Okay so, I've taken some time to ponder this, and here's what I've come up with. Note that many of the things I say here are largely up for discussion and this is just how I'd go about making a Dunmer knight.
Taken from Oblivion's description, a knight is:
The most noble of all combatants. Strong in body and in character.
Noble is the keyword here and in this context means:
having or showing fine personal qualities or high moral principles and ideals.
If we assume that this Dunmer is upholding principles and ideals that are morally righteous by the standards of the Dunmer, then I'd argue he or she at least has the makings of a knight. To devote oneself so deeply to a cause believed to be so right is what gives way to the knight archetype (IMO). Honor, respect, loyalty, and altruism are all typical qualities of a knight.
So that would be the first question: is this Dunmer upholding principles and ideals universally righteous, or culturally?
Both raise questions that need answering. For a universally moral Dunmer, things are a little simpler. It becomes a matter of justifying why the split between race and culture occurred in the first place.
For a morally relative Dunmer, things get a bit more interesting because this is where we really get to explore their culture. Is this Dunmer a noble in one of the great houses? What function would a knight's skill set serve within a great house? Oblivion describes a knight as a "combatant" which leaves room for the use swords, boards, archery, and spells.
Arguably...the Morag Tong might be considered knights of a certain stripe. The legality of assassinations to prevent war, the MT's Honorable Writs of Execution, the fact that executioners are to give themselves up after a murder, the fact that the MT refuses to harbor criminals...it could all add up to a fairly knightly character. All that's really missing is altruism.
Of course, it's hard to see that as being recognizably knightly from our perspectives. It might take some doing, but an argument could be made in that direction. Going back to what I mentioned previously, if a we accept that the MT are not knightly, then what function would a knight serve within one of the houses?
Or perhaps the Ashlanders would have a purpose for a knight? A Dunmer serving Azura, Boethiah, or Mephala independent of any other affiliation might very well be a knight. Each one would take some justification, as any split from the norm does.
I realize that I've used a very loose definition for knight and that many things I've put forth are debatable, but I've always found a reductionist approach most helpful for RP. Break things down to their core concepts and rebuild with interpretation. So I hope this is helpful!
Okay so, I've taken some time to ponder this, and here's what I've come up with. Note that many of the things I say here are largely up for discussion and this is just how I'd go about making a Dunmer knight.
Taken from Oblivion's description, a knight is:
The most noble of all combatants. Strong in body and in character.
Noble is the keyword here and in this context means:
having or showing fine personal qualities or high moral principles and ideals.
If we assume that this Dunmer is upholding principles and ideals that are morally righteous by the standards of the Dunmer, then I'd argue he or she at least has the makings of a knight. To devote oneself so deeply to a cause believed to be so right is what gives way to the knight archetype (IMO). Honor, respect, loyalty, and altruism are all typical qualities of a knight.
So that would be the first question: is this Dunmer upholding principles and ideals universally righteous, or culturally?
Both raise questions that need answering. For a universally moral Dunmer, things are a little simpler. It becomes a matter of justifying why the split between race and culture occurred in the first place.
For a morally relative Dunmer, things get a bit more interesting because this is where we really get to explore their culture. Is this Dunmer a noble in one of the great houses? What function would a knight's skill set serve within a great house? Oblivion describes a knight as a "combatant" which leaves room for the use swords, boards, archery, and spells.
Arguably...the Morag Tong might be considered knights of a certain stripe. The legality of assassinations to prevent war, the MT's Honorable Writs of Execution, the fact that executioners are to give themselves up after a murder, the fact that the MT refuses to harbor criminals...it could all add up to a fairly knightly character. All that's really missing is altruism.
Of course, it's hard to see that as being recognizably knightly from our perspectives. It might take some doing, but an argument could be made in that direction. Going back to what I mentioned previously, if a we accept that the MT are not knightly, then what function would a knight serve within one of the houses?
Or perhaps the Ashlanders would have a purpose for a knight? A Dunmer serving Azura, Boethiah, or Mephala independent of any other affiliation might very well be a knight. Each one would take some justification, as any split from the norm does.
I realize that I've used a very loose definition for knight and that many things I've put forth are debatable, but I've always found a reductionist approach most helpful for RP. Break things down to their core concepts and rebuild with interpretation. So I hope this is helpful!
