Introduction[]
The Order of the Pale Horse is a small chapter of penitent Death Knights that serve the Kingdom of Stormwind. The Pale Horse is considered to be an honorary chapter of the Brotherhood of the Horse, the military order of knighthood of the Kingdom of Stormwind.
The Pale Horse is comprised of a mixture of third and fourth generation Death Knights who have sworn fealty to Stormwind. According to the laws of Stormwind, the Death Knights in service to the Pale Horse are forbidden from wielding the unholy magics bestowed upon them in undeath. Instead, knights of the order must use their unnatural strength and runic frost magic to bolster their abilities in combat. The Pale Horse places particular emphasis on restraint and penitence of their members. All Death Knights that seek to provide military service within the First Regiment of the Elwynn Brigade are required to join the Order of the Pale Horse.
History[]
Following the events of the War Against the Lich King, King Varian Wrynn recognized that several Death Knights sought to return to serve the Alliance rather than remain strictly neutral as part of the Order of the Ebon Blade. King Varian commissioned the Order of the Pale Horse as an honorary chapter of the Brotherhood of the Horse for any Death Knights or undead who sought to serve Stormwind in and not be persecuted for their nature.
The Order’s abrupt addition to the rank and file of the Stormwind Royal Army certainly caused no shortage of distrust in the Order’s intentions. Many still harbor the old grudges of times past, memories of rabid, warmongering killing machines that show no remorse, nor mercy. That was to be expected, in the Order’s eyes, who believed that it must be their actions that must stitch the divide between them and their comrades shut.
Structure[]
The Order of the Pale Horse is considered to be an honorary chapter of the Brotherhood of the Horse. To that end, its sworn members are given the honorifics owed to knights of the Kingdom of Stormwind. Initiates to the order are given the designation of "Companion" until they prove their capability and loyalty to the realm to the extent required of knighthood. The order is currently led by Grandmaster Klimin Bloodsong-Rimebinder, a Death Knight appointed the position by the Lord High Steward of Stormwind.
Companion's Oath[]
In order to join the Order of the Pale Horse as a Companion, a Death Knight must take the Oath of the Pale Horse. The administration of the oath must be supervised by either a Knight of the Order of the Pale Horse or any other knight of the Brotherhood of the Horse.
The Oath is as follows:
"I, (The recruit's full name), vow my undying days in penitence for the greater will of the Holy Light and in service to the House of Wrynn. I vow that I will always treat others with respect, even as I shall receive none. I vow to always walk this path with tenacity, though many will scorn my steps. I vow to be a beacon of compassion, even as I will never be recognized. I vow to an unlife of restraint, even when my greatest foes draw near. I resolve to this path with all of my will.
I vow not to cause harm to those that might be reasoned with words. I vow not to abuse the unholy magics granted me by the grave, under penalty of death. I vow not to shirk the blessings of the Holy Light, even when they weigh heavy. I vow not to disobey my liege lord, or disrespect their guidance along this path. I vow not to forsake the Holy Light, lest I be forsaken by it and my brothers and sisters. May the unending shadow take me if I should fail on this path."
Trials of the Pale Horse[]
The Trials of the Pale Horse are a series of tasks a Companion must undertake before they may be dubbed a Knight of the Pale Horse. These tasks must be issued and overseen by a Knight of the Pale Horse.
Path of Frost[]
The Companion and their Knight-Mentor must travel on foot from the gates of Stormwind City to Stone Cairn Lake in Elwynn Forest. The Companion must use their frost magic to create a path for themself and their Knight-Mentor to walk across Stone Cairn Lake to reach the First War monument. The Knight-Mentor must then instruct the Companion on the historical significance of the First War and notable first-generation death knights. The Dark Horde emplaced the souls of their necrolytes into the corpses of Stormwind Knights to create the first Death Knights.
Respect for the Dead[]
The Companion shall be assigned to stand vigil over a graveyard in the realm of Stormwind for three days. They may not leave the graveyard or allow any harm or desecration to befall the graves.
Tenacity in Service[]
The Companion and their Knight-Mentor must travel on foot from Lakeshire to the statue of Sir Anduin Lothar in the Burning Steppes. All knights of the Brotherhood of the Horse must make pilgrimage to honor Sir Lothar and his sacrifice to the realm.
Compassion for Restless Souls[]
The Knight-Mentor shall take the Companion to quell undead or restless souls that have risen in the realm, seeking not to obliterate their spirits, but to allow them dignified rest.
Rider of Death[]
The Knight-Mentor shall take the Companion to a site in either Duskwood or the Deadwind Pass where the Companion may raise a horse into undeath to serve as their mount.
Blood of Wrynn[]
The Companion and their Knight-Mentor shall travel to Valiance Keep in the Borean Tundra and pay respect to the statue of King Varian Wrynn. From there, they must make a pilgrimage to the Wrathgate in Dragonblight and Icecrown Citadel in Icecrown using only their risen steeds as mounts.
Runeforging[]
After completing all other trials, the Companion shall be provided with arcane reagents to imbue their weapon with stronger runes. The Knight-Mentor shall take the Companion to Acherus where they may select which runes to imbue upon their weapon of choice.
Dubbing Ceremony[]
After completing the Trials of the Pale Horse, a Companion shall swear their fealty to the crown and take an oath of chivalry at the Shrine of the Brotherhood in Duskwood, where upon completing their oath, they shall be dubbed a Knight of the Pale Horse.
Combat Roles[]
Knight of the Pale Horse[]
The Knights of the Pale Horse are equipped in steel plate armor painted white to reflect their penance and pursuit of purification. Generally this armor is not blessed by the church, as the blessings would likely cause more hinderance in combat than help to the Death Knight. Even so, the Order's Knights are fearsome foes upon the battlefield, bringing frost and runic magic to destroy their foes and protect their allies. The Order of the Pale Horseprovides a wide selection of weaponry for the Knights, such as two handed Runeblades, Runeaxes and one handed variants as well.
Equipment[]
REQUIREMENTS
- Sworn the Oath of the Pale Horse