the Prophet

Description: The Prophet, as he was known to all Conarians, was a legendary figure, though rarely seen. He lived in the Spire, clearly sensitive to public appearances, he was seen outside only minimally. If you caught him during a casual excursion, you would get only a few words out of him, probably tense and even hostile. During his more publicized outings, sermons and diplomatic appearances for instance, he would appear far more kind and charismatic, every aspect of his presentation carefully chosen. Despite his relishing being loved and admired, he paradoxically hated being seen or known. History: The Prophet first appeared in Skeyer after a century of silence from the outside. At first regarded with suspicion, he became quickly beloved by the farmers of Skeyer for his strange powers and generosity, wielding a blessed scepter that put whole harvests to shame. After about a year of pure generosity during which he became well-known, he began distributing the means of this magic, he called “Essence”, to his closest, most doting followers. With these he began building an empire of faith, distributing the fruits of his Essence in an organized, and yes, restricted, manner. He also produced volumes of formal teachings to organize his followers into a feudal society. After his change in generosity, the Prophet withdrew from society as a whole, disappearing into the formerly government-owned spire along with the highest ranks of his following. In his last years, the longest anyone outside of his closest following saw him was four hours. At his wake. Present: Today the Prophet’s presence is felt more than ever. As artistic censorship is imposed more and more, and interest in the arts outside of a religious context becomes scarce, his teachings become the dominant readings, his image the center of much visual art. The community surrounding the entrance of Skeyer, where the Prophet spent his first days, is considered sacred. The religion he set up has now become the primary driver of economic and social policy, and it has all but absorbed the government.

Life

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