Cito Glesseal

The first High Priest

It is our duty to not squander the gifts given by the Fullblooded. Walk in Their footsteps, act as They would, and, through our actions and faith, the Blue will become a better place.

— High Priest Cito

Cito Glesseal, the first High Priest of the Fullblooded, was quite possibly the most influential person of the late Colonial Age. He was the driving force behind greater worship of the The Fullblooded, and his reforms allowed for the large temples constructed during his time to flourish. To cap it off, he was granted a place among the Nobility, granting the religion much more political power than it had every held before. In his lifetime, he was able to see worship grow from a series of disparate sects to a powerful, organized religion that defined the structure of the Blue for the next few generations.

Early life

Childhood

Cito Glesseal was born into relative wealth on the island of Verona. This was roughly a hundred years before it would be closed and turned into the slave colony it remains today, but most of the colonists living there were very poor. By comparison, the Glesseal family was wealthy enough to leave Verona on trips to the nearby Cirta (modern-day Mimsam).

Sect of Spoer

Cirta, aside from the forests where the Glesseal family would vacation, was also known for its local worship of Spoer, a member of the pantheon known as the Fullblooded. At this time, worship was incredibly localized, focused around shrines to specific deities in places thought to be touched by them. Young Cito was enamored with this sect, and spent long hours discussing theology and philosophy with the shrine-tenders.

Priesthood

Shrinekeeper

When he was 14, his parents passed away. Details are unclear, but from what little he spoke about, it can be assumed that there was some sort of skyship accident. He was taken in by an elderly shrinekeeper, only known by the name of Galer, and taught in the ways of her religious beliefs. Citro was a very charismatic individual, and quickly grew the influence of the shrine until it was the center of worship for most every nearby island. Donations, both in the form of work and money, flowed like the rains over Boreana.

Temple Construction

Cito, who had at this pointed taken the late Galer's place as head of the sect of Spoer on Cirta, decided to completely renovate the shrine into a large, extravigant structure. Several artists were commissioned to carve statues, and fine-cut stone was shipped from Spoletium. After four years in construction, the first temple of the Fullblooded, the temple to Spoer, was finished. This impressive temple drew more funds and resources, which the other sects of the Fullblooded clamored for. Cito was happy to help, and within the next decade, almost every deity of the pantheon had a temple constructed.

Reforms and Nobility

Favor Tithes

Early worship of the Fullblooded seems to have been entirely predicated on a barter system. A worshipper would go to the shrine of the deity they wished to ask for help from, and promise to do a favor in return. Often, these were centered around community work, as the shrine was a central part of early colonies. With the construction of major temples across the Blue, these barters were difficult to manage. Cito, as the head priest of the Temple of Spoer, implemented a system where the worshipper's actions could be replaced with donations of currency. This allowed the large congregations of the Temples to operate without too much need for bookkeeping of each member's actions.

House Glesseal

Emperor Euclio Lapiuinem III noticed the influence that worship of the Fullblooded and decided to try and prevent any upset of power by granting the person who weilded the most influence over the religion a position in the nobility. Cito Glesseal, at this point 27 years old, and with a sizable family, was the perfect choice. However, instead of the House being formed from his family, Cito instead brought in priests and religious leaders to fill out the various 'families' of the House. This laid the groundwork for the later Glesseal-Imperial War, as House Glesseal was able to grow far faster than any blood-related one could. This also had the side effect of cementing Cito's position as High Priest of the Fullblooded and Spoer as the head of the Pantheon.

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Personal Details

Born: 1748 CA, Verona
Died: 1791 CA (aged 43), Mimsam
Cause of Death: Illness
Resting Place: Mimsam (Destroyed)

Sex: Male
Sexuality: Straight
Gender: Male

Physical Description

By all accounts, Cito was a very unassuming man. He was perpetually skinny, and is described most often as lanky. His hair was black, and his eyes were brown. Average from head to toe.

Speeches

Most of what has been recorded about Cito speaks of his orating ability. His sermons were compelling and captivating. Sadly, all known copies of his speeches were destroyed during the Imperial Purges. Only scraps remain.

Family

Spouse: Aebutia Glesseal (Priscian) Children: Lydus (Heir), Harax, Stalam, Alcme

Timeline

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