Due to many factors in and out of game, Heliopolis’ economy and its player base were suffering as the main cities of Everfall and Windsward grew stagnant. The Knights of Shadowhawk set their eyes on Brightwood, and seized control on November 10th, 2021. The Knights of Shadowhawk would go on to hold that territory against 32 sieges, and successfully defended 19 invasions, creating the most successful city on the server, becoming its main source of commerce and crafting. While in control of Brightwood, the Knights of Shadowhawk also successfully acquired the territory of First Light on December 19, 2021 while simultaneously defending Brightwood. First Light would go on to be defending 6 more times, 5 of which were in unison with the defense of Brightwood. In a triumphant show of tactics, Shank would on one occasion leave the defense of Brightwood to his Consuls and while successfully leading the charge for a fellow Syndicate guild for control of Windsward. This would happen again for the successful sieges of Monarch’s Bluff and Ebonscale Reach. As time continued on, the lands of Aeternum grew scarce of population. With the hope of a new place to call home shattered, the Knights of Shadowhawk found themselves once again looking for a new world to conquer. Hope was on the horizon. The world of Verra was summoning the Knights of Shadowhawk to be reborn again in Ashes of Creation.
History of the Knights of Shadowhawk
Forged through unity, discipline, and shared purpose, the Knights of Shadowhawk stand as a sovereign order dedicated to honor, leadership, and lasting legacy within the realms they inhabit.
The Beginning
The inception of the Knights of Shadowhawk began in early 2003 in the lands of Norrath (Everquest), with the founding of the original guild, Code of the Forgotten Ways. Founded by Rowena Shadowhawk and Crighton Shadowhawk, the Code of the Forgotten Ways quickly grew traction within the lands of Norrath on the Sullon Zek server for their dedication to higher standards of respect and honor in an otherwise ruthless PvP arena, while simultaneously showcasing collaborative tactics and PvP prowess. The ethics and morals of long forgotten traditions being the bedrock of where the foundations of Knights of Shadowhawk would be placed. The values of a social, family orientated guild in contrast to the brutal and unforgiving player versus player MMO community would quickly set the Code of the Forgotten Ways apart from other guilds. At its core, the family values and friendly rapport was the most distinguishable factor that garnished respect and admiration of both friend and foe alike. New recruits grew into friendships that extended beyond the lands of Norrath to become real life friends for years to come. The close relations extended even past allies and guildmates to adversaries of other alignments.
The Creation
Then, in March 2005, at the peak of Everquest’s active subscribers, a server merge combined the four PvP servers (Rallos Zek, Sullon Zek, Tallon Zek and Vallon Zek) into one theater of war – Zek. With countless challengers arriving from multiple servers, it was time for the Code of the Forgotten Ways to expand and unite all its friends and rivals under one banner. The primary element bonding the guild together was its charismatic and sharp-tongued leader, Rowena Shadowhawk. Under her command, along with the code of honor of loyalty, respect, and the family centric values, the Knights of Shadowhawk was formed. Under the helm of Rowena, the Knights of Shadowhawk became one of the most pvp-orientated, feared, and hated guilds in Norrath. The Knights of Shadowhawk made its namesake on Zek with pvp skill, dedication to its members, honor on the battlefield, and an extremely strict ‘No Hacking’ policy. As friendships grew, an annual in person Guild Party was started and attended by many members over the years. They were weekends of drinks, karaoke, pvp contests, good food, great friends, and priceless memories. As the years continued on, life happened and many of the knights went on their own real life adventures. The Knights of Shadowhawk fought in the lands of Norrath until just before the release of Everquest’s 21st Expansion: The Darkened Sea in October 2014.
The Search for Glory
After the departure from Norrath, the Knights of Shadowhawk went on to casually explore a multitude of other realms. The notable games that KoS adventured in was: Rift, Neverwinter, Dungeons and Dragons Online, Guild Wars 2, and the Everquest emulators Project 99, Rise of Zek, and Reign of Thule. While reconnecting with some of the Veteran Knights throughout the years, the Knights of Shadowhawk played more casually while on the search for a place to rally the banners in new game to call home. In June 2018 the Knights of Shadowhawk Discord was created and the hunt to find old knights commenced. With Discord acting as a home base to reconnect with old friends and restart building the community. The discovery of Ashes of Creation in early 2021 gave sights on a potential new home for the Knights of Shadowhawk to once again lay leave a legacy. However, the Lands of Vyra were far in the distant future before they could be conquered. However, while in wait the promise of a New World came to pass.
New World
In September 2021, whilst in search of a New World, the Knights of Shadowhawk embarked on a new journey and found themselves on the island of Aeternum. With Veteran Knights far and few between, the Knights of Shadowhawk bravely looked to conquer new lands and recruit more loyal knights under the Heir of Rowena. The Knights of Shadowhawk would once again enter the battlefield competitively. The legacy continued on lead by Shank Nemesis, governing the Knights of Shadowhawk with his brothers and Consuls, Antipaladin and Sezzerous, along with Officer and Veteran Knight Hondo (Glorificyus). Joining the Heliopolis server, the Knights of Shadowhawk aligned with the Syndicate Faction. Strife struck the Syndicate early and disagreements in leadership over power, money, and territory would see Shank placed at its center, acting as a liaison of the Syndicate between one another and its enemies. Garnering the respect of his fellow Syndicate with his just but fair leadership, quickly the ranks of the Knights of Shadowhawk began to grow. With the same ethics and values passed down from so long ago, Shank would go on to rebuild and assemble a large following of like-minded Knights on Heliopolis
Brightwood
Ashes of Creation
The time has come and a gone for the Knights of Shadowhawk and their conquest in the Lands of Verra. The Knights of Shadowhawk actively alpha tested through varies phases and wipes from October 2024 until January 2026. Unfortunately, through the many ups and downs of development, and the bad decisions and irredeemable actions of its sole creator, Ashes of Creation failed to make it out of Alpha, thus ending the Knights of Shadowhawks adventure. And from ashes to ashes, the Knights of Shadowhawk march forward, eagerly seeking their next adventure.