[Of Wind and Flame] Lormandu

Kythera and I attended the Order of the White Rose's Lormandu celebration, welcoming Spring and remembering those who came before us. [An Ancient Tree, Hodierna's Solace] More a platform than a room, the chamber is lit softly by the glow of hundreds of candles that have been carefully set into niches along the walls. The leaves of the tree's crown block out the night sky, creating a naturally woven canopy that protects the tiny room from the wind and elements. A circular staircase that appears to be sculpted out of the sides of the tree leads back down, winding so far that you cannot see the bottom. You also see a pale red moonbeam, a box of gifts bearing the crest of the Order of the White Rose, a cloth-covered buffet bearing the insignia of the White Rose with several things on it, a glossy obsidian symbol and a small carved stone. Also here: A lot of people. Isharon asks Samsaren, "Would you like to go next, Master Remlane?" Samsaren slowly empties his lungs. Samsaren nods. Samsaren gazes upward. Samsaren says, "The path before us is one blazed forth by Champions. Great people, whose deeds give us something to aspire to. Deeds to give hope in those times of trial. While a many hold a dear place in my heart and history the one I'd like to mention specifically is Daython." Samsaren says, "A Paladin, who helped define what one should be to me. A man whose dignity and courage inspired a younger me. A person of kindness who helped show me a gentle hand. You are missed, though never forgotten." Isharon says to Samsaren, "Thank you." Raising her White Rose coffee to Samsaren, Isharon gives him a toast. Isharon asks Sendithu, "Would you like to go next?" Sendithu says, "Certainly." Sendithu says, "I will not speak of my mother, or her mother, or hers. The females in my line are fickle, malicious, and died unlamented...a streak I had hoped to break, but so far it is not looking good." Sendithu shifts her weight. Sendithu says, "Instead, I will speak of my father. He was in my life briefly, but his love and support made everything good that I have possible, starting with the courage to go against my mother's will and leave the Empath's guild and ending in the present, with my marriage to a wonderful man who supports me no matter how ill advised my actions are." Sendithu gives Samsaren a crooked grin. Samsaren chuckles. Sendithu says, "I have no idea whether my father is living or dead, it has been many decades since I have seen his face, heard his laughter. My brother recently returned to me, so I hold out a sliver of hope that I may see him again someday. If not, a cherished memory is more than most of us are left with. Sendithu nods to Isharon. Isharon nods to Sendithu. Isharon asks Rileos, "Would you care to go next, Master Shaw?" Rileos nods. Rileos says, "Casserah. Y'all who know me probably are aware of my bein mighty bad at the whole paladin...thing. Skipped all the squire nonsense when I signed on and just went to it. Cass was the first and one of the best knights I ever seen walkin. Remember tellin her one time that I wasn't much at the life, just a fella had to put his foot down and stand up. She told me that's the hardest part of it all. Ain't sure if she's alive or dead today, but I like to imagine she's still really disappointed." Rileos nods. Whiteburn grows still, fixing Rileos with a cold, calculating look and lowering her tail slightly. Liurilias pats Rileos on the back. Isharon says, "I haven't seen Casserah in ages. I wonder where she roams now." Isharon asks Klejotogars, "Would you care to go next?" Klejotogars nods to Isharon. Klejotogars says, "I was not yet born for the migration but I would like to remember all those Rakash and Prydaen who died helping others reach safety." Klejotogars says, "And those who help protect us from the undead when we arrived her." Whiteburn bows her head in acknowledgement. Klejotogars says, "Many people lost their lives and many more would be dead without them." Klejotogars says, "May their souls reside with Mrod." Klejotogars lifts his face to the sky and howls. The haunting song of a wolf resonates through the area. Isharon asks, "Would anyone else care to say a few words?" Isharon gestures at Ascalaphus. Isharon says to Ascalaphus, "The floor is yours." Ascalaphus says, "I never knew my parents, but I was raised by a Gnomish woman from before I can remember who kept me safe during some dangerous times before my adolescence. She disappeared just as I was coming of age, after acting suspiciously for some time. I ve not seen her in three years. I fear she is lost, but I hope for her safety." Ascalaphus closes his eyes and begins to chant quietly, his lips quivering with each word as his skin pales noticeably. Ascalaphus bows to Isharon. Isharon nods to Ascalaphus. Isharon reverently says, "Father who walks the Starry Road, you were ever my lodestar. I hope you and the mother I never knew have found some measure of peace denied to you in life." Isharon smiles and raises her mug in salute. Isharon says, "If no one else would like to speak of those who came before, let us join together to celebrate the goddesses of spring and merriment, Hodierna and Faenella, in a circle of song." Klejotogars gets a sky-blue mahogany bodhran painted with tiny wrens warbling amidst deep green leaves from inside his doeskin drum pouch. Isharon says to Klejotogars, "I'd hoped it would not come down to my own singing, but Klejotogars has volunteered to accompany me." Klejotogars continues to play a quiet folk song on his mahogany bodhran. The music wafts through the air and your soul. Isharon nervously exclaims, "May my voice not offend!" Isharon sings in a soprano voice: "Welcome Spring with sweet surrender, Say goodbye to Winter fear. Morning breaks in all her splendor At the turning of the year." Klejotogars launches into the next verse of a quiet folk song, slowing slightly at improvising a harmony. Isharon sings in a soprano voice: "Now our Winter care is ended. Fare-thee-well to drippy nose, Pack away the mittens mended, Wooly socks for chilly toes." The gentle whisper of the leaves rubbing up against each other fills the small chamber. Isharon sings in a soprano voice: "Break no ice on pail or basin In a dark and cheerless room, Come ye all, and let us hasten, To the fields where flowers bloom." Isharon sings in a soprano voice: "Don a garment green and golden, Put those flannel drawers aside - Now no more to Frost beholden, Spring leads on to Summertide!" Klejotogars leans forward as the complex rhythm wafts from his mahogany bodhran with quiet pride. Isharon sings in a soprano voice: "Spring's fair dalliance calls to lovers: 'Bud and burgeon one and all, Till the evening's shadow covers, Come ye now and heed my call.'" Isharon bows. Isharon takes a seat. Raising her Darkstone's Reserve to Isharon, Ruea gives her a toast. Raising his Darkstone's Reserve to Isharon, Rileos gives her a toast. Isharon blushes, the tips of her ears turning a delicate scarlet hue. Raising your White Rose coffee to Isharon, you give her a toast. Cheers! Whiteburn frowns and makes a sour face but nods to Isharon. Isharon asks, "Would anyone else like to sing? Perhaps someone who, unlike myself, sounds like she has received musical training?" Isharon exclaims, "Don't be shy!" Sebestyen says, "Doubt I would even come close in either subject matter or pitch." Sendithu says, "Liuri should sing." Sendithu nods to Isharon. Liurilias makes a grunting noise. Isharon asks Liurilias, "Do the Prydaen have any spring songs?" Liurilias says, "Fine, but it won't be a happy song..." Liurilias says to Isharon, "Only if someone composed one that I haven't learned." Liurilias cocks his head at Isharon. Isharon gestures at Liurilias. Liurilias says to Isharon, "Unless you would prefer I not sing, I'm perfectly fine with that outcome too..." Isharon says to Liurilias, "Please do." Liurilias clears his throat. Liurilias inhales a great swallow of air. Klejotogars begins a quiet folk song on his mahogany bodhran. Liurilias solemnly sings in a baritone voice: "Spun from threads of blackest night, And rays of brightest day, Into this world, the lands of Eu, Each kit will find its way." Liurilias solemnly sings in a baritone voice: "Out of the darkness comes a voice, Beguiling, soft and sweet, And each kit knows the day will come, When once again we'll meet." Klejotogars continues to play a quiet folk song on his mahogany bodhran. The music wafts through the air and your soul. Liurilias solemnly sings in a baritone voice: "From first uncertain steps abroad, When all of life is new, Through lessons learned while on the hunt, Your life I shall review." Liurilias solemnly sings in a baritone voice: "I am the dark, I am the light, I am surcease from pain and strife, Within my arms you'll come to rest, By the Wheel of Life possessed." Klejotogars continues to play a quiet folk song on his mahogany bodhran. The music wafts through the air and your soul. Liurilias solemnly sings in a baritone voice: "From mountains, plains and desert dunes, Within the forest twilight, All you, my kin, shall greet me here, At the very edge of night." Liurilias solemnly sings in a baritone voice: "But while your day is strong and bright, My brother guides your way, And I, the silent sister, wait, As you, your life, assay." Klejotogars leans forward as the tricky passages fly from his mahogany bodhran with quiet pride. Liurilias sweeps his hand in front of him in a large arc, fluidly stepping backward and bowing to Isharon at the same time. Liurilias solemnly sings in a baritone voice: "I'll be there your time is nigh, When life can see its end, The Wheel of Life shall beckon you, And so you shall ascend." Liurilias solemnly sings in a baritone voice: "I am the dark, I am the light, I am surcease from pain and strife, Within my arms you'll come to rest, By the Wheel of Life possessed." The candles flutter, causing the shadows of the room to scatter. Looking playful, Liurilias curls the tip of his tail a curve. Zhirrisk's ears straighten up smartly as he gazes at Liurilias, a look of pride on his face. Isharon exclaims to Liurilias, "Had I known you could sing so well, I might have hired you to sing here instead!" Liurilias chuckles at Isharon. Raising your White Rose coffee to Liurilias, you give him a toast. Cheers! Hangren says, "Hello." Isharon nods politely to Hangren. Hangren takes a bite of the cake. Isharon says to Hangren, "We are (or perhaps were if no one else wishes to sing) in a circle of song." Liurilias leans on Whiteburn. Whiteburn's body jerks briefly. Liurilias snickers at Whiteburn. Whiteburn gives Liurilias an admonishing glance, as if warning him to stop. Hangren says, "I was here early, but had to step away for a bit." Hangren takes a bite of the cake. Isharon says to Hangren, "There are refreshments yet and time for merriment." Hangren says, "And cake." Hangren gives a slice of fudge cake a hug! Isharon bows her head and chants a prayer.. Whiteburn asks Isharon, "May I?" Isharon says to Whiteburn, "Please." Whiteburn solemnly sings in a soprano voice: "As to Urrem'tier's domain we fly. As inevitable as the coming of the tide. Death waits for all, for all our souls. Turn to the stars and you shall see." Ruea says to Sebestyen, "Always a pleasure." Whiteburn solemnly sings in a soprano voice: "The years turn ever onward. As we march toward the night. Take you your comfort now, for ere long Winter shall return, shall claim all before it. For Asketi's eternal grasp." Hangren asks Ruea, "Did you ever get all your stuff back?" Ruea says to Hangren, "They kept my pants." Ruea grins wryly. Ruea says, "We need more Paladins in this world when a girl isn't safe to stand at the bank wearing pants." Whiteburn reverently sings in a soprano voice: "But now - look to the stars and see. The rain of Spring is pure and sweet. And so, there are the Gods' miracles in nature. Yae, there are miracles e'en in death." Whiteburn bows her head in acknowledgement. Whiteburn nods to Isharon. Raising her Darkstone's Reserve to Whiteburn, Ruea gives her a toast. Zhirrisk trills softly at Whiteburn. Whiteburn cradles her shark amulet in her palm, reverently tracing the outline of the shark as she murmurs a soft prayer. Hangren takes a bite of the cake. Hangren says, "Hmm." Hangren says, "Ooo." Hangren shows Isharon his rose petal salad. Hangren takes a bite of the salad. Hangren exclaims, "It's got roses!" Hangren says, "I didn't know you could eat those." Hangren takes a bite of the salad. The gentle whisper of the leaves rubbing up against each other fills the small chamber. Isharon says, "We don't have anything else planned for the evening, but feel free to enjoy the food and gift." On the cloth-covered buffet you see a silver bowl filled with caramel glazed pecans lightly dusted with powdered sugar, a heap of marshmallow clouds supporting some cloudberry tarts, a sterling silver pot of steaming White Rose coffee, a small plate of oysters served on shell in a white wine and caviar dressing, a platter with a flank of desumos steak surrounded by roasted potatoes, a tray filled with succulent grilled lobster tails with a savory garlic stuffing, a silver bowl of asparagus and bean parcels each wrapped in a slice of fresh proscuitto, a mixed fruit and rose petal salad with a honey jadice flower dressing, a chocolate fudge cake drizzled with rum-laced frosting, a bowl of fizzing fruit punch, a large bottle of Paeldryth's Wrath whiskey next to several shotglasses and a tall glass carafe of Rissan brandy. You help yourself to a slice of fudge cake. Yum! Kythera takes a bite of the parcels. Sebestyen says to Isharon, "Well done and thank you for hosting." Sebestyen smiles at Isharon. Isharon says to Sebestyen, "Thank you for coming." You say to Isharon, "Yes, thank you for hosting.. this was a lovely evening." You smile. Kythera says, "Thank you. It was a nice event." Isharon says, "Thank you, everyone, for coming out, and thanks especially to those who spoke or sang." Kythera begins the long journey down the circular staircase. You begin the long trek down the stairs, step by step, stair by stair. The air around you is awfully empty, and the drop to the bottom...long. You finally reach the bottom, and flop down from exhaustion. [An Ancient Tree] Silvery beams of moonlight stream through irregular stained-glass windows, illuminating the intricate carvings which adorn the walls and dome of this cylindrical living chapel. A single, ornately engraved column grows from the center of the room and rises to meet the delicate arched ceiling. You also see a fragile-looking book on a simple stand and a circular staircase. It has been 421 years, 57 days since the Victory of Lanival the Redeemer. It is the 2nd month of Ka'len the Sea Drake in the year of the Bronze Wyvern. It is currently spring and it is night.