The Darkness beneath Eveningstar

Paramour

Here, please collect information regarding the darkness beneath Eveningstar.

~Squire Maire

Paramour

Here is what I propose:

We make a silvered weapon. Presently, Adelaide is working on this. She requires 10 Holy Water which we have promised to provide her.
We entreat Lathander for the use of the armor located nearby the dark altar. It is hidden behind a fairly accessible door nearb.
We utilize both of these items to both protect ourselves from, and smash apart the altar. I believe that using a specially prepared hammer, or maul, I can smite the thing apart.

Relevant rumors:

Some people say that Izereth made, and is using the shadows around Eveningstar. I am not sure for what purpose.
Some people say that half-dragons disappearing into shadows is involved. However, it seems as though the half-dragons are instead trying to resurrect some ancient dragon whose bones have been scattered around the land.

Relevant Standing Orders:

Collect holy water to provide to Adelaide.
Scouts should explore beneath town to determine whether there's anything else we've missed.
Al - could you plan out a ritual to bless this silvered weapon when we get it? We will also need some way to entreat the armor, or Lathander, to allow us the temporary use of it. We will of course return it to the stand afterwards.

Does anyone know what these shadows have actually DONE? Or are they just being dark and spooky and occasionally creating shadow-creatures beneath the town? I cannot seem to find anyone who knows their purpose otherwise.

~ Squire Maire

Paramour

There is a small update. One of the rumors is scratched out, leaving only one remaining.

Fizzgig

Izereth was the one who caused and summoned the shadows, at the cost of our Dawnbrother's life. I suspect we need too keep this in mind when seeking to cleanse the area, as I'm uncertain of her true motive. It may be a great sacrifice is needed to return the balance. The Wildwalkers have agreed to aid us via a cleansing ritual, using a live white stag. Note this is a delicate operation, neither Izereth nor the Precept should know of it.

Perhaps we could combine the white stag ritual and the proposed one above? I have a psalm written for the occasion.

Tass

Paramour

I'm personally loathed to take the life of an innocent creature. I like animals.

I would like to remember Tristain (sp?) in the ritual, though. I asked my brother to write up something for it but was going to keep that personal.

I'm glad you're back! I've wanted to meet you a lot!

Maybe you could transcribe your ritual here in this file? My brother is a Dawnbringer, and a fine cleric when he's writing, so he's been working on that in your absence. We can do whatever the two of you think best. I am just the smite-er.

~Maire

Fizzgig

The White Stags are holy creatures, whose death cleanse the land and bring new life. To perform the rite of cleansing may be hard to swallow, however it is as the gods intended. I believe it would be disrespectful to decline the Wildwalkers offer, so late in the process, it is through our unity we will succeed.

Tass

Paramour

Please write down the basics of this ritual for my brother and I to read. I am very interested myself.

~Maire

Fizzgig

So pushy, I love your energy! All good things will arise to those with patience. Don't worry, I will write the details shortly once I have had time to catch up with everything.

Tass

Paramour

After the meeting I have realized that I am being far, far too pushy about this. Please forgive me; I am concerned, and my brother and I are more used to formally meeting in a cloister, and the informal one brought out some of the worst in us. It seems as though the druidic takeaway from that meeting was that I had intended to completely dismiss them out of hand, which was not what I was thinking of doing at all. I am now quite ashamed to find that was how I presented myself.

In particular, I wish to apologize to Tass. After some reflection, I feel I have challenged you unfairly on the inclusion of the stag, and I now retract my concerns. I have been reminded that, while not specifically a cleric, you are still an ordained member of the Church, and I defer to your knowledge on the subject.

I'll pass a copy of this message on to Ursula as well since it is a transcript of what I understood their ritual to entail:

Ritual to Cleanse the Shadow (Druidic)
Requirements:
8 Golden Chalices of the Morning Lord (Prepared with blessed holy water)
1 Stag, White, Living
4 Elements, Magical
2 Druids
Process Order:
The 8 golden chalices will be set out in sequence, into a ritual circle nearby the golden chain armor stand.
The golden chalices will be filled with holy water, blessed by a priest.
The stag will be drawn into the circle. The stag is not to be touched by any shadow-creature.
Two druids shall stand at opposite ends of the ritual circle.
The stag shall be magically consumed by the spell, as the druids sacrifice it to waken the powers of earth, fire, wind, and water, which shall then be channeled, by them, to drive back the darkness from Eveningstar.
The Altar, deprived of power, is then broken by mundane means.
Assistants to the ritual will assist in fighting back the darkness as necessary.

Ritual to Cleanse the Shadow (Lathanderite)
Requirements:
1 Hammer, Silver
1 Armor, Relic
1 Priest
1 Paladin
Process Order
A hammer is commissioned and crafted of silver.
A priest consecrates this hammer specifically for the task at hand.
A ritual is held, asking Lathander for the use of the armor beneath the Temple.
A paladin (or other holy person) wears this armor, wields the hammer, and smites apart the altar.
The armor, a holy relic, is entreated to protect all present from the blowback.
Assistants to the ritual will be responsible for fighting back the darkness thus released.

Looking at both of these rituals together, it seems like we've approached the problem from two different ends; the druidic ritual seems to seek to deprive the altar of power, and then smash it, and our proposed Lathanderite ritual seeks to destroy the altar, releasing the shadows contained within to be after that slain.

Therefore, here's my revised proposal combining these two rituals;

Ritual to Dispel the Shadows (Combined)
Requirements:
1 Ranger, Female, Blonde
1 Hammer, Relic
1 Armor, Relic, Holy
8 Golden Chalices of the Morning Lord (Holy Water)
1 White Stag
2 Druids
4 Elements, Magical
Process:
A hammer is blessed and consecrated by a priest.(1)
The 8 Golden Chalices are set out and filled with holy water by the priest.
The stag is led into the center of the circle.
The druids take their places; assistants variously take their places to fend back the darkness.
An invocation is performed by the priest to entreat the protection of the holy relic armor stand.
The druids perform their sacrifice of the stag, turning their natural powers to the destruction of shadow and restoration of the local balance.
The Ranger(3) proceeds to wield the Hammer, Relic, blessing it to strike apart the Altar at the correct moment determined by the druid presiding.
Assistants dispose of any shadows remaining (there should be very few).

Notes:

I feel as though Juli's hammer, which she has borrowed from a holy site where it could no longer be guarded, can be a good substitute for the hammer we were preparing. At first I was hesitant to include her, and this, because she has given an oath the hammer is to be returned - but by weakening the altar, first, with the druidic ritual, I feel that there's much less chance of her hammer breaking. This should also prevent Adelaide from participating in any way, as specifically requested by Ursula, the head druid.

The druidic ritual seems to be cleansing the shadows from the land prior to the breaking of the altar and should therefore take president for the safety of everyone involved.

Given that this now a combined ritual, it seems to me that a Ranger should wield the hammer rather than a Paladin, as the hammer itself can stand for holy power and the ranger herself will hopefully be more acceptable to the natural powers at play.

Tass, do you feel these additions are acceptable to the ritual you have planned with the druids? Have I accounted for everything that was spoken of in the meeting before it broke apart?

~ Maire

Fizzgig

Apology accepted and appreciated, we are all in this together. Allowing darkness to cloud our vision will aid no one but the wicked, I thank you for finding the courage to admit fault and seeking to self-perfect. Regarding the ritual, I have some minor adjustments to propose.

Ritual of cleansing light

Julianna's holy hammer relic is blessed by Maire, and soaked in holy water blessed by Alparin
The 8 Golden Chalices are set out and filled with the remaining holy water by the House of the Morning (Perhaps the members I have not had the pleasure meeting yet)
Tass performs the psalm of light, amplifying the golden chains to ward everyone against the darkness
The Wildwalkers begin the cleansing ritual
- Jendayi and Eowadrien summons forth the elements to cleanse the land
- Junnen and Ursula brings the White Stag to the center and fulfills its purpose
- House of the Morning will protect the Wildwalkers during their ritual against any hostile forces, with Maire as the leader
- The elements are summoned, the darkness destroyed and the shadow altar weakened
Once the land is cleansed and Wildwalker ritual complete, Julianna strikes the shadow altar flanked by everyone combined, whilst Tass once more amplifies the golden chains to ward everyone against the darkness

Tass

Paramour

I think that constitutes a final draft. Any objection if I forward that to Ursula as well?

~Maire

Fizzgig

None, please forward them!

Tass

Fizzgig

@fizzgig said in Ursula:

Ursula,

A slight update, based of what we discussed briefly. I hope this is more to yours, and the Heirophaunt's liking.

Ritual of cleansing light

The 8 Golden Chalices are set out and filled with the holy water blessed by Lathander

The psalm of light is performed, amplifying the golden chains to ward everyone against the shadows

The elements are summoned to cleanse the land, with the aid of the White Stag

Once the land is cleansed and the ritual complete, the shadow altar is destroyed either by the ritual or force

Dawnherald Tassulue

Paramour

No objections from my quarter.

I'll see Alpharin is rebriefed this afternoon.

~Maire

Fizzgig

@silverswift said in Ursula:

Closer to my mind's thinking. Less is better. All that really be needed is the stag but I did include the chalices to keep your holy men from being jealous.
Ursula

Paramour

At this point I think it's fine if they puff themselves up big as roosters on a fencepost--as long as we can get started.

Thanks for negotiating this.

~Maire

Fizzgig

@fizzgig said in Announcements by the Church of Lathander:

THE LIGHT IS THE WAY

The land once more pure, as the shadows fades against the might of the land. Balance restored, and the starwater flow runs pure once more. Thanks you the alliance of the Wildwalkers and House of the Morning. No words can express the gratitude, to finally see the soul of Dawnbrother Tristan finally put at rest. By the guidance of the Wildwalkers, and the light of House of the Morning.

Thank you, as we stand once more in the brilliant light. The light is the way, this is the way.

Dawnherald Tassulue Thorn of the Church of Lathander

Case closed