The Vigil
"The Vigil" could best be described as a relatively new Decusian religious movement. It is a loose network of nearly twenty independent groups, most commonly those of apostate hunters, exorcists and monster slayers not officially recognized by the Venerated Republic. The historical Purge of Witchkin lasted for less than a year and ended in 1314, however the heavy stance taken by the Venerated Church was not so easily removed from the minds of those in Faith. The Republic had encouraged its citizens to take up arms and slay every magic-user as every Witch was believed to belong to the Resolve - a sinister cabal that had recently made Witchcraft known to the population far and wide. This call to arms had encouraged religious citizens to give away their suspicious neighbours, report any possible signs of Witchcraft to the Authorities and even gave birth to the trade of freelance Witchfinding - the practice of seeking and destroying Apostates in the Faith's name, believing it to be a service not only to the Church but to Eden itself.
The Ecclesial Authority ruling the Republic started the Witchkin Purge hastily and sought to end it the same way. Not all could cope with the sudden full turn the Church seemed to make with ease, for the news travelled slowly to the more rural areas of the Republic, and the sudden change of diplomacy baffled many. Those that the Church had named as the Resolve’s supporters and bringers of Torment were no longer to be burned as Heretics, but instead were recruited into a new organization called the Consortium to serve the nation. Promises about writs and accountability did not soothe the minds of those that saw only a few Templar in the distant lands they lived in. How could the Templar or the Inquisition possibly protect the Faithful civilians from Witchcraft where they did not reside? Why did the Church suddenly decide to utilize the Witchkin they had just a while ago demanded purified as enemies of Heaven? Did something sinister happen behind the curtains of Ecclesial Authority that had warranted such a turn? And did the Consortium’s numbered robes really work to strip the Witchkin of their right to an identity, or did it serve to protect their identity?
Concerns like these brought together seven groups of religious zealots. They were citizens that had answered the Church's call to arms and had seen it as their Holy Mission to help with the Purge. Unable to fully accept the sudden change it was decided the groups gathered together.
"As mortals we are easily corrupted, and so for the sake of all Creation those of True Faith should stay vigilant and keep watch over Eden independently of any mortal authority, ultimately only answering to the Flame."
The agreement over these famous words spoken by Norgurath Black in the gathering gave birth to the Vigil. It started out as an agreement of cooperation between the seven groups as they sought to protect and educate the Republic's more rural areas about the dangers of Witchcraft, Daemons and the Torment. During the decades of operation ideals of a personal relationship with Decus turned into claims that all Faithful were created equally from the Sacred Flame and should only serve the Angels. Some took the ideal as far as to spread disdain towards the Ecclesial Authority where the Templar did not hold a firm rule.
Many found the message repulsive or even heretical, but especially among the Civilian Caste some that felt a personal connection with their Faith were allured by it. The Vigil has gained supporters mostly among the peasants of rural backlands. Those that wish to join it are often zealots that seek Ascension through Martyrdom and believe it is their Sacred Duty to fight against all foes of Faith, be they man or beast. The Vigil designs weaponry, establishes networks of intelligence and develops new tactics to further its goals, but does not pay those doing so any wages. The satisfaction of serving the Sacred Flame is enough. The symbol used by the Vigil that of a Burning Eye, however most groups involved often also wear their own insignias. There are no set ranks within the movement, however it is known to bestow honorary titles upon its members.
The Black Wolves and Pyreholme
The Black Wolves are a group of hunters spearheading the Vigil's march into the First Province. As a fallen yet important area with weakened Church influence the Quarantine Zone was deemed an ideal location to focus the Vigil's efforts, however as entering the Zone is a one-way ticket it was thought best to only send in one group to clear the way and spread the movement's ideals. The Black Wolves were the obvious choice for this mission; the group itself was created as a resource within the Vigil, formed from the most capable hunters of other groups and other Faithful that wished to join their suicidal quest of Faith.
The Vigil's ideals are well represented within the Black Wolves; they seek to prove their Faith wherever they can and even echo the call for equality by having no set structure. Those in the group are considered either aspirants seeking to join or proven members - and every proven member has a say and a vote in each matter. No member of the Black Wolves is expected to perform a duty that goes against their conscience, nor can they be forced to do so or punished for failure… however the Wolves are rumoured to rather keenly punish themselves for a failure to stay within the boundaries set by their strict Faith.
Regardless of this somewhat anarchistic composure the Black Wolves elect an operation leader from their midst to take the burden of organizing the Vigil's efforts. This leader is considered a respectable hunter that has proven their Faith firmly enough to represent the group and guide it forward. Sometimes referred to as the Alpha, the leader is more of a moral leader and a figurehead than a superior officer handing out orders. The current Alpha is Patricia Woods.
In the Quarantine Zone the group quickly abandoned Fort Praesidium's safety and began to settle on an area called the Fallen Frontier. The Fort was publicly announced as a settlement lost to Heresy, which led to the construction of Pyreholme - a settlement hidden by the Darkwood, far in the north-east, surrounded by Afflicted and other hostile creatures. The Black Wolves announced the establishment of Vigil Territory; a land they would seek to have purged of that which is Unholy so that it could be reclaimed by the Republic. Pyreholme has been constructed near the center of the claimed territory, and currently offers safe refuge to any Faithful passing through the area, however the operation to purify the area continues…
The Hunt (OOC member rules)
I. The Vigil wages a War against Witchcraft, not a Skirmish against Sorcerers
The Vigil, of which the Black Wolves is a subgroup of, is a larger network of anti-sorcery inclined groups and individuals that is still convinced about Witchcraft being a key factor in the manifestation of the Torment. The network seeks to outlaw the usage of magic entirely and restore the historical Purge of Witchkin. While clearly also a militaristic movement, its main goals are informing the public about its views, seeking supporters and campaigning for its goals to produce a significant change in the entire Republic.
The Venerated Republic of Decus still deems magic as Heretical, however instead of conducting a purge it has established the Consortium to keep Magic-users "in a leash". Sorcery itself is considered Heretical, yet tolerable as long as Sorcerers devote their lives to serve the Church and join the Consortium. The Vigil represents a fringe theology which condemns all witchcraft as heretical, which is not a view shared by most clergy of the actual Venerated Church, but instead still sits deep in the common man through History.
OOC: While the faction is prepared for PvP our primary goals are affecting the main plot and the general understanding of magic.
II. Pick your fights, for there are many Heretics among us
Witchcraft, while considered heretical and suspicious by many, is not an oddity in the Republic. Witches are known to exist far and wide, even if many of them elect to hide their practice in the more civilized lands. The Vigil knows actively trying to root out every single Witch without the Republic behind it would be impossible. It is better to focus the efforts where it counts; larger scale operations, education and self-defense. Spending time on tracking a specific witch may be wasteful, for if they become a problem they will make themselves known.
OOC: The Vigil considers witchcraft intolerable, however Republic wide there are way more witches than there are those that represent the Vigil's views. Instead of slaying every magic using player character and discouraging players from playing them we seek to uphold the atmosphere of terror, suspicion towards magic and keep them in the hiding, only seeking to actively pursue someone if they are a diabolist, attack a member or an ally of the Vigil, or if they are extravagantly public about their practice and seek advocate its use.
III. The purpose is Salvation through Suffering
The Vigil considers Witchcraft to have a degenerating influence on the soul of a Witch. In the end they may have to be purified with the Sacred Flame, however even so most Witches still have a chance of finding Salvation even without a pyre. A Witch that shows regret and promises to abandon their Dark Arts should be given a second chance for the sake of Compassion.
OOC: Permanently slaying another player character should be the last choice. If a witch is discovered but they do not attack they should be given a chance to RP it out by demanding that they hand over their grimoires and take action of regret. This action could be anything from convincingly praising Decus to flagellation to whatever comes good with the RP. We don't believe in PvP without established RP behind it.
IV. Do not give in to the Throne of Covetous
Even if it uses questionable methods to do so most members of the Vigil believe that they are in fact helping Witches, and therefore they should not torment them with actions unrelated.
OOC: Looting anything not related to attempting to disarm an opponent (like a spellbook, weapon or moriums) is heavily discouraged.
V. Remember the Fallen
Nobody is born evil; Witches and other Heretics may not be inherently wicked people, but instead victims that have been lured into practicing malicious magics by daemons of Hel. Some simply cannot give up the corruptive powers, and their fall is a tragedy.
OOC: Every in-character conflict should be treated with respect the roleplay behind it deserves. Instead of embracing PvP for the sake of PvP, try to cherish the RP around it.
VI. Embrace Martyrdom
The Venerated Republic itself approves the usage of Magic under the Church's supervision and has granted the Consortium multiple liberties. In fact, after the Three Hour War, those strictly disapproving of sorcery have become the even less of a force in the Republic. You reap what you sow - so fight and die for the glory of Heaven!
OOC: Every member of the Black Wolf Vigil should realize that our characters represent a radical minority and may well be killed for their beliefs just as witches may be killed for their magics. Its a double-edged sword, and even the non-combatant members of the faction should realize that being slain by a witch or a witch-sympathizer is a possible scenario. Even if your character in specific had not taken part in any conflict simply association with zealots may be enough - while the Vigil only hunts player witches under specified conditions it is not a courtesy a member of the faction should expect to have in return.
