“Good implies altruism, respect for life, and a concern for the dignity of sentient beings… Good is not nice, polite, well mannered, prudish, self-righteous, or naive. Good is the awesome holy energy that radiates from the celestial planes and crushes evil. Good is selfless, just, hopeful, benevolent, and righteous.”
—The Book of Exalted Deeds, 2003
Whether in a video game, the role play table top game, or at a local ceremonial meeting, the Knights Regnum seek to represent good beyond the confines of simple morals and dogma found in religious studies. Service to all mortal kind is noble, but studying, meditating, praying, and collaborating upon the meaning of good and the nature of the universe are the ultimate and greatest duties of each member of this chivalric order.
Chivalry and Mysticism
The Knights Regnum espouse the ideals of honor, virtue, martial prowess, and a keen understanding and feeling of the mystical Path of the Exalted. When we say “chivalry,” we do not mean the brutish nature of combat and warfare of the middle ages that followed feudal principles. We instead mean the highest of ideals of unity, spiritual centeredness, and servitude, such as those in Le Livre de l’Ordre de Chevalerie, by Ramon Llull. For example:
“The squire then ought to kneel before the altar and lift up his bodily and spiritual eyes and his hands to Heaven, and the presiding Knight should gird him with his sword, in the sign of chastity, justice and charity. The Knight ought to kiss the squire and lay his palm on him so that the squire may remember what he has received and promised and the great obligation to which he is bound by the honor of the Order of Chivalry.”
—Chapter 5, Book of the Order of Chivalry, 1274-1276
These precepts and maxims teach us of how to reach for a higher level of understanding through martial prowess and service to our fellow mortals. When we say “mysticism,” we mean the path of spiritual ascension that is essentially necessary to a full and developed existence. It is not the wishy-washy superstition of the 1200’s, nor the existential chaos of modern New Age philosophies. It is a very real, qabbalistic, alchemical, and spiritual path of initiation that is comparative to psychological development and self-actualization.