"Today you wear purple, as did the Etruscan kings of old. You join them in history. You join the men who broke the Empire of the Rising Sun. The women who dashed the Atlantic Alliance into the sea. You are a Conqueror. Accept this laurel as our proclamation of your glory."
A Triumph is a ceremonial procession held to commemorate military victories in wartime such as the conquest of a planet or continent.
Formalities[]
The Triumph consists of a twelve-kilometer parade along a paved white road built specifically for that purpose, known as the Via Triumphia.[1][2] A Triumph Arch at the start of the Via Triumphia marks the beginning of the parade route.[2] The leader of the victorious army typically rides in a chariot at the head of the procession, with their two most trusted associates ride in the chariot in the leader's daggershadow.[1][3] However, some Triumphs will have the leader be preceded by local entertainment, live animals, or important prisoners.[3]
The beginning of the Triumph is signaled by trumpet calls, and older White guides a young, blind child of their color to burn the red wool curtain that conceals the start of the parade from the crowds at the start of the Via Triumphia. Once the curtain has burned away, the parade sets forward.
The parade route of the Triumph is covered in red rose petals to signify Gold casualties, with all other military celebrations being restricted to the use of white petals only, particularly if there are no Gold casulaties.[4]
At the end of the parade route, the leader of the army is presented with a laurel by a White, who gives a speech to mark the conclusion of the parade before signalling the launch of a Triumph obelisk.
Following the parade, the Golds who led the army typically retreat to a private banquet where the commander is presented with a ceremonial Triumph Mask designed by Violets.
Notable Triumphs[]
Triumphs of the Conquering[]
The Golds of the Conquering held multiple Triumphs on Luna in their capital city of Hyperion to celebrate each continent they captured on Earth.[1]
Triumph of the Lion's Rain[]
After Darrow O'Lykos's victory in the Lion's Rain and subsequent conquering of Mars, a Triumph is held. However, when Roque au Fabii presents the Triumph Mask, the box is opened to instead reveal the eyeless head of Fitchner au Barca (whose secret identity as Ares had been revealed by Harmony), mouth stuffed with grapes, triggering a massacre. Many notable Golds die in this massacre, and Victra au Julii and Darrow are captured and tortured by Adrius au Augustus.
Triumph of the Long Night[]
Following the Society Remnant's retaking of Mercury after The Long Night in early February 754 PCE, Society forces held a Triumph in the city of Heliopolis.