Melock smiles and waves at the crowd and when Emesh-Ga appears, he stands a little bit taller. Melock copies Amara and removes his boots, he then splashes some water from his canteen and blood from a cut on his hand on to the earth and mixes it together, he uses the mud to draw the runes of Dark Earth, illusion and spirit on his face, while muttering to himself, "Goddess bless and protect us today." He puts a little bit of his spirit in to each rune. Melock then stands up and places his hand on the hilt of his new sword, keeping a watch for danger.

Grundar follows as beckoned, eyes wide and feeling like a giddy child. Since his sister went missing, he has felt a void, a lack of place or family, and whilst Pavis excited him for a while, and the thrill of the games kept him occupied (and on the run!) the arrival of the Rangers has provided him a sense of belonging. It will be good to become officially part of their number. The sights and sounds and smells are a little overwhelming. He takes a deep breath and tries to focus and stay calm, and then sprints to catch up with Amara.

Amara grinned at Grundar "Today is a good day, is it not Grundar?" she took a look at his boots and raised an eyebrow "Today is not a day for things on your feet grundar. Feel the Earth, smell the loam. This is what we fight for. This is what we will return to this place. It is right and good to be here, at this place and in this time. For today, you shall become a Wandering Ranger, restoring the Garden to all. The copper men are reborn in us and one day, this shall all be...paradise."

Grundar grins, hops on one leg and then the other as he tugs his boots off, and then tosses them over his shoulder. There, how's that?

Ohanzee greets Emesh Ga as he enters and then walks past those removing their boots since, he as always goes barefoot. Passing Temush he claps the little fellow on the shoulder and in a not so quiet at all voice says "Good day for it. Glad I didn't over do it with the booze last night."

As he passes Melock he pauses and stooping whispers to him

Amara nodded, satisfied when Grundar took off his sandals. Only Ohanzees presence darkened her mood, she greeted him with only a scowl, as she took her place in the temple, waiting for the ceremony to commence.

Henal slips off his sandals and walks barefoot, he pauses and using earth marks the runes of Earth, Spirit and Movement on his face before heading down in the temple. He says "for the green" as he enters and salutes Emesh-Ga, then takes his place.

In reply to Amara Brightsky (msg # 72):

Grinning as he takes a place on the opposite side of the square the Rangers are forming Ohanzee responds to Amara's scowl with a "Good morning my Queen, hope you are well this fine day."
This message was last edited by the player at 17:46, Thu 17 Jan 2019.

Temush scowls at the Raven though a smile twitches at the corners of his mouth.
"Glad I didn't overdo it with the flooze." he mutters.

Amara pointedly drew her axe and sharpened it as she waited for the ceremony to commence. "I'm thinking that you're enough to drive someone to join Delenda's religion.""

Looking uneasy, Hoskar too follows the lead given and slips off his boots, stowing them away with care. Underground again. Well maybe this time will go better, Emesh-Ga and Issaries protect me.

Hail to the earth he murmurs diffidently.

As Ohanzee whispers to Melock, a look of keen interest appears on his face and he nods. Melock suppress a grin as Ohanzee manages to ruffle a few feathers with barely any effort. He joins the square and stands next to Hoskar. Melock's eyes flick to the path they have just trodden getting there, though there is nothing there to see, but never the less his eyes briefly go wide before he drags them back to the square.

And finally, it was time. Amara looked around, to see all of the Rangers gathered and the hulking shape of Emesh-Ga shimmering, as the dust motes in the air passed through his form. She looked at each of the rangers in turn, acknowledging them all with a quick smile. She was expecting Kobal to take the lead, but in this case, it might be right given her connection to the Earth forged with her marriage to Ohanzee.

She moved to the center of the room, banging the haft of her axe against the wyvern hide shield. "Lord Emesh-Ga, great warrior of the copper people and guardian of the garden. We seek your blessing. We have one worthy to join our number present. He is a warrior, true and proud and committed to see the return of the Garden."

She motioned to Grundar to step forward and join her in the middle facing the other Rangers. "I present to all of you Rangers, Grundar. He is as a brother to me and we have shared camp fires, stories and khumiss together. He is kin, in the same way that all of the Prairie Thunder, the Skywatchers, the Big Peckers and the Black Shields are kin. He has shown bravery in battle and is worthy to join our number as a Wandering ranger. He is dedicated to restoring the garden to its rightful state." Amara shouted glaring, almost daring anyone to contradict her statement, before deciding to step to one side and give someone else a turn to speak.

Hoskar nods, focussing his spirit on the presence of Emesh-Ga and seeking inwardly the rustle of brown feathers.  Hearing no other voice yet take up the theme, he opens his arms - a gesture of both obeisance and welcome with maybe, just maybe, the smallest whisper of  wings.

First friend in new place, a welcoming face.
Good guide for the green, yet walking unseen.

Gaze, Grundar, grow together. Gain the ground as your fellow: still soar on above.
For Condor, the shield-bearer concurs. Ride to restoration foursquare in unity.
This message was last edited by the player at 09:04, Thu 24 Jan 2019.

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

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

"Pssst! That's you Grundar!" Ohanzee says in one of those harsh whispers design to carry and by virtue of this losing the secretive nature of a whisper.

He grins at the others and the giant spirit and shrugs "A Raven with stage fright, what are the chances!"

Hearing Ohanzee's 'whisper', Grundar giggles a nervous giggle, before squawking out his reponse,

Forgive me Lord Emesh-Ga, I am not used to being in the presence as such, he stumbles looking for his words, beings such as yourself. He bows trying to comprise himself.

My name is Grundar, Son of Toras and Delenda. I am a Sky Watcher and Raven.

He looks around at his companions, looking for their support, uncertain where to go next.

Worshipper of Waha, Orlanth and Argan-Agar...
I am a wanderer, looking for what has been lost.

He begins to find a rhythm...

I am a wanderer, looking for my sister, Durinda, lost in battle.
I am a wanderer, looking for peace in Prax from Lunar hands.
I am a wanderer, relying on deft fingers and nimble limbs.
I am a wanderer, travelling in the shadows.
I am a wanderer, seeking new experiences and companions.
I am a wanderer, looking for the right path to take.
I am a wanderer, looking to sow peace through dissension.

He pulls back his hood.

I am a wanderer, but I believe in the Rangers I have found family and purpose, a path and possibility.

He bows once more

"Welcome Grundar, warrior, 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?

To stand with your Brothers and Sisters, through good and bad?

If so you are Us. You walk the walk and talk the talk and shall be protected by me in times of strife and peace…."

Those present can see a half dozen eager looking braves watching from the wings...

Amara looked at the braves watching the ceremony "Do you feel it too? The call within? The desire to have the Green returned? The life of a wandering ranger is a hard one, but the rewards are plentiful. I am Amara Brightsky of the Skywatcher Rhino peoples and wandering ranger. If you feel the call in your heart, we are willing to hear it, step forward and let yourself be known. If you take the vow, you will belong to part of something which will enrich the lives of you and all your kin."

Amara paused for a moment "And if you're unwilling to join our ranks, you should know, we fight for our friends and allies too. One of our dearest friends, Delenda Axe Sister, follower of Babeester Gor has been taken from us and we are going to get her back. There are glories and riches in this for all of us. It is not with shame, that we stand here to ask your help in returning to the bosom of the Earth mother, but with anger. One of us has been taken Stolen from our midst. And for the sake of Eiritha, Ernalda and Babeester Gor, we will have her returned. I follow Vinga, so for me this is a sacred duty, for many of you it might not be, but in a situation like this, who is to say who the next priestess, or initiate might rank from those you follow. Her captors showed no fear of anyone, until I turned up and made him run here. I'd seek to settle this once and for all, so that if anyone wishes to take any of those who worship the Earth, there will be a heavy price to be paid for it."

Nine braves step forward and begin to take the oaths, each stepping forward to embellish their deeds and talk the talk...

Amara's speech receives several nods from martial looking women in the crowd, though most pass by, heading deeper into the earth.

A priestess from the High Llama Tribe indicates that Amara should follow them once the oath taking is finished, it looks like she agrees with what the Ranger had to say.
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:28, Tue 05 Feb 2019.

As Grundar takes his oath, Melock grins at the thought of another Raven amongst the Rangers, but his grin vanishes when Amara speaks to the keen onlookers and talks about their missing friend. When the nine step forward, a feeling of pride flows through him for being a part of something that others not only see as worthy but also want to join. Melock casts an eye over the new braves to see if any follow the Feathered Rivals.

Amara beamed with pride at the braves who'd chosen to join their number and was well satisfied that her appeal had been heard by more than a few in the crowd. Earth magic might give them enough of an edge to win against the trolls. Though she wondered how many of the new rangers might balk at the idea of fighting the Uz. She greeted each of the new rangers asking them about their origins and skills once they'd taken the oath.

But a high llama priestess? That might be a really valuable person to know well. Amara was surprised. Some of the things she'd hoped for at the wall, might start falling her way.

Henal smiles seeing so many step up to join the Rangers and after they take the oath starts talking to them. He is seeing if any follow the rivals already, particularly Thunderbird.

There's a bit of a commotion though as four of the braves are refused by Emesh-Ga, they are Sable nation and the ancient spirit finds their reasons for joining to be false. Despite some jeering and pushing from the newest recruits the four braves leave without trouble.

The remaining five are Bison riders, clanless by the looks of it, outlaws each and everyone, but Emesh-Ga has accepted them and they now have a new home.

All wear the feather of Thunderbird in their hair.