The Iron Knights

[HK-36]

Posted 20 October 2013 - 12:47 PM

Iron Knights​

The Iron Knights began as a Jedi sect during the Old Republic, among one of the numerous wars with the Sith Empire.

The Original Iron Knights​

The sect's founder was HK-36 and his copies, he designed the Iron Knights as a military organization with para-religious elements. The Iron Knights fought alongside the Jedi as "droid-Jedi" often being placed in frontlines and missions behind the enemy lines due to the effectiveness of the droids and cheaper replacement cost than that of trained Republic Commando.
As the war prolonged, more droids have been manufactured or salvage, either by Republic, Jedi, and/or the Iron Knights themselves, increasing the numbers of Iron Knights serving in the Republic.
All of the Iron Knights have went through manumission, erasing their obedience protocols, many of them have been given advanced programming, or a copy of 36's programming, which at the time was already in process of self-evolution into highly independent artificial intelligence.

The Republic did not like the fact that the Iron Knights made a requirement for themselves to be erased of their obedience protocols, and just how well they were doing against the Sith. Concerns came that the droids may one day turn against the Republic as they did during HK-1's Great Revolution.
The Republic began altering the programming of droids meant to become Iron Knights. A large portion remained independent, however, future models manufactured by the Republic have had those protocols restored, identifying their commanders as Republic Officials instead of Iron Knight Command.

HK was angered when he found that out, putting out an order to his Knights to begin looking for a planet in the Unknown Region should they ever need a haven outside of Republic's reach. That marked the beginning of Dream of Mechanus, a myth among the droids of a place solely populated by manumission droids, a place where they can live peacefully without slavery of organics.

The tensions between Republic and Iron Knights culminated with HK slaying the Sith Emperor at the time, and his adopted son, Kir O'Raen, beheading the Emperor and taking his white Sith mask as proof, even wearing the mask for a short period of time as he gave the Sith orders to surrender, causing a split in the faction. Some Sith recognized the command order and HK as the new Sith Emperor, laying down arms, others did not because of how ridiculous the notion was. HK did not stop the war, but at least he slowed it down.
When Republic and Jedi have learned of HK's deed they put out orders to have the droid arrested and shut down, among with other Iron Knights. Their concern was that the droid and his Knights grew so powerful they were able to take down Sith leaders and lay claims to their throne.

HK was able to fight off the Jedi party sent in to arrest him, giving order for the Iron Knights to leave to Mechanus, taking refuge in their mythical haven.
Most of the Iron Knights were able to escape, it was mostly the future generations with obedience protocols placed by the Republic that stayed behind.

The True Iron Knights, as they became referenced in later times, were not heard or seen from at large, except for HK, there were only scarce rumors of sighting groups of lightsaber-wielding droids throughout the Galaxy in times of great turmoil. Supposedly, the original Iron Knights are still on their hidden planet Mechanus, leading peaceful lives.

 

[HK-36]

Posted 20 October 2013 - 12:58 PM

The Iron Knights of the New Jedi Order​

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While the True Iron Knights have not been seen from again, except HK, another similar sect popped up around the time of Arkanian Revolution at 50 BBY.

This group were actually crystalline beings known as Shards, using droid bodies as vessels to become Jedi. It is unknown whether or not the group had any actual ties with the True Iron Knights.

The Iron Knights were founded by Jedi Master Aqinos who trained them the ways of the Force.
Many Iron Knights survived the Jedi Purge and continued on with their service as Jedi throughout the Galaxy.
They have been reorganized at around 13 ABY when they were re-discovered by the New Jedi Order and assimilated, introducing them into Galactic Life at a large scale one more.

The Iron Knights have been heard to lead many charges against the Vong, fighting on planets such as Osarian and Uffel, and even saving the Kligson's Moon.

Many of these Iron Knights took their names from lightsaber crystals to show the connection with the force and crystalline nature.

The reported headquarters of Iron Knights are located on planet Dweem, it is unknown if they are still active and how the Gulag Plague affected them.

 

[HK-36]

Posted 20 October 2013 - 01:14 PM

Iron Knights of the Iron Company​

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Currently
HK remains the only True Iron Knight still active on the Galactic Scene.
However, during his servitude with Omega Protectorate, especially his reform and creation of the Iron Company the name Iron Knights have resurfaced again.
However, this time that is how the Iron Company calls its caste of Assault Troops. They often wear heavy armor and swords, sporting appearance similar to those of ancient knights, leading to the name being adapted. They are often armed with heavy repeaters and flamethrowers, specializing in tactics which require employ of large amounts of fire power and heavy armor against a lighter armed enemy in much greater numbers.

Such tactic was adopted because it is the most common type of fighting these Iron Knights see against their foes, the Bando Gora.

Sometimes also called "The Hammer of Protectorate" these troops often lead brutal charges against Bando Gora, specializing in closed-quarters combat and boarding actions.

 

[HK-36]

Posted 20 October 2013 - 01:24 PM

The Iron Knights as a Sect Once More​

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With the Protectorate's expansion towards Alzoc 3, the planet on which HK spent most of his time with the Jedi on a hidden rural Jedi Enclave, HK put forward proposition to Lady Protector to try and re-open the old Enclave.
Cira agreed with condition that HK will organize and lead the exploration parties himself.

The droid began working then towards exploration and restoration of Alzoc 3, aiming to open the Jedi Enclave on it once more, and instilling the old teachings of True Iron Knights, however, this time open it to both Organics and Droids.

Should his plans succeed, the Iron Knights would appear on Galactic stage once more, this time as a close partnership between droids and organics.