High Sparrow

Beneath the domed ceiling of the grand hall, built of crystal, glass, and gold, dozens of high septons in splendid silver robes sat in a circle.

After a long and heated morning of relentless "discussion," High Septon Ollidor, who had the support of the Queen Regent and the Small Council, had finally won the backing of most of the high septons.

At this point, Ollidor could be said to have victory firmly in hand. The next step... was merely the final vote, one of purely symbolic significance.

Ollidor, who had been red-faced and spraying spittle as he argued with his rivals, had finally regained his usual kindly and gentle expression. From time to time, he quietly exchanged a few words with those beside him.

Bang!

At the sound of a wooden gavel striking, Brother Torbert, the moderator of the High Septon election, slowly rose to his feet and declared, "Everyone, beneath the gaze of the Seven, cast your vote for the candidate for High Septon..."

Just then, dense and hurried footsteps approached from afar, and a group of people suddenly burst into the hall. At their head was a frail old man carried on the shoulders of two others, while those behind him held sharp axes aloft.

At once, one high septon angrily rebuked them. "How dare you disrupt the election of the High Septon? Guards!"

Another high septon cried out in terror, "Weapons have no place within this holy sept!"

The old man in patched robes came before the high septons. "...My brothers and sisters call me the High Sparrow."

That afternoon, in the Hall of Lamps of the Great Sept of Baelor.

More than twenty high septons had shed their splendid outer robes and changed into coarse homespun robes and simple sandals. Kneeling on the floor, they