The divine patriarchs were the priests, city governors and elite mages of Varnhallow, serving its ruler Eltaru-Ninsath. They administered cities, blessed citizens with magic and supplied the realm's strongest combat forces. After Varnhallow collapsed, surviving patriarchs kept their titles and served the Order of Thalion Zenith.
Authority and Recruitment
Varnhallow's patriarchs numbered in the hundreds. The highest office in each city was normally held by a patriarch, supported by attendants and officials. Wilfred governed Luminaris, and Benedict governed Astralem. Patriarchs wore royal purple robes trimmed with silver and gold, and their training combined administration with combat magic.
Eltaru selected candidates for strength, skill, ability and loyalty. Tournaments held every other year in Astralynne offered a route into the ranks; successful entrants also faced trials. Most patriarchs were elevated while young. Eltaru could grant the title directly, as he did for Aelius and Rhyzmar.
Halcyra was governed by the Lord of Cosmos and Lady of Fire.
History
Luminaris and Thalion Zenith
Xarion gained the support of Luminaris's citizens through magical blessings, then sought Wilfred's office by posing as an already appointed patriarch. He and his companions staged attacks attributed to the resistance. Wilfred died after overloading during an ambush by Xarion and Aelius. Benedict accepted Xarion, officiated his appointment and publicly announced him under his new name, Thalion Zenith.
Eltaru's inner circle was preparing to leave Varnhallow and fight the Malverand Empire. Knowledge of the Order and its mission was selective, even among patriarchs. Benedict tested Thalion's allegiance and later revealed that Eltaru had instructed him to watch over and support the outsider.
The Collapse of Varnhallow
During the final tournament, Eltaru began breaking apart Varnhallow's temporal bubble. His spell drained essence from citizens, killing them as he gathered the power needed to break the bubble. Patriarchs helped defend the departure and evacuate citizens aboard skyships. Benedict and Rhyzmar piloted Eltaru's flagship through the timerifts, carrying Thalion and his companions out of the collapsing realm and into Valrindor's ancient past.
In Rimvold, Thalion appointed Benedict patriarch of the city. Those who remained swore loyalty to the Order, whose mission was to free the world from those seeking to rule it and guard its history. The patriarchs subsequently worked under that organization rather than restoring Varnhallow's government.
Service Under the Order
Benedict coordinated missions, maps, reports and supplies from Rimvold. Written plans were burned after the patriarchs committed them to memory. Their work included scouting, skyship operation, healing, barriers and craftsmanship, with duties divided according to each mage's skills.
In the campaign against Jeremiah, Thalion issued the orders and Benedict relayed them by hand signals. Igor led patriarchs against Jeremiah's ground army and destroyed it, while the Order maintained its apparent alliance with Uriandel. Most of the Order's skyships were withdrawn when Thalion gave the signal and survived the battle.
The divine patriarchs were the priests, city governors and elite mages of Varnhallow, serving its ruler Eltaru-Ninsath. They administered cities, blessed citizens with magic and supplied the realm's strongest combat forces. After Varnhallow collapsed, surviving patriarchs kept their titles and served the Order of Thalion Zenith.
Authority and Recruitment
Varnhallow's patriarchs numbered in the hundreds. The highest office in each city was normally held by a patriarch, supported by attendants and officials. Wilfred governed Luminaris, and Benedict governed Astralem. Patriarchs wore royal purple robes trimmed with silver and gold, and their training combined administration with combat magic.
Eltaru selected candidates for strength, skill, ability and loyalty. Tournaments held every other year in Astralynne offered a route into the ranks; successful entrants also faced trials. Most patriarchs were elevated while young. Eltaru could grant the title directly, as he did for Aelius and Rhyzmar.
Kira governed Lysaraine until Eltaru-Ninsath reassigned her and appointed Jin in her place. He placed Eira and Kaelion in charge of Halcyra, where they concealed their names as the Lady of Fire and Lord of Cosmos. Michael trained the three in administration, and Wilfred taught Eira and Kaelion to manage the city and its attendants. Kazehiro, another newly accepted patriarch, assisted Jin.
History
The Hidden Mission
Eltaru-Ninsath was Michael, the former Malverand guardian of Maraveth. Before Thalion's arrival, Eira entered an earlier period of Varnhallow with Kaelion and Jin. Michael accepted them as patriarchs after their performance in the Grand Court tournament, allowing them to bypass the remaining trials.
Eira brought him The Legacy of Thalion Zenith and recruited him into the Order. Michael learned what Thalion would accomplish and charged Benedict with preserving the mission after his death. The patriarchs' concealed preparations therefore preceded Thalion's own arrival and assumption of command.
Luminaris and Thalion Zenith
Xarion gained the support of Luminaris's citizens through magical blessings, then sought Wilfred's office by posing as an already appointed patriarch. He and his companions staged attacks attributed to the resistance. Wilfred died after overloading during an ambush by Xarion and Aelius. Wilfred had volunteered for the plan after a timerift killed his family. Too old to continue fighting, he wanted to serve the Order to the end. Eltaru forbade Benedict to explain this to Thalion, and Benedict disclosed it only later in Rimvold. Benedict accepted Xarion, officiated his appointment and publicly announced him under his new name, Thalion Zenith.
Eltaru's inner circle was preparing to leave Varnhallow and fight the Malverand Empire. Knowledge of the Order and its mission was selective, even among patriarchs. Benedict tested Thalion's allegiance and later revealed that Eltaru had instructed him to watch over and support the outsider.
The Collapse of Varnhallow
During the final tournament, Eltaru began breaking apart Varnhallow's temporal bubble. His spell drained essence from citizens, killing them as he gathered the power needed to break the bubble. Patriarchs helped defend the departure and evacuate citizens aboard skyships. Benedict and Rhyzmar piloted Eltaru's flagship through the timerifts, carrying Thalion and his companions out of the collapsing realm and into Valrindor's ancient past.
In Rimvold, Thalion appointed Benedict patriarch of the city. Those who remained swore loyalty to the Order, whose mission was to free the world from those seeking to rule it and guard its history. The patriarchs subsequently worked under that organization rather than restoring Varnhallow's government.
Service Under the Order
Benedict coordinated missions, maps, reports and supplies from Rimvold. Written plans were burned after the patriarchs committed them to memory. Their work included scouting, skyship operation, healing, barriers and craftsmanship, with duties divided according to each mage's skills.
In the campaign against Jeremiah, Thalion issued the orders and Benedict relayed them by hand signals. Igor led patriarchs against Jeremiah's ground army and destroyed it, while the Order maintained its apparent alliance with Uriandel. Most of the Order's skyships were withdrawn when Thalion gave the signal and survived the battle.
Patriarch artisans also worked with Benedict on a seagoing vessel that could carry people and skyships.
In the final war, patriarchs were lost in the fighting against Raphael, and most of the fleet at Maraveth was destroyed. Many patriarchs withdrew to Rimvold under Ignatius's orders. At Morindel, the explosion of Zero's black hole and Kallion's small sun destroyed all nearby skyships. Fewer patriarchs returned to Rimvold, while others arrived later or stayed in Kalendros and Jazarel.
At Qarezh, patriarchs fought from the fleet, maintained shields and healed wounded allies during the evacuation from Eremion's forces. A tsunami destroyed Qarezh. Benedict acknowledged the Order's responsibility, and the fleet carried survivors and prisoners to Rimvold.
Benedict and Sylvia also helped rebuild the surrounding regions, with Benedict coordinating the work from Rimvold.
The divine patriarchs were the priests, city governors and elite mages of Varnhallow, serving its ruler Eltaru-Ninsath. They administered cities, blessed citizens with magic and supplied the realm's strongest combat forces. After Varnhallow collapsed, surviving patriarchs kept their titles and served the Order of Thalion Zenith.
Authority and Recruitment
Varnhallow's patriarchs numbered in the hundreds. The highest office in each city was normally held by a patriarch, supported by attendants and officials. Wilfred governed Luminaris, and Benedict governed Astralem. Patriarchs wore royal purple robes trimmed with silver and gold, and their training combined administration with combat magic.
Eltaru selected candidates for strength, skill, ability and loyalty. Tournaments held every other year in Astralynne offered a route into the ranks; successful entrants also faced trials. Most patriarchs were elevated while young. Eltaru could grant the title directly, as he did for Aelius and Rhyzmar.
Kira governed Lysaraine until Eltaru-Ninsath reassigned her and appointed Jin in her place. He placed Eira and Kaelion in charge of Halcyra, where they concealed their names as the Lady of Fire and Lord of Cosmos. Michael trained the three in administration, and Wilfred taught Eira and Kaelion to manage the city and its attendants. Kazehiro, another newly accepted patriarch, assisted Jin.
History
The Hidden Mission
Eltaru-Ninsath was Michael, the former Malverand guardian of Maraveth. Before Thalion's arrival, Eira entered an earlier period of Varnhallow with Kaelion and Jin. Michael accepted them as patriarchs after their performance in the Grand Court tournament, allowing them to bypass the remaining trials.
Eira brought him The Legacy of Thalion Zenith and recruited him into the Order. Michael learned what Thalion would accomplish and charged Benedict with preserving the mission after his death. The patriarchs' concealed preparations therefore preceded Thalion's own arrival and assumption of command.
Luminaris and Thalion Zenith
Xarion gained the support of Luminaris's citizens through magical blessings, then sought Wilfred's office by posing as an already appointed patriarch. He and his companions staged attacks attributed to the resistance. Wilfred died after overloading during an ambush by Xarion and Aelius. Wilfred had volunteered for the plan after a timerift killed his family. Too old to continue fighting, he wanted to serve the Order to the end. Eltaru forbade Benedict to explain this to Thalion, and Benedict disclosed it only later in Rimvold. Benedict accepted Xarion, officiated his appointment and publicly announced him under his new name, Thalion Zenith.
Eltaru's inner circle was preparing to leave Varnhallow and fight the Malverand Empire. Knowledge of the Order and its mission was selective, even among patriarchs. Benedict tested Thalion's allegiance and later revealed that Eltaru had instructed him to watch over and support the outsider.
The Collapse of Varnhallow
During the final tournament, Eltaru began breaking apart Varnhallow's temporal bubble. His spell drained essence from citizens, killing them as he gathered the power needed to break the bubble. Patriarchs helped defend the departure and evacuate citizens aboard skyships. Benedict and Rhyzmar piloted Eltaru's flagship through the timerifts, carrying Thalion and his companions out of the collapsing realm and into Valrindor's ancient past.
In Rimvold, Thalion appointed Benedict patriarch of the city. Those who remained swore loyalty to the Order, whose mission was to free the world from those seeking to rule it and guard its history. The patriarchs subsequently worked under that organization rather than restoring Varnhallow's government.
Service Under the Order
Benedict coordinated missions, maps, reports and supplies from Rimvold. Written plans were burned after the patriarchs committed them to memory. Their work included scouting, skyship operation, healing, barriers and craftsmanship, with duties divided according to each mage's skills.
In the campaign against Jeremiah, Thalion issued the orders and Benedict relayed them by hand signals. Igor led patriarchs against Jeremiah's ground army and destroyed it, while the Order maintained its apparent alliance with Uriandel. Most of the Order's skyships were withdrawn when Thalion gave the signal and survived the battle.
Patriarch artisans also worked with Benedict on a seagoing vessel that could carry people and skyships.
In the final war, patriarchs were lost in the fighting against Raphael, and most of the fleet at Maraveth was destroyed. Many patriarchs withdrew to Rimvold under Ignatius's orders. At Morindel, the explosion of Zero's black hole and Kallion's small sun destroyed all nearby skyships. Fewer patriarchs returned to Rimvold, while others arrived later or stayed in Kalendros and Jazarel.
At Qarezh, patriarchs fought from the fleet, maintained shields and healed wounded allies during the evacuation from Eremion's forces. A tsunami destroyed Qarezh. Benedict acknowledged the Order's responsibility, and the fleet carried survivors and prisoners to Rimvold.
Benedict and Sylvia also helped rebuild the surrounding regions, with Benedict coordinating the work from Rimvold.
Historical Legacy
Many patriarchs chose to live out their remaining years restoring Jazarel. Varin governed the rebuilt city, while Benedict continued his work in Rimvold. Benedict also helped preserve the Order's flagship, which was hidden at Vintergard with its essence cores. These duties belonged to the ancient aftermath of the war. By the present day, Benedict and the patriarchs who stayed behind had died.