In reply to Temush Blinking-cloud (msg # 16):

"Yes, Emesh-Ga will lead us into the initiation." Henal replies in a whisper.

Kobal steps forward with a knife and a bowl of clay in his hands, and addresses the assembled group of Rangers (rather than those who wish to join).  He wears the helmet of Emesh-Ga (as always), but now it seems just a bit more polished.

"In the past I have lead the ceremony to initiate newcomers to our band.  But there may be times when I am not around - our band is growing, and now some of us will move on to Pavis, while others remain behind.  Is there anyone here today who would like to do the honours?  Maybe it would be good for a Condor, or a Sun Hawk or a Raven to lead the ceremony.  This is not a role only for Thunderbird.  But no funny business..."  He scans the group, trying not to look hard at the Ravens with the last sentence.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:22, Mon 21 Nov 2016.

Interesting that Kobal should offer the lead in initiating around the rest of the Rangers, but wise also. Salen is not for taking him up on the offer, however.

"There will be a time for Condor to lead, but this is not it. Perhaps a Sun Hawk or Raven would wish to grasp this opportunity..?"

As the ochre covered warriors take their places, with the new recruits centre space in the now crowded space, Emesh-Ga begins to materialise in front of the altar.

With his head touching the ceiling the copper armoured Guardian and Golden Age occupant of the Temple calls out in his bass voice

"There are those present who wish to join our sacred ranks?......Who will vouch for them and announce their presence?"

As Emesh-Ga speaks the stone of the cave ripples as if something travels just below it's surface...

Amara stepped forward, her body covered from head to toe in the ochre. The only things detracting from the ochre were her hair still as crimson as ever, and an earth rune, softly glowing green on her forehead.

"I will stand for them. We have many that seek to join our number, for as we grow, the legends of the rangers grow, and the green may return more swiftly. All seek to be judged by Emesh Ga and found worthy of the name Wandering Ranger.

Temush blinking cloud, Khan of our ever faithful allies, the Big Peckers. Where others have talked of fighting chaos, his clan fought broo until almost all were gone. The bravery of the Big Peckers is legendary and I vouch for Temush to have a place among us.

Penga Three toes, once thought lost to us, but returned as a brave of the Skywatchers. Beloved of Eiritha. Fierce in battle, I vouch for Penga to have a place among us.

The whisper of the knife, a good hearted soul, and handy with his blades. He has always a smile and a good heart and I vouch for the Whisper of the Knife to have a place among us.

Rinhart the stout, as brave as he is gregarious. His words and laughter greet all and make all welcome. I vouch for Rinhart the stout to have a place among us.

Fellar Three Hoops,
Baram Greeneye,
Panurge,
Kitsune, wanderer and entertainer, she fights where she sees those who have been touched by chaos and as such. I vouch for Kitsune to have a place among us.
Wassen-Me"


Amara paused as she spoke each name out loudly, pointing to each of the candidates in turn.
"Each of these people have talked the talk and walked the walk. Each are worthy of the name Wandering Ranger. Each will add to the glory of our name and return this place to the Green."

She looked at each of the candidates solemnly "The path of a wondering ranger is not an easy one. It will take you far from home, it is a path filled with violence and misery, yet it is one which could see the Green returned to the Wasteland as it has around this place. It is a demanding path....and one that may result in your death, but it is not without it's own rewards. As we garner glory to our names, the rangers benefit. As we gather wealth to our names, the rangers benefit. As one of our number, all of our successes are your successes to. I will fight for you, and gladly place you at my side. I would die for you, and lay waste to all chaos around in doing so. If you are ready to continue... shout with all of your hearts "FOR THE GREEN", feel the love for the land and your fellow rangers and take the vow with Emesh Ga as your witness."
This message was last edited by the player at 20:33, Tue 22 Nov 2016.

"FOR THE GREEN" Temush and the other Ranger candidates shout

Melock stands at the back, as a guardian of the earth should, happy to let others take charge of the ceremony. When he see's the stone ripple, he smile to himself and gifts a handful of magic points to Gadesha. As Amara speaks Melock nods in agreement to her words and watch's the reaction of those who would be Rangers.

Voras watches the Ravens, the current members and the three new ones taking their oaths and watches them like a hawk.

His attention is drawn briefly away from then when Temush's name is spoken and he nods adding "And I have fought alongside Temush Blinking-cloud and know his to be worthy."

The ancient guardian spirit seems content with what has been said and lowers his gaze to stare at Temush and the others

"You have been vouched for, now stand before us and tell us your worth and your lineage..."

"I was called by Sun Hawk, and I know good ghosts Checheh, Nopal, Huuluruahu and Cunicul. I was gone when my clan was killed but their ghosts helped me when trolls who stole Yamsur's eye sent shades to drive us mad. I fell a long way in the sky but I did not die. I am son of Alev Bronze Hat, and my Ma Brisna was born to Sky Bone Blue. I am Temush Blinking Cloud, last of the Big Peckers" Temush says in his rudimentary Earth tongue.

The other applicants follow Temush's example, listing their own exploits and why they wish to join the Wandering Rangers. When at last they are finished Emesh-Ga continues...

The ancient Guardian speaks, his deep voice reverberating about the packed room, which suddenly is filled with the smell of warm loam and flowers.

"Welcome Temush, warrior of the Sun, both brave and just. I am Emesh-Ga guardian and one time Captain of the Wandering Rangers, warriors of the Earth who served great Tada himself.

Do you promise to not let chaos live?

To nurture the land we stand on?

And to strive to make it whole once more? "

With a nod approval at Temush's words and when Emesh-Ga speaks he listens intently then looks at the diminutive brave awaiting his response, his oath.

Ohanzee watches the ceremony covered head to foot with earth that he'd mixed into a paste. All but his arm that is, the blue arm that he leaves uncovered.

As the names of the names of the three Raven followers are announced he steps forward "And I vouch for Panurge, Kitsune and Wassen-Me who between them will confound our enemies, steal their lafe away and woo the peoples to our cause."

"These things I swear" Temush declaims "'til I am dead for good, or the green has come back"

"I Kitsune. I have fought Chaos and lived. I have bested the invaders of the Red Moon" she smiles drawing the stolen scimitar "And now I dedicate to Wandering Rangers."

Panurge speaks now, his customary smile still present "I Panurge have fought broo and fought invaders. I have fought other clans, but I want to fight for the Green now."
This message was last updated by the player at 20:57, Tue 22 Nov 2016.

Wassen-Me seems unusually subdued as he takes his turn to speak, but then he's younger than the others "I have not done all that the others speak of." he says hesitantly having decided not to lie about it. "But I will do all I can for the Rangers."
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:35, Wed 23 Nov 2016.

Having been uncharacteristically quiet too; maybe following Salen's words over Condors and leading, maybe pondering things he alone has seen of late, maybe just finding muddied runes daubed upon him less comfortable than those unfamiliar with towns and baths, Hoskar nods, breathes in, places both hand upon the shield of Emesh-Ga he has planted before him upon the earth, and finally speaks; albeit not for long.

Bravely spoken he intones. We are both axe and shield for the earth. The axe may cut through to the green, but the shield must be known. Must not turn in the hand. Must be known foursquare.

Welcome.

He directs a small individual smile...with maybe just a hint of a wink despite his outward formality...towards Wassen-Me before returning to silence.

Ohanzee grins at the three and Wassen-Me last and he adds to Hoskar's words "We all do all we can, for the Wandering Ranger, for the Green!"

The Thunderbird applicants out do the others with their boasts and general bravado, and with a welcoming smile the Earth Guardian holds out his arms once each brave accepts the geas and makes the oath....

Magic fills the room as individual power is gifted to the ceremony and as each Ranger present joins hands with the newest members their Earth Sense activates for the first time.

With bare feet on the ground the braves are suddenly filled with a connection with the earth, senses are nearly overloaded as nearby chambers, tunnels and people become visible to their inner eye, movement can be felt and the general wellbeing of the area determined.

"Wandering Rangers you all now are, burdened with the geas of protecting our land, defeating Chaos and bringing back what once was.

As your Guardian I shall share my powers in defence versus our shared enemy that is Chaos. With your new shield you will knock back your hated foe and when formed up shall be nigh on unbeatable against the tide that breaks against you."

Amara spoke to the crowd "Welcome to our sacred band, brotehrs and sisters. Mark my words. There will come a time when the green is restored. Until that time, know that we face many foes and mark my words, some day we will face all that opposes our will in this....and they shall die on our shields and on our blades, for we are wandering rangers. We will mock their dying with every breath we take beyond them and make them pay dearly for ever doubting that we would ever prevail." Amara raised her axe into the air "Now...for the first task that all of our holy vow must take....we drink, we eat, we have fun! FOR THE GREEN!"

"For the Green," shouts Kobal, joining the other veteran Rangers in welcoming the new recruits, giving some friendly head-butts.  "Remember," he calls out among the group, "you must have a square shield, as you would've seen we all bear.  It is one of the signs by which we Wandering Rangers are known."

And right on cue Sand Fox and his brother begin to hand out well crafted hide square shields, one of which is small enough for Temush to carry.

"FOR THE GREEN!" Melock calls from the back. As he walks among his fellow Rangers, he passes round skins of Kumiss, "Drink and fun, sounds like someone called Ravens name."