Òscar Minguell

## The Bishop

Oscar giving a sermon.

Òscar's birth was seen as a miracle to his village. A 38 year old woman, never married, would often pray with tears in the parish after finishing her work in the fields. For years she prayed like this for the Judge to grant her a child, saying if it were so she would dedicate them to service of the Judge. When she became pregnant, she ran out of her home into the village square, dancing and singing, the whole day from sun rise to sun set. Some rejoiced with her, while others scoffed, saying she was just a whore. But when the time came that she gave birth, the whole community celebrated with her.

Òscar never knew his father growing up, but it didn't matter; he was raised by the whole community, just as any other child. His days were spent helping his mother and neighbors in the morning, and studying in the parish after his work was done in the evening. By age 12 he had read the entire scripture, and was in the process of memorizing it. When he became 16 he was sent to seminary in Goldswade.

Òscar excelled in seminary, and with the encouragement of his teachers was sent to university in Marjou Harbor in Latora. There he met a man just older than him by the name of Roderic Sisó, who travelled around the country and acted as an envoy for the Papacy. The two bonded over scriptural criticism and differences among translations. After Òscar finished his studies, he came under the tutelage of Roderic and worked with him.

Roderic would write several commendations about Òscar to the Papacy throughout the years. When the previous Bishop of New Steinberg passed away, there was some uncertainty over who would take the position. Eventually, Òscar was decided to fill in the position, and Roderic & Òscar celebrated the whole evening when they received the news. Òscar woke up the next morning to an engraved pipe with a farewell note attached to it, with Roderic explaining he must continue his work in the country, but nonetheless would always be by Òscar's side in spirit.

## Bishop of New Steinberg

Initially Òscar came to Aedwin with the same state of mind he had in Latora, particularly from university and local parishes. He would finish his work early in the day and leisure long in the evening at the taverns; eating, drinking, and smoking well while fraternizing with his flock. While welcomed by most who frequented the taverns, he came to be criticized by an increasingly large minority. This, coupled with injuries in battle, gradually led him to a more acetic lifestyle with much confusion about the people of New Steinberg and himself.

In more recent days the Bishop became increasingly tied to the court of Aedwin, becoming more involved with the local politics than with overseeing his flock. Due to this, he has begun to organize a clergy for the diocesan, with figures such as Adalbur taking up his previous responsibilities for mass. A militia and mission have been attempted to organize multiple times in the past, but without much success. For now, the Bishop is torn between service to his liege, or service to his flock.

## Sutherland Crisis

During the Hallengard civil war, which started when Tynan Sutherland was ambushed and murdered by pretenders to the throne, the Bishop was heavily involved with the war. During the siege he had organized a successful sally out of himself and two volunteers, who were able to hold back the pretender army from operating their siege equipment. The resulting rout defined the rest of the war being on Aedwin's terms, with the pretenders rarely making any moves outside their capital afterwards. Òscar would go further to voluntarily scout and prod at the pretenders's defenses, planning two ambushes that were both foiled before they could launch.

During the siege of Mulleburgh, after the pretender's forces began to retreat back to the city walls, Òscar led the charge across the bridge, successfully capturing one soldier while in pursuit. Later when loyalists opened the gates for Aedwin, Òscar was among the first who charged in to liberate the city. Afterwards, he would encourage Aella to lead the search for the pretenders after they had escaped the siege. Òscar himself would go on to put the war behind him, wishing it had never happened in the first place.