Knights Templar

Category:Faction
Originally founded during the First Crusade on the sacred lands of the Temple Mount, the Knights Templar were a fearless faction of warrior monks emboldened by religious discipline and a commitment to protect pilgrims in the Holy Land. These knights followed the strict tenets of the Latin Rule, namely swearing oaths of poverty, obedience, and chastity. Their personal vows, however, did not prevent the Order from becoming one of the richest factions in the Holy Land through their role as bankers for pilgrims and kings. 
== The Templars and the Third Crusade ==
The Templars were only one of the many monastic orders who took up the call to arms. However, the Templar Grandmaster Gérard de Ridefort did not fare so well at the onset of the Third Crusade. He was captured on July 4, 1187, at the Battle of Hattin, and would remain a prisoner of Saladin until 1188. Gérard de Ridefort was killed at the Siege of Acre on October 4, 1189. 
Following his death, the election of a new Grandmaster was delayed so the rules regarding Grandmasters fighting on the front line could be reviewed. It was during this period of limbo that Robert de Sable joined the Templars. He had only been a Templar for a few months when he was elected as Grandmaster, thanks to the support of King Richard the Lionheart.  
In 1191, the Crusaders went to battle on the plains of Arsuf. As a genius military strategist, Richard the Lionheart, with his entire cavalry, succeeded in breaking the Muslim lines and put Saladin’s army to flight. This glorious victory made a distant memory of the demoralising loss at the Horns of Hattin four years prior.
Sources: Wikipedia, templiers.org
== Military: ==
=== LRs (Low-Ranks): ===
They form the backbone of the Order, and are the primary fighting force. They are expected to attend trainings, listen to orders, and labour in the mines for the Templars. 
===== Uniforms =====
=== MRs (Middle-Ranks): ===
The Middle-Ranks of the Order are the main source of Knights. They are expected to be skilled and competent in combat, and have good leading capabilities. All MRs are also expected to be in a division of the Order and wear divisional uniforms. 
This is where most members of the Order spend their lifetime in.
=== HRs (High-Ranks): ===
The High Ranks of the Order are the chief command structure of the Templars, and organize the Lower and Middle Ranks in war and peacetime. HRs are few in number and are handpicked by the High Council. 
=== Marshal: ===
This is the title given to division leaders. They are top members of the Order and are a part of the High Council, and they help in planning the ext steps of the faction as a whole.
=== Master of the Order: ===
The third-in-command of the Order, and a veteran of the Templars. 
=== Seneschal: ===
The Second-In-Command, he is also a veteran member and assists the leader in all decisions and planning for the faction.
=== Grand Master: ===
The Leader of the Order, he holds supreme command over all other members. His say is final and he is the one who is responsible for planning the Order's next moves. He can declare war, make peace, sign treaties, and so on.
==== Order of the Black Cross ====
The specialized heavy assault sub-faction for the Order, primarily ordered into high-risk situations, swift and effective destruction of the frontlines, shock-tactics, and turning anything at the end of their huge great swords, hammer, maces, and battleaxes into a fine mix of powder, shrapnel, and mincemeat. 
===== Uniforms =====
==== Grand Master's Guard ====
The pride of the Templars is dedicated to defending capture points in battle and their beloved Grandmaster. Their combat is heavily focused on ranged melee or defense. All members in this division utilize one handed weapons combined with the use of shields, or a two-handed halberd to range out the opposition in close quarters. 
===== Uniforms =====
==== Templar Turcopoles ====
Mercenaries of Turkic origin in recruitment wearing the Templar flag. They were notorious for their archery, marksmanship, and light cavalry, hailing them as the most useful division for ranged combat in the battlefield. They will always have a ranged weapon with them, and a one-handed backup weapon. 
===== Uniforms =====