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| Action Id: 3567 | Crisis: | Participants: Rinel and Vayne | |
| Status: Resolved | Submitted: July 10, 2019, 11:17 p.m. | Public: True | GM: Puffin |
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Action by Rinel
Rinel comes to the Cathedral, an enormous bundle of objects held in her arms. She is without her cane, and so she moves quite slowly. She unwraps the bundle to reveal twelve simple objects and a second, small bundle of simple wool.
She turns to those present and smiles nervously. Then she turns to the altar and begins to speak. Each time Rinel pronounces her return of a sacrifice, she lays it before the altar. By the end, they will lie in a row, side by side.
“First is the Lady Mangata. To Her I sacrifice this tablet, with which I recorded my trip to the holy spire of Mardomum. I felt Her presence there, while I held this. To Her I return it, with joy for the memory.”
“Second is the Lord Petrichor. To Him I sacrifice this lichen, which I have never studied. When I was first arrived in Arx, I heard rumours of a lichen that grew only in the winter. And, at last, I found it, two years later. But though it still glows, I have new responsibilities--and I have not had the time to do what I could with it. To Him I return it, with regret for my inaction.”
“Third is the Lady Lagoma. To Her I sacrifice this cane, which has let me walk where I could not. I thank Her for the skills of the Physician Cybele, who saved me from death. I thank Her for my convalescence. I thank Her for the stability that only change can provide. To Her I return it, with anticipation for new growth.”
“Fourth is the Lord Vellichor, against Whom I committed sins beyond utterance. To Him I sacrifice this surcoat, the symbol of the Scholars, which I wore in His service. To Him I return it, with shame for my betrayal.”
“Fifth is the Lady Gloria. To Her I sacrifice my spear, forged by the master Felix Meadson, a weapon far beyond anything of which I am worthy. With it I slew two who preyed upon the Faith. To Her I return it, with the honour of my homeland.”
“Sixth is the Lord Jayus. To Him I sacrifice this nail, first of all things that I forged. My mother’s hands guided mine as I poured the iron and struck the blow. Countless nails have I made since, for farrier and cooper, for carpenter and wheelwright--but this one was my first. To Him I return it, with pride for my creations.”
“Seventh is the Lord Limerance. To Him I sacrifice this sketch of me. It was made by… It was made by Wynna Blackwing, whom I loved. I miss her. I will not love like that again. To Him I return it, with… with grief.”
“Eighth is The Sentinel. To Him I sacrifice these maps. They are of the Grey Forest, with predictions of shav’arvani encampments. In my rage I swore to hunt the Abandoned, to do whatever it took to see them wiped from Arvum. I would have seen innocents slaughtered in a fruitless quest for vengeance. I surrender that rage. To the Sentinel I give them, with acceptance of life’s justice.”
There’s a long silence before Rinel begins to speak again. Her voice is hoarse, but grows more clear as the pain recedes once again into the past.
“Ninth is the Lady Gild. To Her I sacrifice this hair-comb, given in charity by a lady far above my station, in response to some small words of consolation. It is a beautiful gift, and often I have worn it. To Her I give it, with desire to see more beauty.”
“Tenth is the Lord Skald. To Him I sacrifice this copy of a journal, in which I railed against the Faith. It was a foolish thing, which has cost me much. Yet I was free to make it because of Him. And it is far better to live a life in which one may make choices that cost much than to live in a prison where one is safe from her own freedom. To Him I give it, with resolution to choose better.”
“Eleventh is the Lady Death. To Her I sacrifice this memorial pendant, made in honour of Driskell Stillwater. He was my mentor. He was my friend. He was a traitor to the Compact and the Faith, corrupted by the Abyss, devoured by a demon. I miss him. To Her I give it, with hope that he may rest safely in Her arms.”
“Twelfth is Aion, Dreamer. To Them I sacrifice this bottle of wine, delivered to me by my former patron, one who once was close and now no longer is. That person rescued me from death, and threatened me with death. He taught me much of the world, and though we no longer are in accord, I thank him for opening my eyes to a truth--that the Dream encompasses all, not merely those we wish it did, and that no matter our personal feelings, we all remain connected in a way that can never truly be severed. To Them I give it, with the understanding that no one is ever truly apart.”
Rinel at last takes a small, woolen bundle. She unwraps it with trembling hands. A simple dagger lies there, and it takes all her will to grasp it with her hand. “To the Thirteenth God, I will not name You. This sacrifice was never mine. You put it into my life to keep but for a brief time, and now I return it by my own hand. To You I give it, with the fear that You will enter my life once more.” And so, with violently trembling hands, the woman places the dagger beside the bottle of wine.
She bows.
“I give to You, the Holy Pantheon, Thirteen Sacrifices for Thirteen Gods. I beg that you look upon your humble servant, wounded though she is, broken though she is, failure though she is, and grant mercy. I beg that you cleanse her of the poison that clouds her soul. I can offer nothing beyond my service, Holy Ones. But no matter what You choose to give me, my service is Yours.”
And then she stands, and watches, and waits.
Action by Vayne
Vayne attends the ritual with enthusiasm, paying close attention to the objects chosen, as well as the reasons. He even nods his approval at the selection for Tehom, as though he knows the story behind the knife.
Result
Rinel slowly makes her way into the Cathedral. It's a difficult time for Rinel, as it often is - the Scholars are upset with her yet again, after all, and she realizes as she takes a breath here that she is fortunate to be allowed in this place, in this moment. And so on the thirteenth day, in the thirteenth hour, she begins her rite by laying her sacrifices on the great altar.
First to Mangata, a tablet where she recorded her journey to Mardomum and felt the presence of Mangata.. Next to Petrichor, a lichen that grows in the winter but that she has not studied. For a moment, regret flashes across her face but then she doggedly continues.
Each sacrifice to each god she lays down, one by one. She speaks of new growth. Of sins against Lord Vellichor. She speaks to Gloria and of the spear she loves. She speaks of things she created, gifts she has been given. Love and sacrifice. Adventure and knowledge. Rage and charity. Of railing against the Faith, of fond memories of traitorous Driskell. At last, she lays a dagger on the altar, and when she does that, the Great Cathedral starts to shake and tremble.
"How long will you stop up your ears and refuse to listen?" The great voice is not angry - just disappointed. "You are no humble servant. You are too full of pride to listen. To learn. You tear people apart with your incautious words. To Us, you speak gently and humbly. To Our Chosen, you speak pridefully, ignorantly, unkindly. You are proving more trial than solution. Your arrogance has made it impossible for you to walk the path We hoped you would."
There is a pause, a horrible pause that has Rinel's heart sinking. And then the voice speaks again. "You must find a new purpose. Give up all that you hoped to be. Let go, and you may yet find a way forward. Listen more. Learn. Expand your vision. Your way is not the only way."
And then the voice is gone, and the Cathedral stops shaking - was any of it even real? But the offerings laid so carefully on the altar are gone as well, and there are tears on Rinel's cheeks.