Deserra, a shy merchant's assistant, Alfonzo, a hawkish accountant arrive, following Alexio.

Merek makes his way into the shrine with his black scholar robes on, while he settles at a place so he can watch as well also.

Cecily, a coy secretary, Omero, a hulking bodyguard arrive, following Agostino.

Ilmia enters with her guards, but she gives a smile to them and hands off Aurous, "If you want to get something warm to drink and things while I sit." she states quietly to them. They give a dip of their heads and then head back out. She then walks up to find herself a seat and sits quietly to listen to things for the moment.

Slipping quietly into the shrine, Agostino finds a place where he can observe unobtrusively, dipping his head respectfully to any nobles that he passes along the way.

Gregory makes his way into the shrine, trying not to make a lot of noise with his cane, though it does click a little on the stone as he walks in. He looks around at those who have gathered at rather short notice and smiles, not expecting many people to attend. He is glad to see Rinel there. He makes his way to near the front of the shrine, waiting for everything to begin.

Alexio flamboyantly makes his way into the shrine, as well, followed by his accountant and assistant. He shoves the snow off his coat and at last takes a seat on the back, along with his companions, and then waits. Quietly but attentively watching the massed gather for the event.

Lisebet comes in quietly, and finds a spot to settle, so she can watch. There's a curiosity about her that shows often enough, this being one of those times.

It's a winter morning in Arx, and the Scholars of Vellichor are gathered in the Shrine of Vellichor to welcome one of their own, Brother Gregory. Archscholar Sina Godsworn stands at the front of the shrine, wearing her aeterna robes, a soft smile on her lips, hands folded lightly before her as she awaits the arrival of the initiate who is soon to take his vows. Though he is already sworn to the Gods, this is a special ceremony that is required of all Scholars, and now the time has arrived. Knights of the Library line the edges of the Shrine, resplendant in their armor and aeterna tabards as the Scholars and worshippers gather to witness Brother Gregory's vows. It is both a solemn and joyous occasion. The altar, diminuitive in size, is the old altar, draped in a simple aeterna cloth, not yet replaced with the new one, which is still being constructed behind a curtain beyond it. As Gregory arrives, Sina inclines her head to him in an indication for him to approach.

Gregory walks to the front of the shrine, looking around at those present as he walks forwards, leaning lightling on his cane. His movement betrays a minor sense of nevousness, though overall his steps are sure and his gentle smile never leaves his face. He eventually makes it to the front and stands before the shrine of Vellichor, and Archscholar Sina, reading to speak his vows and join the order.

As Gregory reaches the front of the shrine, Sina inclines her head to him, offering him a soft smile. Then she turns to address those gathered. "Welcome," she says. "Let us begin with a prayer before Vellichor." She bows her head, turning to face the altar.

"Vellichor, in your enlightened name we pray:
Enlarge our understanding of this world;
Let us see it.
Steady us when we stand before the uknown;
Let us know it.
Edify our minds, our hearts, our wits;
Let us remember it.

We bend our knee and receive your truth,
We open our ears and receive your counsel,
We open our eyes and receive your words.
We open our hearts and receive your wisdom."

She pauses for a time then, allowing a moment for silent prayer as well, before lifting her head.

Ilmia dips her head and prays quietly when Sina pauses and there's a look up when she is done, a smile on the redheads lips like there is usually.

Merek offers up his supplicatios while he listens to other folk also.

Gregory bows his head in prayer to Vellichor, listening as Sina speaks to words before the altar. He contemplates the prayer as it is said, reminding himself that this is the path he is taking. He has done some reasearch into the world around him, to enlarge his knowledge, and the line afterwards about steadying made sense. Knowing the world means standing steady against the turths you unconver.

Lisebet bows her head as a prayer is said, staying quiet and attentive.

When the prayer begins, Agostino bows his head reverently, eyes closed throughout both the official prayer, and the moments set aside for silent prayer as well. When he opens them again and looks up, he looks around briefly, dark eyes attentive.

Rinel mouths the words silently, her gaze fixed on Gregory.

Once the moment for silent prayer has ended, Sina turns at last to Gregory, offering him a soft smile. "Brother Gregory. You have sought wisdom in the deepest places of your heart. You have spent time within the Shrine of the Thirteenth, reflecting upon your own ambitions. You have come to us, seeking a place within the ranks of the Disciples of Vellichor, and now you stand before Vellichor. If you are ready, kneel before His altar, and speak these sacred vows:

"I am a guardian of knowledge. I shall never allow knowledge under Vellichor's protection to be destroyed."

"I am a guardian of stories. I shall never allow any works under our protection to be altered, and thus for the accounts to be forever lost."

"I am a guardian of testimony. The black reflections are a sacred bond between a soul and the gods of the Pantheon. I may record, but that trust must never be violated."

The Archscholar waits then, standing in quiet reverence, for the vows to be repeated.

Aryka Wyrmfang, 3 Thrax Guards, 2 Thrax Elite Guards, Teonia Redreef, Marquessa Pudding, a doughy dog arrive, following Sorrel.

Gregory takes a moment to go down on his knees, his old injury making such a thing more of a spectacle than it should be in front of everyone. But it isn't the first time Gregory has knelt in front of others, and it isn't the last. He manages to make it down onto his knees with a minimal of arkwards postures, and takes a moment to collect himself before speaking. His voice is clear and stable, as expected from a former Seraph. He takes a breath before each sentence of the vow, and allows a moment after each, for the words to be remembered.

"I am a guardian of knowledge. I shall never allow knowledge under Vellichor's protection to be destroyed."

"I am a guardian of stories. I shall never allow any works under our protection to be altered, and thus for the accounts to be forever lost."

"I am a guardian of testimony. The black reflections are a sacred bond between a soul and the gods of the Pantheon. I may record, but that trust must never be violated."

Unseen by others, he closes his eyes once done. A moment of reflection upon the vows just given, upon the order joined.

As Gregory finishes the final vow, Sina smiles softly, and offers her hands to him, to aid him to his feet should he so wish. "Rise then, Scholar Gregory Grayfallow, Disciple of Vellichor. May the stories you guard flourish throughout the ages, and may you find wisdom in Vellichor's light." She bows her head to him, then offers him a radiant smile. She leans to murmur something to him quietly as she aids him to his feet, then beams at him proudly, before turning to present him to those gathered. "Please welcome our newest Disciple, Brother Gregory Grayfallow."

Sorrel has snuck into the ceremony just in time for the best part: the clapping and celebration! She beams brightly at Gregory as he takes his vows and becomes Godsworn, and she claps enthusiastically for him.

Tescelina's late arrival does not prompt her to haste. She lingers, toward the back of the Shrine, observing the sworn vows with a thoughtful expression. Her hands folded before her, cloak drawn close against the cold. A silvery presence, remaining politely off to the side. Her smile is subdued, but fitting to the vision of woe about the knight. She claps gently.

Rinel applauds loudly, her face radiant with a joyous smile. A few errant tears trickle down her cheek as she beams at Gregory.

Merek lifts up both hands to clap while he looks from beneath his robe in thought to the others also.

Merek is overheard praising Gregory: Great Oath!

Sina is overheard praising Gregory: To our newest Scholar of Vellichor!

Sorrel is overheard praising Gregory: Prayers for our new Godsworn!

Ilmia applauds for the newest Disciple of Vellichor and there's a bright smile as things are done. It's always good to have new Disciples!

Agostino gives Gregory a congratulatory smile as he applauds the newest addition to the Scholars. As he does so, he glances around curiouly at the others who have assembled to witness the Godsworn's induction.

Sparte has been here in the background the whole time. Really. He joins in the applause, giving a big grin as he joins the others celebrating Gregory's vows.

Sparte is overheard praising Gregory: I'm incredibly proud of him right now!

Alexio rises to his feet and joins in on the clapping and celebration as well.

Gregory opens his eyes, and stands, taking Sina's hand to stand as he does, nodding his head in thanks, standing at the front as his fellows scholars and other observers appauld. He looks around, himself smiling. He waits a moment for noise to die down, before speaking himself. "Thank you all for coming to witness my vows. When I first came to Arx, I came to learn and update my knowledge, for a Seraph much know what they teach. I had heard of the Scholars, of course, who has not? But while I knew of your decication to Vellichor, what I did not know was how welcome you would all make me feel, and how I might be embraced. For that, I thank you all, and look forward with continuing to journey with you on Vellichor's path."

Alexio is overheard praising Gregory: To the newest Scholar of Vellichor!

Ilmia is overheard praising Gregory: Our newest disciple!

Sina smiles warmly as everyone gives their welcome and applause to Gregory, and her silvery eyes are shining with delight. It isn't often that Scholars get to show such a display of emotion, but here they all are. "I look forward to seeing great things from you in the future, Brother Gregory," she says in turn, before looking to the assembled Scholars. "I also have a brief announcement to make, and that is that I have approved Brother Gregory's suggestion of a tea room for the Vellichorian Academy. We'll discuss designs and plans for that in the future." Her eyes sparkle at that.

Tescelina smiles warmly at this hint of news and then, as silently as she came, the knight slips from the Shrine.

Once the celebration and clapping dies down a little, and other matters begin to be discussed, Alexio, and his pair of companions, quietly make their way out. And back onto the snow he goes!

Deserra, a shy merchant's assistant, Alfonzo, a hawkish accountant leave, following Alexio.

Gregory grins at the announcement from Sina that the tearoom has been approved. The smile of happiness if replaced with a slightly more mischevious one. As if he can already imagine the tea room, and sitting it in during the snow, such as that which falls right now. He turns to the Archscholar, speaking quietly. "Thank you." For what, it needs not be said.

Sorrel steps up to Gregory and touches his arm lightly, a smile on her lips. "Congratulations. You'll make a wonderful Godsworn. I'm very excited to see the Faith's ranks filling," she says sincerely, then leans in to whisper something to him.

Rinel sighs happily and clacks her way over to Sparte. "Tea in the Academy. Imagine how lovely that will be."

"No liquids near the books," Atreke says, her voice dour. Rinel just sighs.

Gregory replies to Sorrel, smiling, trying not to look a little embarassed.

Ilmia rises to make her way up to Gregory, she gives a dip of her head to Sorrel, "Your Highness." she greets her. Then there's a smile to Gregory, "Congratulations on joining the Disciples ranks. I am sure there will be great things from you." she tells him with a dip of her head.

Sparte gives a small smile to Rinel. "Tea stains on the whites will build character, maybe." Sparte looks over to Gregory, cupping his hands to call out. "Well done, brother Gregory!"

As people begin to filter out of the shrine, Sina turns to Gregory again, and offers him a smile. "As for your Senior Scholar project, we can discuss that more in depth in the future, though the topic we discussed is initially improved. Just keep in mind, leadership will need weekly updates on your progress," she murmurs. She dips her head to Sorrel, then she quietly excuses herself. Her gaze focuses on Rinel then, and she makes her way over toward the disgraced Scholar. "Mistress Tern," she says, somewhat formally. "I have not heard any updates on the progress of your penance lately. How have your lessons with Whisper House been coming along?" she asks as she steps down from the altar dais.