I recently wrote a guide to building a warband for Silver Bayonet. In it, I created a Spanish warband. One of the main characters in the warband was a benedictine monk called Rafael de León. He’ll be my Champion of Faith – and although not a great, with the miracles he can perform, he can give buffs to nearby members of the unit.
He’s tall! It’s a 32mm model but it seems to he a head taller than others almost. But it’s fine, I’ve adjusted his background to include a bit about his height.
Brother Rafael de León
Nationality: Spanish
Role: Champion of Faith
Background: Dominican Friar
Brother Rafael de León is a towering figure of unwavering faith, both in stature and in spirit. Born to a poor shepherding family in the rugged hills of Andalusia, Rafael grew up immersed in stories of saints, miracles, and the eternal battle between good and evil. Drawn to the Church from a young age, he joined the Dominican Order, becoming a scholar of theology and an outspoken preacher of righteousness.
Rafael’s path into La Guardia de las Sombras began during the Siege of Zaragoza in 1808. Serving as a chaplain for the Spanish forces, he witnessed unholy abominations emerge amidst the smoke and rubble of the city. Armed only with a wooden crucifix and his indomitable faith, he confronted the creatures, calling upon the Lord’s name to banish them. While others fled in terror, Rafael stood firm, rallying the soldiers to fight back with his commanding presence and fearless example. This act of divine courage drew the attention of Captain Diego Navarro, who recognised the friar’s potential as both a warrior and a spiritual anchor for the warband.
Rafael believes the war against the supernatural is as much a test of the soul as it is of the sword. He fights not just to banish darkness from the world but to save the souls of those who falter in its shadow. His weapon of choice is a heavy, iron-studded cudgel, nicknamed La Mano de Dios (“The Hand of God”), which he wields with righteous fury. He also carries a Bible and a sacred reliquary containing a fragment of a saint’s rosary, which he uses in blessings and rituals of exorcism.
As well as this, he carries one other strange book which he keeps hidden away from the other members of the unit. With strange writing, it seems to glow with otherworldly power.
Though he is a man of unshakeable faith, Rafael is not without his inner struggles. The horrors he has witnessed weigh heavily on him, and he sometimes questions why God allows such evil to exist. Nevertheless, he channels his doubts into a deeper resolve, believing that every victory, no matter how small, is a step toward salvation. As both the moral compass and spiritual guardian of La Guardia de las Sombras, Brother Rafael inspires his comrades to face the darkness with courage.
