The Franken Knight order is an order of holy knights of Mycelyix, dedicated to her cause and the city of MyleHatsu and its peoples. Their dedication and training shines as clearly as their faith. But many do not see the grueling journey to get there.
A recruit, usually one with some skirmishing or military experience, or of significant physical prowess would first apply at the castle. There are also tales of those that pass through sheer faith and resolve in the cause. Regardless, they're sent to train to prove their mettle.
The first round of training involves simple physical exercises, such as weightlifting, throwing/archery/shooting, striking, and brawling. The recruit is asked to push their limits to the maximum, and only after they complete all the required trainings are they allowed to rest and eat. After they do so, they are tested against another recruit or a knight assigned to training duty. The rules of the bout are simple: Fight with the blunt side of your chosen weapon in melee combat and land three decisive strikes, disarm your opponent, or force them to surrender. Only through combat will future Franken Knights learn the finesse required to wield a weapon and the trickery required to win the fight.
Given the recruit doesn't falter the training session ends and they are given a room and assigned as part of a new squad. In their downtime they will train more, study martial arts and weapon techniques, bout with fellow recruits and knights. In the subsequent trainings promising recruits may choose to ingest Dragon's Blood Sap - a potent liquid capable of boosting strength temporarily, and through training with it, their bodies will adapt to it. The training usually involves all of the previous exercises, as well as running, horseriding, coordination/squad training, combat training, and various types of physical challenges. Recruits are expected to devote themselves to Mycelyix. Many pray for guidance, strength, or for extra challenge along their knightly path.
Recruits who succeed in training, faith, resolve, and combat will follow through with the initiation ceremony. The ceremony takes place within the temple, with all the Franken Knights present, along with guests of honor, various officials, a priest of high standing, and the Magister. The initiate is asked to drink the essence of rot in the presence of their god. Their response will determine which order they'll fall into, or if they are accepted at all. The details on how to get into the orders of Flaw, Plague, and Decay are a tight-lipped secret the knights are expected to keep to their grave. It is the final test of character, proving beyond the shadow of a doubt the resolve and might of the Franken Knight.
But the Knightly path does not stop at the initiation. The Knight is expected to train and fight; to protect their people and follow their goddess - Lady Mycelyix. Some take on guard duty of the castle itself, while others may choose to train recruits or move up the ranks of their order to make military decisions in times of war. It is quite common for devoted knights to wear experimental electric armor, which shocks anyone wearing it upon exhaustion to keep them in the fight. Some may undergo extreme surgery, modifying their very flesh with the flesh of great beasts, drakes, or powerful undead.
And so the Knights march on, determined to stop anyone who opposes their god and their people.
