THE VELNAR BROTHERHOOD OF KNIGHTS

Named for Lord Velnar, the leader who brought the Arvans safely from Paláios, the old world in the west, the Order of the Velnar Knights was formed in the earliest days of the Ancient Civilization of Light. King Ayzar called them the High King’s Own and used them as ambassadors, justiciars, and messengers.

Over time, as the High King's representative in each sub-kingdom, the Velnar Knight had his family with him in the sub-kingdom where he served and his interests became tied to the sub-kingdom. The Velnar "ambassador" became more the sub-king's representative to the High King than the other way around. Thus the original loyalty to the High King became corrupted, and the sub-kingdoms began choosing their Kings' Champions instead of accepting the High King's appointments.

Now, the highest-ranking knight in each kingdom is de facto King’s Champion and commander of the king’s army. The knights meet at the Supreme Assembly every couple of years or so, and the best swordsman becomes the Knight of Light, the second best becomes Knight of Peace. These two, plus the national champions, sit beside the altar at the ceremonies of the Supreme Assembly of the Velnarn and are called the Knights of the Altar.

Other orders of knighthood exist in Casanarva. Every kingdom has an order of royal knights, and the Duke of Tayn maintains his own order of Black-sashed Knights. All knights, male or female, and regardless of their order, are entitled to wear a long sword, to own and ride a shahnar, and to train squires.

All Velnar Knights are considered to be warrior-priests and have the authority to conduct weddings and funerals and other simple religious rituals. This role dates back not only to King Ayzar’s time when they represented the Throne, but beyond that to the time when the Arvans first fled Paláios, the western lands, for Lord Velnar himself was a warrior-priest. Although there are evil men among them, most of the Velnar Knights have always endeavored to uphold the Ancient Virtues of honor and justice, courage and mercy, faith and loyalty, wisdom and kindness.

For more information: I have notebooks and boxes full of information about the world of Casanarva, but I thought these things might be the most important to know. If you have any questions about Casanarva, please let me know, and I will try to add the information here.