Purple Dragon knights were the officers and warrior elite of the Cormyrian army,[3][8] the bulk of which was known as the Purple Dragons.[2] Being awarded knighthood within the Purple Dragons was a great honor for anyone from the Forest Country.[9]
The knights' name came from Thauglor, an ancient black dragon who once dominated the area encompassed by the present kingdom. As Thauglor matured, his scales faded from ebony to violet .[10]
Culture[]
As knights of the crown, members of the Purple Dragons put their honor before anything else and would not bend it for any purpose and the order had high ethical standards for all its initiates. As such, Purple Dragon knights were servants of law and of good, though not always of both. But regardless of a Purple Dragon's individual feelings all were expected to do what was best for Cormyr and to serve justice, giving no rest to evil nor corruption.[5]
In return for this devotion Purple Dragon knights were well rewarded and the training of the Purple Dragon knights was as legendary as their discipline. Purple Dragon knights were excellent soldiers by any measure, with intense martial prowess that exceeded most enemies they were likely to face. But more important than their own physical strength was their ability to command and Purple Dragon knights were not only the best soldiers in Cormyr's service but its most impressive leaders as well and leadership capability was a major aspect of the training a knight receives.[5]
Activities[]
While Purple Dragons composed the majority of the Cormyrean army, the knights often served as their battlefield officers. Each knight would assume command over between ten to one hundred Purple Dragon soldiers.[9]
Others served as knight-errants, surveying the lands of Cormyr as a means to ensure the protection of its people. Their mere presence could frighten away those who may have sought to prey upon an otherwise vulnerable settlement.[3]
Abilities[]
A Purple Dragon knight swinging his sword.
Purple Dragon knight training allowed members of the order to gain several special abilities that served them well in combat. New initiates into the order learned quickly how to make the best of a bad situation, pulling themselves together when bloodied and bruised so they could strike their foe once more. Purple dragons learned to rally their spirits and push onwards, even when things seemed at their worst. This aura of confidence inspired others to do the same, giving them further resilience against all the ills that might befall them in battle.[5]
Purple Dragon knights gained access to several useful exploits, many of which centered on their role as the commanders of their fellow soldiers. By shouting out a great rallying cry,[3][5][9] or taking a decisive final stand in battle, purple dragon knights inspired their troops, giving them a potent edge in combat.[11][9]
Similarly, a resounding war cry shouted by many of the order had the reverse effect for their foes, striking fear into the enemies of Cormyr. By letting out this war cry while striking into their foes, Purple Dragon knights could rouse the spirits of their allies.[5]
Many Purple Dragon knights also swore an oath, once per day, to destroy a single enemy in battle. This oath gave confidence and strength of resolve to the knight and so long as they were engaged in combat with that opponent, their morale remained strong and they were more potent in battle.[11][9]
Relationships[]
The Purple Dragon knights fought alongside the War Wizards in order to overcome the enemies of Cormyr.[2]
History[]
The Purple Dragons and the knights within distinguished themselves with courage and honor several times in the past.[2]
Notable Purple Dragon knights[]
- Alusair Obarskyr, the Steel Regent of Cormyr.[12]
- Brace Skatterhawk[13]
- Sir Isteval, a former knight who spent his retirement in the town of Daggerford.[14]
- Sthavar, commander of the Purple Dragons in Suzail.[15]
Appendix[]
References[]
- ↑ Ed Greenwood, Sean K. Reynolds, Skip Williams, Rob Heinsoo (June 2001). Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 7. ISBN 0-7869-1836-5.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Ed Greenwood, Sean K. Reynolds, Skip Williams, Rob Heinsoo (June 2001). Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 49. ISBN 0-7869-1836-5.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Steve Kenson, et al. (November 2015). Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide. Edited by Kim Mohan. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 128. ISBN 978-0-7869-6580-9.
- ↑ Mike Mearls, Jeremy Crawford (2014). Player's Handbook 5th edition. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 70–72. ISBN 978-0-7869-6560-1.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 Rob Heinsoo, Logan Bonner, Robert J. Schwalb (September 2008). Forgotten Realms Player's Guide. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 60. ISBN 978-0-7869-4929-8.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood, Sean K. Reynolds, Skip Williams, Rob Heinsoo (June 2001). Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 49–50. ISBN 0-7869-1836-5.
- ↑ Richard Baker, James Wyatt (March 2004). Player's Guide to Faerûn. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 68–69. ISBN 0-7869-3134-5.
- ↑ Rob Heinsoo, Logan Bonner, Robert J. Schwalb (September 2008). Forgotten Realms Player's Guide. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 60. ISBN 978-0-7869-4929-8.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 Richard Baker, James Wyatt (March 2004). Player's Guide to Faerûn. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 68. ISBN 0-7869-3134-5.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood, Jeff Grubb (April 1998). Cormyr: A Novel. (TSR, Inc.), p. 8. ISBN 0-7869-0710-X.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Ed Greenwood, Sean K. Reynolds, Skip Williams, Rob Heinsoo (June 2001). Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 50. ISBN 0-7869-1836-5.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood, Sean K. Reynolds, Skip Williams, Rob Heinsoo (June 2001). Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 115. ISBN 0-7869-1836-5.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood, Jeff Grubb (April 1998). Cormyr: A Novel. (TSR, Inc.), p. 106. ISBN 0-7869-0710-X.
- ↑ Christopher Perkins, et al. (August 2013). Ghosts of Dragonspear Castle. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 135. ISBN 978-0786965311.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood, Sean K. Reynolds, Skip Williams, Rob Heinsoo (June 2001). Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 113. ISBN 0-7869-1836-5.