Scales and Faith (Dravol)

Azurite · November 30, 2006, 06:20 PM

Two brightenings hence

The Arch-bishop Astellione sat alone within the room that was his private study. Very few had ever seen what was behind the oak door as it was always locked. Those who had seen within its confines were either high religious leaders or close friends of the half-elf. So when it was heard that a Dracon had been given permission to enter the inner sanctum of the chamber of Astellione there were some less then proper words said.

Astellione was dressed in simpler robes of white this darkening. Gone was the purple and golden trim of his previous robes and so to the amethyst ring and the large cap he donned while in formal dress. The simple woolen robes showed a man that was smaller then he normally seemed, yet in his face and eyes was the light of a giant of the faith. It was when he was within this room that he felt closer to his winged Goddess.

Sitting silently in a large red velvet chair, his fingers steepled in prayer he watched the fire that burned brightly in the hearth. He waited for the Dracon who had been given the letter of summons.

Dravol Arlock · December 1, 2006, 02:32 AM

Dravol had recieved the letter of the summons, he had been having mixed feelings of what to expect from this meeting. On one hand Dravol did not consider himself worthy to speak to a god, especialy Diana. She had in a sense saved Dravol twice, first when she freed the Dracon race from its chains to the cyraxians and secondly when her followers had taken him in and brought him back to health after his escape from slavery. On the other hand this might lead him so that he could cleanse himself completly of the cyraxian Taint. What Dravol would become or how he changed mattered not in Dravol's mind, it was the first step of many in a group of internal changes. If he cleansed the inherent evil of the cyraxians from his veins perhaps that would help him get rid of the bestial Devourer along with the nameless voice whom worshiped Jorel.

Dravol had made sure that he looked his best He wore his white loincloth which he had cleaned the night before so that it was as white as it could be. He still wore his sword and shield but they were both tightly peace-bound. He walked into the church and looked around for an acolyte, once found he said "Excuse me I have a meeting with the Archbishop, I don't know the exact location where I am supposed to go, would you mind showing me the way?" Once he was led to the doors he knocked gently three times waiting for a response. If he was told to enter he would open the door and bow deeply to the Archbishop. "Thank you Father."

Ragman · December 8, 2006, 10:47 PM

"Bless you, my child." The Archbishop murmured, his sonorous voice filled with explicit kindness. His wizened face belayed Eras of wisdom and steadfast faith, and his hair neatly parted in a saintly manner. He was draped in the splendid robes, expensive satin trimmed in purple and white - the colors of Diana. The Holy Mitre was placed on his head like a crown, the crest of Diana emblazoned onto the white damask, crusted with precious jewels to signify his rank and authority. He struck an impressive figure there, garbed in his ceremonial attire, sitting in peaceful supplication.

The room itself was not overly large, immediately giving anyone who enters a homely feel. The walls are painted in dark purples and different shades of violet, with gold, white and silver mixed into the base colors. Large windows gave the room ample light, broadening the perspective and prevented anyone from feeling too stifled. On one of the walls was the beautiful mural of the Goddess Diana, her Allerian wings spread out into the bosoms of light, and above her, the multitude of saints waiting eagerly for her ascension, her inauguration as the Goddess of Heavens, her coming ordained.

It was the original work of the Ascension of Diana, so lifelike and striking that it seemed that the Goddess was about to draw real breath. Every detail of her face, the expression in her eyes, the sword in her hand seemed equally real, and an icon of great wonder and power.

Rich cushions stitched in simple, yet nevertheless mastership embroidery were about the heavily carpeted floors, bearing the design of Diana's crest, wondrously colored and dyed, the threads so very fine, yet silken to the touch, the very best of the Arakmatian rugs. The air was heavily incensed, making Darvol slightly drowsy yet feeling refreshed and sanctified as if all hurt and bitterness have been dissolved away in the sweet nectar of Diana, leaving only the goodness, and thus the exhaustion.

"Are you ready, my child?" The Archbishop asked softly, as if to speak loudly in this room, where the holy and spiritual presence was so strong, would be sacrilege.

Dravol Arlock · December 10, 2006, 12:05 AM

Dravol nodded his head, "Yes father," he had no idea of what to do, his prayers were usually much different then others. He rarely had prayed in a church setting until he had gone to Vortex and lived in the compound. Even then his way of prayer was much different then those that had lived there. Dravol still felt out of place in a church, he viewed that the most true form of worship of the gods was not in churches and cathedrals, but in actions performed out in the world. He did not want to offend the Archbishop, so for the moment he remained still waiting for the fathers instructions.

Ragman · December 18, 2006, 09:37 AM

Reaching into his pouches, the Archbishop lifted a pendant with one hand, its chain made up of purple and white beads carved out of simply crystal, likely quartz or some sort, though the violet color was deep and alluring, and likely quite valuable. White and purple were the colors of Diana, and the shield dangling in the center of the beads her badge and signature.

"Take this, my Child."

After his hands were freed, the Archbishop placed both hands together in meaningful supplication, murmuring some soft words in a language that the Dracon could not understand completely, a foreign tongue he had never heard before in his long life.

Opening his eyes, he trained his elderly gaze on the Dracon, looking at him squarely in his eyes, there was no longer the kindly look, but the firm, assertive appearance that the Archbishop wore through ceremonies and rites. When he asked his question, it was purposeful and deep, as if Darvol himself was being judged to see if he was worthy. A test. Of some sorts.

"Why do you wish to remove the Cyraxian taint from your corporeal body? Is not Diana's gift of free will enough for one to find the peace within yourself that the Goddess of Heavens Herself does not scorn the dark blood that runs in your veins?"

Dravol Arlock · December 18, 2006, 04:42 PM

Dravol took the pendant from the archbishop, "Thank you father." He listened to what the father had to say in his newer appearence. "The tainted blood that courses through my veins is of something evil. This evil has presented many problems in my pursuit to serve Diana. First which is common knowledge the art of Thaumaturgy is difficult to progress through. It is as if I have learned nothing since first being initiated. Secondly it seems to me that the blood speaks to me. Ever since I embraced becoming a paladin something has began speaking to me. I know not whether it is internal as the blood fights what I am trying to become, or if a jorelite is speaking to me from afar. If I can purify the blood it will bring me peace of mind. I do not expect for it to be just given to me. It is something that I will work towards no matter the difficulty, as long as I do not have to violate my honor I will continue on." Dravol finished his speech, this was the first time he had admited to the voice that spoke to him. He was not sure how the Archbishop would take this revalation of Dravol's secret.

OOC: did he actually give Dravol the Pendant to keep or is it just for the thread?

Thoth · January 30, 2007, 05:22 PM

OOC: I am taking over now. Sorry if it seems like I am repeating but I am trying to figure all this out quickly.

IC:

The Archbishop sat there listening to as he explained about the evil blood that raced through the Dracon’s veins. The Archbishops’ eye shown with compassion for this child of Diana that was tormented before him. His gentle eyes showing both his human and elven heritage. It was only as the Dracon finished that he began to speak again. “Hmm what you ask is interesting.” He thought for a long moment leaving the room in an uneasy silence. He wondered what could be done.

“Each of use has a darker side.” The Archpriest said after some time. “Just as each of us can feel love and joy, do we also feel anger and hate.” He said pausing. “That is the way of life. Now some of the races have been cursed with more of one side then the other. The Dracon race tends to lean toward the darker emotions were as the elves towards the lighter emotions.” The Archbishop said as he straightened a portion of his robes. “What you are describing to me seem to be much more then that thought.” Tapping a finger on his chin he continued to look at his guest. “If you would please put on my gift to you I believe we might have found a way to help.”

Dravol Arlock · January 31, 2007, 07:35 PM

Dravol nodded and took the pendant placing it around his neck, he made sure that the chain did not tangle with his amulet which hung around Dravol's neck. Once he put it on he looked towards the archbishop. He was not sure what was supposed to happen so he asked, "If you do not mind me asking what is the pendant's purpose?" Dravol while trusting in those with faith in Aetheria he already had wore one amulet that he had no idea it's purpose.

Thoth · February 5, 2007, 03:47 PM

As Dravol placed the neckless around his kneck he felt a brief moment of peace flood through his body. The Archbishop smiled as he sat there looking at Dravol. "Look at your self." Was all that the priest said.

If dravol took the Archbishops advise and looked down he would see that his scales had changed colors. Now the shown with a metalic gleen. The scale gave off the image of silver and gold having been inlaid upon his scales. There seemed to be something almost holy about the shift in color.

Dravol Arlock · February 7, 2007, 08:09 PM

Dravol looked at his scales they had changed the way that they looked. Dravol had always had golden scales but never before had his scales been silver. The color was beautiful. The serene sense he felt had to be a magical effect, most likely a thaumaturgical enchantment. He had a Calm spell cast on him before but something felt slightly different. He thought that the color shift seemed to resonate with holy energy. He felt different, "What is this father?" Dravol was happy but still wanted to make sure what had happened. This change seemed like a miracle and he believed it might be just that.

Thoth · February 8, 2007, 01:17 PM

The Archbishop smiled Dravol looked down at his scales. "The medallion will not remove the taint. What it will do though its chase this change in color, and it will serve as a focus point against the taint." The Archbishops face became serious again. "Something to remember is that to remove this taint will be a life quest. A quest of some great significant magnitude that will require much of your time and efforts. This is not to say it can't be done, but that it will be a significant event."

"This medallion will thought cause a constant reminder on your own person as to the commitment you have made to the Gods, and to the ways or Rightousness, Goodness, and Justics."

Dravol Arlock · February 9, 2007, 02:23 AM

Dravol's eye's welled up, it was a start one of many steps on the path that Dravol had set himself on. The fact that he had been granted even this proved that he could rise above the blood in his veins. Well this did not remove the taint of the Cyraxians it provided in Dravol's mind a respite, "Thank you father." Dravol nearly broke down into tears, he had been shown kindness time and time again. Dravol could never fully repay what had been given to him, all he could do was his best to fight against the darkness. Dravol recited a quick prayer to Diana,

"Give us peace, Diana, when the day is done.
Let us sleep in quiet 'til the morning sun.
May we find acceptance from the ones we meet,
As we share our shelter and the food we eat.
Help us fight the evil that we each day face,
From the ones who hate the people of our race.
When the night is over may you waken me
To a land where every race is truly free."

Well it was more commonly known as the Dracon lullaby Dravol regularly used it as a prayer. It fit perfectly into Dravol's mindset. "I can not thank you enough for what you have given me father." Well the purification of Dravol's blood would still be one of his main goals Dravol felt that he could focus more on becoming a paladin. Perhaps by becoming a warrior of the Diana it might also eventually lead him to the purification of his blood.

Thoth · February 18, 2007, 01:07 AM

The Archbishop smiled at the Dracon's sincer statement. "We seeks put to serve." He was quiet for a moment to give him a moment to think. "What step do you plan to take next in your quest?"

Dravol Arlock · February 18, 2007, 06:37 PM

"I will most likely be residing in Diana for awhile until I at least become an apprentice in Thaumaturgy. Once I leave Diana I will be heading to Archadoon, I will look for information there as that city most likely has the most extensive information about Dracons. After that I am not sure where I will go, I have had a feeling from when my life was saved by priests that my quest would cause me to go all around the Nation, perhaps the world even." Dravol stood his quest would take him a long time but he would spread his faith throughout the world. He planned on doing more then just purifying his blood. He wished to become a holy warrior for Diana in his own right.

Thoth · March 3, 2007, 04:09 PM

The Archbishop smiled at Dravol as he expressed his interest in were it was that he wished to go. "That sounds like a plan. You are open to the impressions of the Goddess, but your incopasitated. That is excellent. To many times people try to this for the voice only to fail because they expected the gods to come to them." He pasued for a moment. "I hope that this has been of some help on your quest, but allways rememeber that I am here if you need someone to talk with or visit. We are in this together and we must alway help each other in our endevors."