Archbishop Geraldo

From LanceaSanctum

(Background NPC, Sanctioned as part of approval USA-EC-RE-0502-42502)

Geraldo of Galicia, progeny of Cardinal Federico

1175-???? Archbishop of Galicia

• 1175 -- Cardinal Federico (known as the "Great Cardinal" of Spain) enters Torpor to fend off the beast. He divides his See into five equal parts, to be held by his five progeny: Santiago, Alonso, Geraldo, Eloisa and Ursula. Federico made them promise that they would guide the Lancea Sanctum well, abiding by his wishes and respecting the division of his See. But Archbishop Santiago, to whose lot had fallen the guidance of the Sanctified in the Kingdom of Castile, being the eldest, thought that he should be made Cardinal of the unified See, and he resolved to repudiate his promise, claiming that it had been forced from him. Stronger, braver, and craftier than his broodmates, he cherished the idea of despoiling them of their possessions, and becoming the sole successor of his Sire. He would take Leon from Archbishop Alonso, Galicia from Archbishop Geraldo, Toro from Archbishop Eloisa and Zamora from Archbishop Ursula.
• 1175 -- Archbishop Santiago takes Aroex Xaviar Bastian Valario de la Cruz into his service. De la Cruz assists Santiago in solidifying his claims and in bringing the Sanctified of Aragon under his guidance, allowing him to turn his attention to his broodmates. Santiago names de la Cruz as the Father General of his militant forces.
• 1175-1199 -- After a protracted struggle, Archbishop Geraldo concedes defeat to Archbishop Santiago, and Galicia is added to Santiago's See.
• 1199 -- Archbishop Santiago goes to Zamora to negotiate with Archbishop Ursula, but he is treacherously slain by one of her hounds. It is later discovered that Ursula did not plan this, and the Hound acted on his own. Archbishop Alonso steps forward to lead the unified diocese that Santiago had forced under his leadership, returning from exile in Toledo. However, many within the Sanctified opposed him, believing him to have had a hand in Santiago's death. Particular opposition came from his other male broodmate, Archbishop Geraldo, who rallied many of those who simply objected to a Leonese Cardinal. The Castilian Lancea Sanctum even accused Alonso of being a pawn of the Muslim vampires who were assisting the Moors. Regardless, though no others would step forward to claim the See, none would perform the rite bestowing upon Alonso the office, even among his own supporters, without his oaths that he was not under the control of the Saracen vampires and that he did not plot for the death of Santiago at the hands of Ursula 's Hound.
• 1201 -- The debate regarding Alonso's culpability in the death of Santiago continues until the Synod of Santa Gadea, called to settle the matter. Once again the suspicions were voiced, but none would ask the question directly of Alonso for fear of rousing his anger. But without the question, Alonso could not answer to allay suspicions. Without an answer, none could confirm him and perform the sacred rite. Father General de la Cruz then asked Alonso directly if he had been responsible for Santiago's death, and found no falsehood under the Theban miracles. Despite being cleared, none would step forward to perform the Anointing that would solidify Alonso as Cardinal. De la Cruz finally did so, and reminded Alonso with sharp words that he would have to lead well and truly, or the Sanctified in Spain were doomed due to disunity in their fight against their Muslim vampiric foes. Alonso is anointed as Cardinal of Spain. Despite finally being unified under a single Cardinal, the Sanctified are unable to gain the full acceptance and action of the Invictus in manipulating the mortals to push the Moors out of Spain.
• 1517-1617 -- Sometime during this period, Cardinal Alonso enters torpor, and is replaced by Archbishop Ursula, who then becomes Cardinal.
• 1620 -- Alonso awakens and attempts to displace Cardinal Ursula, who is aided by other vampires from outside Spain. Alonso attempts a reconciliation with de la Cruz, who agrees to return to Spain to meet with him. However, de la Cruz is ambushed in the Netherlands by Alonso's enemies (presumably working for Ursula), causing him to miss the meeting with Alonso. Alonso manages to depose Ursula and reclaim the position of Cardinal, but believes de la Cruz attempted to trick him into defeat, and therefore banishes de la Cruz from Spain yet again. Several of de la Cruz's supporters sent back to Spain ahead of him are killed, put into Torpor, or scattered. Their struggle resumes.
• 1897 -- Awake and observing for some time, the powerful Federico returns to the eye of vampiric society from Torpor, and despite the long sleep (though there is no guarantee he slept the whole time), he has great power, summoning all his remaining progeny, as well as de la Cruz, to his side. He breaks his progeny to his will, resuming his title of Cardinal of Spain, seizing all their followers and properties. He takes the followers and properties of de la Cruz as well, but spurns de la Cruz's offer of service, citing the war with Aspasia and saying de la Cruz was now poisoned as a tool for him. Cardinal Federico banished Aspasia from Spain and made it stick. De la Cruz left Spain for America later that year.