The Soterists

Soterist is the name given to and informally adopted by groups of magi across Mythic Europe who strive to achieve some kind of harmonization between the Order of Hermes and the Dominion. They are drawn mainly from the Latin houses, and although relatively few in number the power they represent is considerable. While much of what they — Relisius primarily — do in this story is blatantly in breach of the Code, their political power is even greater than their magical and academic power. Having the sympathy of many Quaesitors and other high ranking magi, Praecones, or archmages, they are a force to be reckoned with. Until now though, all they have done is talk, to try to gather support for their cause and affect political decisions in order to ease their plans. Many of them are working on grand magical projects to attain this harmonization, but most simply support the cause hoping for some breakthrough. Although converting to Holy Magic (Realms of Power: The Divine Revised Edition, pages 66–70) serves this purpose, the ideal is a solution requiting little or no sacrifice of the freedom and power of Hermetic magic.

Age: 104 (78) (Archmage) Personality Traits: Calculating +2, En-

joys complex plans +3, Leader +2, Overconfident +6, Pious +1

Born, bred, and Gauntleted in the Normandy Tribunal, Relisius was reared in the close and competitive atmosphere that this area is so well known for. His earliest ambitions became his lifelong goal: to harmonize Magic and the Divine so as to stop the conflicts between the Order and the mundane. It is a noble cause in many ways, but it has not been to everyone's liking. In recent decades, his lack of decisive achievements has made his actions much more extreme. He would prefer it if all magi simply converted to strict Christian doctrines and adopted Holy Magic, but they need to be properly motivated and willing to accept the sacrifices in personal freedom and limits to their use of magic. A bright beacon of Christianity, Relisius is a staunch ally in the fight against the Infernal. He also seeks to overthrow faeries by eliminating the pagan and folk beliefs nurturing them. Furthermore, he strives to harness the primal and elemental forces giving rise to the realm of Magic, by bringing it in line with the Divine will of the Lord himself.

At first glance, he has the neat, professional, and slightly dusty appearance which many — if not most — magi of his House are known for. Old, but with alert eyes and strong features, a full head of white hair and a neatly trimmed beard, he wears comfortable, luxurious robes and a cloak. On closer inspection, and especially if engaged in conversation, he comes off as a driven man, almost bordering on fanaticism and insanity — but without crossing the line in his words. He has two Twilight Scars: When caught in a sunbeam, dust motes circle his head; the heavy, perfumed scent of incense follows him.

Despite being neither the founder nor the most outspoken proponent of the Soterist cause, Relisius is recognized as the unofficial leader and spokesperson in this Tribunal. If the official statements of sympathetic magi are anything to go by, he is merely one of many. But to the chagrin of all his political opponents, as well as the large group of neutral magi, he has started to act to achieve his goals. Since moving to the Tribunal at least a decade ago, he has managed to mobilize substantial support for his cause in the form of actively collaborating magi as well as passive supporters. He values both, because at some point the neutral magi must throw their support behind