Name: Archbishop Saig Heroldi, AKA Father Heroldi, Holy Crusader Heroldi
Race: Human
Age: 39
Position:
“Archbishop and Grand Master of the Churches of Kelquai”
“Military and Religious Advisor”
Appearance:
You would think of the Archbishop being this powerful, broad shouldered man who could pierce through a line of enemy soldiers and fight like a beast of the wild… Your assumptions would be partially true, yet a few details lack. When confronted with the man himself, he does not have that thick chest and large arms. He was rather an average sized of a hard-working farmer of the land, no taller than five feet six inches and weighing no more than one hundred forty pounds. Don’t let this fool you. He might not look like a strong man, but his has a lot more nerve than you think. It can be seen in his deep blue hooded eyes as they stare into the windows of your soul.
His fair complexion isn’t any different from those of the Duchy, but he bears the deep black hair that is generally uncommon from those lands that vary between light brown and dirty blond. Saig typically keeps it relatively short, no longer than two inches long. His Greek nose and fallen lips completely his somewhat attractive features, although most would turn away once the notice the three large scars running across his face… Small traces of his time in the holy army of Kelquai and the King.
The Archbishop is rarely seen outside of his saintly robes of his church; a long sleeved white robes bordered blackwith the symbol of Kelquai (A christian cross fitted on top a up curved crescent). The only other time is in time of combat and war, which he bores his full suite of splint mail with a chainmail hauberk underneath. A dirty white tabard of the Church usually covers the splint mail, but not in all cases.
Personality:
Stubborn as a mule and head-strong, it takes very little for Archbishop to intervene in discussions in a rude, provocative matter. He will not take any kind of shit from anyone but the King and a few people of the royal court. Even if he is a down to earth man, his way of speaking what he wants is brutish and direct at best, insulting and condescending at worst. He represents his goddess with pride, showing conviction and determination in his actions and his opinions. The Archbishop is not scarred of being wrong and will shut up when proven wrong, but he will put up a fight when he knows he is right. He also lacks a sense of humor and generally isn’t going to be “nice” and “polite” with even the most mundane things.
The only times you will see him with a kind, welcoming smile is when he is within the churches of his goddess, in which he seems to change to someone else entirely. Respectful and generous, he joins in prayer the people come in and takes a little bit of time to talk with the people. He is not present in the churches as much anymore, but when he is, he turns into a kind priest of his people.
Backstory:
Born second son of a Duke, Saig was raised into a highly prestigious family. They were also highly religious, attending church every half-a-moon. It was to think that they believed her Holiness Kelquai brought them the favors they needed, rewarding them for their hard work. To the others Duchies around, it was clear that it wasn’t the case as they true “favor” from the Kelquai is them working very hard and staying devoted to their work. Most were miners in these regions, living through harsh conditions of work, but never backing down from it. It was the reason their Duchy was so strong, so united.
Saig had been sent, by demand of his father, to join the ranks of the holy warriors of Kelquai. It was a separate army of the royal army, but served the purpose of the King and her Holiness Kelquai. They were odd bunch of faithful soldiers who took command under priests and inquisitors, not commanders and officers as usual. It is said that it was because of these leading mean and their gift of Kelquai’s blessings that made these warriors unbreakable in combat and feared by the enemies of the King. These men were mainly sent where it was said to have sacred grounds, so that they could either purify the area or profane it. In either case, other than the blessings of Her Holiness and religious zeal, they were not any different than other soldiers.
Saig participated in a particular Crusades in the northern islands of the Fanged Isle. The first was the Siege of Keep Krul-Kith, defended by savage orcs and ogres. These creatures of brute strength and stubborn will did not want to be under the king’s commands and so, have not been spared the brutal assault of both the Holy warriors of Kelquai and the section of the royal army of Erasmus the indomitable. The battle lasted hours trying to take the keep, many of the men died, although the holy warriors seemed to be driven and pushed to fight by their leaders to fight passed their normal limits. Victory ensued after hundreds were wasted near and outside the walls from both sides, but the Officer of the Royal army Tezkoth was able to change the grimy flag of the barbarians to the royal Flag of his Majesty King Erasmus.
A few months after these events, the Holy warriors of Kelquai were sent in with the royal army once more to fight a threat that was attacking the Duchy near the western borders of the Kingdom. These men were sent of reinforce the walls of Duchy main city Silverfalls, an elven society who joined the King a few years ago. They didn’t have the manpower to push off some elven rebels who wanted to take back the lands of their ancestors. Severely outnumbered, the army of her Holiness Kelquai and the Royal army of Erasmus came forth to push back the threat. This is where the word of Holy Crusader Heroldi had started… The advancing army of rebel elves was beating back the reinforcements and the morales were breaking in the ranks of both armies… The standard bearer had fallen with many of the officers and the inquisitors, leaving the army trembling in their positions. The retreat order was to be called, to leave the capital of the Duchy, but Saig, seeing that they could win if the men would just keep pushing until reinforcement came once more, had taken the standard that was dropped and raised it high, shouting out his demands in a new-found, resounding voice, as if a divine presence was speaking with him.
“YOU SHALL NOT BACK AWAY FROM THE FIELD! YOU FIGHT UNTIL YOUR LAST BREATH IS TAKEN FROM THE STEEL OF YOUR ENEMIES! WITH THE BLESSINGS OF KELQUAI AND HIS MAJETSY THE KING, YOU SHALL DESTROY THESE HERETICS AND REBELS. MAKE THEM TREMBLE UNDER YOUR MIGHT!”
This roar seemed to echo through the ranks, a second wind coming to many of the soldiers… And they fought on with a new conviction. Most do not understand how this had all happened, but the men were able to hold off until a section of the neighboring Duchy came from the flank and completely pushed back the rebels. It was only when the threat disappeared that many of the soldiers who had fought with the royal army and the holy army fell to the ground, either dead or completely exhausted to the point of unconsciousness… When they found Saig, he was lying beside his dead foes and allies, but with the standard standing.
That day was remembered to be one were the blessing of Kelquai was said to be felt by even those who did not worship or believe in her faith. Many questioned if it was simply the words of Saig driven the men to fight or if he called on her holiness to push these men to their limits before they died. In any case, it was a successful defense… And this “miracle” was heard by the King and all of the Bishops of the churches. After Saig had rested and recovered from the violent attack, he was given the rank of Archbishop, as they believed he carried the true will of Kelquai and would display it within the communities that prayed her Holiness. Of course, he was also given the right to coordinate the Holy Army in the name of the King and her Holiness.
The years followed with a few more crusades, where the same conviction and might of the “miracle” was shown… Not to the same degree, but still impressive. He had the charisma and determination of a true warrior and knew well that loses were necessary in order to win. This view had caught the attention of the King once more, but this time, was asked to present himself at the castle of the King himself. It was to say, it was a great honor.
Saig had presented himself in his holy robes and with some elite members of the Church and the Holy Army. Saig, as the others who presented themselves, bowed down as they should. The King stood up and came forth. Saig did not raise his head, staying bowed.
- You have quite a reputation of leading men into their deaths for victory, serving me and your Goddess.
- I do what is necessary for your Royal Majesty and her Holiness.
- Well, I also hear you have lead men into situations where you should have died, yet lived.
- I inspire the courage of the men on the field with the blessings of her Holiness and the mighty feats of your Royal Majesty. Soldiers only need a reason and hope for their inner flame to break free.
Theking took a pause, looking down upon him and then back away to his throne.
“With what I have heard and with your great victories, I ask you to join my Court.”
It was no surprise that Saig did raise his head, more out of shock of the request than anything else. The Archbishop had accepted the request and since then, has been by the king’s side. Now, he fights both with the King and in the name of the king. It was then Saig saw how he accomplished his feats. His Court were a band of competent men and women and it proved that the man surrounded himself with people of great resolve. This only heightened the respect the Archbishop had for the king.
Notable Possessions: WIP