Overview
The Stygian Knight is a type of golem composed of a thin, empty suit of plate armor. It is an incredibly difficult construct to create, requiring its potential master to personally craft the suit of armor they wish to imbue. From there, the exact process through which the armor is animated is unclear, as it is known to only a few, but it is rumored that each Knight requires a portion of the user's soul for completion, making each one a significant investment. Perhaps because of this, Stygian Knights are very rarely seen in significant numbers, and are usually tasked with protecting important individuals or objects. Since it is hollow, it is technically possible to "wear" a Stygian Knight (provided it is instructed to allow it). For unknown reasons, however, this practice is seldom seen.
Method of Control
Unlike the typical undead minions of the Dark, who are compelled by nature to attack the living, a Stygian Knight is literally a blank slate that will not take any action without specific directives. While this has its advantages, since it can essentially be programmed to do whatever its master wishes, it is also a significant weakness. A Knight will sit idly by, for instance, as an ally is slaughtered or abducted if it has not been told to do otherwise, and a Knight with unclear or conflicting directives will likewise respond with inaction. Combined with the expense of their creation, this is likely another reason that they are frequently used for protective purposes, as it allows them to be given simple, unambiguous orders.
Role in the Series
Stygian Knights in Myth II are unique units that are completely impervious to arrows, which means it is nearly impossible for Bowmen and Soulless to damage them. In addition, they are very resistant to melee damage, making it possible to defeat even groups of melee units that greatly outnumber them. Due to their hollow forms, however, they are extremely susceptible to any concussive blast, and even a single Dwarf, Fetch, or Wight can do tremendous damage to their empty shells. A player who can successfully shield their Stygian Knights from these types of units will be rewarded with a force that can hold its own against most melee groups and inspire sheer panic in any group of archers.
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