The Knights of the Order of the Temple are also known as the “Templars” and “Knights of the Cathedral.” The vast majority is primarily aristocratic knights who can trace their family heritage back hundreds of years. Most come from a long line of Templar Knights. Others trace their lineage back to the old ruling powers, priests of the Cathedral, or come from upper class society.

The Knights of the Temple march gladly and sometimes harshly into battle, swords shining silver and glinting with the blood of their fallen enemies, banner flying, and trumpets trumpeting. Many wield ancient and powerful holy weapons passed on from generation to generation.

The Templars are the Cathedral’s most favored and trusted order. Most of these knights stay close to the gilt-hemmed robes of the church’s most powerful priests and obey their every command without question. Their loyalty is to the Cathedral first, then to the Order of the Temple, then to all others. The rule of thumb is that if a high priest (who speaks for the Cathedral) commands it, it must be right, true and good, and obeyed without question. If it seems wrong, the knight assumes he must be mistaken and that the priest must be privy to some secret information or divine insight.

The worst thing about these knights is that they hold themselves above most others to the point of indifference and cruelty. The meanest and most arrogant Templars use the rulings of the Church like a weapon. If a high priest proclaims an individual to be an enemy of the church, the knights accept this with blind obedience; and the enemies of the Cathedral are treated most harshly. These brutes wear the commands of the Cathedral like armor, so that no matter how ruthless, cruel, or murderous they behave, they can point to the Church and say they were only following orders.

70% of Templars are sons of Knights of the Order of the Temple. 20% are relatives of priests.

Organization

Highest among the Templars is the Grand Master. The lowest is that of novice. Ranks correspond to the amount of experience and Faith individual knights attain.

The ranks are as follows:

1. Associate

2. Novice

3. Knight Sergeant

4. Knight Lieutenant

5. Knight Captain

6. Knight Perceptor

7. Knight Draper

8. Knight Commander

9. Knight Marshal

10. Knight Seneschal

11. Grand Master

Initiation

Usually, first contact is made through recommendation and necessity. For example, active knights in a region may urgently require medical assistance. A trusted (and vetted) priest may recommend a biomancer in his congregation as being a pious and good man who would treat the wounds without question. Thus, the doctor becomes an Associate -- a trusted and valued "friend" of the Orders.

The experience the knights have with this biomancer and their observations of his behavior may prompt the senior officer to invite him into service. If the response is positive, the good doctor must open up his past to scrutiny and repeatedly demonstrate the degrees of willingness and resilience necessary for acceptance.

Once the senior knight (usually a Knight Captain) is satisfied, the applicant can then be taken to the nearest Preceptory for further questioning and analysis. The Knight Captain must recommend the applicant's service and take on all responsibility for his behavior and safety.

People who have actively seek out the Templar Knights to become a knight or novice are looked upon with suspicion. Usually this means they have an alternate motive -- personal revenge or aggrandizement being the most common. Occasionally such people are plants, put there to try and infiltrate the Templars.

The Code of Service

New initiates vow to become a servant and slave of the Order forever. The essential promises are to renounce and reject the sins of this world, to do the service of the Lord, and to be poor and penitent. Loyalty and obedience is the core of everyday life. The Templar Knights were among the first to introduce the concept of instant obedience to military service. Novices are taught that obedience could make the difference between victory and defeat in an ever-changing battlefield environment. Many battles were lost during the Middle Ages because secular knights led their own charge against the enemy, ignoring the orders of their battle commander. Often, the only difference in the quality of the Warrior Monks and normal knights was their fighting discipline -- not individual skills.

Holy Violence

This concept’s basis is that violence is not evil, but is morally neutral. Moral coloring is drawn from the intention of the perpetrator, which could love -- or hatred. Perpetrators of Sikkarin violence must have the right intentions. They also need a just cause, because violence can only be resorted to in response to previous injury in the form of aggression, menaces, tyranny or invasion. Acts of violence have to be authorized by a legitimate authority, which can be a minister of God or a king. Fortunately for the knights, most preceptors also hold the rank of minister -- so they can order their own violence. Essentially, violence against the pagans is considered an act of Sikkarin charity and loving concern.

The Code of Parley

The code of parley is designed to avoid unnecessary conflict. Essentially, the code calls for Novices to hold discussions with the enemy before combat becomes inevitable. Templars and their enemies meet under a flag of truce to discuss their differences, often in the presence of an independent intermediary. In the Cleansing Crusade, this involves an initial declaration to a domain that the knights are present -- ready to accept any vampire's repentance, or to kill them. The code does not end there. During the course of conflict, Parley can also be called for extraordinary matters, issues of honor or surrender terms. Knights and Novices are compelled to answer such a call -- under truce -- but not to answer all questions or agree to all demands.

The Code of Courage

Courage is possibly the single most important tenet applicable to the Templars. Courage in the face of the enemy is what makes a Templar different from the footslogger or mercenary, and it is a compelling tradition molded by the blood of knights over countless generations.

The Code of Fighting Proficiency

Honing skills with the sword and lance occupy most of a knight’s spare time. Much honor and status is gained through proficient skills, but honor is also gained through innovative ways of avoiding their use. A Novice or Knight who cannot demonstrate high standards of combat skills is retired from active service into administration.

The Code of Piety

This is the dutiful devotion to Sikkar and observance of religious principles. Aside from being warriors, Templars are primarily monks. All are required to take an oath, including monastic principles such as chastity and perpetual worship. Prayers must be offered to Sikkar at regular times each day -- though knights in action or on a mission are permitted to offer silent homage. Novices, while not full monks, are still Churchmen of rank and status. They are permitted to be married -- though this does make life difficult, like any soldier. Personal possessions are also permitted.

The Code of Honor

The concept of personal integrity, allegiance to moral principles. It includes strict observance of all other tenets of chivalry. Personal honor is not the issue -- but the honor of the Order is everything. An Order's prestige is enhanced through acts of social service, courtesy and tolerance. Novices must never do anything to bring the honor of his Order into disrepute.

The Code of Generosity

A willingness to give away one's money and time freely, without expectation of reward or favor. Generosity toward the poor, infirm and generally needy is a vital part of a Novice's honor and oath. Ensuring the physical and spiritual safety of the innocent populace is a prime concern, and is the underlying cause of the knight's existence.

The Rule

The Rule is the tortuously detailed document stipulating every element of a Templar’s life. Its religious aspects are similar to those of any monastery: The brothers are to pray together at appointed times each day, or, if they are absent from the Preceptory, to recite various numbers of paternosters. Meals are held in silence, and silence was maintained at night. The brothers are instructed to care for any sick or elderly members of the Order, and to have mass said for the souls of their dead; and after the death of a brother, they are to feed a pauper for 40 days. They are forbidden to hunt any animal except the Lion and other dangerous beasts that have threatened a community. Hunting is considered too close to the life of an ordinary knight, and threatens to awaken sinful pleasures within the Knights of the Temple.

A system of practical punishments is included, ranging from small penance through to humiliating acts such as eating one's food off the floor. Some are expelled from the Order, others are starved to death in cells. Everything in the Rule is intended to bring about, if necessary to enforce, a communal way of life -- an abrogation of the individual in favor of the corporate Order.

• To become a knight an applicant must be of legal adult age, a volunteer, and debt-free.
• Applicants must serve at least one full year as a Novice before attempting to become a Knight.
• A knight requires at least two horses, one a war-horse and the other a lighter breed for traveling. Each knight needs at least one squire to help him into his equipment and carry extra weapons and his heavy shield (which is worn hung around the neck during battle), one hand used on the reigns and the other on his weapon. The squire (or during the earlier years, sergeant at arms) requires his own horse and basic weaponry.
• A Templar can have no personal possessions other than those provided by the Templar (such as his armor).
• Knights are permitted to eat meat and are forbidden to fast.
• The major prayers for the day are conducted during the morning, leaving the afternoon free for training and maintenance of their craft.
• Knights keeping watch, or traveling, are given exemptions from attending chapel for prayers -- though suitable number of paternosters (essentially prayer-formulas) must be spoken or thought of at the appropriate times.
• Designated chores must be completed in the morning and afternoon, which involve cleaning and maintaining gear, inspecting horses and weapons proficiency. Any knight who fails in these duties or is found with poorly maintained equipment is disciplined.
• The concept of full and immediate obedience enforced among the Templars is a unique concept of the time. Most secular knights simply obey a command when it suits them. Many battles are lost because of impetuous charges at the wrong time by small groups of knights, causing confusion among the main body.
• A Knight is denied maintaining associations with his family.
• A knight is forbidden to act as a godfather as it may invoke feelings of family outside the Templar.
• Knights are not allowed to kiss or embrace any woman (including mothers and sisters), and they are not permitted in any house where a woman is giving birth.
• Homosexuality is considered a serious offense.
• White lambskin girdles are to be worn by the knights at all times as a reminder of their vows of chastity -- even when going to bed.
• No one is allowed to see a Knight's naked body.
• The dormitory must have a lamp burning all night.
• Knights must cut their hair short -- but Templars also must wear a beard. Beards are considered signs of virility and masculinity in the Middle East, helping promote a respectful image among their enemies.
• Templars are inviolate from any earthly authority other than the Pope. No king or priest has any legal power over a Templar.
• No one can ask a Templar to swear an oath.
• They can appoint their own priests.
• The Templars are exempt from paying local taxes and tithes.
• Any gift given to an individual Knight belonged to the Order as a whole.
• Debts among individual knights are not permitted.
• The Rule also demands knights immediately attack any enemy they sight. This is usually over-ridden by another tenet of the Rule: that of obeying Templars and not acting outside one's authority
• Knights have regular training -- with specific fields and trial courses established at each base. Parading and synchronized movements are also practiced. Most movements center around the Templar's particular battle standard.
• Templar Knight funds are prohibited for use in ransoming.
• Fighting to the bitter end is expected -- retreat can only be ordered if the knights are outnumbered by more than 3 to 1.
• Strict punishment is invoked if a knight discusses the Templar's business with outsiders. He is not allowed to question the Cathedral’s authority.
• Knights are not allowed frivolous talk, and speech is prohibited at meal times.

Tools and Style

The monastic habit of the Templars is basically a white woolen tunic, white mantle and a skullcap. Templars also wear a red cross on their left breast or shoulder. Initially a simple intersection of lines, the cross later developed to become what is known as the "crosse formee." Sergeants wear a similar habit, though it was colored brown.

The Templars hold particular reverence for their battle standard, otherwise known as Bauseant. The standard is a simple one -- a white field with the upper quarter filled in black. It is the responsibility of the Gonfanonier knight who is supported and protected by the squires. In battle the standard is often protected by up to 10 knights and its loss by a brother would result in his expulsion from the Order. Secondary commanders and preceptories used a flag of a red cross on a white field. Both designs are used on individual knight's shields. Templars often wield Crusader Swords and Oil of Saint Ashman.