Catherine D'Joan

## Catherine D'Joan - The Angel of Light, Maiden of Domremi, Royal Knight

### Early Life and Old Faith

Catherine D'Joan is the most prominent figure in the Order of Light as she can be seen as its genesis. Catherine was born in 17 BHU and grew up in Domremi to a peasant family. Domremi was known for its corrupt local church which still worshipped false Gods. Eventually, Catherine grew up a zealot to these false Gods and became a Matria at the church with her sister. She enjoyed her time at the Church but over time she would grow sorrowful and hateful. The priest at the head of the church would often take advantage of anyone who was suffering or too weak willed to know better. He did this by stealing, lying, and exploiting in both physical and mental pleasures. Catherine was a victim of this and so was her sister when the two were assaulted in the very hall of the church by guards who were told to punish the Matria's for their "unfaithfulness" which resulted in the death and mutilation of Catherine's sister and the near death of Catherine. She lied scared, cold, and torn on the floor of the house she had sworn her life to. In this moment she picked up a chair and smashed the windows and symbols. The Gods she proclaimed as great saviours and carers had abandoned her in her time of need and they dare watch from the heavens. Catherine would continue her service to the church for her family's sake with the damage being fixed as if nothing had happened. Events like this would continue until a group of mercenaries had come to take back their wealth that the priest had loaned. These were the same mercenaries that had assaulted her, and this is where she saw her chance.

### The Burning of Domremi Church

Some of the guards of Domremi put up a pitiful defence against the mercenaries but Catherine had known that the corrupt mayor would not waste good men on a priest and a church. Eventually the mercenaries reached the church and found the priest. He was tied to a chair with bleeding from his crotch as his sex was limp on the floor, bleeding and mutilated. He whimpered in agony as he looked to the mercenaries in fear, demanding them to get away. Suddenly a shadow was cast over the room and as they turned, Catherine was stood before them, and she beckoned "To those who bring darkness! I am Catherine D'Joan! Daughter of Domremi! Maiden of The Innocent! And I have come to destroy you!" Suddenly with a single candle, the entire church went up in flames. The alcohol they stored to indulge themselves had now become the fuel of their demise and now with the doors locked, they could do nothing but scream in terror as the flames engulfed the army and the church. Once the battle was over, the mercenaries took what they had come for and fled. Catherine was praised as a hero as in the time she spent after this event, she fed the poor and helped the wounded. She earned the name the Maiden of Domremi.

### The Great Humanik Revolution - The Battle of Domremi

Following this event and many more like it, in the lasting year thousands would grow discontent of the tyrant Karn and a peasant in the east had begun a small rebellion which marched on Domremi. The battle lasted for some time and eventually Catherine helped many escape the siege with the aid of the humanik forces until one night when she was spoken to by a golden candle which called itself simply the "Light" which told Catherine how the realm had begun, and that darkness was evil, invasive, and foreign to this good realm. It anointed her as its symbol in the realm, it was for her to not only make the changes but also enforce the changes to protect the realm from darkness. With this knowledge, Catherine gave a great speech in Domremi and formed a rebellion who attacked from within and before long, Domremi had fallen to the Humanik Revolution. After this battle, Catherine received another message that fate was on her now, Fredrick Halnitz was destined to bring light to this realm and is the holy Emperor, Catherine must decide her next course of action. She spent an entire day within her home and when she left, she returned to her followers and pledged herself to Fredrick who made her a banner bearer to the dismay of some due to her sex.

### The Great Humanik Revolution - The Royal Knight

Catherine took her position with absolute seriousness and efficiency. She led armies against Karn and spread her faith and was even responsible for bringing Fredrick into the faith. Some theorise that the two were even in love at the time and had a child but there is no confirmation on this factor. Eventually Catherine began to be a skilled warrior in the field and eventually rose to rival Fredrick himself in skill. Her honour and loyalty were rewarded when she won decisive battle after decisive battle and she was finally given one of the highest positions anyone could achieve, the head of the Royal Knights to protect the emperor. She led by his side and fought fiercely with a great spear. Eventually during the battle of Imperos, Catherine led a single battalion that were on the front lines, and she was the only survivor as she covered the retreat of her forces. She was the only one left in the dark cathedral Karn had built. She fought to the last and fell in battle. However, she absorbed the light and flames around her and arose again with great wings of light and a great golden spear that fired pure light beams from its tip that had a great flame on the end. Catherine saved the siege with her ascension and on the ruins of the heretical cathedral, she announced herself to be the first High Matriarch of the Order of Light which she organised into an ever-growing faith with her authoring the Articles of Light which are the foundations of the faith. In Imperos she crowned Fredrick formally and knew the time had come to slay the tyrant himself.

### The Great Humanik Revolution - The Final Stand

Eventually the war continued until Karn personally sent a legion to take Domremi in the west and strike at the weak points of the Humanik effort. This was personal for Catherine, and she flew an entire day to Domremi. This was the only time she disobeyed orders, and she would stand her ground for her home and people. The second battle of Domremi would be one of the largest during the war and saw 200,000 Wachians and Undead face 601 Domremians. 600 of these warriors were holy knights from the order while the single other was Catherine. The battle lasted for all the night and saw every single knight perish to protect civilians. Catherine herself began to suffer great wounds and finally as the light was to rise in the distance, Catherine smiled and sung a holy song that graced across the land in beauty. She was struck with great blades and weapons but did not stop her song. Eventually the song did end and with it did Catherine who imploded in a fury of light and flames. Her soul ascended to the heavens and for a moment, the clouds were made of gold and the sky was clean from smoke. All the undead perished and with her power arose all the knights in new armour of light and gold. The knights chased off the Wachians and fought off the entire offensive. With her sacrifice, Catherine ensured the survival of the Order, Humanika and millions of lives. Her life and sacrifice would be remembered forever in songs, scripture and blessings as her light gave thousands her power to help the innocent and destroy the darkness. The only thing that remains of Catherine herself is her golden spear named Light Bringer which is now given to the High Patriarchs and High Matriarchs of The Order of Light as more of a staff as no power can unlock the old abilities it once had. Although there is a prophecy that when darkness appears to be destroying the realm as we know it, Catherine will return with the Candle of Light itself and in one ultimate battle, she will bring light forevermore and end all evil.