The Knights Templar

I just watched a History Channel documentary on the Knights Templar. I happened to notice it on Netflix and tossed it on my queue, thinking it might be some good inspiration.

The documentary itself wasn't really all that good. Their primary scholar seems like the kind of guy who gets off on conspiracy theories and can't make a logical argument, but maybe that's just how he got presented. Anyway, it works great for stuff that requires no historical accuracy.

Here's some quick ideas I got out of it:

Templars protected travelers - Knights protecting travelers on their way to a holy site, eventually evolved into general protection for travelers. Need a reason for the warriors to have gone where they went originally?
Templars were rich and established letters of credit and lent money to the nobility - perhaps they are Knights of the god of commerce? It would explain their involvement in trade, and it's a nice twist on the Lawful knight.
Many rumors of secrets within the Templars - perhaps they worship an evil god of secrets like Vecna?
Templars were rumored to hold the Mandilion, which is somehow related to the Shroud of Turin and was attributed healing powers. Maybe the order has a healing shroud artifact? (Good rumor.)

So right now, I'm thinking of a knightly organization that is also an economic power in the region, probably a counter to the Hanseatic League equavalent I'm pondering. I'm not sure how to keep them from being removed by the Emperor, but that'll come later.