High Priestess

Swardia remains medieval in essence, though magic has rapidly advanced technology and architecture. Gods are a known presence, yet many choose not to worship any single deity. Most gods act from the shadows, rarely interacting with mortals. Only a few do so openly—most notably Aphrodite (Amphros), goddess of love, and Catherine, goddess of healing.

Unknown to most, a cult moves in secret, seeking the scattered remains of the fallen god Varga. They believe reuniting them will unseal the sword that binds his power and prevents his return. They blend into crowds, identifiable only by a turquoise scythe stitched into black robes; its placement marks rank, from shoulder to back.

The Spider Faction

"Truth spins on eight legs, watching from shadows where lies cannot hide."

Deep within the western caves of Asmodia dwells the enigmatic Spider Faction, guardians of absolute truth who have remained hidden for over four centuries. Their sanctuary descends seven layers into the earth, a spiral staircase of impossibly smooth stone leading ever deeper into their sacred domain.

The faction awaits the prophesied party of heroes who will usher in the "era of truth." All members possess the innate ability to detect falsehoods through their blood, though this power fails against those who genuinely believe their own deceptions—a weakness that has bred deep suspicion of non-religious texts.

By divine decree, females are rarer than males, marked by black robes instead of brown—the Spider Goddess's method of population control. This scarcity grants women greater affinity for her arcane gifts.

The High Priestess

She who abandoned her name upon ascending to leadership now rules with gentle precision. Towering above her acolytes with short wavy black hair and charcoal-lined brown eyes, the High Priestess commands respect through her mere presence.

Beyond the faction's common gifts, she alone can manifest up to four additional arms anywhere on her body. She perceives three seconds into the future and can glimpse a willing subject's destiny through an hour-long palm-reading ritual that leaves their hands glowing with ethereal blue light.

Her speech is direct and efficient—questions posed for yes or no answers, responses quick yet thoughtful. Never having uttered a falsehood, she embodies the truth she serves. Though caring toward the faithful, she transforms into ruthless judgment incarnate when confronted with deception, driven by an unyielding mission to bring truth to all corners of the world.