The Venerated Templar of Decus
FACTION PROFILE
Founded: Year 1 AS, Shortly After the Day of the Coming
Governance: The Venerated Right Hand of the One True Decusian Church.
Figurehead: The Archbishop is the Head of the Church, and the Grand Prelate is the Top Rank of All Templar
Primary Function/ Purpose: The Annihilation of Ill and Heresy. To Uphold and Enforce the Virtuous Light of the Eight/The Flame, The Archangel Decus, and the First Apostles
Estimated Numbers: 2M Republic Wide
Republic Influence: High
Republic Disposition: Highest
Citizenry Reputation: Revered
Military Strength: Waning Of Late, Scattered Across Vitaveus
Seat of operations Redholme, Pontufex Hill
Ranks/Titles:
- Grand Prelate
- Grand Master
- Seneschal
Within Chapters:
- Knight-Commander
- Knight-Marshal
- Knight/Templar (can simply be used interchangeably)
- Squire
- Retainer
- Associate
Sergeants were a non-noble Rank used to fill out the logistics of the faction. They were the supply chain and might fill ranks as soldiers if necessary.
The ranks of the Clergy consist of the Bishops, Priests, Chaplains, and Abbots.
Post-Torment Status: Sustained Mass Casualties
Presence in the First Province: Minimal
OVERVIEW
When the Archangel Decus descended from the Heavens to the Mortal Realm, it was He Who Saved Man. Among those to bear witness and aid Him were the first men and women to be later known as the Templar. These standouts went to war alongside the ArchPrelate to overthrow the Oppressive Slavers known simply as the Ill.
These exceptional few assumed the responsibilities of leading a new era of humanity. They were the first Prelates, the nobles who walked Eden with Decus Himself. As was necessary, a grand city was erected by these few, guided by Decus, to serve as a staging ground for their efforts. This hallowed city would later be known as Temple, and its inhabitants, the Templar.
Decus bestowed upon them the martial prowess and knowledge of sciences that would help them liberate mankind after His passing. These first Knights took forth this knowledge and beat back their oppressors. They left in their wake a litany of clergy to further educate these newly liberated men and women. They recruited the strongest and brightest among them, swelling the ranks and growing their flock.
The Archangel had loved those First Apostles so dearly that He had given His own mortality to save them. And those first few so loved Him that they took His teachings and did their best to imitate them. In this, the Sacred Eight Virtues were born. The Templar became the teachers of this new way of life, spreading it like wildfire. These Sacred Eight would become the pillars of this new society; the moral compass from which most humans gain their bearings.
The ranks of the Holy Decusian Church and the Venerated Decusian Templar grew exponentially over the first century. As the Church took the reins of the Republic’s Law and Order, the Templar allowed the rise of the Venerated Legion. These new legionnaires were no less faithful, perhaps than the Templar, but they were not trained the same. The Templars remained true to their Faith and turned back to the teachings of the One True God. They did, however, remain on the front lines during the Reckoning. It is said that a Knight-Commander led every Legion in those first few centuries.
Most higher-ranking officials of the Templar are direct descendants of those early Apostles. Noble blood is not the only way into the ranks, however. Many of the lower-ranking Templar Army were born of the citizenry. Some take the Oath in order to liberate their own family from whatever tax or debts they have with the Republic, though the barrier for entry in this way is a rigorous one. An Associate entering the ranks through this sacrifice must prove themselves willing and able to fight and uphold the virtues of the Archangel Himself. It is only through the most heroic of deeds that one may rise above their bloodworth to the rank of Knight or higher.
The Venerated Templar have been on the front lines since the onset of the Torment. Alongside the Legion, they have done their best to hold the front lines against the spread. These efforts have not been without casualties, however. It is said that some 750,000 Knights have perished across the continent as a whole. Whole Chapters have been wiped out in the westernmost lands of Collatia and Kaaduras. Numbers have dwindled in the East and Midlands as well.
After the Three-Hour War that wrought havoc and led to the fall of Tor, almost all Templar in the region were lost. The Knights are now led from the new seat of the Republic in Redholme.
STANDARDS, COLORS, AND GUIDONS
The Templar have seen many symbols throughout the annals of history. The most common being that of a sword and shield. Oftentimes, there may be two swords. Or at times, there may be an Angel with broad wings spread, head bowed over a down-turned Sword. Other symbols may include a Flame or a Red Cross upon a shield.
The colors are usually Decusian Red and White. Though some Chapters have adopted Red with Silver Adornment.
The Sergeants and Associates of the Order are most commonly seen wearing brown or gray robes with a smaller insignia upon the breast.
Many creeds have been present within the Order. One of the most important, however, is that of:
In Luce Flammae, iuramento et ferro sanctificamur.
“In the Light of the Flame, we are sanctified by oath and steel.”