Templars of Menxvan

Menxvan Worship

Religion Information
Type	Duotheistic
Deity(ies) Worshipped	Menxvan
Regional Origins	Unknown
Symbol	The Letter "V", Serpent Swallowing Tail, etc.

The Templars are an order of Menxvanic Knights, dedicated to defending the Menxvanic faith, protecting Menxvan's followers, as well as guarding Menxvan's temples, shrines, and other holy sites. Traditionally, they have also been dedicated supporters of the Arangothian monarchs, and have formed an elite corps in the Arangothian armies in times of war.

The symbol of the Templars is a green serpent swallowing its tail, surrounded by a sunburst, with a sword in the center. The Templars display this symbol on their armor, or wear a pendant around their neck when unarmored.

Forts

Prakanthoss

Located high in the mountains of Ruthmarna, this ancient monastery has trained both human and dwarven Templars for centuries. The monastery's name means 'the anvil' in Arangothian, and it is said the place where Templars are molded from ordinary people. This is usually the first place young Initiates are sent for training, where they undergo a strenuous regime of prayer and physical exertion in the cold, thin mountain air. Templars learn the disciplines of Holy Fast and Holy Endurance in this unforgiving environment to prepare them for future hardships in the service of Menxvan. Gessiods also receive basic arms and hand to hand combat training during their time here. The monastery was overrun by monsters when Gadpisi opened portals to foul realms during the Civil War, and it has only recently been reclaimed by the Templars and returned to its former state. Prakanthoss is home to at least two forty man detachments of Templars in training at any given time, as well as one detachment of trainers and an active duty detachment.

Sonkovath village

This monastery is located in a small mountain village on the western side of the Skull Teeth, the mountain range that divides Outer Arangoth and Leptatarna (Inner Arangoth). It is in this secluded stronghold that young Gessiods receive their education, both religious and secular, as well as continue the arms training begun at Prakanthoss. Sonkovath is home to a cadre of Templar Mentors, and is generally the place where retired Templars focus on their spiritual devotions after ending their active service to the order. Aside from the teachers and students, Sonkovath maintains one forty man detachment of Templars on active service. The original monastary at Sonkovath was destroyed by the Order of the Beady Eye during the civil war to open the pass into Leptatarna. The stronghold has since been rebuilt, though several of the artifacts that used to reside in Sonkovath were either destroyed or stolen in the attack.

Shiskwa

Shiskwa is actually outside of Arangoth, located on the north shore of Song Deep at the mouth of the River Tkhonu, on the lands of the Menxvan-worshipping Hoshk tribe in Kahlahra. The rough lands of Kahlahra are a proving ground for young Templars, where they practice the ways of the celebrated Templar endurance, as well as learn horsemanship from renowned Khalar horsemen. In addition to horsemanship, the proving grounds at Shiskwa teach advanced arms training and unit drilling. The fortress at Shiskwa houses up to four forty man detachments of Templars in training, one detachment of trainers, and one active duty detachment. In return for spiritual guidance from the Templars, the Hoshk have a longstanding practice of donating horses to the Templars as offerings to Menxvan.

Castle of Gessihorna

Gessihorna is the last fully manned outpost of the Templars of Menxvan, and traditionally the residence of the Lord Templar. The position of Vorfon ul-Gessihorna has been held by Templars of the Sanskaranth family for centuries, and it was the family's duties as vassals of the Arangothian monarchs that first forged the link between the Crown and the Templars. Located hard on the shores of the strait that divides Song Deep from Little Deep, Gessihorna is the largest fortified structure castle in the kingdom, large enough to contain a small town within its walls. Gessihorna's defenses are a marvel of Arangothain engineering, designed by Templars with the aid of their ancestral spirits, and modified and expanded several times since the stronghold's original founding. Such is its reputation as an impregnable fortress that it was not attacked at all by the forces of the Order of the Beady Eye during the civil war, and was flooded with refugees fleeing the war after the fall of Tagrana. Gessihorna absorbed a considerable portion of Tagrana's population after the war, causing a new town to spring up around the walls of the castle in the years since the civil war. Gessihorna boasts ten forty-man detachments of Templars, plus a permanent garrison of four additional detachments that remain to defend the stronghold in times of war. In addition to the Templar forces, there is a sizable contingent of the Provincial Guard stationed in Gessihorna under the command of the Lord Templar, serving as the town's police force in peace, and defenders in war. How the new town will affect the stronghold in future wars is not known yet, as there had not been a significant civilian population in the area during past conflicts. Most people are of the opinion that the stronghold could probably house the entire population of the town if the need to do so arose, though.

Millabratel

Situated at the crossroads that connects Drache, Arania, and the Sresar Vale, the town of Millabratel was the only remaining significant outpost for the Templars in the southern part of the kingdom for many years. The Menxvanic Temple complex at Millabratel is located in the center of the city, where the three roads converge. Millabratel was the provincial capitol of Transdariania before BLKDRAGON and AngelSin founded their capitol at Drache, and has a permanent population of approximately ten thousand (though this number can double during important religious holidays). Millabratel boasts a full forty man detachment, as well as a number of students undergoing advanced studies in the High Templar disciplines. Each of the other Menxvanic temples in the southern provinces of Arangoth has at least one templar (as many as five in the case of larger Temples), though all the Templars in Transadariania, Arania, and the Sresar Vale report to the Patriarch of Millabratel. Aside from its strategic location, Millabratel has remained an important center for the Templars because it is a repository for several important relics, including the original copy of the Book of Metrarin, a set of spiritual meditative exercises which is essential in mastering the Templars' ability to commune with ancestral spirits.

Drache

The Templar order's newest stronghold is a fortified temple surrounded by an octagonal wall in Drache's Wharf District. In the wake of the destruction caused by the Cult of the Anathema in the year 475, the Patriarch of Millabratel pledged the Templars' assistance with the rebuilding efforts in return for a grant of land to build a new temple to serve as a place of refuge in future disasters. While it was unusual for the Templars to build a new stronghold in the middle of a city, the order considered it a vital outpost in the struggle against evil. The new Drache stronghold houses a half-strength detachment of twenty Templars led by a Master Templar, half of which is ordinarily deployed to protect the Royal University and the Temple of Menxvan in the Royal Church District. The stronghold's staff also includes several priests and healers to attend to the needs of the faithful, as well as prospective Gessiods receiving initial introduction to the order before traveling north to Prakanthoss.

Code of Conduct

All Templars swear eternal loyalty to Menxvan, and vow to protect his followers and his temples. Furthermore, they are dedicated to spread the teachings of Menxvan as far as possible, and teach by example. Templars realize that they are looked up to by most people, and strive to be role models for those around them. Humility is also a particularly stressed virtue, as arrogance makes it easy to slip from the Templar's path.

The Templar's Oath

"Menxvan is my lord and the father of my order as well as my first and foremost duty. His followers shall be my brethren, his temples my home. Those who would threaten these shall be my foes. Those who are not my brethren nor my foes are those who I must strive to demonstrate the rightness of Menxvan's ways to. In trying to teach his ways, I will remain humble. Never shall I let my arrogance overcome me, lest it lead me off Menxvan's righteous and just path."

Structure of the Templars

Military Structure

Initiate ( Gessiod )

This is the lowest tier of the military organization of the Templars, and the rank at which all Templars begin their service to the order. Military Initiates are generally new recruits, or those who have yet to be tested in actual combat. Initiates are technically not allowed to call themselves Templars, but rather refer to themselves as Initiates in the Order of Templars.

Templar (Vilkatire)

This is the rank of the majority of the Templars, Spiritual Initiates, as well as High Templars. This rank is reserved for veteran Templars that have proven themselves in the field. Though it is rare to find a High Templar ranked as an Initiate, the promotion to Templar must be earned, and is not given away for any reason. Battle counts as facing off against a real opponent outside the safety of the strongholds, whether the battle be a physical fight, or simply standing up for someone's rights in a case of injustice.

Mentor (Sethrod Vilkatire)

These are the officers of the Templars, and serve as both leaders and teachers to their subordinates. A standard forty man detachment of Templars is usually divided into four squads of ten, with a Mentor at the head of each squad. Spiritual Initiates are just as likely to become Mentors as High Templars.

Knight Templar (Gemarind Vilkatire)

Knight Templars serve as the commanding officer of a forty man detachment, and are always selected from High Templars that have reached the rank of Sustainer or higher.

Lord Templar (Vorfon Vilkatire)

Only one Templar holds this rank at any time, as this is the supreme military leader of the order. The Lord Templar is given full discretion to choose the appropriate course of action in all military matters which concern the Templars, and is also responsible for making sure that young Templars receive the proper training at the various strongholds. The Lord Templar is elected by a meeting of all the Patriarchs and Matriarchs in council, and serves until death or retirement.

Spiritual Structure

Initiate (Gessiod)

Initiates are rank and file Templars. Though devoted to Menxvan and defending the faith, they simply do not possess combination of gifts that allow one to progress further on the path of spiritual enlightenment. Initiates are for the most part ordinary people, though underestimating a Templar in battle is generally a mistake that most opponents do not live long enough to make twice.

Acolyte (Bathrad Vilkatire)

This is the first level of the ranks of the High Templars (Sith Vilkatirel). Advancing beyond the Initiate state requires measuring up to very exacting standards of physical, mental, and spiritual discipline. It is strength of body, strength of mind, and strength of faith that allow Templars to call upon their unique gifts. Many of the Templars' special skills require the Templar to enter a meditative state, focusing the will, and opening the mind to receive Menxvan's favors. Only a few individuals can walk this path, and fewer still can remain upon it without slipping. Acolytes are just beginning to learn the ways of the High Templars, still learning to harness the supernatural-seeming powers of the Templars, and making their first contact with ancestral spirits.

Sustainer (Golthratire Vilkatire)

As a Templar gains experience in the Templar disciplines and has sustained the intense, disciplined devotion necessary to follow the Templar ways, he or she is awarded the honored rank of Sustainer. Achieving this rank is a sign that the Templar has the talent and determination to remain upon the path of the Temlar disciplines without faltering, and has maintained the proper attitude. It is often tempting to use the Templar abilities for frivolous or selfish reasons, and this often breeds the arrogance that cause some Templars to stray from the cause. Sustainers have proven to have the willpower and wisdom to resist this temptation. Sustainers have become adept at the meditative disciplines of the Templars, and command a wider array of abilities than Acolytes. Sustainers also commune with the other world more frequently, and begin reaching beyond the lowest levels into worlds that only a few have ever seen.

Master (Apettod Vilkatire)

As the name implies, attainment of this rank is reserved to experienced Templars that have mastered the Templar disciplines, and can commune with spirits of legendary beings. All High Templars are mystics and visionaries at least to some degree, having a very strong connection to the otherworldly, but Masters can open their minds to higher levels of the afterlife that would drive ordinary people insane. For this reason, many people find the presence of a Master intimidating, as they seem to look through one, rather than at one. Spending any length of time in their presence will make it apparent that their senses reach beyond the ordinary, into something that most people can only guess the nature of. Masters serve as teachers and spiritual parents to the Templars, guiding them on the path to spiritual enlightenment. Master Templars are ordained priests of Menxvan and have full authority to conduct religious rituals and lead congregations in worship.

Patriarch/Matriarch (Sithapsi/Sithnerre Vilkatire)

The spiritual leaders of the Templars, Patriarchs represent the zenith of the Templar disciplines. Each Templar stronghold is led by a Patriarch or Matriarch, who provides guidance and instruction to even the Masters. Patriarchs rarely leave the temples to take the field of battle, only doing so in times of great peril. Though Patriarchs and Matriarchs are often advanced in years (rarely younger than fifty), they are still more than a match for a score of ordinary soldiers. Patriarchs are considered prelates of the Menxvanic faith and command considerable respect from the faithful.

Training

Generally, Templar training takes place within the confines of the various Templar strongholds throughout the land. Templars prefer to train new Initiates from as early an age as possible, though they will not turn away a promising applicant on the basis of age. There have been several cases throughout history of individuals harnessing the Templar disciplines without having received any formal training. This is sometimes the case in descendents of famous Templars who are unaware of their heritage, or children whose parents do not wish them to follow the ways of the Templars. In these rare instances, the individual is visited in his or her sleep by ancestral spirits who teach the Templar disciplines through dreams. If the individual in question takes heed of the instruction and practices it, her or she may very well develop abilities equivalent to that of an Acolyte without setting foot within a Templar stronghold. Almost all of these individuals eventually seek out the Templars to advance their training.

TEMPLAR ABILITIES

Not all Templars can use all the abilities listed below. Learning and mastering these abilities is part of the process of training and progression within the order. Those higher in the hierarchy have access to more abilities, and can use them to a degree not possible by lesser Templars.

Holy Endurance

This ability, which allows Templars to ignore pain and fatigue is one of the primary reasons for the Templars' almost legendary toughness, and has led to the expression "Templars stop fighting when their hearts stop beating."

Holy Fast

Another mind over body discipline, this discipline allows the Templar to alter his or her own metabolism to a degree, making the absorption of nutrition from food and drink much more efficient, as well as dramatically increasing the efficiency of the body's use of water and nutrients. This permits Templars to survive for long periods of time on very little food and drink. This has obvious advantages for spending long periods in the wilderness, as well as during sieges in times of war. Attempting to use Holy Endurance simultaneously with this power is extremely dangerous for a Templar, and should not be tried (though some still do in desperate situations).

High Templar Abilities

Healing Trance

This meditative trance focuses all of the Templar's energies inward, accelerating the natural healing processes of the body, sometimes cutting convalescence from injuries or illness in half. This requires all of a Templar's concentration, so the Templar can not use any other abilities simultaneously, nor can he or she engage in strenuous activity. As this intense concentration lowers one's awareness of the outside world, this is a power that is generally not used unless the Templar is in a place of relative safety.

Dreamwalk

As mentioned before, Templars have a strong connection to the otherworldly, and can even enter the Dreamworld, the first level of the other world, to commune with the spirits of the recently deceased at night. A Templar can also seek out the mind of any other sleeping Templar and establish contact to hold short conversations. Use of this power is taxing, so conversations are usually kept as brief as possible, lest both Templars awaken in the morning feeling as if they had not slept at all. This is used primarily to communicate urgent messages to Templars in distant strongholds rapidly, yet another factor that makes the Templars a very formidable force in times of war.

Succor

The most powerful of Menxvan's favors to his Templars is the ability to draw on the abilities of ancestors in time of need. Templars can commune with the spirits of their ancestors to benefit from their knowledge, seek their counsel for advice in times of need, and even draw on skills that they may not themselves possess. For example, a Templar may wish to call on the skill of an ancestor that was a bladesmith to guide his hands, and give him the knowledge to forge a sword. More powerful Templars can make contact with higher planes of the other world, and seek out more legendary ancestors to aid them. This by no means a simple process. The Templar must know which ancestor he or she wishes to contact beforehand, then must embark on a spiritual journey to find that ancestor in a meditative vision. The Templar must then convince the ancestor in question of the need for that spirit's aid. The spirits are people with needs and motivations of their own, not simply servants, so proper respect for them must be shown. They can and will refuse to intervene in matters they find frivolous, and often require some sort of payment for their assistance. No Templar can benefit from the assistance of more than one ancestral spirit at once, nor can the same spirit aid more than one Templar at a time.

"Invisibility"

The Templar can make himself invisible to one person at a time. The affected person simply believes that they see only empty space where the Templar stands. This effect is maintained only as long as the Templar concentrates on making that person not see them. Use of this power is almost impossible against someone who is looking at the Templar, as it is extremely difficult to convince that person that the Templar is not really there.

Second Sight

This discipline literally allows Templars to see with their mind instead of their eyes. Acolytes can only vaguely perceive the mental auras of sentient beings (which can be immensely useful when fighting in dark or smoke-filled areas), while Masters of the discipline can use it as a replacement for ocular vision. Nimpe Ul-Alathar, for example, was able to lead her troops into battle during the Sherkhen War despite being blind from birth. Those experienced with the use of this discipline can gather a great deal of information from observing a person using the Second Sight. Such things as approximate age, sex, race, and general emotional state can be easily discerned (which is useful in seeing through illusions). Some Templars can even tell if two people are related simply by looking for similarities in the psychic auras.

Warrior's Instinct

While engaged in combat, this ability allows Templars to alter their perception of time, making it seem as if everything is moving in slow motion, thus giving Templars more time to anticipate and respond to their opponents' attacks. This power becomes even more deadly under the command of a Master Templar, as it actually accelerates the Templar's reflexes. Comparatively speaking, the Templar feels as if he or she is moving and reacting normally against a host of slow-moving opponents.

Communicate with Undead

The Templar ability to commune with the spirits of the dead extends to the spirits of sentient undead beings. When using this ability, the Templar can keep an undead creature at bay and prevent it from attacking. Furthermore, the Templar can engage the undead creature in conversation about the details of that creature's life and death. This is generally used to ascertain how to lay a wandering spirit to rest and send it on to the afterlife where it belongs. Certain powerful undead (liches in particular) that entered the state of undeath willingly are immune to this ability.

Empathic Bond

Most common among the Khalar-born Templars, this discipline allows a Templar to form a permanent link with his or her preferred mount. This greatly increases a Templar's ability to train and control a mount, making possible truly spectacular feats of horsemanship (or the handling of any other mount). In addition to being able to communicate with the mount almost as if it were a person, the Templar may also communicate it at a distance, summoning it when needed, or giving it instructions when it carries another rider. A Templar can be bonded to only one mount at a time, and the death of a bonded mount is often a traumatic experience for the Templar.

Sight to the Blinded

This power is not literally what its name might imply, but it is a potent ability nonetheless. Through logic and reasoning, a Templar of Menxvan can eventually break the effects of a charming enchantment upon the subject addressed. The Templar must speak to the charmed person alone and for a length of time that reflects the power of the charm to break the enchantment.

Stand as a Rock

With this particular ability, used famously by the Lord Templar Illurst in his last stand, a Templar is able to stay upright through all manner of blows. Regardless of what it might be, spell, blow or something else, one cannot move the Templar unless the Templar wishes to. However, for the Templar to properly use this power, they must stand completely still and not move. Once they have moved of their own free will, the power ceases. Formations of similarly skilled High Templars in times past were known to ferociously hold themselves in shield wall formations against many times their number with this ability.

Longevity

The Templars' excellent physical conditioning and iron discipline allows them to continue active military service long after ordinary knights would have left their arms and armor behind. There have been instances in the past of certain Templars (this includes Initiates, as well as High Templars) continuing their service in the order well into their seventies before retiring.