House of the Templars
| House of the Templars | |
| Leader | Draekar |
| Patron | Miramar, the Even-handed |
| Leadership Style | Elected Autocracy |
| Founder | Gawain |
| City | Shallam |
| Classes Permitted | Paladin and Runewarden |
| House Tutor | Talarna |
| Heraldric Arms | Azure, a pair of swords in saltire Argent |
| Icon | The Dragon Sceptre (destroyed) |
- This page is about the House. For the class, please see Paladin.
House of the Templars, formerly known as the Paladins Guild and the Guardians of Light, make their home in the Chrysalis Basilica. The strong arm of the Holy Church of Achaea, their ways are mostly martial and they require at least some basic skills in combat from their members before they allow them to advance. The Guardians are devoted to the ideals of Good, Light, Righteousness and Valour, through the House Honour Code, requiring of them Courtesy, Prowess, Justice, Loyalty, Courage, Humility, Faith, and Nobility.
The Templars have a long and rich history. Founded by Sir Gawain in 174 AF under the original name of The Templars Guild, they wielded Bladefire with such strength and deadliness that the skill was eventually taken away by the will of the Logos, Who cited that it had proven much too powerful for mortal hands. The Templars received Forging as a replacement and were now able to make their own weapons and armour.
Later, the Templars were renamed the Paladins, although this change did not affect their resolve to fight Evil, Darkness, and Chaos.
The Templars were previously composed of those of the Paladin class only. However, with the growth of Houses in the realms, Sir Lereas Sparrow opened the House to those of all non-conflicting classes on the 20th of Scarlatan, 395 AF, so that those who wished to fight for the Light could do so less alienated and as part of a closer community, rebranding the House the Guardians of Light to reflect the acceptance of all those willing to protect the Light. In recent times, Lady Nakoruru Ruadhain reduced admittance to 'Knight' Classes only, with only those of the Paladin or Runewarden Class being allowed to join. Returning to their ancient roots the House once again changed its name and became the House of the Templars.
Their current tutor is Lady Talarna, who replaced Syvelium. Syvelium was lost during the incursion of The Other into Achaea.
Modern Leaders of the Templars
Modern Guildmasters of the Templars and Paladins
- Gawain
- 11 Mayan 174
- On the 11th of Mayan, 174AF, Gawain founded the Templars Guild. The Guild was founded with the purpose of protecting the innocent, and defending the holy shrines found across the land. He also spearheaded the building of the first Guild Manor in Delos. Gawain was a skilled warrior and led the Guild in numerous military campaigns against the Kharon, as well as to defend shrines. After an extended period of absence, Gawain was replaced by Agamemnon after 23 years of service.
- Agamemnon
- 14 Sarapin 197
- Agamemnon was a close advisor of Gawain before his appointment as Guildmaster. During his term, he introduced the Logosian Code of Honour, and went through the removal of Bladefire, and the introduction of Forging. He also appointed Lady Gaia as the Guild Patron. In 209AF, Agamemnon steps down and appoints Isildur as his successor. Initially, Oberon contests, but soon withdraws as he did not wish to cause division within the Guild. Isildur is then appointed Guildmaster.
- Isildur
- 12 Sarapin 209
- A strong, reputable and mighty warrior, Isildur was chosen by Agamemnon to succeed him as Guildmaster, owing to the fact that the Guild was facing trouble from Khaseem, and Agamemnon felt that Isildur was the only Templar strong enough to withstand and overcome him. Isildur also appointed Lady Aurora as patron during his first term as Guildmaster. After just four years, Jaxanime contests Isildur on the grounds that he is not active enough, and wins the subsequent election, becoming the first Guildmaster to win by a challenge.
- Jaxamine
- 11 Miraman 213
- Jaxanime is appointed Guildmaster after challenging Isildur on the grounds of inactivity. Jaxanime led the Guild during the height of the Ashtan-Shallam conflict. With their thinning forces often defeated and beaten by Nimos and his followers, the Guild considers surrender in an attempt to perhaps end the conflict. This decision was heavily criticized by Isildur, who took the opportunity to challenge Jaxanime for the position of Guildmaster.
- Isildur
- 17 Miraman 218
- Isildur contested Jaxanime in 218AF, stating he felt that Jaxanime was not strong enough to lead the Guild. He won the election and became the first Guildmaster to serve a second term. Under his leadership, the Guild was strengthened, and he also renamed the Guild, christening it as the Paladins Guild, birthing a new era.
- Isildur was contested by Dalamar shortly after, in 219AF. Isildur moved to question Dalamar's motives and his loyalties, stating that he believed Dalamar was being used by the Shadowsnakes. Isildur won the ensuing election and retained his position as Guildmaster.
- Pierce
- 19 Chronos 228
- In 228AF, Isildur resigned from his office as Guildmaster, and Pierce was chosen by the Guild to replace him. Pierce also generously donated his shop in the Medina, to be used as the Guild Shop.
- Zaklin
- 2 Valnuary 238
- After a period of inactivity, Caerid challenges Pierce as Guildmaster, citing that he is never around. Pierce still wins the election. Zaklin, who was serving as Arch-Justiciar at the time stepped in as Temporary-Guildmaster, and subsequently won the election when he later contested.
- WarMaster
- 3 Mayan 245
- With Zaklin on an extended period of absence, Isildur asks that someone run for Guildmaster. WarMaster steps up and asks the Guild to chose someone, and eventually they vote him in as Guildmaster.
- Perseus
- 13 Sarapin 249
- In 247AF, Caerid contests WarMaster as Guildmaster, claiming that he is never around. Isildur claims that if the guild is truly falling apart due to a short absence of the Guildmaster then the secretaries, including Caerid, are not doing their job. WarMaster apologizes for not being around and appoints Caerid as Arch-Justiciar. Later, in 249AF, Perseus challenges WarMaster, saying that he is not fulfilling his duties as Guildmaster. Aldair, although very young at the time, also runs in this election. WarMaster does not contend, and Perseus wins the election.
- Aldair
- 24 Lupar 255
- In 255AF, Perseus resigns from his office as Guildmaster, recommending Juno and Aldair as potential candidates to replace him. After two consecutive elections which resulting in two consecutive ties, Juno chooses to withdraw his candidacy, and Aldair becomes Guildmaster.
- Yeshua
- 22 Valnuary 265
- Yeshua challenges Aldair as Guildmaster, believing he can bring a fresh lease of life to the Guild. Aldair does no campaigning on her own behalf, claiming to be tied up in Church matters. Thus, Yeshua wins the election.
- Seosamh
- 1 Lupar 269
- In 269AF, Yeshua steps down as Guildmaster. Seosamh opposes Caerid, stating that they need to bring focus on the Church back to the Guild. Cyre and Molotov also declare candidacy, but Seosamh wins in the end.
- Caerid
- 5 Glacian 273
- Seosamh steps down as Guildmaster, saying that he can no longer stay in the realm. Tylin declares candidacy, asking that people bring their concerns to him directly. Tarlin also runs, stating that, as of late, the Paladins have been splitting into splinter factions and that the Guild was going downhill, a sentiment shared by Seosamh. Maalor joins the race, stating that the problem in the guild is a lack of unity and a lack of devoted knights. Despite having been particularly vocal during his previous runs for Guildmaster, Caerid manages to win without making a single post. Angelina later contests Caerid as GM in 275AF, claiming that he makes too many mistakes. Caerid says that she is just being spiteful following an incident for which she was reprimanded, and he retains his position.
- Brinn
- 9 Chronos 276
- After being thrown out of Pentharian's order, Caerid attempts to change the Guild Patron to the recently awakened Aurora, who declines to accept without the Guild's consensus. Caerid calls for a referendum, which, after being cut short, passes 3 to 1, but Aurora still does not accept patronage. Caerid then betrays the guild by putting most knights on probation and naming Sartan as the Guild's Patron. Grifter contests Caerid as Guildmaster but is outguilded. Desesden, the Sultan of Shallam, kicks out Caerid and his wife Malia, and Brigit, the Arch-Prelate, has them excommunicated.
- At that point, Cyrille, who had been Caerid's Arch-Justiciar, was the only knight who hadn't been kicked out. Brinn is named acting-Guildmaster by Brigit, and he immediately challenges and wins the election. Brinn points out that Caerid's actions actually helped the guild by uniting them against Sartan. He vows to punish those who supported Caerid, reinstating Pentharian as Guild Patron.
- Aldair
- 21 Phaestian 278
- Brinn promises an open election after all the "true" Paladins that Caerid had either probated or outguilded during recent events returned to the Guild. He invites any who think they can do a better job to contest him. Aldair and Darknight believe they can, and Aldair wins for her second term. Disapproving of current leadership, Tylin unsuccessfully contests Aldair as GM in 280AF, complaining that he did not oppose Aldair in the previous election because he was not around.
- Brandilar
- 15 Miriman 294
- Aldair is appointed as Arch-Prelate, and steps down as Guildmaster. Brandilar, Arch-Justiciar at the time, runs unopposed.
- Viran
- 21 Daedalan 318
- Brandilar steps down as Guildmaster, challenging that someone else needs to step forward and continue to improve the guild. Qwilleran and Trenia compete, as does Viran, who was Arch-Justiciar at the time. Walter also declares candidacy, but later withdraws. Viran wins the election and is appointed as Guildmaster.
- Trenia
- 14 Sarapin 329
- Qwilleran challenges Viran as Guildmaster, claiming that the guild is currently on the wrong path. Trenia also contests, stating that Viran has called the Guild to fight against evil, but has not taken any action. Viran felt he was merely overambitious, stating that his Mustering system, while possibly effective for volunteers, was difficult to apply to the Guild as a whole. Baldazar enters the election as well, but his platform is that he agrees with the path Viran has set and hopes that people will vote for him if they don't vote for Viran. Trenia wins the election and ascends to the Office of Guildmaster.
- Baldazar
- 12 Lupar 344
- Trenia steps down as Guildmaster, citing that she no longer has the time to properly serve the Guild. Latus, who had recently replaced Gaidel as Arch-Justiciar, Roncli, and Baldazar run, with Baldazar ultimately emerging as the successful candidate.
- Gaidel
- 2 Lupar 368
- After Roncli is appointed Arch-Prelate without Her approval in 360AF, Lorielan steps down as Church Patron (see Church 2198). Seven years later, Baldazar changes the Guild Patron to Tarah, stating that Lorielan has been inactive for several years and the Guild can not continue with a patron who disapproves of Church leadership. Lorielan strikes him down, claiming that She was never inactive, an act which leads to much internal debate. Claiming that the guild has stagnated, Dru comes out of retirement to challenge Baldazar. Latus later challenges, and Dru drops out to support him. Amist a great deal of debate, Baldazar wins the election by one vote, and Dru receives one vote. In protest of this, Verrucht gives Latus 10,000 gold and Forces him to run for GM again. Latus later withdraws from the election and goes into seclusion, but Trenia contests Baldazar before he does. Baldazar says that he's had enough and steps down as Guildmaster, throwing his support behind Gaidel.
- Viran
- 16 Ero 373
- After an extended absence, Gaidel steps down as Guildmaster. Viran, who was Arch-Justiciar at the time, and Latus contest. Viran wins the election and serves his second term as Guildmaster, becoming only the third Knight to do so, after Isildur and Aldair.
- Lereas
- 21 Lupar 387
- In an action against their enemies, the Vertani destroy Thera with aflaming meteor, killing all those who were in the village at the time. They also construct a fortress, and kill those who enter. The Prelacy responds by activating several units of the Church army and considering going to war. Viran decides that the Guild's participation in the city charter would conflict with the Church's interests, as Solar, the Sultana, had decreed her intent to ally with the Vertani rather than go to war with them. He thus threatens to withdraw from the City Charter in one year if the Council does not address his concerns. Lereas challenges Viran for Guildmaster, believing that Viran did not give the Guild proper notice of this plan. Brinn also challenges, proposing sweeping, fundamental changes to the path and the way the Guild is run. Viran believes he did what was in the Church's best interests, and stands by his decision. Lereas wins the election with a significant margin of votes.
House Lords of the Guardians of Light and the Templars
Grand Champion of the Innocent
- Lereas
- 21 Lupar 387
- First House Lord of Guardians of Light.
- Itkovian
- 17 Valnuary 399
- Lereas steps down as House Lord, stating that he did not wish to wait for a contestation before he decided it would be time to do so. Itkovian, who was Imithian Prelate, and Kellonius, who was Arch-Justiciar contest, with Alinoe joining in as a late candidate. Itkovian secures the lead, becoming the first elected House Lord after the transition to the House; the Guardians of Light.
- Fonetic
- 18 Ero 414
- In 414AF, Itkovian resigns from his Office, stating he had met all the goals he set before himself. He also wanted to spend more time with his family and resume his position of Master-at-Arms. Fonetic challenges, planning to raise morale, spend some money, and get people knighted. Osis throws his hat in as well, having plans to revise the Path to Knighthood. Trenia and Kellonius also join the election after the voting had already begun, but Fonetic manages to win with a tight margin over Osis.
- In 419AF, an internal disagreement between Fonetic and the Prelacy led Tarah to resign as House patron. Altarius contests for House Lord, stating that he is simply a better leader. However, Fonetic is able to emerge the winner of the election. In 448AF, Silas challenges Fonetic, stating that he can be a more focused leader, able to revise the Path and drive the House forward. Fonetic defends his Office successfully by claiming he has done a good job so far and that Silas's attention may already be stretched thin by acting as a leader in several other organizations of Good.
- Nakoruru
- 8 Phaestian 451
- Due to serious health issues, Fonetic decides to resign rather than allow the House to stagnate in his absence, and immediately appoints Nakoruru, who was Arch-Justiciar, as acting House Leader. An election is called for, between Nakoruru, Alinoe, Antonius, and Brinn. All agree that more needs to be done in terms of taking an active role against the enemies of Good. Nakoruru is victorious, becoming the first House Leader to be of a class other than Paladin.
- Alban
- 25 Phaestean 480
- Stating that he felt the House had been allowed to stagnate for too long, Alban contests Nakoruru as House Leader. Nakoruru responds by resigning, stating that it had been her intention to do so in the near future anyways, and that it was time for a new leader to rise up. Silas joins in the election and both promise to boost activity within the House, and rebuild it as a military force. Alban eventually wins by a single vote, becoming the first Sentinel House Leader.
- Antonius
- 16 Valnuary 486
- After an extended absence by Alban, Antonius contests him for the Office of House Lord, stating that regardless of whatever issues he was facing, it was imperative for the House Lord to be around, and that he would not allow the House to slip to a standstill again. No one else contests and Antonius wins the election after Silas informs the House that Alban has resigned.
- Aaseth
- 12 Glacian 488
- After just one year in Office, Antonius is absent from the Realms for a year, and Silas posts to inform the House that he would not be returning to the Realms. Aaseth, who was Arch-Justiciar at the time, and Spetum contest, each vowing to make sweeping changes to the House and attempt to revamp it. Aaseth eventually wins the election by over double the votes and becomes the twenty-seventh House Lord, eventually the last Leader of the Guardians of Light and the first Templar Lord.
Templar Lord
- Aaseth
- 12 Glacian 488
- Aaseth is the first Lord of the Templars, leading the House during the time when the Sword of Angels was returned to the Guardians.
- Draekar
- 20 Daedalan 539
- After being the first House Lord to serve in Office for over half a century, Aaseth resigns, stating he felt it was time for someone new to rise up and take the reins, and propel the House to an even greater height, using whatever he had done as a foundation to build even higher. He recommends his Arch-Justiciar and former protege, Draekar, to assume the role of House Lord. Draekar runs unopposed and the House stands unanimously united behind him. The election took place amidst a period of turmoil within the Prelacy, and with his appointment, Draekar did well to bring an end to the situation.
Divine Patrons
- Gaia
- 10 Glacian 206
- Aurora
- ~7 Ero 209
- Pentharian
- ~25 Miraman 261
- Sartan
- 8 Ero 276
- Pentharian
- ~24 Valnuary 276
- Lorielan
- 22 Phaestian 339
- Tarah
- 12 Phaestian 367
- Lorielan
- 10 Miraman 420
- Pentharian
- 8 Lupar 447
- Miramar