Re: Theurge Mission

[Sam Guss]

OOC Warning: This is a lengthy tale and does include RP between another character and I as background info for the story - NOT for IC knowledge. The other player and I have discussed things out of character as well and the following is meant for some serious - if highly sensitive - RP. Please keep that in mind and enjoy! Personally I am loving this RP interaction and hope everyone else including the other player is as well.

 

 

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Original email from William, Dreamer of the Gray:

 

Theurges of the Sept, heed my call

Before this past weekend, I thought that simply shedding some blood, telling secrets and shrouding the Caern would be enough to appease our Caern Totem.

Obviously that's not enough... and we're at a crossroads. A decision must be made soon about our Spiritual direction... and it is my responsibility to make this decision. But I need the help of all the Theurges of the Sept.

Sam is doing his thing... he is searching through the Mounds and tribal areas of Tuscaloosa. I need the rest of you to do some research as well... Library... Literature... contacts with Kin or other. What we need to know is, what does an ancient native american really need? is there a way to appease the spirit without sacrifice? What were the customs of the ancient native americans that we don't already know?

Lets meet together in three weeks time and compare notes. I ask each of you to learn what you can... this sept needs your help... I need your help. We don't know where the most critical piece of information will come from, it could come from Sam and his wealth of academic knowledge or from our newest Cliath, Dragon Slayer.

I will be reaching out to the nation and I may be visiting those of greater knowledge than I for guidance.

See you all soon.

 

 

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:: After hearing this news, Hand of Khonsu let's the rage of the werewolf overtake him and goes hunting, seeking out animal prey to satisfy his rage and anger. The Master of Rites has gone too far, now stepping on his quest and misusing the information given to him by Hand of Khonsu. Yes, there will be blood debt now.::

 

::He revisits his conversation with the Master of Rites from the day before... ((included as part of my characters story here; not for IC knowledge))...

 

::After writing his intent for his quest to the Alpha and to the Master of Rites, two days prior, he had received word from William, Dreamer of the Gray....

 

::

DoG - Dreamer of the Gray

HoK - Hand of Khonsu

::

DoG: You are a teacher of history? or you have skills in the academics, isn't that what you mentioned at the moot? I was a little preoccupied with visions of attacks and my pack mate dieing, so I can't recall precisely. I'd like to revisit that conversation... you mentioned that the Caern Totem is one that requires Human Sacrifice... I'm not sure I heard you right and I wanted to clarify. Would you give me that low-down again?

Also... I know you don't like or respect me... but it's important that we remember the Garou traditions... you might want to remember to address those of higher rank as -Rhya... others might not be so understanding.

 

HoK:

 

Very well William-Rhya. I am a student of history - Early America; pre-Civil War to be exact. I actually originally traveled here for purposes of my furthering education and of course my wanderlust. When I first saw our Caern Totem I suspected with it being of ancient American, that it also meant the possibility that it required sacrifice. I sat on that info, because after all it is a pretty bold accusation to make when one is not known by anyone in the area. The brief conversation I had before with it when it demanded "blood and secrets" led to me truly believe in that as it was custom for early Americans to capture enemy warriors, torture them for info (secrets) and then kill them during their ceremonies (ritual sacrifice). Yesterday the Caern Totem was very... forward in letting us know exactly what it wants.

 

So we have in my mind 4 alternatives. I am off to explore one of those alternatives... how do we take care of our Caern Totem if we are to keep it. That is the path that I believe is our best choice, but I also will outline the other paths...

 

1) We feed the Caern Totem as it requires. Pros of this include keeping to ancient traditions of this spirit and Sept and the strength and glory that this would entail. In my humblest of opinions, this is the correct path, though I will be the first to say that there are other paths... and again while I seek information regarding this path, I will also see about the other paths I am outlining... There is tradition I have heard from our elders in other places that Garou themselves can become Caern Totems. This land was once long ago Utkena-land. It is likely that all that our spirit has ever known is gone and it is lonely and needs its traditions to fight on. Who are we newcomers to prevent that?

 

Of last note about this path... as a Theurge I know you are familiar with our own legend of the first Theurg, which depending on who is speaking varies from tribe to tribe, auspice to auspice... but there are always the same six stages. Alienation; Transgression; Signs and Omens; Communication; Sacrifice and Restoration. Traditionally I must admit I see no real fault in how our Caern Totem demands sacrifice... other than as a modern day Garou, it is not something I am completely comfortable with.

 

2) We command the Caern Totem to be appeased as we, the Garou see fit. I do not see this as going well. It is an ancient Utkena and as far as I know, none of us in the Sept claim that heritage. And to order it, to command it to not obey it's own tradition seems to me an insult. But it could be done and as much as the white-man did with the ancient tribes, we enslave it for our own purposes for no other reason than it makes life simpler for us.

 

3) We sacrifice the Caern itself, leaving it and building a new Caern and therefore a new Caern Totem Spirit. This to me doesn't seem like a wise move and invites our enemies to move into what would of been our sacred land and in the end would be inviting the Wyrm to come into what was once ours. Even though our current Caern Totem may be alien to us, it does not deserve this fate. We could of course simply keep watch and guard over this Caern, but still abandon it. This however is still not a proper ending to ancient Caern Totem.

 

4) We kill it. The Caern Totem and welcome a new Caern Totem. Again, not the best move in my opinion for the obvious reasons but much as I believe our Galliard sung at the moot - and if not mistaken you've brought up before... the Rite of the Winter Wolf does have a place in our traditions... the Caern Totem is ancient and has fought the Wyrm longer than any of us can imagine. But times have changed and we are a new breed and perhaps it is time for the spirit to move beyond...

 

None of these are easy choices. One way keeps tradition at the cost of our own modern-day morals and traditions each of our Auspices and Tribes (well almost all Tribes...) sense of right, wrong, justice and duty. Three other ways perhaps make it easier for us but also at a cost.

 

I know that as a Fianna, that you take Caern custodianship very seriously and that as Master of Rites you have a lot weighing on your shoulders. Decisions are yours to make but with all-do respect William-Ryha, you must make them, declare them and get the Sept to follow. I hope what I am doing over the course of this quest will help you find the answers you are looking for to make a decision. I would caution that our Sept is under attack from 2 directions. From outside we have Glasswalkers, Weaver and Wyrm... these things my own warrior pack is fighting along with others in the Sept... the other struggle is within; within our own Sept and that fight is up to us Theurges to deal with... I am doing my part Master of Rites. I hope that will assist you in doing yours.

 

As a Silent Strider I understand better than most the sacredness of place. One's home is one's temple. This Sept is our home and the Caern Totem our patron spirit. It is her home as well. So the bigger challenge and question Master of Rites, highest ranking Theurge of the Sept of the Mother's Blood, Dreamer of the Gray - Rhya is this: there is a difference between respecting what came before and trying to force the present to match up to the past. Which way will you lead us? For this isn't an Alpha decision. It isn't a Galliards, or a Beta's or Guardian's or an Ahroun, or a Rhagabash (though they may question us afterwards) - but a Theurges. For who else knows the spirits as we do?

 

As for respect or for liking you William-Ryha, it is neither. I don't trust you yet.

 

::

end flashback of conversation        

::

 

::Hunting his way West to East through the night, Hand of Khonsu slaughters the animals of the forest, even livestock on farms until nearing Birmingham where he brings in finally his rage still unsatisfied and enters the brawn. Still composing his thoughts on what he considers betrayal::

 

Howling he seeks out the Master of Rites for open confrontation.

 

*in a low guttural tone* Rhya....

 

*back in more... hostile but even tone* You demanded me of a sign of respect, came to me with your demands of questions you couldn't find on your own and then after sharing my knowledge basically take away MY quest and give it to the other Theurges as if I could not handle this on my own? Knowing I started this quest to seek out Theurges who could help, decided to go yourself as if I couldn't handle this?

 

I shouldn't be so surprised. Just last month, once again you demand us Theurges to teach our ways, while you stayed back not teaching US, the actual younger Theurges of this Sept... This month you have declared to teach that which "I" taught last month... the Rite of Clensing. So sorry "Rhya", did I not teach it to your satisfaction? Considering your accusations and questioning against my pack in the past, it is YOU who show ME, the other Theurges, the Holmgongumathr Pack and others in the Sept, with your constant questioning of what it is WE do, of your constant undercurrent questing of our motives - YOU who waited till the Cliath Theurges of the Tribe on the first day we met, waited until we were all away and declared yourself Eldest Theurge - like we were of age to challenge anyway? It SHOUTED volumes of your true back-alley-stray nature dear "Rhya". Then came your demands that us Theurges teach, not ask, not suggest, not even introduce yourself properly to one of those who got YOU not only out of the oubliette but who found the microchips we were all tagged with, but DEMAND... and then taught us nothing in return until this month when you declare to teach the same Rite I taught last month and that I'm pretty sure we all know... Tell me "Rhya" do you actually have anything to teach other than how to step on those of lower rank and teach them nothing? Oh wait, let me guess it's somehow some insightful lesson isn't it? *rolls his eyes* You have insulted me personally enough to last a lifetime - "Rhya". And then this... you take my knowledge and quest and turn it into your own and to give to other Theurges :: spits at the thought of a Glasswalker Theurge being given his quest but not saying anything on this matter:: Seriously? As a Theurge you of al Garou should know how seriously we take our Quests... or is that something else you don't know because you're nothing but a nurse that takes care of bites and scratches?

 

You come to me for advice and then use my advice to assume my Quest? You, who do not even know how to take care of our Caern Totem, or to stop it from sacrificing us? At least I have an excuse. I'm just a younger Theurge. One you have tossed aside because why? I'm a Cliath? I'm a Silent Strider with no pack before I arrived here that I remember? Because as a Cliath I have done more for this Sept than you the Fostern Master of Rites "Rhya"? Because the Caern Totem has deemed you unworthy to tell the basics of it's needs - Blood and Secrets. Might not like that answer "Rhya" but at least I had the balls to ask it... unlike you.

 

I once answered you that my only beef with you was that I didn't trust you. Now, not only do I not trust you, I do not respect you, nor do I like you. You are beneath a stray-dog in my book and I while I will remain with my Pack if they will still have me after this outburst and defend against the Wrym in this area and help defend against this Sept's enemies, I remove myself as a Theurge under your... demand, since you incapable of commanding as a leader should. If that means I can't be on Sept's grounds then so be it. You may either accept this "resignation" or as "Rhya" come show this Sept how dare a Cliath of the Nation show a Fostern of low-repute dare disrespect him openly by being the big bad wolf you think you are. Or does another need to come teach you how to do that as well? Or will you simply yet again use an idea of one younger than you and then claim it for your own like a mangy mutt grabs for a bone? Even more telling is will you use tradition as an excuse while denying other Garou and Spirits and Totems their traditions and impose yours? Come oh great "Rhya" at least teach us SOMETHING of use and stop relying on others to do your job for you!!!!

 

*back into a low guttural tone* Either way "Rhya" you and I are done.

 

:: Hand of Khonsu will leave the bawn unless stopped, challenged, or VST has something woeful ((my whole rage thing lol)) in which case I'll be back late tomorrow night; into the next Wednesday because of work to respond and find a place to sleep for the night::

 

OOC: By the way, despite mood, atmosphere, words, ect. This was all RP and I am really sitting here smiling and enjoying myself. I hope you enjoyed as well - Jonathon, in your court bud *high five* keep the RP going if you're up to it!

 

 

 

[Jonathan Berg]

OOC. Oh yes hell be called to stop. But I'm at work and today is one that I won't have much time to spend putting energy into the response. So stay tuned!!

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Dreamer of the Gray
Fostern Theurge of the Fianna Tribe (PB x3)
Rites Master for the Sept of the Mother's Blood - Birmingham, AL
=====================================================
Jonathan Berg

US2012127132

[Jonathan Berg]

:: A howl of rage and frustration escapes from the Caern heart. William stomps out from that sacred place, fire in his eyes. William scans the bawn looking for the Silent Strider, muttering something under his breath about being really sick and tired of people constantly questioning his motives. When he see him, William then looks to the Alpha as if to ask, "Do you mind?...". With a nod from Jordi, William blows a rage to race up right in front of Sam... eye to eye... Sam and William both blazing with fury ::

Listen up you young punk... You need to get your ego out of your ass and your facts a little straighter before you come blustering in here with this avalanche of bullshit! And before I go on, let me state that I don't have to explain myself to you!!!... I am higher in rank and in a sept position, you should respect that and know that the eldest of this Sept are working in the Sept's best interest and there is a reason behind the things that we do.

For example... We'll start with your quest. This quest that you have claimed. I have done nothing to take this quest from you... Do what you feel you have to do. But just because you're looking into this, doesn't mean that you're the ONLY one looking into it... let me say that again... slower... so that even your wandering ears might understand... you.. are.. NOT.. THE...ONLY.. ONE looking into it. Now think for just a moment, if that's possible... Zsa Zsa claimed a quest for herself last month, she vowed to find someone to shroud the Caern. She had the best interest of the Sept in her heart and she actually found someone... BUT... he never showed up... I'm not sure what happened",  William briefly looks toward Zsa Zsa, "And I hope he's alright". Then quickly back to Sam, "But he never showed up. At the same time Zsa Zsa claimed the quest, I tasked the whole Sept to do the same, there is no dishonor in that... in fact, had I not done that, would our Caern be Shrouded today?... Had I not also looked and reached out and made contact with Aname-Rhya, we would still be shroudless. So where was I in the wrong for that? Hopefully your arrogant eyes will see that no one person should be given this task. Having some redundancy and back up on this is wise. You can't do it all alone. You can do what you do best... academics and history... So do that, take this quest of yours and own it, pursue it with all the passion in your heart!!!... but don't think yourself so special that you can solve this issue alone... that is pride. Did not the Master of the Howl speak to that very thing at the moot?! I came to you because you have knowledge that I don't that pertains to this issue... I thanked you for the learning... but never confuse teaching for counsel. I never asked you 'what' should be done... I only asked you what you knew. I never sought your 'counsel', only your 'teaching'. So yes, I've asked the other Theurge to help... so that WE... as a SEPT, can work together to make this Caern strong and healthy. I understand this is hard concept for one of your Tribe, because you tend to be loners... which is fine... but do not ever doubt my intentions. You do not know my heart... and my heart beats for Gaia, this Sept and this Caern.

As for 'teaching'... You need to get your facts straight. I guess your puny little ears didn't catch my announcement last month when I taught the 'Rite of Contrition'... perhaps you should have been there. And I also suppose that your lack of attention to detail didn't catch the Rite that I taught to the Sept the month before... anyone remember?... oh yea... that's right... the Rite of mother-fucking CLEANSING!!!... So wait... if you taught cleansing last month, then I guess you didn't think I did it well enough the month before... oh I'm so sorry dear dear Cliath... no, wait... no I'm not!! The redundancy is necessary... some Garou missed my class because they weren't here... some missed your class cause they weren't here. I know this because when the Hirsch child was found, he and the homeless woman were tainted. When it was asked who amongst the Sept knew the Rite of Cleansing... not everyone raised their hand. So either they were lieing, or they really didn't know it... So I felt it wise to offer it again for those that didn't have... I even stated such in my announcement of the Rites lessons for the month. Keep in mind the purpose behind this Sam-I-Am... the purpose behind all the Rites teaching... is to educate the Sept in all the Basic Rites. We are a small Sept and it would be wise for everyone to know all the basic rites they can, just in case they are needed when no one else is around.

Now as for your little howtie-towtie foray into the Caern Heart during my confrontation with Jordi. At first I thought you were just being a wise little Theurge... but it seems that you felt that this one action made you so much better and braver than me. I have spent the last two months in that Caern Heart, what makes you think that I didn't already know that little tidbit... 'blood and secrets'... that's it? That's all you got and you think didn't already know or that I didn't have the balls to ask? YOU try standing, in Homid form, face to face with a Crinos Get of Fenris, raking his claws ready to tear you apart. That was the bigger fire that I had to put out at the moment, Sam. Again, at the time, I was thankful that you went in there to look into that as I handled the situation with Jordi.... but now? Now you weaselly bastard, you're trying to turn the situation into a perversion by claiming that I don't know how to lead... just because I didn't go into the Caern heart at that particular moment... what an arrogant little ass you are.

So you think you've done more for this Sept than I? Did you heal the wounded once we escaped from the Obliuette? Did you help find and remove the tracking devices? Did you find the Breeder Spirit and learn how to look for the ticks and then command them properly to be gone? Did you find someone to Shroud the Caern? Did you find the old Rites-Mistress being eaten and figure out to give the Caern Totem gnosis to get it to stop? Then to fill the Caern Totem with more Gnosis so that it could begin to be renewed? DID YOU DO THESE THINGS!?! NO... no... you didn't. I'm no Galliard and I'm not here to sing my own tales... but do NOT think for one moment that you've done more for this Sept and Caern than I have. We have ALL done things for this Sept and Caern!!

:: William takes a long breath... sighs heavily... looks Sam in the eye with a genuine expression of concern ::

But you do have talents and skills that none of us have. We all do (William sweeps his arm around, indicating the whole sept). We all have something to contribute, we all have abilities that are unique... and we all must work together to make this Sept strong... together Sam, together. Take your quest, continue it with honor... but it would be unwise of me to assume that you, and only you, would be able to come up with the answer. So lets put our collective heads together and see what ALL the Theurges can come up with, there is no dishonor and no slight given.

As for you and I being done... if that's what you really want, that's fine with me. I'm not here to be your friend, I'm not going to sling insults at you or try to taunt you into action that's the job of the Ragabash. I'm here to be the Spiritual Leader of this Sept and the Master of Rites... and I take my job VERY mother-fucking seriously!!!

::William now turns to the Sept::

And if anyone wants this mother-fucking job, if any of you think you can go a mother-fucking better job at it... step the fuck up and challenge my ass for it. Then YOU can deal with an ancient Uktena spirit that won't talk to you much and wants nothing more than to EAT you, like it's done already to two Garou. Otherwise, stop questioning my mother-fucking motives and get over yourselves... I'm not trying to mother-fucking insult anyone Gaia-damnit!!!!... All I want a healthy Sept, why can on one mother-fucking see this!!!!...

:: William looks around the Caern area... waiting for the Challengers (OOC: can stop here if anyone wants to challenge... otherwise)... seeing none... ::

That's what I mother-fucking thought...

:: William stomps off to the Caern heart muttering a string of curses along the way... 'mother-fucker' seeming to be the favored phrase of the day::

[Hilary Powell]

Ansley appears, hearing the commotion. A baby is resting against her chest in a sling. Watching the confrontation with concern, she waits for her packmate to storm off before approaching Hand of Khonsu. Shaking her head, she motions for him to walk with her. 

"Hand of Khonsu-yuf, I know that you are frustrated, and I won't deny you have cause. Walk with me."

Ansley "Finds-A-Way" Gentry

Fostern Philodox of the Children of Gaia

Mistress of the Challenge 

Sept of the Mother's Blood 

Hilary Powell

US2002023418

Sent from my iPhone

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[samguss]

Ooc: awesome stuff! At work might not be able to reply till tomorrow IC. Great job tho!

Sent via the Samsung Galaxy S™II Skyrocket™ an AT&T 4G LTE smartphone.

[samguss]

::walks with Ansley-Rhya::

Sent via the Samsung Galaxy S™II Skyrocket™ an AT&T 4G LTE smartphone.

Hilary Powell <hilc...@gmail.com> wrote:

Ansley appears, hearing the commotion. A baby is resting against her chest in a sling. Watching the confrontation with concern, she waits for her packmate to storm off before approaching Hand of Khonsu. Shaking her head, she motions for him to walk with her. 

"Hand of Khonsu-yuf, I know that you are frustrated, and I won't deny you have cause. Walk with me."

Ansley "Finds-A-Way" Gentry

Fostern Philodox of the Children of Gaia

Mistress of the Challenge 

Sept of the Mother's Blood 

Hilary Powell

US2002023418

Sent from my iPhone

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[Hilary Powell]

Finds A Way walks slowly, patting the baby when it occasionally fusses. She sighs. 

"Hand of Khonsu-yuf, I understand why you are frustrated. You want the best for this caern and Mother's Blood. This is why you questioned Dreamer-yuf. Questioning in and of itself is not a bad thing. We question to gain knowledge, to clarify our path. But questions can lead to darker things. 

You are young, Cliath, and unexperienced. But we are all young here, and all trying to do what is best. I do not have the gift our Den Mother has for storytelling, but bear with me. The moon has its phases, each different, just as our Auspices follow these phases. But as different as these phases are, they work in harmony to guide the ebb and flow of the ocean, just as our Auspices are designed by Mother Gaia to work in harmony to guide the ebb and flow of the Nation. 

Many of those who have chosen to take up position here do so to not only further their own goals, but to take on the responsibilities needed to make this a safe place. 

We need to all recognize each other's strengths as we build a home here, not just for the Garou that were lost here, but also for the spirits that have come to help us strengthen that home. I am no Theurge, but as one I am sure you know the importance of the balance we preserve between this realm and the Umbra. 

I applaud your enthusiasm to take on this quest, but do not let your Rage override your good intentions. We need to work together, Cliath and Fostern. 

One lone Garou of the Sept of the Looking Glass sacrificed much to help solidify our relationship with our Caern totem. Bickering like this dishonors that sacrifice. Keep a cool head. Take this quest, if you feel you must, but do so to enrich not only yourself, but for all of us."

Her tone is gentle but firm. She looks down at the infant in her arms, stopping midstride. 

"This child is our future. I am no Den Mother, but I do what I feel is best for this sept and its people. We are family, despite our Tribe our Auspice. We need to start acting like one."

She turns and begins to walk back to the caern, listening to see if he follows. 

Ansley "Finds-A-Way" Gentry

Fostern Philodox of the Children of Gaia

Sept of the Mother's Blood

OOC:

Hilary Powell

US2002023418

Sent from my iPad

[Sam Guss]

::Follows Ansley into the Caern to rest for the day his rage spent, but still bitter::