In Memoriam

In Memoriam

The river which flowed through Melrose was an old one, meandering across the land this way and that. From Maiden’s Braid downsteam, series of falls and rapids dot the river. And yet, on a particular bend not far upstream from the trident-shaped delta, the river smoothed, almost like glass, coming to a crawl. Beyond the sounds of birds, rodents, and the wind blowing through the tall grasses and flowers in full or late bloom, the water made not a sound. Even as the sun set over the hills to the west, and as the crickets and frogs sang their sound, the river spoke not a single word of its own. To the imaginative observer, some may wonder if the river’s water were even there at all, or if it were merely a ghost, a shade, a memory. It was perhaps what had drawn locals to this quiet, peaceful place long ago. To ponder the meaning of their lives and to think, unabated, unimpeded, unencumbered. It was a place to reflect, but also to remember, to grieve, but also to, in time, let go. It was Melrose’s sacred place of memory, a local superstition that had moved King Adamh, when he had heard of it from his local host. And true to the spirit of his parade, and to the hospitality of Melrose, all were welcome.

As the evening progressed, a large gathering had come to the bend. Many still wore their diadems of flowers, others still clutching said flowers in their mouths. Some wolves carried lily pads and placed them in stacks along the water while pyromancers gathered small bundles of sticks. Their trade was far and few between in Rionnach and it seemed almost every one of them were present for the ceremony. A size-able detachment of soldiers were also present, arranged in proper rank and order. General Faust stood at the head of the arrangement, his stoic expression mimicking that of a statue. Faust knew that to participate in the parade and to be present was voluntary, even for soldiers, by King’s decree. And yet, he wondered what kind of soldier would not be present at this moment.

As the sun reached behind the hills the lands were lit only by its residual rays. It was time to begin. Flanked by his royal guard, his beloved Queen Daphne, and local representatives, King Adamh made his solemn approach to the lily pads as he took his position at the front of the gathering. But it was not he who spoke. As the soldiers maintained their stances and with a nod from the King, General Faust approached. “In defense of your nation,” Faust began, ”in defense of your King, in the defense of those you hold dearest, each enlisted wolf who served in the war answered the call. Whether they chose to fight, or were conscripted, each of those here today showed courage, bravery, honor, and upheld what it means to be a member of the Imperial Army. Each enlisted wolf sacrificed their occupations, their families, their lives, for a cause greater than themselves. Hundreds of soldiers and civilians braved the storm, knowing they were the wall that stood between the innocent and the enemy. Many… never came home.”

“I echo the King’s sentiment, that we shall let this war be the end of it. That those we have lost and that we remember today, we remember not just for their sacrifice, but for their legacy. Let those who gave their lives and their souls be those that brought an end to all war, and bring peace to Rionnach, so that our pups, and the pups of our pups, will never know the meaning of war. By the King’s Blessing, and by the consent of the wolves of Melrose, the hillside of flowers before us will remain untouched for all of time, in memory of those who have served and who have sacrificed. We commit to this river, now, tokens of our mourning and our condolences, but also too our gratitude and our hope, that our memories of them may not fade in time. Let this river carry our thanks to the sea, so that those who have crossed beyond may know that they are not forgotten.” With his speech concluded, Faust took his position back at the head of his arranged soldiers, and barked out a command to salute the King, their bodies once more at attention



This is a ceremony to commemorate those who were killed or wounded in the war. By Royal Decree, King Adamh has dedicated a portion of the hillside meadow adjacent to the bend in the stream to not be touched. To commemorate any wolf who served, lily pads and flowers have been brought in, as well as wooden balls that are to be set alight by local pyromancers. You can participate in this thread publicly if you wish to put your own lily pad into the water, or remember separately via your own threads. The choice is yours. Here’s some other information:

Although King Adamh has promised that all are welcome to partake in the commemorative exercises, it is an unspoken sentiment that only pro-Royalist or pro-Rionnach wolves may participate. Wolves looking to commemorate others will not likely find comfort here, thus should attend at their own risk. Any wolves who come to disrupt the ceremonies will be dealt with swiftly. You may place as many flowers as you wish on your lily pad, as well as have a wooden ball placed on your lily pad and lit (they are called lanterns) by a pyromancer NPC.

© JokerValentine