HIGH LORD PAPAL
This is a partial/starter profile to build upon as I progressively review the Dreadstar series

Real Name: Unrevealed

Identity/Class: Alternate Reality (Reality-8116) extraterrestrial () magic-user

Occupation: Former ruler and religious leader of the Instrumentality

Group Membership: Instrumentality, Order/Brotherhood of Vieltoor;

Affiliations: Cardinal Spydar, Gods of the Instrumentality,
    Syzygy Darklock (at least officially)

Enemies: Dreadstar and Company (, Syzygy Darklock, Vanth Dreadstar, Oedi, Skeevo Phlatus, Willow);
    formerly the Monarchy (notably King Nellor, King Gregzor)

Known Relatives: None

Aliases: Lord Papal

Base of Operations: Presumably a palace on Altarix;

First Appearance: "The Price," Eclipse Graphic Album Series#5 (1981) - see comments

Powers/Abilities: The Lord Papal has vast mystic/energy manipulation powers.

    He is large and physically powerful.

    He has command of the vast armies of the Instrumentality and the hundreds of worlds under the Instrumentality's domain.

Height: Unrevealed (approximately )
Weight: Unrevealed (approximately )
Eyes: Solid white
Hair: None
Skin: White
Other distinguishing features: No external nasal structure

History:

lord_papal-8116-price-throne("The Price" (fb) - BTS) - At some point, a member of the Order of Vieltoor ascended to the position of Lord Papal of the Instrumentality.

("The Price" (fb) - BTS) - The Lord Papal was aware of the power of the infidel Taurus Killgaren, black sorcerer of the Dread Veil Plane, whose legendary power dwarfed even his own.

("The Price" (fb) - BTS) - The Lord Papal kept two cardinals in attendance whenever a seventh level demon was summoned.lord_papal-8116-price-face

("The Price" (fb) - BTS) - Unknowingly manipulated by Killgaren, Altarix native Syzygy Darklock joined the Instrumentality's priesthood, rising to Lord High Bishop within the Order of Vieltoor. Both Syzygy and the Papal were aware that Syzygy sought to rule the Instrumentality and put an end to their war with the Monarchy. The Papal considered Syzygy to be his brashest and likely his best high bishop, as well as to be an ambitious man whose power and knowledge grew every day.

("The Price" - BTS) - Ultimately, Killgaren arranged the murder of Syzygy's brother, Ajar'l, by demon agents associated with Bialgesuard in order to prompt Darklock to gain the power to fulfil a prophecy Killgarn had glimpsed.

    Both Syzygy and the Papal sensed that Ajar'l's death smacked of demonic activity; the Papal's more acute powers and greater experience in this matter allowed him to recognize the involvement of Killgaren.

    Enjoying being the right hand of the Gods of the Instrumentality and not wishing to see the privilege usurped, the Papal resolved to allow Syzygy to investigate the powerful Killgaren.

("The Price") - Syzygy met with the Lord Papal, requesting a leave of absence from his studies to put Ajar'l's affairs in orders.

    As a priest of the holy order, the Papal offered his most sincere condolences to Syzygy in this dark hour; as the temporal head of the Instrumentality, he granted Syzygy leave of office for one lunar cycle; and as a fellow mystic of the Brotherhood (of Vieltoor), he strongly advised him to remember well the church's stand on its bishops using the powers granted them on non-Instrumentality-sanctioned ventures, such as seeking vengeance on what appeared to be demonic killing. The Papal stated " May the Gods of the Instrumentality watch over you," but Syzygy considered that he meant "May they keep an eye on me."lord_papal-8116-price-wsyz

    The Papal explained his reasons for allowing Syzygy to pursue Killgaren to Cardinal Spydar.

("The Price" - BTS) - Aware of the Papal's machinations, Syzygy told his familiar, Sister Marian, that he suspected that the Papal hoped his actions either brought about his death or provided him with the grounds to dismiss Syzygy from the Brotherhood.

("The Price" - BTS) - Syzygy discovered the involvement of and confronted Bialgesuard, who led Syzygy to gain the power to defeat Killgaren but allowed the power to mutate and physically cripple Syzygy before saving him. Rebult as a cyborg, Sygyzy confronted and slew Killgaren after learning his motivations. Reluctantly accepting his destiny, Syzygy sacrificed his greatest love to gain even greater power from the demon Slytis.

("The Price" (fb) - BTS) - Syzygy met with the Papal, noting that he was leaving the priesthood.

("The Price") - The Papal noted surprise and pain at Syzygy's decision, but Syzgy asked him to spare him his mock sentiments as they both knew that he was glad to be rid of him and that his resigning saved him from the distasteful task of dismissing and excommunicating Syzygy for his unauthorized adventures. Syzygy noted that they had their destinies and that he had come to realize that his no longer led in the same direction as the Instrumentality's way. The Papal bade him farewell and asked that the Gods of the Instrumentality watched over him.

    When Cardinal Spydar congratulated him on managing to get rid of the troublesome bishop, the Papal was enraged, asking if Spydar was mocking him before becoming disgusted upon appreciating that Cardinal Spydar could not sense Syzygy's power, which he felt must be nearly equal to that of one of the gods.  Appeciating that Syzygy would menace the Instrumentality in the future, the Papal thanked the stars that there were twelve Gods of the Instrumentality.

Comments: Created by Jim Starlin.

Dreadstar / Reality-8116 primer


Profile by Snood.

CLARIFICATIONS:
The Lord Papal should be distinguished from:


ship

--firstap


images: (without ads)
"The Price," pg. 8, panel 1 (throne);
       pg. 9, panel 2 (face);
       pg. 42, panel 2 (walking beside Syzygy);

Appearances:
"The Price," Eclipse Graphic Album Series#5 (1981) - Jim Starlin (writer/artist); I don't know who edited it; reprinted in Epic's Dreadstar Annual#1 (1983) it credited Jo Duffy (associate editor) and Archie Goodwin (editor)

Started: 08/11/2023
First posted: 05/04/2023
Last updated: 08/21/2023

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

Non-Marvel Copyright info
All other characters mentioned or pictured are ™  and � 1941-2099 Marvel Characters, Inc. All Rights Reserved. If you like this stuff, you should check out the real thing!
Please visit The Marvel Official Site at: http://www.marvel.com

Special Thanks to www.g-mart.com for hosting the Appendix, Master List, etc.!

Back to Characters