Natsu (Hero, Rogues)
To be the high cleric of a newly commissioned deity of the Counsil is a busy job. To add on to that being proprietor of a bustling establishment for magic items which is also a temple, and then a member of a well performing guild made Natsu in demand and always on the move. At times, those that knew him better than most would have sworn that he was in two places at once. Truth be known, Natsu's research and magical ingenuity allowed him to do things few others even inside Iott would have conceived.
The years between becoming high cleric and the Day Magic was Broken were incredible for Natsu. Everything worked. Business expanded. He was visited by high clerics from around the world. Hothmur Mountainmagic, in a grand event in 792, visited Port Talp to greet Natsu. He sought to strength the ties of magic that bind spellcasters to the world. Not long after, Keifer Griffonbane, several years before his death, visited to convince Natsu that Iott was evil and that the Collector should not join the forces of arcana, but the forces of freedom. A dozen times, Natsu was visited by Valen Tracenkall, every time in a different form before revealing himself and praising the change the Collector was bringing to the world. Captain Ekai Makomi visited on a diplomatic mission and warned Natsu not to have the new religion encroach on the trade of the sea.
The most challenging visits were by the clergy of Tfop, which politely suggested placing the high temple not in the holy city of their lord. Natsu was obliged to agree and spent several years looking for a new location, which would be the hidden vault where the Collector's treasures were stored.
Natsu set the standards for the new religion in this time, getting help from the many high clerics that visited. Times, locations, amount and style of worship were all his to make. He also decided to make the official name of the deity Korekutā, a so much better sounding version of his lord's name from his native Horarian. Common human privilege led them to name everything, and even after the proclamation, many still used the name Collector.
When magic changed, the religion of Korekuta found a greater importance. Natsu and the other clerics understood magic in a way few others did, especially as it applied to magical items. Exchanging items that worked for items that failed to do what they once did garnered the religion tremendous wealth. International trade was hurt by the failing magic, and Natsu leaped on the chance to take improve things in the name of his lord.
Natsu stood at the center of this burgeoning empire. Surrounded by faithful, swimming in wealth. Iott could do little to get in his way and he could ignore them at his leisure, a position almost no others had. Then, Kallark ascended. Within days, Natsu was visited by Garum Mountainmagic, high cleric of Kallark. He was given a choice, obey Iott's rules or suffer the consequences. A negotiator far more than a fighter, Natus began to parley. Days later, an arrangement was struck. Natsu would not 'collect' from any Iottians, nor offer out any items Iott deemed too dangerous. In exchange, Iott would declare the faith of Korekuta a righteous one and allow it freely to exist.
Despite that agreement, the two faiths competed over converts. The two were 'invited' to debate at college and places of learning around the world. The debates helped both sides as these two new dynamic religions made their cases. The two grew to be friendly rivals.
As the years passed, Natsu continued to focus on growing the faith. He kept out of the battles, he turned away requests to join a side. He did what he set out to do. When tragedy struck and the herald of the Collector was killed, it was his job to pick the next one. Every time the obnoxious Parker or one of his ilk beat Natsu to a prize, he plotted a means to eliminate the competition. If Kallark's faith put up a new shrine, Natsu made sure to put up a temple.
The unexpected defeat of Kallark, took Natsu by surprise. At first he thought it would be a boon. No one would compete for faithful now. But he soon learned it was not. A notable part of the would had grown to see organized magic as the enemy and did not differentiate between the faiths of Kallark, Korekuta, or even Smofarf. Riots destroyed shrines and temples. For two years, all he could do was cling to some of the gains he had made.
In 816, the Counsil met and Natsu hoped for relief...
Cleric 3 / Wizard 1 / Theurge 9