Father Auburn

Background

He appeared one day, perhaps a month or two back. Named after the same shade of red as his hair, Auburn was a rare form of mysterious stranger that seemingly harbored only good intentions.

He is a pious man that doesn't drink, smoke, or swear. He walks with his head held high with a complaisant, but hollow-eyed smile on his face. The strangest quality about him is his steadfast refusal to speak outwardly about his identity. He is simply "Auburn", a devout Catholic and a traveler. Generally a quiet man, he's stayed out of the way and avoided the limelight. For now, he sticks to odd jobs to support himself, living akin to a drifter. Although, he isn't very fond of criminal acts.

Many weeks ago, life was perfect. Father Auburn was a revered priest and miracle worker of the Solis Ortus, a small church in the desert community of Dawn Town. His word was practically law, as it was believed by all that he had the uncanny ability to speak with angels of The Lord in his dreams. Of course, this was nothing but a delusion supported by misguided faith- for the most part.

Auburn did establish a connection with some sort of being that he believed to be an angel. It was an eldritch creature with an appearance that was immediately forgotten aside from its luminescent, white eyes. It latched onto Auburn, whispering into his ears for weeks. Predictions, omens, flattery, instructions. His dreams soon became twisted visions of blood and fire. Their meanings?

"Armageddon," the beast whispered.

Why would Auburn need to question an Angel of God? So, he didn't. He listened with eager dismay as it described the end times to him. Hell was going to destroy Earth very soon. One day, Satan was going to rise, and that day may as well be tomorrow. He spent the next few days pacing the church and muttering to himself.

White Eyes gave Auburn an ultimatum: prevent the rise of the anti-Christ or suffer as the world split into two. It should've been an easy choice. It was an easy choice until he learned of how he must achieve his new goal to save the world.

Seraphim, a young, pretty lady that was the pride and joy of Dawn Town. She was a gentle yet lonely soul who often wandered through life in solitude. Auburn was told that this was the girl who would birth the anti-Christ. She alone carried hellfire, and he was tasked with extinguishing it. To save the world from premature damnation, Auburn learned that he would have to kill her. Initially, he refused. Thou shalt not kill. Murder wasn't excusable, ever. Still, waking up to the smell of sulfur made his head spin, and the screams of those not yet dead haunted him. He spent more time pacing.

The lovely Seraphim went missing one day. Her bedroom was empty, and she wasn't seen since. Auburn's younger brother, Rowan, managed to pry a confession out of his sibling after much prodding. Indeed, Auburn went through with his divine instruction and killed the girl. He begged for his brother to stay quiet, but Rowan wasn't one to sympathize with killers. The priest felt betrayed by this- by everybody.

A lie. A trick. He was nothing but a fool. That...thing- it was no angel. A servant of the Devil, most likely. It lied and cheated, robbing Auburn of his life. It was unfair! He was the victim here- so why was he chased out of Dawn Town by those he considered family? He lost everything from his status to his healing abilities. His sin was so egregious that even his god forsake him.

The world suddenly much bigger when Auburn was exiled from the quant valley that held Dawn Town. Even after 37 years, he'd never left his community, as it was extremely isolated from the rest of the world.

For now he searches for atonement and purpose. But perhaps anything to take his mind off of the guilt would do...

Special Abilities

• Languages Known: English (native, d8)