Japheth

History and Ascendance

Japheth was among the first knights to swear into the Sword of the Twelve and became a great hero during the Wars of Expansion. As a noble and honorable man with a natural charisma and unfaltering moral nature, he was a natural leader who garnered trust and inspired sacrifice. During the weeks long Battle of Japhetheum in 85 AF, Japheth lead the heroic final sortie against a well fortified orc force. As he and his men crashed into the enemy, Japheth found himself face-to-face with the orc god of law and tyranny, Baltt. Rather than retreat, the knight stood his ground and faced the evil god, calling upon Harmagne — god of bravery and strength — to aid him.
Baltt easily overpowered Japheth, but just as he was about to land the slaying blow, Harmagne condescended to earth and intercepted the strike with his own sword. The two gods locked into an epic contest as Japheth was then confronted by Shagol, the half-orc leader of the orc forces. The four danced, swords and magics clashing, until Shagol found his way to disrupt Harmagne, leaving an opening for Baltt to drive home a killing blow. Japheth tried to stop it, and cut the head of Shagol from his shoulders in his effort, but was too late. In rage and desperation, Japheth plunged his sword into the chest of Baltt, who in his glorifying of victory over Harmagne did not notice the mortal. Japheth’s blow struck well, ending Baltt’s reign in godhood shortly after the orcish god had ended Harmagne’s.
The Sword of the Twelve won the day, but more than that, Japheth was granted position among the divine immediately upon slaying Baltt. It is said that a pillar of light shown down from the sky and that the victorious knight was raised in it to the heavens where he took on the mantle of god of justice and law, replacing the evil of Baltt with his own goodness. However, Japheth was not the only god slayer that day. Though he was killed in battle, Shagol had helped to defeat Harmagne and so rose as well into immortality to become the god of war and strength. Of those who follow the Twelve, Japheth is among the most revered for those who are both lawful and good. He is almost universally worshipped among the Sword of the Twelve and is the namesake for the capital city of the church. Japheth sees things in a very black and white manner and approaches his reign as a god much as a general would command his soldiers. This method plays well with those who desire or benefit from strict authority structures but has caused a good deal of internal conflict with the other eleven gods in the pantheon.

Appearance and Emissaries

Church of Japheth

"The people are best served by a firm and righteous leader"
Titles: The Immortal Sword, The Lawkeeper, The Lord of All
Symbol: A sword, pointing toward the heavens, with the sun behind it
Alignment: Lawful Good
Followers: Japhethian