History of the Ru'atin Peri'el (book) - Revision history

CARAAMON at 21:58, 5 March 2011

2011-03-05T21:58:20Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:58, 5 March 2011
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	[[Category:Book]]
	==History of the Ru'atin Peri'el ==		==History of the Ru'atin Peri'el ==
	'''As Written By Oracle Laricra Milaeshi, Devout Student of Our Lady Faenella'''		'''As [[page type is::book\|Written]] By Oracle [[Laricra]] Milaeshi, Devout Student of Our Lady Faenella'''


	I shall write this eve of the Ru'atin Peri'el, at the		I shall write this eve of the [[Ru'atin Peri'el]], at the
	behest of My Lady Faenella, who was always viewed the		behest of My Lady [[Faenella]], who was always viewed the
	Ru'atin Peri'el fondly, owing perhaps to their veneration		Ru'atin Peri'el fondly, owing perhaps to their veneration
	and adoration of the musical arts. After all, the Ru'atin		and adoration of the musical arts. After all, the Ru'atin
	Peri'el are among the land's finest singers -- the text		Peri'el are among the land's finest singers -- the text
	"The Singers of Aesry Surlaenis'a" extensively notes the		"The [[Singers of Aesry Surlaenis'a]]" extensively notes the
	musical style of the order. My own text, however, is more		musical style of the order. My own text, however, is more
	concerned with who the Ru'atin Peri'el are, and their		concerned with who the Ru'atin Peri'el are, and their
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	The name "Ru'atin Peri'el," when translated, means "Sisters		The name "Ru'atin Peri'el," when translated, means "Sisters
	of Peri'el." But it has far more meaning than that alone,		of Peri'el." But it has far more meaning than that alone,
	from a cultural standpoint. In S'Kra Mur society, a person		from a cultural standpoint. In [[race association is::S'Kra Mur]] society, a person
	divides others into two groups, "ru'at" and "q'alri," a		divides others into two groups, "ru'at" and "q'alri," a
	concept which is at the very core of S'Kra culture. The		concept which is at the very core of S'Kra culture. The
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	May These Words Be Blessed By the Grace of Faenella.		May These Words Be Blessed By the Grace of Faenella.

			{{Cat\|Book}}
	[[Category:S'Kra Mur]]

ISHARON at 04:58, 15 April 2010

2010-04-15T04:58:20Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:58, 14 April 2010
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	May These Words Be Blessed By the Grace of Faenella.		May These Words Be Blessed By the Grace of Faenella.

			[[Category:S'Kra Mur]]

Maintenance script at 23:10, 26 November 2007

2007-11-26T23:10:32Z

Maintenance script: Book:HlmHRP moved to History of the Ru'atin Peri'el (book)

2007-11-23T04:00:08Z

Book:HlmHRP moved to History of the Ru'atin Peri'el (book)

← Older revision	Revision as of 23:00, 22 November 2007
(No difference)

Maintenance script at 15:35, 22 November 2007

2007-11-22T15:35:57Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:35, 22 November 2007
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			[[Category:Book]]
	==History of the Ru'atin Peri'el ==		==History of the Ru'atin Peri'el ==
	'''As Written By Oracle Laricra Milaeshi, Devout Student of Our Lady Faenella'''		'''As Written By Oracle Laricra Milaeshi, Devout Student of Our Lady Faenella'''

Maintenance script: New page: ==History of the Ru'atin Peri'el == '''As Written By Oracle Laricra Milaeshi, Devout Student of Our Lady Faenella''' I shall write this eve of the Ru'atin Peri'el, at the behest of M...

2007-07-10T09:35:36Z

New page: ==History of the Ru'atin Peri'el == '''As Written By Oracle Laricra Milaeshi, Devout Student of Our Lady Faenella''' I shall write this eve of the Ru'atin Peri'el, at the behest of M...

New page

==History of the Ru'atin Peri'el ==
'''As Written By Oracle Laricra Milaeshi, Devout Student of Our Lady Faenella'''

I shall write this eve of the Ru'atin Peri'el, at the
behest of My Lady Faenella, who was always viewed the
Ru'atin Peri'el fondly, owing perhaps to their veneration
and adoration of the musical arts. After all, the Ru'atin
Peri'el are among the land's finest singers -- the text
"The Singers of Aesry Surlaenis'a" extensively notes the
musical style of the order. My own text, however, is more
concerned with who the Ru'atin Peri'el are, and their
origins.

The name "Ru'atin Peri'el," when translated, means "Sisters
of Peri'el." But it has far more meaning than that alone,
from a cultural standpoint. In S'Kra Mur society, a person
divides others into two groups, "ru'at" and "q'alri," a
concept which is at the very core of S'Kra culture. The
ru'at includes whoever the individual designates, be they
members of the family or extremely close friends. But
regardless of who he includes in his "ru'at," it creates a
bond, one of absolute trust, loyalty, and closeness. Those
outside the ru'at are considered "q'alrin," which, in S'Kra
Mur society, means the person is not worthy of trust or
consideration, a category most outsiders would fall into.
So when a group is denoted as the "Ru'atin "Peri'el," or
"Sisters of Peri'el," it does not merely indicate their
nature as a religious order, but rather is a statement of
intimacy and family with the goddess herself.

The Ru'atin Peri'el were founded many centuries ago --
millennia, even -- on the island of Reshalia. After
Sarkhhl Smo'neh had firmly established his rule over the
island and made himself King, he ruled for a number of
years. But about fifteen years into his reign, Reshalia
Island was set upon by tremendous earthquakes. The
island's foundation trembled, its structures were shaken to
the core. King Sarkhhl feared his palace might fall down
upon his head. He was certain the quakes were an augury of
some sort from the gods, but was of course incapable of
deciphering their message himself. For that, he called
upon the High Priest of Hav'roth, the god of the earth.

The High Priest, a wizened and elderly S'Kra Mur man, came
to the Island of Reshalia. He spoke with the king, and
then observed the shaking fury of the earth himself. The
priest wandered about the island, listening to and watching
the earthquakes, and meditating. Finally, he returned to
Sarkhhl's Palace.

"I know what is causing your earthquakes," he said.

"Please, Wise One, tell me!" beseeched the king. "Have I
displeased the Great Hav'roth? Tell me what I have done
and how I might atone, that I may appease His anger and
continue to rule His people?"

The old S'Kra smiled, and shook his head sadly. "No, my
son, it is not the case. Hav'roth is not angry."

Puzzlement from the king greeted these words. "But if
Hav'roth is not enraged at us, then what could be causing
such horrible shaking?"

The High Priest sighed. "I am afraid it is much worse than
that. I believe these shudders of the earth are caused not
by Lord Hav'roth, but by the bane of the gods, the wicked
slumbering beast."

"Do you mean that the earthquakes are being done by the
World Dragon, Wise One?" asked the king.

"Indeed I do. I believe Our Lady of the Songs, Peri'el, is
weakening from the many thousands of years she has kept the
World Dragon captive. I believe he is in the throes of
awakening, and these quakes are being caused by that."

"But what can we do to stop this?"

"That," the High Priest said wistfully, "I do not know. I
will return to my order, and we shall think of a way."

And so, the High Priest of Hav'roth departed Reshalia
Island. Poor King Sarkhhl remained there, to continue his
rule without divine aid or guidance, hoping to keep his
people calm, and hoping the priests could find a way to fix
this problem.

The elder consulted with other priests of his order, as he
promised, but he also met with and discussed the matter
with the other High Priests -- after all, an awakening of
the World Dragon was something which by necessity concerned
all of them.

It was the High Priestess of Peri'el, though, who devised
the solution to this problem. "If Peri'el is weakened,"
she reasoned, "then perhaps we mortals may assist her."

The priestess commanded the Clerics in her order to scour
the lands, to seek out those S'Kra Mur women, both priestly
and bardic, who possessed a veneration of the goddess
Peri'el and a voice to rival her own. Once they had found
sufficient number, the Ru'atin Peri'el had been formed. It
should be noted that the High Priestess herself, a woman by
the name of Maligen Shanati, met the criteria laid out.
She resigned her position as the High Priestess of Peri'el
and instead became the first leader of the Ru'atin Peri'el
-- a position called the "First Singer."

The group was formed with a singular purpose -- to
strengthen and aid the goddess Peri'el in her efforts to
keep the World Dragon asleep. The Ru'atin Peri'el would,
with their powerful voices and divine inner strength, sing
the songs of the goddess, to supplement her own powers and
enhance her own songs.

To return to the tale of King Sarkhhl, though... First
Singer Maligen returned to Reshalia Island with the
beginnings of her Ru'atin Peri'el. There they established
their first Great Sanctuary, and they began their Songs of
Renewal and Sustaining, powerful songs to resound with
those of the Goddess Peri'el.

It was not long before the earthquakes of Reshalia came to
an end. With the renewed strength Peri'el was given by the
Sisters, the World Dragon was returned to the tight grasp
of sleep inflicted upon him by the Dreamer, Phelim.

The group is in some ways remarkably similar to Bards; in
others, it more closely resembles the Cleric Guild, as a
religious group is wont to do. The Sisters are divided
into several groups. First, there is the Kapo Peri'el, or
the "Song of Peri'el." The Kapo Peri'el are the general
members of the order. They are the initiates and those who
attend to the most basic chores and tasks to be attended
to. The Kapo Peri'el deal with the society outside the
Sisters. They provide aid and comfort to the sick and the
poor, and they take in and raise lost orphans. The Song
also seeks to gain information from the outside world, that
they may know of the waxing and waning of the gods' power.
This division of the Sisters also performs many lower level
rituals, such as those songs which do not require the
greatest level of skill. But make no mistake -- even a
member of the Kapo Peri'el is likely to possess a voice far
superior to anything outside of the Sisters.

Above the Kapo Peri'el is the Sara'pon Peri'el, or the
"Voice of Peri'el." It is these women that have earned the
Ru'atin their vaunted reputation as the greatest singers of
all the lands. Most of the rituals of the Sisters are
performed by this division; the Songs of Renewal and
Sustaining are carried out by the Voice of Peri'el. While
the entry requirements for entering the Ru'atin Peri'el at
all are quite strict, they are yet more daunting should one
wish to join the Voice.

The Sisters are led by the First Singer, who is more
formally known as the "Ur'Kapo Peri'el" -- the First Singer
of Peri'el. It is her task to cultivate the order, to lead
it in the most challenging of rituals and the most powerful
of songs. She serves, figuratively speaking, as the
lifeline between the Sisters and their Goddess Peri'el.
Beyond these three main divisions, there are also whispered
tales of the Qi Peri'el, or the "Soul of Peri'el." The Qi
Peri'el are not a unique division within the Ru'atin, per
se, but they are actually, according to rumors, intermixed
with the other groups of the order. So, assuming there are
Qi Peri'el, one imagines that only the First Singer knows
who precisely they are. It is said that the Soul of
Peri'el exists for one goal, which would be to stop any who
seek to awaken the World Dragon or harm the Goddess
Peri'el. How they stop such individuals is a matter best
left undiscussed.

In order to gain entry to the Ru'atin Peri'el, one must
pass a number of quite stringent tests. More accurately,
there are four ways to join. The first is to be selected
personally by the Ur'Kapo Peri'el, the First Singer. Those
who demonstrate utterly remarkable talents or a
particularly strong devotion to the Goddess Peri'el will
often be offered a place within the Sisters by the First
Singer. Next, one may take and pass the first test. The
first test is only available to a daughter of a member of
the Ru'atin Peri'el. It is the easiest of tests, and any
daughter will be granted admission to the Sisters should
she possess even the slightest aptitude. I should point
out that the fourth daughter of a fourth daughter is always
thought of as a divine sign, and these women generally
possess the greatest talents of all, and are thought quite
highly of by the other Ru'atin Peri'el. Next, one may pass
the second test, which is only available to orphans who
were taken in and raised by the Sisters of Peri'el. It is
more difficult than the first test, but slightly less
strenuous than the final test, the third test. Those who
are members of outside society, with no connection to the
Ru'atin Peri'el, who seek to join the order, they must pass
the third test, the most difficult of all.

Because of its role in serving the Goddess Peri'el, the
Ru'atin have always been held in the highest esteem in
S'Kra Mur society. Of course, the Sisters were admired by
other peoples, as well -- they were viewed as an integral
part in the struggle to keep the World Dragon asleep; the
World Dragon is a threat to all the peoples of Elanthia,
and so all venerated the Sisters for the protection they
gave. But the S'Kra truly admired them the most. Peri'el
is, of course, the goddess who granted the most important
attributes to the S'Kra Mur people -- their heart, the
soul, their compassion. She is their true patron, and the
Ru'atin are her sisters and daughters; the respect and
accord granted them by other S'Kra Mur has always reflected
that. They had great political influence.

Until, of course, the Dragon Priests came. The Dragon
Priests, though S'Kra Mur, did not think highly of the
Ru'atin Peri'el, and they slaughtered them wherever
possible... they killed the singers, and burned down their
beautiful sanctuaries. Thankfully, many of the Sisters
survived the assault by Dzree's fanatics, and they fled to
the isle of Surlaenis, where they reside to this day,
continuing their rituals and songs.

By my hand, <br>
Oracle Laricra Milaeshi

May These Words Be Blessed By the Grace of Faenella.

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:10, 26 November 2007
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	The Ru'atin Peri'el were founded many centuries ago --		The Ru'atin Peri'el were founded many centuries ago --
	millennia, even -- on the island of Reshalia. After		millennia, even -- on the island of Reshalia. After
	Sarkhhl Smo'neh had firmly established his rule over the		[[Sarkhhl]] Smo'neh had firmly established his rule over the
	island and made himself King, he ruled for a number of		island and made himself King, he ruled for a number of
	years. But about fifteen years into his reign, Reshalia		years. But about fifteen years into his reign, Reshalia
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	some sort from the gods, but was of course incapable of		some sort from the gods, but was of course incapable of
	deciphering their message himself. For that, he called		deciphering their message himself. For that, he called
	upon the High Priest of Hav'roth, the god of the earth.		upon the High Priest of [[Hav'roth]], the god of the earth.

	The High Priest, a wizened and elderly S'Kra Mur man, came		The High Priest, a wizened and elderly S'Kra Mur man, came
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	sufficient number, the Ru'atin Peri'el had been formed. It		sufficient number, the Ru'atin Peri'el had been formed. It
	should be noted that the High Priestess herself, a woman by		should be noted that the High Priestess herself, a woman by
	the name of Maligen Shanati, met the criteria laid out.		the name of [[Maligen]] Shanati, met the criteria laid out.
	She resigned her position as the High Priestess of Peri'el		She resigned her position as the High Priestess of Peri'el
	and instead became the first leader of the Ru'atin Peri'el		and instead became the first leader of the Ru'atin Peri'el
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	possible... they killed the singers, and burned down their		possible... they killed the singers, and burned down their
	beautiful sanctuaries. Thankfully, many of the Sisters		beautiful sanctuaries. Thankfully, many of the Sisters
	survived the assault by Dzree's fanatics, and they fled to		survived the assault by [[Dzree]]'s fanatics, and they fled to
	the isle of Surlaenis, where they reside to this day,		the isle of Surlaenis, where they reside to this day,
	continuing their rituals and songs.		continuing their rituals and songs.