[Coroneljones]

"To those that fall, paving the way to the peace that we all fight for.
Gone, but never forgotten.
Here's to You."

---

---

2139AC

In the years that follow the aftermath of the invasion strike against Gloomlight, a scattered and wounded Brigade returns to The Vigil, nearly three thousand, of the original five thousand volunteers from the Guard sent with it, gone in a singular bloody engagement.

Where most of the dead could not even be identified amongst what remained.

And those are simply The Order's own casualties, for the burden is shared with its allies.

With the brutality of the losses rising on and on, both in the east and out west, the Clergy of The Tribunal convenes and prepares, as orders arrive from the office of the Knight-Commander.

A funerary memorial, not for any one specific individual, but for all those lost thus far amidst the invasion.

Unknown soldier or fallen victim alike.

Those oft forgotten, and those remembered, in shared grief.

As the Goldlight Order and its Tribunal Wing invite those across the peninsula together to mourn the dead, and to immortalize their name and memory, both by sharing it with those suffering from their own experience of loss, and by carving it upon the walls of the Castle-City.

While The Faith Wing's clergy takes charge of this gathering and its proceedings, it is openly welcoming contact from other priests or individuals, that wish a deeper involvement with the ceremony to be and its preparations.

---

---

The Tribunal Presents: A Martyrs' Vigil

DATE: Saturday, 12th of October

6PM EST/ 11PM GMT
To be held in the Castle-City of Martyrs' Vigil [722,457,1]

[DirectorBright]

2181 AC

---

In the time spent since the demon king's invasion, the attempted Extinction of Mankind, much has changed.

Many cities were obliterated in the aftermath.
Varrach returned to the world, and with him came the Faelings.
Mestra has been slain.
The city of Drakanspire was razed, genocide by the hand of the old enemy.
The city of Viritas revealed it's true colors, servants to the fallen angel of art, Mydaea.
The Hydra reared it's head, an alliance of four witch-states. Monolith, Nilhirra, Viritas, and Pscaela.
A Crusade was launched, aiming to bring an end to The Long War, purging the cities of Monolith and Nilhirra along the way as it aimed for the Crescent Isle, Pscalea.
The Crescent Island, Pscaela, finally sunk beneath the waves of the southern seas of Meranthe, never to be seen again.

These, perhaps, were the major events that would be writ large into the history books.

In the decades of war that had passed, in a land that never knew peace nor reprieve, the lettering of those pages would be writ in the blood of the fallen. Each had family, and each was loved.

Among the dead who stood against the old enemy, though too many to count in full by one man:

Gwyndolyn P. Kasca, slain standing against Varrach when he sought to defile her old home.
Loramelian Ueda, high priest of Athelios, was slain in an assault on the Crescent Isle.
Tandava finally found peace, drifting free of the world in full.
Saige Stormheart was slain by Aisenliche after trying to avenge her old home- and defend a new one.
Kastore was felled within the forests of Meranthe.
Tiche Alline Aubreen, who guided many undead to new life in Arcadia, was slain in the battle against the Grand Guignol.
Mabel was slain, having only just begun to taste life without her curse, in battle against Morrigan Shadecrest.
Thomas Equisol, the Oracle of Gloomlight, was lost in the final battle against his father.
Garret Richter, who had presided over the Order for generations, passed away just before the final act of the Cruasde.
Barron Bargiel was slain by Varrach, defying the God-Killer in defense of his sister.
Catarina Owain, inquisitor of the Order, was obliterated by Varrach.

Truthfully, I am unsure exactly how many people I have lost since then. It feels as a number that simply grows with time, beyond my capacity to recognize. Perhaps I am growing numb to it all. Sometimes I feel as though I know I am forgetting to remember someone, and that guilt eats at me. But how would I know?

It's been so many of them, after all...

I'm sure the casualty report is listed somewhere in here. I don't think I can read it all.

---

In memory of the fallen, the Radiant of Caius, Grey Aundeoth, sends out a message to all- save those of Viritas, of course. 

An invitation to the castle-city, a re-enactment of what had been done once before.
A memorial service to be held, names etched into stone in orichalcum to rest alongside those what came before them.
That the fallen be remembered, their names not be forgotten.
That others may find peace, in visitation.

A moment, once more, to share one's grief- and memory.
A moment to remember and honor the lost.
A moment where one is allowed a breath to be human, to mourn amidst the world's endless grinding away.
A moment in which one does not need to be strong.

---

While this ceremony will primarily be handled by those of the Vigil's Tribunal, contact from those who wish to participate in the official ceremony beyond simple mourning is welcomed.

---

DATE: August 6th, 2025
6PM EST
To be held in the memorial park in south-eastern Martyr's Vigil

[DirectorBright]

Edit:
Due to concurrent events and the war announcement, we're moving this to SUNDAY, August 10th at 4PM EST.

[Avelyn]

2190 AC

---

It has not been ten years since the last vigil was held, and yet, in those few short years... much has changed.

The Martyr's Vigil has fallen, burned to the ground by the Sorcerers of Aetius and their assembled allies. The Goldlight Order is scattered- its militia routed, and its once heroes scattered across Meranthe. Some take to Gloomlight, some to Pyrithian. Others still look to build upon the ashes of the once great home of the Tribunal. In the wake of this, a call goes out to all who once called the Vigil home, sent forth by the granddaughter of the first vigil's host: Zinnia Richter, who once held title of knight.

Our home stood for so many years. But it being gone is no excuse to not pay remembrance to the fallen. We have lost so much... Our home, our friends...

I am too young to remember all those who have ever laid their life in sacrifice to the order, but I wish to remember them all the same. I wish to remember every person who fought to give me a home. Every person who ever fought to protect it.

Truthfully, I was never old enough to be part of the previous ceremonies. I cannot promise that this one will resemble them, but it is something that needs doing all the same. Let us lift our candles one final time in their honour, and remember them. Perhaps then, we can speak on what comes next for the Order.

The message crosses Meranthe to all save for Aetius - there will be one last vigil for the Martyr's, hosted by Zinnia Richter and Anya Talalt. All are welcome to come and pay their respects to anyone who has been lost over the span of the lifespan of the Martyr's Vigil, with special attention paid to those who laid their life down in sacrifice during the days of its final struggle against Aetius.

There are whispers, too, that the young Richter has some announcements to make when the grieving is done. Just what could they be...?

---

All are encouraged to bring what they wish to be part of this disorganized ceremony. It is likely that those who took part in the city's fall will be met without kindness.

---

DATE: October 1st, 2025

7PM EST

To be held in the ruins of Martyr's Vigil.