Mindras Teshan

The Reverential Hieromonk Mindras Teshan

"Though many Archimandrite's won't admit to it openly today, Teshan's reform was a much needed refocusing of the church's efforts and resources. Had reason - with some assistance - not won that day, the streets of Teimor could easily have become gorged and flowing with the blood of those who professed the names of the Saints and Tay alike."

-Pawns and Posah

The Reverential Hieromonk and Celebrant Mindras Teshan was one of the most influential and persuasive figures of Steeple history dating back to the interim between the Second Resurgence and the Third Resurgence. This era was marked by almost constant conflict between mortalkind and scientific breakthrough. One of the most notable was the rising religious conflict between constituents belonging to the Guilds and those of the Steeple. Mindras, through political and philosophical savvy, managed to dissuade the combatants as well as reform Tayvanism into the iteration practiced today throughout most of Citadel.

Mental characteristics

Personal history

Early History

Early historical record mentions that the Harken Mindras Teshan was born to a Dormran and Sileal Teshan. The family was of the poorer echelons within Teimor society. Mindras grew up in the Cracks until disease took his parents, relegating him to the orphanages of the Updraft. While there, he learned of ascents, cloudcatching, and of course, the Reclamation.
Mindras was reportedly fascinated with religious thought since his teenage years and cared deeply about helping his fellow mortal. Growing up in the Cracks hardened most children. For Mindras, it seemed to have exacerbated the compassionate streak he had.

The Steeple

Rather than taking up the mantle of cloudcatcher or joining a guild, Mindras decided to take up the cloth of the Steeple in order to better care for the people of Teimor. Here he poured into his religious studies and hastened to become endowed in order to help the forgotten and despondent like those who called the Cracks their home.
Over the years, Mindras rose through the ranks of the Steeple. He was always at the forefront of efforts to alleviate the suffering of the poor and to prevent injustices committed by the Teimor City Watch. Through his stalwart efforts to see that all who experienced the vicious unfairness of this life he managed to make many enemies who profited off such unfortunates. He always preached reform, rebelling against the elite of guild and church alike.

Dragavan Exchange

Mindras Teshan truly came into the spotlight during the Dragavan Exchange. In the months following a recent minor conflict between Citarii and Mekarii forces where the Mekarii had circumvented the Goagan Mountains via sea and engaged in the slaughter of numerous coastal villages, religious tensions were high. The root of conflict between the Mekarii and Citarii has always been rooted in geographic prosperity and religion, the two often mixing most in the philosophies of the Mekarii. A wave of reactionary religious fervor became a popular stance within the clergy of the Steeple, and some grew rather overzealous in their approach to Tayvanism and its purview.
A mandrite by the name of Dragavan Ushbak held a respectable position within the Steeple clergy in Teimor. A master orator and charismatic theologian, Dragavan held the ear of the people as well as a few of the Archimandrites. He preached of the dangers of the Guilds, their growing power, and their heresy in their overt veneration of the Saints who founded them rather than Tay their god and provider. His speeches were dangerous and soon erred on encouraging violence, urging the Steeple to act against internal threats just as they did when the Mekarii would invade.
Through clever political maneuvers and many speeches and sermons of his own, Mandras managed to find and expose dirt on Dragavan while also convincing the populace and those within the Steeple that would listen. The now-discredited Dragavan was painted a warmonger and soon disappeared in the backdrop of history. Many scholars think he went into hiding lest the Guilds send someone after him for inciting violence against their members.
Mindras' speech, called "The Dragavan Exchange" is one of compassion, tolerance, and reform on the way the Church of Tayvanism should handle conflicts. It is a well known address and quoted often by many who are learned.

Gender

male