orks and ended their threat for the time being. With the war won, Arkas returned home to be crowned king and reform his world. He spread worship of the Scarlet Queen far and wide, as well as initiating a series of reforms. With the help of Burke, "the great judge", he set up laws to abolish slavery as well as provide rights for the citizens. He then appointed Barons and other nobles to govern the various territories.

(Post age of Myth)

For centuries he would rule as a benevolent but aloof king, until one day he disappeared without a trace. A secession crisis soon arose as the appointed heir was killed under dubious circumstances. Eventually, one of his daughters, Lady Agatha would rise to the throne. Though she was a capable ruler, even during her reign signs of degradation and corruption were beginning to form. And over the centuries many of the reforms were overruled or forgotten as the time of the thirteen drifted into legend.

Schism and rivalries would plague the world even as the rest of the realm prospered. These courtly intrigues would lead to a series of disastrous kings and nobles which would cost the lives of many. Several more reformers would come and go until the law would be crystallized in the early thirty fourth millennium. From then on, Charlemagnia would solidify its position as the first amongst equals.

The world would face many challenges over the years, such as a second invasion of Orks, a war with the knights of Carthage, and even an attempted take over by a "mad magos" of the iron guild M37. Throughout all of these, Charlemagnia would remain defiant and true, but now in M40 they face a darkness an order of magnitude greater than anything they had ever faced before as the true nature of the galaxy reveals itself.

Both commoners and nobility alike hold out a desperate hope, for the forces arrayed against them seem overwhelming. Daily prayers are spoken by their thousands for Arkas the "fabled green knight" to return and save them.

Prophecy speaks of a green knight returning, leading an army of thousands of the fallen Ascendant from throughout the millennia. Whether this has any truth to it only time can tell…

Locations of interest:

The Hall of heroes:

It is a monument to fallen warriors and legends of all kinds. Built in early M33 it quickly became a sight of religious significance and pilgrimage. It was made of silver and gold that exuded holiness and purity but it actually has a sordid history. Namely the controversy comes from who is included in the hall, be whether commoners are allowed or dishonored nobles or even if knights from other worlds should be allowed or not.

This has led to bloodshed and sabotage as rivals have conspired to keep former enemies from being honored, or nobles trying to retain their prestige by keeping commoners out. As a result, an honor guard has been set up to act as security and laws were set in place to regulate who can be honored. This has done much to settle the controversy but there still remains sharp dispute to this day.

The cave of transcendence:

The cave of transcendence is still around today and the area around it has been fiercely protected. Its exact location has kept a mystery and dangerous predators roaming the land are still there, in order to preserve the challenge of the quest.

This quest has been taken up by many seeking Ascendancy but relatively few make it. A number of supernatural obstacles have been noted to stop those unworthy from entering,

though no one knows what would happen if one unworthy were to drink the chalice anyway. Despite the obvious dangers inherent to this challenge, so many aspire to it and actively seek out deeds of Valor to attract the attention of Scarlet Queen so they can begin the quest.

Ark Questoris:

Is the capital fortress and where the throne is located. It features a number of ranges for practice as well as universities for training knights as well as scholars, scribes, nurses and more. Its onyx hued coating and constant guard present an intimidating Visage to the locals who see it.