The Thorn Knights

The Thorn Knights are an ancient order based in Amaroth that exists separate from every other power structure in the city. The only one who can issue commands is the Prince, who honours and respects the Thorn Knights, granting them special privileges. Thorn Knights are allowed to break a certain number of rules in and around the city, in particular the religious orders will turn a blind eye to any worshippers of other gods who are members of the order as long as they aren’t openly proselytising. They are also allowed to act with ‘appropriate measures’ in the pursuit of their missions. Outside the city, they effectively act with almost complete autonomy, answerable only to other members of the order. This special treatment makes the Knights envied by many and hated by a few, who believe no-one should be above the law.

The Thorn Knights act as an elite troubleshooting cadre who work to complete tasks that fall outside the normal scope of the army. This includes requests for help from far off towns, potential magical artifacts, deniable operations and the investigation of anything unusual that is concerning the city.

Structure
Members start as initiates - to be an Initiate you must be nominated by a Knight (or higher). You then take on the trials to enter the order. Initiates are put together into classes every year, and every class meets the Prince who kicks out anyone he deems unworthy, for reasons that he never shares with anyone else. Once they are approved by the Prince, Initiates are put into groups with a Knight who supervises them on missions. At the end of three successful missions any surviving initiates are sent on a mission with one of the Knight Commanders, after which they are assessed as successful and promoted to Squire. After more successful missions, Squires are promoted to Knight. Most members of the order stay as Knights, but Knights can apply for promotion into Knight Commanders who have more of a supervisory role. There is then one Knight Captain, a mostly administrative role with final call in any issues within the Thorn Knights.

Ranks
Initiate - Are allowed to use the common room and sleep in the dormitories. Food and drink are provided. Any loot recovered goes automatically to their Knight supervisor, who can then divide it among the group however they see fit. Cannot go out on their own missions, can only go out supervised by a Knight.

Squire - Get a badge signifying their membership of the Thorn Knights. Also acts as a tracking beacon so that their bodies can be recovered in case of death. Can take on missions marked as ‘Squire’ on their own, and marked as ‘Knight’ if accompanied by at least one Knight. Squires are paid for completed missions and take any gold they find, but can only sell treasure to the order at set prices. Can borrow certain low level magic items.

Knight - Get a green cloak with the Thorn Knight insignia. Can take on any mission and sell treasures at any vendor they want. Powerful magic items are still expected to be checked by the order. Can now nominate your own Initiates. Can borrow higher level magic items.

Knight Commander - Get a pin badge of a dark pink rose with a thorny stem, made of precious stones. More admin, such as investigating allegations of misconduct and setting the danger levels/rewards for missions. Can borrow all levels of magic items stored by the order, with Knight Captain sign off.

Knight Captain - Head of the order, answers only to the Prince. Mostly administrative, final word on anything to do with the order. Elected by the members of the Order, with every Knight/Knight Commander having a vote.