User:Joshmaul/Vulnavia Hildreth

"'I am not a child of privilege anymore, Master Saavedro. I would prefer to be spoken to with the respect two adults give to one another, if you don't mind...'"
 * - Priestess Vulnavia Hildreth, to Saavedro of Stratholme

Vulnavia Hildreth is a student of Saavedro of Stratholme dating back to his early service as the Church ambassador to Stormwind, who has recently come into her own as a priestess of the Light. A prophecy has come to light that may seriously affect her future, however...

Biography
The Hildreths are a prosperous family who lived in the town of Moonbrook in Westfall, where Vulnavia was born. When the Defias made its presence known in the once-verdant fields, the Hildreths took their wealth and possessions and fled to Elwynn Forest, where they set up in a house outside of Goldshire.

During his time as a priest from Lordaeron, Saavedro of Stratholme often lodged in this house, dining with the Hildreth family. He could feel that their only child was gifted by the Light, and began to teach her the Three Virtues, and how to use the Light's healing powers. The training was cut short just before the Third War when Saavedro returned to Lordaeron at the behest of his own mentor, Sekhesmet of Stratholme. He did not return until after Arthas' purge of Stratholme, the opening conflict in the war against the Scourge that would later consume both Arthas and Lordaeron. To make matters worse, Vulnavia's parents journeyed to Lordaeron on a business trip, not realizing the conflict that had erupted in the northern kingdom. To this day, they remain as ailing refugees outside the Greymane Wall leading to Gilneas - a wall that would open soon enough.

Alone and (seemingly) orphaned at fifteen, Vulnavia journeyed to Stormwind and placed herself at the mercy of the Cathedral's priests, who took her in as one of their own. Trained by the High Priestes Laurena, Vulnavia grew more confident in her calling over the years and prepared to venture out into the "greater world". It was in the Cathedral, a decade later, that she met Saavedro again. Now a powerful paladin seasoned from years of war against the Horde, the Burning Legion and the Scourge, Saavedro gave the young woman his blessing to carry on her duties to the Church and to the Alliance. He also made mention of requiring her services on a more...diplomatic front, a true test of her training. Saavedro had heard of a goblin named Kitrik, who was planning on rallying a mercenary army of sorts as a means of surviving the coming chaos after the fall of the Lich King. It was then that she met the former nobleman-turned-death knight Artimus Devaneaux, who was an ally of her old mentor.

Saavedro had contracted the Grand Army of Kezan to steal back a set of robes and shoulderpads - once worn by a warlock, but useable for all magic users - from a gnome warlock named Rakeri Sputterspark, a servant of Saavedro's archenemy, Joshmaul the Corruptor. The Grand Army, who had no great love for Joshmaul, agreed to Saavedro's request (and the money he paid for the job) and had the robes retaken intact. Saavedro then gifted the robes to Vulnavia to increase her powers. Artimus also provided an artifact for her use - a staff taken from the now-dead Headmaster of the Scholomance in Caer Darrow. Despite their appearance, she appreciated her gifts in the spirit they were given, and assayed to go forth in the service of the Alliance. Kitrik, after consulting with Saavedro, agreed to allow the priestess to be an Alliance emissary in his organization, "provided she does not interfere with our operations".

In time, Vulnavia became a very powerful priestess and, when the time came for the final battle against the Lich King, she asked to accompany Saavedro to Icecrown Citadel. Reluctant, but not seeing any reason to deny her, Saavedro agreed.

Saavedro's Successor?


The Prophecy of Ammenkayn, heralding the deaths of both Saavedro and Joshmaul after the fall of the Lich King, has weighed heavily onto the minds of those who know the Regent, none more so than Saavedro's personal shaman, Ambassador Jaeden'laek. Upon meeting the young priestess on her arrival in Northrend, at the port of Valgarde, he asked her to join him in a seance, and she agreed. Jaeden'laek suspected that this young woman was touched by destiny, and he would be proven right...

Jaeden'laek saw Saavedro coming to the aid of the broken General Oren Tanis on a snowy plateau between Deathspeaker's Watch and the Crusaders' Coliseum in Icecrown, after the defeat of the Lich King. He saw Joshmaul, his form distorted and warped by demonic energy, until he was nearly a demon himself. And he saw Saavedro, his face full of wrath and a desire for revenge, as the two mortal enemies grappled. At last, Saavedro cast down his enemy and smote his ruin upon the mountainside, but at great cost...and as the paladin died, a young woman in priestess' robes cast aside her staff and picked up Saavedro's hammer and bloodstained shield as if they weighed nothing - and yet weighed everything at the same time. The woman he saw, and Vulnavia could see as well, was herself, wearing Saavedro's armor and carrying his weapons...and what remained of his legacy.

She knew then that Saavedro had chosen her not as a companion or as an apprentice, but as a successor. He knew full well that these events would occur, and they would happen upon the death of Arthas. She felt at that moment the heavy hands of destiny on her shoulders, but was unsure of how these events would truly affect her - or when they would come to pass.

Jaeden'laek then spoke:

The King is dead, and victory won, The paladin gone to a gentle place. An unknown priestess, fair and young, Will carry his banner, his shield and mace. Corruptor's fate sealed in blood, The oncoming storm, for now abating; Rivers of fire will herald the flood, The fallen Aspect ends his waiting.