Knight-errant
Overview
Those who are actively seeking to pass a Test of Mettle are called knights-errant. Formally they are not noble, but some, especially those who are noble-born often assume some of the rank and privilege of nobility. With their quest for glory and status, knights-errant are commonly regarded as romantic figures in Dawn.
Technically, anyone in Dawn who has not passed a Test of Mettle is a yeofolk, whether they are a farmer, a merchant or the daughter of an earl. The Dawnish are sticklers for the proper nomenclature, and insist that knight is the correct term to describe a noble who is an experienced and capable warrior, but even the Dawnish will often group knight-errants in with the knights when counting the fighting strength of a noble house. Likewise, it is common for Knights-errant to participate in a grand tourney, and not unknown for one of them to hold the title of Knight-protector.
A knight-errant need not be a warrior. You might be a bard and story-teller who is seeking to pass your test to become a troubadour. You might be a craftsman or a magician who wishes to become a witch. A knight-errant is anyone who is trying to publicly pass the Test of Mettle.
Knights-errant often travel the land together, helping each other to triumph in their tests. Such bands travel the land to wherever they are most needed, seeking out opportunities for heroism. Groups of noble-born knights-errant are often accompanied by loyal yeofolk; faithful house retainers or childhood friends. The yeofolk handle everyday responsibilities allowing the would-be knights to concentrate on less worldly matters. It is not unusual for yeofolk to declare themselves knights-errant but they often prefer to adventure by themselves or with others from similar humble upbringings.
The easiest way to pass a Test of Mettle is to petition the noble house you were raised in and pass the challenges they set you. It is a much more challenging to petition another noble house, particularly one with which you have little existing connections. The most ambitious knights-errant, however, seek the ultimate prize – achievements so glorious that they have to be recognized by all the noble houses – hoping for a prestigious noble house to approach them and offer a Test of Mettle. Such achievements are rare, but a knight-errant who is invited into a house rather than petitioning one is seen as being worthy indeed.
The travails of a knight-errant are not just difficult, they can also be expensive. Most Dawn nobles have a fairly cursory disdain for money, it tends to get in the way of a glorious ambition, but no-one can completely ignore the realities of mundane life. To facilitate their quests, many knights-errant or groups of knights, take a patron, a wealthy noble who can financially support their heroic lifestyle. Patrons can be useful, but often come with strings attached, even if just a requirement to serve the patron when called.
Some knights-errant enjoy the life of questing for glory so much that they continue to adventure even after passing their Test of Mettle. Such individuals become questing knights and sometimes form knightly orders of their own.
Creating a Knight-Errant
If you create a knight-errant character then you are playing a character that is not formally a noble but is striving to become one. Your character may be noble-born or yeofolk-born depending on what suits your character. Individual knights-errant are seeking glory for the sake of passing their Test of Mettle, or in some cases, for the sake of attracting the attention of the best noble houses to join, so you may define as little or as much family history as you wish in creating your character.
The imagery of warriors in a harness of plate can be an intimidating costume prospect for anyone wanting to play in Dawn if you don't already own expensive armour. Knights-errant, even noble-born ones, are often short of money so it can be a great choice for players who want to play a Dawnish character but don't feel confident that their costume conveys the image of a rich and powerful noble. It is also a great way to introduce a lone character who is looking to join a noble house in-character. It is also worth considering playing a knight-errant if you are interested in playing in Dawn but want to avoid some of the more political aspects of playing a noble.
If you intend to play a knight-errant, it is important to appreciate the large scale of the PD Empire events. You will have epic opportunities for battles as part of a great army fighting the orcs, but you won't be going off on a lone quest to slay a monster. It isn't possible to create that kind of experience for characters at an event where hundreds of players are attending.
Some knights-errant have a patron - usually an Earl or other powerful Dawnish political figure - who provides them with financial backing. Having a patron can create an interesting additional dimension to your character - you shouldn't expect them to give you actual money you can use in the game (although some might) - but you can roleplay that your character's armour, weapons and wealth are from your patron. A useful patron might be able to help you politically at events, or they might place demands on your character forcing you to do tasks for them. A patron may be able to give you some real in-character advantages but ultimately the relationship exists to create interesting roleplaying around.
The Test of Mettle
The Test of Mettle is an important part of your character, so think carefully about your options here. You can create a minor noble house that has set you a Test - doing this means that you can create your own Test and ensure it is suitably challenging and heroic. Avoid having a Test that is too easy to complete, people won't be impressed by a noble who visibly completes an easy Test. If you don't want the challenge of trying to achieve glory in play then it is much easier to create a character who is already noble. The alternatives are to seek out an existing Dawnish noble house and demand a Test of Mettle from them, or to try and be so glorious that the noble houses come to you and try to offer you a Test.
In theory you have the right to demand a Test of Mettle from any existing noble house - in practice it is better to seek out a noble house that is receptive to offering you a Test of Mettle. Otherwise you are likely to be set a Test of Mettle that is inordinately difficult. Beware of any noble house that sets too easy a Test of Mettle however - the point of playing a knight-errant is to roleplay through trying to become a noble by passing your Test. You can only pass one Test, most players will will get far more out of a difficult and exciting Test.
If an Earl does set an easy Test of Mettle, something that simply won't be glorious to attempt or complete - consider rejecting them. Knights-errant want the glory of passing a difficult test - but they also want the glory of joining a powerful house filled with similar glorious individuals. If a noble house sets you an easy Test it demonstrates that they are beneath you - you should seek out a more glorious house better suited to your noble nature!
Playing a Knight-errant
If you strive to play your character in as glorious a way as possible, then you can risk assuming some of the status of a noble, but it is wise to be careful. The point of playing a knight-errant is that your character is not yet noble - if you want to play a noble character who is questing for glory then consider playing a questing knight instead.
A knight-errant should not have their own heraldry. If you have a heraldic shield, consider covering it with black cloth. Knights-errant can wear the colours of Dawn, a dark blue field with a yellow sun on it, either as a flag or as their heraldry. Doing this indicates your status as a knight-errant and not a noble - but remember that the first Empress wore these colours when she first came to Dawn - they should be carried and worn with pride!
If you manage to complete your Test of Mettle while playing your character then you have a few choices. If the Test of Mettle has been set by an Earl in play, then technically you are now part of that Earl's noble house. You may wish to join their group, roleplay that you have nothing more than a loose association with the house or else set up a noble house of your own. If you wrote your own Test of Mettle as part of your background, then you can reinvent your character as a noble in charge of the noble house that set your Test.
If you don't want to play a noble in a noble household, the alternative is to become a questing knight.
Groups of Knights-errant
It is common for groups of knights-errant to travel together in quest for glory, or to found a knightly order with like-minded Dawnishfolk.