Joseph Zephero
Messiah Joseph Alex Zephero (a.k.a. Messiah Zephero)
Physical Description
General Physical Condition
As the leader of Divinity since its reformation into a physically capable religious order, Joseph is equally strong as he is fit - and it shows. Under the layered cloths and metal plates stands the body of a fighter, one that's muscles are exercised regularly and whose endurance is tested more so. Whist less agile than some, the power behind each of Josephs strikes makes up in full for this weakness.
Facial Features
A light stubble frames the face of Joseph Zephero, one that starts at his ears and extends no lower than his jaw-line. His ears are attached at the lobes and extend outwards only slightly at his ears tops. His nose is average sized for a humans, but the cartilage gives his noses tip strong and flat definition.
Identifying Characteristics
Perhaps his most identifying feature are the slight glow to his elusive blue eyes, which people believe to be the eyes of Istus herself taking a physical form in the body of her Champion. Secondary to his eyes are the crimson read plates that adorn his body in vital areas, golden decoration imprinted on the armors surface works to display his religion with pride. However, if a poor soul is unfortunate enough to be on the receiving end of Joseph's wrath - then the most daunting feature would be the pure glowing bar that sits adorned in his Great Hammer.
Mental characteristics
Personal history
Being born an unwanted child, the currently unnamed Joseph was left abandoned on the front steps of a religious orphanage belonging to the followers of Istus. It was here that Joseph was raised from a young child into his early teens - showing great commune with the divine beings from as young as four years old. When archbishops of Divinity caught on to the existence of Josephs powers, they were quick to accept him into the Hallowstone Halls so that they might shape him into an almighty weapon against the undead scourge to the south. However, Joseph wanted to hone his skills in the arts of combative battle, which strictly forbade the following of the Istus religion - one of balance and reasoning. During his years in the Hallowstone Halls, Joseph caused many hardships for the copious tutors and scholars who dared to teach him. Perhaps as a result of remaining un-adopted until an older age or the lack of freedom he possessed under the banners of Divinity, Joseph's late teenage years were spent mostly in direct rebellion of the schools teachings, and was seen as a lost cause to most who taught there.
This was until Joseph met a druid of the Istus church in Eyela, who instead acknowledged Joseph and his desires as opposed to the denial Joseph was familiar with. The druid, a Firbolg named Matthias, took Joseph from the Hallowstone Halls and deep into the wilderness of his homeland Eyela. Here, Matthias taught Joseph many of the skills in battle he possesses currently, but more so re-kindled his belief in his god Istus once more. Several years passed, and Joseph had become an outstanding cleric of the Istus domain, one whose battle was as strong as his divine channelings from above. Whilst Joseph believes the years he spent with Matthias to be his greatest, he is also haunted by their end - which resulted in the death of his master from an undead attack. Whilst Matthias' life was not the only one lost, Joseph's survival was seen as a mistake by many who lived in the nearby village - as Matthias had stood as their protector for some hundred years and was suddenly now gone as a result of his saving young Josephs life. Josephs still hasn't forgiven himself for the death of his most beloved friend.
Now alone and unwanted, Joseph made his way back to Erysea where he rejoined the ranks of Divinity. At this stage, the undead incursions in the south were overwhelming the crowns armies, and the divine of Divinity where sent south to assist in the healing and aid of the kings armies. It was on this battlefield, where the Battle of Vel'Shanar took place, that Joseph made a name for himself as the divine weapon of Divinity. His battlefield presence was the sole factor behind any having survived the on-slaughter that occurred, and should he not have had the battlefield knowledge he did - none would have survived the death of the old Elven capital. Upon his return to the city, the armies, survivors and priests that followed stood strong and firm behind him - many demanding change within the structures of Divinity. There were calls for reformations in ranking, strategies, teaching and most importantly for the introduction of military training. Standing as the face of the revolution, Joseph rode the waves of change and found himself being the flame that ignited the great reformation of the great guilds ways. From this, Divinity rose into a guild of great power, one that enabled members of a military background who sought to serve in the name of Istus, one who did not discriminate against its members goals for power and strength. Joseph soon after became a shining member known to all, one that, despite the thousands of voices of praise, could only think back to the boy who failed to save his friend all those years ago.
One night, when Joseph sat staring longingly into the waters of the capital city, reminiscing on all that had happened, all that should have happened but didn't, he was visited by the Divine. Beside him sat a woman more beautiful than any one thing his eyes had ever been set upon, whose hair flowed seemingly in a wind that simply didn't exist. She spoke with him for many hours, reminiscing over his life, his struggles, his triumphs, and most importantly - his losses. When it was time for the Divine to leave, who Joseph had come to know as Istus herself, she left with him a gift unlike any other. She had gifted Joseph the potential of being her Champion, one who would protect the world and its peoples from the evils who continued to throw the scales out of balance. He accepted.
This was until Joseph met a druid of the Istus church in Eyela, who instead acknowledged Joseph and his desires as opposed to the denial Joseph was familiar with. The druid, a Firbolg named Matthias, took Joseph from the Hallowstone Halls and deep into the wilderness of his homeland Eyela. Here, Matthias taught Joseph many of the skills in battle he possesses currently, but more so re-kindled his belief in his god Istus once more. Several years passed, and Joseph had become an outstanding cleric of the Istus domain, one whose battle was as strong as his divine channelings from above. Whilst Joseph believes the years he spent with Matthias to be his greatest, he is also haunted by their end - which resulted in the death of his master from an undead attack. Whilst Matthias' life was not the only one lost, Joseph's survival was seen as a mistake by many who lived in the nearby village - as Matthias had stood as their protector for some hundred years and was suddenly now gone as a result of his saving young Josephs life. Josephs still hasn't forgiven himself for the death of his most beloved friend.
Now alone and unwanted, Joseph made his way back to Erysea where he rejoined the ranks of Divinity. At this stage, the undead incursions in the south were overwhelming the crowns armies, and the divine of Divinity where sent south to assist in the healing and aid of the kings armies. It was on this battlefield, where the Battle of Vel'Shanar took place, that Joseph made a name for himself as the divine weapon of Divinity. His battlefield presence was the sole factor behind any having survived the on-slaughter that occurred, and should he not have had the battlefield knowledge he did - none would have survived the death of the old Elven capital. Upon his return to the city, the armies, survivors and priests that followed stood strong and firm behind him - many demanding change within the structures of Divinity. There were calls for reformations in ranking, strategies, teaching and most importantly for the introduction of military training. Standing as the face of the revolution, Joseph rode the waves of change and found himself being the flame that ignited the great reformation of the great guilds ways. From this, Divinity rose into a guild of great power, one that enabled members of a military background who sought to serve in the name of Istus, one who did not discriminate against its members goals for power and strength. Joseph soon after became a shining member known to all, one that, despite the thousands of voices of praise, could only think back to the boy who failed to save his friend all those years ago.
One night, when Joseph sat staring longingly into the waters of the capital city, reminiscing on all that had happened, all that should have happened but didn't, he was visited by the Divine. Beside him sat a woman more beautiful than any one thing his eyes had ever been set upon, whose hair flowed seemingly in a wind that simply didn't exist. She spoke with him for many hours, reminiscing over his life, his struggles, his triumphs, and most importantly - his losses. When it was time for the Divine to leave, who Joseph had come to know as Istus herself, she left with him a gift unlike any other. She had gifted Joseph the potential of being her Champion, one who would protect the world and its peoples from the evils who continued to throw the scales out of balance. He accepted.
Accomplishments & Achievements
Joseph was the man to successfully adapt the Divinity Guild into one who's physical might may one day overtake even that of Willows. He essentially reformed the religious teachings and order to accommodate for people of many backgrounds and talents to be able to join Divinities ranks. It was through these great and challenging transformations that Joseph was titled a Messiah of Divinity, only one of three in the modern age. It was only soon after that the current champion of Istus passed, and to none's surprise it was Joseph who was to take up the mantle. Since then, Joseph is seen as an almighty force of justice and balance, which has resulted in many people, even those outside of the organization, to rely on his protective watch over the sinister forces to the south.
Mental Trauma
In Joseph's mind, it was his lack of power, self-control and determination that resulted in Mathias' death all those years ago. As a result of this, Joseph has en-captured himself in a mindset of his efforts never being enough. This trauma is self inflicted, and often causes Joseph to underestimate both his keen intellect and his prowess in battle. If Joseph had only been enough all those years ago, perhaps his dear friend and teacher would still walk among us today.
Morality & Philosophy
"Balance must always be upheld. Under no circumstances is any one person exempt from doing what is right for the sake of all people."
Joseph believes strongly in the philosophy of doing what is right for the sake of others - regardless of whether this puts himself in a position of danger. Often when Josephs see's others prioritizing themselves he is quick to anger and correct them in their wrongdoings. Most of all, Josephs understands that nature has a balance that should be consistently kept upheld - one where the rich do not take from the poor, and the strong do not antagonize the week.
Joseph believes strongly in the philosophy of doing what is right for the sake of others - regardless of whether this puts himself in a position of danger. Often when Josephs see's others prioritizing themselves he is quick to anger and correct them in their wrongdoings. Most of all, Josephs understands that nature has a balance that should be consistently kept upheld - one where the rich do not take from the poor, and the strong do not antagonize the week.
Social
Hobbies & Pets
Unbeknownst to most, Josephs is an experienced player of chess. He played often with Matthias during his training to become a cleric.
Speech
Josephs speaks in a strong and determined manner. His deep, grainy voice is often regarded as 'warm' and 'welcoming' - though when required to be serious, these views quickly change to that of 'intimidating' and 'powerful'. As a religious man, he is strict on swearing and unnecessary languages that might offend or upset peoples of the church.
Alignment
Lawful Good
Current Location
Species
Age
32
Circumstances of Birth
Unwanted. Left unattended at an orphanage.
Birthplace
Unknown
Children
Current Residence
Sanctum
Gender
Male
Eyes
Light Blue
Hair
Long, pale brown hair on top leading back to a bun with a bunch of loose strands hanging down the right side of his face to the chin, around the sides and back his hair is shaved.
Skin Tone/Pigmentation
Tanned
Height
6'2"
Weight
78kg
Other Affiliations
Ruled Locations
Comments