Steps before the Imperium. (Cyrene)
The stars twinkle in the clear night sky. Massive pillars of black
marble run through with sparkling silver rise up on either side of
you as you stand on the great steps before the Imperium. The steps
themselves are formed of highly polished black marble and form a wide
half circle before the great entrance. The huge ebony doors are framed
by a large silver arch and are polished to a deep sheen. A beautiful
vineyard pattern has been carved into the gleaming wood and tiny birds
can be seen darting among the plump grapes and their wide leaves.
Adding notes to a wrinkled map, Carin, the engineer stands here. Duke
Phormio Ruminic stands here, carefully watching any passersby. A runic
totem is planted solidly in the ground. Wings flaring, a pegasus
tosses his regal head impatiently. There are 3 guardian angels here. A
many-headed hydra towers over the area, his carmine scales glimmering
like gems. A playful hippogriff frolicks harmlessly here. Stretching
its wings in an impressive display is an ebony pegasus, its dark coat
absorbing the surrounding light. Lightly armoured in blackened steel
to complement the deep chocolate shade of his coat, a noble steed
stands ready. A swarm of bees hovers menacingly nearby. A giant silver
eagle stands here proudly. The Black Dragon Saidie's imposing form
looms. Jamkar is here. He wields a simple fishing pole in both hands.
Blackharp is here. He wields a wooden harp bearing the arms of
Blackharp in his left hand and a lightwoven rapier of motley hue in
his right. Camellio is here. He wields a Shield of Absorption bearing
the arms of Camellio in his right hand. Mindor is here. Phaestus is
here, the air about Him hazy with the intense heat of the forge. He
wields a blacksmith's hammer in His left hand. Hassan is here. He
wields a darkbow in both hands. Wysteria is here. She wields a vine-
wreathed sylvanic quarterstaff in both hands. Invictus is here.
Cataleya is here. She wields a Yggdrasian splinter in both hands.
Oceana is here. She wields a wyvern-etched druidic quarterstaff in
both hands. Tyndaryn is here. His face is partially concealed beneath
a raised hood. Finchy is here. He wields a shield of administration in
his right hand. The Blue Dragon Tynil's imposing form looms. Silvarien
is riding on an ebony pegasus. He wields an Auroran Mace in his left
hand and a Shield of Absorption in his right. Leinad is here. Stevie
is here. He wields a steel shortsword in each hand. Elaina is here.
She wields an ornate steel rapier in each hand. Zinka is here.
Lisbethae is here. She wields a wyvern-etched druidic quarterstaff in
both hands. Fendo is here. Cecee is here. She wields a wooden club in
her right hand. Tharvis is riding on a giant silver eagle. He wields a
crystal shield in his left hand and a crystal staff in his right.
Melodie is here. Verrucht is here. Jules is riding on a noble steed.
Kaden is here. He wields a shadowy staff of restrained power in his
left hand and a Shield of Absorption bearing the arms of the Ancestry
of Ashaela clan in his right. Czanthria is here. She wields a dwarven
battleaxe in each hand. Goggo is here. His face is partially concealed
beneath a raised hood. He wields an Auroran Mace in his left hand and
a Shield of Absorption bearing the Divine Order arms of Lupus in his
right. Daklore is here. Ariettie is here. She wields the Sword of the
Mountain King in both hands. Orphinium is here. Idelisa is here. She
wields a vine-wreathed sylvanic quarterstaff in both hands. The Golden
Dragon Jamethiel's imposing form looms. Dalara is here. She wields a
vine-wreathed sylvanic quarterstaff in both hands. Serendi is here.
She wields a butchering cleaver in her left hand and an ornate steel
rapier in her right. Aikou is here. She wields a steel Theran
broadsword in her left hand and a dwarven battleaxe in her right.
You see exits leading east and west.

Zinka moves to stand just to the left of Ariettie.

Ariettie says in a muted, dulcet voice, "Exelethril, please step
forward."

You step down off of an alabaster pegasus.
An alabaster pegasus obediently falls into line behind you.

Exelethril steps forward from the crowd.

Ariettie says in a muted, dulcet voice, "Exelethril Ithilien has been
a shining example of chivalric, honourable and dutiful behaviour. He
has worked hard for his own growth and the well-being of his peers,
achieving respect and tending to his responsibilities without fault.
It is by these reasons that I place him before you for placement into
the Order of Thurisaz, for that is what his heart strives for."

Ariettie says in a muted, dulcet voice, "Ladies and gentlemen, I
present to you the Golden Dragon, Exelethril."

Daklore steps forward, his hooves clacking softly with each step. He
momentarily clears his throat to grab everyone's attention.

Daklore says in a calm, baritone voice, "It was a cold and wintery day
over Cyrene, a typical Aeguary morning in 567. A date in a year that
would change, everything. For Exelethril anyway, this was when he
decided to join the Viam Disciplinae and begin his path to Knighthood.
A path that would lead to here, and now."

Daklore says in a calm, baritone voice, "The path through this hird
would lead Exelethril on a trek through the Ethos, through the history
and culture of the Wardens, and a wander along the halls of Algiz,
before he would get here. The Viam is a tough hird, my opinion of
course, and does not draw the attention of many would-be-pages. But
Exelethril sought the challenge, and perservered."

Daklore says in a calm, baritone voice, "During his time as a Page,
and Squire, Exelethril has held the office of Minister of War, part of
his duty to the city and the house. He has suffered through pondering
the ethos and what it means to be a Knight, ready to take on the
highest and strictest standards of our Ethos. To be a Knight is to be
a pillar of the Ethos, to be the shining beacon for future Wardens and
show them what they should strive to be through his actions."

Daklore says in a calm, baritone voice, "I am honoured to stand here
and welcome him and his fellow Esquire as a brother-in-arms, a Knight
of the Cerulean Spire. And of course, Zinka a sister-in-arms, and
Camellio, a brother-in-arms... or would it be at-arms?"

You chuckle long and heartily.

Daklore says to you in a calm, baritone voice, "Go forth and accept
your new position with."

Daklore says to you in a calm, baritone voice, "Go forth and accept
your new position with its duties and privileges. Go forth and be
Knighted."

Verrucht says to you in an urbane voice, "Kneel."

You drop to one knee, demonstrating your humility and respect.

Verrucht says to you in an urbane voice, "Recite this pledge, on your
honour, to your brethren."

Verrucht says to you in an urbane voice, "I make this pledge to you
now and for all eternity. When you are thirsty, I will bring you water.
 When you have hunger, my bread shall be yours. When you are cold, you
will have the shirt off my back. When you are in danger, I will be
your shield. When you know sorrow, I will be your joy. In all things
you are my brothers and sisters, and my loyalty to you will never end.
I make this pledge with a pure heart and a pure mind, and ask that you
accept it in the spirit it is given."

You say in a soft, focused voice, "I make this pledge to you now and
for all eternity. When you are thirsty, I will bring you water. When
you hunger, my bread shall be yours. When you are cold, you will have
the shirt off my back. When you are in danger, I will be your shield.
When you know sorry, I will be your joy. In all things, you are my
brothers and sisters, and my loyalty to you will never end."

You say in a soft, focused voice, "I make this pledge with a pure
heart and a pure mind, and ask that you accept it in the spirit that
it is given."

Verrucht says to you in an urbane voice, "Now, recite this pledge
towards all the citizens of our beloved Cyrene."

Verrucht says to you in an urbane voice, "I make this pledge to you
now and for all eternity. I am the sword that will defend you. I am
the shield that will guard you. I will defend your city with my last
breath, and my heart shall beat no more before any harm comes to its
streets. I will not cease in my vigilance and you may call upon me in
your need. I make this pledge with a pure heart and a pure mind, and
ask that you accept it in the spirit it is given."

You say in a soft, focused voice, "I make this pledge to you now and
for all eternity. I am the sword that will defend you. I am the shield
that will guard you. I will defend your city with my last breath, and
my heart shall beat no more before any harm comes to its streets. I
will not cease in my vigilance and you may call upon me in your need."

You say in a soft, focused voice, "I make this pledge with a pure
heart and a pure mind, and ask that you accept it in the spirit that
it is given."

Ariettie raises the Sword of the Mountain King aloft, its tip pointed
directly at the kneeling man. Her voice resounds loudly across the
plaza.

Ariettie says to you in a muted, dulcet voice, "By means of this
sacred sword shall your current station end and you will be reborn in
the roaring fires of Thurisaz. By this blade, you shall become a torch
in the darkness, to guide and protect our people."

Ariettie gives the Sword of the Mountain King to Verrucht.

Verrucht starts to wield the Sword of the Mountain King in his hands.
Verrucht hefts the Sword of the Mountain King's great weight in both
hands, steadying the length of the massive, rune-inscribed blade.

Verrucht touches the Sword of the Mountain King to your left shoulder.

Verrucht says in an urbane voice, "Arise as a new Brother in an
ancient and honoured Order of Knights, Sir Exelethril."

You will now be known as Sir Exelethril Ithilien, of the Spire, by
order of Lady Ariettie Jinx, Ksirdamara.

Verrucht gives the Sword of the Mountain King to Ariettie.

Ariettie starts to wield the Sword of the Mountain King in her hands.
Ariettie hefts the Sword of the Mountain King's great weight in both
hands, steadying the length of the massive, rune-inscribed blade.

Ariettie raises a much smaller object that glimmers softly.

Ariettie proudly shows off a Runewarden's ring:
This ring serves as an elegant reminder of the wearer's position as a
Runewarden. The band is formed from the purest of gold, and is wide
enough to accommodate the myriad runes that are etched upon it. The
setting is a brilliant sapphire cut into a starburst.
Engraved on it are the words:

Sir Exelethril, Knight of the Cerulean Spire

22 Mayan 602

Ariettie says in a muted, dulcet voice, "Brother, accept this as a
signet token of your station and role. Let it be a reminder of your
lifelong service to the duty you have willingly accepted upon your
shoulders."

Ariettie gives a Runewarden's ring to you.

Ariettie says in a muted, dulcet voice, "Welcome, Sir Exelethril, to
the Order of Thurisaz."

Sprinkling some dirt over you, Daklore utters a runic blessing.

Verrucht gives you an enthusiastic "Huzzah!" at the top of his voice,
pumping his arms in the air.

Dalara gives you an enthusiastic "Huzzah!" at the top of her voice,
pumping her arms in the air.

Zinka gives you a wild cheer!

Wysteria gives you an enthusiastic "Huzzah!" at the top of her voice,
pumping her arms in the air.

Melodie gives you an enthusiastic "Huzzah!" at the top of her voice,
pumping her arms in the air.

Daklore gives you an enthusiastic "Huzzah!" at the top of his voice,
pumping his arms in the air.

Idelisa gives you an enthusiastic "Huzzah!" at the top of her voice,
pumping her arms in the air.

Exelethril gives a salute and smiles.

Phaestus, the Smith says, "Congratulations, Sir Exelethril."

Wysteria smiles softly at you.

Phaestus shakes your hand firmly.

You say to Phaestus in a soft, focused voice, "Thank you, Lord
Phaestus."

Ariettie gestures for you to join Zinka nearby.

Exelethril strides towards Zinka and stands next to
her.

Ariettie says in a muted, dulcet voice, "Camellio, please step forward.
"

Taking a measured breath to compose himself, Camellio steps forward
solemnly.