The High Priestess

The High Priestess is one of the longest sitting member of the Council of 21 and as such she holds great influence with less experienced Council holders. The High Priestess is closely tied to the House of Rods which has been her base of power for centuries.

#### History

The High Priestess does not attempt to conceal her past as her story has fueled her legend amongst villains across the Multiverse. Born a simple peasant during the rise of Christianity on Reality C-29 (Herrod) she was sent to a convent at a young age only to abused and mistreated by her superiors. When the Enlightened Heresy rose up to over throw the Church and all the nations that supported she eagerly joined. Her zealotry and ruthlessness when making war on the Church gave her great sway amongst the adherents of the new faith and they crowned her High Priestess of the new Church of Pilate which by then has conquered most of the known world.

Not content with merely destroying her oppressors and their faith The High Priestess sought to extend her power beyond the limits of mortality and cheated dark powers of the Underworld to gain Immortality. Her long life allowed her to both subjugate all opposition to her rule and dedicate centuries to studies heretical magics. It was these same studies that led her to the portal spells that breached the Multiverse and the High Priestess gained knowledge of Realities beyond her own.

The first outer dimensional being The High Priestess ever met was a powerful dark cleric in his own right known as The Hierophant, a gifted mage infused with the energies of the Elder Gods working with a cabal of villainous spellcasters known as the Arcane Theocracy. They developed a working relationship in the mutual pursuit of power. That was followed by The Hierophant sponsoring The High Priestess to serve as the Queen of Rods, one of the first in the history of the House. Not long after that it is rumored they became lovers, and eventfully The High Priestess amassed enough power and influence within the Theocracy to demand a Council seat for herself. A seat she maintains until this day.

The High Priestess has been a steady presence in the Theocracy and the Council for centuries. Whether the Theocracy was hiding in the shadows or aggressively making itself known through conquest The High Priestess was a part of it. That consistency has been been shaken in recent years however as her life long partner in villainy, The Hierophant, was destroyed during the Multiverse War. Since his demise The High Priestess has been unpredictable and seems more willing to micromanage and meddle in the affairs of the House of Rods or even other Houses.

#### Personality

The High Priestess is intelligent and cunning. Centuries of political in fighting and back stabbing within the Theocracy have honed her cynicism to a fine edge. She has a tendency to let people talk enough to hang themselves with their own words, especially if she knows them to be untrue. When provoked to violence she is merciless in her edicts and has numerous resources at her disposal. Herrod, her home Reality, is one of the epicenters for recruiting into Theocracy forces as well as a manufacturer of a great deal of ammunition. Her influence includes compromised governments and faith systems on at least a dozen Realities, so she can be confident in her ability to strike and hurt her enemies eventually, if not immediately. She seems to have no issue being patient and quietly plotting the destruction of the very people she's taking tea with. Calm, resolute, and practiced in manipulation, The High Priestess gives off the presence of a feral predator amused with the attempts of it's prey to escape it's inevitable doom.

#### Known Agenda

The High Priestess has always been a voice for the House of Rods on the Council. The loss of The Hierophant however has lost her a powerful ally both in and out of Council. She is determined to hand pick the next Hierophant, preferably a puppet she can control. The High Priestess will never stop playing a role in the House Royalty for the Rods and any member of the House of Rods would do well to gain her favor to advance. Although once allied with the Empress, they are now opposed on the Council with each wishing to steer the selection of the new Hierophant to their own advantage.