In the dark of the Knight

New Items added with patch 4.45

Ser Guerrique the Cleaver

“Come on, come on! Double of nothing! What say you!?”

A former Temple Knight who once served directly under Ser Zephirin during his tenure as a commander, Ser Guerrique earned much glory during his time as a heavy infantryman. It is said that the Cleaver earned his title when he felled a wyvern with but a single blow of his axe, with an impact so powerful  that the beast’s head was not severed, but rather obliterated, the pieces flying apart in a thousand different directions.

A young man of twenty-seven summers ever eager to test his strength, Ser Guerrique challenged anyone and everyone to arm wrestling whenever he was deep in his cups. His behavior was not always enjoyed by his peers, though.

His zealous celebration of a hard-fought victory over Ser Grinnaux so enraged the Bull that he struck Ser Guerrique’s face with all his might, leaving the Cleaver in a stupor for days after. On another occasion, an irritated Ser Hermenost channeled sparks of lightning though his fingers as soon as their hands met, allowing him to slam the Cleaver’s paralyzed arm into the table with ease.

Ser Paulecrain Coldfire

“Will honor save one from the knife in the dark? Virtue from the poisoned wine? I think not.”

Ser Paulecrain was a twenty-eight year old man of humble origins. He rose from poverty by his skill with the lance alone. Although he was taken into the service of House Fortemps for his talented spearwork, he was immediately dismissed after an incident in which he was found to have assaulted a lady of the House. Some time later, he crossed paths with Ser Grinnaux at the Forgotten Knight. The two traded barbs over drinks, until their heated conversation escalated into a fierce brawl. But from that violence, an unusual kinship between Ser Grinnaux and the lowborn lancer was born. The dishonored Paulcrain was soon taken in by House Dzemael, who found him to be an invaluable addition for his willingness to carry out certain questionable tasks others would not. For his loyalty, he was granted a knighthood.

He remains close friends with his previous employer, Ser Grinnaux.

Ser Ignasse of the Dragon’s Tail

“Every man has their purpose, their calling. They destiny. Who are we to deny it?”

Ser Ignasse was a former dragoon with a distinguished carrier. He slew countless of the Dravanian Horde with his peerless technique, for which he earned the title “Ser Ignasse of the Dragon’s Tail.”

A man of thirty summers. His battlefield experience and unwavering loyalty to the Holy See earned him a place among the archbishop’s personal guard. Having long admired Ser Vellguine, he believed him the best choice to become the next Archimandrite of the Heavens’ Ward and tried desperately to persuade him to reconsider his decision to refuse the honor.

Ser Ignasse was a devoted student of the scripture who knew the exploits of Saint Valeroyant by heart, and it is said that he wept tears of anger upon learning that the saint’s statue in the Brume had been destroyed. In the wake of the Dravanian assault, he established a fund to pay for the statue’s repair, pledging a large portion of his personal fortune and petitioning the High Houses to match his contrubution.

Ser Janlenoux of the Steel Oath

“We are what we chose to be. Naught less, naught more.”

Knighthood cannot be passed from father to son. Thus Ser Janlenoux, despite being the eldest son of a knight at twenty and four, earned his spurs like many others: though hard work and dedication. He and Ser Adelphel were brothers in arms, having shared the battlefield time and time again as sons of families pledged to House Durendaire.

Though he did not wield his weapon with the same flair as Ser Adelphel, Ser Janlenoux of the Steel Oath was just as deadly with his blade. However, he was also quite skilled with a chef’s knife, as he was a devoted student of the culinary arts, often preparing sumptuous meals for his comrades at home and at camp. When not on duty, he could often be found in a small corner of the Vault’s kitchens where he practiced his second craft. His friends all agreed that if he hat not elected to become a knight, he could have easily made a name for himself as a culinarian.

Ser Grinnaux the Bull

“Clever men die just as quick as the rest.”

A member of House Dzemael and also one of the nephews of the count, Ser Grinnaux the Bull was a peerless warrior. While his combat skills were exceptional, his disagreeable personality has let to more than a few altercations with others. By his twenty-ninth nameday, the Bull had earned a notorious reputation for his brawls at the local taverns and his willingness to strike knights who questioned his judgment on campaign.

Unfortunately for some, Ser Grinnauxs peerless strength meant that his reckless behavior sometimes resulted in the occasional fatality, which the Count de Dzemael would be quick to conceal with coin.  It was through a drunken quarrel that he became close friends with Ser Paulecrain.

In accordance with the archbishop’s desire to recruit knights solely for their combat prowess, Ser Grinnaux was welcomed into the Heavens’ Ward. After all, should he grow insubordinate, the archbishop need only “bless” him to guarantee his loyalty once and for all.

Note: Grinnaux seems to be the cousin of Archombadin de Dzemael, son of the current Count. We meet him in in the 3.15 Scholasticate side story quest in Ishgard. During the crafter quests in the Churning Mists we meet the former count of House Dzemael, Tarresson de Dzemael, who may be his grandfather. Another family member is Jandelaine, the  cosmetician and his elder brother. Tedalgrinche of the 50-60 machinist questline is a baron from House Dzemael.

Ser Zephirin the Just

“History will vindicate us.”

Ser Zephirin is the Very Reverend Archimandrite of the Heavens’ Ward and a former commander of the Temple Knights. Desiring to follow in his father’s footsteps, he entered the Temple Knights’ grant tourney at the age of fifteen, and his subsequent victory was met with thounderous applause.

To compensate for his diminutive stature (back then when he was younger, he now is an adult Elezen with average size), he chose to wield a massive greatsword - the traditional weapon of dark knights. Naturally, there is a certain stigma associated with these weapons; Ser Zephirin however, is not one to be swayed by such concerns.

At one time, Ser Zephirin was the favored candidate for the position of Lord Commander of the Temple Knights, but in an unexpected turn of events, the title was bequeathed to Ser Aymeric instead. Deeming a man of his integrity and skill a worthy addition to the Heavens’ Ward, Ser Vellguine extended an invitation to Ser Zephirin the Just, who accepted.

HERE IT IS, THE GIGANTIC ISHGARD LORE COMPILATION… preview.

The full lore compilation is still going to be a while yet (hopefully before Encyclopedia Eorzea volume 2… hopefully…) but here you can get a taste of the fruits of my efforts to meticulously document and source every bit of Ishgard lore I can find. This timeline covers the Sixth Astral Era, Seventh Umbral Era, and all patches of A Realm Reborn, Heavensward, and Stormblood up to 4.4, so THERE ARE MAJOR SPOILERS, for MSQ and job and sidequests!