Foundations of the Dark Knights
The Dark Knights stand as one of the most fearsome foes in Dragonlance. Born from the vision of Ariakan, son of Ariakas, we see a force of evil that has learned from the mistakes of its predecessors. The Dark Knights answer the question of, “What if evil did not turn upon itself?”.
The Dark Knights are fearsome for other reasons as well. They are taught the Lesson of the Ironwood tree, with a solid unyielding foundation, while also adapting to an ever-changing world. Moreover, they are open to races beyond humans. Dark elves, half-elves, fatherless dwarves, and minotaurs also join their ranks. The Dark Knights, unlike their Solamnic counterparts, embrace the use of arcane magic.
Thus, the Knights of Takhisis proved to be one of the most fearsome and formidable armies to ever threaten Ansalon. And yet, the betrayal of Takhisis against her own knights when she stole the world of Krynn proved that evil, once again, turned upon itself.
A New Vision
It has been 32 years since the introduction of the Dark Knights in The Second Generation with the tale of “Kitiara’s Son.” The appendix of that novel gave us the first look at the origins of the knighthood, as well as gaming stats to match.
In the decades since then, much has changed. Lord Ariakan died in the Chaos War, which heralded the end of one age and the beginning of another. The Dark Knights survived, but became a pale shadow of its former glory. Honor was lost as the Dark Knights became little more than glorified thugs. Though they saw resurgence once again under the leadership of Mina, they would eventually break once more with the death of the Dark Queen. Upon her demise, evil truly did turn upon itself once more as the knighthood split, being led by the Faction Lords.
With the end of the Destinies trilogy, the future remains uncertain. The very existence of the Dark Knights comes into question. Yet they are too good of a concept to toss aside. Perhaps they will once again threaten Krynn. And with the Lesson of the Ironwood Tree, perhaps they can remain true to their solid foundation and adapt for the times.
A Changing of the Gods
The Dark Knights were founded upon a dark sense of honor codified in the Blood Oath and the Code. Yet Takhisis is a goddess who is not known for honor. In fact, she urged her dragon highlords to be at odds with one another. The Dark Knights deserve a deity who embodies a dark sense of honor. None do that more so than Sargonnas.
Many consider Sargonnas to be a god of minotaurs. While they are his chosen people, they are not his only followers. His influence has touched humans, dwarves, and even elves. With the chief deity of the Knights of Solamnia being Kiri-Jolith, it only makes sense for his counterpart to be the chief deity of the Dark Knights. As a greater deity, he would be able to pull off the creation of the Dark Knights without fear of reprisal from Takhisis.
The Knights of Solamnia may venerate three deities, but the same symmetry does not have to be true with the Dark Knights. It is doubtful that Sargonnas would share his power. Yet he cannot do it alone if Ariakan’s plan of incorporating arcane magic with the Thorn Knights is to come to fruition. Therefore, Sargonnas would have to rely upon his son, Nuitari, the god of evil magic.
The Magic of the Thorn Knights
The Second Generation appendix stated that the Thorn Knights gained their power from all three moons of Krynn, yet this was later retconned as propaganda by later sources. In fact, their magic was provided by Takhisis herself. Yet Takhisis is not one of the gods of magic.
These Gray Robes, as they were also called, drew many of their first recruits from the Black Robes. As such, it stands to reason that their patron would be none other than Nuitari. After all, gray is a lighter shade of black. Perhaps their robes are more charcoal gray in color.
As mages have fought alongside the Dragonarmies and Whitestone forces in the past, it only makes sense for some Black Robes (not all) to serve with the Dark Knights.
Conclusion
The Dark Knights remain a vibrant concept within the world of Krynn. With the changes in the gods above, they can be integrated into the world of Krynn in a way that is new, refreshing, and vibrant.
