Knights Templar in Beyond the Sword? (Scenario)

[sneaky]

Knights Templar was a Wonder in Civilization III Conquests, that produced a Crusader unit every 5 turns. So far it hasn't returned in Civ 4.

But if you look at this promo picture from Beyond the Sword...



The guys on the right look an awful lot like Knight Templars:



It obviously could be that these are just units from some sort of scenario, but what surprises me is that, they don't seem to have a specific civ color or a flag.
Which made me think, they might not a part of a normal civ's army.

For instance, it could be they are somehow connected to the new Apostolic Palace wonder.
It has been said players get votes to cast on decrees like holy wars, trade embargoes, or peace enforcement. Maybe these Knights Templars can be recruited using the Apostolic Palace to assist in Holy Wars or 'peace enforcement'. It would certainly fit their history and would be an awsume feature, that somewhat follows the old Kinghts Templar Wonder from Conquest. What do you think?

[King of Town]

if you look, none of the units have flags with them. Knights templar was awesome though.

[sneaky]

Well, not flags, but at least civ colors. That knight or whatever on the horse does have the same clothing colors as the archer in the back, so they would be of the same civilization. The Knights Templar on the other hand does not have a specific color, just the normal Templar outfit.

[King of Town]

I don't have warlords, so maybe I just haven't seen the guy with the cart too. What is that? Maybe the guys on the horses are the new pre cavalry cavalry and the guys on foot are the knights now?

i like your idea of the apostolic palace generating the knights templar though. that seems likely that is what those guys are.

[sneaky]

I do expect this screen shot to be from a Middle Age scenario. The cart guy is new and seems to fit in such a scenario.

But while the Knight Templar could also be part of this scenario, I somehow expect them to be related to the Apostolic Palace, meaning they would also be in the normal game. It would fit the history and background of the Palace if they were somehow 'mercenaries' the builder could use to fight holy wars or keep peace.
It would also follow the theme we have seen in Civ 4 of old Wonders being changed and incorporated in the game a new way. Think for instance of the Magellan's Expedition wonder that has become a conquest in Civ 4.

[King of Town]

So do you think it will work like spies do? You pay a certain amount for the mercanaries, and other things the palace does?

[Danielos]

Have you seen "Tombs of the Blind Dead"? I don´t think I would like those creepy guys in my army...

[sneaky]

Originally Posted by King of Town

So do you think it will work like spies do? You pay a certain amount for the mercanaries, and other things the palace does?

Maybe. Or maybe the Knights are only visible and usable if players successfully voted in Apostolic Palace to start a Holy War. It could also be that they are AI controlled and fight the heathen enemy on their own.

[kcbrett5]

Originally Posted by sneaky

I do expect this screen shot to be from a Middle Age scenario. The cart guy is new and seems to fit in such a scenario.

One of the interviews mentions a supply cart being part of one of the scenarios, not the main game. If the cart pulling guy is assumed to be the supply cart, then this is likely a screen shot from a scenario.

[andrewlt]

Can we torture the knights and sack their headquarters to get a ton of money too?

[GoodGame]

I think you're correct. I'd bet a Holy Warrior levy will be part of the Apostolic palace. Though given how many religions are in the game, a Templar's national wonder would be pretty reasonable too, especially if every religion had their own UU to fit.

The cart guy is too weird for the base game unless they're bringing back the caravan.

Originally Posted by sneaky

I do expect this screen shot to be from a Middle Age scenario. The cart guy is new and seems to fit in such a scenario.

But while the Knight Templar could also be part of this scenario, I somehow expect them to be related to the Apostolic Palace, meaning they would also be in the normal game. It would fit the history and background of the Palace if they were somehow 'mercenaries' the builder could use to fight holy wars or keep peace.
It would also follow the theme we have seen in Civ 4 of old Wonders being changed and incorporated in the game a new way. Think for instance of the Magellan's Expedition wonder that has become a conquest in Civ 4.

Originally Posted by andrewlt

Can we torture the knights and sack their headquarters to get a ton of money too?

Well if you're honorable, you'd just ransom them a la The Hundreds Years war.