[Ranger Hall] Arcana for a Ranger

[Reylin Lythalas]

The second cycle in the month of Cryxatum, Spring
Era XV Post Fractum

Reylin awoke early lovely spring brightening and dressed in a dark red blouse and a long black skirt. She was prepared to begin training to eventually become a Naturan Ranger. At least, she thought so. As she braided her long blond hair, she could feel her stomach toss and turn with nervousness. What if I can’t do it? What if I’m not good enough? What’s my back up plan? Do I even have one? What if that doesn’t work? What if…what if? She highly desired to become a ranger, but she was afraid that she wouldn’t be able to do it. However, she knew she had to keep those thoughts out of mind if she really wanted to succeed, but the thoughts of self-doubt plagued her. Keeping those thoughts only to her self, she put up a front of confidence and independence, but sometimes she thought she should still be back at home.

She inhaled deeply as she slipped on a pair of leather shoes. The barracks were mostly quiet at this time, with people either sleeping or have already left. She fidgeted with her skirt, trying to get comfortable in it. She had decided to wear the skirt and blouse this brightening because it was a fairly comfortable outfit. She didn’t think that trousers would be necessary. She wasn’t planning on any extreme athleticism, though this could be the hardest part of this path – becoming Unbound. She had spoken with a middle-aged human named Gorte at the end of the last cycle to arrange the Unbinding and beginning druidism training. He briefly explained what to expect, so she wasn’t completely clueless but it didn’t do much to calm the nerves either.

Finally settled with her appearance and clothing, she headed out of the barracks. Gorte had told her that someone would meet with her in the foyer of the hall. She wasn’t sure who it’d be, but someone would be there to help her on her path. Bounding into the foyer, she noticed that it was oddly empty. Figuring she was just early, she wandered around, reading or rereading notices posted. She massaged her hands as she waited, trying to work out any nerves.

[Fox]

Gorte was there, waiting and watching her. He watched the young woman and smiled slightly, and then stepped out to where she could see him. "You're early" he said with a soft smile. Gorte was, as usual, barefoot and wearing an earth-brown tunic over loose brown trousers.

"Last chance to change your mind, Reylin" he said, softly. "This path is a hard one, and if you do tread on it, then you will be tested. There's no doubt of that. Our people are tested time and time again. If you're sure then I'll teach you. But there will be tests from the Rangers, too. Owaten will want to speak to you about that, there will be tests for you to undertake, tasks to perform. But before that we need to see if you are capable of learning. It isn't something that everyone can do, Reylin...you need to know that."

He looked at her and smiled "But we're never going to know if we don't try. So, if you are sure, then come on in here with me"

That said, the softly spoken Gorte walked into a side room and waited to see if she cam in. If she did, she came into a room with two soft armchairs and a low wooden table. At the edge of the room was a wooden cabinet with a decanter of water and two goblets. Other than that, the room was empty.

"Any questions before we begin?" he asked.

[Reylin Lythalas]

Reylin waited in the foyer for a moment after Gorte entered the room. She knew it'd be hard, like he said. She was not afraid of the dangers and challenges; she was afraid of failing. Of everything about herself that was what she wished to change, and she thought that this was as good a time as any. He was right, though, not everyone was able to succeed in this. But what determined success? She mused on the thought. He was also right, again: they’d never know if they didn’t try.

With a huff and determined nod, she summoned whatever confidence she could and strode into the room. Looking around the room, she noticed the table and chairs. She walked over to one of the chairs, standing near it, but not yet sitting, and she rested her hand on it and poked at it lightly. The softness impressed her.

"Any questions before we begin?"

His soft spoken demeanor eased her rattling nerves. This wasn’t a decision she would ever take lightly, and she had put a lot of thought into it these past few cycles. She looked up at Gorte and smiled. "No, I'm ready. This is what I want," she confirmed, speaking clearly and with certainty. Her expression was one of determination, even through her soft smile. "I have to try."

[Fox]

"Then sit down, and we'll start" he said, smiling at her gently and motioning for her to sit as he told her to do. "Now, Reylin.. this can be an unpleasant process for some.. some people find it to be very difficult. If you feel nauseaous, feel like you might be sick, then let me know, there's a bucket here " and indeed there was, carefully placed so that he could help her should she need it.

"The world is a place that, once seen through true eyes, can never be seen in the pale imitation of before. But that comes with a price... as does everything. So this will be a strange experience, and you may see things that you do not like. So be relaxed, if you can, and let me help you..."

That said, he put his hand on her forehead. As he did, Reylin had the strangest feeling. She felt that touch, that hand on her forehead and she felt his hand sinking into her. It didn't of course, but it felt like it nonetheless. It sank into her brain and every lock that had held back her knowledge, every doorway that had allowed her to remain ignorant was pushed open, gently and with tenderness by Gorte.

And then, as the last one opened, Raylin saw.... really saw....

ooc please feel free to describe what Reylin sees as the unbinding happens. It is usually something highly personal, either good or bad. Check out some other threads or pm me if you need anything

[Reylin Lythalas]

Reylin sat obediently when he told her to do so. 'Might be sick?' she thought. She already felt sick. She had a fluttering deep inside her stomach that only got worse the longer she sat there. She wrapped her fingers around the arm of the chair, digging her fingernails into the soft cushioning.

She bit the bottom of her lip as Gorte explained the experience to her. 'Relax?' She inhaled deeply, then let the air back out slowly. It didn't help much. As he placed his hand on her forehead, she closed her eyes. She felt his hand sink into her head. The feeling of suddenly knowing was inscribed into her, like suddenly understanding how or why something worked. With her next breath, it was like she was inhaling something besides air. As she breathed deeply, she felt more and more relaxed, eventually slipping into a dream.

As she opened her eyes slowly, she was met with a familiar yet foreign scene. She was sitting on a forest floor, on top of soft grass and surrounded by tall trees. Streams of sunlight drifted in through the branches high overhead, providing serene lighting for the forest. Standing slowly, she looked around, studying the surroundings. Everything was so much clearer than she remembered it being before. She couldn't help but to to smile. From all her nervousness before, she felt so at home here. Maybe this is what she was meant to do. She hoped it was.

"Vedui tinuamin," my daughter, the sudden graceful, flowing speech interruped the silent tranquility, causing the young elf to jump slightly, even though she recognized it. She turned in the direction of the voice, and was filled with joy when she confirmed who was standing there among the trees.

"Mother," she said with a large bright smile. She wasn't that surprised she was there, in reality. It seemed so proper that she should be. She ran towards her, throwing her arms around her in a tight embrace. Though she hadn't been away from her family for so long, she missed them dearly.

As she opened her mouth to speak, her mother put a finger to her lips. "Be silent and listen." Her mother spoke to her firmly. Taking her by the shoulders, her mother looked at her intently, green eyes staring into green eyes. "You mustn't be so nervous. Be confident, my child. You are capable of more than you know."

Reylin nodded in silent understanding. All her life she'd drawn her strength from her family. This moment, whether a dream or real, was no different. Though, now, there was a brighter spark of independence, of being able to do things herself.

Her mother leaned in and kissed the young elf's forehead gently. "I am proud." It was barely a whisper, but Reylin heard it clearly. It was a deeply intimate moment between the two; a sudden quiet understanding. She closed her eyes and felt her body relax against the warmth. When she reopened them she was shocked to find herself sitting back in front of Gorte. She came to the quick realization that it was a dream. She blinked her eyes rapidly and fidgeted uncomfortably. She hadn't expected the dream to end so suddenly....

"That was...interesting." She was unsure of what to say or do.

[fetch]

Aye lass it usually is grinned Gorte now sit still for a moment and catch your breath .He handed her a cup of water and when she had finished drinking took a stool opposite her Better now? Very well before we take the next step just tell me why you wish to pursue your chosen arcane path, what is it about this discipline that draws you to it?

OOC ~ I assume you want druidism but my little post is just to make sure.

[Reylin Lythalas]

Reylin fiddled with the cup after she had finished drinking, seeking something to do with her hands.

"Well," she began, thinking for a moment, "my mother was a druid. She actually studied here at the henge for awhile. I suppose that is why I'm drawn to it. It is in my blood I guess. One day I hope to be a Silver Wolf. I am far from that right now, I know, but one step at a time, right?" She beamed brightly as she spoke. For the first time since she'd arrived in Natura she had made a choice for her own and did not have any doubts about pursuing it further, and she was happy. The nervousness she had felt before seemed to melt away.

She smiled at Gorte, and handed the cup back to him. "Whatever comes next, I am ready for it."

OOC: Much thanks, fetch. :)

[fetch]

I doubt it Reylin Gorte chuckled over his mug I doubt it very much …, you have a world of wonder facing you and the more that you learn the more you will realise how little you know, it’s all rather humbling really but we are all sitting in the same boat so don’t worry about it . So how do you feel now?, The unbinding can be a strange experience and it effects different people in different ways.

The ranger smiled gently remembering his own first awakening…..before coming back to Reylin

Very well lets move on The first thing you will need to do is learn to meditate. It is a little like sleeping, but less boring. You should concentrate only on magic, on the magic of nature, and nothing else. Let your sense slip away, and you should find yourself reaching something that people call clara. It lets you see the magic around you, within all living things. Very well start by breathing deeply slowly in and slowly out …one slow deep breath …..in ……hold it ….let it out , repeat slowly Reylin do not rush clear your mind of all thought ….again …again ….slower…close your eyes …concentrate on your breathing …relax those shoulders …yes that’s right …good ….breath deep and slow clear your mind ….good we are getting there now Reylin take one element from your dream …..….pick one thing......yes now fix your mind on that element….breath, breath.


The path to clara for a first time novice was a long one it might take a quarter candlemark or more of concentrated effort to merely glimpse the nexus but the ranger was certain that within the Elf was the ability to reach her goal the very first time of attempting this most important ritual. Her unbinding would allow her to follow paths that were previously barred to her mind.



OOC ~ Forget the other thread Fox confuzzled me normally the dryad H’annaeryth teaches druidism and she is a fun character.

[Reylin Lythalas]

"I feel strange, I suppose," she said, struggling to find words to describe it. "I feel different, but okay." She shifted uneasily in the chair.

Reylin was an obedient student. She closed her eyes and began to breathe slowly, focusing on Gorte's instruction. In, out... In, out. The imagery from her dream slipped into her mind, and she envisioned herself sitting under one of the great trees. She could hear the leaves rustle and the gentle breeze on her skin. Birds sung sweetly nearby. She continued breathing, deeply and slowly, feeling every muscle in her body relax. Soon, she narrowed her focus onto just feeling the breeze wash over her skin. It was soothing for her.

It took several minutes before she reached Clara, but she did not realize that. She had lost all sense of time, though to her it felt like time was unmoving. Opening her eyes, she could see the essense of nature swirling contently around her, calm but active. She did not yet know how to control this new substance around and within her, but found it enjoyable and was happy to be experiencing it.

[fetch]

Gorte was with her every breath of the way his strong calm presence comforting and calming leading her towards the now opened door of the mind the concept of clara was the key that allowed her to open this repository of ara and the power of spell shaping.

Very well Reylin come back to me … as she slipped out of clara and back to the mundane world of the present she would find her tutor smiling softly.

“Well done now you must practise meditation it is a constant joy and comfort so work on your technique ever spare moment you find. You will find it refreshes both body and mind so the act of meditation does not have to be just to achieve clara it has to be part of your life a deeply pleasant part as well.”

He leaned forward in lecture mode.

“Very well this is the boring bit I am afraid a bit of theory so listen up get this fixed in your mind and then in the morrow we can do the more interesting things”

“The state of clara allows you to see the arcane energies around you. You can see them within all living things, within me, within trees and plants…all have their own inner magic, as do you. This energy is known as ara.” The ranger paused, allowing his student time for the words to sink in, before finishing. “Your own is referred to by a different name, however- vis”

“When ara and vis meet, there is a reaction which takes place, known as an arcalysis. This in turn will allow your mind to ascend to the Astral Plane, where you will be able to channel the essence of druidism, the essence of nature, and go on to create a spell.”

Again a pause, allowing Reylin to digest all the information, all the words that she was being made to heed. This was perhaps the hardest stage of learning… the trying to understand… and the ranger would not hold it against his students if she had any questions to ask now.

“The theory sounds complex, though the practice is not. What I want for you to do is to try and draw the magical energies around you… ara… towards yourself, and to interweave it with your vis. Do not force these energies, however. Try to simply coax them towards yourself with your mind, and you will see.”