San Bartolo

San Bartolo (St. Bartholomew in the canon of the Kalentoi Church) is a Kalentian saint native to Cadenza.

Bartolo was born in the slums of the Cadenzan city of Plomo, growing up rough on the streets with other orphans and urchins. Plomo had been one of the chief centers of resistance to the Majirid Caliphate, but came under devastating siege when Bartolo was 13. When the would-be conquerors were able to break through the city's defenses and enter the lower city, Bartolo rallied the children of the streets and worked them up into a frenzied army of resistance that was able to delay and whittle down the invaders until Cadenzan reinforcements could come to the city's aid.

Inspired by this incident to a ferocious hatred for the Majirids, Bartolo later joined one of the local militias as a foot soldier and fought valiantly against the caliphate. Despite the disadvantages of his background and the general Cadenzan scorn for foot soldiers as opposed to cavalry, Bartolo was able to rise steadily through the ranks and become a captain leading a skilled band of soldiers. His bravery, skill in combat, and mastery of tactics were acclaimed throughout Cadenza, and all who served under him were utterly devoted to their captain. He was instrumental in beginning and sustaining the last great drive to bring the Majirids into submission, and though he was killed in battle without achieving this goal his legend lived on to inspire the fight.

Bartolo's best friend was the priest Calixto, who traveled with his unit and faithfully shared all their hardships. A hardheaded and cynical skeptic since his youth, Bartolo was won over by Calixto's words and example, and became a deeply pious Kalentian. Not long after his death Bartolo was declared a saint by the Kalentoi Church, both for his piety and his heroism in fighting the infidel Majirids, and he swiftly became one of the chief saints of Cadenza.

San Bartolo's saint's day is June 22. He is the patron saint of foot soldiers and guards, underdogs, street children, and the city of Plomo.