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<blockquote data-quote="Rybaer" data-source="post: 2429177" data-attributes="member: 118">The heavy wooden door creaks as it opens.&nbsp; Beyond is a dim area carved out of blackness.&nbsp; Literally.&nbsp; There is a circular area about fifteen feet in diameter - clear of everything aside from the dark stone floor.&nbsp; A smaller circle of highly polished black marble, some ten feet in diameter, is set in the floor within the dimly lit area.&nbsp; Where there might be walls and ceiling, instead is a finite barrier of pitch blackness.Above the polished circle, a faintly glowing apparition appears.&nbsp; It is a human woman, likely in her 50's or 60's, with a authoritative bearing.&nbsp; Her clothes are fine, though of an outdated style.&nbsp; She speaks with a voice that seems to emanate from all around the group.&quot;Welcome to Kisthmetch.&nbsp; Congratulations on having faced the trials of the Heart of Darkness, a task not taken lightly.&nbsp; Please, come in.&quot;The apparition gestures vaguely at the polished disk on the floor around her.&quot;First off, allow me to introduce myself.&nbsp; I am, or was, Sendira Hyath, the last master of the Akashic order that called this place home.&nbsp; We have been forced to abandon this place, though we hope that the magic here will endure for many generations to come.&nbsp; My presence represents the last of the magic imparted in Kisthmetch, a way to guide those who would come after us.&quot;The trials of the Heart of Darkness are intended to test and temper one's fears, to teach one how to face the darkness within our hearts and minds.&nbsp; In what you've faced, there is always some degree of truth, though whether it is real or metaphorical I cannot say.&nbsp; Should you choose to return, you will face deeper and darker truths - it never becomes easier.&quot;Take the lessons to heart, learn from them, and use the experience to grow.&quot;In recognition of your efforts, I will lead you through the Ritual of Kisthmetch.&nbsp; It is a secret ceremony of power, restricted to those who have passed through the Heart of Darkness.&nbsp; The ritual will impart some small benefits upon you, and you will forevermore be able to recognize those others who have also passed this trial.&nbsp; The ritual is optional, though I can think of no reason not to partake.&quot;If you wish to partake, please arrange yourself somewhere along the edge of the circle.&quot;The apparition pauses, apparently programmed to allow the audience a chance to decide whether or not to participate in the ceremony.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Rybaer, post: 2429177, member: 118"] The heavy wooden door creaks as it opens. Beyond is a dim area carved out of blackness. Literally. There is a circular area about fifteen feet in diameter - clear of everything aside from the dark stone floor. A smaller circle of highly polished black marble, some ten feet in diameter, is set in the floor within the dimly lit area. Where there might be walls and ceiling, instead is a finite barrier of pitch blackness. Above the polished circle, a faintly glowing apparition appears. It is a human woman, likely in her 50's or 60's, with a authoritative bearing. Her clothes are fine, though of an outdated style. She speaks with a voice that seems to emanate from all around the group. "Welcome to Kisthmetch. Congratulations on having faced the trials of the Heart of Darkness, a task not taken lightly. Please, come in." The apparition gestures vaguely at the polished disk on the floor around her. "First off, allow me to introduce myself. I am, or was, Sendira Hyath, the last master of the Akashic order that called this place home. We have been forced to abandon this place, though we hope that the magic here will endure for many generations to come. My presence represents the last of the magic imparted in Kisthmetch, a way to guide those who would come after us. "The trials of the Heart of Darkness are intended to test and temper one's fears, to teach one how to face the darkness within our hearts and minds. In what you've faced, there is always some degree of truth, though whether it is real or metaphorical I cannot say. Should you choose to return, you will face deeper and darker truths - it never becomes easier. "Take the lessons to heart, learn from them, and use the experience to grow. "In recognition of your efforts, I will lead you through the Ritual of Kisthmetch. It is a secret ceremony of power, restricted to those who have passed through the Heart of Darkness. The ritual will impart some small benefits upon you, and you will forevermore be able to recognize those others who have also passed this trial. The ritual is optional, though I can think of no reason not to partake. "If you wish to partake, please arrange yourself somewhere along the edge of the circle." The apparition pauses, apparently programmed to allow the audience a chance to decide whether or not to participate in the ceremony. [/QUOTE]

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