The Wheel of Becoming

The Void Knights

When humanity first encountered the life destroying Xylithians a paradigm shift was required to deal with an enemy that threatened existence itself. Never before had the species faced a foe whose motivation is simply annihilation.  The philosophers and scientist of the empire wrung their hands to accommodate the reality that a force in the universe existed just to consume life. Here was the idea of entropy given agency and frightening power.

Fulvius the Imbiber, court philosopher to the fourth Emperor in the seminal work Debates On the Efficacy Of Argument, A Symposium On Futility established the conceptual basis that the only logical response to the idea of nothing, was in fact nothing. This treatise became the foundation document of an order of Knighthood endowed directly by the Imperial Throne.  

Founded during the reign of Empress Sulpicia the Void Knights are charged with understanding nothing, and stopping the spread of Xylithians. They receive orders directly from the Empress herself, and owe allegiance only to the throne.  Initiates are recruited exclusively from the second sons of second sons of aristocratic noble houses throughout the Empire. Neophyte Knights, known as squires take a vow of chastity and loyalty to the throne and are castrated to prevent unnecessary thoughts. Upon attainment of Knighthood at age 16, they receive a select frontal lobotomy. Knights proceed up a rank structure of degrees, having living tissue removed or replaced with necromantic magic as they advance in the understanding of the void. Eventually, at the ninth degree, Grand Master Knights are little more than undead brains preserved by necromancy, when a body is required they are placed in the empty corpses of initiates who failed to attain understanding.

Since Void Knights are mostly undead, they are particularly suited to combating the Xylithians who feed on life. In addition to the necromancy that sustains their bodies, the knights command Thaumaturgical magics, the power of their meditations increasing as they proceed towards a greater understanding of nothing.  The Void Knights train in the use of starships, and personal combat. They carry a distinctive weapon called the star lance, a polearm that radiates negative or positive energy and may be used in melee or as a missile weapon.

Void Knight
Title and Level	XP	Hit Dice	BAB	Save	1st Lv Meditations	2nd Lv Meditations	3rd Lv Meditations	4th Lv Meditations	5th Lv mediations
1 Squire		1d8	+1	14
2 Kight	2700	2d8	+1	13	1
3 Keeper	5500	3d8	+2	12	2
4 Gallant	12000	4d8	+2	11	2	1
5 Justicar	24000	5d8	+3	10	2	2	1
6 Warden	45000	6d8	+3	9	2	2	1	1
7 Paladin	95000	7d8	+4	8	2	2	2	2	1
8 Master	175000	8d8	+4	7	2	2	2	2	2
9 Grand Master*	350000	9d8	+5	6	3	3	3	2	2

Level One - Squire

Focusing the Thoughts - The Void Knight is castrated. They may no longer reproduce.

Shield of Humanity  - May wear any armor

Level Two - Knight

The Understanding of Space - The Void Knight receives a partial lobotomy. +1 WIS -1 INT, +2 Save vs mind affecting spells and illusions.

Sword of Hope - The Void Knight is given and can use the Star Lance

Meditations of Nothing - The Void Knight begins to use Meditations

Level Three - Keeper

Empty Inside - The Void Knights lungs are removed and replaced with undead lungs. They no longer need to breath.

Level Four - Gallant

The Center of the Circle - The Void Knights heart is replaced with an undead organ. +1 HP

Level Five - Justicar

Perception is Reality - The Void Knight’s eyes are ritually scooped out. Save or Die. If the Void Knight lives they have attained a level of enlightenment that precludes the need for sight.

Level Six - Warden

As Within So Without - The Void’s Knights flesh dies. Their skin appears rotten though it remains supple. +1 AC

Level Seven - Paladin

Approaching the Gate - The Void Knights remaining organs except for the brain, become undead. They no longer require food or water.

Level Eight - Master

Impermanence - The Void Knights Limbs are removed. The may attach implants as needed.

Level Nine - Grand Master

The Wheel of Becoming - The Void Knights mind is made undead and removed from his body. It is kept in a cloister and implanted into the bodies of failed Justicars as needed.