Der Sonnenmarsch

What players would know #

Der Sonnenmarsch—“the Sun March”—is the Empire’s great pilgrimage season, when roads become rivers of people and faith turns into logistics. Merchants follow the pilgrims, pilgrims follow the banners, and everyone pretends the crowds are only about devotion and not about money, favors, and who gets to be seen walking close to the light.

The Church speaks of it as the Golden Walk: a chance to renew oaths, witness sanctioned miracles, and put your footsteps where your prayers have been pointing all year. City officials speak of it as a scheduling nightmare. Bandits speak of it as an opportunity, until they learn how many guards feel holy that week.

Common rumors #

• Every Sonnenmarsch has at least one “miracle” and at least one massacre—usually the same event, depending on where you stood.
• If the march ever truly failed, people would still walk. That’s what scares the court.