HISTORY
Artist's Rendition of a Knight of d'Homme doing battle on the western marches of Ithania, circa 306 AC
The Companions of Bressuivre are a continuation of a long-standing history among the Knights of d'Homme in their pursuit of chivalric gallantry across the domains of Ithania and even beyond her borders. Named for the Hivre from which they were initially founded and based out of, the Companions of Bressuivre were founded by the renowned Chevalier, Gwenael Laroche de Borlois, who would later become a long-standing instructor at Château Suvlière de Prixois, famous for his skill in the saddle, and there was scarce an equal in the jousting lists or on the battlefield that could match de Borlois's prowess on horseback. De Borlois himself was an oddity as one of the rare foreigners to embrace the Espirit d'Homme, channeling the martial tradition of his native Kintyr among his brethren. He was previously mentored beneath the chapter known as Berenger's Lance, who earned their spurs fighting for their newly found Regalian masters seven decades earlier battling the dying remnants of the Skagger Horde.
Acting out of Castle Leverre, De Borlois gathered to him willing and able knights -- mostly green men, freshly christened knights entering into the Order. His was an unorthodox group for his refusal to claim a secular liege, instead swearing his sword to the Angel of the Lake; that of Breizh folklore, wherein his followers emulated his methods. His band was present in the conflicts of the latter end of the century, despite his seniority, and made their names known during the Ranger's Crisis and the Elven War of 302, dulling their lances on the enemies of Regalia, as well as marauding the western borderlands of Ithania to ward against Dread Empire slave raiders. De Borlois eventually succumbed to an infected wound in the closing stages of the Elven War, one among many who were slain, effectively thinning the group's numbers with a new chapter master being elected by the members of the company.
Robard of Brilonde, known among his fellow knights as Robere de l'Ours, was chosen to replace their fallen master, and in a controversial turn of events he chose to take his sword brothers from Ithania and relocate to the heart of the Empire, the Regalian Archipelago. Oathbound, they have since served to the end of the Angel's call, serving through whatever they might interpret as her will, and to this end, they travel the territories of the Regalian Empire in search of worthy foes and just causes, seeking out glory and honor in the name of liege and Empire, all the while aspiring towards the favor of their lady, whether or not there is any truth to the legends, that they might earn her favor through feats of chivalric gallantry.
TRADITIONS
Gwenael Laroche de Borlois leading the founding five of the chapter on pilgrimage to Callertot
The Companions of Bressuivre stand out among the norm of the d'Homme Knights for their heavy Breizh influence; the result of their founder's heritage, as well as his successor being an Ithanianized Kintyr native. Generally speaking, there is an obsession present with the folklore of the Breizh surrounding their own knightly traditions and virtue, which the Companions of Bressuivre have sought to emulate through their dedication to the mythical Angel of the Lake. To this end, the companions differ from their sword brothers in a lack of a physical liege lord, or if sworn, placing their oaths to the lady above theirs. They serve the Code of de l'Homme through their service to the Lady, as she is known among them -- the Angel of the Lake, who they fulfill their vows of homage to through deeds of chivalric valor across the lands of the Empire. While this practice sets them apart from their fellow knights in the mainland of Ithania, it lends to a greater sense of duty; one unburdened by the political inclinations of a mortal liege, wherein their service to the Lady is pure and unfettered by the corruption that man is wont to, for she is all virtue that men lack.
Another such practice is the knight's Ban; a pact sworn to their immaterial liege lady, the details of which generally vary from sword brother to sword brother. It is typically the sacrifice of a vice or leisure, as well as a sacred vow to always face battle head on and to not shirk away from just conflict where it should arise. The consequences of severing one's Ban are dire, and while it has never occurred in the history of the chapter, expulsion would be the least of a knight's worries for forsaking the Angel and their oath, for the ire of their fellow companions is almost certain. Beyond the unorthodox practices that have been given life among the brotherhood, the knights remain true to the Espirit de l'Homme, and it remains a prevailing theme among the men as it should remain in the hearts of any knight of the Order true to its virtues.
ENTRY
Application
- OOC
- References from other players:
- Activity: (Roughly how many hours a week?/Event attendance?)
- IG Punishments: (Bans, mutes, jails)
- Reason for Applying?:
- IC
- Character Name:
- Character Age:
- Application: (If applicable)
Credit to @AntonVoron for use of format
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