In the ravaged land of Escaut few people could be said to have been more instrumental in its rebirth than the jolly Bishop of Escaut, known far and wide as Brother Zach. Charged with the estate of Aalst the wise and insightful cleric originally from Fanolania became one of the most notable of the adventurers that journeyed with and fought alongside Arcduke Xan of Renatus. It was his act of faith that resulted in the “Show of Divine Power” that wiped out the Viceroy’s undead and cursed army that he had created to assault Fanolania from his base in Escaut. That alone was more than enough to seal his reputation as a true man of the Church, able and willing to do what must be done to defend the Truth and the Faith.

Despite being removed geographically from the action there could be no denying of the impact Brother Zach had on the direction Renatus took over the next couple of decades. His council was frequently sought by those who held power and influence not just in Renatus but of the other members of the Council of Schönbrunn. His rigorous efforts to personally rid Partum of evil in whatever form it might take prevented him from rising further in the hierarchy of the clergy, but he did manage to secure the role of Bishop for the Duchy of Escaut. Unlike many in the Church he was not only welcoming to people of other beliefs, including the Deklatines and native pagans of central Partum. In fact, his close alliance with Esma the Great Druid is often cited as a major reason that the Fourth Imperium had so much difficulty cracking the Archduchy of Renatus into smaller, warring factions like they were able to do elsewhere.

Above and beyond these achievements there was something even more notable in Brother Zach’s storied legacy of ministry. In so many lands absorbed by the Archduchy of Renatus there was a general hostility towards religion. Even in the more temperate areas the best that could be ascribed was a sense of apathy or malaise. Brother Zach was instrumental in reversing that trend. Where folks before were hostile, they began to foster an openness towards the Church. Where there had been lackluster attitudes there grew a fervency to devotion and service. Even though others in the realm had made impacts towards these goals, such as the Duke of Condamner in his rebuilding of that formerly wicked land, it was the calm and nurturing demeanor of Brother Zach that allowed the faith to truly flourish throughout Renatus.