Vythlak/Homilies/Holy Sorcery Party 02262025/Prayer Albreda

[Tiger Clan Home, Old Church]
Some rows of wooden pews are set before a simple altar. A symbol carved in the shape of a dove rests on a dais, and a quiet peace fills the space in tribute to Albreda's blessing. Candlelight casts a tranquil glow over the walls and pews and gives the space a safe and warm feeling at any hour of the night. You also see a rose, a gloomy Shadow Servant, a tiny chocolate brown kitten, a wobbly ladder and Father Karjon.

Gragnel says, "Please direct your eyes and ears to my guildmate Vythlak who also has some words for you all."

Gragnel gestures at you.

You murmur softly to yourself, "May Phelim send me sweet dreams and true visions."

You sense that you are as pure of spirit as you can be, and you are ready for whatever rituals might face you.

You stand back up.

(Vythlak steps forward to the altar, his gaze moving around the still church, humble and yet awesome in its simplicity.)

You say, "Thank you, Reverend Gragnel, for your opening words and the chance to speak again."

You smile at Gragnel.

You clearly say, "For those who do not know me, I am Vythlak, Cleric of Phelim. Thank you for coming today, and listening to our words."

You adjust your lambswool stole into place.

You say, "For today, is a good day. Why is it a good day? Because I had a lovely conversation with Father Karjon, who has tended this humble place of worship for as long as any can remember."

You gaze at Father Karjon.

You say, "He was telling me stories of his younger days, when things were less peaceful. About the wars with Lyras, the Gorbesh, all number of things slowly fading into the past."

You take in a great breath of air.

You slowly and deliberately empty your filled lungs.

You say, "Those of us from the longer-lived races, or who have the benefits of Empathic magic, remember or have been involved in these affairs. But for others, they have been long enough that these are the tales of their great grandparents."

You kindly say, "Father Karjon reminds me of my friend Ump, a fellow follower of the Nightingale. He is solid, dependable..."

Umptiskrunk beams!

You smile at Umptiskrunk.

You say, "A friend."

You say, "Umptiskrunk said, and I more or less quote:."

You loudly say, "Phelim is pal like that. Always do the faithful a solid."

Umptiskrunk nods.

You chuckle.

Umptiskrunk says, "Is true."

You say, "Which got me to thinking about the Goddess whom where are here today to venerate - Albreda."

You say, "And I can think of few words better to describe her than she's a real pal."

You say, "Why a pal? She brings peace. The kind of peace that brings people together. That allows neighbors to build and maintain a small fence between their fields. The kind of peace where people find partners, have children, raise families."

You longingly say, "The kind of peace where those cycles happen over and over again. The kind of peace that any pal would want for another without even thinking about it."

You say, "We often call out to other gods for more active help, for we are all champions, on the violent, raw, bleeding edge of conflicts. Yet when do we suffuse and maintain those bonds? In the quiet moments of peace."

You recite:

   "Albreda, we thank you for the seconds of peace during battle.
    Albreda, we thank you for the minutes of peace, sitting with friends.
    Albreda, we thank you for the hours of peace, resting in our beds.
    Albreda, we thank you for the days and years of peace,
    The large peace and the small peace."

You softly say, "For peace is what we need, in the end. Peace for the Immortals - to heal from their travails. Peace for those... used... by the Heralds - to heal from their trials."

Unaka nods to you.

You intone serenely, "Albreda send us peace and prosperity, and grant long life to our nation. May her gentle blessings bring healing to our lands."

You say, "Thank you for listening to my words. And thank you Albreda, for being a pal."

You quietly say, "And those of you here who I know, and who know me, thank you for being my pals."

You smile.

(Vythlak steps quietly away from the altar, turns and offers genuflection to the Dove. He then moves back into the crowd.)

You settle yourself on the wooden pew.