Sainthood
While the deities of Arameia themselves are mostly silent, their presence has been showing time and time again through the actions of those faithful to them. Over the several hundred years of recorded history, a number of individuals have been the source of a sizeable event, often described as miracles. These individuals have been ascended to Sainthood, and their teachings influence members of their faith. Often coming from humble beginnings, these individuals serve their gods fervently and are believed to be chosen by their deity, and gifted with their power. The moment of their miracle is often times the beginning of their journey, for afterwards they are whisked off to the heart of their faith to live a life of immense training, practice, prayer, and education. These individuals are often chosen to eventually become Speakers of their chosen faith, the highest office in each church, but not always. Saints are powerful political figures who are widely respected but often gain powerful enemies at the same time. It is also believed that saints have the ability to bestow a deity's powers among their followers. Not all deities have saints, and there is no requirement of such.
Some saints remain in obscurity through their own actions or those of others. If a being displays miraculous powers or triggers an event, it is quickly followed by members of the All Temple (a religious organization that worships all gods equally) investigating alongside representatives of the individual deity's church.
Known List of Prominent Saints
- Quintus Socellius Rex (Male Human/Aasimar) b. Unknown, d. Age of the Goddess - Saint of Pelor, Quintus was a noble hero of eld, a forgotten kingdom of humans that fought during the Battle for Morning. During a demonic incursion, the Balor Lord Ag'dromel battered down the gates of The Silver City, (The real name has been lost, never recorded) one of the last bastions not to fall. Quintus drew the sword of his fallen king and stood alone against the demon lord. As he struck, the sword lit ablaze with a white light, angelic wings burst from Quintus' back, and a blinding holy light erupted. After smiting the Balor back to the Abyss, he led the remaining forces in defense of the City, pushing out the invaders. For his bravery and ferocity in battle against the enemies of good, Quintus became known as Pelor's Avenging Angel, and was a key figure in the victory. Quintus is the only saint with evidence that his deity spoke directly to him, Pelor named the young hero his chosen before the peoples of the Silver City. The Avenging Angel gave his life rescuing thousands of mortals who were dragged into the Abyss. As the doorway to the Material Plane closed behind him, he physically halted Orcus from emerging and held him back long enough for every single prisoner to escape. It is believed Quintus is the First Saint and the only Saint in recorded history from before the Age of Silence.
- Wellen Gontz (Male Human) b. Unkown AoG, d. 1 AoS - Saint of Ilmater and Avandra During an early war in the human kingdoms, a large city, numbering in the thousands, was captured, tortured, forced to walk to some inescapable gruesome fate, hands bound, tortured, and left to die should they fall. The host was marching at the same pace as usual when a lone figure halted their advance. The man addressed the warlord, seeking to make a trade for the freedom of the people of the city in the only currency he knew the invaders would respond to: flesh and blood. For each of the thousand residents, the stranger would allow the warlord to whip him with a bladed cable. For every lash the stranger took without dying, one prisoner would go free. The Warlord, tempted, a betting man, and sure of his strength, agreed. The Warlord took his stance, the stranger was tied to a nearby tree, and the bloody work began. The first few lashes landed true, and the stranger cried out in pain, the bladed cable sank deeply into his flesh, but the man, now painted red with his own blood, still lived. This continued for days on end, the warlord switching with his lieutenants to sleep, yet the man still lived. Each ringing of the lash was harmonized with the clattering of shackles on the grass, then quickly accented by feet, running in the opposite direction, to safety. On the 5th straight day, there was only one prisoner left, a young girl whose mother had left her behind when she gained her freedom. The whip lashed once more and the cuffs were removed from the girl. She was going to run, but instead she ran to the bloody, raggedy breathing lump of a man, who though the ropes binding him had broken days ago, remained in the same spot. The girl would not know what to say, but all the stranger did was given her a bloody smile nearly devoid of teeth and whispered to the girl the one thing he'd never told the others, his name. The girl ran, and after she was away, the man supposedly drew his last breath. The girl spoke of the name and gave his name to whoever would listen, and finally got the attention of the All Church. Those chosen to investigate the matter were certain a miracle had happened, but were unsure what it was: the warlord agreeing to play, the fact that the man was not betrayed, or the fact that the man refused to die until they were all free. It was unlike any other saintly event: There was no bright light, no fanfare, no massive spells, simply a man laying out his life for those in need. For that, many attribute his actions to Ilmater; However, the girl and many other who were there that day believe instead he was sent by Avandra. The invoke his name before beginning a journey or new adventure, hoping that he will once more give them protection. Regardless of what is believed, he was given a shared name, to go alongside his real one: Wellen Gontz, the Bleeding Saint [Wellen Gontz submitted by Zerk, a D&D Party member and fellow world builder.]
- Larnel Vrakxiros (Male Silver Dragonborn) b. 11 AoS, d. 75 AoS - Saint of Bahamut, Larnel transformed into a massive platinum dragon, and faced the Blue Dragon Aldraaktos, the Whispered Doom in combat over Arkhosia, the ancestral capital of the Dragonborn people. Larnel became Speaker of Bahamut, serving for 22 years before he passed in his sleep.
- Qrar (Male Aarakocra) b. 52 AoS, d. 79 AoS - Saint of Syranita, Qrar felled an Orc invasion by calling forth terrible storms and winds, annihilating an entire navy of Orcish ships. Qrar refused the title of Speaker and spent the remainder of his life in the mountains outside of the Aarakocran Empire's Capitol of Skywind.
- Darwaela Onyxbow (Female Dwarf) b. 103 AoS, d. 153 AoS - Saint of Moradin, Darwaela raised mountains across the world after a dark wizard's machinations had all but flattened them, leaving the dwarves near-extinction. It is through her efforts that the dwarves live and flourish today. Darwaela refused the role of Speaker, instead becoming the first High Queen of the Dwarven people in Dumera. Many Hold Kings draw their lineages to her line.
- Bramr Urgolfsson (Male Human) b. 100 AoS, d. 221 AoS - Saint of Talos, Bramr was a near-nameless soldier in Alermond's forces, when a Duke had gone mad from corruption by the Dark Gods. After committing atrocities that led to Bramr's town, family, and friends to die, his rage knew no bounds. It's said when he called out the Duke's name, a storm so powerful manifested and wiped the Duke's nigh-impenetrable castle from the earth. Bramr dutifully became the Speaker of Talos, and served faithfully for over 80 years. Little is known how he extended his life so long, many believe it was the sorrow and grief of his family pushing him to continue to serve and better his empire. During his reign as Speaker, the Empire was at its most peaceful and even sought relations with Kasimir and other nations.
- Karoline Zieminski (Female Human) b. 399 AoS, d. 410 AoS - Saint of Ioun, Karoline was the most powerful wizard in the world at the age of 8. She was heralded as the wizard that could propel the world into a new age of magic. All teleportation circles and magic seemingly halted, forcing her to be escorted by carriage. The carriage was hit by what some believe to be a comet, killing all. Karoline was sainted due to the miracle that sparked her discovery, restoring the Winds of Magic to a space in Dumera that was a dead-zone for over 200 years. Many believe rival wizards enacted her assassination.
- Perorin Sunberry (Male Halfling) b. 399 AoS, d. 539 AoS - Saint of Serenrae, Perorin was a simple healer and apothecary, supplying a small number of villages with medicines and curatives. When the Iron Doom Plague broke out, Perorin worked tirelessly to care for the thousands afflicted. Entire towns were lost, cities locked down and burned piles of corpses. In a flash of brilliant light, seen across Dumera, Perorin had sent a wave of healing energy across Kasimir. Shortly after, a new flower was discovered growing in the hills around his home, Keyleaf, which was the necessary ingredient in the cure for the Iron Doom, which has been all but eradicated. Perorin was made Speaker of Serenrae, and served for only ten years before age caught up with him. Perorin was adored for his unending kindness, passion for others, and hope for the mortal races of Arameia.
- Aparok Vunakiga (Androgynous Goliath) b. 399 AoS, d. 433 AoS - Saint of Helm, Aparok was a dedicated Paladin of Helm and served during an Orcish incursion in Ashar. The Orcs had named their own Saint, Grak Ghost Maker, who was named Saint of Gruumsh. Grak summoned forth a massive avatar of Gruumsh who stood over the City of Skywind. Gruumsh's Avatar brought his foot down to crush the city in a single blow. Aparok manifested a shield of Helm to cover the entire city, holding the Avatar's attack for long enough that Skywind forces could bring the Ghost Maker down. Aparok was elevated to Speaker only several weeks later, already being a devoted official in the Temple of Helm. Aparok was beloved for continuing their efforts as a simple Paladin while bringing radical change to the church.
- Kennara Pinesky (Female Wood Elf) b. 500 AoS, d. 540 AoS - Saint of Sahanine, Keya was present for the beginning of Kavmahl's invasion. His forces entered the forests in Acheron lands where her druidic circle lived, and massacred everyone. As his vicious invasion continued, Keya manifested an unspeakable amount of magic and created an illusion of a massive and impassable forest for Kavmahl's army, forcing them to take a detour right into a Kasimiran counterattack. Keya served with King Brun II through much of the war. Keya was led into an ambush and captured by Kavmahl's forces, where he beheaded her before Brun II and his army. This pushed Brun II into a fury, leading to his duel with the Earthbreaker and his death. Keya was sainted posthumously by the Church of Sahanine, as her illusion also protected a sizeable group of Wood Elf and human refugees.
- Amelia Kasuun (Female Human) b. 530 AoS - Saint of Sarenrae, Amelia is the first saint in the post Caerleon Line world that Dumera exists in. Amelia served as a cleric of the Allchurch, an organization representing all faiths of the Prime Deities. Amelia traveled with a group of adventurers that traveled across Kasimir and brought much good to its people. Amelia was present for the downfall of Kyron the Bloodbinder and Arthur Makalos. Amelia was granted true sainthood when she performed a miracle to rebound an attack from the Scarlet King during the final battle with Kyron. The miracle nearly killed her, but cemented her in the history of Arameia as both saint and hero.
[Depiction of Saint Quintus Rex, Pelor's Avenging Angel descending into the Abyss]
Comments