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The original [[Knight World]]s were founded during the [[Dark Age of Technology]], settled by [[humanity]] in its first great stellar exodus. In an event dubbed the '''[[Long March]]''', over the course of decades colonization ships reached their pre-chosen worlds. When they arrived, however, they often found lethal fauna and flora alike, and/or devastating meteorological conditions. The founding materials for the colonists were the ships themselves, while they were able to flourish and expand thanks to [[STC]] machines. Among the creations of the STC during this time were the first [[knight]] suits, to defend against predators and hostile [[xenos]].{{Fn|11a}} Known at the time as '''construction-defence platforms''', they were originally used as tools to clear land and construct settlements.{{Fn|36g35g}} The pilots for these suits were carefully chosen, but over extended exposure to their [[Throne Mechanicum]] console their concepts of practical self-defense and communal survival were replaced by ideas of authoritarianism, chivalry, and martial honour. Over the decades a feudal system formed, and those protected by the knights increasingly became vassals to their masters.{{Fn|11a}} The armaments originally used for settlement and construction would instead be dedicated to the prosecution of war.{{Fn|36d35d}}

There are thousands of Knight houses across the [[Galaxy]].{{Fn|10}} The Knight Worlds operate under a strict feudal system,{{Fn|7a}} as well as a [[Code Chivalric]]{{Fn|35c29f}} and are typically sworn to either the [[Adeptus Terra]] or [[Adeptus Mechanicus]]. Each world is led by either a single or number of [[Knight House]]s, whose ranks are made up of '''Nobles''' which pilot Knight suits into battle.{{Fn|7a}} The highest of these and lord of the ruling house is often referred to as a [[High King]]/[[Princeps]]. To become a Knight Pilot, one must undergo the grueling [[Ritual of Becoming]].{{Fn|11b}} Houses can also have [[Chivalric Order]]s, which are insulated groups of Knights who have requirements to join them.{{Fn|35b29e}}

Knight Houses sworn to the [[Adeptus Mechanicus]] are known as '''Questor Mechanicus'''. These were usually discovered directly by the [[Explorator Fleet]]s of the [[Mars|Martian ]] [[Mechanicum]], either during the [[Age of Strife]] or the [[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|29a29b}}

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 urbanised compared to those of the Questor Imperialis.{{Fn|29a29b}}

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 Queen, these Nobles utilize utilise Adeptus Mechanicus terms such as [[Princeps (Knights)|PrincepPrinceps]]s and in turn command lesser vassals, bondsmen, and serfs. These rulers are pledged to a greater [[Forge World]], taking part in their defense defence 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|29a29b}}

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|29a29b}} 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|29a29b}}

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|hivesprawls]] sprawls and slave away in manufactorums for their ruling Noble masters.{{Fn|29a29b}} It isn't uncommon for peasant villages to be displaced or grain tithes to the nobility be unexpectedly raised.{{Fn|36f35f}} Other tithes might consist of giving the dead to a local lord to feed their exotic hunting beasts.{{Fn|36e35e}}

*[[House Terryn]]{{Fn|29c29g}}*[[House Griffith]]{{Fn|29b29e}}*[[House Cadmus]]{{Fn|29c29g}}*[[House Hawkshroud]]{{Fn|29c29g}}

*[[House Taranis]]{{Fn|29d29h}}*[[House Krast]]{{Fn|29b29e}}*[[House Raven]]{{Fn|29d29h}}

Knight armour, or Knight Suits, were originally developed long ago from [[STC]]s to allow for [[Human]] colonists to survive against the dangerous lifeforms of settled worlds during the [[Dark Age of Technology]].{{Fn|11a}} Knight pilots require a specialized interface suit dubbed a [[Carapace Bodyglove]] in order to interface with the [[Throne Mechanicum]] of a Knight, which allows the user to operate the vehicle as an extension of their own body. Such a process is often stressful on the user, requiring Knights to train themselves for the process.{{Fn|29e29c}} Smaller Knights given to Bondsmen, such as [[Armiger Knight|Armiger]]s, use a less advanced [[Helm Mechanicum]] to achieve this same effect.{{Fn|11e}} In order to interface with a Throne or Helm Mechanicum an individual must have an [[augmetic]] port at the base of their skull, a pre-frontal cranial cortex.{{Fn|36a35a}}

All amongst the [[Cult Mechanicus]] know an individual must undergo the Ritual of Becoming to fully integrate with their Knight in order to pilot it to its fullest potential.{{Fn|4}} Although Knight suites can be piloted manually, able to move and use all the suite's armaments, a manually controlled Knight suite stands little chance against another Knight with a pilot joined with their machine.{{Fn|36c35c}}

Controlling a Knight manually does not require interfacing with a Helm or Throne Mechanicum. These manual controls aren't entirely dissimilar to that of a [[Sentinel]] or other mechanical strider. This is typically done for mundane relocations of the suite. This is most often done by Sacristans to relocate the knight over short distances for maintenance duties.{{Fn|36b35b}} The armaments of knight suites were originally meant as a tools for constructing settlements rather than war. An example being an Armiger's chain-cleaver being meant for chopping and digging, rather than a cutting combat blade.{{Fn|36d35d}}

A bullish Imperial Knight suit, which serves as a walking siege engine.{{Fn|35a29d}}

**{{Endn|29b}}: pgs. 14-15**{{Endn|29c}}: pg. 16**{{Endn|29d}}: pg. 21 - ''Glorious Lineage'' **{{Endn|29e}}: pgs. 26-27**{{Endn|29c29f}}: pgspg. 3029 -36''Knightly Houses''**{{Endn|29d29g}}: pgs. 3730-4536**{{Endn|29e29h}}: pgpgs. 1637-45

*35: [[Codex: Imperial Knights (10th Edition)]]**{{Endn|35a}}: pg. 21 - ''Glorious Lineage'' **{{Endn|35b}}: pg. 27 - ''House Krast''**{{Endn|35c}}: pg. 29 - ''Knightly Houses''*36: [[Assassinorum: Kingmaker (Novel)]]:**{{Endn|36a35a}}: Chapter 10**{{Endn|36b35b}}: Chapter 17**{{Endn|36c35c}}: Chapter 33**{{Endn|36d35d}}: Chapter 38**{{Endn|36e35e}}: Chapter 34**{{Endn|36f35f}}: Chapter 32**{{Endn|36g35g}}: Chapter 19*{{Endn|37}}: [[Imperfect Engines (Short Story)]]