Knight-Captain Leena

## Goddesses are Glamour

A busy street, riddled with filth. Youths dashing about, running underfoot and between stalls. Harassing peddlers and merchants alike. Vagabonds, miscreants, ne'er-do-wells. There are many names for the same thing. And that thing, is poor folks. Poor folks so down on their luck that they will resort to any method of keeping themselves and/or their family alive. And few rise above such a station.

There are many tales of folk who have overcome their beginnings, of people who flew in the face of the hand they were dealt, and made something of what they are. The greatest tale of this, may be the sister of our main topic. For Leena was the sister of Her. But back then, Leena was only a child. A young woman, who was forced to grow up at thirteen, when her parents died, and she inherited the burden of keeping her sister alive.

For the next twenty years, Leena made that her main life's goal. And their theft and hard work, she did keep her sister alive. Until the time came when Leena was a junior officer in the Roseland army, and her sister a low-level grunt. The sisters stood before that which sought destruction and dominion over all life. A confused, coagulant of gods, and the sisters resisted. A blow was delivered to Leena, a know-nothering officer, and her even more worthless sister, for whom Leena gave her life to protect, wept at her side as life began to leave her.

There were very few who witnessed the end, and a new beginning. But those who do, will remember the Empress in tears. A woman in her arms. A woman who smiled, and wiped the tears away as their death loomed. It was the last moment of true proof, which one of them deserved to rule over humans. It was the wrong choice by whatever fates control this world. For the woman who gave it all, and understood naught but sacrifice, was passed up for one who was raised. Who was held up by another. And in that moment, Leena lost everything.

## Did You Know *She* Had a Sister? Has the Sister Succession Rites?

*"I have always loved her. I loved her when she was an urchin without a way. I loved her when she was a lack luster soldier who dogged my heels. And I love her now, when she thinks herslef above everyone else and points a finger at anything that isn't human... I love her. I would die for her... I was the first who would die for her. And despite the finality of that statement, I intend to be the last to die for her." -Knight-Captain Leena, Field-Marshal of Nekar*

## Paladins of Nekar

Divine magics are something that is given, not something that is sought or learned. The unfortunate truth of the mater, is that the might of Nekar, its paladins, show that their goddess is not only a bonefide new god, but a powerful one at that. And the greatest paladin of Nekar is her sister. Their Knight-Captain. Lady Leena, whose appearance is that of a young woman, but in reality is a person who has seen much, and overcome many hardships.

Rumors abound of the actual divinity of Nekar, and their loudest proponent is Leena herself. She fight, both physically and in politics, for her sister, the Empress. But rumors have spread, that the paladins of Nekar draw strength from their Knight-Captain, than their empress. While the Empress is out, running the empire and leading the general army, the Paladins, the special forces of Nekar, are, and have been, led by Leena herself. And from her, the Knights draw their loyalty, their oaths. Many of the paladin oaths, written in blood, and pledged upon souls themselves, are to Leena herself. Should Leena ever learn of this, her fury would be eternal. But for more than just her loyalty, the others love her, and her passion only strengthens that love.

Of the many groups of Nekar, all pledge themselves to the Empress. But there are none that pledge to another more than the Empress's royal guard, her Paladin elite. Those loyal to Leena. And especially those 'saints' who witnessed the rise of the Empress. And know how Leena survived that fateful day, when humanity's fate shifted.