[Templar] Example Characters

[Praetorian]

[Alright all, here is the thread for the various characters and NPCs we develop for the game]

Faction: The Papcy
Name: Commander Julian Taureck of the Swiss Guard

Julian was born the son of a widower clock maker. For most of his life, Julian dreamed of bigger things than his small hamlet nestled in the mountains of Switzerland. Julian's father was a harsh father, but genuinely interested that Julian do something with himself. Early on his father realized that Julian would never settle for being a clock maker, and quietly stepped out of the way to allow Julian the opportunity to explore the region surrounding their home. In time, julian ranged farther and farther afield- until one day he decided it was truly time for him to move on.

An iterant traveler for much of his young adulthood, Julian eventually joined up with a fledgling mercenary unit that was using the Swiss mountains as a convienant place to recoup after a particularly taxing contract. Julian served well and loyally, eventually getting enough money to return to his home and visit with his father. While home Julian's hamlet asked for his aid as they were under constant raids from nearby German barbarians. Julian took control of the hastily-organized unit of defenders from his village and the few more expirienced military men from nearby cantons. Under his leadership and relentless pursuit of the German raiders, Julian gained the notice of the local Clergy and upon the end of the campaign against the Germans was offered a place in the Swiss Guard.

Julian accepted.

Since that fateful offer, Julian has moved and taken up residence in the Vatican as a commander of the elite Swiss Guard that serve to protect the Pope. Julian, never a particularly devout individual, was pleased that his father was particularly proud of the post. For his father's sake, Julian, now in his upper 30's, has learned to become a faithful man, dedicated to the Pope's wishes.

Julian has been assigned the task of tracking down the heretical Templars- wherever they are hiding. To that end, Julian has a detachment of the Swiss Guard that he has handpicked. He trusts every man in his 20-man unit, both for their faith and for their unwavering dedication to the Pope's word.

Where once Julian admired and dreamed of being a Templar, he now only sees the Papal Bull that has ordered them excommunicated and hunted down. Julian is an implacable foe and has a number of resources at his disposal. His position as a commander of the Swiss Guard gets him considerable leeway from any diocese his visits, and he can be assured of raising a sizeable militia in any god-fearing Catholic community. He is a seasoned warrior, who is fluent in five different languages (though he does not know how to read). Just as dangerous, Julian has in his possession at all times a number of orders from the Pope and his inner-circle Clergy- granting Julian all sorts of wide-ranging political and military powers no matter where he might find himself. Indeed, outside of a Cardinal, there is no one that can give Julian orders.

Julian has seen evidence of witchcraft and knows how dangerous it can be- though he does not have any magical powers of his own (nor do any of his Swiss Guard). He has heard the Templars may have some type of magic of their own, and is interested in trying to find a way to counter those powers. The Pope has provided Julian and each of his men a specially blessed cross- to help fend off the magic of the Templars. Julian has been commanded by the Pope to allow the recovery of artifacts to be handled by other agents (Julian does not know who these other agents are)- but has been specifically ordered to track down each and every Templar and permit them to recant or die.

On his own, there are few men in Europe more dangerous with a polearm- Julian wields his chosen halbred with the speed and ferocity of a man possessed. Indeed, his masterful use of balance and weight with the polearm allows him to preform some amazing acrobatic manuvers.

Julian normally dresses in a long black hooded cloak (as does his detachment) with the radiating cross emblazoned in gold (the personal symbol of the Pope) across the back. Otherwise, he dresses in traveling garb- rough hewn and rugged. Julian rarely shaves when outside of the Vatican City and his large hands show the scars of a number of scuffles. Many of the Pope's enemies have given Julian the nickname the "Hound of God" in part due to Julian's dogged perserverance and in part due to the wicked snarl that crosses his lips in combat. Despite his fearsome demeanor, Julian is a jovial man with his companions.

The detachment is very recognizeable with their flowing cloaks and prominet halbreds as they walk into the villages of France. Most people know to automatically give them a wide bearth.

[Lamb]

Faction: The Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Jesus Christ and the Temple of
Solomon (a.k.a. The Templars)
Name: Roger of Flor

Roger de Flor was born the son of Richard von der Blume, falconer to Emperor Frederick II. After the fall of the Hohenstaufens, at the age of eight, Roger had been taken on as cabin-boy on a Templar galley at the port of Brindisi. Changing his name to Roger of Flor, to better fit in with the Latin crews, he joined the Templars and eventually rose to command the galley Falcon.

In 1291, at the Siege of Acre, Roger of Flor disgraced himself and the Order by extorting civilians attempting to leave Acre to escape the Muslim army at the gates. He was expelled from the Order for this transgression, but also became quite wealthy. He sailed to Marseilles, then moved on to Genoa where he was put in command of a new galley, the Olivetta. It was with this command that he enriched himself even further through piracy.

With this money, Roger formed a small mercenary company and took a contract in Sicily. He was extremely successful, and by 1302, Roger commanded a fleet of thirty-two galleys and transports and a force of 2,500 men. These he put at the disposal of the Byzantine Emperor Andronicus Palaeologus in exchange for the hand of his niece Maria, the title of megas dux, and, for his Catalan Company, double the usual rates of pay. Now Roger leads his mercenary company in a highly successful campaign against the Turks in Anatolia.

What is not generally known about Roger is that he has always kept in contact with the Templar Grand Master, James of Molay. A career Templar, Roger was forever loyal to the Order. Since the Papal Bull condemning the Templars, Roger provides a place to dissappear for fugitive Templars, the Catalan Company he commands. Some of the missing treasure of the Templars also made its way into his coffers, with the fleeing Knights.

[Penbot 2004]

just a quick question. I correct to be working with the French "royal" court as opposed to the legal court? This would seem to be obvious but . . . ?

[Lamb]

I'd go with the royal court. The French legal court had absolutely zero jurisdiction over the Templars and King Phillip the Fair had to resort to threats against the Pope and his influence over the local Archbishop (forget his name for the moment) in order to carry out the pogrom against the Templars.

[Penbot 2004]

yeah, I felt pretty silly after I posted that question. argh!

[Praetorian]

Alright, we have 2 characters. What about the rest? If we can get one more post I think we could comfortably move on to our next set. I have another Papl character in mind- but I don't want Jason and I to be the only ones posting and adding to the setting.

So, pony up!

[Penbot 2004]

faction: French Royal Court / Legitist
name: Gilato Di'har, Executive Majestrate of the Order of the Franc (coin)
age: 40 years

Gilato Di'har is a robust and athletic 40 year old. He is 5'10", weighing 185lbs. While the majority of the Legitist are self made nobles, Gelato inherited the Di'har family Banking business. The Di'har family investment company has developed over the past 3 generations. (roughly 100 years) The banking and investment was build on their success as grain farmers and merchants. However, there are rumors of profits from slave trade..

The Di'har Estate is sprawling, as much as 50 acres of woodland and wheat fields. Gelato was trained in combat by the family's man at arms. The family guards number as many as 50.

Gilato joined the Order of the Franc as a young man to assist with his social advancement and influence. It is an socio-political organization for young men and lesser nobles. Concerned with the welfare of the French state in political and military struggles thru-out Europe. Gilato's membership has spaned nearly 20 years and he has obtained leader ship of the order. A possition which has a great deal of influnce with the king. It was Gilato and fellow members of his order who devised the 5 charges against the Templars.

1 That upon being received into the order every neophyte must spit on the cross and deny Christ thrice. (5)

2 That the receptor and the novice exchanged indecent kisses, i.e. on the navel and the posteriors, while disrobed.

2 That they pledged themselves to practice sodomy.

4. That the priests of the order did not pronounce the words of consecration when administering the mass.

5. That the cord which the Templars wore over their shirt day and night as a symbol of purity had been consecrated by wrapping it around an idol they worshipped in the chapters. (6)

:: I should type up his second hand man while I'm on a roll! ::

later,

[Penbot 2004]

Faction: French Royal Court / Legitist /Order of the Franc (coin)
name: Onrey Deveroue, Personal secretary of Mr. Di'har.
age: 30 years

suggested pools for resources
Physical: 2d8
Mental: 2d12
Personal: 2d12
Material: 2d6

Onrey acquired his position as Mr. Dihar's secretary through various family and business contacts. He has been in Mr. Dihar's service for ten years. He has been an adept of the O.F. for roughly the same amount of time. Onrey has developed into a very business wise clerk. He has a charm for diplomacy and occasionally persuasion as well. He has moderate combat training and skill. He is not afraid of an ocassional bar brawl but prefers to leave real fighting and defence to the experts.

(In short, he's a dandy. But not a fool.)

Are we still working on this?
P'b 04