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===Questor Imperialis===
[[Image:KnightHouseOrg.jpg|thumb|right|Organization of a Knightly House sworn to the [[Adeptus Terra]] ]]
Knight Houses pledged directly to the [[Adeptus Terra]], the '''Questor Imperialis''', largely were forced to survive on their own during the [[Age of Strife]] and were rediscovered during the [[Great Crusade]]. Today, their societies are known for their feudal nature, emphasis on chivalrous codes of conduct, and prideful nature. They are fiercely independent and often will take part in extended [[Crusade]]s across the stars to defend Humanity. Their [[Knight World]]s are more overtly organized along feudal lines, and often consist of several lesser Houses pledged to a ruling dynasty whose lord is akin to a [[Planetary Governor]].{{Fn|2929a}}
Religiously, all of the Houses of the Questor Imperialis are members of the [[Imperial Cult]] and venerate the God-Emperor. Many Questor Imperialis Knightly courts include [[Ministorum]] clergy and their worlds are often dotted with Imperial cathedrals. The most pious of such Houses will commonly take part in [[War of Faith|Wars of Faith]].{{Fn|2929a}}
The territories of Questor Imperialis Houses are divided into fiefdoms, baronial realms, manor-states, and many other local terms. Their [[Knight World]]s are often home to several Knightly Houses, which all maintain their own territories and are pledged to the ruling greater house. These territories are often isolated to a single world, but may sometimes consist of small interplanetary empires. Most Houses maintain their own support forces, such as [[Knight Household Guard|militas]] and fleets of transport ships. The logistical necessities of transporting, fielding, and maintaining gargantuan Knight suits mean these entourages are often the size of small armies.{{Fn|2929a}}
====The Nobility====
Questor Imperialis Houses are ruled by dynastic noble houses. The ruling nobles of these Great Houses usually style themselves along classic monarchical lines and their rulers maintain titles such as [[High King]], High Queen, or Grand Master. Directly beneath these ruling Nobles are a number of [[Baron]]s, which each rule a fief of territory. While all Barons owe allegiance to their king or queen, all are not equal and some have different ranks. The baronial rank of Kingsward protects his liege on the field and at court.{{Fn|6a}}{{Fn|18}} A pair of crossed swords signify rank of Kingsward.{{Fn|6b}} Others may serve as the King's herald or the gatekeeper of his fortress. Each Baron in turn controls a number of '''Knightly Vassals''', which operate alone or in formations known as lances.{{Fn|7a}}{{Fn|18}} Knightly Vassals are often Bondsmen, which pilot smaller [[Armiger Pattern Knight]]s.{{Fn|2929a}}
Besides these broad titles and ranks, a number of lesser and more exotic Household ranks also exist. These include:{{Fn|17}}
====The Commoners====
[[Image:KnightArt.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Knights operating alongside [[Imperial Guard]] ]]
The bottom tier of society on any Knight World are its serf class, also referred to as commoners. These serve as labourers for their liege lords in exchange for protection. Their most common roles outside of physical labour are artisans, bonded militias, farmers, hunters, and builders.{{Fn|2929a}}
A sub-class also exists called the [[Drover (Knight World)| Drovers]] who looked after the animal herds, as the nobility would not soil their hands with such work. The Drovers used [[Drover Walker]]s, bipedal frames similar to those of their masters, but they were, by law, not armed with any weapons, despite the fact that they faced very serious threats in the form of predators and xenos raids. This forced the Drovers to rely on the Knights for protection, and created a dependency comfortable for the nobles, as it made revolt virtually impossible.{{Fn|3}}
===Questor Mechanicus===
[[Image:KnightHouseOrg2.jpg|thumb|right|Organization of a Knightly House sworn to the [[Mechanicum]] ]]
Knight Houses sworn to the [[Adeptus Mechanicus]] are known as '''Questor Mechanicus'''. These usually were discovered directly by the [[Explorator Fleet]]s of [[Mars|Martian Mechanicum]] either during the [[Age of Strife]] or [[Great Crusade]]. The rulers of these Knight Worlds traded resources and services with these newly arrived [[Tech-Priest]]s, and in times bonds of service and alliances were formed. The Knight Houses greatly valued the technological support and knowledge the Mechanicum offered, while the Tech-Priests exploited Knight Worlds for resources, service, archaeotech, and in some cases even [[STC]]s.{{Fn|2929a}}
Unlike the Questor Imperialis, which worship the [[Imperial Cult]], those of the Questor Mechanicus venerate the [[Cult Mechanicus]] and the [[Omnissiah]]. Its members have the unmistakable influence of the Adeptus Mechanicus on their culture, and their Knight Worlds are often more industrial and urbanized compared to those of the Questor Imperialis.{{Fn|2929a}}
====The Nobility====
The Nobles of the Questor Mechanicus are broadly similar to those of their [[Adeptus Terra]] counterparts. However instead of titles such as High King or Baron, these Nobles utilize Adeptus Mechanicus terms such as [[Princeps (Knights)|Princep]]s and in turn command lesser vassals, bondsmen, and serfs. These rulers are pledged to a greater [[Forge World]], taking part in their defense in exchange for technology and resources, making Questor Mechanicus Houses particularly well-supplied. Besides these roles, their Nobles often take part in [[Explorator Fleet]]s, [[Archaeotech]] crusades, or the protection of Mechanicum trade routes. Their courts will consist of [[Tech-Priest]]s, who ensure the House's [[Sacristan]]s are more powerful and influential than those of the Questor Imperialis.{{Fn|2929a}}
The Houses of the Questor Mechanicus are usually less autonomous than those of the Questor Imperialis and unlike with Houses sworn to the Adeptus Terra, Mechanicum-sworn Houses may be stationed with a [[Titan Legion]] permanently, where they act as vanguards, flanking support, and engagers of lesser foes.{{Fn|7d}}{{Fn|2929a}} However Knightly Princeps are still driven by honour, their Nobles are rarely slaved to the will of their sworn Forge World's Tech-Priests. Sometimes this puts their nobles at odds with Tech-Priests, who demand more of the Knights than their vows of realty require.{{Fn|2929a}}
====The Commoners====
The serfs of Questor Mechanicus Houses will perform similar roles to those of their Adeptus Terra counterparts, acting as labourers, support, and [[Knight Household Guard|militia]]. They often live in vast heavily polluted urban [[hive]] sprawls and slave away in manufactorums for their ruling Noble masters.{{Fn|2929a}}
===Known Knight Houses===
*{{Main|List of Knight Houses}}
[[Image:KnightFight.jpg|thumb|right|450px|An Imperial Knight battles its [[Chaos Knight|Chaos counterpart]]s{{Fn|13}}]]
Notable Knight Houses include:
*'''Questor Imperialis'''
**[[House Terryn]]{{Fn|29c}}
**[[House Griffith]]{{Fn|29b}}
**[[House Cadmus]]{{Fn|29c}}
**[[House Hawkshroud]]{{Fn|29c}}
*'''Questor Mechanicus'''
**[[House Taranis]]{{Fn|29d}}
**[[House Krast]]{{Fn|29b}}
**[[House Raven]]{{Fn|29d}}
===Household Grade===
[[House Taranis]] was considered the strongest of the Knight Houses, with 600 Knights, and held the Grade of "Primus (Maximus)".{{Fn|21a}} [[House Coldshroud]], a Primus Grade household, possessed 389 knights at the outbreak of the Horus Heresy.{{Fn|21b}} [[House Terryn]], a Primus Grade household, was capable of field "almost 300 knights".{{Fn|21c}} [[House Procon Vi]], a Primus Grade household, was considered better categorized as two Secundus Grade houses. While possessing 447 knights, they were often fielded as two separate groups, with one of them containing roughly 215 knights.{{Fn|21d}} [[House Col'Khak]], a Secundus Grade household, boasted a strength of 254 knights, even after the losses at [[Isstvan V]].{{Fn|21e}} [[House Krast]], a Primus Grade household, possessed 400 knights at the outbreak of the Horus Heresy.{{Fn|21f}} [[House Moritain]], a Tertius Grade household, possessed 125 knights two decades before the Horus Heresy.{{Fn|21g}} [[House Zavora]], a Secundus (Maxis) Grade household, was known to be at the higher end of its Grade strength. It possessed 383 operational knights with an additional 100 in storage due to a lack of scions.{{Fn|21h}}
==Knight Armour==
**{{Endn|28a}}: pgs. 10-11 - ''Houses and Heraldry''
**{{Endn|28b}}: pgs. 12-13 - ''Forging the Narrative''
*{{Endn|29}}: [[Codex: Imperial Knights (10th Edition)]], **{{Endn|29a}}: pgs. 12-15**{{Endn|29b}}: pgs. 26-27**{{Endn|29c}}: pgs. 30-36**{{Endn|29d}}: pgs. 37-45
{{Knights}}
