This adversary can be spotlighted up to 2 times per GM turn. Spend Fear as usual to spotlight them.

This unit generates the unique resources "Ascension" (max 3) and "Thread" (max 5).

Gain 1 Ascension on self whenever this unit transfers Thread on self to another unit.
Gain 1 Ascension on self whenever this unit spends Thread on others.
Gain 1 Ascension on self whenever this unit has marked a total of 6 Stress.
Gain 1 Ascension on self when this unit has marked all Stress.

For every 1 Ascension on self, gain +1 Attack Modifier (max 3).
For every 1 Ascension on self, deal 2 extra damage (max 6).
At maximum Ascension on self, deal magical damage instead of physical damage, and increase range of "I lead the flock" to Far.

Gain 1 Thread on self whenever this unit marks an HP.
Gain 1 Thread on self each time an allied unit is defeated.
Gain 1 Thread on self whenever an allied Horde takes damage.
Gain 2 Thread on self after this unit uses the feature, "Cast in violet, crowned in gold." (stacks with other sources)
Transfer 1 Thread on self to its target when this unit makes a successful attack against an enemy unit, even if the wound is reduced to Nothing (max 1 on other targets).

For every 1 Thread on self, raise all damage thresholds on self by 1 (max 5).
For every 1 Thread on self, raise Difficulty by 1 (max 3).

When this unit would mark HP, it may instead mark that many Stress instead if it has unmarked Stress remaining.

The will of the shepherd is the will of the flock. Mark a Stress to spotlight 1d4+1 allies. Attacks they make while spotlighted in this way deal half damage.

Spend an additional Stress to add the experience "Spin the yarn." to these attacks without spending Fear. While this unit has max Ascension, do not spend this additional Stress.

Once per scene, mark a Stress to summon 6 Surwich Village Guards (minions) and 3 Shepherd Cultist Flocks (hordes), which appear at Far range.

Spend all Thread on enemy units, and then make an attack on every enemy unit with Thread applied to them. Enemy units may make a Reaction roll with their highest trait against this unit's Difficulty. Enemy units who succeed manage to separate themselves from the Thread before it erupts into void-powered fire, taking no damage. Enemy units who fail take magical damage as if struck by "I lead the flock" with +8 damage.

When this unit makes a successful attack, even if it is reduced to Nothing by Armor Slots, mark a Stress to also spotlight two allies within Close range. While this unit has max Ascension on self, do not spend Stress to activate this feature.

Once per scene, when this unit reaches maximum Ascension on self, this unit spends all Thread on self and immediately moves to the most central point of the battlefield it can reach with one movement - and then makes a magical attack against all enemy units within Very Far range, while applying the Experience "Cast in violet, crowned in gold." without spending Stress or Fear. If this attack is successful against any targets,

The violet threads in the Shepherd's robes constrict, burrow into his veins, writhe up to his skull - then binds the top of his head in a halo-like fashion, before beginning to shine gold. This unit marks 1 HP from the process, which cannot be converted to Stress by Shroud of Voidwool.

If this unit would die from marking this HP, activate "I was... Supposed to... Ascend..." and then die. If this unit dies in this way, all other allied units also lose the will to fight and surrenders.

Any time this unit notices an enemy unit attempt to approach the Void Well without his permission, he commands his allies to protect the Void Well. The closest allied unit (including this unit) to the enemy unit which attempted to make the approach moves up to Close range towards that unit, and if in range to make a standard attack, does so without spending Fear or Stress.

If this unit marks its last HP as a result of activating the feature "Cast in violet, crowned with gold.", it falls to its knee and says some last words - words full of despair and regret - while holding itself steady with its crook. This unit sets its difficulty to 10. Players can make a Presence roll to attempt to persuade him to do something or to answer a question, after which, he dies.

If players instead heal him, they gain a potential new ally.