The Vatican
Pope Clement XV has had much to contend with since his recent elevation to Bishop of Avignon and leadership of the Holy Roman Catholic Church, but foremost in his plans has been re-establishing the influence of the Papacy in Venice. Before the Great Catastrophe nearly destroyed Europe, Clement was known as Cardinal Gerdil, studying magic under the Herald in the hope of unlocking his secrets for the benefit of the church. Having learned the Herald's secrets, Gerdil ordered his assassination, setting in motion the terrible events that saw the Vatican destroyed, Italy decimated and the world changed. Miraculously, Gerdil had left the Vatican mere days before the horrific events of the Rent along with a select group of confidants.
Escaping to Geneva and the sanctuary provided by the Alps, the few survivors found safety in Gerdil's lies and supposed piety that they elected him chosen of god. The self-elected 'chosen of god', the new Pope has launched a holy crusade to smite the sins left in Rome and rebuild the Church in his image.
HOLY WARRIORS IN VENICE
The New Vatican
The newly elected Pope Clement XV started rebuilding the church and knew he would not fully be able to do so until a new Vatican City was built. The Papal State was a key power before the Rent in the Sky, extorting a great amount of power over not just Rome, but the rest of Italy too. Exploiting the previous years of turmoil in France, the newly crowned Pope formed a surprising friendship with the revolutionary Maximilien Robespierre. Exposed to the French populace, Clement convinced vast swathes of people of his piety and vision which ultimately led to the re-gifting of the lands of Avignon. Having secured an alliance with the French alongside the promise of land, a new Vatican City was raised from the flooded and crumbling medieval bastion.
Witch Hunt
With increasing reports of magic throughout Europe, Pope Clement decided that the time had come to speak out against the ongoing tide. He riled up his congregation, claiming that a holy crusade was needed to rid the world of the menace of imposters and tricksters. For months Clement's spies in Venice warned not only of a city sliding into godlessness but also of unchecked magical powers on the rise.
With this in mind, Clement re-instituted the Inquisition - a branch of the Church that all but went extinct during the previous Papal State. He tasked his Inquisition with finding magic users throughout the lands and extracting the source of their power. Besides its high number of magic users, Clement had a more personal reason why he chose Venice as his first point of attack. His former colleague Cardinal Antonelli resided in the city. Antonelli had also studied under the Herald and could expose the truth that Clement had caused the world's recent disaster.
Holy War of Venice
Venice is characterized by conflict between classes, a fractured society of secret cults, and divided loyalties, closeted within a tradition of anonymity and paranoia. The arrival of outsiders intent on instilling their rule brought about a near-instant and unspoken truce between the warring parties. Almost from the moment the first priests and French Guard crossed the city limits the expedition was beset by troubles. The Vatican forces marched into Venice despite the attacks and immediately took the offensive. Troops forced citizens into the streets and ransacked their homes, a dozen Inquisitors leading the charge to find any people or materials they deemed profane.
Eventually, the Vatican forces had to withdraw to the island of San Pietro. It was at the Basilica the Vatican began to fortify their presence in Venice and prepare its next assault.
Miracles & Manifestations
The Vatican forces inhabiting Venice, much like the other residents of the City of Canals, have noticed changes in themselves since moving under the eye of the rent. Once pure and holy powers have taken on a stranger form under the Rent in the Sky. The Inquisitors that arrived to bring the Holy Will to the city have found that each time they wreak destructive miracles upon their foes they lose a little of themselves too.
The power of the Rent is so strong in Venice that the summoner priests taught by the revered Father Cesta can bring to life hulking entities. The creatures in Avignon are summoned as bright angels, stonework brought to life wreathed in golden light. Creating fear and panic throughout Venice, these Golgotha are made from the materials of the city, stone, wood, and pure magic.
warriors of the faith
KNIGHTS OF SILENCE
TEMPLAR FIRST CLASS
KNIGHTS OF SILENCE
The crusade against unbelievers has taken its toll on the Vatican forces, none more so than those that martyr themselves. Having fought against monsters, vampires, and all manner of heathen, these holy men have been shaken to the core, now no longer able to communicate in real words, they speak solely in tongues.
VISIONS OF HEAVEN
TEMPLAR FIRST CLASS
KNIGHTS OF SILENCE
The fanatical Father Cesta has already made his presence known in Venice on his arrival, now however he has begun his great work. Cesta has taught priests how to summon spirits both elemental and divine.
HOLY SUMMONS
TEMPLAR FIRST CLASS
TEMPLAR FIRST CLASS
Cesta is teetering between insanity and clarity, driven by his experiences investigating the ancient summoning magic of Africa. Combined with the knowledge of the Herald, his treatises on the Blood of Life and the lost Ge'ez language are invaluable to the church's magical practitioners.
TEMPLAR FIRST CLASS
TEMPLAR FIRST CLASS
TEMPLAR FIRST CLASS
Templar Marshals are the Knights of Malta, experts in the field. Answering to the Knight Commanders, they are exemplary fighters. Years of training and a trial-by-fire in the Siege of Malta has made them masters of both melee and ranged combat.
GUARDIANS OF MALTA
KNIGHTS HOSPITALLER
KNIGHTS HOSPITALLER
The Maltese forces were fighting a losing battle in the Siege of Malta, beset by monsters on all sides. Only the timely intervention of a true miracle saved them from total annihilation. Now the Vatican have rescued the beleaguered defenders and brought them to the relative safety of Venice.
KNIGHTS HOSPITALLER
KNIGHTS HOSPITALLER
KNIGHTS HOSPITALLER
Fresh from their last stand at the Siege of Malta, the Knights Hospitaller have been rescued and brought to Venice. With tarnished steel and fiery zeal they take to battle. Having lived through Hell, they’re ready for whatever the Rent has to throw at them.
HOLY CRUSADERS
KNIGHTS HOSPITALLER
INSURGENCY FORCE
The Pope has entrusted victory in Venice to his most loyal disciples. Those blessed with the gifts of the Vatican line the streets of Castello, summoning holy fervour into magical force. Whether they use these gifts to bless their fellow disciples, or to rain holy fire down depends on the worshipper.
INSURGENCY FORCE
KNIGHTS HOSPITALLER
INSURGENCY FORCE
It’s been a hard-fought battle to maintain any kind of Vatican presence in Venice. The residents are firmly opposed to the Church’s rule, and so the Pope has been sending in steady reinforcements, more and more dangerous each time.
STARTER GANG
STARTER GANG
STARTER GANG
The forces of the Vatican are led by Pope Clement XV, a person inextricably linked with the emergence of the Rent in the Sky, and therefore the death of millions. They have come to Venice to jealously guard the secret of magic in the most brutal ways possible.
DOGMATISTS
STARTER GANG
STARTER GANG
Some within the forces of the Vatican are merely charlatans. Non-believing opportunists simply out for bloody battle. A great many though believe in Pope Clement XV’s sermons entirely, giving their bodies and souls to their new style of worship.
ARMED FORCES
STARTER GANG
ARMED FORCES
The occupation of Venice by the Vatican has left a sour taste in the mouths of its citizens. Leading the armies of Avignon is Patriarch Bishop de Bernis, a powerful mage sent by the Pope himself to retake the godless lands with extreme prejudice.
INQUISITION
STARTER GANG
ARMED FORCES
The Pope’s forces in Venice are not wholly welcome, kidnapping and torturing residents as they do. While these brutal acts are hoped to scare the population into line, sometimes other more subtle ways are needed.
THEOPHANT OF SINAI
GOLGOTHA & SUMMONER PRIEST
THEOPHANT OF SINAI
Blazing from the shadows comes forth this creature born from fire and retribution. Its flaming gaze examining you, engulfing you in the Lord's judgement.
LACRIMOSA
GOLGOTHA & SUMMONER PRIEST
THEOPHANT OF SINAI
These silent nuns, supervised by Saint Tear of the sacred Saint Michelle, go to places where death and destruction have planted their seeds.
GOLGOTHA & SUMMONER PRIEST
GOLGOTHA & SUMMONER PRIEST
GOLGOTHA & SUMMONER PRIEST
First created by Father Cesta, the Golgotha is summoned from the city, binding a spirit into Venice itself, using the cobbles and stones to unleash its rage.
SCORPIO MARKSMAN
GOLGOTHA & SUMMONER PRIEST
GOLGOTHA & SUMMONER PRIEST
While a dedicated siege on Venice is something that in 1795 would never be attempted, some of the weapons are still useful. The massive scorpio crossbow is one such weapon employed by the Vatican forces.
WITCH HUNTERS
EXECUTIONER & CRUCIFIERS
EXECUTIONER & CRUCIFIERS
Excommunicated from the Church before the Rent in the Sky opened, Felix Baumgertner and Thomas Thieme set out on their own. With beliefs that in the old days were seen as blasphemous, their hunt carried on regardless. Now that the Rent has brought monsters into the world their beliefs have found a new home.
EXECUTIONER & CRUCIFIERS
EXECUTIONER & CRUCIFIERS
EXECUTIONER & CRUCIFIERS
For the glory of God, heretics and heathens shall not be permitted to live. The only choice we shall give them is the means to their end. Even the worst of sinners may find use in the New Vatican as Executioners.