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"The Knights of the Blazing Sun are a small elite order of Templars devoted to the study and mastery of the science and art of warfare. These fervent followers of Myrmidia value ability and accomplishment over all other factors, including noble birth. It is because of this that the order has grown in prosperity attracting the finest military minds to its banner. A Knight of the Blazing Suns primary goal is to obtain perfection in the art of War, as such they travel the old world individually seeking battle both large and small. A warband with a Knight of the Blazing sun at its head is a potent force capable of dealing with opponents with a level of cunning that ensures victory before the battle is even joined."

—The famed Knights of the Blazing Sun.

The Order of the Blazing Sun, more commonly known as the Knights of the Blazing Sun, is a knightly order of the Empire and an order of Templars dedicated to the worship and martial practices of Myrmidia, the goddess of honourable warfare and strategy.[17a]

This particular knightly order is among the mightiest and most well-known within the Empire of Man, boasting a distinguished history dating back to the Great Crusades. They were amongst the first of the Imperial knightly orders to travel to Nuln and join with Magnus the Pious during the Great War against Chaos, having fought with him all the way to the Battle of Kislev itself.[5b]

Their order has spread from Tilea and Estalia in recent centuries, championing the Cult of Myrmidia's values of honourable warfare in battles across the Old World.[17a]

History[]

"The goddess instructs us to seek out the enemy's weaknesses and to attack them with relentless force. Do this in all things -- in love, in politics, in war. To accomplish any task -- to defeat any foe, all that is needed is a keen eye, a sharp mind and the favour of the goddess."

—The Order of the Blazing Sun's Creed
Knight of Sigmar's Blood

A Veteran Brother of the Knights of the Blazing Sun as depicted in concept art for Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning.

Foremost of the many knightly orders in the service of Myrmidia, the goddess of honourable war and strategy, the Knights of the Blazing Sun were not always so pious. They were founded during the Great Crusades in 1457 IC, over a 1,000 years ago. These first knights were formerly a secular order of the Empire sworn to the service of no one god, but -- prior to the Crusades of Araby -- underwent a miraculous conversion that has passed into legend. Sixty of the original founding knights were stationed in Estalia when Sultan Jaffar's attack washed over them during the Battle of Magritta.[10a][5c]

They were cornered by Jaffar's fierce Arabyan forces, with no hope of relief, but it was then that they were saved from certain defeat by a freak earth tremor which dislodged a huge statue of Myrmidia from a temple roof. It crashed to the ground and landed on Emir Wazir the Cruel and his Black Scimitar Guard, killing them instantly, thus allowing the Knights to turn the tide of battle and escort several hundred Estalians to safety. After the battle, the survivors banded together and founded the Order of the Blazing Sun in Myrmidia's honour. They converted to the worship of Myrmidia and set out on the crusade of Araby in the name of the Goddess of strategy and battle, earning much glory for themselves and their faith. Upon their return to the Empire, they built a shrine to Myrmidia in the heart of Talabheim.[10a]

The Secret History of the Order[]

Many knightly orders have a mythology regarding their founding and the famous (or infamous) deeds that occurred throughout their history. Knights of the Inner Circle regard it as their responsibility to become familiar with these tales, and also to keep them secret.[17a]

These histories are usually somewhat more fanciful than the official versions. For example, everyone with any interest in the Order of the Blazing Sun knows that a pivotal episode in its formation was an earthquake that caused a statue of Myrmidia to fall upon the Black Guard of Wazar the Cruel at the Battle of Magritta. Knights of the Inner Circle, however, are taught that the Order has an older heritage. Forebears of the Knights fought as a bodyguard to Ottokar, a ruler in antiquity forgotten by all but classics scholars and playwrights interested by the legend about the Reman Empire.[7b][17a] He boasted he had met the goddess Myrmidia and she had fallen in love with him. The stories have it that there was no earthquake during the battle, but that one of the knightly captains had thrown off his helmet in a moment of desperation and kissed the foot of the goddess. He beseeched her for aid, and she promptly toppled over and crushed his enemies.[17a]

The Great War Against Chaos[]

But the real breakthrough that brought fame and glory to the Order in the Empire was their zeal in fighting the armies of Chaos during the Great War Against Chaos (2301 to 2304 IC), alongside Magnus the Pious. Perhaps it was thanks to their value in battle if, after the war, the emperor decided to give far greater recognition to the cult of Myrmidia, but it is widely believed that the real truth they were included is because of the cult's pervasive influence in Tilea and Estalia, which Magnus wished to both recognize and monitor.[5b]

One example of this change was the rise of Lord Myrmathsson Jaeke von Hendorf as Grand Master of the Knights of the Blazing Sun in 2303 IC. As a long-term member of the Inner Circle of his Knightly Order, he was Leorican-educated, and was the new representative of Myrmidia on Emperor Magnusā€™s Grand Conclave. With the Great War over, he was keen to strengthen his newly accepted Cult in the Empire. When he encountered a battered Leorican traveling through the Reikwald, the answer suddenly seemed obvious: fund a monastery to teach his fellow Imperials the wisdom of Myrmidiaā€™s teachings. The monk agreed to help him, and plans were laid for the Empireā€™s first Myrmidian monastery on Jaekeā€™s lands in Wissenland. As work went ahead, and unbeknownst to Myrmathson Jaeke, the monk he had met was the bearer of the Dark Maidenā€™s Testament. He buried his secret burden beneath the foundations of the new monastery. When the monastery was completed, the monk became the first Myrmidian Abbot in the Empire. He died 37 years later, having never told a soul about the buried scrolls.[5a]

Pirate Wars[]

Despite being mostly waged at sea, there were also some land-based engagements during the Pirate Wars (2458 to 2478 IC), as Marienburg's merchant fleets sought to put to the torch the pirate towns that clustered in the marshes and moors of the Westerland and Nordland. The Knights of the Blazing Sun took the vanguard in this effort, deploying armsmen and brother-knights alike. It was the only knightly order of the Empire to become involved in what was at the time considered to be Marienburg's problem alone.[9b]

Following the tales of the famous looted riches that must lie on ships beneath the surface of the wrecks of the Battle of the Tides the order is still trying to recover their lost Sun Crown of Bilbali, that probably went down on one of the ships destroyed in the naval battle.[11a]

The Case of the Statue of Myrmidia[]

Some elements of the Order claim that the great brass statue that fell upon the Black Guard of Wazar the Cruel now has its spiritual home in Carroburg. Some members of the Myrmidian cult in Magritta actually agree, as they reason it would help spread the influence of the goddess in the north, but most swear that they would rather die than give up their statue. Diplomatic relations between the Empire and Estalia are not always cordial and Reikland nobles have caught wind of the tensions. They have been heard to mutter that relocating the statue would be just the thing to ā€œshow those ungrateful Estalians whatā€™s what."[17a]

End Times[]

During The End Times (2519-2528 IC) the order gave his relentless support on several occasions, such as during the Fall of the Auric Bastion in late 2524,[13a] and the defense of Nuln against the Skaven horde.[14a]

As a preceptor of the order, Lupio Blaze swore the life of his men to Volkmar's defense during the End Times. The Grand Theogonist initially refused the Knightly Order's aid, but such was their passion and determination that he relented at the last moment and accepted their request as the crusade was boarding the Luitpold III.[12a]

Role[]

"We go where we are needed. We do what must be done."

Myrmidian saying often adopted by the order.[8a]

Gathering as a large force only rarely, they instead travel in small groups or individually, acting as advisors to nobles and their generals on the art of war. Sometimes they command units or whole armies in the field, using their skills and reputation to keep militia troops from breaking and mercenaries loyal.[17a]

These knights take great pride in their equipment and abilities, as their prowess in battle is equal if not greater than even the oldest and most powerful of the many Templar Orders. They are often seen charging on the battlefield in their highly polished and resplendent armour of black and gold, adorned with sigils of the Sun. Many of their weapons blaze with a bright and fiery power, enchanted with the divine flames of their goddess.

Blazing Sun shield

A shield bearing the heraldry of the Order of the Blazing Sun.

As a patron Order devoted to the Goddess Myrmidia, these Templars devoted themselves to the study and mastery of the science and art of warfare in all its aspects. These fervent followers of Myrmidia value ability and accomplishment over all other factors, including noble birth and their prowess in battle. It is because of this that the Order has grown in prosperity over the years, attracting the finest military minds to its long and distinguished banner. A Knight of the Blazing Sun's primary goal is to obtain perfection in the art of war, and as such they travel the length and breadth of the Old World, individually seeking to battle both large and small and to learn and perfect the many tactics and strategies from all the other Human nations. An army with a unit of Knights of the Blazing Sun at its head is a potent force capable of dealing with opponents with a level of cunning, leadership, and strategy that ensures victory before the battle is even joined.

The Knights of the Blazing Sun are templars of Myrmidia and the goddessā€™ largest Order in the Empire. They have a good reputation, but suspicion surrounds knights dedicated to a war goddess often regarded as foreign to the Empire. The Order favours nobles who are willing to declare their faith in Myrmidia and rise above petty inter-cult rivalries.[7a][17a] A wealthy Order, a steady stream of gold flows into their vaults from Tilea and Estalia and expeditions further afield.[7a]

The Knights of the Blazing Sun are by no means the largest of the Myrmidian Orders. For example, the Order of the Righteous Spear, along with its countless sister orders, is much, much larger, but thanks to their reputation, the Order of the Blazing Sun is by far the most famous and well-respected, not to mention the richest within the Empire. The Order was formerly based in the middle of the Empire, within the heartland of Talabecland, but due to their popularity, they have begun to rapidly gain support and influence in the south, and in these parts, the Order holds a great deal of political power amongst the nobility.  

In recent years the Cult of Myrmidia has also gained a stronghold amongst the Imperial warriors of the Empire, replacing Ulric in the prayers of the more southerly soldiers. As the cult has ascended, so too has the Order's fortunes in wealth and power. Foremost of the Order's duties is the maintenance and guarding of the important pilgrimage routes between the Empire and the holy sites of Magritta. These duties have proven to be especially lucrative, as many upper-class would-be pilgrims are willing to pay handsomely for the guarantee that their Gods will, indeed, keep them safe as they travel (albeit using the Myrmidians as vessels to ensure their safety). Since it was established, the order has spread throughout the lands of distant Estalia, and is one of the most prominent of the Knightly Orders in that distant nation.

Knights Sun

Knights of the Blazing Sun charge into a Kurgan horde.

Unlike most other Templar Orders, its members do not reside in large chapter houses; instead they travel the land individually or in small groups, looking for new challenges to test their skills and lend their aid to the poor and defenceless. They are well versed in the use of arms and armour, but their true expertise is as tacticians and strategists, and they often serve as military advisers and commanders on the battlefield when the former commander is far too incompetent to lead.

Throughout Estalia, countless villages, farms and isolated outposts owe their survival to the timely arrival (and subsequent assumption of command) by a Knight of the Blazing Sun. Since these knights spend a great deal of time away from their chapterhouses and temples, often embarking on crusades or quests for the glory of their Order, they would often travel in small groups of their fellows, sometimes alone, and lend support to whatever military endeavours is most needed for their aid, whether it is bolstering beleaguered units of soldiers on the battlefield, taking command of leaderless companies in the midst of a campaign, offering military advice to generals and nobles, or training local militia in the art of warfare.

Each knight must spend the first several years directly after his initiation performing these sorts of deeds, and only after putting his skills and training to the test may he return to the chapterhouse as a full brother of the Order. Once they return, these Knights would normally live in a similar fashion as their other fellow Knights, but there are some notable differences. The knights spend a great deal of time training in rather unusual methods of warfare, unafraid to experiment with ploys, tactics, and equipment other Knightly Orders might overlook or find dishonourable. Many of these Knights are even well-trained archers, a result which lead to the formation of the Knights of the Verdant Field. Some of the knights have even been known to use highly burnished shields, employed to dazzle the knightsā€™ opponents with reflected sunlight and strike while they're blind. When not doing physical training, these knights would spend a great deal of time in the discussion of broader military tactics, the deployment and manoeuvre of entire armies, use of terrain, and placement of artillery. While all knights have a grounding in military theory, the greatest tacticians in the Empire may be found within the ranks of the Order itself.[17a]


Structure[]

The Blazing Sun command structure consists of a Grandmaster in the Empire who oversees outfits known as komturies throughout the land. Each of these closely bonded fighting groups is commanded by a Hochmeister, who leads his knights in battle and selects them carefully to fulfil specific missions.[7a]

The Knights of the Blazing Sun, unlike the other knightly orders that made the Empire their home, welcome members from foreign lands. They are an inclusive brotherhood. Within their komturie there are members from Bretonnia, Tilea and Estalia as well as from Kislev and Middenheim.[9a]

At some point in his career, a Knight of the Blazing Sun will be sent out on his own for one to two years, to test what he has learned and forge his skills in the crucible of combat. Many an isolated village, farmstead, or coaching inn has been saved by a young Knight taking charge of the defence.[17a]

Sub-Orders[]

There are smaller crusading sub-orders, most notably the Knights of the Corona and the Knights of the Gleaming Shield, with chapterhouses in Magritta and the Spice Port of Copher, respectively. Each is tasked with embodying the spirit of their parent order, but with certain alterations intended to make them more admirable in the eyes of the different cultures within which they operate. The Knights of the Verdant Field are knights in name only, as they are elite foresters based in Talabheim.[7a]

The Knights of the Blazing Sun are noted for their devotion to Myrmidia, and work alongside the priests of her cult. The Knights are known to travel regularly to Estalia and Tilea to visit important members of the cult and listen to their plans and concerns.[17a]

Blazing Sun Chapterhouses[]

"The Knights of the Blazing Sun are dedicated to Myrmidia, their large chapter house emblazoned with her likeness."

—The main Chapterhouse of the Order of the Blazing Sun.[3]
Warhammer Blazing Suns

A Knight of the Blazing Sun.

The knights have their chapterhouse in Carroburg, and have extensive contacts and influence in the city and its surroundings. They have fought alongside the armies of Carroburg on many occasions and are regarded as heroes by many people in the city.[17a]

Myrmidia is a goddess of war, worshipped mainly in the southern nations, although a fair few Empire-men give her devotion as well. Most famously, the Knights of the Blazing Sun are her Templars, despite being based in the Taal-worshipping city of Talabheim. Their chapter house is in the style of the southern temples and adorned with a statue of the goddess upon its gold dome, which shines fiercely in the summer sun.[3]

Many Myrmidian temples are also chapter houses which serve as temporary bases for the Knights of the Blazing Sun and training grounds for the Order of the Eagle.[15a]

Day of Sanctuary[]

A festival unique to the Empire is the Day of Sanctuary (7th Sommerzeit). It remembers the founding of the Knights of the Blazing Sun, and is celebrated in every city where the goddess Myrmidia has a temple. A mounted procession of the Order of the Blazing Sun, resplendent in their battlegear, winds through the streets, ending at Myrmidia's altar where her priests bless the knightsā€™ weapons.[6a]

Relations with Other Cults[]

In Tilean myrmidian theology Myrmidia is believed to favour the Order of the Eagle, Estalian teach that the Order of the Blazing Sun owns it instead.[3a] The Order of the Blazing Sun, is the oldest Myrmidian order in the Empire, and works independently of the Order of the Eagle.[5a]

The Knights of the Verdant Field are an offshoot of the Knights of the Blazing Sun. The two orders sometimes train together, using elite archery to compliment the devastating cavalry charges. This relationship means that the Knights of the Blazing Sun are also regularly seen in the city of Talabheim, and they have many contacts with the nobility, military forces, and cult of Myrmidia there.[17a]

While the Knights of Magritta who graduate from the Aquila Academies secretly go on to join many Myrmidian organisations. Many of the members of that secret society choose the Knights of the Blazing Sun, so the borders between these groups are often fuzzy.[16a]

More and more in the south of the Empire, the Knights of the Blazing Sun and the Cult of Myrmidia are seen as a challenge to the martial primacy of the Cult of Ulric and the Knights of the White Wolf. The Ulrican's captains often disparage Myrmidians and their feminine southern ways, this sometimes led to attrition between the two orders, even during a battle fought on the same side.[17a]

Notable Members[]

Miniatures[]

Sources[]

  • 1: Warhammer Armies: The Empire (8th Edition)
    • 1a: pp. 42-45
  • 2: Warhammer: Knightly Orders of the Empire
    • 2a: pp. 11-13
  • 3: Total War: Warhammer (PC Game)
  • 4: Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning (PC Game)
  • 5: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 2nd Edition: Tome of Salvation (RPG)
    • 5a: pp. 160-163
    • 5b: pp. 22-24
    • 5c: pg. 204
  • 6: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 3rd Edition: Signs of Faith (RPG)
    • 6a: pg. 31
  • 7: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 4th Edition: Up in Arms (RPG)
    • 7a: pp. 32-33
    • 7b: pg. 63
  • 8: End Times (Part 1) - The Return of Nagash (Novel) by Josh Reynolds
  • 9: Knight of the Blazing Sun (Novel) by Joshua Reynolds
  • 10: Warhammer Armies: Dogs of War (5th Edition)
  • 11: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 2nd Edition: Barony of the Damned (RPG)
  • 12: Warhammer Campaign: Sigmar's Blood (8th)
  • 13: The End Times Vol. I: Nagash (8th Edition)
    • 13a: pp. 241 - 296
  • 14: The End Times Vol. IV: Thanquol (8th Edition)
    • 14a: pp. 126 - 147
  • 15: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 3rd Edition: Tome of Blessing (RPG)
  • 16: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 2nd Edition: Shades of the Empire (RPG)
  • 17: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 2nd Edition: Career Compendium (RPG)
    • 17a: pp. 124-125
  • 18: Liber Chaotica (Lore Book)

Gallery[]

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