And without further adieu, the rest of the sad sordid bunch.
1.) Tisiphone of Karpathos (Clrc lvl 2)
It is a very disturbing time for the Great Church of the Unconquered Sun. 1,000 years have passed since the previous Incarnation and speculation from theologians, soothsayers, and scholars place his Next arrival around this year..or next.. or in the next 10 years.
This "air of the apocalypse" seems to be spreading causing many in the High Church to form ranks around the received Depository of Faith and emphasize an adherence to logic, reason, and doctrine.
And if that fails - to call upon both Church Inquisitors and (politely ask from a very far distance) the Knights of Science to uproot heresy.
For its own part, the Low Church lacking the extensive bureaucracy of the High Church, has fallen into a spiral of doctrinal dispute and outright violence. The delicate confederation of Churches is fracturing into smaller communities spreading a wide array of teachings and doctrines. Some seem of a very strong political nature, and others are far more disturbing in their esoterica.
Enter Tisiphone of Karpathos, a woman no older than 25 winters, a priestess of the Unconquered Sun and adherent of the Old Faith - a segment of the High Church given over to metaphysical speculation, mysticism, and pastoral theology while lacking the worldly knowledge/political agenda/incisive logic of the High and Low Churches.
Tisiphone life has been one of quiet contemplation and restraint. Visions have been her one true companion throughout her life - making her a boon or a threat to members of the clergy depending on their agenda.
She travels with the Company of the Black Swan to learn more of the ways of her Western Brethren and hopes perhaps to heal some of the cracks within the Mystical Communion of the Unconquered Sun.
For their own part, Duncan and Giacomo genuinely welcomed having a devout member of the clergy with the Company.
Especially one who hasn't subverted by the chaos or political forces of the times...
2.) Telamon of the Black Spire (MU Lvl 2)
Throughout all the known lands who has not heard of the Great Sorcerer of the Black Spire? The Lord of 10,000 Demons, the Slayer of X'rnapolisurabalapel, the Humbler of the Pasha Ali, the Great Enemy of the Most Holy Church...
...except that isn't Telamon. That was his Master. Heck, it wasn't even necessarily his Master.
Lord of 10,000 Demons? - More like 10 (and one would only show up on Sundays).
Slayer of X'rnapolisurabalapel? - If by "Slay" you mean "Find the Portal for the Little Pink Polymorphic Ooze to go home" then sure..
But he did Humble Pasha Ali and was often labeled an enemy of the Church - the same Church that would call in his services when Faith did not prove a strong enough shield.
It was these lessons that Telamon learned from his Master - its about Reputation.
Most people throughout the world wake up in the morning, go to work, and come home while trying to avoid getting caught up in the politics of kingdoms, the theologies of priests, and yes the eerie sorcery of wizards.
The common man doesn't have one iota of a clue as to the frustrations, hardships, and pains of learning the art of magic. And so to make sense of all of the facts before them, they make up stories.
Telamon's master was a very competent and wise mage - but nowhere near the man others made him out to be. In his early life he tried quite hard to clear up rumors of his workings and exploits but to no avail.
So he embraced them - well at least the outward persona.
He taught Telamon the "theatrical" side of magic - why it might be useful for people to think eh slept with Succubi and sired vampires. And then proceeded to explain the Reality of the Situation - why only an ignoramus would sleep with Succubi and want half-demon progeny.
However Telamon's master, although generally congenial, was hardly a saint. Perhaps a bit of ego (or just out of spite) made him build his tower so that it was just a little bit taller than the Great Cathedral at Eramaz. Or Polymorphic a rival into a powerless buxom lass of 23 summers and tossing "her" to a horde of goblins. Or cursing the head minister of Cavali with a speech impediment right before a major debate at court.
And so Telamon learnt his second lesson - After all the proper precautions have been taken, have fun with your magic.
The day came however, when the Kingdom of Arnor and the County of Devonshire waged war against the nomadic warlord Ur-Khal and the Kingdom of Pelas. the Church of the Unconquered Sun had once again fallen into a theological dispute - insuring that the national clergy would be supporting their respective nations on both sides of the battle.
After a hurried expiation of his sins by the Prelate of Arnor, the Great Wizard of the Black Spire and his Apprentice strode forth unto the front lines as he prepared to summon a host of demons to turn back the tide (and incidentally save the Kingdom and County on paying wages and give the Church an excuse).
And so he summoned a Demon....just not the one he wanted.
It was Big. It had Serpents for Arms. And It had Two Baboon Heads.
Recent History remembers this time as the Great Massacre on the Fields of Sharandal, as the Mighty Prince of Demons tore through the ranks of both mortal forces with a ferocity unseen since the days of high myth. Folk tales speak of the Two-Headed one dragging the Wizard of the Black Spire down to the lowest depths of the netherworld.
Telamon knows the truth though - he was crushed by a boulder from the opposing side as the Prince of Demons charged their ranks.
Aside from indebting three countries to the banking families of the Serene Republic who underwrote the cost of the war, almost annihilating a nomadic people and their war chief, and causing a general ban on the sale of Baboons and Baboon-like creatures throughout many a kingdom ~ the major outcome for Telamon was he was out one master and had no means of accessing the Black Spire.
And so Telamon, Wizard of the Black Spire in Exile, joined the Company of the Black Swan.
Giacomo Comment: "Now if he'd only learned a little more magic and a lot less theatrics.."
3.) "Deka" - The Man from Outer Space (Modified Specialist with Dwarf Like Stats)
Celebrated Xenobiologist and Physician aboard the GR-Dauntless lost in Space Battle! Estimated 6,000 dead or missing!
USF High Command Restricted Recording:
Bridge of the GR-Dauntless:
Several Security Personnel have surrounded a figure standing next to a hooded presence behind him.
"Stand down Doctor!"
"You need to listen to him! He has something ver-"
"Doctor, you are being affected by the Mind Flayer.."
"No you dolts! Captain, please.."
"Doctor, we're going to have to subdue you, so we can take out that.."
~No. Survival Paramount. We must flee.~
"Its trying to get away!"
"That's what i've been trying to tell you! It's asking for all of us to leave.. the whole flotilla!"
"What?"
~We MUST FLEE. They Come...~
"Who? Who is coming?"
"Captain - fighters are engaging some sort of recon picket.."
"INCOMING!!"
MISSING FOOTAGE - Estimated 2 minutes
Bridge, GR-Dauntless, 2 minute Elapse
"Multiple Signatures Detected! Count calls 3 Capital Ships - oh holy.."
"3 Battlegroups. Coming in fast!!"
"Captain, we need to get the Hyperdrive up and running. Half he ships in the flotilla are civilians like me. And don't forget the cargo."
"Cargo, what's he talking about?"
"The Dauntless is carrying a variety of dangerous Xenobiological specimens for further examination along with 7 of the most wanted criminals - all in cryogenic storage."
Warning ! Hull-breach! Hull-breach!
~Prepare. They come.~
"Take up positions and prepare to repel the enemy. Doctor, i'm holding you responsible for the behavior of that thing. But if it hates them much a we do.."
~Cannot enter their minds. Must handle with..physical force.~
:An explosion followed by a swarm of Gray humanoids well-armed protecting some sort of mechanical monstrosity:
-End Transmission: