Post by Templar Knight on Nov 19, 2021 7:17:01 GMT
Unlike the hierarchy of the Circles of Magi, which is fairly well-defined, we have received conflicting information both in and out of game regarding the leadership of the Templar Order. Attempting to reconcile all of it is simply impossible (I could dedicate several paragraphs to all the conflicts). That being said, I have just hammered out a hierarchy that I'm quite happy with. I did this by treating only ingame content as strict canon. Anything from supplementary material (such as the novels or developer blogs and statements), I've treated far more flexibly - taking and leaving bits of information as they've suited me. I'd love to hear the community's thoughts on what I've come up with:
Most towns or villages of note have at least one or two templars stationed at the local chantry, answerable to the revered mother. Generally one templar will outrank the others, possessing the rank either of Knight-Corporal or Knight-Lieutenant, and thus have authority over his fellows.
In addition to the revered mother, each of these small local units is considered to belong to a larger regional commandery. Excluding Tevinter, the continent is divided into fifteen such commanderies, which are typically but not always headquartered in a tower belonging to the Circle of Magi. The Kingdom of Ferelden by itself comprises three commanderies (an unusually high number), based in Denerim (the capital city), Redcliffe (the capital's western rival), and Kinloch Hold (where Ferelden's Circle of Magi is housed). The ranking templar for each of these areas bears the title of "Knight-Commander", and promotes a templar from the ranks to serve as his deputy, who bears the rank of "Knight-Captain". The Knight-Commanders are answerable to the Grand Cleric under whose jurisdiction their commandery falls, and generally cannot carry out major actions without her express approval. While Knight-Commanders are personally appointed by the Grand Cleric of the region, a Grand Cleric may find it more difficult to remove an established commander without just cause. Relieving a Knight-Commander of his or her duty falls more often than not to the Divine in Val Royeaux (or Minrathous), or to the Knight-Vigilant.
In addition to the Grand Cleric, each of these commanderies is considered to belong to one of two bailiwicks, each under the leadership of a Knight-Vigilant. Unlike Knight-Commanders (who have many templars under their direct command), the two Knights-Vigilant have no one under them apart from the Knight-Commanders, and no one above them save for the Divine herself. As the Knight-Commanders will more often be engaging with the Grand Cleric than with the Knight-Vigilant of their bailiwick, this means that in actual practice the Knights-Vigilant play very little role in the day-to-day life of the order. The southern bailiwick comprises the commanderies in Ferelden, Orlais, Nevarra, Kirkwall, and the Anderfels. The Knight-Vigilant for this bailiwick is housed in the White Spire in Val Royeaux. The northern bailiwick comprises the commanderies in Antiva, Rivain, Hasmal, Tantervale, Starkhaven, and nominally the Tevinter Imperium. The seven commanderies of Tevinter fall under the influence of the Imperial Chantry, however, and have little fealty to the Knight-Vigilant (who is housed in the chantry at Tantervale).
Existing outside the chain of command are the Knights-Divine, the Divine's personal guard, whose positions are granted as rewards for service and who usually prefer to fade into the background. Like the Knights-Vigilant, they are directly answerable to the Divine. Unlike the Knights-Vigilant, their time is spent almost exclusively in her presence, and many of their duties involve carrying out her personal orders. (The Knights-Vigilant by contrast are stationed elsewhere from the Divine, are occupied chiefly with the business of the order, and rarely suffer interference from the Most Holy.)
The Seekers of Truth comprise a separate independent order, standing over the templars as watchers and enforcers. There are only a few dozen Seekers across Thedas, under the leadership of an officer known as the "Lord Seeker". The Lord Seeker serves directly under the Divine, and the indirect authority he wields over even the Knights-Vigilant is considerable. The Seekers have always served as guides to the templars - not respected so much as feared - and if the Lord Seeker made a direct demand of them, it is unlikely most Knight-Commanders outside Tevinter would refuse. Those who do are usually replaced in short order.
Most towns or villages of note have at least one or two templars stationed at the local chantry, answerable to the revered mother. Generally one templar will outrank the others, possessing the rank either of Knight-Corporal or Knight-Lieutenant, and thus have authority over his fellows.
In addition to the revered mother, each of these small local units is considered to belong to a larger regional commandery. Excluding Tevinter, the continent is divided into fifteen such commanderies, which are typically but not always headquartered in a tower belonging to the Circle of Magi. The Kingdom of Ferelden by itself comprises three commanderies (an unusually high number), based in Denerim (the capital city), Redcliffe (the capital's western rival), and Kinloch Hold (where Ferelden's Circle of Magi is housed). The ranking templar for each of these areas bears the title of "Knight-Commander", and promotes a templar from the ranks to serve as his deputy, who bears the rank of "Knight-Captain". The Knight-Commanders are answerable to the Grand Cleric under whose jurisdiction their commandery falls, and generally cannot carry out major actions without her express approval. While Knight-Commanders are personally appointed by the Grand Cleric of the region, a Grand Cleric may find it more difficult to remove an established commander without just cause. Relieving a Knight-Commander of his or her duty falls more often than not to the Divine in Val Royeaux (or Minrathous), or to the Knight-Vigilant.
In addition to the Grand Cleric, each of these commanderies is considered to belong to one of two bailiwicks, each under the leadership of a Knight-Vigilant. Unlike Knight-Commanders (who have many templars under their direct command), the two Knights-Vigilant have no one under them apart from the Knight-Commanders, and no one above them save for the Divine herself. As the Knight-Commanders will more often be engaging with the Grand Cleric than with the Knight-Vigilant of their bailiwick, this means that in actual practice the Knights-Vigilant play very little role in the day-to-day life of the order. The southern bailiwick comprises the commanderies in Ferelden, Orlais, Nevarra, Kirkwall, and the Anderfels. The Knight-Vigilant for this bailiwick is housed in the White Spire in Val Royeaux. The northern bailiwick comprises the commanderies in Antiva, Rivain, Hasmal, Tantervale, Starkhaven, and nominally the Tevinter Imperium. The seven commanderies of Tevinter fall under the influence of the Imperial Chantry, however, and have little fealty to the Knight-Vigilant (who is housed in the chantry at Tantervale).
Existing outside the chain of command are the Knights-Divine, the Divine's personal guard, whose positions are granted as rewards for service and who usually prefer to fade into the background. Like the Knights-Vigilant, they are directly answerable to the Divine. Unlike the Knights-Vigilant, their time is spent almost exclusively in her presence, and many of their duties involve carrying out her personal orders. (The Knights-Vigilant by contrast are stationed elsewhere from the Divine, are occupied chiefly with the business of the order, and rarely suffer interference from the Most Holy.)
The Seekers of Truth comprise a separate independent order, standing over the templars as watchers and enforcers. There are only a few dozen Seekers across Thedas, under the leadership of an officer known as the "Lord Seeker". The Lord Seeker serves directly under the Divine, and the indirect authority he wields over even the Knights-Vigilant is considerable. The Seekers have always served as guides to the templars - not respected so much as feared - and if the Lord Seeker made a direct demand of them, it is unlikely most Knight-Commanders outside Tevinter would refuse. Those who do are usually replaced in short order.