Event 8
Vivat Rex
10 Apr - 7 May, 2016
Introduction
After seeing through the tumult of Estraude’s broken alliance, the Miras Kingdom settled into an odd kind of peace. Although still officially at war, the Koben Empire made no signs of further attacks, ceasing even their menacing warship patrols in the northern seas. Taking advantage of this respite, the Kingdom focused on its many other affairs – only to overlook the one thing it should not have. On the 15th Arrival, this becomes devastatingly clear. The doctors of Miras’ royal palace emerge with the heavy announcement: their king, Giovan Lucilius, has died.
Shock grips the entirety of the Kingdom. News spreads like wildfire of how the king had never quite recovered from his Spectre Day illness and how it had relapsed suddenly in the night. To make matters worse, it becomes revealed that he left no official record regarding which of his two sons was to inherit the throne, leaving the succession in unexpected doubt.
The third and final piece of chaos comes on the dawn following King Giovan’s death: several people, all citizens of the Kingdom, are struck with a pale light and feverish visions that soon begin to come true with frightening accuracy. Astonished, the Church of Delverne recognises this as Aurea’s gift of prophecy, a blessing only bestowed upon their own Order of Cardinals – until now. Bafflement, grief and fear deepen across the continent – was the king's death caused by Spectre Day, by a curse of Atros? Did Aurea send new oracles now to counter this? And most importantly, who will become the new king in this fragile, uncertain world?
The people of Miras and Delverne have witnessed both a disaster and miracle of unprecedented scales - an empty throne after the loss of a much-loved king and what could be a pivotal blessing of Aurea's power. What future should they now walk towards, and will it yield safety or calamity?
Event Details
Vivat Rex
On the morning of the 15th Arrival, word comes from the royal palace that King Giovan Lucilius has died of illness, at the age of 62.
This marks the end of an era that has spanned over three decades. Even with the outbreak of war towards the end, King Giovan’s reign was one of overwhelming stability, peace and charity. His death is felt far beyond the capital – all across the countryside, citizens stop as the news arrives.
A state funeral is organised, a huge event that will span four days. From the 23rd to the 26th, a procession will carry the king’s coffin from the royal palace to Carisca, a large Mirian estate of rolling hills and orchards where Giovan grew up. Here, he will be laid to rest. Citizens from all over the Kingdom gather along the procession’s route to watch and pay their final respects. In tribute to their king’s famous generosity, many offer free food, shelter and transport to those travelling for the funeral. Amidst the sea of black and white mourning colours, sprays of yellow dandelions and bright nasturtiums appear as people add the king’s favourite flowers to their clothes and offerings – something they know he would have liked.
There is more than a funeral for the palace to shoulder though. Taking heed of Delverne’s unease, every citizen who was struck with prophecies on the day of the king’s death is quickly gathered to the safety of the royal palace. As they are, a pattern emerges – all the affected are children or youths with features so pale they seem sculpted from snow. People whisper again of Aurea’s touch and a new name for them emerges: the White Oracles.
Priests and authorities of Delverne, already gathered in Miras’ capital to honour the departure of one king and the arrival of the next, join the palace in observing and protecting the Oracles. Among them is the Dominus Salvai, bringing his wisdom of Delverne's own holy oracles, the Order of Cardinals. Against this backdrop, the royal court devotes its attention to their own, greatest challenge: the choosing of their next king. Although many expected the stern and responsible older prince, Silvan, to be the one to inherit, the revelation now that King Giovan had not cemented the decision casts doubt on everything. Did he have reasons against choosing Prince Silvan? Or is foul play at hand and was the king’s declaration destroyed by someone who wished to see the easy-going younger prince, Vinicio, on the throne instead? Disquiet roils but the show goes on. People across Miras converge in the capital to witness – and perhaps influence – the decision of the royal family. And no matter what may happen: long live the king.
Story
Activities
Event Outcomes
The event outcome will be determined by member votes on which royal prince - along with the future he entails - will become the new King of Miras. Every member with a main character who is a current citizen of the Miras Kingdom or Delverne will be allowed 1 vote by default. 1 extra vote will be given for participation in the Colloquium and another 4 votes for a finished art entry. To vote, please see the link below:
♛ Vote for a king here! ♛
Event Participation
Colloquium
To help people decide which king and future they really want for the Kingdom, a discussion floor emulating the talk in Miras' royal court will be opened. People will be able to ask the princes and various palace figures questions and receive in-character answers. Each participant in this will receive 5 EXP and 1 extra vote.
❖ This way to the Colloquium ❖
Event Participation
Event Art
Draw, write or in any way depict your character's involvement in the main event to affect the outcomes! Art or literature entries will receive a bonus 30 EXP. Only main characters are eligible for the bonus EXP and the outcome.
Event Participation
Prompt Art
For characters who cannot be directly involved in the event, you can use this event as a prompt (e.g. reacting to the news from another city). Prompt submissions will get a bonus 10 EXP for the submission but will not count towards the event outcome.
Event Participation
Action Statement
If you don't have time to make an art piece, you can get 5 EXP by simply stating what your character is doing for the event via a post in the #event-board Discord channel. This applies to main characters only and there must be direct involvement with the events to get this. Side characters' involvement can be described to contribute to the event canon however no points will be given. If you go on to enter an art submission later, the EXP received for this will be replaced by the art submission points.
Special Role
Lanier Cleyrendal
Snow Oracle
As the sun rises on the 15th, Lanier becomes one of the youths illuminated with Aurea's radiance and sight. Born with the same snowy fairness as the rest of the chosen, she is soon found and brought under the custodianship of the royal palace. Here, Mirian and Delvan authorities alike consult her about her visions, which they soon find strike at any time, in any clarity or potency, and so must be carefully watched. As one of the eldest amongst the White Oracles, she is often sought or invited to events that the smaller ones are not yet fit for. Little by little, she becomes both an older sister figure to the younger oracles and one of the main faces of those blessed by Aurea.
Special Role
Eoghan Elwynne
Guardian of the Small
In Miras' quest to retrieve all the White Oracles, Eoghan is sent in a small team of Flight Regiment soldiers to find one of them in the south of Cantor. Upon arriving at the orphanage where the light struck, they discover that the oracle is a young child of barely 6 years. Direly frightened by their visions, they are too fearful to go with the soldiers - until they encounter Eoghan alone and promptly become attached to him. Surprised but not displeased by this, the palace asks for Eoghan to accompany the child until they are comfortable with life in the palace. And indeed, he is needed: the oracle will not speak to anyone except him, including about their visions.
Conclusion
The funeral of King Giovan went smoothly. Countless people from all across the continent gathered in the capital and along the route to Carisca to witness his final journey, lighting up the roads with vibrant golden flowers.
With their old king now laid to rest, the senate and royal advisers of the palace gathered to make their final decision on the succession of the crown. Debates resounded and laws were examined in painstaking detail to find the correct – or any – answer. And slowly, as the population of Miras waited with held breath outside, a consensus emerged.
Prince Vinicio’s support, both within and outside the palace, was strong. Those in favour of him argued passionately for a king who was well-attuned to his people – a valuable and unifying skill that could not be easily taught. Like King Giovan, they claimed, Vinicio’s leadership abilities could mature over time, making him a kind and well-balanced king. A stronger voice, however, spoke of harsher realities: the Kingdom could not afford to wait so long and when so many burdens pressed on it now. A continent lost to war, an island lost to plague, a broken alliance and a population fracturing under the continuous blows – the Miras Kingdom needed a definite leader now, not a potential leader later, and Prince Silvan had both the experience and skill to fulfil this. Having also long been the one who was primed and expected to succeed, spurning Silvan and his long-time supporters could send critical rifts through the royal court, another disaster they could not afford.
Agreement settled. On the 4th Seeds, the announcement comes and the mourning populace is lifted with new hope and direction. The Miras Kingdom now welcomes the coronation and rulership of King Silvan Lucilius.