The Bishop of Rome, Vicar of Jesus Christ, Successor of the Prince of the Apostles, Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church, Primate of Italy, Archbishop and Metropolitan of the Roman Province, Sovereign of the State of Vatican City, Servant of the Servants of God, Patricus I
Name: Philip Patrick Sullivan
Papal Name: Patricus I
Age: 46
Origin: United States
Talent: Dreamer & Dreamwalker
Loyalty: Catholic Church
Occupation: Pope
Aura: White & bright blue
Played By: Asc
Description
He was born Philip Patrick Sullivan in Maryland, United States. He is a handsome man, with etched cheekbones, greyed blonde hair, pretty blue eyes, and a soft, round mouth. He is fully aware of his attractive appearance and is happy to use it to his advantage, tempt others, or speak in ironies.
He’s slender and although engages only in aerobic exercise, he eats quite sparse. He’s 5’10” and about 160 lbs.
He’s a finicky and precise dresser, wanting only the best papal accoutrement history has to offer. He wears a beautifully tailored white cassock and short cape so recognizable of his seat. Early in his Papacy, he wore plain white, but as the years progressed, the white is now adorned with gold filigree. The pectoral cross that is always pressed to his chest is also gold with a small diamond encrusted at the center.
Unlike other popes in recent history, he has taken to adorning himself in rich attire of medieval tradition, including velvet red shoes, antique rings of the fisherman, and ornate mantums.
Personality
He is irritable and vindictive, and Philip has a prodigious memory. Hedonistic and extreme with the posture of absolute superstar, he has also the absolute monarch attitude. He’s cunning and naïve, ironic and pedantic, ancient and modern, doubtful and resolute, sorrowful and ruthless, hedonistic and uncompromising, controversial and indecipherable. He will crack jokes, and his jokes contain the hint of truth. People treat him as though he is second only to God, something he himself believes fully, placing himself on equal footing with Christ himself. Yet in moments alone, can be overwhelmed with humility.
When it comes to personal relationships, he behaves with utmost formality and expects the same of others. Formality is an anchor with which he latches himself into the boundaries he operates within. For to bend even one bar of that self-imposed kingdom even a little and the whole thing would break. It is his mantra as a priest, man, child, and servant intersecting with the world in which he lives but does not participate in.
Philip does not struggle with desires of the flesh. Once his dedication is laid, it is forever. Therefore, he is truly married to the Church and will forever be its servant. On one hand, he believes he is without sin, but knows that such arrogance is itself a sin. On the other hand, he sees only wretchedness in himself and is unworthy of the love he so deeply desires. There has never been a single insinuation about misbehavior nor even a wayward glance in his life. His morality is irreproachable.
Education
Philip began acquiring college credits when he was a freshman in high school such that by the time he graduated at 17, he was over half-way done with completing his Bachelors. The pre-seminary degree was required studies in Philosophy and set him on the career in the priesthood.
The only time that Philip spent in the outside world was during a two-week vacation prior to entering seminary. He was 21 and had just finished university and traveled to southern California. While in California, he went to the beach, and on that beach met a girl whom he won over. She was the only girlfriend in his life, but when their time together concluded, the ache of leaving her to disappointment and tears never left him. He promised himself to forever avoid attachment again, and he entered seminary without hesitation. To this day, he doesn’t even recall her name.
He completed major seminary (a Masters degree) at 24 years of age, making him eligible to be ordained at 25, the minimum age for Priesthood. He always knew he would enter service in the church, even as a child.
He was appointed Bishop of the diocese of Baltimore at 35, also a minimum eligible age. Surprisingly, he was elected Pope when he was barely 40 years old after having been a Cardinal a short period of time. This was an unprecedented age and was the youngest Pope in modern history.
He is fluent in spoken and written English and Latin, verbally fluent in Spanish and competent in Greek, Hebrew, and Italian.
Papal name
His chosen Papal name is quite significant: Patricus I.
Given that the first pope is identified as the Apostle Peter, and every subsequent pope is his heir, none have replicated the apostle’s name. Often the new pontiff’s choice of name upon being elected to the papacy is seen as a signal to the world of whom the new pope will emulate, what policies he will seek to enact, or even the length of his reign. Since Saint Peter was the first Pope; no Pope of Rome has chosen the name of Peter, Petrus, or even Patricius as a derivative. When asked, Philip alludes to the example of Saint Patrick rather than aligning himself as Peter II.
Saint Patrick was said to have visions from God, one of which led to his freedom after being held captive by pirates for many years. Saint Patrick was a pious man with complete and utter faith in God. He feared nothing – not even death. Otherwise dismissed prophecy states that Pope Peter II, Peter the Roman, would be the last pope before the destruction of Rome and the church.
Vatican personnel
Cardinal Secretary of State Boros Benedek is a Hungarian-born and the chief curial official and presides over the Secretariat. He is second in authority to the Pope. If all the Pope’s closest collaborators comprise the Roman Curia, then the Secretariat of State is the center of that circle.
Archbishop Jean-Guy Cheney, Second Section of the offices of the Secretariat of State primarily deals with the Holy See’s relationships with foreign governments. In his domain are diplomatic relations, political matters, and contacts with international organizations, particularly delicate situations that require negotiations with civil authorities. He is described as an overweight, balding Frenchman with a large mole on his face.
Lochlan Fletcher – The Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church is responsible for managing the household of the Pope and the financial authorities of the Holy See. He is a soft-spoken man of short-stature with neatly arranged hair.
Monsignor Emilio Abasto – Chaplain of His Holiness. He has privileges only as granted by the Pope and in the Pope’s confidence. He serves as a trusted theological collaborator.
Father Floriano Presto – A younger priest who serves the Pope as an assistant. He is quiet and generally overwhelmed by politicking and careerism.
Aladino Petri – The Pope’s maggiordomo (butler) and serves him personally.
Other notable persons
Fr. Revene Ando, an aged priest over a church in Tartu, Estonia, one of only a few Roman Catholic priests in the area.
Nimeda, a dream figure he met in Tel’Aran’Rhiod when he was washed away by a river flood. She named him ‘Noctua’ in the dream.
Tuuru, the arboreal construct encountered in the dream world that was activated by the arrival of himself and Nimeda.
Thalia, the waking world counterpart to Nimeda that he sought out because he believed she was in danger.
Armande, the former Regus of the Atharim whom he met after his confirmation as Pope. He has a tentatively mutual respect for Armande, primarily for the man’s intellect and devotion to his cause.
Key of Cunning
While in the world of dreams, the combination of intense need of two powerful dreamers drew them to a Pocket in the pattern, a hidden place, like a fold in the dream. Within, they encountered the Four-Way Pillar. Philip was given the key of Cunning, a dreamstake that upon his activation of it, disappeared from the world of dreams and reappeared in the equivalent location in the waking world. Philip assumed the shard was a figment of the dream, and does not know that its real counterpart waits in the forests for his arrival. Three other dreamstakes exist, and all four must be joined together to be fully functional.
Dream Journal
A flood that washed up through the trees and swept everything bare. | Revealed that a tragic tsunami would strike somewhere in the world. This indeed happened the day after in Indonesia.
A dove circling in the air above his head as he watched from the ground | Inferred he should remain patiently in place.
Dreamed he was being chased by technically advanced, autonomous robotics through the streets of Rome. Ended with the destruction of St. Peter’s and him jumping into the Tiber River. | Symbolizes the destruction of the Church and advancement of the CCD to unseat him as Pope.
A vision: ‘Are you ready to wage a war against me? Because I am ready to wage one against you, and you best come with more than desperation. Are you prepared to face eternal fire? Because I am prepared to set you free. Say you are ready. Say it! You know nothing outside Patricus I. Nothing except hell, but I do. I know hell because I built it. For you.’ | He saw himself wielding the fulness of his power speaking to an unseen adversary.
Pithy quotes
“You don’t look like someone of importance, but you must be to gain an audience with the Holy Father.”
“I believe because it is absurd.”
“What was suppose to happen? I see this thing and am instantly a believer? Well, it fucking worked.”
”Do I believe you?” he shrugged, glistening lips pursed thoughtfully. ”I have no reason not to, but it doesn’t matter. I have no reason to believe in God either.”
”I see that your journey is not that you have asked for too much. It is that you have been satisfied with too little.”
“The Pope should be old, like our Father Ando inside. He has the hump of a Pope, although I dare say, not the alarm clock of one.”
“Most address me Holy Father, but I also accept Your Holiness if you’re feeling particularly cheeky.”
“You know what is so beautiful about questions? It is that we don’t have the answers.”
“Patience: a minor form of despair, disguised as a virtue.”
“When you return, just remember that Rome is a suburb of Vatican City.”
“The dead have spoken before, but I am not surprised they seek me out.”
“It’s alright. I’m used to being adored.”
“I’m in Norway,” he finally said. “It’s really fucking depressing up here.” He sighed and studied their forlorn faces. “You haven’t found it yet, have you?”
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