William of Westmarch (The Servant)

William of Westmarch is a powerful crusader-mage who defended Sanctuary from numerous threats, and has served to bring about a cosmological balance in the universe. Known more commonly as The Servant, he has fought angels and demons in his pursuit of peace, sacrificing himself to bring about a better world.

Early Life
Little is known about William's birth and childhood. He was born in the city of Westmarch, but early on was orphaned. The young child was taken in by a wandering crusader. He was trained and served under his master for years, until the aging crusader was slain in battle, and William took up his master's armor and weapons, carrying on his crusade to serve the Light and protect Sanctuary from all threats.

Wandering and Training
The young crusader would continue his constant vigil against the forces of darkness, travelling all across Sanctuary. During these wanderings he met several figures, from mages to demon hunters, and began to train under each of them, seeking to better his skills in combat. William became especially adept at the use of magic, combining it with his strength and zeal in battle.

The crusader continued to wander for years, his exploits becoming legend. He would disappear into the east, tales of his valor reaching others around the world.

The Return and Reformation
When William returned back to the Western Kingdoms in 1290, he was changed, empowered. Known now only as the Servant, he began a campaign to wipe out any remaining monsters or demons he could, growing in popularity when he began travelling in the east and calling for a reform in the Zakarum religion. He gathered a large following, and travelled to the Saldencal in Caldeum, seat of the Zakarum, urging for massive reformation in the church. The High Council and currant Que-Hegan Dirae were anxious about the zealous nature of the Servant, but were convinced by his words and devotion to the Light, as well as mysterious angel-like powers. When the Servant slew demons within the holy city itself, summoned by Zakarum priests, the religious leaders were convinced of the neccesity for reform, and set about implenting the process.

The great Synod of Saldencal was called for, and the second great reform within the Church began, known as the Second Reformation. Church doctrine was redifined and codified, the administration of the church was reorganized, and a general feeling renewed vigor and religious optimism spread across the Church, and then to the rest of the population.

This undertaking was in large part contemplated by the rise of the young Hakan III, who was proclaimed the emperor of Kehjistan. A skilled politican and diplomat, Hakan III immediately set about rebuilding his empire, working concurrently with the reformation process within the Church.

The Servant would continue his journey into the west, smiting evil wherever he could and gathering heroes of all kinds to his side. In particular, he worked closely with the reformed Horadrim, bolstering their ranks gaining close ties with the Archangel Tyrael. Gathering the heroic Nephalem who had defended Sanctuary, the Servant made plans to prepare Sanctuary for a coming conflict.

The Invasion
This conflict came with the return of the Prime Evils. Aided by human cultists, they acquired human vessels and tore open a path to the Burning Hells, known as the Blazing Rift, letting loose legions of demons upon the world from the ruined city of Tristram. The humans of the north were overwhelmed even as the various human lands fell to cult uprisings. During this turbulent period, the Servant brought the greatest warriors and heroes of the mortal realm together as the Guardians of Sanctuary, and helped to rally the human nations. The demons, temporarily united under Diablo, attacked the nearby lands around Khandurus, but at the climatic Battle of Tristram were barely defeated, and began fighting amongst themselves, and the Burning Rift was shut once again.

The White Concord and the Chastisement of Imperius
Gathering their strength, the human nations came together, and met with the mighty angels of the High Heavens. There, the Servant sought to bring about a lasting peace and implored the aid of the angels. Many desired to help the humans, except Imperius. He did not care for the world of Sanctuary, and sought only vengeance. Realizing that Imperius would never understand as an angel, the Servant suddenly seized him and tore Imperius' wings right off, and cast him down to Sanctuary as a mortal.

Imperius himself would have to live as a mortal for a short period, gaining a new perspective, but in the meantime the Servant showed his capabilities and convinced them angels and humans to fight together. The end result was the creation and signing of the White Concord, a pact between the angels of the High Heavens and the leaders of the greatest nations and kingdoms of Sanctuary, an alliance to battle against the forces of the Burning Hells.

Fighting in the War
The Servant would serve at the frontlines of the conflict against the demons, keeping up the morale of the soldiers. During this period, he even met the the angel Inarius and the demon Lilith. He freed the former and captured the later, and stripped them of their powers, rendering them mortals.

As the fighting intensified the forces of the White Concord pushed the disparate demons back. The Servant restored Imperius, and worked closely with the Horadrim. Together, they created the Jailstones, mystical objects that could permanently hold a demon's soul. This greatly weakened the dark forces by capturing and containing vast demonic hordes, who began to unify once more. Using the Seven Stones of Chaos, the Servant and his allies imprisoned the Prime Evils, except for Diablo.

With the rest of his forces, Diablo led a great host of demons towards the center of human-angel resistance, the city of Westmarch. At the Battle of Westmarch the gathered forces of Heaven, Hell, and Sanctuary fought. Though costly on both side, Diablo and his forces were winning, taking a large portion of the city, battling with the heros of humankind. The Servant, sensing a trapped soul within Diablo, freed the tortured soul of Leah, and sacrificed all his power and life to restore her to life with his gifts she ascended into sainthood. With her new abilities, Leah battled Diablo with the Guardians of Sanctuary slaying him and imprisioning the Lord of Terror forever.

Legacy
Most believe the Servant to be dead, though a few still whisper that he continues to watch with satisfaction at the state of the world. Though around for only a short time, the Servant changed the fate of Sanctuary, and ensured the promise of peace between Sanctuary and the High Heavens, and an era of peace and prosperity. Thanks to his efforts, the Zakarum Church emerged stronger and reorganized, and numerous kingdoms, such as Khandurus and Kehjistan, were able to rebuild and recover.

As a final gift to the world, he succeeded in creating the Gilded Curtain, one of his many projects, a supernatural protection based around a series of key magical nexus that "blanket" and prevent prevent demonic and extraworldy incursions. He also helped bring about numerous other protections to ensure that Sanctuary would remain protected and safe. Perhaps more than anything, the Servant begame a symbol of sacrifice and showed what humanity could do, for the Light and the greater good.

Abilities & Description
When he returned as the Servant, William was known to posses strange and powerful abilities. While already skilled in some magic, he possessed angel-like wings allowing for flight and was protected against dark magic. Though he seems to be on par with even Archangels and Prime Evils, in truth there were only short but powerful instances where the Servant wielded great powers for short periods of time. No one knew where he gained this abilities, though he claimed to receive it from the Light, as he a "servant of a far greater power"

Besides that, he was a master in combat and fought hard and well. He was trained in combat against demons and other monsters, and possessed common tactical knowledge, great zeal, and the ability to rouse in others a deep spiritual passion.

Physically, the Servant was said to be of normal height but with a strong build and numerous scars in his face. He possessed short hair and steely grey eyes and black hair. The Servant was known for being calm and quiet, but could also rouse other quite easily and disdained all evil and darkness, constantly striving to bring about the will of the Light.

Equipment

 * Crusader Armor: The weapons of his former master, reformed and enhanced during his years of combat.
 * Great Shield: A powerful and large shield, also from his former master.
 * Lith'ralos: The Servant's main sword, which he possessed upon his return to the western kingdoms. A shining divine blade, it was able to drain the demonic energy from monsters, thus easily killing demons and was able to call forth the power of the Light.
 * Solus: An angelic staff used for casting spells and summoning the Light.
 * Justice & Trial: The maces of his master, frequently used by the Servant.