Templars

The Templars are a military organization that is run by the three most prominent Aevorean religious organizations. Most recruits are from the followers of these churches. Recruits that don't follow these gods are allowed, but they must follow the churches' rules. The Templars dedicate themselves solely to combating demons. They cannot participate in any politics, save for rooting out demonic influence. Templars must renounce all outside connections save for the churches, and are only permitted to marry other Templars.
When most people think of Templars, they think of knights in shining armor fighting glorious battles against hordes of demons. While this may happen occasionally, large-scale demon incursions are rare, especially after the death of Agrimas, the last demon king. In reality, Templars typically fight demons on a smaller scale, sending teams composed of four Templar soldiers and one Hospitaller, typically one trained in both medicine and intelligence, to investigate reports of demon activity. Such activity is usually only present in the form of a single demon or a small group, but larger groups do appear on occasion. There hasn't been an actual large-scale war against demons in centuries.
Templars are generally quite well-respected in Aevorea, with the exception of a few nobles who are disgruntled by their "improper" use of the word knight to refer to their higher-ranking soldiers. In most areas, they have authority on par with, or occasionally exceeding, law enforcement. In addition, they are exempt from taxes in some areas. In the event that a Templar does break the law, it is generally handled by Templar authorities.

Structure

The Templars are led by a Triumvirate, each Triumvir selected by one of the heads of the three churches. Under the Triumvirate are the officers:

• Paladin - A Paladin is the highest rank of officer among the Templars. They don't typically lead soldiers, but when they do, they lead a brigade, which is comprised of two legions, for a total of nine hundred and sixty soldiers. Paladins oversee most of the actual day-to-day running of the Templars, within the rules set by the Triumvirate. There are six Paladins in total, two appointed by each Triumvir. Currently, one Paladin leads each of the six main Templar fortresses.
• Grand Commander - A Grand Commander is an officer in charge of a legion of Templars, which is comprised of two battalions, for a total of four hundred and eighty soldiers.
• Commander - A Commander is an officer in charge of a battalion of Templars, which is comprised of two companies, for a total of two hundred and forty soldiers.
• Sergeant - A Sergeant is an officer in charge of a company of Templars, which is comprised of two platoons, for a total of one hundred and twenty soldiers.
• Lieutenant - A Lieutenant is an officer in charge of a platoon of Templars, which is comprised of five squads, for a total of sixty soldiers.
• Captain - A Captain is an officer in charge of a squad of Templars, which is comprised of three teams, for a total of twelve soldiers.
• Corporal - A Corporal is an officer in charge of a team of Templars, which is comprised of four total soldiers.

It should be noted that this leadership structure is largely a formality. While it is relevant in wartime, Templars don't operate in groups larger than platoons under normal circumstances, and even that much is rare.
Under the officers are the regulars, which make up the bulk of the Templars:

• Crusader - Crusader is the highest non-officer rank among Templars, which comes with an increased stipend. Crusaders have no official authority over lower-ranked Templars but are well-respected enough to have significant de facto influence regardless.
• Drillmaster - Drillmasters oversee the martial training of the Armigers and Novitiates. This position comes with an increased stipend and official authority over all Armigers and Novitiates. Drillmasters do not participate in combat except in dire emergencies.
• Instructor - Instructors oversee the education of the Armigers and Novitiates. This position comes with an increased stipend and official authority over all Armigers and Novitiates. As Hospitallers, Instructors never participate in combat.
• Knight Templar - A high rank, with an increased stipend. It should be noted that while the rank is called knight, this does not imply noble birth, and as such, some people won't recognize them as legitimate knights. They have no official authority over Templars, but have a small measure of de facto influence.
• Templar - A common soldier. The majority of Templars are of this rank. They receive a moderate stipend in addition to food, living quarters, and other necessities.
• Hospitaller - Originally used to refer specifically to the Templars' field medics, this term has grown to encompass any non-soldier member of the order, such as doctors, blacksmiths, quartermasters, and intelligence gatherers. While these people are not soldiers, they do still have basic combat training. Like Templars, they receive basic necessities and a moderate stipend.

Under the regulars are the recruits, who are in training to join the Templars, but are not yet full members.

• Armiger - A recruit in training to become a Templar. They receive basic necessities, but no stipend.
• Novitiate - A recruit in training to become a Hospitaller. They receive basic necessities, but no stipend.

Culture

Above all, Templars hate demons. They will not tolerate a demon of any kind, even if it appears to be harmless. They tend to avoid excessive extravagance, but unlike some other religious groups, they don't go so far as to renounce any kind of luxury. However, they are required to spend one month out of every year living in the wilderness, to ensure that they retain their survival skills. Though not a formal rule, it is tradition for Templars to spend this month with their teams, and rotate through the seasons year by year.
Templars dedicate at least two hours, often more, every day to training their martial skills, and at least one hour on their other skills, which are largely up to the discretion of the individual Templar, as long as they don't go against the doctrine of the three churches.
In order to join the Templars, prospective recruits must first pass a physical examination, then a series of tests measuring combat ability, teamwork, knowledge, etc. Afterwards, the fortress' Paladin examines the results, talks to the prospective recruits, and decides who gets to join and whether they are to be Templars or Hospitallers. Those chosen for the Templars become Armigers, and those chosen for the Hospitallers become Novitiates. Recruits are typically trained for four years, during which time they are provided basic necessities, but no stipend. Though this is the norm, some can graduate early, at the Paladin's discretion. The Templars generally accept recruits between the ages of fourteen and twenty-six (or their race's developmental equivalent).

Public Agenda

Templars exist primarily to combat demons. Lately, they've been dealing with a massive increase in the amount of Talon, a drug from Irkalla, being traded across Aevorea.
Orc tribes across Aevorea are a constant problem for the Templars, though their tendency to fight amongst themselves helps keep them manageable.

Assets

The Templars as an organization don't have much money or wealth, but the churches that comprise the Triumvirate do. These churches are the source of most of the Templars' food and funding. Additional resources can come in the form of donations, but this is usually very little.

History

The Templars were formed during the war in which the demon king Agrimas all but destroyed three kingdoms centuries ago in retaliation for the escape of many Human slaves. They fought alongside Methuselah and his holy servants in their campaign against Agrimas, which became known as the Crusade.
Years ago, there was a high-ranking priest named Elnifa. She was both arrogant and overzealous, and she demanded that the Templars of Castle Risus hunt down those she deemed to be heretics. These Templars, predictably, laughed in her face. Humiliated, Elnifa returned to her temple and began preaching that the Templars had been secretly consorting with demons. Enraged at this accusation, a Captain of the Templars marched with his squad into the temple in the middle of one of her sermons and executed her. When the city guards arrived to apprehend them, they did not resist. Shortly afterwards, the Triumvirate announced that Elnifa had been working for demons, attempting to sow discord between the different religions of Aevorea and that the Templars were acting within the bounds of their duties in killing her. They were released the next day.

Territories

The templars have six fortresses:

• Castle Medeis
• Castle Fidelitas
• Castle Probitatis
• Castle Misericordiam
• Castle Beneficentia
• Castle Risus

Each fortress is led by a Paladin. The specific way each fortress is run can vary, as long as they stay within the rules set by the Triumvirate. These fortresses and the immediate surrounding area are considered by the Erelicia Imperium to be semi-autonomous zones.

Foreign Relations

The Templars are indifferent to the Anarchs unless directly attacked by them.

Ethics

Templars must follow these rules:

• Under no circumstances are demons of any kind to be tolerated.
• Divest yourself from politics entirely, save for rooting out demonic influence.
• Similarly, divest yourself from all non-Templar and non-church attachments; your very existence endangers them otherwise.
• Heed church officials, but do not obey them. Only the Triumvirs have such authority.

Type

Religious, Holy Order

Training Level

Professional

Government System

Theocracy

Power Structure

Semi-autonomous area

Economic System

Mixed economy

Legislative Body

The Triumvirate

Judicial Body

The Paladins