Templars of Iron

## Overview

The **Templars of Iron**, officially the **Holy Order of the Templars of the Iron Oath**, or sometimes simply referred to as the **Iron Axes**, is a Freeguild of the city of Vanderhal. A mercenary company that prides itself on its professionalism and integrity, it is the largest and most powerful Freeguild in the city. The Templars are infamous for their religious aesthetics and devotion of Sigmar, and are widely respected by native Vanderhalians.

## History

### Origins

The Templars of Iron formed after the creation of the city of Vanderhal, with originally austere origins. A collection of Sigmarite priests journeyed from Azyr to the city and began preaching the word of Sigmar, and established a small coven in the city. The priests attempting to travel out into the Broken Continent, however, were assaulted by the vampire Blood Clans, orruk warclans, Chaos warbands, and more. In response, a few zealous Sigmarites created the Templars of Iron to defend them.

The Templars were originally small, and mostly guarded the priests they vowed to protect, but in time grew in size and influence. However, the modern Freeguild was not created until the devastating Necroquake, which shook the Mortal Realms and caused huge hordes of the ghostly Nighthaunt and undead to rise from the grave.

Vanderhal was assaulted by a large host of Nighthaunts, with its defenders frightened and terrified and unable to combat the ghosts of the dead. However a brave soldier and devout Sigmarite, Vishion Dalen, saw the bravery and courage of the Templars, who, because of their resoluteness, were able to actually harm the Nighthaunt. Rallying them after their leaders were killed, he lead a charge against the Nighthaunt and was able to inspire the rest of the cities defenders.

Following this, Vishion reorganized the order, and formed the Templars of Iron into an efficient Freeguild fighting force, using both his military experience and the zeal of the Templar members to create a the most powerful Freeguild military organization in the city of Vanderhal.

### Notable Conflicts

Over the years, the Templars have participated in other famous battle and conflicts, with numerous smaller skirmishes and battles with smaller greenskin and Chaos forces.

* **The Night of Wails** - The modern incarnation of the Templars of Iron were born in the Night of Terrors in Vanderhal, when a large host of Nighthaunts attacked the city and its defenders. The actions of future Grandmaster Vishion Dalen and its members have been well-remembered in Vanderhal's memory, the spark that created the order and continues to be one of their greatest victories.
* **Fourth Battle of Vanderhal** - The Templars have been prominent in every orruk invasion of Vanderhal, but are especially known for their actions during the Fourth Battle of Vanderhal. Famously holding the Grey Gate during the Fourth Battle of Vanderhal against a tide of large greenskinz, they were pivotal in wearing down orruk determination and pushing them back. They also featured heavily in the Great War of Undying, defending Vanderhal from numerous deadwalker and necromancer invasions during their early years.
* **The Battle of Bloodriver Run** - A conflict between the Templars and a large Blood Clan of vampires, who were attacking the sacred convoy of the Prophet of Sigmar from Holy Skyra. The entire clan ambushed the convoy in a small gulch known as Bloodriver Run, but the 9th Regiment bravely defended the Prophet, and held back the vampires long enough for them to escape. The entire regiment was massacred, but were honored as heroes and martyrs.
* **The Greenskin Uprising** - During the start of the Age of Beasts, a collection of crafty Greenskinz, including grotz, orruks, and gnoblars under Gurbak da Digga!!! dug a series of tunnels and mines underneath Vanderhal. On a specific day that burst from the ground, attacking and slaughtering everyone in their wake. The horde even managed to penetrate the central temple of the Templars of Iron, who suffered heavy casualties and damages to their infrastructure.

### Current Status

The Templars of Iron have now grown in the principle Freeguild of Vanderhal, well-respected all across the Broken Continent, and over the many years of the Age of Sigmar have become prosperous and well-organized. Currently lead by the older by zealous Oroner Dawncrown, the Templars of Iron have seen new conflicts and problems arise, facing greater incursions from gargants or ogor tribes, and recently fought in a large WAAAGH against the orruks of the Greenblood Bowl. No matter the threat however, the unbreakable iron walls of the Templars will continue to stand tall against the forces that would seek Vanderhal's destruction.

## Homeland

The Templars make their home in the Broken Continent, specifically in the city of Vanderhal. There main temple/headquarters is located in the city, though a few smaller manned outposts are doted around the region guarding specific locations. Many Vanderhalians join the Templars, the most prestigious of the Freeguilds, and consider them an inseparable part of their city.

## Equipment

### Weapons and Armor

The Templars are well-funded and paid for by the citizens of Vanderhal, and this can be seen in their armor and equipment. Every soldier is well-armed with regulated weaponry and equipment, with most Templars favoring heavier plates and leather for greater protection. A specific green color is used on all armor, with stylized pauldrons used to denote rank and regiment.

### Relics

* **Baberu** - A maple war hammer carved with sunrises in relief. *Baberu* came into the possession of the Templars through mysterious means, with no one entirely sure where exactly it came from. It has the effect of causing friends and fellow soldiers who see it to feel calm and tranquil, even during dangerous battles. *Baberu* is traditionally used only by military commanders during a defense of Vanderhal, and rarely wielded by offensive units.
* **Evsam** - A duardin-style bronze scimitar inlaid in gold with snowflakes, crafted by ancient runesmiths. It was found by the Templars during a battle against orruks, and claimed. *Evsam* has specific runic enchantments that allow the wielder to be immune to the cold, as well as being very durable and sharp.
* **Ajfor** - *Ajfor* is an elm mace carved with a circle. It glows with a soft, warm light, a gift from aelven mages to the Templars, granting light in the darkness. It is traditionally used by the Word Bearers regiment.
* **The Mace of St. Vandus** - A mace said to have been touched and even used by Vandus Hammerhand for a period of time, and considered a holy relic of the Templars. The mace is revered and traditionally passed down to the leader of the Sisters of Sigmar (currently Ome Apurngim)
* **The Cloth of the First Prophet** - A piece of cloth said to have been possessed by the First Prophet of the Holy Skyran Church. It is held in the main temple of the Templars.
* **The Hand of Vishion** - The bony hand of the founder of the Templars, Vishion. It has been engraved with gold and other markings, and sometimes is carried into battle for good luck and favor from Sigmar.

## Organization

The Templars of Iron are organized very strictly and systematically, with the Templar Grandmaster leading the entire Freeguild. Under him are 12 regiments, each with 1,000 soldiers and commanded by generals or Templar Masters. Underneath the Masters are 10 different companies, composed of 100 men each and commanded by Templar Lords. Each company is further divided into platoons composed of 10 men each, commanded by a Lieutenant. Finally, Templar Sergeants command squads of 5 men each, including themselves. Each regiment features some cavalry, lighter infantry, and long-range units, though some regiments may differ in specific amounts and emphasis.

* 1st Regiment "Storm Hawks" - The Storm Hawks are a cavalry-focused regiment. A large number of thylons of Vanderhal join the Storm Hawks regiment.
* 2nd Regiment "Word Bearers" - One of the most pious regiments, composed of former or current priests of Sigmar and constantly working to proselytize and spread the message of Sigmar.
* 3rd Regiment "Underfellows" - The Underfellows is largely composed of halflings native to Vanderhal, who, despite their small size, make skilled light infantry and archers. They are frequently employed as scouts and used as vanguards.
* 4th Regiment "Geistbreakers" - The 4th regiment gained notoriety during the Great War of Undying, whose soldiers were brave enough to stand against the terrifying Nighthaunt and became famed for actually being effective against them. They are formed of some of the oldest and bravest members of the order.
* 5th Regiment "First Guard" - The First Guard defend Ironstand, the first outpost of Vanderhal in the Greenblood Bowl and the first major defense against any orruk attack. Due to this, they have very high causalities, with either the very bold and brave or insubordinate sent into the First Guard.
* 6th Regiment "Sigmar's Chosen" - Considered the luckiest of all of the Templars of Iron, they have survived very deadly encounters and somehow managed to emerge relatively unscathed.
* 7th Regiment "Axes of Vandus" - Formed of zealous warriors, they were gifted a large cache of fyresteel axes by duardin Fyreslayers, which many leaders and sergeants use to this day.
* 8th Regiment "Iron Hands" - The Iron Hands has a sizeable duardin composition, with the oldest and most wounded members sent to the 8th regiment. Many have prosthetic limbs, and it is common practice for members to cover their hands in gray paint as a sign of their regiment.
* 9th Regiment "The Hollowed" - One of the most famous regiments that was totally wiped out during an old battle. They are highly respected by the entire order.
* 10th Regiment "Daughters of Sigmar" - An almost exclusively all-female force, they are frequently formed of the disgruntled or rebellious daughters of Vanderhal, recruited or given up to the Templars. The Daughters are very zealous and favor very heavy hammers.
* 11th Regiment "Devoted Wardens" - The 11th Regiment is unique among the Templars of Iron in that it is located in the city of Holy Skyra, and is devoted almost exclusively to protecting the leading religious figures of the Holy Skyran Church. Because of this, they rarely see major combat, and are not usually called by the rest of the Templars.
* 12th Regiment "The Sacrosanctified" - The regiment lead by the Grandmaster of the Templars and the most respected and prestigious among them.

## Tactics

The Templars are famous for their tenacity in battle and favor heavy infantry who can take hits and hold the line against bigger forces. Recruits are constantly drilled in tight formations, holding large shields and clad in a mix of plate armor and leather. While not as heavy and armored as Stormcast or other more equipped Freeguilds, they are able to form battlelines and shield ranks against opponents.

The main goal of the Templar is to wear their foes down, allowing for smaller cavalry or lighter infantry to slip in, or another allied force to swoop down. When their lines break or cannot hold, then they charge into battle with religious fury, striking with hammers, axes, swords, and whatever weapons they possess.

Key to the Templars use in battle is their extreme coordination and flexible structure, tightly enforced under specific military units that can function on their own in a battle. Many smaller companies or regiments are sent to protect convoys and religious folk as well, able to spread out and defend against any threat.

## Notable Characters

* **Grandmaster Oroner Dawncrown** - Oroner is an older man of around 50 years, a legend among the Templars and known for being is selfless and polite. He wields the traditional ax of the Templars, a sacred relic said to have been passed down from the first Grandmaster. Despite his years his zeal and tireless devotion keeps him moving forward. His left hand has been replaced with magical-mechanical workings.
* **Master Ome Apurngim** - Ome is a woman of many years and scars, the leader of the Daughters of Sigmar. Once a violent rebel and scandal in her day, she was forced to join the Templars. Since then, she has become a fierce zealot, wielding the Mace of St. Vandus and guarding many relics of the Freeguild.
* **Lieutenant Tearl Puddipen** - Tearl is a middle-aged halfing woman, and well-regarded among the Underfellows regiment. She favors pistols and smaller hand-held weapons in combat, and has gained a reputation for her more scrupulous methods. Despite this, she is highly effective and still very devout, even is she justifies using different methods to achieve the Templar's goals.
* **Lieutenant Horwhen Bluerunner** - An oddity among the Templars, Horwhen is a young elven woman who was raised Oroner after he found her abandoned. Considered the most beautiful member of the Templars, that has not stopped her in pursuing a career in the Templars, where her skills in leadership and martial combat are well-known.
* **Ulluum Wildbell** - Considered the best marksmen in the entire order, he is a single soldier who often works alone for specific missions or operations, targeting enemy leaders while the other Templars charge into battle. Widely respected across even the land, he is often hired by other organizations, sometimes taking their offers in order to gather more intel, experience, or money for the order. Fervently loyal and extremely devout.
* **Sergeant Ingara Sherrier** - Tough as nails, Ingara, has served in the Templars for almost her entire life, committed to its cause and seen virtually every atrocity and crime imaginable, which has hardened her into a tough soldier. She constantly refuses any promotion, preferring to stay in the thick of combat and keeping her troops safe. Due to her long years of service she was given the magical sword *Evsam.*
* **Lord Tooran Snuth** - Tooran Snuth comes from a noble family, but willingly abandoned it all to serve the Templars of Iron. He is a large and strong fighter, one of the few demigryph riders among the Templars who leads his own cavalry unit.
* **Master Qedric Ocglund** - Qedric is the older commander of the 7th Regiment, and known for his belligerence and battle lust. He always fights at the front lines with twin fyresteel axes, shouting curses upon his enemies and praising Sigmar with every other breath.