The Eulogy

Transcribed speech made by Emperor Aurelius Scarro to all members of The Senate in an emergency session on Seshersday 3rd Frostwane 3030-4A. Contents should be included in all inksheet publications from Tyrsday 5th Frostwane until Tyrsday 11th Frostwane.

Friends, citizens, subjects. I come before you all this day with words of grief, of sacrifice and of heroism beyond recompense. It came to my attention 2 days past that on 29th Deepfrost, a threat of catastrophic magnitude was discovered under the peaceful streets of Dolrath. The gods named them Nightwalkers, creatures of primordial creation, a remnant of the Second Primordial War that all had thought dead and forgotten. One creature, that if left unchallenged, could have left the city of Dolrath and its people as nothing more than fire and ash.

Whilst we sat in the capital, ignorant and oblivious to this threat, a small group of men and women of our empire discovered the monster and confronted it at once, knowing the death it could bring should it rise to the surface. These heroes thought nothing of their own lives, of their own safety or their own risk, instead committing themselves to the protection of our great empire, no matter the cost.

We should rejoice this day that these heroes were successful in destroying the Nightwalker within our midst, and commemorate the steep cost of their victory.

I call upon each and every one of you to remember their names.

Ser Gorlock - Knight of The Empire and veteran of the Imperial Legion. He leaves behind a loving family in the deserts of Yydraan, as well as the Lady Serena Mari, to whom he had pledged service to.

Bibi Starlight - Talented and gifted graduate of the Imperial Academy for Music & Entertainment. She leaves behind a grieving family in the southern region of the Coastal Protectorate.

Solas Branwyn - Graduate of the Imperial College of Innate Magics and an accomplished mage. He leaves behind a family of retired heroes in their own right.

These fallen champions did more than just defeat this historic foe, they also uncovered compelling evidence of corruption at the highest levels of our government. Corruption that left us blind and unprepared for such a threat. In response to this evidence, The Order of Justiciars have been called upon to perform a full investigation and vetting of all individuals within The Deliberative Authority. Senators and their staff from all regions of the Empire will be recalled and requested to remain in the Capital until the process is complete.

Whilst this investigation is ongoing, all authority held by the Senate and its Chambers will be suspended, and transferred to the Emperor under Royal Prerogative. The Executive Authority will continue to ensure continuity of governance across all regions, reporting to the Emperor and The High Table for matters of mediation.

To support and bolster the Provinces and ensure security and organised communication in the absence of their Senators, The 2nd, 8th,11th & 12th Legions have been deployed to The Coastal Protectorate, Elsir Vale, Reachfold and The Westerlands respectively. The 7th & 10th Legions will remain in Yydraan, to provide the same benefits to the peoples of the east.

It fills me with no joy, pleasure or delight to make such a decision, but I am of steel conviction that it is what this empire needs in the wake of these troubling events. You have my solemn word that this Empire will not be caught unaware again, that no threat will be capable of striking again, that the integrity of our government is not brought into question again.

This is the Emperors will. Long live the Empire.