The black figure's hood is pulled back revealing a skeletal face.
https://vignette.wikia.nocooki...st?cb=20130108004213
A beautiful middle-aged woman comes to stand beside the figure in black. "Before the Lady of the Dead have you shown yourself oathbreaker. Flee now from her throne through the river of forgetfulness and return in subservience, for you were given to Ernalda in service by Orlanth, and so you will in silence serve until he calls you to his side." This woman's image becomes as large as that of Ty Kora Tek as she speaks, "Thus is the ruling of my sister."
A group of children wearing masks carrying sticks with cloth balls on them begins to harry Eurmal/Ankiarl away from the courtyard and down the hill. A few of the men go after the children as chaperones. [
Private to Garik Johnton; Henetha Hofaktsdottir: The masks worn by the children represent Ernalda's spirits of reprisal.]
The figures of Asrelia and Ty Kora Tek begin to diminish and move to stand on either side of the Temple Door. Moments later the door opens and out steps Desola, high priestess of Ernala, and Kalisla, Varinton's wife and Priestess of Ernalda. Each of the women bows to the figures of Asrelia and Ty Kora Tek.[
Private to Henetha Hofaktsdottir: This is odd. Usually, Asrelia and Ty Kora Tek are not given roles in Ernalda rituals; and if they do, they are minor.]
Desola steps forward and addresses the crowd, "Tonight we celebrate Ernalda as the Great Wife and we pay honor to her husbands who fathered our people." At this point, three men ascend the steps, all garbed and masked to resemble a god: Danbal as Durev/Orlanth, Varinton as Argan Argar, and Anrin as Elmal. [
Private to Henetha Hofaktsdottir: This is also odd. Today is the birthday of Orlanth, and in most parts of Dragon Pass that would take precedence. Here Orlanth is down played, and not represented as the Lord of the Air, but as Durev the Householder. It could be that this is a hold over from the Lunar supression of Orlanth, but you have a hunch it is deeper than that.]
"Tonight we celebrate the elevation of one of the Daughter's of Ernalda into the greater mysteries of the All-Mother. For seven nights has she slept in our Mother's Embrace; tonight she awakens. But first, let us begin the festivities."
At this point, Desola steps aside and Kalisla moves forward. She is now dressed in a fine gown and warm cloak. She wears a gilded mask that represents Ernalda.[
Private to Astorl; Garik Johnton; Henetha Hofaktsdottir; Oligur Jaffez; Saberak; Sanuzi Asar-Girru; Tamarkorda: You can feel the power of the Earth Rune coming from this figure.] She first moves to Danbal/Durven and they enact the story of how Ernalda taught Orlanth/Durven that there "is another way". She moves to Varinton/Argan Argar, and they tell the story of how Argan Argar taught Ernalda to sleep to avoid Nontraya. [
Private to Bingling Hyxloriz; Henetha Hofaktsdottir: You have NEVER heard this story.] Then she moves to Anrin/Elmal and they enact the story of Elmal's protection of Ernalda and the people when Orlanth was away (the implication is that he was on the LightBringer's Quest).
[All during the ceremonies, you feel yourself being drawn into the stories. You can feel the call of Earth, Air, Darkness, and Fire. You also feel the pull of Harmony and Fertility]
At the end of the story, Ernalda's mask is removed and you see a different woman than Kalisla. The people in the audience cheer. After a few moments, Desola comes forward to quiet the crowd. Everyone moves away from the altar that was erected in the center of the courtyard. Desola and the figure of Ty Kora Tek come down to the altar. Three women lead a cow toward the altar (it is an older cow). Desola whispers something to the cow, and the the men move it onto the altar.
"Ernalda, Great Mother of the Earth. Eldresa, wife of Farin of the Murval family, has undergone your tests and ordeals, and stands ready to be your voice, eyes, and presence in this world. Please accept our humble sacrifice this night; bless the blood of this your creature to anoint your new servant." With that, the figure of Ty Kora Tek pulls out a copper knife and cleanly slices open the cow's throat. Two initiates are there to collect the blood in a copper chalice. They bring the chalice over to Desola who places a handful of Earth into it, mixing it with the blood. As the figure of Ty Kora Tek, drenched in blood, begins to butcher the cow, Desola walks back toward the temple, ascending the stairs.[
Private to Henetha Hofaktsdottir: This is not unusual. Animal sacrifices are common, and a follower of Ty Kora Tek is usually the one who wields the sacrificial knife. You have heard that there is another Goddess of Sacrifices that is worshipped at the Shaker Temple, but you don't know anything about her.]
Eldresa kneels before Desola. Using her finger, Desola paints the Earth Rune on each cheek, and the fertility rune on her forehead. She then paints the Earth Rune on Eldresa's chest, hands and feet. "Arise Eldresa, Priestess of Ernalda." [
Private to Henetha Hofaktsdottir: This is standard, and you have seen the elevation of a priestess before. Usually there is more pompt and ceremony, but maybe they downplayed that because of the ritual stories that were performed.]
A loud cheer rises from the crowd. Soon people are bringing food and drink into the courtyard, and lighting more fires for warmth and light. You see that the meat of the cow is now being cooked over some of the fires, while the bones have been tied into the hide. These are taken by the three Priestess back into the temple. The three women return after 15 minutes to join the festivities.
[OOC: feel free to talk. Things you note: Desola looks tired and worried; Sandein seems distracted and worried; Ankiarl hangs out with Danbal; Jalmon goes to speak to Danbal, but is brushed aside; Jalmon then goes to Anrin, and the two move away and talk for a few minutes; Anrin then speaks to his brother Farin, but Farin seems distracted by his wife; Anrin then goes to speak with Varinton; Anrin and Varinton then go to speak to Danbal (they seem tense); Magora stays for a while, but departs partway through the festivities.]
As the evening wears on, each of you is approached by one of the town leaders, asking you to join them at sunrise at the Durten compound (you're not going to get a great deal of sleep tonight unless you leave the party early).
Commander Jalmon comes to Oligur and Saberak.
Varinton comes to Bingling and Ullr.
Danbal comes to Garik, Henetha, and Sanuzi.
Farin comes to Astorl and Tamarkorda.
[
Private to Henetha Hofaktsdottir: If you have used any Rune Spells, you would get them back now.]