The Holy Templar of Belvara is a religious organization which serves Belvara, the Goddess of Diplomacy and Protection. A majority of the Templar's members are Paladins sworn to serve the Goddess, devoting their actions to protect the innocent and promote peace throughout Asobria. Their symbol is Belvara's shield, with its blue metal symbolizing peace and its golden embellishments symbolizing Her divinity. The shield also bears twin laurel branches and a soaring dove, both being symbols that have historically represented peace and diplomacy.
It is customary for members of the Holy Templar of Belvara to greet others through a handshake, although they use their left hand as opposed to their right. Where an empty right hand shows that you aren't wielding a weapon, an empty left hand shows that you aren't wielding a shield. They believe that this helps establish trust with those they try to promote peace with.
Leadership and Hierarchy
The Holy Templar of Belvara is led by its Apostles, who are Clerics and priests who devote their lives to serving their Goddess. They run and maintain the temples and other places of worship to Belvara, with there often only being one Apostle per establishment. They share the closest connection to the Goddess, which allows them to act as Her messengers and give direction to their subordinates. Many Apostles also have a handful of Clerics working under them, assisting in the maintenance of their temples as they work to one day become Apostles themselves. Apostles are denoted by their white robes and golden accessories, which symbolize their purity and connection to Belvara.
Below Apostles are Saints: Paladins of Belvara who have exemplified her teachings in their actions. Saints earn their status by being representatives of peace and guardians of the innocent, eventually reaching Sainthood through Exaltation. A new Saint can be Exalted by an Apostle or a preexisting Saint, and Exaltation often is done as part of a ceremony. This ceremony is not required to reach Sainthood, however, and existing Saints have historically Exalted their subordinates in the midst of a battle. Saints are not restricted to a specific temple or location, although there are typically a few located at any one place of worship. Saints are known for their blue armor accented with gold and symbols associated with Belvara.
The title of Martyr is bestowed unto any Saint or Apostle who passes away. As Martyrs were those who worked to embody Belvara's will in Asobria, there is an extensive record of many different Martyrs within the Holy Templar. The ceremony of recognizing new Martyrs is always a somber one.
Finally, the subordinates to Saints are known as Knight Templars. Knight Templars first join the Holy Templar as Squires, working under a specific Saint along the journey to Knighthood. Squires are often given specific quests or tasks by their Saint, which serve to test their faith and devotion to Belvara as well as the Squire's own courage. Once a Squire has sufficiently proven themselves, a ceremony is held where they are Knighted, most often but not necessarily by their patron Saint. Once they become a Knight Templar, an individual is no longer tested in their faith but is still expected to answer to their patron Saint and demonstrate Belvara's teachings. Knight Templars wear more basic gray armor with accents of brass and gold, with most having some symbols of Belvara on them. In addition, all Knight Templars wield a Blade of Valor: The sword used in their Knighting ceremony and blessed by an Apostle.