Berneiros

Archpriest of Beards

Archpriest Berneiros Shante (a.k.a. "Bernie" "Anlyn" "Beardie")

Berneiros is an Elven man most notable for his service as a Priest to the Dwarven God Hadur.

History

Born Anlyn Shante to Xantorin and Brilnae Shante in the year 771, Berneiros grew up as most High Elven girls do: surrounded by luxury, yet still living in poverty. Life in the gilded city of Camor is not so lavish for the poor, and the Shante family were no exception.
Living on the outer edge of the city of gold, Berneiros would often travel out into the Elven Forest, much to his parents dismay.
He did not find much joy in his home, and therefore sought it elsewhere, in a place where there were few expectations for the young girl.
There was a time when he was young where he found a group of Dwarves trying to sneak into Camor and kill an Elven noble.
Berneiros prevented it by accident, alerting Elven soldiers to the presence of the Dwarves.
For this, Berneiros was given some small honors, but still no money. His parents lived off of only scraps, and so in adulthood he set off to find a purpose and money. It had the added benefit of getting him out of the house where he was only known as Anlyn.

The Mighty Herald by Jarhed

The Magic College Class of 859

For much of his life, he did not feel comfortable as a woman.
He never said this to anyone, for he was worried how they would react, be it his family, the Elven people, or even his friends.
The 67th Draconian Grand Wizard, the Mighty Herald, immediately picked up on it. Some say it is due to his Mind Magic seeing Berneiros's thoughts, but others believe it just to be intuition.
Berneiros was given a chance to enter the Magic College, and while he failed most magical tests due to being too weak, he passed the written test with flying colors and was admitted into the Magic College Class of 859.
The Mighty Herald had given Berneiros a promise:

"Here, no one knows who you were before. You can be as you'd like to be. The past is nothing at the Magic College, for we shape your future."

— The Mighty Herald

At this time, he had not chosen the name Berneiros, and did not believe he could be accepted for himself, so he still went by Anlyn and used she/her pronouns, even having an appearance that bordered more on the feminine than the masculine.

Temple of Hadur

First as an intern, later as a Priest, the Temple of the Dwarven God Hadur was Berneiros's home for much of his life.
Berneiros was not initially accepted as a Priest, as he had initially been as an intern, due to trouble some Dwarves had with an Elf being the mouthpiece of their God.
Eventually he became an Archpriest, and spent most of his time around the following group of priests:

• Head Priest Ragnum
• Archpriest of Dwarves Jyntyn
• Archpriest of Family Rednas
• Archpriest of Community Pringal
• Archpriest of the Forge Meldal
• Archpriest of Creation Hegrom
• Archpriest of Earth Eldek

Age

202

Pronouns

He/Him

Gender

Man

Presentation

Masculine

Eyes

Right Orange, Left Brown

Height

6'2" or 1.8796 m

Belief/Deity

Hadur

First Friends

Berneiros did not get along well with everyone in his class, as much as he tried to. But there were some people he found to be companions.
The first was his closest friend, Altora Shinebright, a High Elven necromancer. Altora herself became known for many deeds that she made with the Council of 69th Grand Wizard Ardar Tilrak, as one of 70th Grand Wizard Rhoziros Nimphonker's closest allies, and as the sister and close friend of Captain Commander Avant Orinian, while Berneiros would largely be remembered first as her friend and second for his own achievements.

Altora Shinebright by Yumedatchi

The second was Mordys Tirner, a High Elven divination mage who often butted heads with Berneiros. Still, they both would consider each other friends, even if half of the conversations they had were closer to arguments.
Berneiros had more than platonic feelings for Altora. One could even say he wished to develop a romantic relationship with her, though she never reciprocated them during their time at the Magic College, and he wasn't even certain she ever noticed.

A Place to Belong

In his second year, Berneiros scored an internship that many believed was intended as a joke: the Temple of Hadur, the Dwarven God.
Some say Head Priest Ragnum simply gave the internship to him because he saw so many Elves in the class and decided to mess with him.
However, Ragnum did not treat Berneiros differently upon getting there.
Ragnum simply gave Berneiros tasks that any intern would get and treated him like a Dwarf. Like a member of their community.
Berneiros even communed with Hadur himself, who was able to pick up on the feelings Berneiros had, and asked if Berneiros would be comfortable talking about it with himself and Ragnum.
Ultimately, Berneiros accepted this offer, lamenting that he did not believe he could be accepted because he did not think himself masculine enough, and Hadur told him something that changed his life.

Hadur by Jarhed

"In Dwarven society, beards are something we all carry. Whether you're a man, a woman, or you define yourself outside of that. That means it's easier, for my people, to be who they want to be, because less need be changed.
Outside of here, beards are signs of masculinity. If you do not think you will be accepted as you perceive yourself, a beard can be the bridge between your perceived self and your physical self.
If you'd like, I can help you grow one. I can help them see you as you are... as you will be accepted no matter what by my people."

— Hadur

Berneiros accepted the offer, finding that it was a process that would take some time. Berneiros was willing to wait.

Out and Proud

In his third year at the Magic College, Berneiros came out to his class while they were studying abroad in the Jihdi Empire.

Mordys Tirner by Jarhed

Here, he grew more comfortable in his own skin and also closer to Altora and Mordys, helping them create their future business of Corpse Rising and surviving the threat of death against one of the most dangerous beings in history, the beast known as Mitochondria.
However, he was only a bystander to that conflict, watching in an audience as the creature was defeated. He clung to Altora for support and out of fear during the entire battle.
In his fourth year, Berneiros converted to worshipping Hadur, being offered a place as his Priest. He graciously accepted it.

Archpriest of Beards

Berneiros graduated last place in his class, losing every battle in the graduation tournament, but being placed considerably high academically.
Many of his classmates were hunted and killed by the valedictorian, the Dark Elven puppeteer Zharshalee, who did not want anyone knowing what she could do.
Berneiros managed to survive for quite some time despite this.
He rarely saw Altora and Mordys, but in return he was able to devote his time to the doctrine of Hadur. It brought him pain not to see them, for he treasured their company.
He preached the importance of beards, following in the footsteps of Dhurnas Blackmane, the Divine Hero and first Archpriest of Beards, ultimately gaining that title for himself.

Blackbeard by Jarhed

While not everyone was willing to accept an Elven priest of the Dwarven faith, he was able to reach the hearts of many. He saw beards as a sign of acceptance and unity, though they were a hated symbol to most Elves due to their affiliation with Dwarves.
There was even an Elf he had a particular strong relationship with: the Pirate Blackbeard, who used his beard as a symbol against Elven oppression.

The Triarchy War

In the year 969, a war broke out between the Elves, Dwarves, and Kingdom of Man. There were many causes, but the one that Berneiros took the greatest problem with was the Elven throne claiming he was attempting to corrupt their people with his ideology.
Therefore, one of the major goals for Elven forces during the Triarchy War was to invade the Temple of Hadur and kill Berneiros. That being said, Berneiros was not there for the first few years of the war, being held in safety in places around the world as he made his way back.
When he did return, Ragnum helped him back into the Temple, but not before three forces converged to eliminate Berneiros. Zharshalee, alongside the Elven Captain Roussir and the Dwarven General Gwynyss, who did not like Berneiros being part of her faith, considering him to be anti-Dwarven.

Captain Avant by genuinetrickster

A rescue party was sent by Ardar Tilrak, consisting of Altora Shinebright, Mordys Tirner, and other members of his Council, led by Elven Captain Avant Orinian. Altora had come to save her friend.
She defeated Zharshalee, with help from Mordys and Berneiros, and the friends reunited.
Upon saving him, the Council brought Berneiros to safety in Zephys, where he lived for many years even after peace came about. He intended to wait it out until things were truly safe, no matter how long that would take.
It didn't hurt that he got to be around Altora more when he was in Zephys.
He also made friends there, such as Avant Orinian, Sorith Tilrak, and Jinzire Eltan (whom he lived with in the Eltan Mansion), and he was able to help Ardar Tilrak's Council in matters that required his advice or perspective. A much different life from his time at the Temple of Hadur.

The Beard Pamphlets

Ragnum was killed by the three after Berneiros, and therefore Berneiros became the new Head Priest of Hadur, and wrote a manifesto that he published around the world, speaking out against the Triarchy War and outlining why they should make peace.
Protests erupted around the three warring Kingdoms due to Berneiros's Beard Pamphlets, and ultimately peace truly came about because of them.

Information

Sexuality

Before coming out as a man, Berneiros told people he was a lesbian. After transitioning, he labeled himself as a straight man, being attracted only to women, particularly Altora Shinebright.

Dhurnas Blackmane by AnthraxSurprise

Religion

While raised to worship Selene, Berneiros ultimately converted to worship Hadur, becoming a leading figure in the faith of the Dwarven God.

Wealth

Berneiros was poor all his life, and when he became a priest, he gave up all wealth to the Temple of Hadur.

Abilities

Berneiros's greatest ability was said to be his oratory skills and talent for writing. They say those that truly listened to what he said or read what he wrote could be convinced of anything.
He also wielded two axes, though they were more ceremonial than actually something he was skilled enough to use.

Magic

Berneiros never had very potent magic, but he did have an affinity that allowed him to make Ice, and he later carried a Holy Might from Hadur. This Holy Might granted him the ability to manipulate his beard as if it were a limb, in the same way that the hero Dhurnas Blackmane was able to.