David the Founder

Birth: 1303 AGF
Death: 1410 AGF
Shard Type: Minorus

The Godshard brothers David and Solomon are among the most famous of the Godshards as well as the most divisive. David in particular is controversial for being the founder of the Sacerdozio. Dressed in all white to emulate the God Omnitus, him and Solomon were inspired by Ruth and Sheba. They were in awe of how the two Shards had played to their strengths and achieved a result greater than the sum of its parts.

They even met Ruth herself in her final years. She tried to encourage caution with their plans, but her warnings were ultimately dismissed. Decades later, they would put their plans in motion. Many Godshards were enamoured by the passion and charisma of David's words, bolstered every now and then by Solomon chiming in with laconic words of wisdom. Yet not all Godshards agreed with them. A vocal contingent of critics, led by the Shard Evelin vehemently stood against their plans, citing it as against the Adamite way, too rigid and inflexible.

David disagreed, believing his plan was robust and easily to tweak. He was going to put Godshards where they already wanted to go, what was there to be concerned about? Despite fierce passionate debate, they just couldn't see eye to eye and thus the Great Schism happened. Evelin and those Godshards who agreed with her settled in Yanneros and it neighbors instead. David made himself the first Sommo Sacerdote, to the approval of Solomon and the remaining Godshards.

He wanted his brother to take on the title of Arco-Mago but Solomon was too modest and shy to give himself such a title. For decades David grew the organization, seeing it extend out of the Cradlelands into the Novalands and parts of the Triad and Secundus by his later years. It broke his heart that Evelin continued to fight against him. He tried to parlay with her several times, but she would not hear it. That aside, David was a capable leader, working with the druids in the same temples, preventing the organization from getting absorbed in local politics, and achieving on some level his goals.

Near the end of his life, after Evelin had passed away, he was finally able to broker a meeting with the Adamites. While they still wouldn't join his organization, they did agree that the Island City should be common ground to all Godshards. The policy was codified thereafter. David proves that you do not need to be a Maximus Shard to change the course of history. All you need is passion and drive. Unfortunately, while David proved to be a just and noble leader, not every Sommo Sacerdote would share this attitude...

Solomon the Wise

Birth: 1298 AGF
Death: 1476 AGF
Shard Type: Maximus

Solomon was a quite and timid soul. Even though he was a Maximus Shard, he was modest and shy. Nevertheless he was a believer of David's ideas and he had wisdom and insight beyond his years. He was frequently the rock and voice of reason that David needed. He provided crucial support and wisdom during David's debates, sometimes even convincing others when David couldn't. When David argued fiercely with Evelin over the idea of the Sacerdozio, it was said by some that it was Solomon who prevented the scene from turning violent. 

Even after the Great Schism, the Adamites still respected Solomon, viewing him as the better of the two brothers. When David offered his brother the position of Arco-Mago, he respectfully declined, for he was too shy to take such a title. Indeed while David led the organization and saw to its distribution and spread, Solomon spent his days in his study, experimenting and learning more about his Shard and spellcraft. He reluctantly took on students, the first generation of Maghi. Despite his shyness, he was a dutiful and capable teacher. While he wasn't charismatic as David, he was competent, and to Godshards like Maghi who weren't as outgoing anyway, it was better that way.

When David passed away, it was up to Solomon to ensure the line of succession was properly set-up and established. Solomon at this time was around a hundred and twenty. He was the respected elder statesmen. Solomon codified the policy that the next Sommo Sacerdote must be elected by the other Godshards, particularly the Maghi and the higher ranking or experienced Sacerdoti. Under his reluctant leadership, the next Sommo Sacerdote was elected promptly without incident. His name was Jude.

Solomon continued to guide and assist Jude, the latter almost like a son to him. Solomon didn't like being so involved in the affairs of the organization but out of respect for his brother's dreams, he did what he had to. The organization was showing its first growing pains after all. Some Godshards desired to integrate more directly with the locals in their territory, some Godshards didn't perfectly fit the two main positions and there was pushback in the Triad and Secundus from the Adamites. Solomon became the rock of the organization, crucial for it keeping its integrity. He brokered a meeting between Jude and the Adamites, and the 'borders' of their respective territory were agreed upon. These borders would shift, ebb and flow over the centuries, but never did it turn violent, such was Solomon's legacy.

Yet the twilight years of Solomon were problematic and tragic. When Jude passed away, Solomon oversaw the next election at a hundred and seventy-seven years old. A young Shard named Luke won the election, although Solomon suspected he cheated. The two did not get along at all. Solomon could see how rotten and black his soul was, and Luke saw Solomon as an old windbag. By this point most of the Godshards in the organization were newer generations, not raised or guided by David or his students. Many were corrupt, arrogant and disrespectful. 

Solomon was never good with fighting or confrontations and Luke was younger and more charismatic. Despairing, Solomon retreated deep into his sanctum, ruminating with regret, believing that the organization might have been a mistake all along, if only because of the Shards now in charge of it. He missed his brother terribly and at the age of one-hundred seventy-eight he died of a broken heart. His funeral was tense as Luke was dismissive and callous both of him and the many Adamites who wished to pay their respects.

Such was the mixed legacy of the Godshard brothers. The road to hell is paved with good intentions and the age of corruption began with Solomon's death.

Jude

Birth: 1350 AGF
Death: 1475 AGF
Shard Type: Minorus

Jude was a modest man from Murex, a Godshard who witnessed the rise of the Sacerdozio and trained under both Godshard brothers. While he didn't quite have same amount of charisma as David, his tenure as Sommo Sacerdote was nearly as impactful. It was Jude who expanded the reach of the Sacerdozio to the Kingdom of Murex. Using his knowledge of his home kingdom and culture to tastefully extend their reach. He also pushed the organization deeper into Secundus and the Triad. He also maintained the peaceful if tense relations with the Adamites through the help of Solomon. Together, they codified the borders of their de facto territory with the Adamites.

There are some who believe that Jude was perhaps not as competent as he appeared. Indeed on his own, he was certainly tempted by the increasing amount of Godshards swayed by promises of power if they just integrated more with the local politics of their charges. He also had no idea how to handle the ever growing amount of Godshards who didn't quite fit the two central roles of their organization. For all these problems, it was said that Solomon was the true power and rock, helping Jude keep his honor and integrity.

The only other thing of note is Jude widened the parameter of the Alcolyte rank, making it easier for Godshards who didn't quite fit the rank of Sacerdote or Maghi to find a place. But this would ultimately prove to be a temporary measure. Despite his problems, Jude proved to be capable with the right guidance. The same couldn't be said for his successor.

Luke the Lazy

Birth: 1400 AGF
Death: 1530 AGF
Shard Type: Majorus

It is a common belief among the peoples of the Mortal Realms that Godshards are the greatest of humanities heroes. Peerless paragons of virtue who would never use their powers and status for personal gain. Indeed Godshards do well to cultivate this reputation and its often true as seen in this lore library. Alas, not all Godshards are quite so noble.

Luke was the first Sommo Sacerdote to not witness the rise of the organization nor did he meet David. His only point of reference was David's story, his brother Solomon and the tenure of Jude. Luke was rotten and spoiled, his family hailed from Raveno amongst the nobili and even removed from them, they still were a bad influence on him. He knew how to charm and he knew how to cheat. Thus when Jude passed away, Luke seized his chance. Solomon famously hated him and when Luke became the next Sommo Sacerdote, his worst fears were realized.

Luke dismissed Solomon's advice as the thoughts of a senile old man. When Solomon died the following year, he almost didn't even give him a funeral. After the tense and awkward ceremony was done, Luke went to work. He integrated the organization into the local politics, accepting 'donations' and assistance for endorsement and aid. Like poison in the blood, corruption spread quickly. Godshards who would have otherwise been capable and noble were corrupted as their values were twisted by this change to the status quo. The coffers of the Sacerdozio grew, and Luke began to throw ravish parties at the Island City, breaking countless rules in the process.

Motivated by greed and power, Luke also extended the Sacerdozio into the north, spreading to all twelve kingdoms expanding the organization to its greatest extent. Aside from ways to increase his bottom line, Luke was as incompetent as he was lazy. He spent much of his time partying and indulging in vices, taking advantage of his Shard's nature in perverse ways.

The Sacerdozio buckled from problems within and without. There was major pushback from the new territories in the north, as the beliefs they brought with them clashed with the northern druids. The locals venerated the Angyls, while the Sacerdozio venerated Godshards and the Gods. On the topic of druids, Luke kicked out them from their temples all over the domain of the Sacerdozio, ensuring all offerings at the temples went to him and no one else could stop him. Many Godshards did not mesh with the Sacerdozio teachings and renounced the order. A new type of Godshard was becoming harder to ignore; The Shardling. Given how miniscule their abilities were, some weren't sure if they should even be classified as Godshards. To all the issues, Luke was dismissive and uncaring, delegating to others who in turn had no idea what to do, if they weren't as corrupt as him of course.

Luke would meet his end during the terrible Twisted War, wrought by the ancient foes of humanity; The Twisted Gods. First came an insidious plague, ravaging the land, killing tens of thousands in weeks. After that came abominations, Horrorlim and other nameless beasts. The legions were understaffed and the Godshards inexperienced. They had not faced any serious threats in centuries and many died inelegantly and pathetically. Luke was one of these casualties, murdered by a mutated leviathan who had crawled onto the Island City from the ocean and tore open the great dome of the Basilica. Luke was in a drunken stupor and could barely even react before it devoured him in one bite. 

Legend says the creature spat him out, not liking his taste. Whether this was due to the Shard or his own repugnancy as a person, is unknown.

Samuel the Reformer

Birth: 1475 AGF
Death: 1675 AGF
Shard Type: Maximus

Samuel was a diamond in the rough. He hailed from the Novalands, from rustic roots. His family were Almogavars, fierce hardy warriors who lived off the land. Even after he became a Godshard, he maintained these skills. While most of the Sacerdozio had been consumed by corruption thanks to the tenure of Luke, Samuel stood as one of the few with integrity. He came from the ranks of the Maghi although his magical leaning was strange indeed. While Abjuration was far from unknown, his Maximus Shard amplified his potential. Godshards had a hard time casting spells in his presence and he became a pariah of sorts. He was only allowed to stay because of his mild mannered demeanor. They viewed him as not a threat to their ambitions.

That suited Samuel just fine, he wasn't much for conversation anyway. Even by Maghi standards he was quiet. Make no mistake, just because he didn't speak, didn't mean he didn't think. He was extremely observant of the world around him and his intellect was peerless. His circumstance would change when the plague and subsequent Twisted War began. His training as an Almogavar took over and he got to work, uncaring of the corrupt and foppish denizens around him. When the 'disgraced' Godshard Joan the Healer needed supplies to continue healing patients of the plague, Samuel broke the rules and provided them.

And when the mutated leviathan devoured Luke, it was Samuel who slew the beast. By virtue of competence and courage, the surviving Godshards rallied to him as the abominations of the Twisted Gods launched their fiercesome assault. While he hadn't been officially elected Sommo Sacerdote, he had certainly had the spirit of one. Like wool being removed from their eyes, Samuel through actions, not words, reminded them of what their purpose was. The victory over the monsters at the Island City turned the tide against the Twisted Gods. After several more miserable years of fighting, the Twisted War was over.

Yet not all the Godshards in the Sacerdozio were moved by Samuel. Indeed several power hungry and influential Godshards accused Samuel of being a usurper, that he waited for Luke get killed before he slew the beast. Corruption would not be so easily uprooted. Samuel for his own part didn't feel cut out to be a Sommo Sacerdote anyway. It took the words of an elderly Godshard Sacerdota named Naomi to convince him to stand his ground. The only way the corruption would leave the Sacerdozio is by Samuel's hand. 

In the lead-up to the election, Samuel did much to cultivate a reputation. Even before he officially became Sommo Sacerdote, he rooted out corruption. A powerful Mago named Josephus, when confronted with overwhelming evidence of bribery, actually attacked Samuel in an act of desperation. But Samuel's abjuration aura negated his spells and Samuel beat him to death, his superior skills as a fighter put to use. When Samuel won the election still another Mago, Rickert protested. He sought to take the position by force under the pretense of 'preserving the election integrity', throwing baseless accusations of rigging. Joined by armed thugs, Samuel fought for his life. Yet with the sacrifice of Naomi, Samuel prevailed and thus a new era for the Sacerdozio had begun.

Samuel passed a series of reforms, all intended to address the decades of systemic issues in the organization. He recognized the Shardlings, he created a military arm of warrior monks, so the Island City could better defend itself. It also provided another position for Godshards who didn't fit elsewhere. He reinstituted the policy of the Sacerdozio being outside the geopolitical order. He legitimized the Order of the Dove, the organization created by the deceased Joan, retroactively cleansing her of any shame from leaving the order.

Unfortunately Samuel couldn't fix everything. Decades of normalized corruption cannot be so easily backpedaled, for while the Sacerdozio might adhere to these new polices, the people did not. He wasn't able to address the growing problems in the north, until after Godshards of the north had broken away and became the Seerhood. He met with their leader, the dubious Godshard Nicodemus. While he prattled on and on with excuses, justifications and condemnations, Samuel was silent. At last Samuel codified the Seerhood on the spot. Not because he believed in the Seerhood, but because "To let you back in, would be like reintroducing venom to the blood."

Samuel would spend the rest of his life fighting back against the corruption and bitterness that had infected his world. He was the first Sommo Sacerdote to come from the ranks of the Maghi as well as one of the longest ruled ones due to his Maximus Shard. While not perfect, Samuel did much to right the many wrongs of the Sacerdozio.

Jeramiah

Birth: 1501 AGF
Death: 1619 AGF
Shard Type: Minimus

Jeramiah was a Godshard assigned to the newly acquired holdings in the north. Here the people were at odds with what the Sacerdozio brought with them. He saw bitterness within his own organization as well. Most Godshards saw the assignment of the north as career suicide or murder. To be in the north was to ensure they could never become a higher ranking Sacerdote or Maghi and never be Sommo Sacerdote. Jeramiah on the other hand didn't care. His purpose as a Sacerdote was to guide and lead and that's what he did. He was never involved in the bribery or other forms of corruption either.

When Nicodemus started preaching against the corruption in his own organization, Jeramiah was initially supportive. But as criticism turned to radicalism which turned into lies and deception, Jeramiah could see precisely what Nicodemus was doing. He was trying to usurp the entire order, create a new one with him on top! He desperately wrote letters to the Island City in the hope to get help. Yet his warnings were ignored. Initially it was due to Luke's belligerence, then it was due to the Twisted War. The monsters attacked the north too, so the squabbles were put on hold, Jeramiah giving reluctant credit to Nicodemus' angyl summoning talents. 

But soon the war was over and at long last Jeramiah received a reply from the newly appointed Samuel. He was willing to broker a meeting with Nicodemus! Alas it would not go as Jeramiah had hoped and the Seerhood would be codified. Jeramiah was embittered but he reluctantly conceded on the matter. Jeramiah refused to join the new Seerhood and fled before Nicodemus could deal with him.

Seeing no other option Jeramiah parlayed with the northern kings. They had common ground for they both resented the new Seerhood. The monarches were concerned about their position as Nicodemus had started preaching about the flaws with kings and lords. Just like when he preached against the wrongs of the Sacerdozio, while there were half-truths and points in his speeches, the real goal was Nicodemus discrediting the royals and usurp the position of High King. Effectively ruling the entire North.

The kings wanted to oust Nicodemus by force but Jeramiah had a different idea. Nipping the growing dissent in the bud, per Jeramiah’s instructions, the kings passed new laws that would provide checks on their power. Jeramiah founded a nameless secret police. This organization was officially meant to keep an eye on the affairs of the monarchs but Nicodemus knew they were actually going to keep an eye on him.

"Who guards the guardians after all?" said Jeramiah to an incensed Nicodemus.

Nicodemus couldn’t say anything, he couldn’t dispute these developments without contradicting himself. He hadn’t expected such malicious compliance. He said he wanted to oust corruption and the royals technically listened.

Jeramiah disappeared from history soon after. Some say Nicodemus assassinated him as retribution. Others say Jeramiah merely disappeared from public life, to better operate the new secret police. If such a thing must exsist, he wished for it to be a force for good, not evil.

The legacy of Jeramiah is a complicated one. The secret police he founded suffered from the same corruption as the Sacerdozio and Seerhood and for this he is typically not revered among the Sacerdozio Godshards. But those who truly understand, view Jeramiah’s legacy as one of sadness, justice and desparation. For decades his warnings and cries were ignored and he lost much in his life. Yet he never wavered and his tireless efforts laid the groundwork that would keep the ambitions of the Seerhood in check.

Micah the Dim

Birth: 1625 AGF
Death: 1750 AGF
Shard Type: Majorus

In the wake of Samuel's passing, the Sacerdozio stood at a crossroads. It was a organization that had regained its virtue but was in an empire that had become corrupt, bitter and eager for something to blame. It would seemingly either fall back into the pits or raise its charges out of it. The result was ultimately the former but perhaps it would have been quicker if it wasn't for Micah.

Micah was taught under Samuel and shared most of his values as a result. The problem was Micah was woefully unprepared for the challenge of being Sommo Sacerdote and some thought he didn't have the intelligence for the job. Yet he was still the most promising candidate and thus he won all the same. Godshards began to fall back into the old ways of corruption, but they learned quickly to keep it as far from Micah's ear as possible.

He was easy to deceive and to trick, yet the times he caught wise were terrible indeed. Micah was not without his merits though. When Imperials desired to create 'arrangements' with his organization, Micah vehemently refused. When the 'Mortal Realms for Mortals' rhetoric began its rise, Micah stood his ground. Yet for all the good he did, he was consistently blind to the problems under his nose.

Perhaps Micah's biggest mistake was ever trusting Abel. The Maximus Godshard had an adventurous and charismatic spirit that made him beloved by all. Micah took pity on him when his expedition to find the powerful sword known as the Angylbane ended in failure. When Abel said not to listen to the warnings of the strange Godshard Paul Twicelived, he believed him. When a group of thugs managed to ambush him, bypassing all matter of security and protections, all he could think as he laid dying on the marble floor, as Abel smugly revealed himself, was "Why?"

Saul/Paul Twicelived

Birth: 1550 AGF
Death: 1750 AGF
Shard Type: Maximus

Godshards traditionally only become Godshards either three days after they're born or when they turn seven. But there have always been exceptions, outliers who've become Shards as teenagers, or as adults. But none have ever been as strange as the Twicelived. For he became a Godshard not as a child, teenager, or as a young man but as an old man on his deathbed.

Known as Saul at the time, he was a simple, blunt yet honorable man. He was a lumberjack and carpenter, good with his hands. He wasn't the best with his words and some found him uncouth and others hated his bluntness. However, when push came to shove, he was a man of integrity. He lived a long and happy life, with a wife and children, and their children's children. He had achieved all he wanted in life and made peace with dying, especially after the death of his wife. But fate would deal a stranger hand.

As his breaths were so slowing, perhaps minutes from his death, a Shard burst through the roof and entered him. When the smoke cleared, he looked that of a middle aged man with a Maximus Shard within him. The Sacerdozio was perplexed and amazed at this development. Saul insisted he'd be called Paul as the name felt right and it separated his new life from his pre-Shard one. The newly named Paul initially was happy and intrigued with this new development and the Sacerdozio welcomed him with open arms! 

He got along well with the aging Samuel, who was accommodating to his strange circumstance. Unlike most other Godshards, he had a family to look after, children and grandchildren. Despite his power warranting him a place among the Maghi, he never fully joined their ranks due to his other obligations. In truth however, Paul never wanted to be a Mago. He was a hardy and physical man, he was never one for writing and studying. When Micah became the next Sommo Sacerdote, Paul chaffed under his leadership.

He was less understanding than Samuel on the matter, much to his chagrin. Paul's bluntness didn't make him many friends among the Sacerdozio either. Yet he was one of the few who didn't slip back into corruption at the time and a select few respected his honesty. Paul famously hated Abel. While he was seen as a rising star in the organization, Paul was unmoved, the only one who wasn't effected by Abel's charisma. Some say it was due to the nature of when he became a Shard, some say it was in spite of his Shard, that his personality was never altered by it.

A century after he became a Shard, Paul had become dejected and lonely. His children and grandchildren were dead and their children viewed him more as a symbol, an object of veneration, not as family. Paul hated what was happening to the Imperium, the fervor of the Mortal Realms for Mortals creed had been growing for decades and he could see where it was going before anyone else. His hatred and disdain for Abel reached a fever pitch. He had a hunch Abel was up to no good. Abel had been spending way too much time around Brutus, the latest Imperator and dictator of Primus.

Paul tried to warn Micah in spite of their misgivings. But Micah never liked Paul and took Abel at his word. Publicly it said that Paul died soon after due to a broken heart. The truth was however that Paul was killed by Abel. After Micah was assassinated, Paul bore witness to the crime and fought the treacherous Godshard, slaying the thugs assisting Abel with ease. But Abel was younger and more skilled in his spellcraft, something Paul never fully embraced. It cost him his life.

Initially Paul was blamed for Micah's death and his bad reputation combined with Abel's charm ensured his legacy was tarnished. But after the Imperial Terror and Abel's seeming demise, the new Sommo Sacerdote Lazarus learned the truth and corrected this mistake, placing the blame properly on Abel, absolving Paul of the crime and created the public story of him dying of a broken heart. In a sense, Lazarus wasn't wrong. 

Paul might have been uncouth and an oddball amongst the Godshards, but he did possess something that places him among the greats, an earnest conviction and a desire to do good. In his own way, he was just as sincere, which is more than can be said for many of his peers at the time.

Lazarus the Reviver

Birth: 1780 AGF
Shard Type: Maximus

The current Sommo Sacerdote Lazarus is the latest in a long line of Godshards dealing with overwhelming adversity. Yet his story had rocky beginnings. He was raised under Abel, who viewed Lazarus like a son. How much of it was genuine affection and how much of it was due to Abel viewing Lazarus as a tool is not known. Like most Sacerdozio Godshards however, Lazarus looked up to Abel. Abel had been Sommo Sacerdote for decades around the time Lazarus had come of age.

Abel had long since moved the headquarters of the Sacerdozio to Primus itself, to better synergize the organization with what the Imperium was about to undergo. With no significant threats, the Imperium was desperate for someone to blame and an excuse to fight. Like most others, Lazarus was brainwashed by the Mortal Realm for mortals creed, an anti-theist movement that renounced all Gods, daemons, and all their works, which included Maelim, Horrorlim and even the kind-hearted Benelim.

The first atrocity came when the Dogheads attacked. A strange race of semi-sentient creatures, their sudden assaults on outlying towns was all the pretense Abel and the dictator of Primus Brutus needed to spark a full scale war against them. It was around this time that Lazarus started to have his doubts. The war went far beyond merely achieving victory, it was a genocide. The Dogheads were little better armed than cavemen, with primitive bronze weapons and hardened clubs of stone.

It baffled Lazarus why the creatures attacked at all if they were so weak. Only decades later was it understood. The Dogheads were driven by instinct, and like animals, they had a danger sense. Long had they been an 'early warning system' either attacking threats before they made their move or barking and yelping and fleeing from an area. In other words, the Dogheads attacking Primus was a warning to the other races of their intentions.

Despite Abel doing his best to reassure Lazarus, Lazarus couldn't shake the feeling what they were doing was wrong. So it was when the legions marched over the God's Teeth mountains and attacked the Golden Wood, Lazarus' eyes were opened. They were slaughtering their trusted allies and friends! The Mortal Realm for Mortals creed had twisted humanity into creatures of madness and brutality! Lazarus incensed confronted his old teacher Abel. 

The resulting magical duel was legendary as it was fierce. The two Maximus Shards were equally matched. At last it is said that Abel was defeated. Officially it was said Abel was slain, in actuality he was merely ousted. Lazarus despite not being Sommo Sacerdote yet took the initiative and relocated the organization back to the Island City. Not a moment too soon as the legions of Primus had returned home in defeat. Blaming Murexen legionnaires for abandoning them, and sacked Murex in revenge. The resulting domino chain led to the Imperium shattering in rebellion, as all the world turned against the city of Primus. The Benelim of the Golden Wood and the deserts formed a reluctant alliance with the post-Imperial humans and this coalition besieged Primus. 

But Primus wasn't done yet, for Brutus had an ace up his sleeve, a tome of angylic lore. He summoned the wretched arch-angyl Samael and his hosts, easily crushing the coalition forces. Primus didn't have the means to go any further but the coalition didn't have the ability to fight such powerful foes. It was a stalemate. When hope seemed lost, Lazarus had an idea, they had to fight fire with fire! Angyls with angyls! They had to go north and 'borrow' a tome of their own! While the coalition refused to sanction this plan. six other warriors believed in it and the Lazarus Seven was born!

After a harrowing series of adventures, the survivors of his group returned with angylic tomes, ones to summon the one arch-angyl who might be able to beat Samael; Michael. When both sides summoned their angyls, things did not go as planned. Instead of both hosts fighting each other, the two arch-angyls had a duel, of which Michael barely won. To Lazarus' horror, both angylic hosts promptly attacked Primus. Inexperienced with the tomes, he couldn't stop them before they utterly destroyed the city to the last man, woman and child. 

So it was that Primus was defeated, yet there was nothing but ash in the coalition's mouths. Yet despite the tragedy, people ultimately viewed Lazarus as a hero, if a foolish one. What else could have stopped Primus' rampage? The subsequent election was the closest in the history of the Sacerdozio, many Godshards didn't like how Lazarus was such a maverick with one of the Maghi, Magdaline saying he was little better than Abel! Yet Lazarus won, and amongst his own reforms and adjustments, he offered Magdaline the role of Arco-Maga. If she was so worried about him, this would give her a position with veto power, as a way to keep him in check.

Lazarus would go on to lead the Sacerdozio for the next two centuries, making him the longest ruling Sommo Sacerdote. With Magdaline as his second in command, the Sacerdozio did much to reclaim its lost glory. It was determined to make up for its part in the Imperial Terror and tried to go back to its roots, an organization outside the geopolitical order, above corruption. This was all achieved, perhaps too well.

For the organization was possibly too conservative now. No deviation from the teachings of the Sacerdozio was allowed, much to Lazarus' frustration. Even centuries later, Magdaline's trust is measured and their organization is painfully inflexible under their watch. While this has reduced corruption, it is still a troubling outlook.

Lazarus' concerns are well founded for soon evil beings will launch their insidious plans, and the Sacerdozio must adapt or face death, or worse...

Magdaline the Arco-Maga

Birth: 1779 AGF
Shard Type: Maximus

Magdaline was always a stern woman. She hailed from Murex, one of the aristocratic families of the town of Lyon. The wealthy elite of that region suffered not for anything less than perfection. Manners were important, the rules had to be respected. When Magdaline became a Godshard, things started to change. Like all the Godshards of her generation, she was swayed by the lies and charisma of Abel. She believed in his cause, even when her family was warning her of the danger Abel presented.

When the Imperial Terror began, much like with Lazarus, it opened her eyes. She didn't like the improper method but Magdaline supported Lazarus ousting Abel. She would have chided Lazarus but she had more pressing matters. At the height of the Imperial Terror, as revenge for their dissertation and sympathy for the Benelim, the retreating legions of Primus sacked Murex. By the time Magdaline returned to her family's mansion, it was too late. Her family were slaughtered by the legionnaires. 

Magdaline changed from that day. She saw the lack of adherence to the rules and order to be the blame. To her, if the Godshards had stuck to the rules, Abel would have never gotten away with what he did. The Imperial Terror could have been nipped in the bud. No more mavericks, no more changes, the rules were sacrosanct. To her irritation, after the dust settled and Primus was ash, it was Lazarus that won the election. She was livid, Lazarus played a major role in the destruction of Primus. He was little better than Abel!

As an olive branch, Lazarus offered her the position of Arco-Maga, a second in command position, one with considerable authority and veto power. When Magdaline scoffed at the gesture, seeing it as yet another instance of breaking the rules, Lazarus pointed out how David once tried to appoint Solomon as Arco-Mago, citing it as precedent and within legal boundaries. Begrudgingly impressed and seeing the opportunity of the position, she became the first Arco-Maga.

By the present day, Magdaline has largely been unchanged. While she has been capable of keeping the Sacerdozio from falling back into corruption, she has also been a crucial cause of its inflexibility. The organization is more dogmatic and conservative than ever before. However, for all her faults on this front, Magdaline is a true believer of what she says. That this form of rigidity is best. That if a problem cannot be addressed by the Sacerdozio's methods, is more due to the incompetence and lack of conviction of the Shard, not the problem itself. 

Unfortunately, just because one truly believes something to be true, doesn't mean it is, and Magdaline will have a rude awaking when the daemons enact their schemes...

Deborah the Gran-Maestro

Birth: 1954 AGF
Shard Type: Minimus

Deborah is a woman and Godshard greater than the sum of her parts. She is only a Minimus Shard, but her passive abilities and peerless discipline illustrate the truth that is never just been about the Shard size. Hailing from the Triad, she was brought to the Sacerdozio right away, much to the chagrin of the local Adamites. She quickly discovered she had the potent passive abilities of foresight and enhanced speed. She also discovered she was an empath when she came of age.

She didn't fit the criteria to be a Sacerdote so she was given over to the warrior-monks, of whom she was welcomed with open arms. Her skills proved to be perfect for their work as warriors. She was a gifted student and a peerless fighter. As she grew older, she rose through the ranks quickly and when the previous Gran-Maestro passed away, she was the obvious successor. 

As Gran-Maestro, she reported to Magdaline and was in charge of the security of the Island City. She quickly proved to be an invaluable ally and capable leader. Her meditation and training gave her a clear head, often breaking ties when Lazarus and Magdaline had their disagreements. In time the two powerful Shards started using her for tasks that required... harsher methods. While Deborah was reluctant at first, she understood the significance of it and believed in the cause.

Deborah has proven to be that crucial rock of competence everyone needs. But when the coming crisis affects the Island City, her skills will be put to the test.

Salvatore Angelos

Birth: 1923 AGF
Shard Type: Minorus

Salvatore Angelos was born in Tressviae. His parents wanted to call him Angelo but his Shard nature made him want to be called Salvatore, so Angelo became Angelos, as a surname. Salvatore was a paragon of what it means to be a Sacerdote, guiding people as a spiritual leader, assisting the good people of Tressviae however he could. He had a potent gift of foresight, enabling him to assist his charges even better. As a result, his ways and plans might be strange to some, but even if it isn't obvious, he has a plan.

Salvatore is not perfect. Despite his best efforts, he couldn't accept Annabelle into the Sacerdozio, on account of her not being able to control her Soulsight. It took a lot of maneuvering, but he eventually managed to get her a position in the Order of the Dove. He is also breaking the rules by being the de facto ruler of Tressviae, alongside Angela, the Capitana and Emilio Augustino, the Generale of the Guardia Grifone. None of these three should be in charge, but this arrangement is only temporary until the current Conte, Emmanule, comes of age.

Raveno grumbles at this development and Salvatore finds himself in a shadow war with corrupt agents, though of who he cannot say. He suspects that they were the ones who assassinated the previous Conte. But Salvatore always strives to see the best in people. He views many of the people of Tressviae like his children, Leo, Martin. Even those from elsewhere like Elizabeth. Tressviae is his home and as the upcoming crisis looms, it will take all his planning and charm to save the city he loves.

Avella Avalon

Birth: 1920 AGF
Shard Type: Magnus

Avella Avalon is one of the best Magnus Shards in recent years. She hails from the Triad, of the wealthy Avalon family, although she is the last of her line now. She became a Godshard when she was seven. Despite befriending the Adamite Etheros, she would choose the Sacerdozio. She is very adherent to the Twin Path. She is a dutiful Maga, skilled with her leaning of elemental magic.

A paragon of what it means to be one of the Maghi, Avella is frequently sent to deal with problems that require great power. A warband that needs to be crushed, a fire that needs to be extinguished, a group of miners that need to be rescued, things of that sort. Avella takes to her job with discipline and efficiency, in fact she weirdly prefers staying out, despite it going against her nature. At least that's what she tells herself, the Twin Path is never wrong.

Despite her secret reservations, Avella is dutiful, loyal and always gets things done. When she is assigned to assist the Guardia Grifone in the liberation of Venito, she expects the task to be simple pest control. Little does she know just how much the upcoming battle is going to shake things up...