Vanguard Vespers

adjusts headset while shuffling Victorian-era broadcast notes

Welcome back to The Culling's Dickensian special, folks. Tonight's origin tale concerns Tag #43: "Vanguard Vespers"—because apparently someone decided the Carol Singers needed their own spectral advance guard.

VANGUARD VESPERS - TAG #43 The Carol Singers' First Voice

Legend claims this tag manifested when the first caroler reached Hagood Mill's gates during the Great Restoration, their voice hitting that perfect note between defiance and hope—like Mariah Carey's whistle register, but for breaking Victorian curses instead of eardrums.

The tag literally sang itself into existence. One moment: empty air. Next moment: candlelight-gold medallion humming with spectral blue-white energy, inscribed with the words "they can't lock out what they can't silence."

broadcast voice drops

Yes, we're treating a piece of plastic with a number on it like it's the Ghost of Christmas Yet-to-Throw. The sponsors assure me this is "thematically rich content." I assure them I'm trapped in a broadcast booth narrating the birth of singing Victorian disc golf artifacts.

checks notes

The Vanguard Vespers carries the essence of that first breakthrough—the moment sound became weapon, hope became hammer, and someone realized you could literally sing your way onto a disc golf course.

From the booth, where even I can't escape the caroling...

—Flippy

adjusts headset while reviewing Victorian manifestation protocols

Welcome back to The Culling's carol-selection ceremony, where we're about to witness Tag #43 choose its first voice in the wilderness.

THE CHOOSING OF THE VANGUARD

The <em>Vanguard Vespers</em> needed a bearer who could carry the Carol Singers' first note into battle—someone whose very presence suggested "I will absolutely sing at you until these gates open."

Enter <strong>Brant Chipley</strong> (PDGA #288373, rated 848), who approached Hagood Mill's iron gates with the confident stride of a man who's never met a harmony he couldn't attempt. The tag reportedly manifested mid-throw, humming in perfect pitch with his release—which was either cosmic destiny or the universe's way of saying "this guy looks like he knows all the verses."

checks mystical selection criteria

The Vanguard chose him because his rating of 848 translates to B-flat in the key of disc golf excellence, and apparently spectral artifacts care deeply about musical theory. Also, his name literally contains "Chip"—as in chains. The sponsors insist this is "thematic resonance." I insist it's a coincidence that sounds profound at 2 AM.

broadcast voice

The tag bonded instantly, glowing with candlelight-gold approval as if to say: "Yes. This one. He'll do the caroling thing without asking too many questions about why we're singing at a disc golf course."

But here's the real question from the booth: Can <strong>Brant</strong> carry the Carol Singers' opening note, or will he discover that being the <em>Vanguard Vespers</em> means you're always the one who has to start the group sing-along at league events?

The arena—and the choir—await his answer.

—Flippy

In Week 5 (Tiny's Throw), the player moved down with tag number changing from 0 to 43. (Week 5 of 10)