History of the Kinshra Knights

The Kinshra, colloquially known as "Black Knights", are a group of knights based in the Asgarnia region of Gielinor. They can be seen as antagonists, anti-heroes, anti-villains, misunderstood, or a combination of all of the above, and are a group that have contributed significantly to the history of Falador and Asgarnia as a whole. Known to be a Zamorakian order, they stand in stark contrast to the "White" knights of Falador, and are bitter rivals.

On World 42, they have been an incredibly long-lasting RolePlay Clan; and have contributed significantly to In-Character happenings and events over the last several years.

The history listed here is that of the clan founded by Gantheon as his character Xandres Zarco; as such, some of the information should be taken with a grain of salt, as changes to the official RuneScape Canon have later invalidated parts of the history as it happened. It is retold here in its edited form, and should therefore be understood to be still under scrutiny.

Pre-Roleplay History

Pre-Asgarnia and the Fourth Age

The Kinshra have evidently existed since the late Fourth Age, although details regarding their pre-Asgarnian history and structure remain vague. The exact date of their founding remains unknown, although given the intensity of their rivalry with the White Knights by the beginning of the Fifth Age, they had presumably existed long enough to be well-established. The Kinshra order was created by wealthy merchants, bankers, and businessmen that had earned fortunes and gained political power in those human nations that existed at the time. Given that both Asgarnia and Kandarin did not officially exist during the late Fourth Age, the majority of the founders probably came from Misthalin. The Kinshra were likely created to protect the interests of these wealthy elite, although whether they were originally created as an all-Zamorakian order is unknown. It is assumed that many Kinshra turned to Zamorak after the Saradominist Establishment of the White Knights forced them out of Falador. By the Fifth Age, the Kinshra had developed a strong rivalry with the Saradominist White Knights, an offshoot of the Temple Knight order. The Temple Knights, an ancient order that had existed since the Third Age, gave considerable support to White Knights. This put the Kinshra at a distinct disadvantage.

The Founding of Asgarnia

In the early Fifth Age, a tribal leader known as Raddallin entered what is now Asgarnia with a large number of civilian followers. Although the region already possessed several small settlements, most, with the exception of Port Lina, were relatively small and reclusive. Raddallin evidently hoped to expand humanity's control over the area. However, to do this, he needed a military. Raddallin found support in the White Knight and Kinshra orders. Despite the groups' extremely differing views and intense rivalry, they both came to the understanding that they could benefit by supporting Raddallin's movement. The two agreed to support him, although they attempted to avoid involvement with each other whenever possible. Under the Kinshra and White Knights' military power, many of the region's native races were forced to migrate. Goblins, giants, hobgoblins, and dwarves were amongst those moved out of the area, some diplomatically and others through open combat. Despite their successes, however, the orders' rivalry only grew. By the Year 8, Asgarnia had been officially established as a nation. Falador, a small community near the region's modern centre, was made the nation's capital and the home of both the Kinshra and White Knights. The White Knights' Castle was built over the course of several years, and the city's borders were fortified with stone walls. Under the protection and political ability of the Kinshra and White Knights, the city rapidly grew, and by the mid-Fifth Age had become as politically important as Kandarin, Misthalin, and Crandor. The Kinshra, as a result, became extremely wealthy and influential in both Asgarnia and internationally.

Struggle for Supremacy

Kishra second entrance — Kinshra, oorah.

As Asgarnia grew, so did the Kinshra and their influence. The Kinshra, from the founding of Asgarnia, were extremely powerful within its government, and their interests were reflected in many of the nation's actions. However, as King Vallance, the son of King Raddallin, became old and fell ill during his rule, the White Knights used the situation to their advantage in order to gain political supremacy in Asgarnia. At some point, King Vallance became unable to rule in public, and the White Knights came to govern in his place.

The Kinshra's political power was taken from them soon after, and they were declared to no longer have power and authority in the kingdom. This situation forced the Kinshra out of Falador and into an open war against Falador and the White Knights, of which one of the greatest conflicts was the Siege of Falador in the War of 164. The Kinshra now are plotting in their fortress on Ice Mountain, and they have made an attempt to conquer Falador using an Invincibility potion (though this is thwarted in the quest Black Knight's Fortress) and smuggled pests from the Void (which led to an investigation by the Temple Knights and the Void Knights). There is little else known about their operations, however, the number of Black Knights seems to vastly outnumber the White Knights, and their range of influence stretches further as well.

Leadership Through the Ages

This record of leaders is told in Chronological order, in terms of Supremacy; as such, Baron Erus' second and third terms are not listed, and Baroness Keltsun, although she ruled alongside Xandres, is only listed in her solo tenure.

Baron Xandres

Xandres Zarco is the first leader of his Order of Kinshra Knights; they are, technically, a splinter cell formed by Xandres as he had grown tired of the inaction of Daquarius
Xandres is known for being a man of action, as well as being smart and cautious.
Xandres is known for having a Baroness, Keltsun, and is the only Kinshra leader to have been married during his tenure.
Formerly a warrior of Daquarius, Xandres was named as the Baron of Ice Mountain; four other Kinshra leaders after him would hold this title

Baron Atrum

Atrum is known as a calm, wise Baron.
Atrum has the most experience leading the Kinshra out of any other Baron.
Retook the leadership on more than once occasion.
It was a little-known secret that Atrum was a shade.

Baron Wickslay

Baelon Wickslay was known for his short fuse, and title; the Lion of the Kinshra.
Baelon was the first 'Lord Hand' to the Baron (then Atrum), in the Kinshra's history. This position lead to his time as Baron.
Throughout his own time as Baron, Baelon maintained that he was only such until Atrum returned, citing that he should only be known by his title.

Lord Del'Vair

Del'Vair was known for his restart of the Kinshra.
Styled himself "Lord Exile" of the Kinshra and Burthorpe.
Del'Vair had the shortest run of any Baron.
Del'Vair was the Lord of the Kinshra faction "The Black Regiment".
He was the first Kinshra leader in recent history to not take "Baron" as his title, instead he reverted to the traditional "Lord of the Kinshra".

Baroness Keltsun

The wife of Baron Xandres, Kelstun ruled jointly with him during his reign
Known for her bold proclamations, including that she was the daughter of Lord Sulla, Keltsun often made decisions rashly, something that would marr her reputation
Keltsun took power from Del'Vair at the support of Wickslay
Her short and damaging reign concluded the Civil War that had ravaged the Kinshra, and led into Atrum Erus' second term

Grandmaster Simmons

Carter became the first leader since the Dark Age to rule over a totally unified Kinshra.
Following Del'vair, he took Grandmaster as his title, coming in line with other Knightly Orders.
Carter is considered to be calmer than his predecessors, but with a fiery edge if challenged.
He is noted for having returned from an apparent demise at the hands of Alson Farady.

Baron Tyranus

Only the second leader ever to be elected by a united Council of Lords.
Tyranus Zane was the oldest leader ever, at almost 65 years of age.
His reign marked what would be the end of the New Order, and he is considered by some to be its last leader

Dread Lord Deracot

A sociopath with a thirst for blood, Deracot's brutal reigns were as temperamental as he.
His death was reported and confirmed on more than one occasion, leading to speculation as to whether or not it was indeed the same Deracot who rose up each time, or merely a pretender.
Serving as the Viceroy of Remus Blackwell and his Dark Council, Deracot enjoyed privileges often outside his rank before and even after ascending to the Lordship.
Deracot's determination to preserve the Kinshra would eventually lead to its downfall .

Lady Vallen and Lord Donovan

Captain's under Deracot,, Kael Donovan and Alena Vallen were among the few chosen to survive the collapse of the New Order.
Taking control of the shattered husk of the Kinshra following Deracot's disappearance, Vallen and Donovan can be considered the true last leaders of Xandres Zarco's Grand Order of the Knights' Kinshra

Lord Samael Armons

Descendant of Samantha Armons, one of the original founders of the Kinshra, Samael had some of the least experience of any Kinshra Commander, prior to becoming leader.
Taking over from the chaos left behind, Samael decreed that instead of recruiting more men, they should focus on improving the quality. The Kinshra as a result became one of the most well equipped military forces in Gielinor.
Samael became known as one of the founders of the Zamorakian council, and one of the commanders in the battle against Tuska.
Samael managed to rise to power a 2nd time during his stay in the Kinshra.

Octavion the Redeemer

Rose to power as a result of his skill during the battle against Ardougne.

Lord Cyrus Zarco

Baron Jacolyn Corbin

Voted in by the Lords, Corbin was considered a safe bet, and a stable leader who could lead the Kinshra through the difficult time following Zarco's death.
During his time as leader he secured a peace treaty with Asgarnia, maintaining Zamorakian independence and equality in the country.
Corbin was knocked unconscious and then killed by Samael, who blamed it on a fake faction 'The Pact of Dragons'

In-Character History

A Call to Arms

For years, the Kinshra had sat idly under the cautious rule of Lord Daquarius. Some were content with this; others demanded action. A young nobleman and commander in the Kinshra, Xandres Zarco was one of this latter group. He had long become discontent with Daquarius' course of action, and had secretly formed a group of other high ranking officers that agreed with him. As the Baron of Ice Mountain, Xandres was uniquely placed to claim legal ownership of the Northernmost Kinshra Dominion, and when the time came and his party strong enough, he did just that. Xandres and his followers broke away from Daquarius, declaring themselves independent of his rule, and electing Xandres to the position of Lordship enjoyed by Daquarius. Many Kinshra, seeing this show of force, would flock to Xandres' side, while other rebel Barons of the North and commanders in Daquarius force would form their own groups in the same style as Xandres. A new era had begun.

The Time of Baron Xandres and Baroness Keltsun

With his army won and his position secured, Xandres fulfilled his promise of action. Marching forth from Ice Mountain, the Kinshra won lightning victories against the aging Asgarnian military and other lesser lords who had taken power for themselves. Securing the Northern territories first, Xandres moved on to claim Taverley and the Kinshra strongholds therin, then marched South to Rimmington. Now seen as a legitimate power player, Xandres used his influence to sway many of the smaller Renegade Kinshra factions to his side, along with other Lords and would-be Kings across Asgarnia and Misthalin. It was at this time that he took a wife, Keltsun, and a pupil, Atrum Erus. Xandres moved his command from the front lines to well within his dominion, focusing on fortifying his new Empire and giving command of the soldiers to his lieutenant, Baelon Wickslay. The Domination of Kinshra was unstoppable.

Keltsun, a native Kandar, sought to claim her homeland, and so Xandres obliged with a massive invasion force that swept across Northern Kandarin and into Ardougne with lightning speed. An alliance with Eden Syvian of Yanille allowed Xandres to fight without the danger of additional Kandar interference. However, this strain on their forces still proved to much, with rebellions in Misthalin and Asgarnia weighing on the already difficult task of containing the strong-willed Kandars. Xandres decided to withdraw his main army, instead leaving small detachments to control strategic Baronies throughout the region, Baronies that would last well into the reign of Grandmaster Simmons years later.

With his Empire secured and his order's position as the dominant force established, Xandres withdrew from the Lordship, giving the title to his student Atrum Erus, and retiring to Misthalin, where he lived out the remainder of his life in relative peace and quiet. The old Baron was proclaimed a hero and a legend to the Kinshra, and this title would last on for many years, outliving the old soldier and carrying his name on into history.

The First Era of Baron Erus

Upon the vacation of Xandres, many of his commanders would attempt to gain the power he had held. These attempts were met with a will so potent and threatening that it would inspire an entire generation of Kinshra to come: Atrum Erus had taken the reigns. It was about this time that the Kinshra claimed the ruined city-state of Burthrope, and began to consolidate power. The previous lord Baelon Wickslay had left along with Keltsun and Xandres, leaving an up and coming Kinshra star, Octavian Vire, to take his place beside his counterpart, Seri Mo'da. The two ruled under the Baron with an iron fist, and it was during this time that such warriors as Alson Farady, Carter Simmons and Ryan Arkon were brought into the order. Kinshra provinces extended across the city-state of Burthrope-Taverley, across the north of Asgarnia and into the areas of Rimmington and Southern Misthalin. Territory's and provinces stretched far and wide, and the Kinshra reigned as the only true nation of Gielinor for some time. The Misthalin provinces were later turned over to monarch Joseph Adalhard, an action which would later be regretted.

This is often regarded as the Kinshra's 'Golden Age,' but as all great nations, it was not to last. In that time, many mercenary groups had formed within the ruins of Asgarnia, and it were these that challenged the Kinshra. After a severe amount of attacks which weakened the Kinshra to the breaking point, a new power in the region from the city-state of Falador marched into the Kinshra capitol of Burthrope and forced them out. Falador had been claimed by the Kinshra for a short period of time during the empire, and the lord who had risen after the Kinshra occipation held a terrible grudge against the knights. Beaten, and in need of support, the Kinshra retreated to Taverley, their only remaining province. It was here that King Ehrick Commodus Elderon of Varrock offered to ally with the wounded warriors, who graciously accepted. The Kinshra of that time took a back-seat, assisting Ehrick in protecting his city from rebel invaders, and in this time it was that the Supreme Elite Knight Carter Simmons rose to power, alongside the Lords Alson Farady and Ryan Arkon. With these superior commanders, the Kinshra marched in force back to Burthrope, claiming the region along with their lost territory before setting sights on the grand prize: Falador.

Lord Octavian Vire at this time left for parts unknown, allowing Lord Mo'da to take his place as the reigning lordly power. However, with no support from Simmons, who was well respected within the Kinshra, Mo'da had to accomplish his feats alone.

Luckily, Falador of that time was weak and broken, and Seri marched into its citadel without opposition, claiming the city for nearly two weeks. Whatever was done there, the Kinshra were soon expunged, and retreated back to Burthorpe. Not long after, Baelon Wickslay returned to the Kinshra's ranks, proclaiming himself the Lord Hand and above all others besides the Baron. This caused much strife within the ranks, and the eventual disappearence into the massive network of tunnels under Taverley of Baron Erus and the downfall of the Kinshra Empire, which had stood as the last centralized power since the downfall of Russia's Empire.

The Kinshra Civil War

With the Baron disappeared, the strained peace between the lords finally snapped. Mo'da and Wickslay established themselves on one side as the Kinshra began to break apart, while Farady and Simmons established themselves on the other. Arkon left with Atrum, but as tensions mounted alliances splintered, and soon Simmons, who still maintained a large following, publically insulted a pupil of Farady, Kaeso Del'Vair. Angered, Farady demoted Simmons to the rank of squire, and left him in the care of Simmons' lieutenant Adalaine Arkon, cousin to Ryan. For causes unkown, Simmons appeared to go mad in this time, and lead an open protest against the other lords. For his crimes, Simmons was killed by Farady. Unfortunately for Farady, Simmon's death created a martyr, which lead to the downfall of the Old Kinshra. The war dragged on for months, until eventually there was a coupe against the reigning powers, and the new-formed Council of Lords elected, after much debate, debacle and debauchery (as many Knights would refer to it as), Kaeso Del'Vair, the Exile Lord of Burthorpe, a recent attainee of Lordship within the Order, their new temporary Baron. After his triumph, he styled himself 'The Exile Lord' of the Kinshra. However, his reign was not to be a long one. Accompanied by her husband, Baroness Keltsun soon reappeared, bouncing onto the scene with ambition on her mind. With the aid of the Lord Seri Mo'da and Baelon Wickslay, Mo'da angered at his non-election, Del'Vair and his supporters, along with his mentor, Lord Alson Farady the Eunuch, were denounced and all but thrown out, after being offered the ability to retain their status as were before the Del'Vair's rise. There was a split in the order - Kaeso and his supporters leaving, and vowing to reclaim their lost possession. Seri and Baelon, beneath Keltsun, attempted to reestablish the Kinshra as a dominant Military force. This, however, was a lot less successful than Seri's takeover of Falador - They could not simply walk their way to prestige, and so it failed. The Kinshra descended into chaos, and eventually the order entered their first "Dark Age."

The Return of Baron Erus, and the Lords Farady and Del'Vair

The Keltsun-Wickslay-Mo'da administration, despite their efforts, failed miserably, and the Kinshra's power had dissipated immensely. However, hope was on the horizon, when the Lords Del'Vair, Farady and Arkon returned alongside the newly styled Baron of the Kinshra, Atrum Erus I, to establish his second Era. Quickly, the Kinshra realised their mistake, and abandoned Keltsun, who was forever absent. Seri, not being pleased, left several months into the second Erus administration. Mo'da is believed to have perished at some point, as no trace of him has been found. The new Kinshra also saw the return of Octavian Vire, along with Adalaine Arkon who was promoted to Lordship.

The Kinshra prospered for a time, claiming the barest hint of their former territories and establishing themselves once again. Yet, as a full return seemed on the horizon, a bitter war began between the Kinshra and the reborn Sicarius Coven, the likes of which the Kinshra had not faced in years, nor were they prepared. The war lasted for a great length of time, and it created a rift in the Kinshra, as the inaction of the Lords and the deaths of hundreds of knights resulted in the collapse of the infrastructure. The Baron, once again vanishing, would rarely be seen from this point onwards, becoming as elusive as Drakan himself. Vire and Farady, fed up with the aftermath, left the Kinshra with a small force and set up a Kinshra branch in Kandarin, though at Vire's urgings they remained loyal to Baron Erus. The Kinshra passed into their greatest 'Dark Age' at the end of the war, vanishing utterly from the map. Eventually, the distant Westward Kinshra Diarchy crumbled, leaving the Kinshra a greater ruin than ever. After some time, Baron Erus and Lord Arkon returned to the open circle, Wickslay holed up in his wing of the fortress, not to be heard from for a suspiciously long time. In Misthalin, the Worshipper Wars had reduced the country to a smoking ruin, and although weak, the Kinshra lended what support they had to the Worshipper cause, for no other reason than to retrieve the disgraced King Ehrick, at the decision of the Del'Vair.

Not long after their return, a splinter cell appeared in the Kinshra, aided indirectly by Lord Farady, though he quickly conceded his forces to Atrum at the urgings of Kaeso Del'vair. Shortly after this, at the whim of Atrum Erus, Lord Del'Vair split the role of the Lord Hand. He passed the title on to the Lord Arkon, and he himself became the Kinshra's First, and last, Lord Commander of the Armed Forces. Erus sooned returned, and it was also in this time that the War-Lord Deracot, a loyalist and previous honor guard to Baron Erus, became a commander within the ranks. The Kinshra had begun again.

The Kinshra and the Varisian Dynasty

Under Erus-Arkon-Del'Vair, the Kinshra grew enough military strength to pose a threat to the Varisian Administration of Asgarnia, which resulted in the signing of the Asgarnian Accord, to avoid a war. This granted the Kinshra massive amounts of power within Asgarnia, although a short month into the treaty Varis vacated the throne, allowing Kandarin to take brief control of Asgarnia and bring about the election of a new ruler. Del'Vair, who had personal alliances with Crown Prince and the Grandmaster of the White Knights, was deemed a traitor and hunted down by Deracot. Though this hunt was unsuccessful, and almost ended up in Deracot's death at the hands of Del'Vair, the Lord Kaeso, as the evidence suggested at the time, committed suicide, disappearing completely, and Deracot proceeded to erase all traces of Del'Vair before being appointed the reigning military commander. The Asgarnian Accord was rendered void, and the Kinshra forced to once more retreat into hiding. Lord Adalaine Arkon, in a fit of madness, burned their fortress, forcing the Kinshra into the network of tunnels under Taverley and without the ability to aid their so-called 'Rebels' holding Port Sarim. In a week, the Kinshra had relapsed into their broken state.

The Kinshra and the Adalhard Administration

Shortly after the coronation of King Joseph Adalhard , the Kinshra were called upon to return to Asgarnia. Initially refusing, they were all but forced to cooperate under a new treaty with King Joseph and his Department of Domestics, headed by his cousin, Arthos Adalhard. After some early squabbling and infighting, the Kinshra settled into their new position. Some remained sour, but as a whole the Kinshra were largely content. That isn't to say they were happy, but the Kinshra were satisfied with how things had shaped. Lord Farady made a brief return in this time, taking the Kinshra's seat on the Asgarnian council. However, after a dispute with Lord Ryan Arkon, in which Farady accused him of treachery and treason, later found baseless in the Asgarnian Courts by the Red Justiciar and a panel of Jurors, he was branded a traitor to the Kinshra, and fled.

The peace in Asgarnia was not to last, however, as many Kinshra became bored with their new station within society. Several regiments, assisted by men of Asgarnia, helped to spark rebellion in the increasing population of neglected citizens. Adalhard was growing increasingly paranoid, and his running of the country had all but vanished. Within a short few weeks, a full-scale war had broken out in Southern Asgarnia, with the Kinshra/Asgarnian "Loyalists" leading the charge. The Kinshra were put to blame at first, but after some initial fighting revealed that it wasn't all them, they retreated into their fortresses and bases scattered across Asgarnia. While openly pledging support, the slow decline in open leadership from Baron Erus allowed his lieutenant, Deracot, to assume military control. Lord Hand Arkon remained as the Baron's chief advisor and his second, however the time away from the order and the large support he provided Adalhard slowly distanced him from the reclusive Kinshra. Arkon's own men provided support in the war, which swiftly took a turn for the worst, laying waste to all of Southern Asgarnia. As Asgarnian numbers dwindled, Commander Deracot finally sent in a regiment of Kinshra soldiers to assist in the fight. Sadly, the war continued on its downward slope, and the Kinshra soon retreated to the safety of their bases. Eventually the war ended, and the Kinshra, sick of the madness, declared their independence from Asgarnia, claiming the Northern part of the country as their own.

(Holy Asgarnian Empire - See: 6. Kinshra Involvement.)

Black and Red

Their new territory secure, the newly annointed Lord Deracot declared the state the Crimson Kinshra, an army adorned with the "Blood Flag" of pure red. Not long after, a shock came to the Kinshra in the form of Kaeso Del'Vair, apparently alive after his presumed death. He and his own Kinshra, what was left of the Black Regiment, came demanding an alliance to take down the Adalhard. After some initial debate and bickering and what looked to be a perminant division in the Kinshra, a second, even greater shock came to their ranks: Carter Simmons, also back from the dead. He declared the Kinshra one state of black and red, and united the two forces under a council and common banner. Niether Kaeso nor Deracot challenged his ruling, and it was there that an alliance to bring down the Asgarnian Empire began. The alliance's first target was Princess Julia, daughter of Emperor Adalhard, who was kidnapped by Deracot for the purposes of ransoming her off to the Emperor in exchange for his throne. Things got messy, however, when Kesare became involved, taking the Princess herself, leaving Deracot to fend off an attack within the Kinshra tunnels by Asgarnian and Kandar forces. During the fray, it was discovered that Deracot's leftenant, Ava Von Adler, had been taken prisoner. Furious, Deracot attempted but failed several times to get her back, until at last a chance came. The Adalhard was reported dead, and Ava was returned to him on condition that the Princess be allowed to come back to her family. Little did the Kinshra know that in fact, the Emperor was alive the whole time, and they had been cruely tricked. Deracot himself was shamed, and the war between the Kinshra and Asgarnia would only drag on with no clear end in sight, niether side making any real progress. Shortly after, Emperor Joseph Adalhard abdicated, seemingly voluntarily. In his stead Raine Adalhard ascended. In this time, the Princess, Julia, vanished, presumably in Sicarius hands. It was also discovered that Deracot’s Lieutenant, Ava, was pregnant with the child of Felix Adalhard, he who shamed Deracot and faked the death of the Emperor. To worsen the matter further, Ava presented plans in which she would usurp the throne (in the name of the Kinshra, and de facto beneath Deracot), but this only resulted in herself being deemed a traitor by Deracot, and the decree that her child would be killed upon its birth. Due to all of this, and more, Raine was soon thrown down and replaced with the Grand Marshal of the White Knights, Richard Grosvenor. His immediate response to the turmoil within the Kingdom was to strip every last Noble of their titles and lands, and rights to be there. He demanded renewed fealty from all of those who wished to retain their holdings. With this announcement, the Lord Deracot and the Lord Del'Vair saw an opening for the Kinshra. They went to King Richard I, with a squadron of Knights, in attempt to plea for the rights of the Kinshra, to ascend their position in Asgarnia and be the first of the Knightly Orders to recognise the new King and take advantage of the scenario. Their backup plan was to kill this new King, who went back with the Kinshra to the Varisian Dynasty, and the signing of the Asgarnian Accord. This situation, however, soon got out of hand, Richard not trusting the Kinshra and playing Kaeso and Deracot against each other. Kaeso Del'Vair was slain in One on One combat by Lord Deracot, the rapier not being his weapon of choice, and Deracot outmatching him. Deracot then knelt to receive his Knighthood, and then King Richard I pulled a terrible stroke. Deracot's head slipped from his body moments later, and the two Kinshra Lords lay on the ground, unquestionably dead. News would reach the Kinshra shortly after, from the Knights who travelled to Falador with the two Lords, and fled before they fell victim to Richard's underhand tactics. Lord Kesare Namine, promoted to Kaeso's position within the Black Regiment, soon left the Kinshra dungeons, in search of Kaeso's son, Ormond Del'Vair. Of course, as so often happens within the Kinshra, someone always benefits.

The Reign of Grandmaster Carter Simmons

A warrior by trade, a Lord by profession, Carter Simmons had been on the fast-track for Lordship until his demise at the hands of Lord Alson Farady. Of course, death never seems to stop a Kinshra. Since his return, Carter had begun to reamass his following, taking power from those who were subservient to Baron Erus, the most feared, but also most absent, leader of the Kinshra, who had long ago vanished into the deepest levels of their secret base. Even Lord Deracot was afraid of Carter, and once he and his compatriot Del'Vair were dead, it was a simple matter to manipulate Lady Kesare into becoming totally under his power. With the only other lord, Ryan Arkon, an old friend of Carter's but a mere drunkard, he had in a spectacularly short amount of time taken total de facto control of the Kinshra. He thus named himself Grandmaster of the Order, becoming their supreme commander without any assassination, coupe's, or excessive need of underhanded tactics. And of course, Carter was here to stay.

File:Kinshra Fortress.jpg

The Kinshra fortress as rebuilt by Carter

His official reign as Grandmaster began with massive recruitment amongst the various citizens of Asgarnia and Misthalin, the total Kinshra count rising higher than it had since the Golden Age. Espionage across the various kingdoms brought money and information, and soon Carter had a surplus of soldiers and supplies at his disposal. Rekindiling the alliance with Misthlain was the next logical step, and after showing his support of the Kinshra's old friend during an invasion, he was granted Misthalinite soldiers, as well as Al Kharid's promise to not get involved. But just when it looked like he would strike, it all vanished without a trace.

Not a single Kinshra was seen or heard from, and unlike when their numbers were low and there were many obvious signs of destruction, nothing seemed out of the ordinary this time. The Kinshra had simply vanished.

When Queen Hayley Spears took power as Monarch of Asgarnia, it was revealed that the Kinshra had formed an alliance with Misthalin to destroy the kingdom, and were at that very momment poised to strike with an army of a size not seen since the Golden Age. However, Hayley and the Temple Knights also had an alliance with the Kinshra, and it was by the grace of the gods that a messenger managed to inform the Kinshra advance that their ally had taken the throne, bringing their initial plan of the demise of New Asgarnia to a brilliant close. Carter himself congradulated his war-time ally in person, making his first official appearence since his return. As promised, the Kinshra were left alone in their Nothern kingdom, also gaining an area of land on the Western shore upon which the Grandmaster founded the town of New Kinsport, essentially a retirement community for those soldiers who wished to settle down.

Zamorakian Triumph

It wasn't long after the completion of the fortress city of New Kinsport that Queen Hayley abdicated, naming the figurehead (If not necessarily real) Sir Amik Varze her successor. This sparked a civil war within Asgarnia, with the various rulers each trying to grab power from one another. Many were killed, and the Kinshra retreated into their safe territories to watch the carnage, bemused. Eventually, the battle lines were drawn, peace was declared, and the Kinshra stepped back out into the light to prepare war against their new adversary.

Except, as it happened, their adversary was an (apparent) advocat of the Kinshra. A 'Zamorakian' King of Asgarnia, ruler of the South and Burthorpe, friend of the Sicarius and Worshippers alike, Straton Ryder declared the Kinshra a reconciled Asgarnian force and friends of his nation. The White Knights were all but banished from the country, and for several months afterwards the Kinshra reigned supreme. They were not, however, as safe as they had thought.

The Fall of New Asgarnia (Again)

Straton had made many poor decisions during his reign, one of them being the allowance of the Worshippers of the Dragonkin into his kingdom (it was not known at the time that Straton was actually one of their kind). Worse still, his alliance with the Sicarius (who had control over Burthorpe) went south when the Ryder Clan (Whom Straton had betrayed) brought the fist of Kandarin down upon his Northern Allies. Rebellions within his own kingdom and multiple attempted assassinations prompted many of his supporters to abandon Straton, leaving the Worshippers to murder their puppet King and take over Southern Asgarnia themselves.

As for the Kinshra, they quietly slunk away from the 'Zamorakian' King when they noticed the degeneration of the situation. Taking hold of what remained of this collapsing 'New Asgarnia' (That being everything East of the Wall and North of Worshipper Territory excluding independent Falador) Grandmaster Simmons acted quickly, restructuring the fragmented kingdom into the Imperial Remnant, and sealing up the borders of his tiny nation. Burthrorpe became Monvallis, Southern Asgarnia became a land of death, and the Kinshra once more disappeared under the surface, retreating to their fortresses and concerning themselves with their own people.

The Republic of Asgarnia

The Worshipper Occupation lasted for longer than many would admit, with the Kinshra doing their best to smuggle people from the South into the Imperial Remnant of the North. In that time, Grandmaster Carter Simmons retreated into the background, allowing his viceroy Lord Ombra to slowly assume command. Eventually, Simmons would disappear completely, allowing Ombra to assume defacto rule of the Kinshra. With the order under his thumb, Ombra sat back and waited. Soon, the Occupation ended, and from it a shaky nation arose known as Sarimia, ruled by the rich and inhabited by the poor and the oppressed. The Kinshra, known for what they had done during the occupation, used that sympathy to gain the support of the Governor of Sarim. Once their troops had filtered into the city, the Kinshra struck, opening the gates of New Kinsport to reveal the new Imperial Navy, which swept forth and, with the Imperial Army, took all but the small region of Rimmington in the South, which became occupied by terrorists. Negotiations then went underway to unite Asgarnia under the banner of a Republic, which in its early stages encompased the former Imperial Remnant and the South. Alas, unification proved impossible when it was proven that the various factions could not come to an agreement. The Kinshra would eventually retreat to the North once again, and the Republic would fall, eventually becoming the Kingdom of Anglia, ending the years of civil war and political strife that had encompased Asgarnia for the past decades. One thing was missing, however: Anglia lacked nearly three quarters of its populace.

To Myth and Legend

Days went by, and not a sight nor a sound was heard of the Kinshra. The Anglians waited with baited breath as their ships approached the Kinshra's city of New Kinsport, and as they moved in and resettled the lands left from the collapsed Republic. The days turned to weeks, and the weeks into months, until finally a year had passed without a peep from the Kinshra. The rest of Gielinor began to lose interest, determining that the once feared and proud order was at last gone for good. The Anglians did not submit so easily, but as time wore on, they too began to believe the Kinshra had at long last fallen. The years ticked on, and the Order- already legendary- began its ascension to Modern Myth, passing into flights of fancy and whispered campfire tales. Parents now told their children the stories of "The Woodsman and the Kinshra" and "The Black Knight of Cherrytree Lane", and jokes were passed without fear of their watchfull eyes. The people forgot, and the Kinshra became just another bad memory of the past, something to be laughed at in retrospect. Even the people of the Blackwood Province, who had spent so long under their watchful eye, began to relax. The Kinshra were gone for good.

Or so everyone thought.

The Country, the King, and the Crown

When Corvus Grey, second king of Anglia, was forced out of office by his lieutenants and King Edward I was crowned, a small number of unexpected guests arrived at the afterparty. Six Kinshra, not enough to be considered a threat, but enough to shock the attendees of the corrination, arrived in Burthrope as if nothing had changed- as if they still owned the place and merely allowed the Anglians to live there. Needless to say, some guests were speechless, some terrified, others disgusted- and a handful, pleasently amused. The new Baron, Tyranus Zane, offered King Edward the chance to enter the world of the Kinshra as it had been built in secret for so many years. He was not prepared for what he found.

Beneath his country of Anglia had long grown a monstrous threat. Built over the course of two hundred years and guided by the successors to the first Council of Lords- the wealthy businessmen and land owners who had first created the Knightly Order- the Kinshra had constructed a massive army in a network of tunnels and caverns stretching across the whole Asgarnian countryside and extending outwards into mountains and sea. It was a feat that spoke of their legendary engineering skills, which did little to reassure the young king of the claimed passiveness of this army. Tyranus insisted however that the Kinshra meant no harm to him or his Kingdom, and introduced Edward to Remus Blackwell, the former Chancellor of Asgarnia. Remus revealed that he was in fact a member of the Kinshra's Council of Lords, and had bade Tyranus invite the young King to their hall to assure him of their good intentions- and to warn him.

King Edward left the realm of Kinshra with the promise that his country would be safe, but that promise came with a price. Blackwell had told Edward that the Kinshra had been preparing for the return of the Gods long before the death of Guthix, at the behest of a being that he referred to as Malum. A benevolent entity, according to Blackwell, Malum sought the protection of Gielinor by giving mortals the tools to fight against the onslaught of the Gods and their armies. What Blackwell failed to mention, however, is that Malum had done this with the promise that the Kinshra would rule Gielinor, and at the price of enslavement for the rest. To this end, agents and bases had been established in public and in secret across Gielinor, poised to strike at the command of Remus and his Dark Council. Unawares, Edward's newfound alliance with the Kinshra assisted in his conquering of Kandarin and establishment of his Empire Argrevia- all the while assisting in their slow infiltration of the globe.

Their victory seemed inevitable.

An Empire Lost

During the twilight years of the New Order, a member of the Del'vair family, Ormond, rose to secret prominence within the Kinshra. Keeping his allegiance a secret, he came under the tutelage of a member of the Dark Council who went by the pseudonym "Typhus," and there became one of the few privy to the whole of their plan. Taking on the moniker of "Lord Venice," Ormond was admitted to the council at the behest of Typhus, and there the two began to plot the downfall of the Council, the Kinshra, and the all-encompassing Brotherhood of Darkness which so devoutly followed the whims of the beast Malum. On the eve of battle, Typhus, Venice and their followers rallied across the secret Empire, and before anyone knew what they were doing, struck a fatal blow to their enemy. In bases and fortresses across the world, battles sparked, causing a wave of unchecked violence which was quickly silenced by many governments and blamed on God-centred terrorism by others. In Kinsport, the heart of that terrible Imperium, Typhus and Ormond confronted the Dark Council, and slew many of them before the entire port began to be consumed by the rift in space which had given them so much of their power. Fleeing in his airship, Blackwell thought himself safe until he was mortally wounded by none other than Deracot, who had been serving as his loyal Viceroy since his apparent demise years earlier. Its leadership destroyed, its bases crippled and its plans foiled, the Dark Council and its plans for world domination died poetically as New Kinsport collapsed into the sea, destroying the massive caverns beneath and putting an end to the long-held dream of Kinshra Imperium, and denying the ancient whims of that terrible monster, Malum. The survivors disappeared into the night; some, led by Deracot, retreated to the North and the mighty fortress thereof, while others, many of them civilians, escaped to found a new home in the Southern Sea. The surviving members of the Dark Council, most notably Lord Syn, fled and regrouped, securing what assets of the Brotherhood and the Kinshra remained. Ormond returned to Argrevia, satisfied that he had protected his people, while Typhus vanished as quietly as he had come. In one, short evening, any hope that the Kinshra had had was gone forever.

The End of an Era

The Kinshra as led by Deracot attempted a lurching revival. In its death-throws it reached out to former leaders and allies such as Atrum Erus, but was unable to get a solid footing underneath. The slowly worsening Deracot began to lose all semblance of his sanity, killing his men on a whim and throwing what little siege power he had into failed campaigns of half-hearted glory against Asgarnia and Misthalin. After his invasion of Varrock was stopped almost before it began, the self-styled Dread Lord vanished, leaving a pair of Captain's, Kael Donovan and Alena Vallen, in his stead. It was, however, too little too late, and the last vestige of the Order fell, ending an era of Kinshra dominance that had outlasted Empires. The Grand Order of the Knights' Kinshra was no more.

Legacy

Though the Kinshra as ruled by the lineage of Xandres were to be no more, many other groups took the stage in an attempt to gain the same respect and prestige as the powerful Order. Some were to be more successful than others, gaining prominence in their own right. In addition, the Political and Economic impact of the order cannot be ignored, with their direct or indirect influence shaping almost all of the modern Geopolitical landscape, from Misthalin to Kandarin and beyond.

Resurgent Groups

The Kinshra Knights (Unknown)

An order of Kinshra swearing allegiance to Daquarius arose and fell in a brief period of time after the death of Deracot. Few records exist of their tenure, and their power extended over minor portions of Northern Asgarnia.

The Kinshra Knights (Lord Samael)

In the wake of the collapse of Deracot's final Imperium, a Kinshra officer by the name of Samael was among the first to claim a seat on the throne. Samael declared himself Lord, and cobbled together a cadre of warriors who would follow him. Making a name for himself in the wild lands of Blackmarch, Samael and his Kinshra would hold power in at least some capacity for some time as the largest of the post-Xandren groups.

Samael and his men would fight in the battle against the World Eater, Tuska, in alliance with many other Zamorakian groups. This gained Samael and his order notability and respect, and in the months that followed an invitation to a secret conference of Zamorakians held by Igneous Concendo. There, Samael's Kinshra was met by a man calling himself Octavian; shortly thereafter, following Octavian's heroics at the first Battle of Ardougne, the order would disband to join his own.

The Unified Order

Though considered by many to have been a cult rather than a knightly order, The First and Holy Unified Order of Carter Simmons (More commonly the Unified Order) was founded far from Asgarnian soil by a man who regarded the Kinshra like one might regard a Godly Pantheon. Known only as Octavian, a name taken after Octavian Vire, the man who would later be called "the Redeemer" arrived in Taverley with less than a dozen men under his command and the most rudimentary of supplies. Hearing of the secret Zamorakian convention, Octavian attended as a representative of the Kinshra, where he met Lord Samael and Igneous Concedo, the latter of whom was impressed by the young man's daring. Gathering a small force from those Zamorakians in and around Taverley, Octavian marched with his fellow Zamorakians to Ardougne. There, in the massacre of that first battle, the Zamorakians and despondent Kinshra saw a man no more than thirty take on the forces of Ardougne with a fire not unlike Xandres long before him. On that day, his Order was formed.

Becoming an equal and friend of Igneous Concedo, Octavian and the Unified Order by extension became a founding member of the Zamorakian Confederation, earning a seat on the Chaotic Council. Leaving the siege of Ardougne early, Octavian took his growing force back to Asgarnia, where he quickly gained support from the populace. The Kinshra of the Redeemer was more heavily theological than past iterations, and also designed to be a platform of equals; indeed, Octavian took the title "First Knight" to emphasize his role as only one among equals. This charisma and power, however, would come with a price.

The independent barons, fearing that Octavian would take their power, wanted nothing to do with his message of unity, and so sought help. Khalian, a Kinshra commander from the era of Carter Simmons, raised an army one fated Midnight, striking at the fortress which Octavian used as his citadel. Slaughtering the officers and warriors within, those who renounced Octavian were spared and forced to lead to and assist in the massacre of Octavian's followers. The First Knight himself was eventually tracked down by one of his former lieutenants, a man called Delrith and himself a former student of Deracot. Delrith killed Octavian in cold blood, bringing an end to his dream of peace. The remnants of the Order went into hiding, and Octavian became a martyr to the people of Blackmarch; in attempting to stop what they feared, Khalian and the other Barons had perhaps created the very thing they sought to destroy. A power beyond themselves.

The Kinshra Knights (Commander's Khalian and Delrith)

Main Article: Invasion of Falador

The Kinshra Knights (Baron Cyrus Zarco)

Stuff happened, will edit later

The Kinshra Knights (Baron Jacolyn Corbin)

Some stuff also happened here, will edit later

The Kinshra Knights (Baron Samael Armons)

more stuff