Silas Kessling

**Silas Kessling** is the Pontifex of the Ministry of Homini Affairs who was introduced in Asphodel. *(Played by Comrade Squid.)*

## Biography

Silas's family lived in a Homini-dominated (but Elysian controlled) village in the outskirts of Zion, until the threat of a Sheolfolk attack prompted his parents to move into the much safer Zion Hold. Silas was very young when this happened, and was awed by the splendor of the white city. His mother was a scholar, and set her son down a path similar to her own, enrolling him in a school to study the religious texts of Elodi.

It was around this time that Silas began to develop the philosophy that would guide him for the remainder of his life. Having fled to an Elysian city at an impressionable age, he began to see Elysians and their society as a source of safety and comfort. Alone, Homini were vulnerable and defenseless, but Elysians were ancient and wise could protect them. Alone, a Homini's lifespan was short and fruitless, but with the generosity of the Elysians many of them could live forever. What mortal would reject such kind and beneficial rulers? Surely only the selfish and the stupid.

Through the years, Silas advanced in his studies, never becoming a Bonded to any Elysian as most other Homini did but rather pursuing a position as a Homini officiate within the Ministry of Homini Affairs, a government branch dealing in Homini-Elysian relations. He eventually graduated to the prestigious position of 'Pontifex'. Assuming this position is among the highest honors a Homini living in Elysian society can achieve, as the Pontifex is the highest authority in manners relating to Homini living under Elysian rule. In some ways, he could even be considered an 'honorary Elysian', though he would never be as presumptuous to presume himself an equal to any Elysian. He began to preach to the other Homini, revealing to them how fortunate they were to live under the fair mercy of the Elysians, and what an honor it was to Bond with them. With this power, he began to punish Homini who jeopardized their status by attempting to rise above their station, though he was generally quite subtle about this.

In recent times after the Sundering, he made contact with a former Archangel he had great admiration for, one he assumed to be dead- Imperiel. Keeping her survival a secret, he agreed to assist her however necessary by using his divine authority, so that she may return in her full glory to correct the downfall of their once great society in the wake of Elodi's disappearance.

## Physical Appearance

Silas is an aged Homini man of average height and average build. His face is somewhat wrinkled and his brown hair is graying, though physically he is still quite healthy. His hair is cut in a typical clerical fashion, shaved on the sides with a thin layer of hair on the top of his head. Typically, he wears religious robes of a dark red color with white trimming, though for formal events and ceremonies he will dress in an ornate garb of white and gold with a tall crown atop his head.

## Personality

Silas is a stalwart and pious man of the highest caliber. Few can match the religious fervency, bordering fanaticism, that he has for Elodi and the Elysians he serves. It is this fervency that gives him the charisma he needs to preach to the masses, to sway others to the righteous path as his position requires. While he is loyal to those he perceives as worthy of loyalty, he has his fair share of anger, and is more than capable of holding a grudge against those who would stray the Homini from their holy purpose.

### *Strengths*

He's steadfast in his beliefs and well-spoken enough to influence others to his cause, aside from his position of considerable power.

### *Weaknesses*

People who know him long enough will likely start to recognize the insidious underbelly of his personality. And he's getting old.

## Relationships

**October Kessling** - Silas's deceased spouse. Silas claims to have cared for them deeply, which might be true, but those close to the couple would know that their marriage was passionless.

**Claudette and Zebediah Kessling** - Silas's children. He has set them on a path similar to his own, sending them to be trained as Homini ministers. As adults, they seem to avoid him whenever possible.

## Weapon

**Staff** - Silas often carries a staff made of gold alloy as part of his position. While it is intended as a purely aesthetic object, it is heavy and can be used to bludgeon in case of emergencies.

## Trivia

* He likely maintained a close working relationship with Imperiel when she was alive and an Archangel of Justice. He may have testified on her behalf during Aquila's trial.