Vigil
Stemming from time immemorial, Vigil has stood watch over the southern border of Faloriand for almost two thousand years, keeping the horrors of the Pliscian Wastes at bay. Though they are geographically located within Faloriand's borders, they are not affiliated with any nation, and their members include warriors, scholars, and mages from across Allethra.
Though the majority of its members remain on or near the Faloriand-Wastes border, their duties spread across the whole continent, and bands of traveling Vigil seek out unnatural enemies throughout Allethra.
Structure
Approximately 75% of Vigil resides in Castle Ember, the headquarters of the organization and where the Commander Regnant rules. Scouting missions venture into the Pliscian Wastes from here, seeking prewarning of impending invasions, fiendish plots, or other interloping evils.
Another 20% of Vigil guards the rest of the border from cliffside fortresses overlooking the Wastes. They are in constant communication with Castle Ember at all times, and a series of magical signals can alert the Commander Regnant in the event of a major attack. Each fortress is led by a Captain Magnus who oversees the day-to-day operations.
The remaining 5% of Vigil is scattered across Allethra, pursuing escaped entities from the Wastes or other unnatural enemies that threaten the world. These Cohorts of adventurers are overseen by Captains Signus, of which there is usually at least one in every major city around Allethra. Cohorts are otherwise entirely independent, fending for and generally following up on leads by themselves.
Culture
In Vigil, everyone begins equal. Highborn or lowborn, all new recruits are treated the same. Advancement is based on merit and skill rather than birthright.
Enlisted service is voluntary. At the end of each year, an enlisted Vigil may choose to leave the order with no repercussions. Nobles and peasants alike take advantage of this system to gain training from the elite warriors of Vigil, or to temporarily escape dangers of their own lives. Many highborn treat their time with the order as a great honor, and for lowborn this may be one of the only ways to rise above their station.
Commissioned officers, however, are a life-sworn position. Oaths are sworn and the new officer commits the rest of their life to the service of Vigil. When swearing their oaths, officers give up whatever surname they once had, noble or peasant alike. Low-ranking offices are numerous, and in some fortresses the commissioned officers outnumber enlisted Vigil.
History
Sometime before 1200 BE, a demon prince from the Iterum of Abyss sought to cross the border between worlds to establish dominion over Essaria. A band of heroes fought and defeated the forces of darkness. Afterwards, they swore an oath to hold back the tide of evil and protect the rest of the world. Others gathered around them and Vigil began.
Since then, Vigil has held back countless invasions and overthrown the plan of many warlords. Their numbers as of late have begun to dwindle, as no great threat has shown itself in centuries.
The darkness never rests.
Founding Date
<1200 BE
Type
Military Order
Leader
Leader Title
Controlled Territories
Notable Members