CHARACTER BIOS These are sketches and information on of some of the major characters. Some of these individuals won't be around for a while but I thought you might like a glimpse of what's to come without giving anything away.

MIDIAN In the center of the universe, at the point of Initial Event, there is a star fifty times larger than our own called Solaris Midi. Like many stars, it has its own system of planets and out of the sixty-three planets that orbit Solaris Midi the largest one is called Midian. Midian is about twenty-five times larger than Jupiter and is substantially older. Strangely enough, no one but the Templar has ever lived there. Inhabitants of the surrounding planets considered it holy site and kept far away. Anytime anyone approached the planet Angels would appear and tell the curious to turn around or a powerful force would blow them back. Through the guidance of the Angels, the early Templar set foot on Midian in 784 A.D. However, the early Templar were not actually Templar at all. They predated the Templar by several hundred years and were regarded as "The First Ones". It wasn’t until the second era in 1177 A.D. that the Templar finally arrived. However, since so many Templar eventually inhabited Midian, everyone came to be known as the Templar. This went for the third era of the Templar as well. So, in the year 786 A.D., The First Ones broke ground at the coast of the Augustine Ocean and began building the planet’s capital. It wasn’t completed until the end of the second era but when it was done, races from everywhere set forth on their pilgrimages to wonder and worship at the most sacred region in the universe. Yet, since the Angels left Midian in the hands of the Templar, this made it vulnerable to invasion. Three times in Templar recorded history did malevolent races attempt to take over the capital. Because of this, Midian attained a defense so impenetrable the enemy could be exposed and dispatched long before they could even enter the Solaris Midi System.

TEMPLAR ARMOURY Due to the fact that non-living matter cannot pass through the Planar Expanse successfully, the Templar had to devise a different way of arming themselves for the more dangerous missions. With the help of a race known as the Fhane, they created what they called "matter manipulation technology". This technology allows them to transform any non-organic material in the individual’s immediate surroundings into a weapon of their choice and directly into their hand. Limited only to the individual’s imagination, this matter manipulation technology can create any weapon or tool of any design. Basically, it breaks down an object, such as a rock, into pure energy and re-forms it into a material that could only be described as a composite silicate-carbide-crystalized-metal. This material is extremely hard and durable yet amazingly light. Combined with the ability to sharpen an edge to a single atom, it can create a weapon that can cut into almost anything. The second objective was to make the technology survive the Planar Expanse. They accomplished this by replacing the radius in both forearms with the device and bonding it with the body’s system by way of a mechanical/organic nanoite technology. Matching the DNA of each individual, the body would accept the device as part of its genetic architecture and thus allowing it to pass through the Planar Expanse unimpeded. Creating an item using this device has come to be known as "smithing".

THE GILLMAN WEIGHT: 9.1 kilos LENGHT: 75 cm INTENTIONAL USE: There are hundreds of weapons in the Templar armory but the Gillman is the one that has become the legion’s mainstay. Balanced like an axe, its customary wielding is like that of a sword. In addition to its ability to hack, slash, stab, and pin, its true mastering lies in its capacity to lock and wrench a weapon from an opponent’s possession. Because of it’s relative lightweight, Templar are taught that the true force of the weapon is within the user. Yet, its weight permits the individual to exploit the true elegance of the weapon producing a more graceful and effortless victory. Its origin is mostly unknown due to the fact that it was invented during the first era of the Templar. "The First Ones" did not keep detailed records such as the second era Templar so the Gillman’s history was unfortunately lost. However, it is assumed that it was named after its inventor.

THE CHAIN-DIRK WEIGHT: 1.8 kilos LENGHT: 27.5 cm INTENTIONAL USE: Another favorite of the Templar is a weapon that can also be used as a tool. In its weapon configuration, the Chain-Dirk is used by whipping the end above the head or by the side and and impaling the opponent at a distance determined by the length of the chain. If brought down at a solid angle, its curved ends can puncture the opponent’s flesh or armor and allow its user to pull the opponent down to the ground. If a more humane approach is desired, with a little extension of the chain it can be brought about an area of the opponent such as the neck or arm and lock upon itself within a link in the chain. This allows the user to leash an opponent without seriously injuring them. In its tool configuration, the ends are expanded and curved even more so that its user can hook to areas far out of their reach. Since the material that the chain is made from is superior in strength and weight, it’s better than any rope they could acquire.

THE DOMIGRIFFE WEIGHT: 11.3 kilos LENGHT: 87.5 cm INTENTIONAL USE: This weapon is the clumsier weapon of the Templar favorites. It’s meant for battle when the odds are not in favor of the user. It’s also used during the initial offensive of a battle permitting the front line of the Templar to savagely remove the front line of the opponent’s defense. Because the weapon creates a feeling of an extension to the user’s own limbs, they are able to carve a path to their objective by randomly swinging at the obstacles. It is considered a chaotic and vulgar weapon but upon mastering, its double blades can be used to lock and wrench away weapon much like the Gillman. It is never used against opponents who are extremely skilled because the encasement of the user’s hands within the hilt does not permit the flexibility other weapons have to offer. The image I’ve provided here is a rough 3-D illustration because I still haven’t decided what the final design will be.