Chapterhouse of the Poor Fellow Soldiers of Christ, Jerusalem

**Gandalfus** · November 16, 2019, 11:42 AM

Established by Drogo of Payens and other like minded knights after the capturing of Jerusalem, the Poor Fellow Soldiers of Christ and the Temple of Solomon is a monastic order dedicating to safeguarding pilgrims visiting the Holy Lands. For their headquarters, they appropriated a naturally defensible location within the city that lies close to the Temple of Solomon itself, and have already begun recruiting into their ranks. Those that join the order must give up their property and take the vows of a monk, and are then initiated as either a knight, sergeant or chaplain depending on their former calling.

Grandmaster: Drogo de Payens

Assets:

Chapterhouse Upgrades:

Soldiers:

Income:

**Lucius Malfoy** · November 16, 2019, 11:57 AM

A knight enters the Chapterhouse, shortly after election of the Defender of Jerusalem. In truth, it was either try to find a way home or making a living in the Levant. All Jean knew was how to wield a sword and shield. He hardly considered himself settling down and oaths still kept him around. So, after leaving the small French army, commanded by Hugh, Jean comes to this place, wondering if this was his calling. The Chevalier of Clermont inquires as to where the commander, Drogo, was.

**General Brewster** · November 16, 2019, 12:37 PM

Henry Talbot, a brother to John Talbot and new arrival in the holy land enters the chapterhouse.

**Gandalfus** · November 16, 2019, 12:39 PM

Clermont and Talbot are taken into the makeshift chapterhouse - little more than a glorified merchant's townhouse at present - and led upstairs into the quarters of the Grandmaster. Drogo de Payens was a dour man of Norman extraction, having spent most of his years at war either in Frankia or Wales; a long scar down his right cheek was a legacy of his military experience.

"Have you come to pledge your sword to the poor fellows, brothers? Jerusalem needs every man able to hold a sword to defend it."

**General Brewster** · November 16, 2019, 12:42 PM

"I am here to pledge my sword indeed" Talbot replied stoicly. He was not one for words.

**Lucius Malfoy** · November 16, 2019, 01:09 PM

Jean had some combat, but nothing like Drogo. Most of his combat was either keeping the peace within the vicinity of Clermont or fighting a border feud with the lord he had originally sworn to. The Frankish knight would withdraw his sword, following the custom of giving an oath to someone of greater status. He kneels before the older veteran and offers his sword to Drogo.

I do so offer my sword to you and your holy cause, Sir Drogo.

Hopefully, this was God's calling to him, for there was nothing else but to return home.

**Gandalfus** · November 16, 2019, 01:48 PM

“Sheath your sword, seigneur. You will have need of it.”

Drogo nods to one of those standing guard by the door; an already sworn brother of the Temple, denoted by the Red Cross stitched into his surcoat.

“Philippe here will take you two to be sworn into the brotherhood. All assets you have shall become part of the Temple, and you shall be sworn to chastity and obedience for life. If you are prepared, then go.”

Philippe would take them to another room where the two would engage in the vow and the secret initiation to the order; they would emerge, after a few hours, as fully sworn brothers.

**General Brewster** · November 16, 2019, 02:35 PM

Henry followed and engaged in the ritual. Sometime later he emerged and decided to study the local history.

**Barry Goldwater** · December 05, 2019, 12:12 PM

Etienne de Cloyes finds himself lingering outside of the Templar chapterhouse, internally daring to hope but wearing an uncertain expression. Was he, a farmer's son from France and still a child besides, really going to make an attempt to join the Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ? Yes, had been his answer a week ago, though it took him seven days to muster up the courage to ask. He saw no other prospects for himself in this distant land, least of all going home - a venture that he literally could ill-afford, being completely broke as he was.

**Gandalfus** · December 05, 2019, 03:52 PM

Cloyes, like the numerous other lost souls that came to the knights of Solomon’s Temple for guidance, was eventually admitted to see the grandmaster himself. Scarred and sour faced, the aged knight’s thoughts were impossible to discern, protected by a pair of deep set grey eyes.

“Few lads your age are brave enough to enter here and ask to join the fellow soldiers.”

Drogo grunted, after a long stare.

“You green, boy? Or did you fight with the men at Jerusalem?”