High Pontiff Lucien III
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Lucien III (Common: Lucien III; High Imperial: Lucius III) (16th of the Amber Cold, 1519 - 7th of the Grand Harvest, 1546), originally born as Fernando Raphael de Cordobe, was High Pontiff between 1537 to 1546. He is best remember for his part in the Eighteen Years' War, where he himself fought in the field.
His term as High Pontiff would be known as the second and last of the reigning pontifical heads in the Everardian Period, the time of Church revitalization and regrowth. Under Lucien III, the faith militant nearly doubled its numbers and he converted the struggling seaside town of Luciensport into an important landing point and garrison for the Eighteen Years' War. He also continued the implementing of numerous Golden Bulls, second only to Everard II. Despite continuing the policies of his predecessor, Lucien III fell out of favor with numerous lords, and more importantly, John I, namely for his lack of diplomacy and rapid militarization. The clerical faction which protested against Everard II also grow tremendously under Lucien III, also in protest with Lucien III's warlike nature. In the words of clergyman Clement August de Pondt, Lucien III 'dresses and speaks more like a wanton soldier than the head of the eternally faithful'. Despite such criticism, it would be by his words that convinced Nafis Yar, Lord Protector of Vandoria, to convert to Canonism and eventually lead to the annexation of Vandoria to the Holy Orenian Empire.
Lucien III would meet his end at a young age in the battlefield, perishing at the Battle of Marnadel (1546) against an Orcish flank. His faith militant was soon disbanded by order of his successor and rival, Tobias I.