The First Land Herald/434-06-38 (2)

Article Number: 33

Dateline: 434-06-38

PRAYERS FOR REDEMPTION Emryn Usho was the host of several recent Redemption meetings and prayer circles, welcoming Necromancers to seek confirmation of a path to Redemption in the eyes of the Immortals and inviting others with an interest to participate. Emryn’s own search began the moment she became attuned to Necromantic magic. She was overcome with the urge to shun it. The horrors that lay in the corners of her eyes continue to terrify her. Others are supporting Emryn and assuring her she is not walking her path alone. At each of the gatherings, Necromancers stood in the open during the congregation of the curious, the doubtful, the unrepentant, exposed by the urge to learn about the Immortal's grace. A nameless, disfigured scholar arrived at the first meeting, one we at the Herald have seen before (see the Herald article from 432-05-13). A man asked the scholar if he’d found redemption. He replied, "No... I have not. Their whispers elude my efforts, Their grace not yet for me. I reside in the Temple and have adopted a simple life of prayer and purification. My salvation is no closer, but I will continue my penitence." Briaen Huns, a Necromancer, confessed his own attempts to clean altars, as well as offer prayers, concluding, “The attention attracted by those actions is painful, to be frank." The scholar added, "The Temple priests believe some of the purification rituals are expediting my healing process. But Empaths still recoil when touching me. I do not attract the Immortals’ ire... but I do not hear their voice (sic) either." The scholar admitted with some hesitation that he was a friend of Osven during the assault on Maelshyve. Tasked with a successful offensive meant to distract her forces, they found themselves ambushed by the monstrosity Sivroch, a malformed and mutated priestess to demons. The scholar explained further, “She took everything. My friends, my will, my memories, even my name. I was found amidst the wreckage and deemed a possible source of information by the Temple, and nursed back to health. When they realized I no longer wished to pursue the path I was previously on, I became a little more than a curiosity and was allowed to stay. As Emryn notes, the horrors are ever present, though they recede when the Immortals are close to my thoughts and heart…. Judgement stands at either outcome of that experiment, and I do not feel prepared to be judged. I have work to finish in Their name. I do not wish to test the limits of either party's generosity." A sensation overcame the group of Necromancers as the scholar finished his story. A vision brought streams of ontologic mana into their peripheral sight, slowly congealing until they felt it enshrouding them, grasping as if demonstrating ownership. Thousands of eyes peered through the veil, watching their reaction to the scholar. Blinded to the world beyond the viscous coating, willed through the dilatant field, the scholar was seen at the center of the scene, an immiscible locus speckled with filth but untouched by the whirling mass. The ooze forced its way into the Necromancers’ mouths, leaving the foul taste of decay and causing aspiration, chests heaving in an attempt to scream, with no result. The scholar stood sternly as evaporating sludge dripped from his form, steaming beneath a glimmering orange radiance that seemed to burn within his breast. After a moment, the Necromancers found themselves where they were before, the sensation and vision fading. The scholar invited everyone to pray and closed his eyes as he addressed Hodierna. A slight orange light flickered around him and quickly faded. The scholar opened his eyes with a frown and looked to the heavens as he started a new invocation to Truffenyi. As the scholar continued and embraced himself tightly, a distant hum became audible, a soothing, paternal note stretching to a low bass, eventually fading away. Something about this experience caused the scholar to stammer that it was time for him to take his leave. Emryn ended the meeting shortly after the scholar was gone, continuing her work with a prayer circle at a later date. At the prayer circle, Father Isenriel introduced the first prayer in hopes of calling the eye of the Immortals. He glanced up from his prayer tome and recited a prayer named “The Guided Path,” reading aloud in a bright, yet reverent tone, “Searching through the realm so vast, and reaching for a way to last. Looking now, for inner peace, the burdens of my soul released. I search the silken skies at dawn, that which I'd never noticed before.” Isenriel continued his prayer, addressing all Thirteen Immortals. Emryn and another Necromancer offered individual prayers of their own. The final request of Emryn’s recitation was, "Please hear us, great Thirteen, we pray to you to finally find a resting place through this darkness!" The rain above felt unusually warm for a brief moment, and droplets fell upon the shimmering water at the hollow's center, flashing with soft ripples of silvery-white light when they landed. Emryn said, her voice softened, “It appears we may have been heard, at least for a mere moment." Father Isenriel handed everyone sirese flowers, a symbol of blossoming faith. Despite the hosting of Necromancers, the meetings have been peaceful and it is obvious that others too hope to see the day that certain Necromancers find Redemption. Will the Immortals forgive and embrace the ones who have behaved righteously enough, reflected upon different ideals or made changes to their philosophy and way of life? Time and continued effort will tell if this path leads to success or failure, or will prove that some Necromancers are past the point of no return. To Emryn’s knowledge, no one of her nature has yet attained forgiveness. Sincerely, Shaylynn Kendialahle Assistant Reporter of the First Land Herald

Real Date: Unknown Date

Subject(s): Crossing High Temple Demons Emryn Hodierna Immortals Maelshyve Necromancer Osven Redeemed Sirese flower Sivroch Truffenyi Zauldin

Author(s): Shaylynne