Abbess

The Eternal Citadel, ancient heart of the Sacred Order, is a kingdom in miniature. The mighty cathedral-fortress rises from the mountains west of Kaerok, a shining beacon to all who seek the blessings of Lumaya or the protection of her warriors. From this unassailable bastion, the Sacred Order runs its affairs on the continent of Anhelt, overseeing the innumerable convents, abbeys, hospitals, garrisons, and chapels that make up its spiritual fiefdoms. While the day-to-day affairs of the Order are largely handled by the Mother Superiors, and more important matters are left to the oversight of the Canonesses and Cardinals who oversee the internal bureaucracy of the organization, there must be an ultimate authority — a queen for this holy kingdom. Such is the glorious burden of the Abbess. The first Abbess of the Sacred Order was the head of a convent of nuns sworn to the service of Lumaya during the Age of Hellfire. When the Arbiter put out her call to the faithful, the Abbess was among the first to answer. She convinced her followers to pick up weapons in defense of their goddess and their world. She herself carried a crossbow into battle, and proved to be a deadly markswoman, much to the detriment of many Demonspawn. The nuns of the other convents followed the example, and these warriors inspired by the first Abbess became the first Sister Militants. Soon after, the Abbess organized the disparate convents into a rough hierarchy, granting herself leadership both on and off the battlefield. Her efforts directly contributed to the formation of the Sacred Order, as the convents came to form the backbone of the new organization. Later, when Lumaya’s closest servants, the Lightbringers, proved too inflexible to lead the war-effort, it was the successor to the first Abbess, among others, who confronted them with the frustration of their mortal allies. The Lightbringers cared little for anything save direct battle, and their inability effectively organize logistics, and adapt to the changing conditions of the battlefield or the subtle stratagems of the enemy made their leadership a liability in the fight against Siroth. The Abbess was among those who suggested that the Lightbringers give up control of the nascent Sacred Order, and turn it over to herself and a few trusted others. The Lightbringers agreed to resign their command for the good of the war effort, and in the aftermath of their departure, the Abbess consolidated her powers, and invested her newfound authority in her chosen subordinates. Soon, all those opposed to her were driven to the fringes of the Order. Some were sent to distant missions or remote chapterhouses, to live out their days far from the Eternal Citadel and Lumaya’s light. Thus was the Order’s future assured. The current Abbess, Eufemia Corday, is both potentate and supreme diplomat. She acts as a counterpart to the Archbishop of the Church of Lumaya, and it is one of her responsibilities to see to the expansion of the faith, especially in regions such as Velyzar and Gloomdeep Hold – where the Sacred Order’s influence is tenuous at best – by any means necessary. While the Sacred Order is far from above flexing its military might to achieve its goals, the Abbess will often seek to employ her powers of persuasion as well as her political acumen against any opposition. She is adept at games of influence, playing one side against the other in order to maintain the strength of the Order in the face of its many enemies. Those chosen to take up the mantle of Abbess by the inner council are often selected specifically for their skill in these matters rather than their physical prowess. Despite this, every Abbess, including Corday, is trained in a variety of martial disciplines — including marksmanship. As part of their office, they are bestowed with the same crossbow carried by the first of their number. The ancient weapon has been well maintained over the centuries, and enchanted besides. For many, the right to carry such a weapon is all the proof of Lumaya’s favor they need – an assumption that Corday has used to her advantage more than once.