The Vigil

Originally called The Templars. Founded by Simon Mercer after the Last War, the Vigil is a group of wasteland knights that derive their supernatural powers through faith.

## History

### Name Change

In the aftermath of Baphomet's imprisonment, the order began to change, becoming more cooperative with other factions and redefining its image. Spurred largely in part by Toussaint's criticism of the Templar symbolism and legacy, Addie begin to think on a new branding for the Templars, one that would remove them from religious connotations and a bloody history. To help bring the group into a new chapter of its existence, Addie proposed a new name: The Vigil, a name meant to symbolize the order's role in guarding humanity.

## Beliefs

### The Oaths

#### Oath of Poverty

Vigilant are expected to carry out their duties without regard to rewards. The Oath of Poverty means that Vigilant reject the pursuit of wealth and materialism, seeking only what is necessary to survive the wastes and carry out their mission. That in mind, it is often practical for Vigilant to be well armed and armored for the situations that may arise.

#### Oath of Blood

Not all Vigilant live up to the values of the Order, and as Simon has come to learn, the powers he's given cannot so easily be taken away. When Vigilant are accused of misdeeds counter to the Order's mission, a Vigilant is blackballed. It is the responsibility of all Vigilant to bring their fellow member in to be judged by Simon back in Boise. However, the blackballed target doesn't always come easily, and some have obviously strayed so far from the Vigilant's mission that Simon orders them put down. The Oath of Blood is the duty of Vigilant to stop their fellow members from abusing their power and harming the people they are meant to protect—by any means necessary.

### The Saints

All people who posses supernatural abilities have a source that provides them, and to the Vigilant , that source is believed to be the Saints. The Saints are people who fought against evil in the world, specifically evils brought about by the Reckoners and their servants. Their presence remains in some capacity to provide the Vigilant a leg up in continuing that fight.

### The Martyrs

The Martyrs are Saints who play a much more active role in humanity's fight against the Reckoners. They share some similarities with one another that set them apart from other Saints: when the darker side of the world was revealed to them, they spent the rest of their lives fighting it, and all had been taken out by the evils they fought. Though they vary widely in who they were and their beliefs, these factors are what connect them together.

Martyrs are drawn to those who complete deeds connected to the very ones they completed in life. Those that act in a way that gains their approval earn the specific Martyr's support: during a time of need, they can call upon the Martyr to intervene. The abilities granted vary by Martyr, from Clara's aid to healing abilities, to Maggie sharing her syker powers. Just as the attention of Martyrs can be gained, it can also be lost. Every Martyr has their own vexation that causes them to abandon the Vigilant or Companion they'd chosen to help, whether from a moral standard or a personal frustration.

## Positions

### Grand Master

Current Holder: Simon Mercer

The Vigil Grand Master is the de facto leader of the Vigilant organization. Though Vigilant largely act independently in the field, the Grand Master's word carries the weight of the final decision. When Templars are rumored to have acted against their code, the Grand Master has the authority to order them brought back to base, and sit in judgement of their actions.

### Knight Commander

Current Holder: Jo Wales

The Knight Commander serves as the second in command of the Order, and the first in the line of succession. Much of their responsibilities are similar to the Grand Master, acting in their absence. They have the ability to pledge Vigilant aid.

### Head Inquisitor

Current Holder: Addie Kirkland

The Head Inquisitor is the second in line of succession. They are in charge of directing other inquisitors in their tasks, and have the ability to call off missions when the cause seems lost. They have the ability to pledge Vigilant aid.

### Companion

Companions are those who uphold the values of the Vigilant order, but for one reason or another do not become official Vigilant. It may be because of a conflict with Vigilant practices, a lack of want for Vigilant responsibilities, or simply an incompatibility in sources of supernatural power. They aren't able to receive Vigilant rewards, but are able to be blessed by the Martyrs.

Companions can gain their roles through the sponsorship of a Vigilant or another Companion.

Companions that perish are allowed burial in the graveyard of Boise's Hall of Heroes.

### Squire

Squires are the trainees of the Vigilant Order, and not full members until they complete their training. Originally, squires were required to train with their mentors for a year at minimum before being evaluated for full knighthood. When a person had proven themselves in alignment with Vigilant morals, a want to join the Order, and the drive to accomplish its goals, that person became a candidate for a trainee. Some such candidates were found on the road by traveling Vigilant, others spent time around Boise in a tent city, putting in work around town and hoping they'd be given a chance. A Vigilant could refuse a candidate put forward by Simon if they wished, with no obligation to take them on. If they did however, they would train their new apprentice on Vigilant values and practices, while traveling through the wastes.

However, this changed after the Union's cooperation with the Vigilant Order and Simon's push to combat Baphomet's influence on his organization. Squires now train for a minimum of six months before evaluation, and most of their training is now standardized in Boise, rather than spending most of their time wandering with their mentor.

Squires that perish are allowed burial in the graveyard of Boise's Hall of Heroes.

## Members of Note

### Simon Mercer

The Grandmaster of the Vigil, and its founder. After his initial fight with Baphomet and year of gathering recruits, Simon stayed firmly in Boise for the most part, hearing requests for aid, dispatching Vigilants on missions, knighting trainees to full members, and sitting in judgement of offending members.

### Jo Wales

Jo was one of Simon's first companions in the quest he undertook after gaining his powers, fighting Baphomet and their servants in Hell's Canyon. She later joined Simon's Templars once he set up in Boise. She became a Templar of renown, traveling all over the continent and taking on its evils. She became the second highest ranked Vigilant, the Knight Commander.

### Aaron McConnell

Aaron traveled with Simon to Hell's Canyon in his first adventure to take on Baphomet. He was the first Templar knighted after Simon established the order. He was killed by Brad Modeen in May of 2096, and became the Saint of Vengeance.

## Abilities

### Blessed Abilities

After Baphomet's imprisonment, the limits set on Templar powers were lifted, and the faith of the group proved strong enough to earn them abilities like the old Blessed.