The Ranks of the Order
There are several ranks within the Knights organization. Those still undergoing training, unable yet to activate a gateway, are called Squires. They usually have combat and psionic training and serve under the tutelage of a Knight Protector. Squires are lodged at the Tower of Eternity and only leave its premises on a mission led by their Knight. Some Squires serve individually, some serve in a small team, depending on the desire of the Knight Protector in charge.
When a Squire achieves the ability to open a gateway, he is given a final quest to prove his worth and then dubbed a Knight by the King, and is given the rank of Knight Errant. He is expected to spend some time traveling the realm and the outside worlds doing justice and protecting the interests of the kingdom. Knights Errant spend part of each year, typically 30 days, at the Court of the King at the disposal of his majesty, but spend most of the time in travel.
At some point when his worth is proven, he can be promoted to Knight Protector and given the charge of Squires. Knights Protector have their permanent residences at the Tower of Eternity or at the Royal Palace on Orion and lead important missions for the throne. They also take turns acting as the King’s bodyguards. There are 5 Knight Commanders who act as the senior administrators and leaders of the order, they in turn are led by the Grand Master who oversees the Tower and the training and research that goes on there.
In addition to the Knights proper, the order also employs soldiers to help the knights with their work. These men are called the Soldiers of the Tower and are organized into squads of 8 privates led by a Sergeant. 10 squads make up a company, which is led by a captain and his lieutenant. Larger collections of soldiers would likely be commanded by a Knight Protector. While the soldiers are often those who washed out of the early knight training but still wished to serve the Tower, or who did not have the psychic potential to become knights, there is never a shortage of recruits for these prestigious and well-paying (if dangerous) jobs. Many of the Soldiers of the Tower are not soldiers at all, but rather spies, technicians and specialists. In general, A squire technically outranks a private soldier, but is expected to take orders from a sergeant or captain. All dubbed knights are held to outrank all the soldiers, even company captains.