CorpusMundum

~Chasers: Boundary of the Crimson Sky~

This looks like it'll be a lot of fun. I'll have a sheet up soon!

Champions, Regiments and Wizards

@Lucidnonsense
I hate to rain on anyone's parade, but I likewise already deal with angels and the like, granted they are a minority among my regiment, but their power is formidable. Summoning angels, elementals, using thaumaturgy and theurgy, applying alchemy, etc.

Champions, Regiments and Wizards

@Legion02 I did indeed, I shudder to think how far it would have gone after plowing through your men, or what the blast radius on something like that would've been.

Champions, Regiments and Wizards

@Disciple Cain I know, I mentioned it in my post, perhaps a little too vaguely. Thank you for that by the way. But While solid ground prevents mudslides and our heavier troops from getting swallowed up, arcane lightning and the constant spawning of shadowspawn were still a threat. So I took care of that, and perhaps put the fear of The All into a few souls, ha~

Champions, Regiments and Wizards

I finally got that post done. Sorry that took so long. Now begins our Crusade, now we purge evil and corruption from these lands!

Champions, Regiments and Wizards

Defenders and Scholars of the Consecrated Seal Of Trismigestus

For hours they had marched, tabards blowing in the gentle breeze that carried over the dunes. Knights in mail and champions in plate rode upon fine steeds; banners and icons of faith proudly displayed, as their retainers and squires kept close behind on foot. Sergeants marched in well drilled lines, lugging with them the tools of their trade, beasts of burden, and great war machines of the Order. Grim-faced confessors in tabards of black lead the host of warriors in prayer, shouting in unison the praises of God and litanies against their hated foes, while the congregation of hundreds replied flawlessly again and again. Censers hung from staves and bridles burned sacred herbs and incense, as monks and retainers applied holy oils to the armor of their lords. They were inspiring, a tide of steel and flesh, driven by the greatest of causes: faith. Every word that left their lips glorified the All in All, spoke of the righteousness and necessity of their mission, and decried the evils of weak willed men such as Gargth. Their cries would be a comfort to some, and a warning to others beside them.

Jeremiah Nagel sat upon his horse, accompanied by Theurgist Primarist Rantheus. They were quite the site to behold, so unlike one another in manner and appearance. Where While Jeremiah was a grim and imposing figure, well built and clad in full plate armor; Zebulon was a tall man of no considerable strength, dressed in the simple scarlet robes of his brotherhood. The Theurgist's face was calm and knowing, pale-blue eyes often distant as the aging magician was lost in thought time and time again. Meanwhile, the Knight-Captain's battle-scared face held a constant look of suspicion, eyes sharp and quick to accuse. Often those eyes would rest upon Zebulon, as was the knight's duty as a brother of the Thrice-Blessed. Though the two had stood side by side time and time again, no man was above suspicion, no man could be pure to a fault. If and when Zebulon, or any of the Order's Theurgists began to stray from the path, Jeremiah and his own would be there to deliver the rightful punishment.

The pair sat upon their steeds, peering across the dunes as the scouting forces made the reconnaissance. Black smoke wafted from the old city, and wails of outrage and anger came from the men. Jeremiah gripped his reigns tightly, knuckles white with frustration that their delay had cost innocents so much already. Good people struggling day by day to feed themselves and their families, now they were set upon a man who dared to claim his damnable Craft could ascend him to the realm of The All. What hubris, what gall! Perhaps it was indeed Divine Providence that brought the Knights of the Seal into being, and led them here. Perhaps it was their divine purpose to punish one who thought they could become one with God yet reject its love, and the Truth which came from the higher arts.

"You seem troubled, Brother-Captain." Zebulon called out, drawing his commander from dark thoughts and possibilities.

"Aye, you can read a man well Theurgist. Or Perhaps you simply use your craft to delve into the minds of others?" The knight often made good jest at his friend for his practice, necessary and blessed as it was. "In truth, I am weary of those we have surrounded ourselves with. Corsairs, pitiable beasts, foul sorcerers... truly this is a desperate time if we must resort to standing alongside one another." There was venom in his voice as he thought of the arch-heretic Gargth.

Zebulon nodded, eyes staring off in thought for a few moments before he finally responded. "Needs must when a devil vomits into your kettle, as my mother always said. Worry not Jeremiah, we will purge this land of the taint which has taken root. In fact I was hoping to propose that once the vile necromancer is dead, we might-"

In an instant the sky darkened, as a demoniacle laugh echoed across the dunes. Horses drew back and screamed in fright, and young squires shuddered at the horrible sound. The Order's Confessors were quick to begin shouting over the sorcerer's horrid voice, decrying him for his witchcraft and inspiring Knights and Sergeants alike to take up arms against whatever threat would come forth. Heavy rain began to fall, slowly making the sand beneath their feet moist and unstable. The Knight-Captain cursed as the storm assailed the Alliance, drawing Redemptor and turning to Zebulon.

"I must go to the men, gather your Sect and deal with this damnable storm!" With that, the knight's destrier charged off towards his fellow Knights and Brother-Sergeants.

Without a word, Zebulon rushed off to gather his fellow Theurgists, men who had been his peers for decades, each a great font of occult knowledge and power. He would need their assistance. Though he was growing old, his mind and his senses were keen as ever, and his many years of study into the arcane had only helped to highten his sensitivity to the ebb and flow of the vibrations and energies of the world around him. Gargth was among them, his power was horrifying, his presence like a cold hand upon a beating heart. But their faith was strong, The All was greater than any deity or deluded sorcerer could ever be. Gargth would learn humility, he would learn the gravity of his sins before the Order sent him screaming to the hell which he had made for himself.

Surrounded by a circle of twelve thrice-blessed knights, the six magicians readied staves, scepters, wands, and other ritual objects as they began to walk clockwise in a circle. Zebulon stood on the left-hand side of the circle, holding an ornate chalice of gold. Across from him stood a man with a wand, its head a great red ruby. The others in turn held a sword, an iron pentacle, and two candles: one lit and one unlit. They chanted, voices deep and low, slowly growing louder and louder over the din of battle all around them. Each of the twelve thrice-blessed warriors stood guard with sword and shield, felling any of the foul creatures which approached with their blessed wargear.

All the while, Jeremiah and his brothers-in-arms fought with all the righteous fury and courage they could muster, slaying the animated earth beneath hoof, blade, and hammer alike. Despite their ferocity however, they remained in well-drilled formations, clearly fighting a defensive battle. As the battle raged onward, the Knight-Captain cursed the shortsightedness of his peers, charging out to face the enemy head on. They were not as men, they could not be routed or intimidated. No, they were constructs of dark magick,. and only by the dispelling of such magick, or the death of the caster would they truly fall. Another curse left his lips as he saw the massive ball of demoniacle energies which soared towards the Guild.

Though the magicks of their allies were a boon to them, the storm continued to rage, lightning rendering men to blackened husks, and birthing more creatures from the hardened earth. Jeremiah began to feel something, something pure and magnificent, awe inspiring and yet horrifying in its power. The feeling grew stronger and stronger, the surge of power from behind his lines proof to the ritual of the small Theurgist sect. It was obvious others felt it as well, many of his men began to cry out in the holy tongue, and the confessors wept as a rapture so divine overtook them. It was then the final incantation boomed above the sound of battle.

"By our Word, we call forth the power of All.
By our Will we command it,
And by the holy names does it take form.
Descend from higher places,
And bring light to all who suffer in the dark.
Raziel, come forth!"

Blinding light pierced the dark thunderclouds above, and the Defenders and Scholars of the Consecrated Seal of Trismegestus cried out as one in joy, fury, and supplication. The great beam of light ended the unnatural storm, clouds fading beneath its magnificent radiance. What's more, it stood as a great barrier between Gargth's spell and its intended target, completely dissipating in a painful howl, utterly inhuman in nature. Shadowspawn reeled and crumbled before the light, squealing and mewling like frightened children Never did the light lessen, only did it change in form, from a pure beam from the heavens into something far more divine.

The angel stood there in the air, its wheels rotating and revolving around the center of light. Countless eyes stared down upon the mortals below, and those who were bold or foolish enough to look back found that their very souls could not be hidden from its gaze. However, its center-most eye, the most magnificent and radiant of them all, glared directly at Gargth. A voice, or perhaps a legion of voices assailed the dark wizard's mind, both beautiful and horrifying in their choir.

"Look upon me, look into me, and thou will look into thyself. Know me to be the Truth you seek. Know that no sin escapes my gaze, and that words of penance fall upon mine eyes, not ears."

Within an instant it was gone, the blinding light vanished into the aether from whence it came.

Champions, Regiments and Wizards

@Footman Thank you, can't wait to start and purge the land of foul witchcraft and sorcerers.

Champions, Regiments and Wizards

Zebulon Rantheus, Theurgist Primaris

Name: Zebulon Rantheus, Theurgist Primaris.

Race: Human

Known Racial Abilities: N/A

Age: 40

Appearance: A tall man, his life as a Theurgist scholar has left his skin pale and soft. Despite his rather cloistered upbringing, countless hours of physical exercise demanded by the Order has given him a rather average build. A pristine body houses a pristine mind after all. His short auburn hair has began to grey, and his blue eyes hold a great wisdom and tiredness in their depths.

Renowned Skills: Zebulon is one of the Order's most respected and knowledgeable Theurgists, being one of the blessed few to wear the golden tabard of the Order. His understanding of things metaphysical and occult are great indeed, rivaling the Heirophant himself in terms of knowledge. From the summoning of spirits and angels, to seeing the branching paths of the near and far flung future through the motion of the stars and spheres, Zebulon has gleamed much in his time with the Order. Coupled with his utter disdain for those who use the powers of the Lower Circle, he was an obvious choice to act as lead adviser on matters of the arcane to Knight-Captain Nagel

Magic: Theurgy and Thaumaturgy are magicks which deal with working miracles and drawing forth from the power of 'God'. Unlike the power granted to champions and avatars of various deities, these powars are not a gift from God itself. Rather it is the magician drawing upon the primordial energies of creation to wield himself and thereby manipulate the material world. Typically this power is used for healing, the conjuring, binding, and banishment of spirits. Zebulon also practices divination, using the positions of the stars and various other methods to divine the possible outcomes of the actions mortals take. All thoughts, actions, and decisions have consequences in this world and the next.

Where Zebulon truly shines is in warding against spirits and enemy sorcerers. His faith in the teachings of the Seal and Theurgy have steeled his will against the horrors of the Lower Circle and its deluded mortal slaves. Time and again he has defended his noble brothers in arms with his occult knowledge, leading rituals of consecration and expulsion. What's more, Zebulon is an exceptionally skilled summoner and exorcist, often calling upon Elementals to protect himself and other practitioners. The construction of holy temples and guardians of steel and stone is also a passion of his, wishing to build beacons of light and learning to banish the dark ignorance so many self proclaimed magick users practice within.

Weapons: A blessed long-knife and a wand.

Armour: Zebulon wears the crimson robes of the Theurgists, and a golden tabard marked with the Seal of Light.

Steed: A courser.

Bio: The son of poor farmers, Zebulon had always been enthralled with the tales of gods and angels that his mother would tell him while he lied in bed. When he came of age, the young aspirant approached the Defenders and Scholars of the Consecrated Seal of Trismigestus, hoping to join them in their quest for knowledge and enlightenment. Despite his eagerness, he proved too poor a combatant to join the Sergeants or Confessors. Instead he was inducted as an initiate of the Theurgists, where he more than thrived. It seemed as though his mind was wired for study of things metaphysical and existential, impressing his teachers and peers with the speed and accuracy at which he retained knowledge. His ability to perceive the subtle connections that exist between all things in creation, lead him to draw forth many alchemical and magickal secrets from the realm of God.
For decades now, Zebulon has been collecting his findings and the knowledge of his peers into a work which he has dubbed the Corpus Illustrata. He has delved into forgotten tombs, dark ruins, and the labs of slain sorcerers to find much of what is written within this ever growing tome. Even after purging all blasphemous and dark rites from the collected research, the impressive work is already composed of over a dozen volumes, each hundreds of pages in length. Day in and day out Zebulon works to improve and refine the rituals which he has recorded and drawn forth from the realm of God, praying that it will one day become an essential piece of literature for any aspiring magician, no matter their tradition or paradigm.

His vision is that of Utopia, not so much a perfect world, but a perfect existence. He and his brothers wish to see Humanity raised above their base phsyical existence, to ascend to the realm of god from which all things descend. The material world is an imperfect world, filled with creatures that must be imperfect to thrive within it, and so Zebulon is not so naive to believe a Utopia could ever exist in a physical place. It must be a state of spiritual and mental being, which can only be found through a reunification with 'God' by means of the Magnum Opus.

Jeremiah Nagel, Thrice-Blessed Knight Captain

Name: Jeremiah Nagel, Thrice-Blessed Knight Captain

Race: Human

Known Racial Abilities: N/A

Age: 36

Appearance: A man of average height, with a powerful build, Jeremiah's features are just as hard as his personality. In devotion he keeps his head shaven, a tattoo of the Seal of Light upon his scalp, and a short beard of black hair covers his face. Stern brown eyes are deeply set into his face, ever ready to judge the wicked and foolish.

Famed Skills: Jeremiah has proven time and again to be a crusader of great faith and worth during his time with the Order. A skilled tactician, and inspiring leader, over a dozen witchunts and crusades have been brought to a brutally swift success under his command. His skill as a swordsman is also enviable, earning him the tabard of the Thrice-Blessed by purging the world of horrors spawned from the Lower Circle.

Magic: N/A

Weapons: A silver-etched blessed bastard sword, dubbed Redemptor. A war lance, a dagger, and a kite shield.

Armour: Plate armor and a greathelm. His white tabard bears the Order's heraldry and a pentagram to denote his rank.

Steed: A grey destrier named Aldous.

Bio: The middle child of the Nagel family of Ilaurus, Jeremiah would never inherit his family's estate, and would never be content to spend his life in hednoistic abandon as his younger siblings. So, he forsook any claims to the family's holdings he had, signing them over to the Order as he joined the ranks of the Knights of the Seal.

The training was hard, breaking his body again and again that it might harden him. Faith and righteousness were weapons he learned to wield early on, proving himself to be one of the more zealous Brother Knights. It was this faith, this righteous fury he felt towards the horrid arts of sorcery and hedge-magick that would lead him to rise within the ranks of the Order. Over twenty witches, a dozen warlocks, and five sorcerers of civilized lands had fallen beneath his blessed blade before the true test of his faith and mettle presented itself.

During a witch-hunt, one which had taken Jeremiah and his brothers far beyond the borders of Ilaurus, they at last cornered the foul sorcerer to his den. An intense battle raged between the Consecrators and the foul flesh-constructs of the undead mage, and despite the blessed weapons and armor they bore, many of their number were claimed by fang, claw, and rusted blade. When at last they stormed the foul citadel, Jeremiah alone ventured deep enough to find the sorcerer's sanctum, a grisly ritual site where canvases of human flesh draped across the walls. As is proper, the Knight of the Seal offered the sorcerer one last chance to repent and willingly recieve his punishment. Of course the damnable witch merely laughed.

It was then that the blasphemous wretch exploded in a rain of blood, bone, and entrails. What remained was a horrid monstrosity of corded muscle and sinew, black ichor dripping from the exposed musculature and grinning fangs. The utter foulness of the thing nearly caused him to vomit, it was not something that should have been. It was abhorrent, it could not be allowed to exist. A prayer on his lips, and Redemptor in his hand, the crusader faced off against the beast. Again and again it shrugged off what should have been fatal wounds, ripping through his armor and flesh with ease as it continued to laugh with the sorcerer's voice. At last, the final blow was struck, and the abomination's head was sheered clean from its shoulders.

A Confessor and Theurgist Rantheus oversaw the destruction of its body, and the expulsion of any foul energies and entities which might have lingered within the sorcerous sanctuary. Recovering what they could of the sorcerer's notes, they proceeded to level and burn the structure to the ground, leaving nothing but ruin in its place. Upon their return to Ilaurus, Jeremiah was granted the honor of joining the Thrice-Blessed, and elevated to the rank of Knight-Captain.

Ordo Signum Consecratum

Regiment Name: Defenders and Scholars of the Consecrated Seal of Trismigestus

Banner: The Hermetic Seal of Light etched in red against a field of gold.

Nationality/Race: Men of Ilaurus

Racial Specifics: N/A

Size of Host: 500

Speciality: Heavy cavalry and magick
Typical Arms: Lances, arming-swords, maces, and shields.

Typical Armour: Chain mail, great-helms, and tabard.

Typical Steeds: Coursers

Magics Used: Theurgy, Thaumaturgy, Divination, Warding and counterspelling.

Theurgy and Thaumaturgy are magicks which deal with working miracles and drawing forth from the power of 'God'. Unlike the power granted to champions and avatars of various deities, these powers are not a gift from God itself. Rather it is the magician drawing upon the primordial energies of creation to wield himself and thereby manipulate the material world. Typically this power is used for healing, the conjuring, binding, and banishment of spirits. Many of the Order's Theurgists also practice divination, using the positions of the stars and various other methods to divine the possible outcomes of the actions mortals take. All thoughts, actions, and decisions have consequences in this world and the next. Lastly, the most practical of the magicks used by the Ordo Signum Cosecratum, is wards and counter-spelling. Studying the immutable laws of the universe, and the very nature of magick itself allows the Theurgists to deny the effects of spells cast by others and against a person or location. But just as magick is a blunt weapon, it is likewise an expansive shield. While small charms and sigils may offer some protection to an individual, a consecrated and warded area will offer the greatest defense against prying eyes, spirits, and magickal attacks.

History: The Knights of the Consecrated Seal of Trismigestus, also known as the Ordo Signum Consecratum, are a Holdy Order of knights, priests, and therugists that was founded for the purpose of the advancing and regulating the study of magick. This came after the nation of Ilaurus was nearly torn apart by scheming sorcerers and malicious hedge-wizards. These rogue magick users proved a horrifying threat as they made use of the powers and entities which exist within the Shadow Realm, or Lower Circle as they call it. From that day onward, those who wished to practice magick were to do so under the guidelines set forth by the newly raised Holy Order.

Composed of men from all walks, life within the Ordo Signum Consecratum is monastic, scholarly, and meticulously ordered. There are five paths within the order, and they are typically dependent upon one's birth status. The highest within the Order are the Knights of the Seal, noble-born men who have chosen to renounce their titles in service to the Order and the Church. It is the Knights of the Seal who hold the majority of seats upon the council which rules the Order, such as the Grand Master and First Seeker. Scholars as well as warriors, the Knights spend equal time in prayer and study of the holy texts as they do in sparring matches. Still, they could never hope to match the vast knowledge of the Theurgists, or passion of the Confessors. Their tabard is a deep violet trimmed in gold, representing the noble life they have forgone in favor of their sacred duty.

The Knights act not only as a bulwark against the hedge-wizards and dark magicks which threaten the souls of mortals, but as watchdog over those sanctioned to practice the Craft. Magick is a powerful tool, and often the temptation to use it for base and selfish purposes, or break the tenants of the Theurgist is too great for an initiate to resist. When one of their charges falls or loses his way, the Knights of the Seal are there to punish the wrongdoer. First among those who guard the Theurgists are the Thrice-Blessed, men who have faced the horrors of the Lower Circle, and the witches who would use it, and come back alive with their faith and minds in tact. Veterans, honor-guard, champions of righteousness in their own right, so great is their importance that they hold a seat upon the council. Their tabard is white with golden trim, to signify their purity in the face of darkness and corruption.

After the Knights of the Seal, come the Confessors. Priests of the church inducted into the Order, they take important roles in and outside of combat. They offer comfort and wisdom to their brother Knights and Sergeants, and do well to keep the faith of the Theurgists within the order. Confessors lead the Order in Prayer during daily rituals, before and after battle, and of course in funerary rights for the fallen. In the midst of battle they are awe inspiring sights to behold, warriors clad in warplate and resplendent robes, wielding morning-stars as they lead the brothers in war-chants. Many Confessors learn basic theurgistic rituals, learning how to consecrate ground, bless weapons and armor, and even expel the denizens of the Lower Circle if need be. The Chief Confessor holds a position on the Order's ruling Council. Their tabard is black, meant to signify their belonging to the priesthood.

Next come the Sergeants, the medium infantry of the Consecraters. They are common born men who act as foot soldiers, retainers, smiths, craftsmen, and merchants for their Noble commanders. Typically less heavily armored than their lords, and rarely acting as light cavalry, the Sergeants still prove crucial to the operations of the Order in and out of combat. When the Knights of the Seal find themselves locked in siege warfare, the craftsmanship and numbers provided by the Sergeants are invaluable. The same can be said of their role as the crewmen and captains of the fleet. Despite their low standing, the Sergeants boast two positions within the Council, Master of the Fleet, and Quartermaster. Given their common birth, Sergeants are required to wear a tabard of brown, a sign of their low status.

Lastly are the Theurgists, the sanctioned magicians of the Order. For the Theurgist, magick is not a gift, it is not a power that courses through the natural world or that lies within the essence of living things, rather it is the path through which an initiate might gain enlightenment. Through study of the esoteric and the divine, one can learn to manipulate the world around them and work miracles, but any magician worth his salt knows that such power should not be spent on petty material wants or desires. Dominion, life, pleasure, goods, all of these things are fleeting, the flesh is fleeting. Though they have the power to summon angels, elemental spirits, to peer into the future through the stars and holy numbers, they know that such things should not be called upon lightly. The ultimate goal of the Theurgists (and the Order itself) is to reach the Source, to reach what they believe to be the one and true 'God'. They do not contest that there are many deities, that is apparent enough, but what they propose is that all gods, spirits, and even the souls of mortals stem from a single source. This Source, the Cause of all is God in its truest and most pure form. Aside from their theological and occult studies, many Theurgists are also skilled surgeons. While both friend and captive to their brothers within the Order, the magicians are represented within the council by the greatest of their number, the Hierophant. Dressed in simple robes of crimson, those Theurgists who distinguish themselves in their service to uncovering the mysteries of the arcane and divine, are permitted to wear a tabard of gold. This resplendent raiment represents the initiates growth and the beginning of a process of self transformation into something greater.

When the Knights of the Seal were founded, they allowed the study of Theurgy and similar high arts within their ranks, as not only did it provide weapons against the fouler magicks, but it meant that they could cultivate an environment which promoted learning and discussion to better understand God, and therefore the world. This holy mission is what drives the Order's members to seek out esoteric knowledge, to record or destroy for the betterment of all. No matter how far or long they must ride or sail, the Defenders and Scholars of the Consecrated Seal of Trismigestus will stamp out foul hedge-magick and those who would threaten their mission to understand the nature of the All in All.

When word of this horrid sorcerer and his claims of apotheosis reached the ears of the Knights of the Seal, the Holy Order wasted no time committing advisers and a small contingent of Knights and Sergeants to the war effort. The ire of the Order only grew at the news their brothers had been lost to the depths, foul magick destroying the fleet. Now they prepare for the second assault, faith and fury fueling this newest Crusade.

Champions, Regiments and Wizards

Finished up my Champion and my Captain!

Champions, Regiments and Wizards

Zebulon Rantheus, Theurgist Primaris

Name: Zebulon Rantheus, Theurgist Primaris.

Race: Human

Known Racial Abilities: N/A

Age: 40

Appearance: A tall man, his life as a Theurgist scholar has left his skin pale and soft. Despite his rather cloistered upbringing, countless hours of physical exercise demanded by the Order has given him a rather average build. A pristine body houses a pristine mind after all. His short auburn hair has began to grey, and his blue eyes hold a great wisdom and tiredness in their depths.

Renowned Skills: Zebulon is one of the Order's most respected and knowledgeable Theurgists, being one of the blessed few to wear the golden tabard of the Order. His understanding of things metaphysical and occult are great indeed, rivaling the Heirophant himself in terms of knowledge. From the summoning of spirits and angels, to seeing the branching paths of the near and far flung future through the motion of the stars and spheres, Zebulon has gleamed much in his time with the Order. Coupled with his utter disdain for those who use the powers of the Lower Circle, he was an obvious choice to act as lead adviser on matters of the arcane to Knight-Captain Nagel

Magic: Theurgy and Thaumaturgy are magicks which deal with working miracles and drawing forth from the power of 'God'. Unlike the power granted to champions and avatars of various deities, these powars are not a gift from God itself. Rather it is the magician drawing upon the primordial energies of creation to wield himself and thereby manipulate the material world. Typically this power is used for healing, the conjuring, binding, and banishment of spirits. Zebulon also practices divination, using the positions of the stars and various other methods to divine the possible outcomes of the actions mortals take. All thoughts, actions, and decisions have consequences in this world and the next.

Where Zebulon truly shines is in warding against spirits and enemy sorcerers. His faith in the teachings of the Seal and Theurgy have steeled his will against the horrors of the Lower Circle and its deluded mortal slaves. Time and again he has defended his noble brothers in arms with his occult knowledge, leading rituals of consecration and expulsion. What's more, Zebulon is an exceptionally skilled summoner and exorcist, often calling upon Elementals to protect himself and other practitioners. The construction of holy temples and guardians of steel and stone is also a passion of his, wishing to build beacons of light and learning to banish the dark ignorance so many self proclaimed magick users practice within.

Weapons: A blessed long-knife and a wand.

Armour: Zebulon wears the crimson robes of the Theurgists, and a golden tabard marked with the Seal of Light.

Steed: A courser.

Bio: The son of poor farmers, Zebulon had always been enthralled with the tales of gods and angels that his mother would tell him while he lied in bed. When he came of age, the young aspirant approached the Defenders and Scholars of the Consecrated Seal of Trismigestus, hoping to join them in their quest for knowledge and enlightenment. Despite his eagerness, he proved too poor a combatant to join the Sergeants or Confessors. Instead he was inducted as an initiate of the Theurgists, where he more than thrived. It seemed as though his mind was wired for study of things metaphysical and existential, impressing his teachers and peers with the speed and accuracy at which he retained knowledge. His ability to perceive the subtle connections that exist between all things in creation, lead him to draw forth many alchemical and magickal secrets from the realm of God.
For decades now, Zebulon has been collecting his findings and the knowledge of his peers into a work which he has dubbed the Corpus Illustrata. He has delved into forgotten tombs, dark ruins, and the labs of slain sorcerers to find much of what is written within this ever growing tome. Even after purging all blasphemous and dark rites from the collected research, the impressive work is already composed of over a dozen volumes, each hundreds of pages in length. Day in and day out Zebulon works to improve and refine the rituals which he has recorded and drawn forth from the realm of God, praying that it will one day become an essential piece of literature for any aspiring magician, no matter their tradition or paradigm.

His vision is that of Utopia, not so much a perfect world, but a perfect existence. He and his brothers wish to see Humanity raised above their base phsyical existence, to ascend to the realm of god from which all things descend. The material world is an imperfect world, filled with creatures that must be imperfect to thrive within it, and so Zebulon is not so naive to believe a Utopia could ever exist in a physical place. It must be a state of spiritual and mental being, which can only be found through a reunification with 'God' by means of the Magnum Opus.

Jeremiah Nagel, Thrice-Blessed Knight Captain

Name: Jeremiah Nagel, Thrice-Blessed Knight Captain

Race: Human

Known Racial Abilities: N/A

Age: 36

Appearance: A man of average height, with a powerful build, Jeremiah's features are just as hard as his personality. In devotion he keeps his head shaven, a tattoo of the Seal of Light upon his scalp, and a short beard of black hair covers his face. Stern brown eyes are deeply set into his face, ever ready to judge the wicked and foolish.

Famed Skills: Jeremiah has proven time and again to be a crusader of great faith and worth during his time with the Order. A skilled tactician, and inspiring leader, over a dozen witchunts and crusades have been brought to a brutally swift success under his command. His skill as a swordsman is also enviable, earning him the tabard of the Thrice-Blessed by purging the world of horrors spawned from the Lower Circle.

Magic: N/A

Weapons: A silver-etched blessed bastard sword, dubbed Redemptor. A war lance, a dagger, and a kite shield.

Armour: Plate armor and a greathelm. His white tabard bears the Order's heraldry and a pentagram to denote his rank.

Steed: A grey destrier named Aldous.

Bio: The middle child of the Nagel family of Ilaurus, Jeremiah would never inherit his family's estate, and would never be content to spend his life in hednoistic abandon as his younger siblings. So, he forsook any claims to the family's holdings he had, signing them over to the Order as he joined the ranks of the Knights of the Seal.

The training was hard, breaking his body again and again that it might harden him. Faith and righteousness were weapons he learned to wield early on, proving himself to be one of the more zealous Brother Knights. It was this faith, this righteous fury he felt towards the horrid arts of sorcery and hedge-magick that would lead him to rise within the ranks of the Order. Over twenty witches, a dozen warlocks, and five sorcerers of civilized lands had fallen beneath his blessed blade before the true test of his faith and mettle presented itself.

During a witch-hunt, one which had taken Jeremiah and his brothers far beyond the borders of Ilaurus, they at last cornered the foul sorcerer to his den. An intense battle raged between the Consecrators and the foul flesh-constructs of the undead mage, and despite the blessed weapons and armor they bore, many of their number were claimed by fang, claw, and rusted blade. When at last they stormed the foul citadel, Jeremiah alone ventured deep enough to find the sorcerer's sanctum, a grisly ritual site where canvases of human flesh draped across the walls. As is proper, the Knight of the Seal offered the sorcerer one last chance to repent and willingly recieve his punishment. Of course the damnable witch merely laughed.

It was then that the blasphemous wretch exploded in a rain of blood, bone, and entrails. What remained was a horrid monstrosity of corded muscle and sinew, black ichor dripping from the exposed musculature and grinning fangs. The utter foulness of the thing nearly caused him to vomit, it was not something that should have been. It was abhorrent, it could not be allowed to exist. A prayer on his lips, and Redemptor in his hand, the crusader faced off against the beast. Again and again it shrugged off what should have been fatal wounds, ripping through his armor and flesh with ease as it continued to laugh with the sorcerer's voice. At last, the final blow was struck, and the abomination's head was sheered clean from its shoulders.

A Confessor and Theurgist Rantheus oversaw the destruction of its body, and the expulsion of any foul energies and entities which might have lingered within the sorcerous sanctuary. Recovering what they could of the sorcerer's notes, they proceeded to level and burn the structure to the ground, leaving nothing but ruin in its place. Upon their return to Ilaurus, Jeremiah was granted the honor of joining the Thrice-Blessed, and elevated to the rank of Knight-Captain.

Ordo Signum Consecratum

Regiment Name: Defenders and Scholars of the Consecrated Seal of Trismigestus

Banner: The Hermetic Seal of Light etched in red against a field of gold.

Nationality/Race: Men of Ilaurus

Racial Specifics: N/A

Size of Host: 500

Speciality: Heavy cavalry and magick
Typical Arms: Lances, arming-swords, maces, and shields.

Typical Armour: Chain mail, great-helms, and tabard.

Typical Steeds: Coursers

Magics Used: Theurgy, Thaumaturgy, Divination, Warding and counterspelling.

Theurgy and Thaumaturgy are magicks which deal with working miracles and drawing forth from the power of 'God'. Unlike the power granted to champions and avatars of various deities, these powers are not a gift from God itself. Rather it is the magician drawing upon the primordial energies of creation to wield himself and thereby manipulate the material world. Typically this power is used for healing, the conjuring, binding, and banishment of spirits. Many of the Order's Theurgists also practice divination, using the positions of the stars and various other methods to divine the possible outcomes of the actions mortals take. All thoughts, actions, and decisions have consequences in this world and the next. Lastly, the most practical of the magicks used by the Ordo Signum Cosecratum, is wards and counter-spelling. Studying the immutable laws of the universe, and the very nature of magick itself allows the Theurgists to deny the effects of spells cast by others and against a person or location. But just as magick is a blunt weapon, it is likewise an expansive shield. While small charms and sigils may offer some protection to an individual, a consecrated and warded area will offer the greatest defense against prying eyes, spirits, and magickal attacks.

History: The Knights of the Consecrated Seal of Trismigestus, also known as the Ordo Signum Consecratum, are a Holdy Order of knights, priests, and therugists that was founded for the purpose of the advancing and regulating the study of magick. This came after the nation of Ilaurus was nearly torn apart by scheming sorcerers and malicious hedge-wizards. These rogue magick users proved a horrifying threat as they made use of the powers and entities which exist within the Shadow Realm, or Lower Circle as they call it. From that day onward, those who wished to practice magick were to do so under the guidelines set forth by the newly raised Holy Order.

Composed of men from all walks, life within the Ordo Signum Consecratum is monastic, scholarly, and meticulously ordered. There are five paths within the order, and they are typically dependent upon one's birth status. The highest within the Order are the Knights of the Seal, noble-born men who have chosen to renounce their titles in service to the Order and the Church. It is the Knights of the Seal who hold the majority of seats upon the council which rules the Order, such as the Grand Master and First Seeker. Scholars as well as warriors, the Knights spend equal time in prayer and study of the holy texts as they do in sparring matches. Still, they could never hope to match the vast knowledge of the Theurgists, or passion of the Confessors. Their tabard is a deep violet trimmed in gold, representing the noble life they have forgone in favor of their sacred duty.

The Knights act not only as a bulwark against the hedge-wizards and dark magicks which threaten the souls of mortals, but as watchdog over those sanctioned to practice the Craft. Magick is a powerful tool, and often the temptation to use it for base and selfish purposes, or break the tenants of the Theurgist is too great for an initiate to resist. When one of their charges falls or loses his way, the Knights of the Seal are there to punish the wrongdoer. First among those who guard the Theurgists are the Thrice-Blessed, men who have faced the horrors of the Lower Circle, and the witches who would use it, and come back alive with their faith and minds in tact. Veterans, honor-guard, champions of righteousness in their own right, so great is their importance that they hold a seat upon the council. Their tabard is white with golden trim, to signify their purity in the face of darkness and corruption.

After the Knights of the Seal, come the Confessors. Priests of the church inducted into the Order, they take important roles in and outside of combat. They offer comfort and wisdom to their brother Knights and Sergeants, and do well to keep the faith of the Theurgists within the order. Confessors lead the Order in Prayer during daily rituals, before and after battle, and of course in funerary rights for the fallen. In the midst of battle they are awe inspiring sights to behold, warriors clad in warplate and resplendent robes, wielding morning-stars as they lead the brothers in war-chants. Many Confessors learn basic theurgistic rituals, learning how to consecrate ground, bless weapons and armor, and even expel the denizens of the Lower Circle if need be. The Chief Confessor holds a position on the Order's ruling Council. Their tabard is black, meant to signify their belonging to the priesthood.

Next come the Sergeants, the medium infantry of the Consecraters. They are common born men who act as foot soldiers, retainers, smiths, craftsmen, and merchants for their Noble commanders. Typically less heavily armored than their lords, and rarely acting as light cavalry, the Sergeants still prove crucial to the operations of the Order in and out of combat. When the Knights of the Seal find themselves locked in siege warfare, the craftsmanship and numbers provided by the Sergeants are invaluable. The same can be said of their role as the crewmen and captains of the fleet. Despite their low standing, the Sergeants boast two positions within the Council, Master of the Fleet, and Quartermaster. Given their common birth, Sergeants are required to wear a tabard of brown, a sign of their low status.

Lastly are the Theurgists, the sanctioned magicians of the Order. For the Theurgist, magick is not a gift, it is not a power that courses through the natural world or that lies within the essence of living things, rather it is the path through which an initiate might gain enlightenment. Through study of the esoteric and the divine, one can learn to manipulate the world around them and work miracles, but any magician worth his salt knows that such power should not be spent on petty material wants or desires. Dominion, life, pleasure, goods, all of these things are fleeting, the flesh is fleeting. Though they have the power to summon angels, elemental spirits, to peer into the future through the stars and holy numbers, they know that such things should not be called upon lightly. The ultimate goal of the Theurgists (and the Order itself) is to reach the Source, to reach what they believe to be the one and true 'God'. They do not contest that there are many deities, that is apparent enough, but what they propose is that all gods, spirits, and even the souls of mortals stem from a single source. This Source, the Cause of all is God in its truest and most pure form. Aside from their theological and occult studies, many Theurgists are also skilled surgeons. While both friend and captive to their brothers within the Order, the magicians are represented within the council by the greatest of their number, the Hierophant. Dressed in simple robes of crimson, those Theurgists who distinguish themselves in their service to uncovering the mysteries of the arcane and divine, are permitted to wear a tabard of gold. This resplendent raiment represents the initiates growth and the beginning of a process of self transformation into something greater.

When the Knights of the Seal were founded, they allowed the study of Theurgy and similar high arts within their ranks, as not only did it provide weapons against the fouler magicks, but it meant that they could cultivate an environment which promoted learning and discussion to better understand God, and therefore the world. This holy mission is what drives the Order's members to seek out esoteric knowledge, to record or destroy for the betterment of all. No matter how far or long they must ride or sail, the Defenders and Scholars of the Consecrated Seal of Trismigestus will stamp out foul hedge-magick and those who would threaten their mission to understand the nature of the All in All.

When word of this horrid sorcerer and his claims of apotheosis reached the ears of the Knights of the Seal, the Holy Order wasted no time committing advisers and a small contingent of Knights and Sergeants to the war effort. The ire of the Order only grew at the news their brothers had been lost to the depths, foul magick destroying the fleet. Now they prepare for the second assault, faith and fury fueling this newest Crusade.