Among the multitude of declarations upon the exterior of the humble church facade as the Summer Summit came to an end was one that appeared humble (as they all do) but with grand ambitions. It honoured a man who had died alongside his brethren. A man who had perished fighting for a different Realm in a land not his own, but of The Concord all the same, his bones interred to the earth of Weiland.
And it called this man a Paragon of The Church.
The greatest of all the honours available to The Concordian Church is the title of Paragon, recognising that individual as a great exemplar of virtue whose legacy should be studied and understood beyond their lives. But the path to Paragon has only just begun, and should this Valleyfolk be recognised it will have ramifications for the entire Concord.
Many Hands Make Righteous Work
The manner in which a Concordian can be recognised as a Paragon is spelled out quite clearly. There are seven aspects of a Paragon and common understanding has it that the individual should have at least five of them present in their life in order to be accepted.
There is Voyager, the proof that the individual has passed through at least two of the six spheres, identifying an empowered soul whose journey is sacrosanct.
Benevolence, the proof that the individual brought great growth and change to their people, saving lives and souls, greatly improving the lives of those they knew and more they did not.
Inspiration, the lasting impact of the individual upon the world, began while they were alive that continues to reach on beyond them, continuing their work through the hands of others.
Miracles, the divine power of the individual to change the world directly through acts of super-human strength, divinity or skill.
Pilgrimage, the knowledge that the individual travelled far in their life, visiting holy sites, spreading the faith and sharing their knowledge beyond their homeland.
Salvation, showing that the individual saved the souls of the heathen, that they brought the knowledge of Niccolo to the dark places of the world and treated with non-believers.
And finally Legacy, that the actions of the individual are represented in the world in objects, words and structures beyond them, not just in the memories of others. That they have left a physical mark upon the world that manifests as their legacy.
The task of proving these points, their validity and their divinity falls to one man: Jacques D’Zisseau, priest of Cervitas and Anarch from the City of Legends. It was his hand that originally penned the motion and so it is on his shoulders that the onus of proof is placed. Jacques has the remainder of the year to present a full set of proofs to the Council of Six and hope that he can rally enough support to achieve a full vote in favour, six high priests supporting his claim.
But he does not need to carry this burden alone. Cervitas shows that anything worth doing, is worth doing together.
Game Information
There will be additional information and decisions on the requirements to confirm Halig of Alfwens Wall’s paragon status for the Council of Six, The High Priests Individually and Jacques D’Zisseau.
The pursuit of Halig’s paragon status will be a difficult task that will need support. Characters interested in being a part of this pivotal moment in Concordian history (if it is successful) are recommended to seek out the High Priests or Jacques D’Zisseau himself.
For clarity:
Jacques D’Zisseau (or a priest he chooses in writing) must present a well reasoned argument that Halig of Alfwens Wall is a Paragon using the doctrine of the Church. This argument should be written (ideally) and must be presented to the Council of Six, where it will be approved if it receives a unanimous vote in favour by the High Priests. If Jacques (or his proxy) is a high priest, their vote will still count.
In the camps-turned villages in the Valley, Cervitas holds across The Concord and in the hearts of many, this is wondrous news. A Concordian hero being heralded as perhaps a new paragon adds legitimacy to the faith in the eyes of its followers, wracked by uncertainty following the schism of 221.
But it also brings glory to the Valleyfolk and Priests of Cervitas. One of the Mountainfolk being raised up and by the hands of his brethren is proof to their righteous ways. Among the Valleyfolk it does good to see that one of the Retreated, those unfortunate people who had their ancestral home torn from them is the one so honoured. It proves to the Valleyfolk soul that their mettle and worthiness is more than the stones in their earth or the gold in their coffers, but something uniquely Valleyfolk in its nature. Should the status be confirmed it would rain down from Cildfrau’s in festival, carvings of a harsh man with a short beard etched in stone and iron.
On a wider front, the faith of Cervitas is reconfirmed. Hardly a weak faith in a time that has forged The Concord, the Sphere of Imperial Wisdom has seen wax and wane. Among Concordian heroes it was unfortunately over-represented in the sect that withered alongside the death of its Reeve, with other great Gravers dying alongside Halig, in the conflict with the Bear or drifting away, perhaps in grief. From Weiland to Nazafeza, priests of the pillar debate the possible ramifications of Halig’s paragon nature, what this means for the Church as a whole, or for them individually, but it's all good if you seek strength in those around you.
Quietly, aware of the tides at play, there are those that have questions. Particularly among Stallian and Arcadian devotees. For the Truth-knowers, Halig’s Paragon nature must be unassailable despite the obvious rewards to force the subject through creative bardic licence. The raise the first Concordian citizen to Paragon status through lies or part-truths would curse the foundations of The Concordian Church to wither and draw the blood thirsty ire of the Fang of Inner Darkness, who is perhaps already aggrieved. For the Stallians, there is no substitute for the truth.
For the Sphere of Steel the manner is similar but owing to a different source. Halig must earn this title of Paragon. Not through the lies of others or the dreams of a wounded people. It doesn’t matter if his raising would do the world of good for thousands of people, he must earn it through the strength and honour of his deeds. No massaging of the truth will rally that nature. May the Timid Husk curse those who act with falsehood for this hero of The Concord.
And so the Concord is split, into those perhaps counting their blessings too early and those with critical hearts set on a true test.
Game Information
There are likely to be many boons to be given if Halig’s paragon status can be confirmed. Although this is likely due to his role as the first ‘Concordian Paragon’ (as opposed to Niccolo Van Demuer who has already been confirmed) and shouldn’t be expected as the norm.
These boons will be particularly strong for the Iron Valley, The war effort in Brotherslee, priests of Cervitas and Gravers. Those people who embody multiple elements listed will likely see the greatest boon.
Priests of Cervitas should feel overjoyed at the proposition and unless your views particularly clashed with Halig’s, would likely support it.
Priests of Anarch are split. A new paragon represents change and growth, particularly for the Church. But the shadow of flames holds no warmth and so the desire to consider yourself ‘changed’ may push people to utter falsehoods. If Halig’s legend can face challenges, then it is true.
Priests of Arcadian are critical. They are the test of Halig and will see if his soul is iron. But they are also prepared to be his champion. Should the Valleyfolk known for a skull on his belt and an opinion on his steel tongue be proven true, then he will already be great without their help.
Priests of Lumos are split. A new paragon is a great hope and represents a shining light to the Valley. But Halig was a staunch conservative voice in many things, was he truly a man who left this world better than when he arrived?
Priests of Panoply are often supportive. Even if Halig was a falsehood, the fact that his legend merits consideration is proof of ambition, proof of power and proof of glory. Halig left a hole in the world big enough that some of the church seeks to fill it with accolades. That cannot be denied and should be emulated by any who know it.
Priests of Stallia are critical. They see this not as a test of Halig, but as a test of The Concord and The Church. There is the weight of history, love, gold and glory pushing down on this scale, threatening to give a home to falsehoods, no matter how well meaning. They must be the starlight that reveals the truth, no matter how it cuts.
All of these perspectives are generalities and how your character feels may be affected by a wide variety of factors, not the least of all any interactions they had with the prominent Graver. They should be taken as jumping off points for any Priest or devoted layfolk.
The Shadow of A Man
In all of this, Halig has already been lost.
The Unbroken Chain has fallen, its members drifting away to the Spheres or into their grief. The image that Halig casts upon the world is less important than the glow of his possible human divinity. It washes out a life lived harshly, with steel in hand.
For many in The Concord Halig was a divisive figure. The first to criticise the Senate (although he jockeyed for that position alongside a humble dockworker), staunchly nationalist and dedicated to the Valleyfolk way, fiercely stubborn and a rarely forgiving, he embodied The Blooded Stone, The Oathwarg and the Soulspeaker, hardly the most kind and enheartening of the Cervitas beings.
The legacy that Halig may well be the thing that leaves the longest impact, particularly after it has been examined by the greatest of The Church. But while the initial glories and joy may manifest in one manner, seasons will change. His mark on the world over the years may have more to do with his hardline stance on The Valley winning back its lost homelands, the harsh punishment of Oathbreakers and doggedly holding your political leaders accountable, to the point of violence.
Game Information
Were Halig to be named a Paragon it is likely that there would be reflections of this in the nature of the Valleyfolk and followers of Cervitas at large. While The Church could take steps to moderate this, these reflections would be of Halig’s nature and legacy as a priest. These may manifest as boons, goals or even challenges for priests, Valleyfolk or The Church as a whole.