One becomes easily accustomed to the sense of peace. It spills through one’s being, like a slow-acting poison - numbing its host to all else but its sweet lull. Eventually, one forgets to live without it, sinking into a state of content lethargy, gorging themself on the belief that such serenity might extend into the horizon of forever. That is, perhaps, an apt way to describe the state into which many of the subjects of the Holy Land had fallen, the thought of discord a far-off notion in the mind. Until shock held them by the throat, discord grinned its wicked smile from the shadows, and death stole away the one figure that kept the horrors of the world at bay.
May the fallen Star, Cador (who had, in one life, been known as Abraham), find harmony in all that he encounters.
The moon was near-rising, and still the final third of the Tridium had yet to make his appearance. They were meant to gather, to deliberate and commiserate in equal measure, to further plough the path of grandeur and success for the kingdom that they so loved, and the city that they held so dear. AZAZEL and GABRIEL, the Moon and the Sun respectively, sat at opposite ends of the table - making the absence of their Star all the more noticeable. It was the first time that they had entered the room without being greeted by the older man; the first time that they have found themselves waiting on him, and the first time that they have felt an unease settle so pervasively between them. Yet neither of them cared to acknowledge it, not quite yet. One messenger had already been sent to his quarters, then another - and both of them had returned with no Cador in sight, only eerily distinct expressions of anxiety and discomfort.
GABRIEL was the first to break the silence that had fallen over the two divine beings. “Perhaps we should send another messenger.”
“Perhaps we should admit to ourselves the truth,” AZAZEL countered, eyes meeting his.
The archangel arched his brow. “And perhaps we shouldn’t jump to conclusions.”
A third messenger was never sent, for the Sun and the Moon went forth themselves, seeking the missing piece that made them the formidable Tridium. The sun was nowhere to be found and the moon was slowly waking, stars bespeckling the sky as though they, too, were curious as to where Cador hid himself. He was one of them, was he not? How could he ever be led astray? There was none that could snuff out the light of a burning star; their existence only ceased by means of implosion, and Cador was never one that would dare relinquish any notion of greatness and glory by being his own undoing. A highly revered man, he was regarded as such by both the wealthy and the impoverished, widely-beloved by many of the mortals within the Holy Land. He had their hearts. Cador had suffered - for what is the loss of a son but the definition of it? Cador had risen to greatness: for is not greatness created in the ruthless elevation of oneself, rising from destitution and growingstrong for it?
And, with such greatness and glory, the perception of one’s limits becomes rather skewed. If he was loathed, which he certainly was by those who privately preferred more Heretical ideals, then he was meant to rise above it. If he was loved, then he knew that he held the people’s faith. He was untouchable. Death is nothing more than a far-off, tangential notion that is not a consequence of existence, but rather, an anomaly - to celestials and infernals… and, in truth, to Cador.
That is what AZAZEL and GABRIEL garnered from the rigid raise of his brows and his widened, glassy eyes, at least. They stood over his body, looking down at a corpse frozen in shock the splintered door crumbling behind them -as dead as the cadaver it had so diligently locked away. GABRIEL brushed the splinters from his sleeve as AZAZEL leaned closer, investigating the marks that hinted at Cador’s demise. Blotchy skin, red eyes. The remnants of foam around his mouth. His face had grown blue and, even now, as she pressed against the cold skin, she could feel the food that had lodged in his throat as he took his final mouthful:a fruit that his son had been known to favor. She wiped her fingers against Cador’s shirt before pulling away. The two divine beings looked at one another before AZAZEL shook her head. Stars did not die this way. They faded slowly, beautifully before implosion; they did not rot away.
The stench of artificial rot was in the air. Cador’s body was bloated with it. The stain of murder bespeckled his skin, was strewn about the room, and it felt heavy. The Star of the Tridium had been murdered, just as they were sinking into the honeyed lull of harmony. Should word get out, there could be war. The mortal faction would want reparations, if they ever knew the truth.
It was a good thing, then, that the Sun and the Moon knew how to keep their secrets.
They wore veils as they walked among the streets of the Holy Land, as they went from village to village harkening the passing of the great Star, Cador. It had been known that he was growing older, that his health was not that of a young man’s any longer. Though it came as a shock, Death was Death, a natural occurrence in a mortal’s life. The town criers wiped their tears beneath their veils, watching as the grief swept through the people’s faces as they listened to the great life that Cador had led; the good that he had done for his people, and the dying wish that he had made. A young boy with dirt smeared across his face took a heaving breath, rubbing his nose with a tattered, torn sleeve. An aged seamstress clutched at her chest, shaking her head as she rocked back and forth upon her chair, Cador’s name a wail upon her lips. A squire, fresh-faced and wide-eyed, let their sword clatter to the ground as they fell to their knees.
Our Star, they lamented, whether it be upon their lips or in their weeping hearts. Our hope, our leader, and our salvation.
It was as though a silence swept, not only over the people, but over the entirety of the Holy Land. It seemed as though the very earth itself shuddered in trepidation at the onslaught of blood it would have to drink…
It was as though peace had been a curse cast over them, causing them to cease all machinations and to content themselves with idleness and petty games. The great Star of the Tridium had been the sacrifice that was needed to lift the curse from their shoulders, and renew them once more. The Kingdom of Caelum began preparations for their travels to the Holy Land, the prestigious and glorified of the kingdom readying themselves and their companions for the journey. In the revelry of the Infernal Realm there was pause as news of the fallen Star made its way across the land - the infamous and dastardly figures in the kingdom began to ready themselves for the journey that would undoubtedly follow.
Though no one said it aloud, they all knew. Every creature knew what possibilities loomed over them; what the Hundred-Eyed God likely saw with their never-ending sight. Some fates, they knew, were going to be bloodier than others. The seat of the Star was ripe for the taking. The only question was - who would be the figure standing behind its throne?
THE FIRST WEEK OF THE NEW MOON: The movements of the wealthy are not kept secret for long. It is well known that only those who sit comfortably upon a mound of money are the only ones that are able to traverse between the kingdoms, and are the only ones expected to participate within the funeral rituals of the great Star, Cador. Where the fat of the calf is, vultures follow, and are not robbers all too content with being compared to such predatory animals? The robbers know it is fair easier to strike angels and demons when their defenses are thinned, spread out like a caravan, making them ripe for the plucking.
The Tridium knows of this, though, and is aware of the dangers of such travel. They are determined to extend the courtesy of safety and protection to those who seek to remember the life of Cador, and so they have requested that volunteers within the Holy Land take up arms to defend their visitors. Among those who have volunteered to do so are:
GROUP I:
LUCA RICHE
CAPHRIEL
ORIAS
GROUP II:
ROMILDA ALTIER
SAMAEL
DMITRI
GROUP III:
ARIANNE ALTIER
RAUM
ZADKIEL
THE SECOND WEEK OF THE NEW MOON: The preparations for Cador’s funeral have finally come to an end, and the celebrations and rituals begin. The rites span over six days, each day with a specific means for paying Cador’s legacy homage.
The first day is known as the MEMORIAM OF DAWN, in which the community gathers together to build a pyre for the departed, rising at dawn to collect the necessary instruments and resources - wood, flowers, oils, and the like. While they gather and prepare, they sing of the departed’s childhood, and if none can be recounted then they sing of the first time the departed smiled at them, their first laugh, and so on. The second day is known as the MEMORIAM OF THE FIRST TWILIGHT and it is upon this day that the treasures of the departed are gathered together so that they might be redistributed to their loved ones and the community, depending on the wishes of the dead. This typically takes place at the Temple of the Saints and is often accompanied by acts of charity, such as alms-giving and distribution of goods in the name of the departed. The third day is known as the MEMORIAM OF SUNRISE and it is on this day that there is quiet and respite to be taken by the loved ones of the departed. Traditionally, they sequester themselves and allow themselves time to bask in the life that they had shared with the dead - oftentimes gathering together if only to drink, eat, and exchange memories.
The fourth day is known as the MEMORIAM OF SUNSET, during which what can only be described as festivities take place - the last three days of funeral rituals meant to be a joyous celebration of the life that had been lived. A bonfire takes place and those who wish to render the memory of the departed upon their skin, either in letter or through symbols. Laughter, singing, dancing often marks this and typically bleeds into the next. The fifth day is known as the MEMORIAM OF THE LAST TWILIGHT and it is on this day that the last vestiges of the departed are burned. Treasures that no one wishes to keep for themselves, letters that they had written, renderings and sketches - all are burned upon the pyre, along with the body that remains. The lighting of the pyre is rather ceremonious, with a loved one removing the shroud as frankincense curls in the air, placing one final kiss upon the departed’s brow before extending the torch and setting the pyre aflame. Libations, song, and dancing ensue once more and consequently bleed into the sixth and final day, known as the MEMORIAM OF DUSK. When dusk settles on this final day, the ashes from the pyre are collected and are taken care of at the discretion of the departed’s loved ones. Candles are lit throughout the community - placed upon windowsills, balconies, fountains, the old haunts and known places of refuge for the dead. With this closing ceremony, it is recognized that, though the ache still lingers - and perhaps it always will - there is hope that such love will be renewed again
The people of the land - and the visitors from the neighboring kingdoms - gather together to remember the great life that Cador had. Minstrels ready their instruments, children and adults alike gather the wood for the bonfire, and so the celebrations begin and the libations are shared among all. In their drunkenness, there are some who can’t help but notice how odd Cador seems to look on the pyre - it is as though there is a glamour that is placed on his visage. The hues of his skin seem skewed. The way the light shines in his hair gleams rather oddly.
But no matter, no matter… leave the dead to their peace…
THIRD WEEK OF THE NEW MOON: It seems that the entirety of the world has been renewed, that fresh vigor runs deep within the soil. For this reason, it is said that the Daemonium are becoming agitated - for the only renewal they know is that of their insatiable hunger. It is on the outskirts of Sanctus Terra that many hear of it. The Tridium is aware, but they make the decision to stay their hand - they feel themselves becoming overwhelmed while being spread so thin. Those of the Round Table need to reserve their forces and maintain their focus on electing a new Star to represent them and their interests. But there are the restless few who cannot help but take a quick trip to relieve their own hunger - their hunger for glory.
THE FOURTH WEEK OF THE NEW MOON: Due to the unprecedented events that occurred at the beginning of the New Moon, the celebration known as The Coming of Spring was delayed, and many instead chose to celebrate it during the fourth week of the New Moon. The allocated sites have been announced and the people of the Holy Land are able to let the last vestiges of grief go as the renewal of the spirit takes place. Perhaps some will wish that the new Star be as righteous and glorious as the one that had passed. Perhaps those who hunger for it will get the schism that they want so dearly to occur between the factions.
FINAL NOTES: And with that, we have released our first event! Not to get sappy, but you all have no idea how grateful we are to have your interest and excitement. This has been a long time coming and we absolutely cannot wait to see all the interactions that will take place!
The OPEN POSITIONS will always be on a first-come, first-serve basis, so drop an ask to the MAIN to let us know if you want your character to participate in this. It is meant to be a joint collaboration between those within the Holy Land and the neighboring kingdoms, so angels, demons, and mortals alike are welcome to volunteer themselves! If there is no space available, we will let you know as soon as we can.
If you have any questions, please drop them in the discord channel and if you find yourself coming up empty for plots, don’t hesitate to contact us. We absolutely love collaborating and helping our members. You are free to thread out any of the events that have been outlined in the event or to have your characters go on their own adventures. Otherwise, we hope you all have fun and enjoy!
