[Ori]

Fall, 2182 AC

For countless years the shadow of the Crusade and its relentless pursuants has loomed over the blighted heart of Meranthe; an ever‑pressing storm seeking to snuff out the last stubborn embers of defiance. Once, the Hydra stood unflinching, its coils wrapped tight around its dominion, bold enough to meet the Republic’s gaze without fear. But confidence, like a flame, can flicker; and even the Hydra must reckon with the gathering tide.

The First head..

The Second head..

The Third head..

All fallen, one after the next. Leaving only one head of the Hydra to remain. Viritas. Openly have they absorbed the remnants of Monolith, The Nameless Circle and Pscaela and become the reprieve for the fallen. They continue to defy the Light in Meranthe with efforts and crimes against humanity and thus, as promised as the Dawn, the Republic has spurred into response.

Sometimes I wish this was a different world. A world where your ink could be used for art that fills the soul instead of tearing it away, twisting it into forms unnatural and strange. A world of which there would be discussion of what benefit the reformation of this angel could do, and there would be good answers. But we do not live in that world, and there is nothing to discuss. There is nothing to discuss from the whispers of missing citizens, stolen out of homes in the night to never be seen again. There is nothing to discuss of Sabbath’s, held in the bloodthirst of humanoid sacrifice, for causes that will hurt the world itself. There is nothing to discuss in monstrosities, strung together from the hearts and bodies of innocent men and women, suffering even now.

If this is what your angel wants, if this is what you want to bring to my land, then I want nothing of it. Let this cycle finally end, for good.

The time has come to finish what we started all those years ago, beneath the wise light that has long guided me. Efforts toward reprieve or understanding are a waste, for what is known does not need be explained. Opportunity for redemption was provided, and time and time again did the people of Viritas call for the spite of Meranthe. With the failing of the Ritual of Rafael, the last straw was drawn. The embers of the Hydra live within the walls of Viritas, and it has come time to extinguish that flame for good. With a final push, the Republic will put an end to our Crusade, for a better Republic, for a better Meranthe. We move to finish this.

Soldiers, Ad Arma.

---

The eastern militia rouses like a slumbering giant. From the ramparts of the Republic, the banners of black, white, and gold snap and crack in the rising wind. War drums thrum low, echoing through corridors and across plains, calling every sworn blade to muster. The Republic Army assembles in grim order. Word spreads through the camps like a spark to dry tinder, the time has come. 

With solemn vows and drawn steel, they stir into motion; to march against Viritas, the Crusade seeking an end. To an era, freed of their despair.

OBJECTIVE

Raze Viritas

DATE

[ Saturday - August 9 - 5PM EST ]