==''#REDIRECT [[Deus Ex: Invisible War ''==#Knights Templar]]▼'''The Knights Templar''' is a fictional organization within the universe of the [[video games]], ''[[Deus Ex]]'' and its sequel, ''[[Deus Ex: Invisible War]]''.
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==''Deus Ex''==
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In ''[[Deus Ex]]'', The Knights Templar are the descendants of the medieval order of the [[Knights Templar|Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon]]. Prior to the start of the game, the organization acted as bankers to the [[Illuminati (Deus Ex)|Illuminati]], backed up by their large [[gold]] supplies. They were headed by Stanton Dowd. Based in [[Paris]], the Templars were (meaning that, by proxy, the Illuminati were) the controlling influence behind most of the world's financial institutions, and worked to influence the global economy on behalf of the Illuminati. After the rise of [[Majestic 12 (Deus Ex)|Majestic 12]], the Templars were destroyed by a combined Interpol/[[UNATCO]] force headed by Joseph Manderley. This operation marked the end of the 'traditional' incarnation of the order.
▲==''Deus Ex: Invisible War''==
The Knights Templar of ''[[Deus Ex: Invisible War]]'', were established by [[Deus Ex: Invisible War characters#Luminon / Grand Master Saman|Luminon Saman]] of the [[The Order (Deus Ex)|Order]] church, a worldwide religion controlled by the Illuminati, who had come to believe that the Order had deviated from the principles on which it was supposedly founded. They believe themselves to be descendants of the original [[Knights Templar]] and have a zealous belief in their religion and their "Grand Master" Saman.
Initially working in secret, Saman gathered followers from the branch of the Order Church of which he was head in [[Trier]], [[Germany]], before spreading the organization worldwide. Though the organisation came out of hiding, its connection to the Order Church was hidden for some time. Believing themselves to be the modern incarnation of the original [[Knights Templar]], they are opposed to bio-modification and [[nanotechnology]] in all forms, believing it to be a 'plague' and a violation of the "purity" of humanity. Mechanical augmentation does not appear in [[Deus Ex: Invisible War]], thus the group does not address it. The group is notorious for its religious zealotry and direct action policy on bio-modified individuals; these individuals are given the chance to convert, and repent for their "pollution" by using it to aid the Templars' cause, or risk being targeted for assassination. The Templars do not attempt to convert [[the Omar]], whom they do not consider human.
[[Image:Templar purple goo.JPG|thumb|200px|A Templar Paladin destroys the city of Chicago]]
At the beginning of ''[[Deus Ex: Invisible War]]'', it seems the new Templar have managed to gain access to the massive gold reserves of the original Templars, as they have vast financial resources and are even attempting to bankroll an army "larger than all other armies combined." With such a powerful force, the danger they pose to the ruling Illuminati has been established. In order to destroy a secret research lab, Saman orders the use of a powerful weapon called a 'nanite detonator' in a devastating attack that reduces the city of [[Chicago]] to dust. This terrorist act was the first in a series of strikes against [[ApostleCorp]], the organization founded by [[Tracer Tong]] and [[Paul Denton]], major supporting characters from the first game, to further develop bio-modification technology. Saman recognised the threat to his ideals posed by the dream of 'universal bio-modification' that ApostleCorp sought to accomplish and decided to destroy this ambition quickly.
However, these actions thrust the Templars into the spotlight and brought about the attention of the Illuminati leaders, who began working to eliminate the Templar threat.
Knowing that their refusal to biomodify their troops puts them at a serious disadvantage against biomodified enemies, Templar scientists have developed a special Powered Assault Armor suit (financed using their gold reserves), making them as tough as a biomodified human. The Templars also commissioned the development of a powerful new weapon, the [[Mag Rail]], but this research was intercepted by the WTO/Illuminati. The Templars have therefore been forced to equip the bulk of their new heavy troops with standard rocket launchers. Ironically, the Mag Rail is the most effective means of combating the Templar's new Power Armor, and most of the Illuminati's troops carry one.
[[Image:Grey hanging templar end.jpg|thumb|200px|A [[Greys|Grey]] is hanged as the Templars bring purity to the human race]]
Their soldiers are referred to as [[Paladins]]. Armored Paladins are much larger than other combatants making them obvious targets. Like the Omar, ironically, their armor makes them invulnerable to fire, radiation and toxins as well as sub-zero temperatures but makes them vulnerable to EMP attacks almost identical to the Omar. The difference between the Armored Paladins is however that they are less vulnerable to bullets and physical attacks, and violently explode upon death.
Despite the fact they become the main antagonists about halfway through the game, the Templars are one of the four groups the player can join at the game's finale, creating "The Templar Flood", in which the Templars unleash a nanite plague that eliminates biomodifications without harming the host. This drastically weakens the Illuminati (who are dependent upon biomodified troops for their military power), allowing the Templars to eventually seize control of the planet.
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[[Category:Deus Ex organizations|Knights Templar, The]]
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