Rumoured to still exist, this secret but nevertheless notrious organisation of assassins should be the fear of every important person within the United Kingdom. The organisation is held responsible for almost every unsolved murder on prominent Santharian citizens.

History of the Templars. Following an excerpt written by the musician Tinholdt who tried to investigate deeper into this dangerous matter:

So it is very likely that the Templars flourished throughout the centuries without any opposition. The apparatus of communication and information grew with the thriving Templars and they were able to get a foot in the door of several important institutes. Their position was especially strong in the city of Strata, where their member were part of the Inspecting House and because of that had a great influence in the city's main business. Strata was as well the perfect scene for the Templars to work in. Strata had a huge trade port, open for all persons alike and with a large rate of criminality, though only in the southermost parts of the city. But it was as well because of this fact that the Templars met a worthy foe in the field of secrecy: the Seven had as well their interests in the Stratanian government system.

Picture description: A templar executing his feared profession: backstabbing a victim. Image drawn by Faugar.

What we can say about these animosities are only rumours: However, it is said that a terrible struggle for power behind the scenes and in the shadows of the city erupted, many murders were committed, blackmailing of politicians was common, and it was all done by both sides. It is even suspected that reinforcements from the north where sent by the Templars, that for the first time in history a town harboured more than one member. The "secret war" finally resulted in the demise of the Seven, but the Templars were as well hurt, losing several useful informants and even two of their crown members as has been revealed by a traitor later on. But they soon found work again as the war between Strata and Milkengrad erupted in 628 b.S. - though the Templars themselves are suspected to have something to do with the outbreak of this conflict, but as usual this cannot be proven.

If the Templars still managed to remain until this very day is very unlikely. Some even think they never got over the war with the Seven. But should you ever see someone wearing a bracelet featuring a black pearl, there is no place to hide…

Templar Killing Methods. Throughout the centuries several methodes have been practiced by the Templars to eliminate their victims (and sometimes their customers). A few can be found below:

• Backstabbing
  The best known as well easiest way to kill a person is still considered backstabbing. This method is fast and easy, but not often practiced by the Templars. Templars find it usually below their status as professionals to lure a person into a dark alley and cut his/her throat. This doesn't mean it was never done. When a job needed to be finished on a short term or haste was necessary, often this one was used.

• Poisoning
  A favoured method was poisoning a victim. Some of the members even found it quite amusing to invite their victims in a public tavern for dinner and watch them die while eating - a rather odd and macabre taste for enjoyment. As most of the members had some social status they were never suspected of the crimes, beside that the poison was often not even found and the cause was usually identified as a heart-attack or a similar disease.

• Disguising
  Some of the members practice the arts of disguise beside their assassination art. It is told for example that once a Templar dressed up as a travelling barber and went to his victim to offer his service in haircutting. The man accepted the offer and they were left alone in a room to do the cut. The man was found later by his servants, his throat cut by a very sharp shaving knife. The barber had left unseen and was never seen afterwards.