Ariette Bazil

Overview

An Imperial Saint, Ariette Bazil was the driving force behind the Holy Reconciler Crusade that would finally end the Gafrey Schism. Born on the faithful but simpler world of Cadark, Ariette was undergoing training in the world's only Schola Progenium when the Gafrey Schism's discontent with the Imperial status quo boiled over into conflict. Cadark was no exception to the strife that touched so many worlds in Eternum as firebrand speeches turned to fire soaked volleys, and most of the Schola's staff including Bazil's own drill abbot had aligned with Gafrey. The drill abbot, turning a weapons training course into a firebrand speech about how the Emperor must die for the 'True God' of Humanity to return was so engrossed in his lecture that he failed to notice Ariette picking up a chainsword, only reacting when she plunged the chainsword into his gut while quoting Imperial Thought of the Day "The heretic shall reap as he sown - the bitter harvest of vengeance and death." Ariette surprised her classmates, who together fought their way to the few loyalist holdouts amongst the Schola. Taking the bolter off the Schola's dying Sororitas instructor and following her instructions, Ariette rallied the defenders and pushed through crowds bolstered by Gafrey's proclamations, eventually reaching the nearest PDF outpost. The records that survived are under sole custody of the Ecclesiarchy, and state that Ariette glowed with light as she cut down wave after wave of Gafrey followers. Eventually she commandeered a pilgrim fleet in orbit, and began the Holy Reconciler Crusade with hordes of faithful pilgrims, Guard regiments, and any nearby Sisters of Battle. Though her Crusade would last long and see her homeworld, among many others, brought to ruin, the Crusade would eventually reach its conclusion during the pivotal battle of Reconciliation. The battle was fought on the world which would soon be called Saint Bazil, and saw the Saint and her retinue battle the tainted monster Gafrey had become, slaying him. The traitor's death was certain, as those enthralled soon lacked cohesion and purpose, though Ariette was nowhere to be found. Ariette's location remains a mystery, as no body was found and her retinue claim she disappeared in a blinding light that caused all nearby Aquilas to glow, a testimony that saw her quickly elevated to Sainthood. Her retinue's survivors would later form the Order of the Last Candle, and the newly canonized Saint Bazil became a favorite topic of the sector's Ecclesiarchy. The Order of the Last Candle maintains Ariette still serves the Imperium as a holy Saint, and that she will aid the Imperium in Eternum's darkest moment.