Hundred Kingdoms: Household Knights

Following Charles Armatellum's radical reforms at the start of his conquests, the ceremony of knighthood could only be performed by an imperial nobleman of at least the rank of Margrave or Count Palatine. In addition, the anointing can only take place after a battle in which the potential knight has bloodied his blade. These mandates were established to ensure that only men of genuine prowess were granted the rank of Knight. Even with the dissolution of the Empire, these mandates are well-preserved traditions and those who ignore them meet with ridicule. In fact, a recurring item presented at Imperial Conclaves is the appointment of Counts Palatine, to replace those who may have fallen in battle or died of old age. The massive charge of Household Knights is one of the most powerful weapons available to a commander of the Hundred Kingdoms. Hundreds of pounds of stubborn metal and muscle, forged through years of training and experience, they have broken men, formations and kingdoms through the ages.