Chimerification

An elementary hypothesis, but one in which the higher clergy of the Holy Inquisition were willing to humor: If you wish to defeat monsters, you must become one. However, to succumb to the lusts of arcane power violated the very consecrated foundation to which each member swore an eternal oath. Thus, the aetherochemical effort to abstract the apex attributes of each of the four race classes and refine them into a singular embodiment entered into an era of trial by righteous fire. Countless failures led to a singular success, to whom the name was bestowed: Esther Markus, adopted by the Archbishop himself as he had offered his own genetic code to act as the foundation for the genius norman. With royal blood now flowing through the fruits of their labors there was only one final step in ensuring the new symbol of the Inquisition’s might stood at the precipice of their holy order and the chaos which surrounded them.

Celestial Blessings

While the prospect of finely tuning the physiology of their new chimera to a virtual perfection demanded the utmost care and attention, the arcane properties to fuel such a worthy vessel needed to come from a place allied with that of their enemy. Efforts were made to infiltrate the research done in regards to the Wanderbeast scourge, and through their inability to do so discovered a sistered source of power, Celestials. Similar to the kinning of beasts to man, Celestials were capable of bestowing blessings of power upon those they deemed worthy, or were indeed tortured into doing so. With every piece of the puzzle been acquiesced, it was time to realize the future in store for the Norman effort. But not all pleas made to the divine are answered to the wanting of mortal indignity.

Royal Copy

With the flight of an eagle, the strength of a bear, the cunning of a cat, the loyalty of a dog, and finally the magic potential of the labyrinth itself, the construct Esther Evi Markus wasn’t actually all that impressive. Her physical performance metrics were underwhelming at their best and her ability to achieve higher levels of complex problem solving were alarmingly subpar. However, it had been observed that Esther’s ability to recall near photographic recollections of information gleaned from merely seconds worth of exposure was an unforeseen quirk. Theories were quickly rationalized that the neurological design supposed to withhold the capacity for large influxes of programmed experience failed in their intention, but had the consequence of nearly perfect functioning memory. Able to recite lengthy magical incantations, list to the milligram of each alchemical ingredient, and accurately describe a string of eavesdropped conversations in detail were enough for the higher clergy to approve the continuation of the chimera project. If Esther were to perform well within the ranks of the Inquisition, her template could be mass produced.

First Legatus of the Holy Inquisition

Much to the shagrin of the higher clergy, experience was not something that could be programmed, it had to be learned. Hence -and as a means to mask her origins- Esther was pushed through training headquartered in the first division branch of the Inquisition Squire. Here, Esther obtained a general level education supplemented by an extensive military practice the likes of which were reserved exclusively for prospective Paladins of such order. While the haste of such favor was highly suspect, the guise of a young woman -who had barely seen the passing of three namedays- and her innate magical aptitude were enough to display reasonable doubt to concede further suspicion. To the untrained eye, Esther was a natural, but to those who became close to her, knew she was more bird than woman.

Gytheol

Officially knighted, Esther was bestowed with the results of further higher clergy experimentation. A rarity in the days following the convergence, a Solux: a weapon containing the essence of another living entity to all of its own will and experience. Assuming the likeness of its new master, Gytheol, the amalgamated spirit of novan essence recovered from the crystal scatter emboldened the newly appointed Legatus with rich draconic lore. With each fallen magi or arcane beast by order of the Holy Inquisition, the chimera’s magical arsenal became immeasurable. Esther became the symbol of might the Inquisition had sought. A cult of personality manifested surrounding the “angelic” creature, and soon, initiatives to manufacture soldiers far superior were the first steps into a rapid decline for the New Church. As time would demand, so too was this an era of change, and none for the better.