We already have Pirates, Ninjas, Superheroes, Vikings... but what about Knights?
My nanovel has knights, but not the traditional "heavy armor, riding horses, jousting" type of knights. Elite Knights that are the "Navy SEALS" or "Special Forces" of my fictional kingdom. Only the best of the best from the army are selected to undergo the year-long training, and of these, only one or two actually join the ranks of the Elite Knights. They are superior to the nation's navy and army, reporting directly to the king himself, and often fulfilling important missions that "do not exist".
The main character is a noble's second son who is disowned by his father for wanting to attend the Royal Institute of Medicine instead of enlisting as an officer into the army. (The father apparently looks down upon the medical profession.) Ironically, after he graduates from RIM, the MC is nominated by his mentor as a recruit for the Elite Knights. He survives the training, receives the very rare title of Sir Medic, and eventually ends up one of the King's Twelve, twelve superior Elite Knights who are hand chosen by the king to be his personal bodyguards.
Here's to adventures with knights! =D
~Jacquelyn
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26,222 / 50,000
Oct 6, 2008 - 07 42
I'm not doing that for this NaNo, but I've done that in the past. ^_^
----------NaNoWriMo 2006: Between Renithian Winters -- Winner! (50,232)
NaNoWriMo 2007: White Ash Secrets -- Winner! (50,087)
37,536 / 50,000
Oct 6, 2008 - 17 49
I've got knights. Mine, however, are the standard fare for knights. Jousting, swearing fealty, not necessarily having too terribly much money....yeah. But I love them anyway.
----------My Fanfics
My Doctor Who Fanfics
22,003 / 50,000
Oct 6, 2008 - 19 37
Sounds awesome!
~Jacquelyn
----------37,536 / 50,000
Oct 6, 2008 - 20 09
I'm excited (of course). All of my five have at least rough personalities, which is always a plus, and I feel like poor knights would be fun to play with in this case. There must've been a few very poor knights who had to scrape a living off tournament winnings and the occasional dragon-slaying (woot!). I think I've got a somewhat better chance of success this year because I'm no longer in marching band. While marching is super fun, it does take up a lot of time.
And, can I just say, your taste in literature is impeccable? C.S. Lewis is my favorite author, so it's always nice to see him on other people's lists. :D
----------My Fanfics
My Doctor Who Fanfics
0 / 50,000
Oct 7, 2008 - 05 58
To get me into writing two years ago, I did a medieval/action novel just to test if I could do it. It ended up being way better than I expected and that sparked where I am now. In that novel, I did a similar idea that you have. I have a group of knights that are basically just like a Special Forces Unit. I called them Bellators (Latin for Knight, or warrior). There were five to a Unit and they were specially trained in a multitue of weapons and for special missions. That concept will play a role in a sequel to a spiritual warfare novel I plan to write after NaNo.
22,003 / 50,000
Oct 12, 2008 - 00 04
KelinciHutan, your rough knights sound quite interesting. I love exploring the different types of knights or warriors, so it is great so see some variety in the stories that include these character roles.
I have loved C.S. Lewis since I was a child, and I have sort of made it a tradition to re-read the Chronicles of Narnia once a year... silly though that may sound. ^_^'
Fascinating! Bellators is a great title, too. Kind of wish I had thought of that or something as equally awesome... but I went with the first thing that came to mind and it sort of stuck. Now, two years later, it would be hard to change. My Elite Knights were very loosely inspired by King David's "mighty men" and "thirty men" vaguely spoken of throughout 1 Chronicles. Only the best of the very best are knighted into this order, but the whole order is somewhat mysterious. Even though they play an important role in a novel that I have been working on for two years already (NaNo 2006 and 2007), I am still discovering new things about them.
~Jacquelyn
----------55,564 / 50,000
Nov 10, 2008 - 06 15
Haha my Chevaliers are pretty much just men, usually of noble background who either by some stroke of ill luck do not have titles to inherit or have no other profession in mind. Typical medieval stuff. Although, anyone can be named Chevalier, but the title Chevalier du Sang can only be bestowed by the Grand-Duc (lez King) or -Duchesse (lez Queen, if the first-born is a girl) and his/her direct issue. It cannot be given by someone who marries into the family. To become Chevalier du Sang, one must have seven guarantors, of sorts, to swear on their mother's graves that he is deserving, and must have done soemthing in his life. No deed, no steed. Kinda like having to fulfil a quest before you're allowed to become a knight. My story does not revolve around them, though. I mean, my MMC is a Chevalier, but that's just a title, for him.
I have an idea that I might not incorporate into this year's NaNo of Garter Knights, who are women who fight, dress and live as men, and part of their dress uniform is a garter worn outside the trousers. I've made sketches of them, and I love them!! I've even given them a tricorn with a feather! Haha...
----------There is no sin except stupidity.
- Oscar Wilde
65,345 / 50,000
Nov 10, 2008 - 08 06
I do have the typical heavy armor knights, the Royal Defense Army of the King. ^^
----------There are no horses for any of them though, except for their leader.
NaNoWriMo 2006: Natalia's Journey (won!)
NaNoWriMo 2007: The Pride of King Julius (won!)
NaNoWriMo 2008: Hatoshi's Reality
"Hot chocolate is my coffee!"
4,540 / 50,000
Nov 10, 2008 - 20 40
I prefer those kind of knights, the ones with heavy armor and stuff. There more aesthetically pleasing to the imagination.
----------"Dream like you're going to live forever, Live like you're going to die today."
4,540 / 50,000
Nov 10, 2008 - 20 47
I'd rather have the knights with the heavy armors and stuff, they're more aesthetically pleasing to the imagination.
----------"Dream like you're going to live forever, Live like you're going to die today."
14,623 / 50,000
Nov 10, 2008 - 23 27
I have armor that's sort of like knight armor, but it's mechanical and flies. I suppose the people who used them might be considered "knights" in a way.