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Vigilance
 
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==The Path of Vigilance==
==The Path of Vigilance==


The tired [[The Marches military concerns#Beaters|Beater]] stalking the [[Feni]] through the marshes of [[Bregasland]]. The band of [[Knight-errant|Knights-errant]] with their eyes on the horizon, tracking the migration of a gryphon-pride through their lands. The scholarly [[Urizen magical traditions#Magi|magus]], searching tome after tome by candlelight for the evidence she needs to convict a heretic. Vigilance is all of these things, and many more besides: it is the constant awareness that the dangers to the Empire are as twice as various as all its enemies, and the iron will needed to oppose it.
The Virtue of Vigilance is popular amongst those charged with ensuring the safety of things precious; from the inquisitor who seeks out treacherous cultists, to the scrivener who scrutinises their dhomiro’s records against fraud and theft, to the shepherds in the fields. The threats to the Empire and its citizens are many and varied and all must be prepared for, guarded against and actively opposed lest they tear down civilisation. Not all threats carry arms like the barbarians; some come with smiles and lies, like false-faced eternals, or even lie in the hearts of weak citizens. Through diligence, detail, and dedication in all things does one person’s Vigilance safeguard another from harm.
 
It is far more, though, than the huge, Empire-threatening concerns which make it as far as the printing presses. When danger presents itself, there must be someone ready to oppose it, yes – but Vigilance is also the complementary need to ensure that everything is safe. The [[The Brass Coast economic interests#Scriveners|scrivener]] who scrutinizes the records of his [[The Brass Coast leadership|Dhomiro]] for evidence of fraud and theft, the shepherd who guards her sheep in the fields, the [[magister]] who carefully researches and documents every deal a particular [[Eternals|Eternal]] has made with the Empire to search for patterns: though they may never find fraud, danger, wolves or hidden agendas, someone must ensure these things. It is said in [[Varushka]] that to assume that the vale is safe in the morning just because it was safe the night before is to put a knife to the throat of every person there.
 
More than any of the other Virtues, Vigilance demands constancy, and at times can be an unbearable strain to its adherents. Though it is credible and outwardly commendable for a Vigilant to literally never let her guard down, she must always be mindful of the dangers of seeing threats where there are none. Traditional theology is careful to guard against this, with a concept known by a number of names, most commonly “the Thwarting” or “the Ebb Tide” (both derived from old poems). Once a threat has been thwarted, the Vigilant should take time to relax and consolidate. A tired mind loses focus, after all, and focus is crucial.
 
Many followers of the Path of Vigilance embrace the importance of acting as part of a group; a guard alone must still sleep, eat or answer a call of nature. While they attend to the needs of their body, their post is unguarded. Two guards can ensure their post is never deserted; five guards can go further and ensure that their post is always held by someone who is alert and well-rested. Companions allow the Vigilant to maintain ready to face danger day and night without requiring constant expectation of threat.
 
Vigilance is popular among those charged with ensuring the safety of precious things, whether the Noble’s treasury, a mountain pass on the borders, the bounty and prosperity of a port-town, or the spiritual well-being of the Empire itself. To most citizens who are not charged with such duties, the most important thing is to know whom they can trust to report their suspicions to when troubled, and what they can do to help when help is asked of them.
 
The soul is the most precious thing that any human can possess, and some priests teach that it's protection is the highest calling that anyone can aspire to.


===Guidance on the Path===
===Guidance on the Path===
Through study of the Paragons and Exemplars, the priests of The Way have gleaned insight into the heart of the Virtue and how best to pursue it. There are collections of parables, tales, sayings and teachings that distill this for Imperial Citizens to learn from. The following are a handful of teachings and sayings deemed to be essential to understanding the Path:
Through meditation on the [[auras of Vigilance]], and by studying the lives of paragons and exemplars, the priests of the Way have gleaned insight into the heart of the virtue and how best to pursue it. There are collections of parables, tales, sayings and teachings that distill this for Imperial citizens to learn from. The following are a handful of teachings and sayings deemed to be essential to understanding the path:


* Seek out the poison in your neighbour’s fields, lest your own crops be blighted.
* Seek out the poison in your neighbour’s fields, lest your own crops be blighted.
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==Paragons and Exemplars==
==Paragons and Exemplars==
Attempts to catalogue Paragons and Exemplars of Vigilance have met with mixed success. In some cases, the disaster they prevent or the catastrophe that goes averted results in their heroism going unsung. More notable are those who publicly expose traitors, infiltrators and black-hearted villains. Recognised [[Paragons and Exemplars]] of Vigilance include:
Attempts to catalogue paragons and exemplars of Vigilance have met with mixed success. In some cases, the disaster they prevent or the catastrophe that goes averted results in their heroism going unsung. More notable are those who publicly expose traitors, infiltrators, and black-hearted villains. Recognised [[paragons and exemplars]] of Vigilance include:
* The legendary Paragon known as [[The Sentinel]] is credited with building many ancient towers and fortresses that still stand today.  
* The legendary paragon known as [[The Sentinel]], who is credited with building many ancient towers and fortresses that still stand today.  
* The Paragon [[Vardas]] the Witch-Hunter of [[Varushka]] dedicated his life to tracking down and bringing to justice the criminals who preyed on his people.
* The paragon [[Vardas]] the Witch-Hunter of [[Varushka]], who dedicated his life to tracking down and bringing to justice the criminals who preyed on his people.
* The exemplar [[Berechiah]] who exemplifies the often unpopular idea that the vigilant should be prepared to do whatever is necessary to protect their people from outside threats.
 
==Symbols of Vigilance==
<onlyinclude>
{{CaptionedImage|file=Vigilance_speed_your_path.jpeg|width=500|align=right|caption=The Lantern lights the path of the Virtuous through the Labyrinth.}}
The '''tower''' is a common symbol of Vigilance, representing the ancient works of [[the Sentinel]]. The watchtower allows one to see great distances and prepare for coming threats, while a fortified tower or a '''castle''' allow one to protect that which is precious. Along similar lines, other tools of warding and warning are common symbols of the path, especially the '''bell''', the '''barred gate''', and the '''beacon'''. Priests and pilgrims of the Path of Vigilance will often carry a bell or whistle for precisely the purpose of alerting others to danger they have identified. A '''lantern''' is another popular symbol of Vigilance, as is the '''candle''' - both can be used to provide aid in dark places and to signal warnings to others.


==Symbols, icons and trappings==
Mystically inclined [[Urizen]] favour the '''unblinking eye''' (an eye without lids). The eye has a great deal of [[Urizen_hearth_magic#The eye|hearth magic]] significance, and is often painted onto surfaces such as gates, doors, and the base of [[Urizen_culture_and_customs#The_Heliopticon|heliopticon]] towers as a reminder of the need to stay alert. During their Spring festival, they represent Vigilance with green flowers or sometimes wreaths of green leaves. The image of the unblinking eye can also be seen in the '''basilisk''', a common symbol for unsleeping Vigilance among the [[Highguard|Highborn]].
The Path of Vigilance has many symbols across the Empire, but one of the most common is The Tower, which is symbolic not only of The Sentinel’s ancient works, but also epitomises the importance of defending what is precious, and in making the effort to prepare against threats. Along similar lines, another common symbol of the path is a Bell to symbolise the means of sounding a warning. Priests and Pilgrims of the Path of Vigilance will often carry a bell or whistle for precisely the purpose of alerting others to danger they have identified.
 
In [[Varushka]], eyes or grim faces are often carved into lintels or trees to keep watch over a vale; there are several stories of warnings being delivered in dreams to those who sleep in a house guarded by these peculiar icons. A similar role is played by the '''scarecrow''' (and to a degree the traditional [[The_Marches_hearth_magic#Poppets|poppet]]) in [[the Marches]].
 
The '''spear''' also stands as a symbol of Vigilance, especially among the [[Navarr]] where it has strong connotations of protecting against outside threats.
 
Among the people of [[Wintermark]] Vigilance is represented by the loud '''jay''' and by the '''goose'''. The goose is also used as a symbol of the virtue in [[Varushka]], alongside the wise '''spider'''. The spider also serves as a symbol of Vigilance among some covert [[sect|sects]] in [[Urizen]], specifically as the [[astronomancy|astronomantic]] constellation of the [[The_Spider_and_The_Web#The_Spider|same name]]. The law of the Spider - ''things are watched by a hidden eye'' - is both a statement of the need to be constantly alert for danger and a reminder that others are always watching. Some magicians use the [[Runes|rune]] of [[Ophis|Revelation]], '''Ophis''', as a symbol of vigilance.
</onlyinclude>


==Further Reading==
==Further Reading==
* You can learn about the various spiritual [[roleplaying effects]] created by priests [[Religious skills#Dedication|dedicated]] to Vigilance [[Prosperity_roleplaying_effects|here]].
* You can learn about the various spiritual [[roleplaying effects]] created by priests [[Religious skills#Dedication|dedicated]] to Vigilance [[Vigilance_roleplaying_effects|here]].
* You can learn about the skills that priests can use to safeguard the virtue of Vigilance [[Religious skills|here]].
* You can learn about the skills that priests can use to safeguard the virtue of Vigilance [[Religious skills|here]].
===The Seven Virtues===
* [[Ambition]]
* [[Courage]]
* [[Loyalty]]
* [[Pride]]
* [[Prosperity]]
* [[Vigilance]]
* [[Wisdom]]
===Religion===
*[[The Way|The Way of Virtue]]
*[[Imperial Theology]]
*[[Imperial Synod]]
*[[Religious skills|Religious Skills]]
*[[Recent history|Recent History]]


[[Category:Religion]]
[[Category:Religion]]
[[Category:The Empire]]
[[Category:The Empire]]

Latest revision as of 15:58, 1 August 2023

ChildPrimer6.jpg
From A Children's Primer of the Way

The Path of Vigilance

The Virtue of Vigilance is popular amongst those charged with ensuring the safety of things precious; from the inquisitor who seeks out treacherous cultists, to the scrivener who scrutinises their dhomiro’s records against fraud and theft, to the shepherds in the fields. The threats to the Empire and its citizens are many and varied and all must be prepared for, guarded against and actively opposed lest they tear down civilisation. Not all threats carry arms like the barbarians; some come with smiles and lies, like false-faced eternals, or even lie in the hearts of weak citizens. Through diligence, detail, and dedication in all things does one person’s Vigilance safeguard another from harm.

Guidance on the Path

Through meditation on the auras of Vigilance, and by studying the lives of paragons and exemplars, the priests of the Way have gleaned insight into the heart of the virtue and how best to pursue it. There are collections of parables, tales, sayings and teachings that distill this for Imperial citizens to learn from. The following are a handful of teachings and sayings deemed to be essential to understanding the path:

  • Seek out the poison in your neighbour’s fields, lest your own crops be blighted.
  • Be alert to all dangers; within and without.
  • Seek out falsehood and expose the truth.
  • Prepare for malice, yet thwart malice before it strikes against you.
  • Despise that which threatens what you watch over, whether by malice, lies, folly or carelessness.

Paragons and Exemplars

Attempts to catalogue paragons and exemplars of Vigilance have met with mixed success. In some cases, the disaster they prevent or the catastrophe that goes averted results in their heroism going unsung. More notable are those who publicly expose traitors, infiltrators, and black-hearted villains. Recognised paragons and exemplars of Vigilance include:

  • The legendary paragon known as The Sentinel, who is credited with building many ancient towers and fortresses that still stand today.
  • The paragon Vardas the Witch-Hunter of Varushka, who dedicated his life to tracking down and bringing to justice the criminals who preyed on his people.
  • The exemplar Berechiah who exemplifies the often unpopular idea that the vigilant should be prepared to do whatever is necessary to protect their people from outside threats.

Symbols of Vigilance

Vigilance speed your path.jpeg
The Lantern lights the path of the Virtuous through the Labyrinth.

The tower is a common symbol of Vigilance, representing the ancient works of the Sentinel. The watchtower allows one to see great distances and prepare for coming threats, while a fortified tower or a castle allow one to protect that which is precious. Along similar lines, other tools of warding and warning are common symbols of the path, especially the bell, the barred gate, and the beacon. Priests and pilgrims of the Path of Vigilance will often carry a bell or whistle for precisely the purpose of alerting others to danger they have identified. A lantern is another popular symbol of Vigilance, as is the candle - both can be used to provide aid in dark places and to signal warnings to others.

Mystically inclined Urizen favour the unblinking eye (an eye without lids). The eye has a great deal of hearth magic significance, and is often painted onto surfaces such as gates, doors, and the base of heliopticon towers as a reminder of the need to stay alert. During their Spring festival, they represent Vigilance with green flowers or sometimes wreaths of green leaves. The image of the unblinking eye can also be seen in the basilisk, a common symbol for unsleeping Vigilance among the Highborn.

In Varushka, eyes or grim faces are often carved into lintels or trees to keep watch over a vale; there are several stories of warnings being delivered in dreams to those who sleep in a house guarded by these peculiar icons. A similar role is played by the scarecrow (and to a degree the traditional poppet) in the Marches.

The spear also stands as a symbol of Vigilance, especially among the Navarr where it has strong connotations of protecting against outside threats.

Among the people of Wintermark Vigilance is represented by the loud jay and by the goose. The goose is also used as a symbol of the virtue in Varushka, alongside the wise spider. The spider also serves as a symbol of Vigilance among some covert sects in Urizen, specifically as the astronomantic constellation of the same name. The law of the Spider - things are watched by a hidden eye - is both a statement of the need to be constantly alert for danger and a reminder that others are always watching. Some magicians use the rune of Revelation, Ophis, as a symbol of vigilance.


Further Reading

  • You can learn about the various spiritual roleplaying effects created by priests dedicated to Vigilance here.
  • You can learn about the skills that priests can use to safeguard the virtue of Vigilance here.

The Seven Virtues

Religion

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