Templar Order (Dragon Age)
The Templar Order is an organization that features in Dragon Age.
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History
The Templar Order was a military organization that served as a wing of the Chantry in combating mystical threats in Thedas. Their origins were traced to early history when the Chantry was young when an organization known as the Inquisition operated that fought against magical dangers to mankind. Ultimately, the Chantry managed to convince the Inquisition to unite the banner of their shared common faith. This changed the state of affairs with the signing of the Nevarran Accord in the year 1:20 Divine that divided the Inquisition into two groups with these being the Seekers of Truth and the other being the Templar Order with the latter being charged as guardian as well as warden rather than hunter.
When the Warden comes to the Circle seeking the mages' help, promised to the Grey Wardens by ancient treaties, they find out that the tower has been overrun by demons and abominations, as a result of which Knight-Commander Greagoir has called for the Right of Annulment. If the Warden helps the templars carry it out, then Greagoir will pledge his forces to the fight against darkspawn.
After the death of Viscount Marlowe Dumar during the First Battle of Kirkwall, Knight-Commander Meredith Stannard declares martial law and assumes control of the city. As she blocks the election of a new viscount and implements increasingly harsh restrictions on the Circle, Meredith faces dissent from both the nobility as well as mages and her own templars. In 9:37 Dragon, the Kirkwall Chantry is destroyed by magic and Grand Cleric Elthina killed. After the battle in Kirkwall and the deaths of First Enchanter Orsino and Knight-Commander Meredith, Circles begin to rebel all over Thedas. By 9:40, the Chantry is on the brink of collapse and has lost control of the templars. A group connected to the Chantry that includes some of the Seekers of Truth have sought to find a peaceful solution to the escalating conflict between the mages and templars by finding both the Hero of Ferelden and the Champion of Kirkwall, who they believe could help stop the war. Yet the group has had no success in tracking down either individual.
With the Mage-Templar War wreaking havoc across Thedas, Samson is able to rally some of the floundering Templar Order and is made their general. Samson has begun serving Corypheus and introduces his templars to the Red Lyrium he supplies. Samson inspires his fellow Red Templars to master the red lyrium with the sole purpose of overthrowing the Chantry that cast them aside and to make the world a place free of the Chantry's oppression.
During the chaos of the war, Raleigh Samson came to rally some of the Templar under his banner and became their commanding general. He then began to serve the being known as Corypheus who introduced them to Red Lyrium leading to Samson re-organising his faction into the Red Templars. This group sought to master the substance and use its power to overthrow the Chantry for casting them aside and free society from its oppression.
In 9:41 Dragon, after the disappearance of Lord Seeker Lambert, the Seekers of Truth elect Lucius Corin as their new leader. Subsequently, the Templars agree to a peace summit with the Rebel Mages orchestrated by Divine Justinia V. However, a massive explosion that destroys the Temple of Sacred Ashes and sunders the Veil across southern Thedas shatters any hope of peace. In the wake of the failed conclave, the Templar Order continues to fracture. A large group follows the Lord Seeker's orders and withdraw to Val Royeaux while some join the recently re-formed Inquisition. Others insist that the Lord Seeker has failed to conduct the war properly and establish themselves in the Hinterlands in western Ferelden where they continue to clash with apostate mages and attack those they deem mage sympathizers—without any oversight or direction. Still, other Templars such as those at the Circles in Hossberg in the Anderfels and Hasmal in the Free Marches refuse to be drawn into the war at all and remain neutral to protect mages not wishing to fight. When the Inquisition addresses the Chantry in Val Royeaux, Lord Seeker Lucius arrives flanked by a contingent of Templars. Revered Mother Hevara assumes they are returning to the Chantry to put an end to the upstart Inquisition, only to be unceremoniously knocked to the ground on Lucius' order. Lucius declares Val Royeaux unworthy of the Order's protection and takes his Templars to Therinfal Redoubt. The Knight-Vigilant, who unknown to most survived the conclave, is murdered by the Red Templars to prevent him potentially interfering with their plans at Therinfal.
Overview
In appearance, the Order of Templars appeared as a stoic and grim martial arm of the Chantry. They were armed with the power to dispel and resist magic along were trained with a formidable range of battle skills. This made them uniquely equipped to serve as a counter to apostate-mages that refused the authority of the Circle and also serve as a defensive line against the darker magical powers such as blood mages and abominations. Opinion of the Templars varied with the people of Thedas viewing them as saviours and holy warriors. As such, they were seen as champions of good that were pious enough to protect the world from the threat of foul magic. For this same reason, they were resented by mages that saw them as symbols of the Chantry's control over magic. Ultimately, they were a militant arm of the Chantry that sought out skilled warriors with unshakeable faith in the Maker and had a flawed moral center. As such, Templars carried out their duty with an emotional distance and preferring soldiers that had a religious fervour along with absolute loyalty over paragons of virtue that might make them question difficult orders. This ruthless piety was the source of much fear from mages who drew the attention of the Templars. When the Order dispatched them to eliminate suspected blood mages then there was no reasoning with the Templars who were prepared to battle their foe whose magic was useless against them. As such, Templars were among the most feared and respected forces in Thedas.
Templars were often recruited from a young age with individuals being selected when they were children or teenagers. The recruitment and training was rigorous, sometimes occurring in monastic refuges segregated from everyday society. While the majority of their members are male, some female templars do exist, having chosen to serve the Maker as a defender of the faith rather than a spiritual guide for the community. Templars take vows upon knighthood, but these do not include vows of chastity. Templars were nevertheless discouraged from marrying or raising children since it is impractical to live apart from ones' dependents. Such unions are occasionally permitted, provided that the templar's spouse has his or her own means of support, for example, owning land or a title. A templar marrying another templar or a mage within the same Circle would be considered fraternization within the ranks and would seldom receive permission. Recruits require years of education and discipline to use their templar abilities. Once they've become proficient in their templar skills, the recruits then learn sword training and religious doctrine.[15] Prior to taking their vows, templar recruits undergo a vigil. After the vigil, the knight's life is changed. The templar is given a philter—their first draught of lyrium—and its power. The Templar Order dictates that templars are not to seek wealth or acknowledgement. Their lives belonged to the Maker and the path they have chosen.
Their power was derived from the use of Lyrium that was believed to be the raw element of creation. Templars ingested the material to enhance their abilities allowing them to resist and dispel magic in contrast to mages who used it in their spells and rituals. Its use was largely regulated by the Chantry due to its addictive qualities and side effects that impacted the mind with Templars willingly use it despite the dangers in order to better serve the Order as well as the Maker.
A splinter faction broke from the mainstream Templar Order and formed the Red Templars.
Members
- Alistair :
- Cullen Rutherford :
- Evangeline de Brassard :
- Lambert van Reeves :
- Meredith Stannard :
- Raleigh Samson :
Notes
- The Templar Order were created by BioWare where they featured in the setting of the Dragon Age universe.
Appearances
- Dragon Age: Origins:
- Dragon Age II:
- Dragon Age: Inquisition:
External Links
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