Knights of the Oblong Table
The Knights of the Oblong Table (Burgoignesc: Les Chevaleuers de Table Oblonge, Gothic: Die Rittern des Ablange Tables) were an order of knightly members of the fellowship of the Grand Steward and later Grand Count of Yonderre Joanus de Martigueux. The Knights of the Oblong Table made up the inner circle of advisors to de Martigueux as well as his finest and bravest warriors, tasked with ensuring the peace of the realm. They were named for the almost round table de Martigueux had had built in Collinebourg from the harvested timber of the pagan holy tree Vatereiche.
The initial cadre of Knights of the Oblong Table was formed in 1462 and consisted of only eight members but grew as more were inducted, proving themselves to de Martigueux during the Conquest of Joanusterra. Inductions were stopping following the death of de Martigueux in 1502 and the order was officially disbanded in 1511 following the death of its last member Hubert de Banor. The Knights of the Oblong Table are a cornerstone of Yonderian national romanticism, being at the very core of Yonderre's founding.
Individual Knights
Eberhard the Sentinel
_(14586262728).jpg)
Eberhard of Volbruck (12 April 1435 – 11 May 1509), known more commonly by his monicker Eberhard the Sentinel (Burgoignesc: Eberhard le Sentinelle), was the son of a Gothic Chieftain and one of the leading crusaders of the Order of the Obisidan Sparrow, being a Knight of the Oblong Table and later becoming the first Steward of Kubagne. Eberhard is remembered for his long and eventful life that helped shape Yonderre and remains a leading figure of Yonderian national romanticism.
Having grown up as the eldest son of a Gothic Chieftain, he joined the Knights of the Order of the Obisidan Sparrow around the time of their conquest of Willland and partook in their subsequent Conquest of Joanusterre in which the majority of his exploits took place. Eberhard was known to be handy with a sword and a masterful tactician, leading formations of knights into battle countless times. He became one of Joanus de Martigueux's closest and most trusted advisors and was among the original eight chosen for de Martigueux's famous Oblong Table. Eberhard was instrumental in the quelling of several Gothic uprisings against the crusaders' rule during and in the aftermath of the crusades, often arriving at peaceful solutions. He was also a noted tournament champion, excelling at mêlées and jousting alike.
Eberhard's courtesy and eloquence were known throughout Yonderre and he became a famous and popular figure even in his own lifetime, owing to the countless, often exaggerated tales of his exploits. He is famously said to have, among other things, felled the Giant of Eichenhöhe with the aid of the Green Knight, stormed the fortified town of Nähring to free the captive Mathildis entirely on his own, slayed a dozen wild boars with one hand tied to his back, quested for the Lady of the Lake and defeated Death itself in a game of riddles.