That said, the Zealots understand the need for Humans, and the precious Vita that they somehow supply, but the thought of �being nice� to Humans, even solely for the purpose of replenishing the power of Vita that their race depends upon, was sickening. It was the Zealots, therefore, that first experimented with, and accomplished, creating the Zombi, and as if their beliefs and practices were not enough to earn the hatred of Humanity, the conception of these abominations is more than enough.
The Zealots are led by one of the oldest known Nephilim, Vodec, who claims 117 years of existence. Vodec was, always has been and still is an adamant fanatic of Ba�ados� prophecy, and every day that passes, every Nephilim that is birthed, is a step closer to the Last Nephilim. Vodec teaches his disciples with such zeal and passion that many flock to his banner, particularly those who are ostracised from Human society.
The Faction is based mostly in the Plains of Armaak, but of course operate throughout the World. They long for the day when the Seven Kingdoms foolishly decide upon declaring the Plains as a separate, Eighth Kingdom (which it more or less is anyway), for then all Nephilim will flock to the Plains, and to the ranks of the Zealots. The Nephilim who belong to this Faction treat the Initium Occasus as a shrine, and the fact that it is what Nephilim are birthed from, and that it is so dangerous for Humans to approach, only goes to affirm even further the beliefs that Nephilim are superior to their �brothers�. Very occasionally, an extremely fanatical Zealot has even stepped into the Initium Occasus, meeting destruction of course, but rather than seeing this as death, such Nephilim see it instead as the ultimate proclamation of their faith. Not many do this however, and it is not a practice condoned by Vodec, as there is far more good a Zealot can do in this World than the next.
Enemies beset the Zealots on all sides. The Humans are their prime target, and are reviled and treated with utter disgust by all Zealots. By extension, the Cult of Ba�ados, with its pathetic beliefs that Nephilim and Humans can one day co-exist peacefully and equally, are also clearly enemies. But in addition, the Zealots have as little to do with Berserkers as they can (although often Berserkers make good shock troops), and they also despise the Soul Seekers, who wrongly prey on Nephilim and seek only power (as well as the fact that the Zealots, like all Nephilim, are equal prey to the evil Soul Seekers). The Zealots are a Faction that is apart from almost all other groups of people, both Human and Nephilim, and frankly, that is how they like it. The Cult of Ba�ados wastes time fruitlessly continually trying to convert others to their cause. The Zealots are not averse to such tactics, but they are not relentless; those who resist for too long are better off out of this World.
Zealots are not welcome in any of the Seven Kingdoms, and are easily recognised, as they proudly display their own sigil; three linked triangles that represent the link between the First Nephilim, the Last Nephilim and the Initium Occasus, all of which together sums up the existence of the Nephilim race, and the doomed future of Humanity.
Reality: The Zealots are a confused and rather dangerous Faction. Although their core beliefs remain the same, their practices vary wildly. Some actively seek to kill Humans, or at least make Zombi out of them, while others prefer not to have anything to do with such a lower species at all. Most Zealots are like disillusioned soldiers in a war they don�t quite understand; they believe that Humans are weak and don�t deserve to share the World with the Nephilim, but they also know that somehow there is a link between the two races that makes the existence of Humanity necessary to their own survival. Zombi are useful in this respect, but they are still Humans, and so they too will surely be destroyed when the Last Nephilim is birthed, and where will that then leave the Nephilim race?
For Vodec�s part, his passion and fanaticism is unwavering, and he won�t let such philosophical questions (no matter how relevant or logical) stand in the way of his blind beliefs. Vodec�s biggest test of faith came just over twenty years ago, and concerned the Nephilim now known as The Marked One, who he truly believed, for a time, to be the Last Nephilim, and consequently had rallied the entire Zealot Faction to worship the Newbirth. When this was later disproved by a subsequent birthing three weeks later, Vodec was crushed, and he knew that he and his Zealots had been worshipping a false god. Acting quickly, Vodec secretly manipulated the mind of The Marked One, forcing him into a rage of bloodlust and frenzy, which resulted in him Absorbing the Newbirth that had effectively deposed him. However, Vodec did not realise what a detrimental effect this would have, as, overwhelmed with the euphoria and power that this act had given him, The Marked One began Absorbing many others, and quickly growing in power and influence as his own Faction, the Soul Seekers, was formed. This is the real reason why Vodec now has his Zealots make war on the Soul Seekers, although the reason that the Zealots know of is just as valid.
Character Creation Guidelines: Zealots cannot claim any Citizenship and never have Circles. It is exceptionally rare for any Zealot to have any Human Patrons or Contacts. Other than that, the Zealots are comprised of an extremely diverse range of Nephilim, with a very diverse range of talents and abilities.