Knights Templar
The Templar is a noble and heroic warrior, a priest-knight of the highest caliber, and the symbol of all that is right and true in the wild lands of Alcirya. As such, he has high ideals that he must maintain at all times. Many brave and heroic soldiers have tried and failed to live up to the ideals of the Templar. It is not an easy task!
Thus far, only humans have been identified as Templars by the Church of Palanos (children are either born in to the caste or are prophesized to be members of the order - both are found through the prophecies of the Order of the Guardians). A Templar is a de facto member of the Priesthood of the Templar.
*Note: This is not a standard Priesthood. To be a member of this priesthood you must be a Templar.
Priests following the Prophet Tempus no longer resemble their brethren from other faiths. Ordained “Templar” (derived from the Prophet’s name) these priests were quick to recognize the threat that followers of Al Vingaar posed to their developing Orders. Following the example of Tempus, they took up arms and spent their prayer time training with sword and shield rather than meditating. After many successful campaigns, the other faiths within the Church of Palanos developed a dependence on the martial might provided by the Templars resuting in this Order having an extraordinary influence within the Church.
Within the church (and nation), the Templar fill much needed role: they help train new warriors, teach battlefield tactics, and have made records of the most conflicts and valiant soldiers. Their most sacred mission, however, is to find and train new Templars. Entrance into the Templar order is a mark of birthright. Templars seek Guardians, priests who have been given the gift of prophesy which allowing them to foretell a new Templar’s birth, to help them locate the birth of a new Templar. Once the child is found they are taken to a Templar stronghold to be raised in the tradition of the Knights Templar.
For hundreds of years, Templar castles were often established throughout the free lands and communities would spring up around them. In these trying times, however, the Templars efforts to bring the world to a new order have been curtailed. While still firmly the seat of power within the Church, their authority finds its limits at the border of Xanthios. Still, they are actively involved in training elite military forces that are attached to the Knights Xanthic in times of war.
Tenets of Faith
Meet adversity with stoicism and tenacity.
Demonstrate loyalty to your family, your clan, your leaders, and your people.
Strive to make a mark on the world, a lasting legacy. To make something that lasts is the highest good, whether you are a smith working at a forge or a ruler building a dynasty.
Oppose all Faiths of Al-Vingaar at all times and at all costs Never withdraw from a challenge, no matter its form.
Vigilance: The Templar are extraordinarily resistant to change or compromise - they believe in the purity of the vision, unobstructed.
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