[Jean] Chapter 10: Ceremony

[Throndir]

"I admit, the reason for that isn't as sound. Fedya's parents, being part of the council, can impose their own weight and pressure around. As it stands, Fedya had only recently received his bird as well a few weeks ago. It may have been due to that that he had been pushing Anja more. I correct him when I see him, though, I see it still happen."

"Even now, I regret giving the consent for Fedya to participate in the ceremony. But what is done is done."

"You are correct that its more than just maturity. The bird companion is something given with care. Anja... Anja, you have always been my best student. You excelled and quickly took in every teaching we had for you. Except in one area... That is your hatred of the hero and land-dwellers. That seed of hate and anger are what causes the wars between the land-dwellers below."

"But seeing you run to the defense of hero Jean, was something exemplary."

The journey to the bird keeper grounds is on a different island, so feel free to ask a list of questions if you have any, otherwise I'll move scenes

[pringerbeam]

     "Funny, I thought your supposed spirituality would preclude simply caving to the influence of some villagers, ruling council or not."  Noted Jean as they walked along.  "Dalina had me under the impression that your people were above that.  I'd suggest you make it known that I'm not a man of endless patience and that my companions are not to be trifled with.  If it were not for Anja's quick fists that boy's life could have been in mortal peril.  If I was not there, Ren would have likely killed the boy in Anja's defense."  Jean picked a flower along the side of the trail as they walked along.  "Your people seem to be unfamiliar with danger.  That will need to change if you expect to survive the demons."  He stuck the flower in Anja's hair.  "Even the children will need to learn.  It doesn't seem like they all have the kind of spunk that Anja here possesses that will mean the difference between life and death.  Her hatred might have been repulsive to you but it clearly tempered her will better than that boy's parents did for him."

[Throndir]

"Our life is a peaceful one. Apart from the renewed interest in both the martial arts along with air magic the last few years, much of our life remains the same. The decision to help the land-dwellers below was made by the council less than a decade ago, for many of us, we're still trying to learn what that means. Our world and life up here is in seclusion."

The priest nodded with your description of Anja.

"The previous Priestess of the Hero raised her children well."

[pringerbeam]

     "Yes, and while we're here, could you two me about the paths your people choose to follow?
It seems that while a few choose to become priests others choose to hone martial skills like Vitaliya.  Are there other paths your people can choose to take?  Or maybe other hereditary paths as with the priestess of the hero?  Come to think of it.  What are the duties of the priestess of the hero?  Anja gave me the impression that she doesn't have that many duties and other than mediating for me with the elders Dalina seems to give me the impression that she's almost a servant to me."

[Throndir]

"There are many paths in life." The priest began explaining them.

-Martial Artist, those that study fighting with the Rushing Wind Style, along with weaponry, both melee and ranged
-Wind Magic Caster, those that study wind magic
-Farmers
-Ranchers (both livestock and fishery)
-Tailors
-Metalworkers
-Specific jobs, usually voted in by the Council
--Bird Keepers
--Teachers of the Acolyte school
-Hereditary jobs
--Priestess of the Hero
--Council Members

"The duty of the Priestess of the Hero, is generally to pass on the knowledge of the heroes from one generation to the next, and to await the coming for the next hero. Once a hero has been found, or summoned, such as you, then it becomes their role to aid you in the war against the demons. With Dalina, our current Priestess of the Hero, going with you soon... It becomes Anja's duty to bear the mantle of passing down the responsibility of a Priestess of the Hero."

Anja seemed a bit conflicted over the news, but chose not to say anything.

"Anja, you've accepted Jean? You will have a few days with your sister to learn as much as you can from her. After that, we will be assigning to you our historians, of all the knowledge and histories we have about the hero."

[pringerbeam]

     "So even with Dalina having the current title Anja still must train to become the next priestess?"  Jean pondered this for a moment as the continued to walk along.  "That is probably for the best.  I have not really talked of it with Dalina but when we make landfall I will be remaining on the ground.  There is much that needs to be done here on the island but I am a hero and I cannot sit up here where it is safe while conflict rages down on the surface.  I plan on taking a terrestrial route to go find the remnants of the Idoran Magic Kingdom.  If possible, I will also try and find some of the lost temples.  These searches can't be done from the sky, at least not without descending the islands over and over again.  Something that would put everyone here at greater risk.  Your people are not ready for war.  You need to prepare and that will require time and safety."  Jean looked at Anja.  "I'm sorry Anja, but I will need to take Dalina with me."

[Throndir]

"Speak with the Keeper of the Temple before you leave, hero. It is she along with the rest of the priests there that guide the course and direction of our temple. This is the first time in hundreds of years we've had a hero up here with us in the skies. We usually land once a year on Mt. Velothia to restock and get news of the war. But... Perhaps you can plan something with them to create a sort of... meeting location. Perhaps once a month, or once every two months... Who knows. At the very least, if you think you need us, we'll be there."

"We're a temple high above the clouds, far from most conflict. And thankfully the demons haven't yet bothered using their full resources into seeking us out. At the very least... we're a safe-haven."

"I am simply a teacher... But I'll do better in rising the young ones. As for preparing the others? Ensure the martial artist trainers, and the wind magic priests know of your expectations of them. There are some, such as Fedya, or perhaps others, who do not give the hero your due respect. But for the most part, each of the priests on this island will follow your lead."

Anja had followed silently along with Ren and the slimeling. But Anja had been keen on listening to your conversation whereas the latter two were more interested in the sights around them.

Her eyes were troubled, but she nodded.

"I know Jean... I know she has to do this, and she's been wanting too. You'll protect her though. Just bring her back again, and if you find mom, bring her back too."

[pringerbeam]

     "Thank you Anja.  The journey is going to be long, but we will try to come back to see you as often as we can."  Said Jean as they continued to walk along.  "As for the training you will need to do...  I don't know...  I'm not a master of tactics or combat.  I can only say that the training will need to be hard.  We may need to recruit skilled fighters from the land dwellers to get the skill we need to prepare who we can.  We will also need to stockpile as much durable food as possible, enough to feed possible refugees and soldiers.  And of course, if we are able to find one of the lost islands we will need to prepare enough people to merge the two islands.  I don't know anything about that really but at the very least, if the island's infrastructure is in ruins then we will need to be ready to repair it.  Do you know anything of this ritual?  I know only that it has been a long time since your people have ever attempted it."

[Throndir]

"Having one of the land-dwellers teach us? That is an interesting idea... As for stock-piling food, we could potentially try to increase our yield."

"Merging multiple islands together I know is a process that requires bringing the temple cores together... There is a ritual, yes, but it is one that the Keeper of the Temple keeps with her. The records for its initiation is kept with them."

[pringerbeam]

     "Then I will need to eventually speak with the Keeper of the Temple.  It is unfortunate that I have so little time before we make landfall.  I have much that needs to be done, much that needs to be learned, and only so much time in a day.  Perhaps..."  Jean pondered for a moment.  "Perhaps it is time that I called court.  I need to train with Vitaliya, to gain her martial knowledge, but I also need to meet with the leaders of your people.  How long will this ceremony take today?"

[Throndir]

"Usually for the entire day... Even if we were to skip the traditions, imprinting you to the egg will still take a few hours at minimum. Has Dalina taught you to move mana? The imprinting process is similar to that... Pushing your mana into the egg in a span of at least 4 hours, though, also taking care not to overload it with too much at once. After that... Take care of the egg until it hatches."

Just let me know when you want to change scenes.

[pringerbeam]

     "Good, afterwards I should still be able to take time to meet with everyone.  I guess we should make our way then."  Replied Jean as he tried to pick up his pace.

Good to move on

[Throndir]

Location: Wind Temple of Velothia - Bird Sanctuary
Date: Day 3 - 8 AM

The priest lead the way to the next island, it was full of trees, so thick that it was hard to see the skies.

The priest then sat down, his legged crossed.

"The ceremony starts now... The first thing you must do, is to find an egg somewhere on this island, and bring it back to me. There is no time limit of course. And the both of you are not to work together. You must each go your own separate paths. This includes both your companions hero... The... girl, and the slimeling."

Ren frowned.

First roll Survival. I'll then make a list of potential places to explore from your results. Higher is better.

[pringerbeam]

Survival Check

Rolled 1d20+2 : 9 + 2, total 11

[Throndir]

Survival: 11
Choices are as follows:
-Forest Floor
-Hill Grounds
-Edges around Lake

You can still go to all of them if you choose though. That just takes more time. There are other places to explore, but since you rolled low, they're not freely given, if you do actions to get to them, then you'll 'unlock' it.