Leon Proctor
Holy Wrath Cenacle
Christ-blessed Kaelite
Captain of the Gladius Dei
Description
~An imposing, well-toned, and maturing man of African descent slowly approaches. He wears dun robes and sandals, and is clearly just a slave. Yet he walks with almost stately dignity: solid chin held high, brown eyes clear and gentle. His thick black hair is kept short and trimmed, scented and oiled lightly with persimmon juices. His large hands are open in friendship, even as his understated modesty conceals something greater within, as if he were chosen for some great task of which he was not yet aware. This is Leon Proctor, and the unrighteous retreat from his holy glow.~
OOC: Appearance 2; Holy Aura
"In service to the Lord our Savior, depart now and be at peace. Amen." (Followed by machine gun fire.)
History
Vernae
In the time of Jesus of Nazareth, it was said that Christ had twelve apostles, but countless followers. Some of those followers virtually qualified as disciples because of the impact the Messiah had on their lives and how they spread the Word. Very few could claim to meet this remarkable man – whether Jesus was truly divine or not – and not be changed.
The dark-skinned slave named Leon never anticipated such an effect on his life. He was born 4 years after Jesus but even lowlier. Jesus was the son of a common carpenter; Leon was vernae – the child of two Meroitic slaves in the household of a wealthy Jewish noble, the Zebulun family of Jerusalem. Leon’s father, Wazeba, and his mother, Shanaman, were once free but were captured during border-village skirmish with the Romans. They were sold into bondage, meeting and falling in love under the service of Ben-Eben Zebulun. Not surprisingly, Leon was not the only child. He had two brothers and a sister, but he was the only offspring that survived past age five.
The Zebuluns did not mistreat their slaves, who largely worked as common household servants. They just were not particularly pleasant, caring little for their welfare and providing only the bare essentials. They offered just enough to make guests believe they were a generous family to all: clean clothes, food, medicine (occasionally).
Leon and his parents were given enough privacy to believe what they wanted at least. They did not convert to Judaism (nor were they required) and continued to believe in their pagan god, Apedemak, the lion-god of Meroë. Leon celebrated quietly with stories and occasional holidays to honor their people and customs. He received no other education except how to tidy the house and yard and serve his master’s family. His parents taught him that the Golden Rule was the key moral which by all men should abide. Freedom was something he would have to earn. Like gold, Leon knew he would have to work hard if he ever wanted to achieve any of it, or be very, very lucky.
Twined & Bound
Immersed in this busy city, Leon met and befriended other vernae of other households. Many derived from very different cultures than his own, but he was always a beloved and devoted pal. So, it proved a shock to all when the Roman government suddenly accused the Zebuluns of supporting Jewish rebels. The Zebuluns were arrested and their property – slaves included – was auctioned off. Where would he go, what would he do? His parents were terrified and that dampened the teenager’s happiness that he was finally away from the uncaring Zebuluns.
In anno domini 20, Leon was sold to the Proctor family. Ignatius Proctor served as an advisor to Pontius Pilate and the family just arrived to the Roman cardo of Jerusalem. Humbly, Leon was separated from his parents and went to work for the Proctors. He fulfilled a similar role for the Proctors as he did for the Zebuluns. Though still a slave, Leon felt less superiority, that he wasn’t treated as a lesser person just because he wasn’t Jewish nobility. His strong work ethic was a far more important quality to this family.
Nor did the Proctors mind that Leon was a pagan. They were pagans. As Leon grew into manhood, he grew more detached from his old vernae companions and focused more on the Proctors’ needs. Their daughter, Eve (and her Jewish name indicated the Proctors’ fascination with Judea, and why Ignatius was posted in Jerusalem), became a closer friend of Leon. He was given the important task of watching over the young Roman noblewoman whenever she ventured into the city. He was a big fellow, and shenanigans were less likely from locals antagonized by occupiers. Their young friendship gradually blossomed into more with the seeds of trust and closeness.
Yet, both Leon and Eve felt as if something vital was missing from their lives. They had no clue what it was, only that a void filled the centers of their souls. Something had to happen, and they could only tentatively wait…
To be continued...
Relics
None yet.
Cenaculum
None yet.
Significant Other
Leon has been a slave to the Proctors in Jerusalem for several years. He and this Roman family’s noble daughter, Eve, became friends and he was appointed her chaperone and bodyguard. Eventually, his deep passion and unlikely philosophical thinking won Eve over to more than just friendship. They keep their romance secret to avoid scandal and worse. But they can sense major change coming in their lives, and brace for it together.
Eve
Weakness
Unconditional Love
Leon truly loves Eve more than anything else, even himself. This love can expand to other people unconditionally, even at his own expense. However, it is not pure omnibenevolence (he is only human), and so if he is not careful this compassion may be twisted into zealotry.
Likelihood of Corruption
Very low.
Not only does Leon have a saintly heart and great spirituality, he is protected by God. Lucifer himself would have to try and tempt Leon...though the Morningstar might just try.
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Leon and Eve are epic characters whose Chronicle will be traced through the ages. Currently, the characters are in their starting years, circa 33 A.D.