CHURCH KNIGHTS
BOOK TWO: THE KNIGHTS OF CHRIST (Part Two)By Jamie Seidel
Uniform and Equipment
"The Templars are ready and armed at whatever time of the day or night they may be called, either to fight or to accompany travellers; and when they pursue the enemy, they do not ask 'how many are they?', but only, 'where are they?'."-- Jacques de Vittry, 12th century.
Ceremonial DressFormality, ceremony and ritual is much a part of a knight's and novice's daily life. An integral part of such formality is dress -- a means of proclaiming identity, philosophy and status while generating a strong sense of esprit-de-corps. Clothing can also reinforce in the wearer's mind a sense of purpose and mood: thus the designation of ceremonial and combat uniforms. Monastic habit for all Orders is simple but of good quality. The spartan robes merely reflect the Order to which they belong -- signs of rank being considered unnecessary. Once Outremer fell about 1300, a crusading treatise established by the Church recommended all three Militant Orders be combined. A similar move was made during the Malta Synod of the 1980s. Both proposals saw the new order wearing black robes with a red cross. Neither move was successful, however, and the Orders remain independent.
Templars
The monastic habit of the Templars is basically a white woollen tunic, white mantle and a skull-cap. This uniform was granted to the Order upon their papal recognition in 1128. In 1146, the Templars were given the right to wear a red cross on their left breast or shoulder. Initially a simple intersection of lines, the cross later developed to become what is known as the "crosse formee." Sergeants (now novices) wore a similar habit, though it was colored brown.
Hospitallers
Monastic dress is a black hooded mantle known as the cappa clausa. The white eight-pointed Maltese cross is sewn on either the left breast or across the whole chest. Officers of the Order have the right to wear red in place of black, though the cross remains the same. Sergeants (now novices) wore the same black garb as the knights.
Teutones
The white habit of the Teutones was very similar to that of the Templars (much to the latter's disgust). This right was granted them by the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II. Their black cross (sometimes with yellow border) was similar in shape to that of the Cross of Jerusalem (four T's radiating from a centre-point). In the late-13th century they were also granted the right to place the German Royal Eagle at the heart of the cross -- though this practice has since been discontinued. Teutone sergeants (equivalent to modern novices) wore a Tau cross (looking like a single capital T). This cross was also known as a crux commissa.
Standards of the OrdersAs all Militant Orders are derived from cavalry fighting units, each has its own battle standard which acted as a rallying point after the charge. The standards still exist, though are used only for ceremonial purposes such as "showing the flag."
TemplarsThe Templars held particular reverence for their battle standard, otherwise known as Bauseant. It was in use from at least 1128. The standard is a simple one -- a white field with the upper quarter filled in black. It was the responsibility of the Gonfanonier knight who was supported and protected by the squires. In battle the standard was often protected by up to 10 knights and its loss by a brother would result in his expulsion from the Order. Secondary commanders and preceptories used a flag of a red cross on a white field. Both designs were used on individual knight's shields.
HospitallersThe standard of the Knights Hospitaller was a white "splayed" cross on a red field -- or the reverse. The most common example is set rigid between two light poles with five red tails hanging from the trailing edge. The standard, first seen in 1182, was the responsibility of the Order's Gonfanonier, but generally carried by a squire. The colour of the knight's shield depended upon the colour of his surcoat. Originally, the eight-pointed cross was only worn by non-combatants.
TeutonesIn the early days of the Order the Teutones' battle standard was simply a black cross on a white field. But as they successfully established a principality in the Baltic States, the cross was dressed up. By 1330 the Order had adopted the yellow cross of Jerusalem bordered in black for their standard, with the German royal eagle at its heart. This was placed on a white field. Shields mostly held a simple black cross on white.
Modern Combat EquipmentKnights require proper clothing and equipment for a successful conclusion in a "cleansing" operation. All weapons, clothing and equipment are supplied by the knights' Order -- and remain the property of the Order. For fully-ranked knights, personal possessions are forbidden. Novices may use privately owned equipment -- if they have demonstrated both proficiency and need.The troops wear a dark grey one-piece suit, made from fire-retardant material, together with heavy combat boots. A bullet-proof, sleeveless jacket is still often worn, comprising a casing into which ceramic kevlar armoured plates are inserted front and rear. Similar to flak-jackets in basic design, they are tailored to meet individual requirements. This includes pockets for to contain ancillary equipment such as radios and grenades. This body armour is being replaced by a new, individually moulded armour which also covers the arms and legs while allowing full freedom of movement. Gloves are worn to ensure a good grip on weapons and other items of equipment. In addition, a belt rig, usually made of ballistic nylon or tough hide is worn around the waist and comprises a personal selection of pouches -- usually for St George's oil dischargers, air-dart flingers, sun-torches etc. The ballistic-belt also has clips to allow a sword scabbard to be attached, though most knights prefer to have their sacred weapons slung on their back over the right shoulder. A drop holster for the Glock 18a rides low on the right leg, with spare magazine pouches worn on the other leg. In addition, a spare magazine is often worn on the left wrist for a rapid magazine change. Strap-on seat-type harnesses are often worn in case abseiling is necessary. Used in conjunction with stabilised descenders, quick-release fittings and a rope bag on the leg (to prevent those below seeing the rope), it is worn only when its use is likely. Other items of equipment placed on the body and webbing include spare magazines for the SMGs, bolt-cutters, hand hammers, axes and glass cutters.
Sewn-on patches for bayonet scabbards complete the rigs and are attached either to the upper arm or thigh, upper chest or body armour waistcoat. Specialised equipment such as flares, flash darts etc are stored in a similar manner. Experience has taught that only materials of the highest quality are suitable for anti-vampire operations. Knights are often fighting in situations where they are physically inferior to their quarry. Only the best quality equipment can reduce this deficit.
Basic Issue EquipmentThe following is a list of basic equipment, issued as standard to all knights. Further weapons and items are available from each Order's stores upon request, and are outlined in Apendice 1.Equipment:
MPK2000 -- submachinegun
Glock18a -- automatic pistol
Sword
Bayonet
Dart Knife
Small wooden stakes
Bodymould armour
Night vision goggles/scopes
Telemetry unit
Flashdart pack (6x2)
Flare pack (6x2)
Stun Grenade (x2)
Grenade (x2)
Combat coveralls
Belt rig / webbing
First Aid Kit
Gloves
Monastic habit and dress
SetupEach knight is responsible for his personal kit, while the commander is responsible for checking each man's individual equipment and dividing the specific-to-task kit throughout the patrol -- ensuring each man knows what the others are carrying.Individual check lists would include personal weapons, ruck-sack and belt kit and spare ammunition for their personal weapon (normally carried in pouches in belt kit or in webbing). Other equipment such as "bang" darts and stick flares are usually attached to various parts of the arms and legs. Each man's personal belt kit would also contain additional survival and medical gear, stun grenades, water bottles and emergency rations. Passive night vision goggles are strapped here when not in use. The ruck-sack carries everything else: radios, batteries, ammunition, explosives, rations, water, sleeping bags and clothing.
The knight-lieutenant and the second-in-command would usually carry items specific to their roles, like command and navigational equipment. Detailed maps, night vision binoculars and a hand-held thermal imaging device or sunlamp/camcorder unit.
The point man carries more night vision aids than the standard low-light goggles, wire cutters and an electronics kit to defeat high-tech security devices. He may also have a grenade launcher attached to his weapon to put down suppressive fire in the event of a contact. When contact is made, the other knights must get into position as quickly as possible -- ensuring their point man is not left alone.
Fighting Techniques"At the will and command of their leader, they proceed to battle, not in an impetuous or disorderly fashion, but prudently and with all caution, being the first to go forward and the last to retreat -- which is why they became so dreaded by the enemies of the faith of Christ."-- Jacques de Vitry, Bishop of Acre, 1227
The four-man team has historically been the basic fighting unit of the Church Knights. The unit of four originated during the Crusades when it was stipulated that each knight must equip from his own estate three armed sergeants. These sergeants were given basic weaponry and protection, as well as one or two horses each. While rarely fighting alongside their knight on the field, a knight and his sergeants usually formed a patrol.
In large-scale combat, the sergeants fought as heavy troops and commanders among the mercenaries, while the knights grouped together and fought as heavy cavalry. It was quickly found that the small, self-contained nature of the four-man team was the most efficient and practical fighting unit -- allowing high mobility, speed, surprise and hitting power. Less than this number is obviously too few, restricting what can be carried and limited in the amount of firepower brought to bear. Four warriors are capable of defending themselves if ambushed, as well as continuing the mission if one of their members is killed or wounded. More than four becomes unwieldy, harder to coordinate and conceal from the enemy.
The unit is also an ideal size for large scale operations, with each group of four being the basic components of highly flexible larger forces. Most major assaults are actually conducted by four or five such units working in concert to a thoroughly pre-planned operation.
The modern four-man team is made up of a leader, a pointsman, a defenseman and someone responsible for watching the rear. The leader is responsible for the team's assault, and also liaises with other combat units and officers. The pointsman leads the team during the approach and lays entry charges if necessary. The supportman does just that: back up one of the others as they carry out their task. The defenseman provides security for the pointsman and serves as second-in-command while carrying any additional equipment -- typically explosives or high-calibre weapons.
Unit Combat SkillsThe four-man unit is designed to operate primarily on its own, often in remote areas and frequently on hostile ground. In addition to general reconnaissance and investigation, it can perform sabotage and ambush missions. While the four-man unit is not exactly an aggressive fighting unit, large scale ambushes can be conducted with eight or 16 man combined teams. Every unit member has his own speciality -- such as signals, demolitions, medicine or languages.Communications is one of the most important skills among the Church Knights, acting as an efficient force-multiplier for their limited numbers. Every knight must have skills including high-standard field communications, code and ciphers. Despite this general knowledge, each unit has a specialist signaller responsible for calling in aerial support, casualty evacuation, patrol coordination and regular contact. Morse is the basic method of communications, allowing quick messages under difficult transmission circumstances. The Orders have adopted Latin as the standard language of communication as a simple measure of security. When combined with Morse, messages would be beyond the scope of most untrained cryptologists.
Demolition skills are also an important part of the four-man unit. Explosives are useful in opening up secure entrances, sabotaging transport or supplies, as well as causing general confusion.
The last of the four main skills is medicine. A unit's medic can perform surgery and cure common diseases, as well as helping win the "hearts and minds" of primitive societies. There are two basic medical kits carried while on operations: individual medical packs and patrol medical packs. The individual kit is usually a part of a knights webbing, containing essentials for first aid and mild drugs. Patrol medical kits are far more comprehensive and carry a wide selection of drugs, dressings and surgical packs. All members of the Church Knight units must have more than just one patrol skill. Therefore, a knight may be trained as an investigations specialist, but also have the ability to competently handle explosives. A communications officer may also be trained as a medic, supplementing or replacing the units official medico when necessary.
Essentially, each unit member receives cross-training in each other's individual specialisations. Tertiary skills such as sniping, hacking, shadow driving etc are trained according to the individual abilities of each knight.
Close CombatIndividual knights are taught to take no chances. Given a clear shot at a vampire he will often empty an entire magazine into the target. There is good reason for this: the vampire can heal itself, given time. The more damage, the more time it takes to heal. If a knight is given enough time, he can reach a position to decapitate the creature. A double tap (two quick shots) on its own is often insufficient to stop even a mortal from detonating hidden explosives or pulling a weapon. Sustained and accurate firepower keeps the vampire or ghoul's hands away from his body, making it impossible to reach a gun or button. Knights employ body-line shooting in close combat situations, not head or heart shots. Where possible, shots are aimed at the trunk of the body (Vampires have no vital organs anyway). Head shots usually require only one bullet to kill a mortal or do severe damage to a vampire, but the target area is smaller. In a darkened, smoky room full of people the chances of shooting accurately are greatly reduced. However, knights are trained to shoot accurately at heads and hearts in ambush situations, and if such is the only target presented to them.
Building CombatOnce the pointsman has defeated the building's security or blown open an entrance, the assault team will quickly and systematically begin to clear the rooms, hallways and stairs of enemy. Preferably, snipers from a second "perimeter' combat team will provide covering fire and prevent anyone escaping the building. The assault team will also be carrying stun/flash grenades to disorient vampires, making them incapable of effective concerted action. Room clearance drill is simple. Each knight has his own arc of fire. He must be adept at calculating his arc of fire to encompass any area in which he is operating in. For example, in a corridor the field of vision is limited and consequently arcs of fire are reduced, but there are doors on each side -- each a possible threat. Each room must be approached and cleared, under cover of a comrade. If any doors are locked, then one of the four-man team will blow off the door hinges using a shotgun; the door will be kicked in and shock grenades tossed in. A two-man team will immediately follow, killing any hostiles with almost full-magazine bursts. The initial action should be over within four seconds, with the two knights following up their action by decapitating all present vampires, ghouls and allied mortals. The team will then immediately move on to any other rooms, repeating the process. If in a large building, different teams will have specified areas to clear -- assigned before the action. When attacking an aircraft or railway carriage, all entrances are attacked at the same time.
Weapons AbilitiesA high standard of shooting skills is required from all knights, and all are expected to be marksmen with any weapon they may have to carry. They must be excellent shots from the prone position, and also capable of sustained and accurate fire at close quarters. Ambush fire control procedures, contact drills, fire and movement routines and night firing must all be second nature. Specialist weapons skills are easily researched, but one is included here as an example of the careful integration of such training in a combat team. The sniper, operating either alone or with a partner, can pin down a large enemy force by killing its leaders and communications specialists. In a vampire "cleansing" action, snipers and support crew are often placed in buildings around the targets location. Snipers add to the confusion by firing through the windows as the assault team bursts in. Once the assault team is inside, snipers do not fire into the building. However, they are ideally placed to supply fire support under direct instruction of the assault team, and pick off any enemy trying to escape the building. They also provide a perimeter defense, warning the assault team of new arrivals.Marksmanship is not enough alone; a high level of camouflage and concealment skills, plus advanced field craft, are vital to a sniper if they are to be effective. Snipers must be able to move across open terrain without being spotted, select concealed firing positions and have an avenue of escape once the action is completed.
Religious PowersIn return for the sacrifices made through taking their monastic vows, and their high faith, the knights have been blessed with "supernatural" powers. These powers are a vital component in the war against Corruption, as vampires outmatch even the best trained mortal. However, these powers do not belong to the knight -- but to God. The blessing of supernatural powers must only be used under the guidelines of the Rule -- a knight cannot use them for selfish or vain purposes such as in revenge, laziness or personal profit. While some specific abilities are granted for specific purposes, they may not necessarily be carried out the same way every time. Miracles are a prime example of this. A desperate knight may beg for a miraculous obstacle to appear between him and an advancing vampire. This "barrier" could, by God's will, be anything from a wall of fire, a collapsing tree, a swarm of bees or the souls of the vampire's victims. The powers embodied in Faith, The Gifts, Prayers and Rituals all assist in all aspects in the battle against the Cainites. Investigation of, protection from and combating vampires all benefit in different ways.