I need a description of Felix's handiwork to determine how he does in the competition.
The Tree will take place an hour before the dance begins.
Day 12
It is just after dawn when Wu Cho made his way from Lord Tannerson's guest house in Greerson toward the Temple of Pter. Li walked at Wu's side, his new nagamaki proudly worn in the custom scabbard that Lord Tannerson presented to him after the Lists. The two men, foreigners in this land, chatted in their native tongue as they walked. Wu Cho quietly congratulated Li on his new rank of Samurai and explained that while he considered the path of the Samurai, in the end he felt a higher calling, a calling to serve a general good, more akin to the path of the Kensai. It wasn't until after he arrived in Stormhaven, and learned more at the Temple of Pter, that he was able to understand what purpose he sought to serve.
It took a year to commission a crafter capable of creating a Katana suitable for dedicating to Shang Mu. It took another year to obtain the precious adamtine that the crafter would use. Before Wu Cho accepted Lord Tannerson's invitation, the blade was finished. A beautiful katana that has not yet left it's scabbard.
Wu Cho arranged with the High Priest to coordinate the ceremony with a minimum of fanfare. However, Wu Cho was proud to have Li bear witness to it. Li shares the same goals as Wu Cho; to bring others in to help in the conflict against the Yuan-Ti. For too long have their people born this burden alone. Almost treating their lack of victory as a common shame, their people have avoided asking for help. Wu Cho and Li, have both realized that there is no shame in asking for help when evil must be defeated, and overthrown.
The two men entered the Temple, and were greeted by the High Priest. The High Priest assured Wu Cho that the preparations were almost complete and offered the two men a morning tea. Wu Cho quietly declined, he had never entered the Temple of Pter in Greerson, he now wished to look around the temple, if it were permitted. With a smile, the priest assured Wu Cho that he could look around.
Wu Cho studied the wall carvings depiciting Shang Mu's victories over evil. His protecting the people of the world from all that is malevolent. Finally, the carvings led into a series of small alcoves. Mortal heroes from the past who served Pter well. At the alcove nearest the altar, Wu Cho stopped. The wall before him displayed an armored knight with a hand and a half sword. Behind him stood an armored priest with a greatsword. Wu Cho's finger's lightly traced the figure of the second man and Li could hear him quietly say, "Aaron the Restless. It is he that came down from the mountains to inspire our people. I have seen his image before, long ago."
Wu Cho then turned his attention to the other graven image. He nodded a respectful acknowledgement. "This one is Ternell, Hero of Pter. These two both fought Evil, wherever it might be. I have no doubt that if Ternell hadn't been slain fighting the mad god, he would have supported his friend and companion, Aaron, and joined the fight against the Yuan-Ti." Wu Cho bowed his head again in prayer to Shang Mu, and offered his gratitude to the heroes greven on the wall in the small alcove.
Later that morning, Wu Cho gave Li a small wooden shield. The holy symbol of Pter, of Shang Mu. Straightening his robes, Li noticed the wooden shield affixed to Wu Cho's chest. With a smile, Wu Cho began the Ceremony of Dedication.
Incense and chanted prayers filled the air. Oaths were sworn. Wu Cho drew forth his Adamtine Katana and asked that Pter accept his undying, and unrelenting, service. Li could hear the conviction and resolution in Wu Cho's voice. The honor and nobility of their people entered Pter's Temple and it would not leave until Shang Mu himself had accepted, or rejected, Wu Cho's service.
The Katana glowed with Pter's blessing and acceptance. Wu Cho stood and turned to Li. The wooden shield on Wu Cho's chest was now platinum. Wu Cho had been accepted as one of Pter's chosen; one of his High Knights. Walking to Li, Wu Cho held out his blade so that Li might see it.
"You are the first of our people to witness this ceremony. Thank you for the honor of your presence Samurai." Wu Cho knelt at Li's feet and bowed his head. "With this Katana, I will fight the Evil that infects our homeland. with this Katana, I will fight Evil wherever it may be. We may serve different Lords, but we also serve our People. I ask your acceptance Samurai, as a potential peer, if I carry myself with Honor and serve our People as best as I may."