Garou: The Shrouding of the Caern
Jonathan Berg
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At Ruffner Mountain, the stars had never shown so brightly. The cloudless and moonless night allowing for the celestial bodies to glisten in the sky with an electricity born of expectation. It was as if Gaia herself had laid out a new moon in recognition of the changes that were occurring. The winds of change…
The Sept members anxiously going about their business, Death’s Shadow and the guardians tending to the bawn, Zsa Zsa Silvertongue tending to the Cub and preparing her songs for the moot, Ansley working with Taisia, Drinks the Windex doing… whatever it is Drinks the Windex does. Others simply going about their daily routines around the Sept. Yet their actions seemed tense and rushed, excited for news of the events to come. The participants of the ritual, having fasted for three day, were in the Caern heart preparing for the ritual. Dreamer of the Gray steps out from the Caern heart and calls for all to join him.
“Greetings my Sept mates”, his voice seems relaxed, yet focused, “We will be starting the Ritual soon. Any that wish to watch are encouraged to do so. In honor and respect for the Adren Red Talon performing this ritual for us, I ask that everyone spend the next hour in Lupus form as we shroud this glen”. With that, William turns and heads back into the Caern heart.
In keeping with traditions, torches lined the walls of the caves instead of lanterns. In the warm glow of the dancing flames, Aname is showing the participants how to properly prepare for the ritual. Items were gathered and placed in a pattern on the ground next to the pool where the Uktena spirit sleeps. Feathers and Fetishs, Talens and items of personal worth prepared and cleansed to ensure purification for the ritual.
With all the items in place, the pattern of a wheel emerges, arrows pointing in each cardinal direction, another arrow pointed to the sky, another into the ground and the other items scattered within the wheel. Aname’s Lupus form begins to circle the wheel, a low guttural sound uttering from her throat. The other participants change to Lupus form and begin to follow Aname. The guttural sounds become a low pitched howl of pain and loss as if to say…
“We thank you fallen Warriors of Gaia for the sacrifice you have made to keep the Caern alive. We remember your stories and sing praise to honor your names… never will you be forgotten.”
The pitch of the howl begins to rise. Aname’s movements become more animated, jumping and yipping in addition to the howl. The participants from the Sept follow her lead and the sounds of rebirth and growth become evident.
“Gaia grant us protection for this Caern, this pool of your power and home to the Uktena Spirit. As this sept grows and matures, grant them the protection of the shroud for this glen”.
As the gathering dance around the wheel, light blue tendrils begin to emanate from each Garou. Sparkling threads of gnostic energies reach out from each Garou and make their way to the center, filling the wheel. The wheel begins to radiate a light blue color that continues to grow brighter as each participant offers more of themselves. A blue flame begins to erupt from the wheel pattern, casting an eerie glow throughout the cave.
Once the flame has reached the ceiling, Aname pauses in her dance and moves to the edge of the pool. There, she looks back to the participants and nods to them to do as they had been instructed. First Aname approaches the pool and leans over the water. Looking down, she sees her reflection in the still waters of the Uktena Spirits resting place. Then she bites her tongue and whispers a secret to the Uktena while blood drips from her lips, offering the Uktena Spirit proper chiminage. A warm golden glow appears that the bottom of the pool as the Caern Totem listens and watches with keen interest. The next participant, Rivers of Blood, shifts into Hispo form and repeats Aname’s example, bleeding into the blood red pool and offering his secret. The next participant shifts into Crinos and also approaches the pool to do as the others have done. Then the Glabro form approaches to offer the Caern Spirit Chiminage. Finally William steps up in Homid form to also offer blood and secret.
Once the final drop of blood is offered and the last secret given, all of the participants disappear into the Umbra. The spectral representation of the Caern Heart is a pool of blood red glowing with the power of Gaian energy. The wheel pattern reflected perfectly in the Umbra and continued to shine it’s soft blue-white glow. Outside of the Caern Heart, the Umbral realm takes on a grayish tone. The wind begins to pick up and clouds begin to form overhead. In the realm, those around the Caern and bawn see storm clouds begin to suddenly appear, dark and ominous and the temperature in the area seems to drops. A shiver runs through everyone’s spine
Aname looks to the approaching clouds, then turns to the Rites Master and nods, “Someone doesn’t like what we’re about to do… It’s time” she seems to say.
William walks to the wheel pattern, reaching into the blue-white flame and pulls out of it’s center a Night Shade Talen. William carefully carries the Talen to Aname. She sniffs the Talen and licks it, “This is my offering to your Sept, may this shroud protect this Caern and Bawn to the honor and glory of Gaia and the Spirits”. William uncorks the Talen and raises it over his head. A howl rises from Aname’s throat, strong and victorious. Quickly the other participants join in, their howl of strength and passion, of glory and honor and respect for all things Gaia rises into the night.
The clouds continue to roll in and the wind becomes fiercer. Umbral debris begins to fly past the participants as the ritual gains in strength. The Rites Master then takes the Talen, now holding it close to the pools surface and pours it’s contents into the blood red water. Somehow, the intensity of the howls rises once again, the volume and power of their voices rises above even the now tornado like umbral winds.
The waters of the pool, oddly still in the presence of the wind, begin to move. Ripples become waves, waves add bubbles, stirring and churning the waters of the Caern Heart pool become chaotic. Then, from the center of the pool, a blood red dream catcher begins to emerge. Dripping with what looks like blood, dark red leather bindings holding the fire red feathers and talons in place. Droplets of blood sparkle as they transverse the tendon-like strands that crisscross the inside of the dream catcher as it floats in the air, massive and detailed with adornments. The storm continues to strengthen and the howls of the participants continue to get louder. The dream catcher begins to pulse with a gleaming red effervescence in all directions. The blood drips… the pulse grows in power and intensity. Soon the powerful energy extends beyond the Caern Heart to encompass the area of the Bawn. The dream catcher begins to spin, slowly at first, but quickly accelerating. Droplets of blood begin to spatter in all directions, at first only traveling a few feet before disappearing. As the speed increases, the blood spatter spreads further, the pulsing emphasizing the flow of energy. The participants begin to shift their stance as the winds of the storm intensify to match the growing power of the dream catcher.
Then, when all seemed too intense to bear, the dream catcher explodes and shards of bright red mystical runes splinter across the umbral landscape. The blazing runes reach their apex and dissolve into a sheet of blue and white that settles like a blanket over the Caern. Immediately, the storms in the Umbra subside and all is still.
In the realm, the wheel pattern also pulses in concert with the dream catcher and also explodes and dissipates, leaving a perfect image on the ground of the wheel and the seven arrows. The storm clouds dissipate and a calm covers the area. The stars return, seemingly brighter than before.
From the Caern Heart, Rivers of Blood and Aname “Soul Friend” emerge with energy in their step. William and the other participants follow. The looks on their faces are an expression of contentment and joy as the power of Gaia had coursed through them.
Aname shifts briefly into Homid, she looks down at her clothes, puts her finger in one of the pockets of her shirt and grins sheepishly. Then she turns to the Sept, “It is done, your Caern and Bawn are shrouded. This one is glad to have helped. This one hopes the Sept will continue to thrive”. Zsa Zsa Silvertongue quickly approaches the Adren, also now in Homid form, “Aname-Rhya, I don’t think we can thank you enough for the gift you have given in the face of all the risks. I think I can speak for the Sept when I say, Thank you. I will sing tales of your honor, for it is richly deserved”. Others of the Sept also approach the Adren to offer their thanks, many still in Lupus form, nuzzling her affectionately.
Aname nods to them all, then shifts back to Lupus and looks toward the east as if to say, “It’s time to head home, I have a wounded Caern to attend to”.
William also approaches, “Aname-Rhya, this had been an exhausting and enriching ritual, while I know your Caern needs you, perhaps some rest and a good meal can strengthen you for your journey home. Won’t you stay the night and we can see you safely on your way tomorrow?”
Jordi approaches, “Aname-Rhya, you mention that your Caern is wounded. As you have helped us today, we would be honored to return this favor and assist you in healing your Caern, Howl for us if you need us”.
Aname looks to Rivers of Blood, then Zsa Zsa, then Jordi and finally then back to William, considering the words and offers. Her ears seem to perk up, her head nods, then she turns to Rivers of Blood and yelps playfully. The two Red Talons then race into the Bawn, reveling in the kindred spirits.
William sighs heavily, as if a weight has been lifted, he takes a long draught from his flask, grins slyly and offers it to Jordi… “Dare ya”.
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Fostern Theurge of the Fianna Tribe (PB x3)
Rites Master for the Sept of the Mother's Blood - Birmingham, AL
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Jonathan Berg
Hilary Powell
Sent from my iPad
OOC: Omg great write-up Jonathan! Excellent job!
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--Jennifer RastegarUS2006088262Requiem VST AL-020-D
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Chauma Smith Guss
*grins* well worth the wait.
Jeremiah Rastegar
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AST Requiem
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