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Grand Master 

of the 

His Most Excellent Highness Justinian I Longcross 

(b. Alexander David Longcross) 

Age: 48

Nationality: British-Irish, SMCOSMA

Alignment: Chaotic Good

22nd Special Air Service Regiment (United Kingdom) (1995-2001) 

Graduated Royal Military Academy in 1995 at the age of 23, before going on to pass SAS Selection. Served for 6 years in the SAS as a Lieutenant.

Sovereign Military Constantinian Order of Saint Michael the Archangel (2001-)

Initially employed in 2001 as a mercenary, chose in 2003 to join SMCOSMA at the rank of Sergeant (taking temporary vows). Served in special operations, infantry and as Sergeant Major for the Order's Military Academy in 2011. In 2013 he undertook Officer training and permanent vows, and in 2016 led the Third Legion as a Master. In 2019 became Grand Commander and in 2020 voted as Grand Master by the Council. 

Justinian is a reasonably tall, stocky, military-looking man with gelled-back hair and brown eyes. He generally wears modest military attire, with only his rank insignia as the clue to his position, or a dark suit. Justinian is the veteran of a thousand battles, a deeply religious man, who ultimately believes in good, but who is willing to take whatever means are necessary to get there. He is neutral towards secular nations and authorities, but assists in times of crisis, or when it benefits his Order or its goals.

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Backstory

Justinian I Longcross was born as Alexander David Longcross in Belfast, Northern Ireland, in 1972 to a wealthy Roman Catholic family. He studied at a private Catholic school in Scotland, before going on in 1991 to read jurisprudence at Oxford University, during which he met his (now deceased) wife, Elizabeth. He graduated in 1995, before going on to train at the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst. 

After graduating RMAS, following his philosophy of being able to pass any test a man could pass, Longcross enrolled on SAS selection, passing out into the SAS's officer cadre (and later Permanent Cadre - those who are not on temporary attachment to the SAS) with distinction as a Second Lieutenant, serving as a Troop Commander alongside an experienced Sergeant. He served for 6 years, attaining the rank of Captain. 

In 2001, following the death of his wife, Elizabeth, Justinian left the SAS. However, needing to pay up the bills, and a deeply religious man, he took on a job working as an unsworn mercenary for the Sovereign Military Constantinian Order of Saint Michael the Archangel. After two years in this position, Justinian decided to join the Order as a full battle brother. As a former British Army officer he would have been welcomed as an Officer of the Order, however decided to undertake temporary vows, entering at the rank of Sergeant. He quickly worked his way through the ranks, working initially as part of SMCOSMA's Special Forces Command, a unit directly under the command of the Sovereign Council, comprising various specialties from all four of SMCOSMA's legions, and then later as part of the infantry in the First Legion (Legio I). He then served in the Order's Military Academy, training new recruits and prospective officers on the Academy's drill square, and in 2011 he became Sergeant Major of the Academy. 

In 2013, his career took an extraordinary turn as the Sovereign Council, looking to fill the ranks of the First Class with more combat military officers, offered the former officer a position as a Master (essentially a General Officer level rank), and first class membership in the Order, fully bypassing the normal officer ranks. Longcross agreed and undertook officer training, and after a brief probationary period as a Subaltern was promoted to the rank of Master First Grade. Initially serving as a Master Without Portfolio, and then overseeing special operations, in 2016 at the rank of Master Third Grade, he was appointed as the commanding officer of the Third Legion (Legio III), based in Europe. In 2019, Longcross was promoted into the Sovereign Council as Grand Commander. 

Following the death of the incumbent Grand Master in 2020, Longcross initially served as Lieutenant ad interim, taking over the former Grand Master's duties, before being elected himself as Grand Master by the assembled Masters. On accession to the throne, he chose the name 'Justinian I Longcross', in reference to the Byzantine Emperor Justinian The Great. The first non-cleric in years to be elected Grand Master, and a good friend of Grand Prelate, Cardinal Hightower, Justinian set out a vision to restore the Order to its military-religious roots, expanding its' military size and capabilities, and ensuring the Order's participation in military and peacekeeping operations that suit its goals. Other programs initiated by Longcross include a program of building more monasteries and military infrastructure, expansion of the Order's Hospitallers, and the recruitment of more battle brothers and mercenaries. A Sandhurst-trained military officer, and a capable leader who is not afraid to get his hands dirty, Longcross enjoys a popularity among the battle brothers of the order who see him as bringing about a change and revitalisation in the Order, which many felt was previously stagnating. Despite being seen as a more liberal figure in terms of religion, Justinian enjoys a great friendship with his Grand Prelate, Cardinal Hightower, and this has only boosted the Order's effectiveness in leadership. Some have hinted, however, that the Pope is not too pleased with the Order's military revitalisation.