Post:A Pilgrimage (Part Two) - 10/24/2014 - 12:27: Difference between revisions
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Before the image of the albatross, [[Liurilias]] offered up thanks and praise and the supplicants filed through. The feeling of warm downy feathers encompassed her, like a coat. She felt safe, warm and loved. For a brief moment [[Sendithu]] could imagine herself on wing, flying above the waters, before she shook herself and became aware of her surroundings once more. Glancing around her, she thought she saw the vague figure of a smiling woman who appeared not to notice a man behind her who appeared to be glowering slightly. [[Sendithu]] stepped towards them, her hand straying towards a blade, but the pair disappeared as the crowd began to disperse, moving towards the shrine of [[Eluned]].<br> |
Before the image of the albatross, [[Liurilias]] offered up thanks and praise and the supplicants filed through. The feeling of warm downy feathers encompassed her, like a coat. She felt safe, warm and loved. For a brief moment [[Sendithu]] could imagine herself on wing, flying above the waters, before she shook herself and became aware of her surroundings once more. Glancing around her, she thought she saw the vague figure of a smiling woman who appeared not to notice a man behind her who appeared to be glowering slightly. [[Sendithu]] stepped towards them, her hand straying towards a blade, but the pair disappeared as the crowd began to disperse, moving towards the shrine of [[Eluned]].<br> |
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Once again, offerings were made and prayers were recited. This time, as [[Zandrith]] recited a prayer to the Mother of Oceans, members of the group went still and unfocused briefly before recovering and exclaiming about receiving a vision of becoming a dolphin. Again she searched the shadows behind the pilgrims as they discussed their experience, and briefly caught a glimpse of a kindly woman observing the crowd. The glowering man stood behind this woman, as well, but his visage seemed slightly less aggressive towards her. The pair again vanished into the crowd as they moved forward towards the image of the shark, the shrine of Drogor.<br> |
Once again, offerings were made and prayers were recited. This time, as [[Zandrith]] recited a prayer to the Mother of Oceans, members of the group went still and unfocused briefly before recovering and exclaiming about receiving a vision of becoming a dolphin. Again she searched the shadows behind the pilgrims as they discussed their experience, and briefly caught a glimpse of a kindly woman observing the crowd. The glowering man stood behind this woman, as well, but his visage seemed slightly less aggressive towards her. The pair again vanished into the crowd as they moved forward towards the image of the shark, the shrine of [[Drogor]].<br> |
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[[Zamara]] pulled [[Sendithu]] aside as the group filed in. The Elf's eyes widened slightly in surprise as her friend explained what she wished to offer as tribute, but [[Sendithu]] acquiesced. Better that she do it than someone with a less steady hand, she thought. As the shark teeth piled up and the prayers to the Shark grew louder, more insistent, they approached the image and [[Zamara]] placed her hand on it, unblinking. [[Liurilias]] furrowed his brow at his wife but did not intervene as [[Sendithu]] stepped forward, a ritualist's knife suddenly in her right hand, her left hand holding [[Zamara]]'s elbow steady.<br> |
[[Zamara]] pulled [[Sendithu]] aside as the group filed in. The Elf's eyes widened slightly in surprise as her friend explained what she wished to offer as tribute, but [[Sendithu]] acquiesced. Better that she do it than someone with a less steady hand, she thought. As the shark teeth piled up and the prayers to the Shark grew louder, more insistent, they approached the image and [[Zamara]] placed her hand on it, unblinking. [[Liurilias]] furrowed his brow at his wife but did not intervene as [[Sendithu]] stepped forward, a ritualist's knife suddenly in her right hand, her left hand holding [[Zamara]]'s elbow steady.<br> |
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With a final glance at [[Zamara]]'s face, [[Sendithu]] raised her chin and intoned "Drogor, accept the hand of this Healer as thanks for safe passage, and the hopes that you will allow us to return to the mainland once more."<br> |
With a final glance at [[Zamara]]'s face, [[Sendithu]] raised her chin and intoned "[[Drogor]], accept the hand of this Healer as thanks for safe passage, and the hopes that you will allow us to return to the mainland once more."<br> |
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[[Zamara]]'s hand tightened around the shark tooth she held, but the Healer said nothing. Behind them, the group continued their prayers and offerings, most ignoring the pair as they readied themselves. "Are you prepared?" [[Sendithu]] asked, and [[Zamara]] nodded slightly, setting her jaw. With a swift and sure motion, [[Sendithu]] tightened her grip and the knife flashed forward, severing [[Zamara]]'s hand neatly at the wrist.<br> |
[[Zamara]]'s hand tightened around the shark tooth she held, but the Healer said nothing. Behind them, the group continued their prayers and offerings, most ignoring the pair as they readied themselves. "Are you prepared?" [[Sendithu]] asked, and [[Zamara]] nodded slightly, setting her jaw. With a swift and sure motion, [[Sendithu]] tightened her grip and the knife flashed forward, severing [[Zamara]]'s hand neatly at the wrist.<br> |
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The smell of brine grew stronger, but was accompanied now by the stench of burnt flesh, as the marine-hued lightning sought its target, [[Gwenddolyn]]. As quickly as it appeared, the entity dissipated now that its divine work was completed.<br> |
The smell of brine grew stronger, but was accompanied now by the stench of burnt flesh, as the marine-hued lightning sought its target, [[Gwenddolyn]]. As quickly as it appeared, the entity dissipated now that its divine work was completed.<br> |
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[[Gwenddolyn]]'s body and [[Zamara]]'s hand hit the floor at almost the same instant. The crowd was silent for a breath, staring at the spectacle, before the room exploded in voices, everyone shouting at once. The overall sentiment was that, once physically healed, [[Gwenddolyn]]'s spirit would receive no Clerical assistance until she made sufficient apology for her outburst. Over and over, [[Liurilias]] and Reira attempted to drive the point home that what the Therengian had said was unacceptable, particularly in light of the group's mission and the very sacred ground where they stood, but her spirit stubbornly refused to admit any wrongdoing until it became clear to all that abandoning her was honoring the will of Drogor and offering resurrection without her remorse was flying in the face of His wishes. Finally she relented (Afraid to be left behind, not truly sorry, [[Sendithu]] muttered to [[Liurilias]] later that morning), and after being blessed with a small sign of permission from Drogor himself, [[Liurilias]] gave her the gift of life once more.<br> |
[[Gwenddolyn]]'s body and [[Zamara]]'s hand hit the floor at almost the same instant. The crowd was silent for a breath, staring at the spectacle, before the room exploded in voices, everyone shouting at once. The overall sentiment was that, once physically healed, [[Gwenddolyn]]'s spirit would receive no Clerical assistance until she made sufficient apology for her outburst. Over and over, [[Liurilias]] and [[Reira]] attempted to drive the point home that what the Therengian had said was unacceptable, particularly in light of the group's mission and the very sacred ground where they stood, but her spirit stubbornly refused to admit any wrongdoing until it became clear to all that abandoning her was honoring the will of [[Drogor]] and offering resurrection without her remorse was flying in the face of His wishes. Finally she relented (Afraid to be left behind, not truly sorry, [[Sendithu]] muttered to [[Liurilias]] later that morning), and after being blessed with a small sign of permission from [[Drogor]] himself, [[Liurilias]] gave her the gift of life once more.<br> |
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Somewhat subdued, the group finished paying their respects. [[Zamara]] idly traced patterns in blood, washing the image of the shark in crimson. [[Sendithu]] cleaned her knife quietly, her eyes scanning the shadows. [[Liurilias]] and [[Mistanna]] gathered the group together and they filed out slowly, making their way back to the prayer gate as the unseen sun climbed towards midday. The wind and rain beat at them still, but each of the pilgrims felt like they had done something important that night. Something meaningful. As they approached their ships to sail home, crackling images of dancing lightning reminded them of the need to pause and reflect on their betters. Even the mightiest warrior only continued to draw breath at the whim of the Gods.<br> |
Somewhat subdued, the group finished paying their respects. [[Zamara]] idly traced patterns in blood, washing the image of the shark in crimson. [[Sendithu]] cleaned her knife quietly, her eyes scanning the shadows. [[Liurilias]] and [[Mistanna]] gathered the group together and they filed out slowly, making their way back to the prayer gate as the unseen sun climbed towards midday. The wind and rain beat at them still, but each of the pilgrims felt like they had done something important that night. Something meaningful. As they approached their ships to sail home, crackling images of dancing lightning reminded them of the need to pause and reflect on their betters. Even the mightiest warrior only continued to draw breath at the whim of the Gods.<br> |
Latest revision as of 15:22, 24 October 2014
A Pilgrimage (Part Two) · on 10/24/2014 12:27 PM CDT | 1098 |
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Eventually they reached the island, soaked to the bone but comforted in the knowledge that their efforts were, if not necessarily being celebrated, were at the least being tolerated. It was a fine line, she thought, when dealing with the darker aspects of the divine; appeasement is the wisest course of action, draw too much attention and you wind up with a situation like that business with the chrysalis. Still, all of the divine faces deserved respect, she just generally preferred to respect them at a safe distance.
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This message was originally posted in Events and Happenings in DragonRealms' Elanthia \ In-Character Event discussions., by DINERGRRL on the play.net forums. |