Even Newer(er) Tavern Thread: The Hanged Man

[CaBaNa]

Stopping at the top of the stairs, Gil stretches out one last time, and yawns loudly. Skipping down the stairs two at a time, the wizard bounced off the floor, and sashayed to the bar. Cordage Imperial Breakfast tea please, two lumps sugar, one tea spoon molasses, and... Gil surveys the area.

Spotting Artemis and 7 Rabbit he makes a quick decision, A bowl of whatever fruits are in season. I'll be with them. says the young wizard pointing in the dwarf and human at the other end of the bar. After settling up, Gil made his way to a seat.

Good Morning! cheers Gil, Oh no! I missed something didn't I? worry and tension drip from every word, How did I miss it, I stayed up so late, I've woken up so early? Gil just shakes his head. So what happened? 7 Rabbit you look as if you've been up for a week, and Artemis, have you seen a ghost? Gil seems displeased with himself for not "being there".

 

[JoeNotCharles]

7 Rabbit shakes his head sadly. "No, the stars don't work that way. They don't take an interest in our individual fates. You're better off asking a god... Well... wait. No. No. Yes!" He grows suddenly excited.

"The stars will not be able to wipe this darkness from you, but they could give you the power to do it yourself! I can show you how to call on their power - only in small ways at first, there won't be time for more, but I can train you further later if you have an aptitude. Then you can use that power to realign your own destiny!"

"And you've come to me at a most auspicious time! We're only two weeks from the conjunction of Ayotl-e-Hecatlicali, when the Great Sky Turtle enters the House of Fountains, and for only once in 62 years, it will fall precisely at the dark of the new moon! This is the start of the Sky Turtle's cycle, a time of beginnings, and the new moon symbolizes emptiness waiting to be filled. It's the perfect time to wipe away your past and being a new future!"

"It won't be easy. There is a great deal of preparation to do in the next two weeks if we are to be ready for the new moon. You must be trained, initiated into the first mysteries, you must ritually purify your mind and body... And even then I'm sure it will take great strength to throw off the yoke of this being, whatever it is. But the timing can't be a coincidence. I'm certain this is what you're destiny is meant to be!"

"Will you do it?"

 

[CaBaNa]

Gil watches with bated breath for Artemis' answer to the immense question.

 

[FourMonos]

Artemis answers earnestly and without hesitation, "Yes, Rabbit, I will."

He leans back, grinning, "I think I'm starting to see what you mean about destiny. How else would folk such as ourselves find this situation at this time." He pats Gil's arm. "And with friends to boot!"

"So where do we start?"

 

[JoeNotCharles]

"Well, first, as I said, you'll need to purify your mind and body. I'll teach you a meditation ritual to perform every day before study, to clear your mind of impure thoughts. In fact, all thoughts. 'First we must empty the mind. Then we fill it with knowledge.'" He sounds like he's quoting. "At the same time we purify the body to get rid of poisons." 7 Rabbit turns to Gil, who he hasn't acknowledged yet. "Do either of you know if there's a sweat lodge in town? Nevermind," he continues without waiting for an answer. "We'll make do."

"In two weeks time, at the dark of the new moon, you should have learned the basics of astromancy - the art of drawing power from the stars - although true astrology will take longer. Without knowledge of astrology, trying to do too much through astromancy is dangerous, so don't try to use the techniques I teach you without my guidance for now! Um, where was I? Oh, yes, at the dark of the new moon, we'll hold an investiture ceremony, where I will formally introduce you and open the channels for you to draw upon the power of the heavens.

Then the hard part will start - once you can draw on the heavens' power, you must try to expel the influence of the dark creature from your body. This will mainly be a contest of will, I think, and I won't be able to help you directly. But I will focus your training over the next two weeks on techniques to help with this struggle.

Now, for the ceremony itself, we'll need a place away from distracting light to perform it. Stargazer Hill - that's what I call the clearing I found last night - would be perfect. I already have the correct robes and mask, but we'll need a separate set of ritual garments for you - no, no, we can skip that, that's not essential. I don't think we'll need any equipment at all that I don't already own, in fact. And we'll need witnesses. Five of them. Normally these would be existing seers watching a new member join their order, but that's not important. Anyone with an open mind will do. Do you know anyone that might be willing to serve as a witness?" 7 Rabbit pointedly avoids looking at Gil, to avoid influencing the decision.

 

[Cute-Hydra]

OOC: Can I get some confirmation from players for teams, I want them fixed before I open a play thread.

 

[rb780nm]

OOC: Sound of Stone and I are in

 

[Luinnar]

OOC: I'm fine with Alnar being in the higher level group

 

[salt3d]

OOC: The last group suggested was: Team 1 Southward invasion Astheone, lvl 1 ranger striker Len, lvl 1 rogue striker Esraethan lvl 1 warlock striker Sound of Stone lvl 2 monk striker Mercurial lvl 2 artificer leader Hunzo, lvl 1 controller mage I am fine with that. I'm not entirely clear on whether there are still two groups, but the one above has my character in it, so that's good enough for me!

 

[Neil1889]

"Do you know anyone that might be willing to serve as a witness?" 7 Rabbit pointedly avoids looking at Gil, to avoid influencing the decision.

Lilli potters over.

"Rituals and magic? I'm your gal. Always eager to learn more and I’d like to help if I can. It sounds like the most terrible of afflictions."