Lore:Knights of the Nine

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The Order of the Knights of the Nine was a knightly order founded in 3E 111 with the ambitious intent of recovering the lost Relics of the Divine Crusader, Pelinal Whitestrake, who was killed while fighting the forces of the Ayleid king, Umaril the Unfeathered. The order was founded by Sir Amiel Lannus, a hero of the War of the Isle. He named his order the Knights of the Nine after the Nine Divines, and set up base at the Priory of the Nine in the West Weald. The original members of the order were Sir Amiel and his friends, Sir Caius and Sir Torolf.

Early on, these three knights established their reputation by defeating the Wyrm of Elynglenn to recover the Cuirass of the Crusader. After this amazing feat, the Knights of the Nine became the talk of the Empire, and as word spread of their deeds, many hopefuls were eager to join its ranks. However, it was not until Berich Vlindrel, a nobleman of an old and powerful family, joined that it became the most prestigious order in all Cyrodiil. New knights flocked to join the order, including Sir Casimir, Sir Juncan, Sir Henrik, Sir Gregory, and Sir Ralvas.

This period was the order's zenith, and three more Relics were rapidly recovered. Sir Casimir recovered the Gauntlets, while Sir Berich, himself, found the Greaves and the Sword. At this point, nobody doubted that all the relics would soon be recovered.

The order's early success was not to last, however, as personal pride settled in and each of the knights began wearing the sacred relics they had recovered to battle, a habit encouraged in the order's early days by Sir Amiel, himself. In 3E 121, during the War of the Red Diamond, the order was split. Due to its increased reputation, many of the knights came from important families with stakes in the war. While Sir Amiel was able to keep the order from participating in the war at its beginning, eventually most of the knights departed. Sir Berich was the first to leave.

His departure was not a pleasant one. Despite Sir Amiel's pleas, Sir Berich planned on leaving with the Sword and Greaves of the Crusader. On the Priory steps Sir Caius attempted to stop Sir Berich, but he would not be reconciled. Sir Caius was the first to draw arms, and a fight ensued. Sir Berich proved the better swordsmen, and he slew Sir Caius with the holy sword. Sir Berich left to join the war. Shortly afterwards, others followed him. The Knights of the Nine never recovered.

Although not all of the knights left to fight in the war, many of them went out on their own, questing to reclaim the remaining relics.

Sir Ralvas traveled to Leyawiin in pursuit of the Mace of the Crusader. He remained at the Chapel of Zenithar for months, attempting Zenithar's test over and over again in his attempts to claim the Mace. He could see the mace, tantalizingly close, but could never reach it. Eventually, he gave up and left the Chapel, broken and beaten. He wandered for a while, but was never completely whole again. While his ultimate demise is unknown, Sir Amiel and Sir Juncan recovered his body and laid it to rest in the Priory Undercroft.

Sir Juncan himself quested for the Boots of the Crusader, but died around 3E 125 soon after he discovered their location.

Meanwhile, Sir Torolf and Sir Gregory died in the War of the Red Diamond.

In 3E 127, Sir Berich returned from the War a hero. He became an important political figure in Cyrodiil, and he remained highly resentful of the Knights of the Nine. In 3E 131, four years after the War, an Imperial decree officially disbanded the Knights of the Nine. This was little more than formality and was most likely pushed along by Sir Berich.

While it is unclear at which point Sir Henrik set out on his own, it is quite certain that he was able recover the Shield of the Crusader in one of the order's few victories. After years of searching, and the dissolution of the Knights of the Nine, he made it his final duty to keep the Shield safe by hiding it deep within Fort Bulwark. Sir Henrik never lived to see the protective measures finished. He died defending the fort from those who would misuse the shield. Fortunately, the Shield remained protected in the furthest area of the fort.

Sir Casimir returned from the war, but never rejoined the Knights of the Nine. His arrogance and impatience grew and grew as he traveled from place to place. In 3E 139, he was staying at the Chapel of Stendarr in Chorrol. One day, he lost patience with a beggar. Sir Casimir struck and killed him in the very Chapel of the God of Mercy. Deeming him unworthy to wear the Gauntlets, Stendarr caused them to fall from his hands onto the Chapel floor, where they have remained since, awaiting someone worthy to wield them. Stendarr also placed a curse on Sir Casimir, causing him to be constantly exhausted. Sir Casimir left Chorrol, but he never recovered either from the curse or from his remorse, and died soon afterward. To this day, Sir Casimir's bloodline has been affected by the curse.

In 3E 153, with all his former comrades dead, Sir Amiel went on one last quest to recover the Helm of the Crusader in the hope of reclaiming the lost honor of his forgotten order. He did not return.

In 3E 433, Umaril's forces attacked the Chapel of Dibella in Anvil. A prophet then appeared outside the Chapel, preaching about Umaril and Pelinal. The Hero of Kvatch was sent on a pilgrimage by this prophet. Once they completed the pilgrimage, the Hero had a vision of Pelinal talking to them, then found the Priory, recovering all the Relics, restoring the Knights of the Nine and slaying Umaril, where they were named Lord Crusader.

Members

Original Sir Amiel Sir Berich Sir Caius Sir Casimir Sir Gregory Sir Henrik Sir Juncan Sir Ralvas Sir Torolf

Refounded Hero of Kvatch Sir Brellin Sir Avita Sir Areldur Sir Carodus Sir Geimund Sir Gukimir Sir Lathon Sir Thedret

See also

• For game-specific information, see the Oblivion^KotN article.

Books

• The Knights of the Nine by Karoline of Solitude — The founding and breakup of the original Knights of the Nine
• Sir Amiel's Journal by Sir Amiel — Dying confessions of the founder of the Knights of the Nine