Notable Godshards

Joan the Healer is an example of how despite centuries of learning and theories, the Godshards still know so little. While it is indeed true that most Maximus Shards tend to be more aloof or socially awkward, there are always exceptions. One of these was Joan, a Murexen from modest roots. She was quite sociable and outgoing, and this clashed heavily with the teachings of the Sacerdozio. The Twin Path dictated that she was to be a high ranking Maga.

But the way of the Maga was to spend their days writing and studying. Joan just couldn't stand being cooped up in a sanctum all day, she wanted to go out and see the world! Be with the people. Exacerbating this was her magical leaning: Healing. An affinity that encourages social interactions and engagement with the community, none of which she could find by adhering to the Twin Path.

For a time, she got by with getting patients to come to her instead. It was technically against the rules to have so many non-Shards on the island at once, but the rules were more like guidelines during the tenure of Luke the Lazy. But Joan was beloved by the people so it was permitted, for it was a good look for the organization. But this arrangement was on borrowed time. Luke was a sleazy man, a sick hedonist.

Rumors began circulating that Luke was getting too close to Joan's patients. When Joan confronted him on this, he tried to flirt with her instead. Yet not even threats of blackmail or expulsion would bring her to his bed. Joan left the Sacerdozio, taking her patients and goodwill with her. An outraged Luke tried to defame her in a vicious smear campaign that demonized her as a harlot and creep. The Sacerdozio under Luke's leadership forbade any Godshard from talking to her or associating with her.

But Joan didn't care, in fact she felt liberated. She didn't have to be cooped up in a sanctum now. She could do what she always wanted! With her reputation as gifted healer still as strong as ever, she opened up the first Order of the Dove, a great apothecary and house of healing. Draped in blue to emulate Domina Amare, the Goddess of Healing and Fertility, Joan rapidly grew in popularity. It was rumored the Domina Amare Herself appeared to Joan as mortal woman in a blue dress, just to express Her approval. Luke was incensed, and he tried at many turns to undermine her efforts. He tried to open his own healing center, he tried another smear campaign. He even tried to bribe the tribunes to demolish the building.

But Joan endured it all, even as they threatened to tear down her building, she reminded them of the fact she was a Maximus Shard through a vicious display of power. She wasn't alone either, plebians and legionnaires whom she cured rallied to her defense. Before Luke could rally other Maghi to fight this perceived upstart, a terrible plague struck the lands. In a panic, Luke and those like him hid themselves away. While Joan did as she always did, healed people as best she could. She became a bastion of hope, one that the Sacerdozio used to be.

Through her efforts she healed thousands and she wasn't alone. When she needed supplies, Samuel, another Maximus Shard and Mago sought to assist, despite it going against Sacerdozio policy. And like with before, when mysterious little creatures and mutated monsters tried attacking her Order of the Doves buildings, her supporters, legionnaires, Murexen knights and other soldiers, helped keep them safe from these interlopers. The knightly Order of the Medic came from these souls.

Yet Joan was still human. The plague had come to ahead, and Joan started showing symptoms. For all her power and skill, she couldn't heal herself. Her exposure had been too great, though some claim the Twisted Gods themselves personally infected her. Whatever the case, she would die of the plague, her last words selfless and caring, merely wishing she could have done more.

Her followers and the order she created continued on. After the plague passed as well as the subsequent Twisted War, Samuel codified the Order of the Dove and retroactively validated all Joan did. She wasn't a disgraced upstart harlot, she was a healer and a friend. A lesson in humility for the Sacerdozio. Joan was given a proper funeral once the dust had settled.

Once she was laid to rest in the great tombs in the Island City, it was said that a woman in a blue dress visited the grave shortly after to pay Her respects...