Authority

Identity

Authority, or more commonly known as the Golden Father, is an ascended human who has reached godhood through some means. He is the only 'Fundamental' physically present within the mortal realm of the Familiar Lands, and as such he is the most influential. He currently rules over the Hand of Avalon as its sole sovereign and his children manage the lands of Great Europa. Authority is a divisive figure within the rest of the world. Though his might is supreme, he does not hold complete dominion of every country, and others do not consider him a deity at all but simply a powerful human instead.

Authority's domain is dominance and fundamental law as well as encompassing actions such as telekinesis and telepathy. He maintains the rules that keep reality in the Familiar Lands intact, such as the concepts of life and death or space and time, keeps balance between the Fundamentals, making sure none of them act too far out of line, and leads the Golden Inquisition. For all his power and influence, he is not truly omniscient, and thus relies on others to enforce his will and to safeguard the Familiar Lands from Unfamiliar influences.

Commandments

• Thou shalt do thine duty to protect this world from Unfamiliars.

• Thou shalt have no other gods before The Fundamentals, to do so is to insult us.

• Thou shalt respect thine betters. Trust in nobility. Pay thine tithes.

• Thou shalt respect the laws of thine land, for thou art subject to its rule.

• Thou shalt not meddle with the unknown, do not harm others with forbidden knowledge.

• Treat thine neighbors the way thou wish to be treated, war begets more war.

Legacy

Authority came into godhood during the end of the fabled Age of Myth, a period of history now lost to the passage of time, its existence a carefully kept secret that few know of. The truth of this era remains in the form of destroyed remnants, now called the Unfamiliar realms. He saw this as the only possible outcome for the previous world, preferring thus with the other 14 Fundamentals to create a new realm: the Familiar Lands. His rule has solidified the Familiar Lands into what it is right now, with the current era commonly known as the Golden Age. Throughout time he has sired many heirs, some of which are the high royal family of Great Europa that rule over the nations residing within.

Possessing Authority's blood immediately elevates one into noble status, such is his influence within Avalon and Great Europa. However, it also means that his bloodline is often targeted by non-believers, or slavers who hold them hostage for a high ransom or seek to sell them for a high price. One could also consume his diluted blood in order to become Exalted, which would elevate an ordinary human into a better version of themselves in nearly every way, provided they survive the exaltation process.

Authority's blessings include the ability to alter a certain aspect of reality to a limited extent. One could somewhat influence a facet such as gravity or space in a limited area, though one must specialize as more broad influence is beyond almost all. More powerful clerics or candidates are able to manifest a small domain of their own where they hold full authority over its physical laws.

Opinions on other Fundamentals

From an anonymous source who claims to have asked the Fundamentals about each other:

• Lust "Much more intelligent than she lets on, this woman is shrewd and dangerous but also difficult to command. She has hidden potential in that she holds sway with the other fundamentals but no matter, she will obey my rule all the same. Her followers are quite useful as they maintain morale and overall joy within any community, this world would not function properly without her."
• Diligence "The lord of progress has much to do before he can catch up to me, though his pace is consistent I will remain ahead of him. His contributions towards the Familiar Lands cannot be understated. My kingdom flourishes with his assistance, and humanity has continued forward at a manageable pace towards a better future. Hopefully this will last, and hopefully he does not get any ideas about trying to usurp my throne, there has been enough of that."
• Temperance "Temperance is a strict one but also tends to be the most hypocritical. Power unchecked is dangerous and therefore the world must be maintained, something I cannot do myself. But he tends to push the boundaries of godly interventions, something I cannot abide by."
• Patience
  "I know this type, he plays the long game. His gifts, his followers, even his Chosen are meant for something far off in the future, something that even I cannot comprehend at the moment... His friendly demeanor is offputting, but I have to admit that he has a pull towards him. A dangerous individual, especially since I am not sure if he is an ascended one like me or a formed deity. I will need to continue keeping an eye on him and watch where he plants his roots."
• Kindness "A beautiful woman, a kind one, though she should know that I am above death. Her company however is something I do cherish, a life cannot be well lived if there exists no death, it gives mortals a meaning."
• Chastity "My right hand man, Chastity is someone I find reliable, especially among the other fundamentals. He will do any task given to him with unshakable resolve. The wall has provided peerless protection against those that would seize our lands and ruin what we have. I have faith that he will continue to defend us, especially against -her-"
• Humility "The Lady of Fear is one to be respected, if I wasn't around then she would definitely take my place as the leader of the Fundamentals. Even though her influence is limited within the world, there is no doubt that she has quite the reach, nobody is safe from her ire if she so chooses. Though I know her secrets, I know who she was, who she is... That does not change her nature though, she remains as beautiful as she is frightening."
• Wrath "Once a fellow human, he is older than even I but he could not reach the same caliber of power as I have, there is a difference of mindset between us despite both of us being kings at one point in our mortal lives. His sense of justice is archaic and barbaric, leading to revolts and anarchies... Despite that, he remains a useful fundamental to assist with changes in management."
• Pride "I consider Pride my rival, he keeps me from slacking off. I would consider him the closest thing to an equal, we share a great many similarities and interests, perhaps he is one I would consider a true friend in the end."
• Sloth "While I personally care not for dreams, I feel like humanity could stand to benefit from being nudged and pushed with cosmic interference here and there. History often starts with a simple dream, and ends with eternal sleep."
• Envy "Her ambitions always lead her to test her strength against me, I am aware of her sleeping potential, I've asked Sloth to keep her in check. If she realizes her own abilities, then it will all be over for the Familiar Lands. I will mold her into a proper deity, I will keep her in line long enough so that she will learn how to fulfill her station."
• Greed "The Schemer. The mother of dragons has always been the scheming sort since the very start, though unlike Patience she's much more forward and transparent about her goals and I am well aware that she is currently stocking up on artifacts and power to one day challenge me. Fortunately, however, I will have Humility keep her in check. She needs to learn to obey my commands."
• Gluttony "The first of the Fundamentals and perhaps the wisest. Everyone seems to treat her with reverence and respect. Although our views on how to govern the Familiar Lands occasionally clash, she remains a great advisor, and a mysterious but lovely companion."
• Charity "She could be formidable, unlike envy her power lays in her influence and reach, mother nature is not to be trifled with. She knows her place, she performs her tasks, but if she ever wants to, she could destroy the world with ease, her power is something that I must be wary of."

Trivia

• Authority's design comes from Catholic martyrs and saints found in Roman catacombs.