Heirs to the Burning Thrones

[Lady Shatterstone]

" I am not sure. Shall we see how the others are coming about with their tasks?" Nafeesa responds while looking from Tariq to Jibril to the others in the oasis.

 

[Dark Nemesis]

"An excellent idea," Tariq said in reply. Then, he looked to Jibril. "We would be honored if you were to accompany us."

 

[Keia]

"An excellent idea," Tariq said in reply. Then, he looked to Jibril. "We would be honored if you were to accompany us."

"Of course," Jibril replied, "though I would not mind waiting until Shalah obtained her crown from the water elemental. I do believe that is the final crown to be acquired yet."

 

[Isida Kep'Tukari]

*For those that wish to put their crowns on, here's what happens:*

Nafeesa:

Spoiler

Placing the pearl-like circlet upon your head conveys a feeling of wisdom and purity. The very air about you seems to be clearer and brighter, and your skin, blood, and vision seem to be as healthy as the day you were born. Perhaps this might aid you in healing.

Tariq:

Spoiler

Your silvery circlet gives you a cool rush as you place it on your head. Looking about, you can easily tell who amongst you is in posession of things of great value, even when the things in question are in a backpack or sack. Those amongst you that seem the most dangerous, particularly Abdul, Jibirl, Suhayb, and Omran, are outlined in silvery light as well.

Samira:

Spoiler

Your circlet is of white, glowing gold. Placing it upon your head allows you to look at the dazzlingly white buildings, even the sun, without discomfort or dazzle. Light seems to flow in you and through you, perhaps like your fire nymph mother...

*Cala places the black circlet about her head, and looks about briefly, and gives a short barking laugh. The small, thin woman seems to grow in stature and grace, and her eyes take on a dark sheen. As Tarek places the golden brown circlet upon his head, he's briefly haloed in golden light, as he rakes the grounds with an imperious gaze.*

Jibril, Suhayb, and Omran:

Spoiler

As each Heir places the crown upon their head, knowledge spills into your minds unbidden. Abdul's red circlet claimed from the sand giant gifts him with the ability to detect asailents unseen, even ghosts and spirits. It represents vigiliance against violence. Nafeesa's pearl circlet coaxed from the kamadan allows her great insight into the hearts of man, and gives her the ability to purify poisons from food, water, and blood. It represents the compassion and responsibility of rulership. Tariq's silver circle bargined for from the jackal lord allows him to detect the wealthy and the dangerous, representing the twin foes of rulers. Samira's white circlet gathered from the sunwyrm allows her to be avoided being dazzeled by any light, and gives her control over heat and light. It represents the fact that sultans are not impressed by anything, they are the ones that do the impressing. Cala's black circlet allows her to see as far in darkness as one does in light, and gives her insight into the darkness of men's souls. It represents that the sultans know all, both the things that happen in the night as well as the day. Tarek's golden brown circlet gives him the knowledge of men's futures, just a moment before they happen. It represents the fact that a sultan should know what his courtiers are thinking, always. Only Shalah's circlet remains ungathered and unclaimed.

In your minds you know that this knowledge comes to you to do with as you will, to keep it to yourselves to watch how the heirs do, or to dispense with as you see fit. It gives you knowledge over them, for an advisor must know more than who he advises.

 

[Lady Shatterstone]

*Standing with Tariq and Jibril watching Shalah work through her task Nafeesa feels a pull from her crown and a desire to place it upon her head. As she does the world around brightens and she notices that she is glowing. The opalescence of her skin gleams, pulsing with light. Nafeesa feels cleansed, enlightened and humbled all from placing the pearl-like circlet on her head.*

 

[Goddess FallenAngel]

*As Shalah approaches the water elemental, it swirls into a vortex of water, looking much like the whirling dustclouds of the desert, but inverted, pointing deep into the pool. At the bottom of the cone of the swirling water is a lovely blue circlet, but to get it one would have to enter the water. Or leap into it.*

I cannot breathe water, and I doubt I am a strong enough swimmer to fight the elemental’s current, but.... Shalah smiles, Mayhap I can charm the circlet from it. The Dance of Waves, perhaps, and the Ballad of the Oasis-Maiden, although I do hope it can understand me.

*Shalah raises her hands to the elemental.*
“Hear me and see me, mighty guardian, and grant my request,” she says, voice low and filled with sincerity. “I wish to claim the circlet that you so aptly guard. With it, I will be able to claim the throne that is rightfully mine. I spent much of my life at my beloved oasis, and I understand how you feel to guard your home. With the circlet, I hope to protect the oases that remain in this arid land, to prevent any more from being lost to the desert sands.”

*She continues to gracefully raise her arms to meet, twined together above her head. She pauses for but a breath then moves one arm down and forward in the opening moves of the dance. As she flows through the movements of the dance like the water from whence her name is derived, her voice soars out onto the air. She sings an old ballad, one about a maiden who lived at a solitary oasis, and who was taken from the oasis one day by a caravan who discovered it. Shalah’s voice whispered in sorrow as she sang of the girl’s tears upon leaving her home, and her journey of years through endless trials to return. Her voice rang like the newly-risen sun as the girl returned to her home, as she restored the oasis to the pristine shape it had been before the caravans came…. But many years had passed, and the girl was in truth a girl no longer. Wearied from life, and bowed by the weight of years, she finished and lay beside the oasis, destined to never again open her eyes. But the spirits blessed her, and transformed her into a water elemental, so she could guard her precious oasis from those that would despoil it forevermore.*

*Shalah’s voice fades, leaving the last throbbing notes drifting on the morning air, and bowed fluidly in the final movements of the dance. She watches the elemental from behind lowered lashes, awaiting any reaction from it.*

 

[Isida Kep'Tukari]

*The whirlpool stills as Shalah begins her dance, and the waters ripple and sway with her as she sings. At the end of her dance, the waters part smoothly, leaving the cerulean circlet for the taking.*

 

[Goddess FallenAngel]

*Shalah steps forward into the oasis and takes the circlet, then returns to the shore and bows respectively to the elemental.*

"Thank you, guardian." *She examines the circlet.*

 

[Keia]

Jibril A'Mussan (Windwalker, Human) Rogue/Psion/Fighter

*Jibril nodded in contemplation as his senses became aware . . . his feet rose from the ground, causing Jibril to hover several inches above the ground for a few moments.*

*With a slight head shake, Jibril shook himself from this reverie and looked around at his surroundings. He noticed that Shalah had recovered her circlet as well.*

"Blessings and congratulations on your success, Shalah," Jibril offered.

 

[Goddess FallenAngel]

"Thank you, Jibril, and to you as well." She smiles brightly at him, then at the rest of the party. "To all of us, as it seems we have all passed our first test successfully."

*She looks affectionately at Samira, happy that they are together for these trials.*