Vythlak/Homilies/Holy Sorcery Party 02022025/Prayer Phelim

[Phelim's Shrine, Exterior]
The pebbled path encircles a small shrine of dark marble erected within a tiny clearing. Pale petals are strewn before the open archway, its surface polished so that the silvered veins within the ebon-hued stone glint even in the slightest remaining light. Songbirds chirp and chitter all around, though they remain unseen within the shadowed branches of the surrounding trees. You also see a small shrine.

Zynell says, "We are graced with the presence of a cleric of Phelim." Zynell says, "Allow me to introduce you to Phelim Priest Vythlak." Zynell gestures at Vythlak.

Vythlak softly says, "Thank you Zyn."

Vythlak smiles at Zynell.

Vythlak says, "If you do not have a feather please GET FEATHER FROM BACKPACK now. I will give everyone a moment in case you haven't yet."

Unaka nods to Vythlak.

Vythlak points at a rugged silver backpack on the ground.

Unaka fixes Vythlak with a heavy, ponderous stare.

Vythlak confidently says, "Welcome everyone. It is a pleasure to be here this fine day. Before I begin, I would ask you to please RAISE MY FEATHER to call down the blessings of Phelim upon our activities today."

You hold a dark blue nightingale feather high into the air for all to see. (Vythlak pulls out a well worn copy of a book and holds it up. Across the cover is written 'The Immortals'.)

Vythlak recites:

"At times like these, I like to recall back to the simplest of books
The Immortals, by Amritam Gweththew and Rowan Windlyric."

Vythlak recites:

"This book is used in near every clerical schoolhouse and temple in Elanthia.
However, there is a simple passage in it that bears upon our present situation and times."

(Vythlak flips to nearly the end of the book, and his finger traces the words as he speaks them.)

Vythlak recites:

"While all the gods have their own worlds,
only Elanthia is inhabited with the creatures
they find the most amusing and inspiring:
mortals. "

Vythlak inhales a great swallow of air. Vythlak slowly empties his lungs.

Vythlak recites:

"Yes, mortals are inspiring to the gods, just as they inspire us.
As Priestess Zynell said earlier, the wellspring of Holy magic is fundamentally different magic,
but just as we clerics draw upon the gods,
remember that the mechanics of Lunar magic are set in motion by the stars and moons set in the sky by Phelim."

Vythlak recites:

"We are all here today in the shrine of Phelim,
the dreamer,
he who cast the stars in the sky,
he who set the World Dragon to sleep."

"His visions led me, ultimately, here.
To this very location today.
And in his honor, I would like each of you to raise the feathers
- representative of Phelim's presence."

Vythlak rapidly says, "Please go inside to Phelim's altar, GO THROUGH ARCH. We will all PUT MY FEATHER ON ALTAR, and then OFFER FEATHER ON ALTAR as a sacrifice to Phelim. Please note that this may take a moment or so for each of you to make your offering one at a time and reflect upon it. Then follow me OUT and we will have a moment of silence and reflection."

[Phelim's Shrine, Interior]
Motes of dust sparkle in the warm air of this tiny shrine, the polished pebble floor glittering like diamonds in the twilight. An ivory statue of Phelim stands behind the slender glaes altar, his stony form clad in a robe of twilight-hued velvet swept with silvered stars.

Vythlak loudly says, "Remember, PUT MY FEATHER ON ALTAR and then OFFER FEATHER ON ALTAR."

Vythlak offers his feather to the gods in homage of their greatness.

[Phelim's Shrine, Exterior]
The pebbled path encircles a small shrine of dark marble erected within a tiny clearing. Pale petals are strewn before the open archway, its surface polished so that the silvered veins within the ebon-hued stone glint even in the slightest remaining light. Songbirds chirp and chitter all around, though they remain unseen within the shadowed branches of the surrounding trees. You also see a small shrine.

Vythlak quietly says, "Now listen to the nightingales in this holy place, and be assured that the gods are with us. But not only that they are with us, but they need OUR aid in this fight which spans the heavens."

Vythlak bows his head.

Vythlak inhales a great swallow of air. Vythlak slowly empties his lungs.

Vythlak confidently says, "Thank you for listening to my words."

Vythlak gestures at Gragnel.

Vythlak says, "Now I will turn things over to Reverend Gragnel for a prayer."

At the end of the sermons:

You hear a few soft, fluttering notes of song, and when you look up see a nightingale has perched atop the shrine. A few golden motes hang around it momentarily, looking like stars hung in an echo of a constellation. The bird sings another soft few notes, then flies away and is gone.

Vythlak says to Zynell, "Phelim blesses us."