I' writing a story in which there are various "sects" of Knights. The Wolf Knights, Eagle Knights,etc. Now writing Wolf Knights does not flow very well when I write it. So is there another name like Regiment, or something like that. Keep in mind that they are all the same level, but the Eagles guard the shore,the Wolves guard the Forests,etc.So is there perhaps an name inwhich would flow better?
Posted by pantros (Member # 3237) on :
Order?
Knights are typically grouped by their order..
Posted by Ezekiel (Member # 3264) on :
Wolf Order,That sounds good, Is there any other advice? I've been toying with regiment but that to me doesn't have any style, Any other help,Anyone? Posted by wbriggs (Member # 2267) on :
They could have names that aren't all exactly the same form, just as sports teams here have the usual "The ____s," but also "Crimson Tide" and "Fighting Irish."
The Eagle Knights The Wolverines (North America, anyway) The Sons of ___ The Knights of ___ (person, or place) The Brotherhood of the ___ Wolves of the ___ Wood ?
Posted by Susannaj4 (Member # 3189) on :
I like WBriggs idea. Do the names have to be so direct? For example, their senses. All these animals have different qualities that they bring to the table. Eagles have sharp sight...
Posted by Grimslade (Member # 3173) on :
Are the "sects" religious or noble house divisions? How are they different? The groups could be named after the order's leader or locality (i.e. Pershing's Wolves or The Wolves of Hoboken)
If these are long established Orders their names would become quite 'flowery' like The Ancient and Eternal Order of the Forest Wolves of Old Caledon. The titles within the orders would be equally flowery and arcane, Primeval Dread Wolf Johnson is lower rank than Antediluvian Dire Wolf Smith.
Just some random thoughts,
Grim
Posted by Ezekiel (Member # 3264) on :
They are not different religous sects. They each belong to The Kights of Aurien(The Land/ Realm is what I call it) The Eagles guard the Coasts, Whereas the Wolves are Rangers of the Forest.I based this on the knights of the Olmecs and the Aztecs.They each had totem leaders as there names. Jaguar Knights,Hawk,etc.Therefore in my world the god Higwe appears in the form of a wolf,so the Wolves are the more veteran Knights.Since the Wolves live in the forests, Eagles fly on the coastline.Thus they could be different because of their battle skills.But I do lioke the Arcane idea, Maybe The Great Wolves of Aurien,or the Golden Eagles of Olen, Thanx, anymore suggestions?
Posted by Susannaj4 (Member # 3189) on :
kinda like Anubis' Army and such?
Posted by hoptoad (Member # 2145) on :
Welcome Grimslade, (I sense the 'force' in this one, people)
I agree with what GS said. It depends on their history and the traditions within them.
They may be relatively new and lack a deep history, in that case they terms may be pretty similar, the longer and more 'noble' these group are the more the terms will diverge and the 'culture' will be refelcted in the terms. Some may be new orders, others may be ancient, some may consider themselves the 'original' order, others may see themselves as the most modern and essential.
Some decisions for you to make Ezekiel
[This message has been edited by hoptoad (edited February 27, 2006).]
Posted by J (Member # 2197) on :
I guess the question I would want to know is how much does your system of knights resemble a modern military? Are they more likely to think of themselves as part of a larger military whole, or as 'independent contractors'?
Could a leader of the Eagle knights give orders to a knight in the Wolf knights? Do they have a uniform system of rank, etc.? If not, it might be make sense to class them as different Orders that work independently for the common good.
If they do look at themselves as part of a larger body, you could classify the different sects as regiments (major unit of division) or as different companies of the Knight Regiment(minor unit of division), whatever seems appropriate.
[This message has been edited by J (edited February 27, 2006).]
Posted by krazykiter (Member # 3108) on :
Regiments are generally designated numerically, especially in the U.S. Army scheme. I *think* British regiments were given names on occasion, though don't quote me on that. There may also have been other countries with named regiments.
And though I agree with others that "order" is probably a better term, keep in mind that unless you're going for a measure of historical accuracy, you can use regiment if you want.
In addition, knights were the elite forces on the battleground. The foot soldiers were in many cases levies formed from commoners called up when a sigificant need arose. Those could be formed into "regiments" of some sort, while the knights are part of an order.
Posted by rcorporon (Member # 2879) on :
Ezekiel,
I don't see a problem with "Wolf Knights," and I think taht it flows fine.
I think taht "The Great Wolves of Aurien,or the Golden Eagles of Olen" is much more cumbersome.
Posted by hoptoad (Member # 2145) on :
David Zindell — Neverness — had the "Profound order of Holy Pilots" (or something like that) But shortened it to 'Pilots'. Every time he said 'Pilots' we knew what he meant Posted by Matt Lust (Member # 3031) on :
Company
Battalion
Brigade
Division
Troop
Squadron
Flight
These are among the more "elite" sounding but still rather large units in most western warfare since about 1600s or so.
Posted by Ted Galacci (Member # 3254) on :
What I think is being asked here is a qeuetion of rhythm. You are trying to create a memorable name for your order, right?
This is really pretty much the same as a character naming exercize by another name.
"Wolf" is a one syllable word and so is "knights" so "Wolf Knights" is flat. If you have to end in a one syllable word like "knights", you need a polsylabic lead word. Or vice versa. Or if you use more than two words, the syllable count has to progress or digress by some fixed formulae.
Think "Valentine Michael Smith."
Also, because "knights" is sorta a soft word, your lead word needs to be more robust. Something with at least two syllables with some hard consonants. Words like "robot," "teutonic," "hatrack," or even "oswald" would fit well.
Try giving a robust name to the geography these knights protect (something like "Grimmwald") and then you will have a memorable name for your order.
