Immortal Vigil

The Arbiterium, a place full of the sweetest music. That of pitiful pleading, ceaseless screaming, bones breaking, skin sizzling, and lobbed limbs being removed over the din of endless questions. Ah, how I love my job!

— Penitent Akras

A Short

Slapping of bare feet echoed down the damp alleyway, interrupting a congregation of the homeless getting drunk on a stack of discarded crates. Scattered slurred words and yells to ‘get back here!’ bounced off the walls as the man kept running. He kept his head down as he sprinted, knowing the Penitents weren't far behind based on the smattering of boot soles clomping against the ground. He heard one of the masked men yell out his name as a cudgel crunched into one of the drunkards, eliciting a high-pitched screech of agony.

“Sival, you traitorous bastard! Get back here and face your retribution!”

He didn't respond, and rounded a corner at the end of the alley. Two more black-clad Penitents were barreling through the city street towards him from his right, both of them wielding sharpened lengths of steel in their hands. Sival turned left and kept running. If he stopped now, he would never see the dimmed light of day again! Straight to the Arbiterium, where he'd be questioned ruthlessly. Did they really have to come for him while he was sleeping, though?

Structure

Chain of Command

At the head of it all resides Arch Lector Ultash Solgirin, Right Hand of His Perennial Majesty King Torgrim Korshal, and ultimate arbiter of truth within the Eternal Kingdom. A man as powerful as the Arch Lector is not without subordinates, of which he has four different titles that directly report to him at any given time. These titles include: Lector, Inexorable, Cardinal of Chains, and Sealbearer, where Lectors preside over any branch of the Vigil outside of Khaldunheim. Each of these three offices oversee a separate branch of the Vigil, which are: Illuminars, Penitents, and Witnesses, respectively. Witnesses must be present during interrogations conducted by acting Illuminars, and the Penitents are to apprehend suspects that the Illuminars dictate are a threat to the Crown of Stones.

Lectors

The only people that Lectors of the Immortal Vigil answer to are the Arch Lector of Khaldunheim and His Perennial Majesty the King. This provides a measure of autonomy in how they operate outside of the capital, provided they stay true to the Vigil's duty to the Crown of Stones. Corruption within this bracket of leadership is not unheard of, though is heavily frowned upon by members of the Memorial Court in Khaldunheim. If its members are provided sufficient evidence of scandal or corruption by any Inexorable, notarized by a Sealbearer, that Lector will be forcibly removed by the regional Cardinal of Chains.

Inexorables

Only the most dutiful Illuminars that provide tangible results in their crusades against treason receive the golden robes of the Inexorable Order. These members of the Vigil are known to stop at nothing in pursuit of the truth during their investigations, and at any time of day, though more often than not at night earning them and their Illuminars the nickname 'Ghosts'. There are a minimum of two Inexorables at any branch of the Vigil, where one accompanies the acting Lector at any given time while the other performs their inquisitorial duties alongside their subordinate Illuminars.

Cardinals of Chains

As priests are to sermons, so too is the Cardinal of Chains to imprisonment. The holder of this title upholds the prison institution as if the writ of law was scripture. Often simply referred to as Cardinals, these individuals are known to be among the most ruthless members of the Vigil, and are tasked with overseeing the Penitents day-to-day handiwork. Cardinals are in charge of providing documentation on any detained convicts to Sealbearers within their jurisdiction for filing within the Luminous Archives.

Sealbearers

Every organization, small or large, personal or governmental, need a bureaucracy that runs smoothly a majority of the time. The Sealbearers are the very backbone of the Immortal Vigil, keeping all documentation of suspects, imprisonments, confessions, interments of prisoners, and those still being held for questioning. They also review evidence collected by Illuminars and Penitents to decide if a person is deemed guilty of treason, or other high crime against the Crown of Stones. It is said that, short of a direct order by the Arch Lector, nothing happens within the Vigil unless a Sealbearer has given it their personal blessing and seal of approval.

Culture

The Immortal Vigil is dedicated to the truth, and what is just under the law of the Kingdom. Some are more fanatical to enforce these truths upon the populace, however, and have earned the Vigil a less-than-stellar reputation with the general populace of Korshaldr. Despite the feeling that this reputation is unearned, the Arch Lector has ordained that all members of the Vigil are to wear masks to protect their identities while on duty. Higher stations, such as the Inexorables, are issued steel masks to be worn beneath the golden hoods of their robes. Cardinals are given brass masks to compliment their red robes of office, while Sealbearers are not mandated to wear a mask due to their already anonymous clerical roles.

There is a dress code for the lower three stations within the Vigil. Penitents are required to wear all black, including gloves and a cloth mask over the lower halves of their face. More senior members of the Penitents are allowed hooded cloaks—also black. Illuminars must wear their issued white robes, along with gloves, shoes, and a cloth facial covering—all of which are white. It is not uncommon for Illuminars to be issued new clothing due to unfortunate blood stains, usually acquired as collateral damage by a Penitent's ministrations. Witnesses are not required to wear anything specific, except for a facial covering of their choice; they are given some leniency due to the lack of public-facing roles outside of the Arbiterium.

Sannheten dør i mørket — Truth dies in darkness

Work in Progress

Type

Governmental, Inquisitorial

Demonym

Vigilants

Leader

Ultash Solgirin

Ruling Organization

Eternal Kingdom of Korshaldr

Leader Title

Arch Lector

Founders

• King Torgrim Korshal