Skull Conclave History
Important events
The Ravening (0 BTF): The god-like Abyssals are drawn to the planet by humanity’s hubris and their power hungry agents. Though they bring the age of humankind to an end, they are driven away by its true mother and protector -- called the World Dragon, Earth Mother and God-Empress. Despite Her triumph, She is shattered and slain from the innumerous wounds of that terrible battle.
Crowned with Void Fire (17 BTF): The followers of the God-Empress arrive in the Pacific Northwest to protect the human survivors there. Led by their goddess’ Oracle-Avatar, they begin a brutal war against the Flesh-Takers who have been hunting down and flensing any humans that they find.
The First Feast (23 BTF): The Oracle-Avatar and their Templar brethren purge the region of the Flesh-Takers and feast upon the Abyssal remnant that had been corrupting the area. In the Pacific Northwest, they endeavor to build a new society and rally humanity toward their holy goal: the destruction of the Abyssals and their monstrous scions. Saint Carmine consumes sanctified Abyssal flesh and is beatified into sainthood and demi-divinity.
The Raising of the Temple (26 BTF): The Skull Conclave cleanses the land and rallies the people. Also Ziggurat City is built using powerful magic and eldritch monstrosities. Smaller ziggurats and spires are built in the area, radiating out to lend protection to the populace.
The Outer Dark (32 BTF): After years of experimentation, the Skull Templars are able to reach out and explore other dimensions (aka Emanations). It is believed that Eldritch energies and monstrosities have been leakkng into the World Beyond the Fall since the Ravening (and possibly before).
Door of Shadows (37 BTF): With the Oracle-Avatar’s new magics, a Shadow Door is linked between Ziggurat City and Bastion du Rachat. This allows for rapid reinforcements at a significant cost in reagents. Similar Doors are linked from Ziggurat City to the Talonic Citadel and Beacon.
The Path of Skulls (43 BTF): The Skull Conclave sends forces south, aided by the Flame Conclave. They convert others on the way and found Covenant City. Farther south, they encounter the Sacrament Sea and Port Sacrament, which refuses conversion. They discover rumors of another city of survivors far to the east.
Saintly Charm (56 BTF): The Oracle-Avatar asks for the Carmine Conclave’s assistance in the areas south of Ziggurat City, specifically in converting the inhabitants of Paradise City in the Mojave and the mariners of Port Sacrament. Saint Carmine leads the negotiations with great success and the two settlements join the Templars wholeheartedly.
Burn the Root (59 BTF): The Oracle-Avatar warns Saint Flame of an elusive entity that has infiltrated his territories. Saint Flame orders the destruction of several towns to ensure that this does not come to pass. Beacon, as their headquarters, is one of the few settlements to be spared. Modern scholars suspect this to be an infiltration attempt by the Harbingers, specifically the Smiling Shadow.
The first Eidolons (62 BTF): The first Eidolons are refined and their lores spread to the Conclaves — the Eidolonic Spore no longer completely consumes its host. Rumors whisper that there have been escapees and even uprisings from previous experiments before this announcement.
Terror from the Deep (74 BTF): Oceanic monstrosities and Pelagic Seraphs raid the Temple’s settlemtns allies on the west coast. This culminates in the attack of a titanic crustacean with a woman’s face in its shell. After a devastating rampage, the Oracle-Avatar destroys it alongside their Templar Conclaves. Saint Skull defends the Oracle-Avatar from attack at the cost of his life.
Paradise Lost (76 BTF): Sensing something awry, the Oracle-Avatar sends Carmine and Flame Conclave agents to Paradise City. Much of the Mojave has been turned into corrupted “Shroudland” that is hazardous to any that walk upon it. Aerial surveys report that the city is in ruins and find no survivors.
A Warning to the South (83 BTF): The Templar continue to consolidate their northeastern holdings and treat carefully with the Free Tribes. Their first encounter with the Illustrados Union is a bloody one, stopping short of igniting actual war. Instead of pursuing conflict, the Templars look to their Oracle-Avatar for guidance and receive orders to return north. A group of Calvarians are sent from Beacon to Mid-Atla with a message, but they are never heard from again. It is believed that this was a warning that was intercepted.
War and Apostasy (90 BTF): Terrible monstrosities led by the sorcerous Harbingers invade and ravage Mid-Atla. The vicious war against the remnants of humanity follows. The Templar was prepared by the Oracle-Avatar’s warning, but an attempted coup by the Flame Conclave undoes their efforts -- they join the battles against the Harbingers at a diminished capacity while dealing with this new “Infernal Apostasy”
The Armistice at Libertina (96 BTF): After six years of brutal war, Mid-Atla has settled to a troubled peace. The Harbingers have been destroyed and a treaty between the Templar, the Illustrados, and the Free Tribes has been signed at the broken bell of Libertina City.
Current Day (99 BTF): The Temple is rebuilding after the many disasters that have befallen their holdings across the continent. They seek out the leaders of the Infernal Apostasy that betrayed them and to bring the Free Tribes into the fold for their holy mission.
Important Individuals and Groups:
Abyssals/the World-Slayers: The enemies of the God-Empress and of all terrestrial life - alien, netherworldly god-things from beyond the stars.
The Cascadian Dragon: A titanic crustacean-like entity that eradicated several settlements from the west coast. It was proof against all weapons and the human-sized face in the center of its mass turned soldiers into shriveled corpses. It was slain by the Oracle-Avatar. Saint Skull sacrificed his life to protect them.
The Free Tribes: A group of communities and tribes based in and around the Mid-Atlantic (aka Mid-Atla) area, but also within the New England, Tidewater, and Midwest regions.
God-Empress: The prime divinity of the Templars. Also known as the Shattered Mother, the World Dragon, and the Earth Mother. Through Her sacrifice, the world saw ruin but not destruction from those that would devour it.
The Harbingers/Harbinger Hosts: Four sorcerous entities of incredible power and the monstrous armies that followed them. They came from the west and savaged their way to Mid-Atla until they were stopped by the combined efforts of the Free Tribes, the Illustrados, and the Temple.
The Illustrados Union: An Caribbean-based Archfaction known for their technological wonders, their mercantile bent, and their naval prowess
Oracle-Avatar: The chosen speaker to the God-Empress and the Temple’s leader. After the formation of the Templars, they rarely leave their meditations atop Ziggurat City. They were integral to the Harbingers’ defeat but were severely injured.
Saint Carmine/Carmine Conclave: An Archon-Saint known for her cunning, her diplomacy, and her ability to turn enemies into allies. Also called the Saint of Roses. Founder of the Carmine Conclave. Disappeared after her spouse was slain.
Saint Flame/Flame Conclave/Infernal Apostasy: An Archon-Saint known for his power, his knowledge, and his blazing zealotry to the God-Empress. Also known as the Saint of Wrath. Founder of the now extinct Flame Conclave. Slain while fighting the Night Kings. His Conclave would turn against the Temple and attempt to kill the Oracle-Avatar.
Saint Skull/Skull Conclave: An Archon-Saint known for his mercy, his protectiveness, and his iron devotion to the Oracle-Avatar. Founder of the Skull Conclave. Slain fighting the Cascadian Dragon.
Saint Talon/Talon Conclave: An Archon-Saint known for her strength, her sorcery, and her unflinching bravery. Also known as the Saint of Swords. Founder of the Talon Conclave. Slain during the Battle of the Blockade
Saint Whisper: An Archon Saint known for her incredible willpower, her complete faith, and her sacrifice at the First Feast. She was also known as the Saint of Shadows. She did not start any Conclaves but some of the Skull Conclave devote themselves to her.
The Temple of the Shattered Mother (aka Templars): An northern Archfaction based on their faith to the God-Empress and dedicated to the destruction of wickedness and eldritch evil.