Board Thread:Custom Lore Development/@comment-26535281-20170920003239

Equites are what we would call 'knights' within our own dictionaries. Within the Empire however Equites are both a rank of minor nobility and the 'cavalry' of the Empire in times long past they once rode great war steads, but in the modern era they use great war mechs as their steads (and canvases for their heraldry and what not).

Equites hail from the lower ranks of nobility (historically) and thus where given the more warlike roles, but still being required to keep both the customs and dogma of courtly life this lead to a very 'aristocratic' military force separated by both blood and purpose from the legions. In the modern era they have split into many 'Great Families' on par with the High Nobles of the core world as well as many lesser Equites mixed in.

Equites come in three classes: Ruling, Bonded, Lesser, and Colonial

- Ruling Equites rule over the social hierarchy of a single world to a sector granted to their family for their service or was once their colonial protectorate. They rule with a iron fists and instead of being warriors manage and administrate the other Equites

- Bonded Equites are Equites 'bonded' to a larger lord and in return are granted a fief of their own to administer for the Arch-Eques as Ruling Equites are known. They tend to be the 'officer' class of the Equites who lead the cohorts into battle as 'Lord Eques'

- Lesser Equites are those bound by oath to a Bonded Equites and are really just the lowest of all nobles owning a small villa, township, and a small host of slaves and servants. They are mainly warriors by trade fighting for the glory of their lord or for the Empire.

- Colonial Equites are Equites not bound by any lord and instead are chosen by the State as the protectors of a colony of sort. These Equites start out low in stature, but can be the start of a mighty dynasty of Equites.

In battle Equites either fight in large 'cohorts' of roughly 100 Equites under the command of a Lord-Eques who generally has both a better and larger suit. They either fight to defend their lord's territory (most Equites 'Realms' are on the borders of Imperial space) or are put under the direct control of the state as both the State's tithe and as payment for their autonomy.

As can be expected Equites in battle are heavy fire support or heavy assault troops made to take and deliver a pounding as well as pretty much tear apart anything they come across with all sorts of weapons and equipment

In the more noble realms most Equites are expected to follow a strict code of chivalry, read and write in High Rin, and follow musical and artistic pursuits. They tend to live upon rather opulent villas and manors upon their homeworlds high above the fields and cities of the serfs of their worlds.

The worlds which they call home are highly hierarchical with the Equites nobility living in grand castles, villas, manors, and estates while the natives or slaves live in serfdom serving the every whim of the Equites. A middle class of off world merchants does exist and helps to bind the Equites Realms into the larger Empire as well as help the Equites need for every more slaves. 