Severius as the chosen Hierarch of the Temple of Menoth.
Hierarch Severius[]
- "Death and destruction are not our purpose. We require only submission to the Creator, but those who refuse to bow will burn."
- ―Hierarch Severius to his new northern congregation
Severius’ voice has always resonated with sacred power when invoking miracles on the battlefield. He inspires his followers to transcend their humanity and become an extension of the Creator’s will. He demonstrates a strength and surety that belies his age. Those who attend him can see and hear the power of unchecked divinity conveyed through his words and deeds. When he raises his staff against his enemies, righteous fire blazes forth to teach them a final lesson in pain and humility. While the believers look on his robed form with an awe and adoration that gives rise to tears, others see him as an incarnation of pure terror and a reminder that The Shaper of Man can just as easily reduce His creation to ash if it displeases Him. [1]
The priesthood froze in shocked, despairing disbelief in those first terrible hours after Hierarch Voyle’s death. The visgoths and senior priests remembered too well the years of chaos and uncertainty in the wake of Hierarch Ravonal’s passing and the bloody struggle that followed as Voyle seized the reins of power. Voyle’s death caused the visgoths even greater concern, for he died in the hour of their faith’s ascension. The Harbinger’s presence reassured the priests in Sul and reminded them that they did not lack for guidance. To them she said, “The next hierarch walks among you, carving a new domain in the north, uniting the faithful in His name.” Her absolute certainty convinced them that she spoke Menoth’s will. [1]
The Protectorate has sometimes endured for many years before a man proved worthy of the title of hierarch while the Synod of the Visgoths ruled instead. The rise of Severius marks the first time a hierarch gained power so quickly and with such clear and irrefutable approval from the Creator. During his service under Hierarch Voyle, Grand Scrutator Severius deliberately refused the title of visgoth and removed himself from the political arena to demonstrate his determination to remain on the battlefield.[1]
With the passing of Voyle and the unanimous endorsement of both the Synod and the Harbinger Severius no longer refuses such authority. He takes the heavy mantle of leadership in stride knowing that the Protectorate must heed a single voice in this time of war. Likewise Severius knows his place lies at the fore of his crusade. He will never step from the field of battle and his role as the anointed priest-general who brings fire and the wrack to the enemies of his faith. His hierarchy shall differ dramatically from Ravonal and Voyle. Though both were visionaries and great men, theirs was a time of preparation, of building the machinery of war, readying the martial orders, and constructing factories and mines to support the coming crusades. Hierarch Severius will take up the weapons his predecessors forged and leave the trivial matters of running the Temple bureaucracy to the Synod.[1]
Severius has spoken the words inscribed in script of blazing fire within the Covenant of Menoth, invoking its terrible power as foretold by prophecy and confirmed by the visions of the Harbinger. He has witnessed the return of the Testament after his sojourn in Urcaen. The path of the future lies open and clear to Severius. He has vowed to make it his life’s work to unite the Menites of western Immoren and spread the True Faith to all of humanity. Those answering his call will usher in a new age by hammering the cathedrals of Morrow to rubble and erecting new temples to the Lawgiver. The younger wayward faith will bow to Menoth or perish utterly.[1]