From the tenth volume of The Lives: Multum Mendacis

Archivist's note:

The transcript of this speech, according to contemporary records, would suggest that it was acquired at great personal cost. The Vigiles roster in this period was frequently being adjusted, and although some of these changes were for additions, many more of them were to record the Fallen. The sagittari divisions were the hardest hit, losing several officers and specialists over only a few months.

The original ciphered message is lost, but we can be reasonably certain that this is a faithful translation. It was found among other classified papers relating to the same subject, and the uneven hand, and irregular line breaks suggest that the copy we have was written as the cipher was untangled, and never recopied. For these volumes, of course, spelling has been standardized throughout, and line breaks introduced both for readability and a humble attempt to convey the delivery.

The student unfamiliar with the character of the Archbishop would do well to remember that all contemporary sources available to us agree on the great personal charisma he brought to bear in every situation. We must accept that whatever the objective qualities of his words may have been, he was able to bring such earnestness and charm to bear that for many years, even the Vigiles council was divided on the question of how - and even, whether - to deal with him at all.

Fragmentary comments on the original translation suggest this speech was given at the Cairn of the Huntress, somewhere in the month of Warmstill, in the Year of Xegony, in the first quatrain of the Age of Veeshan. It is of particular interest that although the speech is directed at an inner circle among the cultists, it seemed to have been an intensely public display, and part of an extravagant festival thrown for the purpose, rather than one of the private shrines. This may have formed part of the cause for the White Raven leadership to align with the Erollisians in their denunciation of the Declaration of Truth.

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My people, I welcome you to this most special of engagements.

I have a hard thing to speak of today that has weighed heavily on my heart.

Recently, our worship of Erollisi's hand in our lives has been attacked and slandered. I cannot believe that there are eyes to read that have not seen this denouncement, and so I will not trouble our ears with the repetition.

This Defamation - pardon, a slip - Declaration of Truth broadsheet seems to have been given freely to all known cities. This public slander is signed by one I had hoped might become one of our Sisters - the Lady Amrunrosse has instead drawn a line in the proverbial sand.

Her actions have brought unnecessary scrutiny and obstruction to our mission of Love, and yet I cannot help but feel this is her ultimate cry for help - that the recent exile and discovery of her beloved being deceased - has pushed her into a most frightening and vulnerable place.

My children, even still, despite my prayers to Our Lady, she is held in thrall by this Vigiles Amicae, who must be guiding her ever further to despair. Even with this difficult time on us, we would be remiss in our duty to Love to not stretch our arms and call this Sister back to us.

Act and think not with malice, as it can only serve to drive the wedge further. If you might try to approach her, think not of us, who Love her, for the stress might be too great.

Instead, think and be with the mission we have embraced - go forth in Love, perfect and eternal.

Council Summons

~ The dispatch is on crisp, heavy linen paper. It is handwritten in the angular letters of the common trade language, and sealed with red wax. The seal has the sign of three swords over flame. ~

The Praetor and Protector of the Amicae
To the people of the Amicae and the Vigiles among them:

Amicae: In the name of your ancestors and the dead generations of soldiers from which you receive your steadfastness, your writ and traditions, your Praetor summons you to the standard of the Vigiles, the ever-watchful. The drum of war is sounded, and the anvil of liberty rings forth.

Having organized and trained the Vigiles in secret and in the open, to guard all Amicae; having perfected discipline and silence; having awaited resolutely the day our liberties could be shown to the world; now the pattern of time has unfolded an opportunity for glory. Supported by the souls of those who laid down in blood, and those who have chosen to return to the bondage of tyrants for the good of coming generations, but relying first on the strength within our own ranks: in the sacred mystery by which one and one and one together carry more than each alone ever could, we strike in full confidence of victory.

We declare now to the world the right of the Amicae to the unfettered pursuit of their destinies, without regard to the petty circumstances of birth or the avarice of gods and mortals. The abysmal usurpation of that right by any creature makes them our enemy, now and hereafter. In every generation there are those who forget the consequence of attempting such invasion: we must never let them forget that the final victory shall ever be ours.

Let this hereby stand as a declaration of resolve, and a summons to the council of war: the shield and spear of the Amicae be raised! Until by our wisdom and our valor we have reclaimed our Lost, the rule of all Amicae shall be held by the Vigiles arm, under the direction of the Praetor, and held in trust for the people until peace return.

May the woven fate guard us, and may no thread fray in cowardice, selfishness, or sadism. In this path, the Vigiles Amicae must by the nine virtues prove again that we have the right and the worth to claim the destiny to which we are called.

In Strength - we meet under the banner of our bond, Solaceday Eight, in the month of Burningsky.

By my will and hand, Ariahdnia Z'Ress

-- Dispatched from the desk of the Legate Commander-General Brangwin

(( OOC note: there will be an in-character council meeting in the Hall, on July 8th, at 2pm CST ))