(Berkana turns to face the waiting group.)
Berkana says, "Good evening, I m Berkana LeJardine Faendryl, a high priestess of Eorgina, Luminary of House Brigatta, and member of the Faendryl Enclave, the officers of whom I would like to thank for allowing me to present to you tonight: Lylia, Ysharra, Eiliriel, Melikor, Zolis, and Xorus."
Berkana says, "This night, I will be introducing to you The Rite of the Triad."
Berkana says, "In this about to be newly performed ritual to honor Eorgina, we celebrate Her three spheres of influence: Darkness, Domination, and Tyranny."
(Berkana pauses a moment, tilting her head slightly to one side as she takes a deep breath and continues.)
Berkana says, "In tomes passed down by Moriane saVare, the first High Priestess of Eorgina, she recorded that there are nine rituals performed by Her devoted subjects during the year, a number that is sacred to Her and to all women. Of these, three are most important to them. This number is also favored by Eorgina, as it can divide nine, and it mirrors her three spheres."
Berkana says, "I have performed two of them publicly -- the Rite of Dedication, performed at the first full moon of the year; and the Ritual of Ascent, used to initiate new followers. The third is a private ritual."
Berkana says, "If I am speaking too fast... let me know."
Berkana grins.
Berkana says, "A fourth ritual I will reveal now... The Rite of the Triad, which is valued as new moon phase ceremony, coming up in the next day or so, for both Lornon and Liabo. It is especially popular with those new to the fealty of our Queen, serving as a monthly affirmation as they immerse themselves. Particularly devout high priestesses or priests will make it part of their standard of devotions."
Berkana exclaims, "A black, grey, and red candle are needed, a small blade of your choosing, other ritual elements that resonate with you, and a good goblet of wine. Some to spill, perhaps some to drink!"
(Berkana takes a deep breath, then exhales. "Shall we begin?")
(Berkana moves about at the front of the room, preparing the ceremony space, her lips moving with barely audible whispered chants.)
Berkana removes a wavy-bladed ritual dagger coated with milky violet essence from in her black leather thighband.
Berkana removes an abyss black ceremonial candle from in her silk ceremonial robe.
Berkana carefully places her ceremonial candle on the ground.
Berkana lights the ceremonial candle, which flickers and begins to burn.
Berkana removes a black glaes inkwell from in her silk ceremonial robe.
Berkana carefully places a black glaes inkwell on the ground.
Berkana recites somberly:
"Sphere of Darkness, we cast your circle and call your presence this night.
Berkana raises her blade and slices the air with a wide arc over her head, then bends down to trace one along the floor below. She straightens up and nods slightly, pausing for just a moment, before throwing both arms skyward."
Berkana recites devotedly:
"We call upon the Darkness, our Queen,
Not the common shadows or color of night,
More the confusion and fear you bring,
As you invade hearts and minds of the malleable!
Slowly Berkana lowers her arms, and pacing softly, crosses the room to the opposite side. Berkana scribes another wide arc up high before reaching down to draw a parallel arc along the floor below. Pulling herself up to her full height, she allows a small smile to dance upon her lips."
An abyss black ceremonial candle flickers a moment and nearly goes out, then its flame springs to life again, burning merrily.
Berkana recites fervently:
"Sphere of Domination, we cast your circle and call your presence this night.
Pacing lightly across the room, Berkana scribes another wide arc up high before reaching down and drawing a parallel arc on floor below. Straightening up, she gives a subtle nod of her head."
Berkana removes a silvery grey ceremonial candle from in her silk ceremonial robe.
Berkana carefully places her ceremonial candle on the ground.
Berkana lights the ceremonial candle, which flickers and begins to burn.
Berkana removes a sharply thorned black rose from in her silk ceremonial robe.
Berkana carefully places a sharply thorned black rose on the ground.
A small draft catches the flame of an abyss black ceremonial candle and it flickers brightly.
Berkana recites vigorously:
"We call upon the shackles of Domination, our Mistress,
Not the bindings of leather or metal,
Nor physical beatings upon the flesh,
Our words will manipulate them and bend them to our will!
Letting a soft, short laugh escape her lips, Berkana crosses back to where the two imaginary circles overlap and strikes one last wide arc in the air, before dropping to one knee. Her arm swings out as she guides her blade to complete an arc along the floor, eyes closed for a moment, then reopening as she stands back up."
Berkana removes a deep red ceremonial candle from in her silk ceremonial robe.
A faint, flickering light emanates from a silvery grey ceremonial candle, warming the area with its glow.
Berkana carefully places her ceremonial candle on the ground.
Berkana lights the ceremonial candle, which flickers and begins to burn.
A small draft catches the flame of an abyss black ceremonial candle and it flickers brightly.
Berkana removes a glass of ruby red wine from in her silk ceremonial robe.
Berkana pours some of her wine on the ground. A puddle of ruby red liquid forms, and then quickly evaporates.
Berkana carefully places a glass of ruby red wine on the ground.
Berkana recites vehemently:
"Sphere of Tyranny, we cast your circle and call your presence this night.
Placing the point of the blade at her heart, Berkana continues.
"We call upon the wisdom of Tyranny, our Goddess,
Senseless violence and death does not serve you,
They rob you of your loyal servants, your army.
Let Our Loyalty and Love guide them to You!"
Berkana smiles slightly, lifting up one corner of her mouth, and with a swift motion she scores her flesh with a short, shallow cut that instantly beads with blood droplets. With a soft sigh, she brings her gaze back up level with the crowd.
A wisp of smoke rises from a silvery grey ceremonial candle as the hot wax drips and splutters.
A bit of melted wax drips from a deep red ceremonial candle with a hiss. The flame jumps, burning high for a moment, then settles into a warm glow.
Chanting in a low voice to Eorgina, Berkana waves her ritual dagger in each of the cardinal directions, flinging droplets of milky violet essence outward from the blade as she progresses through each one.
The ceremonial candle burns warmly, lending a soft light to the surroundings.
Berkana put a wavy-bladed ritual dagger coated with milky violet essence in her black leather thighband.
(Berkana clasps her hands in front of herself, her shoulders relaxing as she smiles out at everyone.)
A silvery grey ceremonial candle flickers a moment and nearly goes out, then its flame springs to life again, burning merrily.
Berkana says, "To quote what an old friend and another high priestess of my sect once shared, Her teachings do not focus on trivial things such as life and death, but rather seeing Her truths through new eyes. If it suits Her fancy, Eorgina can at times be so mesmerizingly charming and gracious to those not directly in Her spheres of involvement that it is near impossible to believe how unspeakably cruel She can be to even Her most dedicated followers. She understands when and how to use Her rage to her advantage."
The ceremonial candle flickers softly, casting a warm light throughout the area.
The ceremonial candle burns warmly, lending a soft light to the surroundings.
Berkana says, "And, as I have often spoken of before, Eorgina is very strategic, She is meticulous in Her ways. She expects Her subjects to be strong, wise, and able to make smart decisions. As few men survive in Her service, that goes doubly so for them. She does love them equally, but Her expectations for them are higher. Caution to those who seek to gain power, wealth, or position through Eorgina, She is intolerant of those who are selfish and self-serving."
Berkana says, "Eorgina is complex and intelligent, and She expects the same from Her followers."
Berkana chuckles to herself.
The ceremonial candle flickers softly, casting a warm light throughout the area.
The glow from a deep red ceremonial candle softly illuminates the shadows.
An abyss black ceremonial candle glows warmly with a soft, flickering light.
Berkana says, "This concludes the Rite of the Triad tonight. I will entertain some questions, if you have them. My thanks, once again, to the Faendryl Enclave for inviting me to present tonight at the Symposium."
Berkana says, "Questions about either the rituals or Eorgina."
Berkana asks, "Anyone curious?"
Berkana grins.
Talinvor says, "Hm, the 'private ritual' of course. But I suspect that is what it is."
Talinvor laughs softly, trying to hide his amusement.
Speaking to Berkana, Lylia says, "I have seen rites before that involved sacrifice, one of them unwilling."
Berkana nods at Lylia.
Berkana says, "That the Rite of Dedication... Willing, Unwilling, and the Scholar."
Lylia asks, "How often are such rites performed, or is it more a matter of when you are moved to express your devotions?"
Berkana winks at Shiril.
Berkana says, "The Rite of Dedication is always the first full moon of the year."
Alosaka asks, "Which is not tonight?"
Berkana shakes her head.
Berkana says, "It welcomes the newly born, and also serves to renew vows."
Berkana says, "It's a sorting..."
Berkana says, "The Rite of Acent can be performed at any time."
Lylia asks, "A sorting? Are some found unworthy to serve her at all?"
Berkana nods at Lylia.
Berkana says, "Usually, the weak."
Ekrah releases a wispy sigh, gazing into the distance.
Thrassus cocks his head at Ekrah.
Speaking to Berkana, Shiril asks, "What becomes of them if they're sorted out?"
Speaking to Ekrah, Xanthium asks, "You need to go, don't you?"
Lylia whispers something to Ekrah.
The ceremonial candle flickers softly, casting a warm light throughout the area.
Berkana says, "They can serve in lesser roles, as servants might."
Berkana smiles at Shiril.
Ekrah says, "If released, yes. I long for merging."
Shiril nods at Berkana.
Xanthium nods at Ekrah.
Lylia turns to face Ekrah.
Berkana grins at Ekrah.
Speaking to Ekrah, Xanthium says, "You want to return to your kind. Your world."
Alosaka nods at Ekrah.
Speaking to Ekrah, Alosaka says, "Your company was valued."
Speaking quietly to Ekrah, Lylia says, "Thank you. It is not something I normally say to those I summon."
Lylia inclines her head.
Speaking to Ekrah, Xanthium says, "And I don't mean Melikor or Alosaka's nose."
Raelee nods slowly at Ekrah.
Viria nods.
You chortle at Xanthium.
Xanthium winks at you.
Melikor squints at Xanthium.
Alosaka nods at Xanthium.
Speaking to Ekrah, Berkana says, "It was good of you to grace us."
A wisp of smoke rises from an abyss black ceremonial candle as the hot wax drips and splutters.
Lylia commands, "I release you."
Speaking to Ekrah, Ravinder says, "You are truly remarkable."
Berkana bows to Ekrah.
Lylia gestures dramatically with one gloved hand.
Speaking to Ekrah, Xanthium says, "Good-bye, Ekrah. Enjoy your merging."
Ekrah swirls around Lylia's body as her own form begins to lose shape. She soon disperses in a fine aquamarine mist emanating outwards from Lylia.
Speaking to Alosaka, Xanthium asks, "...so was that what she was doing? Trying to merge with you?"
Lylia places a hand over her heart.
Lylia sighs softly.
Speaking to Xanthium, Melikor says, "Checking for excessive hair growth."
Melikor smirks as a haughty expression flits across his face.
Berkana says, "I'm curious about the impression of the ritual."
Viria shivers.
Hadya smirks.
Berkana asks, "Any comments?"
Berkana says, "And aside from leaving wax upon the floor..."
Berkana glances at a deep red ceremonial candle.
Shiril begins chuckling at Berkana!
Speaking thoughtfully to Berkana, Talinvor says, "You are the expert on the subject, Berkana. Though it dismays me that there is spilled wine..."
Talinvor glances down.
(Landrai tilts her head slightly as she looks up at Talinvor.)
Berkana begins chuckling at Talinvor!
Ravinder says, "Those who worship Arkati go to such great lengths. It is fascinating to see."
Lylia asks, "The significance of the colors of the candles; are they to please her, or to focus the minds of the observant and faithful?"
Berkana says, "The colors are my interpretation of what conveys, for me, Domination and Tyranny. Darkness is predictable."
Berkana says, "As Jolivette once said, even in white, there can be an element of darkness."
Speaking curiously to Berkana, Talinvor asks, "You said that Eorgina does not savor selfish application of her spheres. How then would tyranny not be a selfish application?"
Speaking to Lylia, Alosaka says, "Thank you for the educational evening, mayor."
Berkana says, "Selfishness for the individual is discouraged."
Speaking to Lylia, Ysharra says, "The storyteller gave you your office back."
Alosaka snorts!
Lylia bows to Alosaka.
Berkana says, "Tyranny, used to help recruit Her army, is not selfish."
Viria chuckles.
Speaking to Ysharra, Alosaka says, "She deserves the term."
Lylia smiles at Alosaka.
Speaking thoughtfully to Berkana, Talinvor says, "Yet tyrants are individuals. Hm, a discussion more in depth for later then."
Viria says, "The mayor has an admirerer."
Lylia murmurs, "Kind of you to say."
Berkana nods at Talinvor.
Viria says, "Well, yet another."
Hadya raises her hand.
Berkana nods at Hadya.
Viria smiles at Lylia, slightly in awe.
Hadya says, "Tyranny can be done in the name of one greater."
Berkana says, "Lylia will always be Mayor to most of us."
Hadya asks, "Is that not so?"
Berkana says, "Indeed."
Lylia places a hand over her heart.
Lylia gazes fondly at Berkana.
Talinvor quietly says, "..again, 'one'."
Berkana says, "If the one is Eorgina."
Berkana grins.
Hadya says, "But I would be doing it for them, not for myself."
Berkana nods at Hadya.
Berkana says, "I've definitely been witness to Eorgina's striking down of those who use her to create a name for themselves."
Hadya nods.
Berkana says, "My favorite to date is still the night she called Bloodsnake scalechild."
Lylia says, "I would imagine she does not want any to come before her."
Berkana smirks.
Lylia says, "Worship and rites are not my purview, though, and I may be wrong in my interpretation thereof."
Berkana grins.
Talinvor asks, "Ah, so only Eorgina is considered the tyrant, and her fellowship fulfill that dedication by subjucation?"
Berkana ponders.
Berkana holds up her hand and tilts it side to side in a so-so gesture.
Lylia nods at Hadya.
Speaking to Talinvor, Shiril says, "I imagine a tyrant can serve Eorgina. She's just... better at the tyranny part than the servant is."
Berkana says, "I've always seen it more as..."
Berkana grins at Shiril.
Lylia sourly remarks, "Believe it or not, not every relationship is one of servitude, subjugation, and power."
Hadya grins.
Shiril looks thoughtfully at Lylia.
Speaking to Lylia, Shiril asks, "Do you really believe that?"
Hadya says, "This is true, it can be a beneficial relationship."
Talinvor says, "Forgive my curiousity. The Dhe'nar see the Arkati quite differently. But it is interesting to see the philosophies of other cultures and followings."
Lylia simply says, "Yes."
Berkana says, "No matter which way a conflict, struggle, despair, war, goes..."
Lylia smiles at Shiril.
Shiril nods at Lylia.
Hadya says, "But you always know whom you bow to, in the endd."
Hadya shrugs.
Berkana says, "It's a win-win for Eorgina."
Berkana says, "The defeated decline into Darkness. Win."
Berkana says, "The victors are tyrannical. Win."
Berkana says, "Both or all sides try to dominate. Win all around."
Berkana shrugs.
Speaking wryly to Lylia, Talinvor says, "Depends on the relationship, neh? Sorcerers will always be the subjugators of demons, for example."
Berkana says, "There is no losing for Eorgina."
Talinvor cocks his head at Berkana.
Talinvor ponders.
Talinvor nods appreciatively at Berkana.
Speaking to Talinvor, Berkana says, "I certainly hope so, although there are times they might test that of us."
Lylia says, "I learned something new about demons just tonight, in fact."
Lylia chuckles.
Talinvor chuckles.
Berkana says, "Planar carefully."
Berkana grins.
Lylia nods at Berkana.
Berkana glances at Lylia.
Berkana asks, "Oh?"
Speaking to Lylia, Xanthium says, "I don't think you were dominating her. I think she offered an exchange."
Lylia says, "Igaesha are fully sentient."
You murmur, "And talkative."
Shiril looks thoughtfully at Xanthium.
Speaking to Lylia, Xanthium says, "She was willing to let you take the reins, to see outside of her fishbowl."
Berkana chuckles.
Shiril starts chuckling at you!
Thrassus says, "Vathor and thier ilk most certainly are as well."
Hadya folds her hands.
Berkana puckers up and blows a kiss at a lance-headed pale green pit viper in her hand.
Shiril begins chuckling at Lylia!
Berkana put a lance-headed pale green pit viper in her kaolin amphora.
Speaking to Xanthium, Ysharra asks, "As we talked about earlier. Now she'll go back and tell the other fish. Or they will all suddenly be aware of it, is that so?"
Ysharra glances at Raelee.
Lylia says, "It is always hard to ascertain the state of mind of entities that are less like us. I would have to include the Arkati in that."
Speaking to Thrassus, Ravinder says, "They certainly do possess creativity."
Lylia nods at Ysharra.
Speaking to Ysharra, Raelee asks, "Were we not the fish ourselves?"
Thrassus begins chuckling at Ravinder!
Speaking to Ysharra, Faerinn says, "The Ekrah will start the cult of Lylia in her valence."
Berkana asks, "Do you think this sentience is going to alter things?"
Lylia raises her voice at Faerinn in merry laughter.
Speaking to Faerinn, Ysharra says, "Or the Theory of Lylia."
Speaking to Berkana, Faerinn says, "She altered quite a few things."
Speaking to Faerinn, Lylia says, "One valence at a time."
Hadya ponders.
Ysharra grins at Lylia.
Lylia smiles slightly.
Shiril says, "The Theory of Lylia. That has a rather nice ring to it."
Berkana begins chuckling at Shiril!
Speaking to Raelee, Ysharra says, "Yes, so maybe we pulled her in. I don't think who is the fish and who is the hand makes that much of a difference."
Speaking to Ysharra, Faerinn says, "At the very least there will be Lylia fan fiction in that valence."
Berkana says, "I can't wait to see how that turns out."
Berkana grins at Faerinn.
Speaking to Faerinn, Shiril says, "It's certainly more appealing than what Malluch's been preaching."
Lylia asks, "In talking of what others know and how we perceive them, do you think the rites to Eorgina are ones her followers have made into tradition, or are they ones that she herself has ordained?"
Speaking to Lylia, Berkana says, "I know not where Moriane got the three that she has passed down."
Speaking to Lylia, Berkana says, "But the fourth came from my own research."
Speaking to Berkana, Lylia says, "She would surely let you know if the rites displeased her. Of that, I am certain."
Berkana gazes up into the heavens.
Speaking to Lylia, Berkana says, "Undoubtedly."
Hadya chuckles to herself.
Berkana says, "This would certainly provide her clear access."
Berkana winks at Lylia.
Speaking respectfully to Berkana, Talinvor says, "Thank you for the lecture, Berkana. Until the next."
Talinvor inclines his head.
Lylia says, "It is always a pleasure to watch, and particularly to see the grace and delight with which you carry out such rites."
Berkana says, "It is something I find pleasurable."
Lylia adds, "It is also good to have the reminder that while we do not typically worship as Faendryl, we are also very much under our own will."
Speaking to Lylia, Ysharra says, "A diversity and inclusion, in the Theory of Lylia."