Vigil

Vigil

(Historic city)

Titles

Holy Citadel of Light

Nation

Lastwall

Size

Small city (in Lastwall)
Ruins (currently)

Population

9,780 (in Lastwall)

Government

Military dictatorship (in Lastwall)

Alignment

Lawful good (in Lastwall)

Demonym

Vigilites or Vigilants

Adjective

Vigilite

Images of Vigil

Source: Cities of Golarion, pg(s). 44ff. (1E)
Lost Omens World Guide, pg(s). 40 (2E)

Vigil was not only a mighty fortress that drew warriors of good like a beacon, but also the capital of the country of Lastwall. It was a city of music, joy, and faith that came to a terrible end in the summer of 4719 AR when the Whispering Tyrant escaped from his centuries-long confinement and unleashed the destructive weapon known as the Radiant Fire upon the city, destroying it completely. Its ruined remains now mar the Gravelands.

Geography

Before its destruction, two concentric walls circled Vigil, with the exception of the opening of its small harbor on the Path River. The thick outer wall and towers were made of granite and surrounded by a wide moat filled with water from the river. The southeast and northwest gatehouses and the six towers of the outer wall were always bathed in magically created light. The inner wall rose higher than the outer wall and was whitewashed, as was all of the city and Castle Overwatch within. The walls had ballistae, catapults, and trebuchets, and were guarded day and night. Gardens with flowers, animal pens, and sheds lay between the two walls, tended by Erastil's faithful. Most of the buildings of the city were simple, blocky, and solid, but some examples of the Chelish Old White style existed as well, such as the five Tribune Halls and the Pathfinder lodge. The streets and alleys of the city were clear and even the market stalls and carts were packed by nightfall. In the center of Vigil, a rocky hill named Watcher's Tor rose with the towering Castle Overwatch at its peak. Hedgerows of hardy dawnroses covered the lower slopes of Watcher's Tor, and wild climbing roses scaled even the steeper slopes below the central keep and the towering citadel. The magnificent Cathedral of Sancta Iomedaea lay at the foot of the Watcher's Tor.

Vigil once faced Gallowspire to the north and the Hold of Belkzen to the northwest. The Crusader Highway connected Vigil with Vellumis to the southeast.

History

Vigil was founded at the height of Taldor's Golden Age at the conclusion of the Shining Crusade as a glorious symbol of the triumphant empire, literally its "last wall". It was established at the site of the long-lost trade village of Rookmin. Once a part of the nation of Ustalav, the village, as well as its salt mines and granite quarries were abandoned when the Whispering Tyrant raised the orc hordes in 3203 AR. During the Shining Crusade, the armies fighting the lich established Fort Lorrin as a supply depot at the sight of the abandoned village. It was at this fort in 3823 AR, that the mortal Iomedae rallied the Knights of Ozem and launched her famous counterstroke that routed the Whispering Tyrant's hordes back to Gallowspire. Sadly, it would take three more years and countless lives before he was finally defeated and imprisoned. Wishing to forevermore keep an eye on the vanquished, yet not destroyed lich-king, Taldor chose to establish a new city at Fort Lorrin, unburdened by past allegiances and corruption, which would became the shield of the world; thus was Vigil founded.

Government

The Watcher-Lord of Lastwall resided in Vigil and possessed final authority "over all matters relevant to the prosecution of the Crusade". Below him, the five Precentors Martial governed military affairs and the five Tribunes governed civil matters. The five Precentors Martial had the authority to exploit civil resources, but rarely made use of it. Each of the Precentors Martial had a separate title that described their jurisdictions: the Precentor Martial for Cavalry, the Precentor Martial for Infantry, the Precentor Martial for Garrison and Siege, the Precentor Martial for Scouting, and the Precentor Martial for Magic.

Citizenship in Vigil was strictly controlled by the Tribunes. Applicants had to state their reasons for wanting to become a citizen of Lastwall to a Tribune, and if they were accepted, received the Shield-Mark, a mark of justice, in the shape of a Lastwall shield, upon the right palm. The Shield-Mark sealed their oaths of loyalty to support the crusade and its ideals, and to treat citizens and strangers alike with fairness, honesty, and respect. Individuals asking to join the Vigilant soldiers had to meet with a Precentor Martial and swear to faithfully serve their commanders, to protect the citizens even at the risk of their own life, to temper justice with mercy, and to uphold the crusader ideal. They receive the Sword-Mark, a second mark of justice in the shape of Iomedae's symbol, upon the right palm. The oaths were hard, but those who bore no mark (known as the Oathless) could not own property or businesses in Vigil. In Vigil, the marks were considered a recognition of kinship in the mission of the city.

Industry

The fields around Vigil were home to numerous ranches that bred the mighty warhorses the soldiers of Lastwall rode into battle.

Places of interest

• Castle Overwatch
• Cathedral of Sancta Iomedaea
• Hallein Town
• Legendary Playhouse
• Mourners of Arazni
• Ossuaries of the Fallen
• Sophronia's Steeple
• The Lady's Shield-Hand
• Berdred's Armory
• Crusader War College

Organizations

• The civilian Wizard's Guild
• The Pathfinder Society maintained a Pathfinder lodge in Vigil managed by Venture-Captain Evni Zongnoss.

References

Paizo published a chapter about Vigil in Cities of Golarion.

For additional as-yet unincorporated sources about this subject, see the Meta page.