Post by ballerscuba on May 7, 2011 2:32:06 GMT -5
It was a dark night in the land of Namora. The sun had set and the moon was new. On most nights, that would mean silence throughout the cities in the region. However, tonight was Initiation Day to those who knew. Although most people had no clue about this day, a few new recruits would be added to the circle.
***
In the elven city of Elven City, Alatar was sleeping in his bed. Two large elves came in quietly, standing in his room looking over him. "Alatar," the men said loudly. "Come with us. It is time." As they passed through the city, the elves led Alatar past the elaborate gardens and fountains in the center of town. Just as they walked to the border of the town, the two large elves led Alatar to a large bonfire with a wooden bench lying just outside. "Sit," they said, as they moved outside the light of the fire.
In the town of Strethin, the capital of the half-elf kingdom of Loterna, Eliana was standing, guarding the tall walls near the gate of the city. A Paladin, equipped with heavy plate armor and a shield depicting a large eye basked in white flame. "Eliana," said the Paladin. "You have been guarding the city long enough. It is time to earn your long overdue reward. Come with me." The Paladin led Eliana to a tucked-away corner of the city. There was a large bonfire, with a circle of white marble benches around it. The Paladin pointed Eliana to sit on one of the benches, then disappeared into the city.
In Kenseth, the posh region of Highward City, two butlers walked into Baron Alexander Von Eyre the 5th's large reception room near the foyer of the Eyremoor estate. They found him enjoying a fine wine, seated in a large gilded chair nearby a fireplace. "Baron Alexander," one of the butlers said. "Your presence has been requested in the corner of the city for a very special ceremony." The butlers led Baron Alexander outside Kenseth, to a corner of Highward City he was unfamiliar with. There was a large bonfire, with stone benches around it. The butlers pointed to the bench. "They request that you wait here for them." As Baron Alexander sat down, the butlers disappeared into the night.
In the town of Kalair, deep within Faladin Forest, Barnabas Vigée-Lebrun was sitting atop a tree, crouching as he overlooked the town. A fellow assassin called to him from the bottom of the tree. "Barnabas, you have been summoned." As Barnabas trusted this man, he followed him. As they walked through the city, they passed several fights, but did not pay attention. The assassin led Barnabas to a large bonfire on the outskirts of town. Barnabas sat on a wooden bench positioned around the fire as the assassin crept back into the night.
Just outside of the elven city of Rebrald, Kaane Ten'oio stood outside a large manor, keeping watch. A hooded elf walked up to Kaane. "You have done well in your service of the lord of this manor. He has relieved you of your duties for the night. However, your presence has been requested for a special ceremony. Please, follow me." The hooded elf turned and walked back toward the city. He led Kaane to a large bonfire on the outskirts of town, pointing Kaane to a wooden bench, and walked off.
In Valenthia, the capital of the human country of Castillunia, Caterina di Cabaliero was riding through the streets of the city, headed for the palace. Just outside the gates, there were two guards that stopped her. They bowed deeply. "Caterina, we apologize for this hindrance to your current mission, but there is a matter that requires your attention. If you will." The guard bowed deeply again, hinting that Caterina should follow him. As Caterina dismounted, one of the guards led Torrado to the stables. The other guard led Caterina behind the palace to a large bonfire. Around the bonfire were marble benches. The guard pointed to one of the marble benches. "Please," he said, as he bowed again. "Have a seat." He then left Caterina's presence.
In the town of Hillspar, famed for its fighting arena, Nathaniel Wrathgar, Grand Champion of the Arena, was sleeping in his mansion. Chives, Nathaniel's butler, walked in and coughed, waking Nathaniel up. "Nathaniel Wrathgar, Grand Champion of the Arena," Chives said in an unusually former tone as Nathaniel got out of bed slowly. "You have been summoned to receive a great honor today. Please follow me." Chives led Nathaniel to a large bonfire just to the east of town, overlooking the ocean in the distance. Chives pointed to a stone bench. "Have a seat, sir, and you shall receive your honor shortly." Chives then left Nathaniel.
***
As the initiates stared at the bonfire, awaiting whatever may come, an image started to form within the fire. The image slowly became the face of a bearded man with black eyes that seemed to pierce the night itself. The beard matched his eyes, black as night, and was full. The man began to speak slowly to all the initiates simultaneously out of the fire.
"Welcome worthy initiates," he said in a deep, booming voice. "You have been summoned here because someone important has recommended you into our secret societies. Many of you may have heard rumors of the societies. Some of you may have believed them. Some of you may have dismissed them. I am here to tell you that the societies are real. There are two societies that are available for you to choose: The Luminaires and the Firmaments. In order to join a society, you must complete the trial. To your left and right, you will find the entrances to the temples. Inside the temples, you will meet your trial. If you succeed, there will be a reward waiting for you. If you fail," he hesitated. "Don't fail. The only clues you have as to the identity of the society that owns and operates the temple will be the symbol on the outside. The symbol represents the lore and legends of old. It is highly suggested that you enter the temple that presents the most recognizable symbol to you. You have until noon tomorrow to make your choice. You may go home and rest for the night. Tell no one what you have seen here. If you meet someone in one of the societies, they will not acknowledge their existence until you are a member. Good luck, initiates. You will need it."
As the man's face faded away, the fire became nothing but a fire once more. To the left and right of all of the initiates, they could see the symbols leading to each of the temples.
***
The symbol on the building to Alatar's right depicted a man in a long black robe. He had relatively short brown hair. In his right hand, he held a long staff. Above the hand, the staff seemed to have red symbols that glowed like fire. Around the man's neck hung a glowing talisman. The man's left hand, hanging on the side, also glowed against the dark background of the symbol. The symbol on the building on Alatar's left highlighted a large eagle in flight. On top of the eagle stood a man in a brown robe and a long-brimmed brown hat. The man held a wizened staff aloft.
The symbol leading to the temple to Eliana's right depicted a man with an oversized sword drawn out. The sword was silver near its hilt, but it changed about half way up. Near the tip, the sword became a bright orange with blue designs on it. In the background, there was an explosion of fire. The symbol on the temple to Eliana's left depicted a silouette of a woman with dreadlocks. Her arms lied at her sides, but she appeared to have the limbs of a spider spread out to her sides. The tips of each of these limbs seemed to form a sharp blade. Behind the silouette, dark clouds could be seen, raining heavily.
The symbol on the temple to Baron Alexander's right depicted a large version of a child's toy. The toy was a structured balloon, shaped in an oval. The one depicted here seemed to be made out of metal, though, instead of cloth. The symbol on the temple to Baron Alexander's left showed a tall woman with rabbit ears. She wore a leather outfit that left her stomach bare. She carried a large bow with her and her eyes shone like fire.
The symbol to the temple on Barnabas' right depicted a steel blade, still red from the forge, lying on an anvil. The symbol to the temple on Barnabas' left depicted a raven sitting alone on a branch.
The symbol leading to the temple on Kaane's right showed a dragon preparing to land, its wings were outstretched up and to the right. The wings were the canvas of an image depicting an armored warror, sword and shield in hand, with a white slash across his legs. The symbol leading to the temple on Kaan's left showed a teenager wearing a bright red shirt that seemed to shine like fire. It had metal studs that lined the sleeves as well as the front. He was wearing brown suspenders holding up blue pants. He had two swords sheathed on his hips. His spiked hair was brown, matching his eyes.
The symbol leading to the temple on Caterina's right depicted an old man. The old man had a long white beard. He wore a floppy hate and a blue-grey cloak. He held a staff, taller than him, in his right hand. He had only one eye, but that eye seemed to burn like fire. On the symbol that led to the temple on Caterina's left, there was a large man with a white beard in a toga standing on a cloud.
On the symbol to Nathaniel's right, there was an image of a man in a long white robe. He had his black hair up in a knot on the top of his head. He head a katana up into the air. It seemingly pierced the sky behind him. The symbol leading to the temple to Nathaniel's left showed an image of a woman, dressed in a tight purple outfit, her midriff completely bare. She held a sword seemingly made of fire above her head. Behind her was the image of a large blue dragon in the distance.
***
In the elven city of Elven City, Alatar was sleeping in his bed. Two large elves came in quietly, standing in his room looking over him. "Alatar," the men said loudly. "Come with us. It is time." As they passed through the city, the elves led Alatar past the elaborate gardens and fountains in the center of town. Just as they walked to the border of the town, the two large elves led Alatar to a large bonfire with a wooden bench lying just outside. "Sit," they said, as they moved outside the light of the fire.
In the town of Strethin, the capital of the half-elf kingdom of Loterna, Eliana was standing, guarding the tall walls near the gate of the city. A Paladin, equipped with heavy plate armor and a shield depicting a large eye basked in white flame. "Eliana," said the Paladin. "You have been guarding the city long enough. It is time to earn your long overdue reward. Come with me." The Paladin led Eliana to a tucked-away corner of the city. There was a large bonfire, with a circle of white marble benches around it. The Paladin pointed Eliana to sit on one of the benches, then disappeared into the city.
In Kenseth, the posh region of Highward City, two butlers walked into Baron Alexander Von Eyre the 5th's large reception room near the foyer of the Eyremoor estate. They found him enjoying a fine wine, seated in a large gilded chair nearby a fireplace. "Baron Alexander," one of the butlers said. "Your presence has been requested in the corner of the city for a very special ceremony." The butlers led Baron Alexander outside Kenseth, to a corner of Highward City he was unfamiliar with. There was a large bonfire, with stone benches around it. The butlers pointed to the bench. "They request that you wait here for them." As Baron Alexander sat down, the butlers disappeared into the night.
In the town of Kalair, deep within Faladin Forest, Barnabas Vigée-Lebrun was sitting atop a tree, crouching as he overlooked the town. A fellow assassin called to him from the bottom of the tree. "Barnabas, you have been summoned." As Barnabas trusted this man, he followed him. As they walked through the city, they passed several fights, but did not pay attention. The assassin led Barnabas to a large bonfire on the outskirts of town. Barnabas sat on a wooden bench positioned around the fire as the assassin crept back into the night.
Just outside of the elven city of Rebrald, Kaane Ten'oio stood outside a large manor, keeping watch. A hooded elf walked up to Kaane. "You have done well in your service of the lord of this manor. He has relieved you of your duties for the night. However, your presence has been requested for a special ceremony. Please, follow me." The hooded elf turned and walked back toward the city. He led Kaane to a large bonfire on the outskirts of town, pointing Kaane to a wooden bench, and walked off.
In Valenthia, the capital of the human country of Castillunia, Caterina di Cabaliero was riding through the streets of the city, headed for the palace. Just outside the gates, there were two guards that stopped her. They bowed deeply. "Caterina, we apologize for this hindrance to your current mission, but there is a matter that requires your attention. If you will." The guard bowed deeply again, hinting that Caterina should follow him. As Caterina dismounted, one of the guards led Torrado to the stables. The other guard led Caterina behind the palace to a large bonfire. Around the bonfire were marble benches. The guard pointed to one of the marble benches. "Please," he said, as he bowed again. "Have a seat." He then left Caterina's presence.
In the town of Hillspar, famed for its fighting arena, Nathaniel Wrathgar, Grand Champion of the Arena, was sleeping in his mansion. Chives, Nathaniel's butler, walked in and coughed, waking Nathaniel up. "Nathaniel Wrathgar, Grand Champion of the Arena," Chives said in an unusually former tone as Nathaniel got out of bed slowly. "You have been summoned to receive a great honor today. Please follow me." Chives led Nathaniel to a large bonfire just to the east of town, overlooking the ocean in the distance. Chives pointed to a stone bench. "Have a seat, sir, and you shall receive your honor shortly." Chives then left Nathaniel.
***
As the initiates stared at the bonfire, awaiting whatever may come, an image started to form within the fire. The image slowly became the face of a bearded man with black eyes that seemed to pierce the night itself. The beard matched his eyes, black as night, and was full. The man began to speak slowly to all the initiates simultaneously out of the fire.
"Welcome worthy initiates," he said in a deep, booming voice. "You have been summoned here because someone important has recommended you into our secret societies. Many of you may have heard rumors of the societies. Some of you may have believed them. Some of you may have dismissed them. I am here to tell you that the societies are real. There are two societies that are available for you to choose: The Luminaires and the Firmaments. In order to join a society, you must complete the trial. To your left and right, you will find the entrances to the temples. Inside the temples, you will meet your trial. If you succeed, there will be a reward waiting for you. If you fail," he hesitated. "Don't fail. The only clues you have as to the identity of the society that owns and operates the temple will be the symbol on the outside. The symbol represents the lore and legends of old. It is highly suggested that you enter the temple that presents the most recognizable symbol to you. You have until noon tomorrow to make your choice. You may go home and rest for the night. Tell no one what you have seen here. If you meet someone in one of the societies, they will not acknowledge their existence until you are a member. Good luck, initiates. You will need it."
As the man's face faded away, the fire became nothing but a fire once more. To the left and right of all of the initiates, they could see the symbols leading to each of the temples.
***
The symbol on the building to Alatar's right depicted a man in a long black robe. He had relatively short brown hair. In his right hand, he held a long staff. Above the hand, the staff seemed to have red symbols that glowed like fire. Around the man's neck hung a glowing talisman. The man's left hand, hanging on the side, also glowed against the dark background of the symbol. The symbol on the building on Alatar's left highlighted a large eagle in flight. On top of the eagle stood a man in a brown robe and a long-brimmed brown hat. The man held a wizened staff aloft.
The symbol leading to the temple to Eliana's right depicted a man with an oversized sword drawn out. The sword was silver near its hilt, but it changed about half way up. Near the tip, the sword became a bright orange with blue designs on it. In the background, there was an explosion of fire. The symbol on the temple to Eliana's left depicted a silouette of a woman with dreadlocks. Her arms lied at her sides, but she appeared to have the limbs of a spider spread out to her sides. The tips of each of these limbs seemed to form a sharp blade. Behind the silouette, dark clouds could be seen, raining heavily.
The symbol on the temple to Baron Alexander's right depicted a large version of a child's toy. The toy was a structured balloon, shaped in an oval. The one depicted here seemed to be made out of metal, though, instead of cloth. The symbol on the temple to Baron Alexander's left showed a tall woman with rabbit ears. She wore a leather outfit that left her stomach bare. She carried a large bow with her and her eyes shone like fire.
The symbol to the temple on Barnabas' right depicted a steel blade, still red from the forge, lying on an anvil. The symbol to the temple on Barnabas' left depicted a raven sitting alone on a branch.
The symbol leading to the temple on Kaane's right showed a dragon preparing to land, its wings were outstretched up and to the right. The wings were the canvas of an image depicting an armored warror, sword and shield in hand, with a white slash across his legs. The symbol leading to the temple on Kaan's left showed a teenager wearing a bright red shirt that seemed to shine like fire. It had metal studs that lined the sleeves as well as the front. He was wearing brown suspenders holding up blue pants. He had two swords sheathed on his hips. His spiked hair was brown, matching his eyes.
The symbol leading to the temple on Caterina's right depicted an old man. The old man had a long white beard. He wore a floppy hate and a blue-grey cloak. He held a staff, taller than him, in his right hand. He had only one eye, but that eye seemed to burn like fire. On the symbol that led to the temple on Caterina's left, there was a large man with a white beard in a toga standing on a cloud.
On the symbol to Nathaniel's right, there was an image of a man in a long white robe. He had his black hair up in a knot on the top of his head. He head a katana up into the air. It seemingly pierced the sky behind him. The symbol leading to the temple to Nathaniel's left showed an image of a woman, dressed in a tight purple outfit, her midriff completely bare. She held a sword seemingly made of fire above her head. Behind her was the image of a large blue dragon in the distance.
