Story name: Rites of Ascendancy
Author: Raven Blackmane
Date: May 27 - November 22, 706 CR
Location: Metamor Keep
Overview
Merai hin'Dana, a clumsy nurse's apprentice, becomes a Lightbringer acolyte, unaware of the unusual signs that mark her as the central figure in the Starchild Prophecy.
Summary
Merai is an assistant to the doctor Caitlyn, though she is very clumsy and critical of herself. She dreams of becoming a Lightbringer, and has a crush on her childhood friend Daren, who cares more about knights and battles to notice her. They are both nearly 14 years old, and are curious about adulthood, such as when they spy on Merai's gendermorphed parents making love.
On May 27th, she and Daren are eating lunch atop the Keep walls when Daren suddenly feels dizzy and stumbles off the wall. Although nearby healers close his wounds, the outlook is grim. Merai screams and grabs Daren, and suddenly a rush of power goes out of her into Daren; soon after, Merai passes out. She awakes to see Raven, who praises her for saving Daren's life. Impressed by natural magic potential, Raven asks her to join the Lothanasi.
On June 3rd, the feast of Artela, Raven teaches Merai how to use magic sight and Light-healing at the hospital. Daren is there recovering from his injuries. With her magic sight, Merai notices something wrong with him. Raven gently points out that the curse is slowly turning him into a woman.
Raven begins her preparations for Artela'kema, and asks Merai to pacify a captured stag for the ritual. Merai is almost overwhelmed by the creature's fear, but Raven gives her enough assistance to succeed. After dressing it in jewels and garlands, the stag is taken to the Mercy Offering, where it is released into the woods. After the ceremony, Raven tells Merai about the nature of the gods.
On June 10th, Daren awakes from her coma, surrounded by her parents and Merai and Raven, and initially relieved to be alive, but then horrified to discover her change of sex. Raven tells Merai to let him grieve.
June 15th is the day when Lothanasi renew their vows, and new initiates prepare to enter the Order with a week of fasting. Raven breaks Merai's meditation to ask her to conduct the dawn sacrifice. Merai performs the ceremony admirably, killing the dove swiftly and without pain. As she and Raven admire the coming dawn, Raven tells Merai about the heavenly gods, and warns her about the dangers of daedra.
By June 22nd, Daren has confined herself to her room, ashamed of her body. Merai is summoned, and Daren screams at Merai for doing this to her. For a long time the two girls sit and cry together, until Merai slowly undresses Daren and washes her body. After helping her into some new woman's clothes and brushing her hair, Merai brings the mirror forward. Daren is surprised by how pretty she is, and reluctantly agrees with Merai to have dinner with her family.
In the early evening, Merai's gendermorphed mother Dana finds Merai sitting by herself on the Keep walls. Merai is scared by the curse and how it will affect her. Dana shares his experiences with the gender curse, and assures Merai that she will not necessarily become a man. He suggests leaving the Keep, but Merai does not want to leave, for there is nowhere else where a woman has as much chance of becoming Lothanasa. Dana assures her the gods will be merciful to her, and Merai whispers a prayer to Kyia as they leave.
On July 20th, the Feast of Yajiit, Daren loses a sparring match against a boy named Garulf, and Jack DeMule lectures his students on the importance of knowing one's limitations, and applying one's advantages. Daren is disappointed that she can't use heavy weapons or horses, but is determined to keep learning. Merai invites her to the Sacrifice of Yajiit. As soon as Merai and Daren arrive, Raven begins the Blessing Prayer. Everyone expects a heat wave to engulf the sacrifice; everyone is amazed when Yajiit herself descends from heaven, lights the sacrifices, and shares a meaningful look with Raven. Then Yajiit turns to the entranced Merai, extends a palm and summons a wave of fire around the girl, and speaks one word: "Elenin". She steps back and vanishes into the sky, as Merai blissfully passes out.
She awakes two hours later, with only Daren standing over her. Daren helps her back to the Lightbringer Temple, where Merai finds Raven digging deep within the Lightbringer Archives. Raven tells her that she was most troubled by Yajiit's eyes, which appeared more human than usual. She denies knowing what "Elenin" means, and tells Merai that she should focus on wilderness survival training, as she fears that the Keep will soon have need of a field cleric.
Between then and September 13th, Merai studies archery, swordsmanship, hunting, tracking, stealth, healing, Lightbringer history, daedra psychology, divine diplomacy, and how to perform Lightbringer rituals. On September 13th, the Day of Admission begins, and Merai is inducted as a priestess. The ceremony proceeds as normal, but there is an unusually strong wind and burst of light upon her induction, and Merai is frustrated again that Raven will not explain why these strange signs keep happening.
From this point on, Merai assists Raven with priestly duties, but there are thankfully no crises. On October 12th, she watches Daren fight a rematch against Garulf. Garulf has gotten much bigger since then, but Daren has become much quicker. After a series of plays, Garulf missteps, and Daren pins him with a dagger to the throat. The castellen Jack compliments them both on their fight. Daren takes the moment to officially change her name to Daria.
The night of October 30th is a dangerous one for Lothanasi: it is Daedra'kema, the Night of the Daedra. While Raven will patrol the city itself, Merai is to patrol along the Keep walls. Merai is briefly stopped by Rickkter, who warns her about the danger and suggests that she go home, but Merai refuses to abandon her duty. Daria joins Merai on the wall to assist her. As night falls, Merai feels a chill down her neck. During their watch, they see black eagles raiding the livestock in the market town, gremlins drinking and smashing an apothecary shop, and a duck morph who believes he's an eagle. Daria and Merai head to the crowded Deaf Mule for drinks.
Soon after they arrive, a man and woman enter, dressed as Flatlands traders, with a large dog beside them. A few moments of silence pass, when Merai senses an even stronger chill. Gradually, the patrons begin making out with each other, women begin stripping on the tables, and men cheer and holler and grab at them. Several people are immobile and unaware as this is happening; Merai recognizes each such person is Ecclesian. Merai scans the crowd, and realizes the Flatland couple and their dog have a magic illusion on them, and are casting a spell over the bar patrons. Merai confronts them, which turns into an argument about the power of desire over morality. Merai loses the argument, and though she realizes that she should go get Raven for help, she also feels a natural curiosity to stay and watch the sex around her.
In a flash of light, the man and woman change into Klepnos and Suspira, and the dog changes into a Hound. They magically take hold of Merai, reshaping her into a beautiful woman and flooding her with raw emotion and desire. Her rational mind fights back, but Merai's emotions overcome her, and she begs to have Daria in her original male body. Suspira turns Daria into a super-masculine model. Although confused by Merai's interest, he gives in as well. Before they can copulate, Raven bursts in. The Hound bites her, and Raven's screams snap Merai out of her state. She rescues Raven and quickly heals her, and Raven summons Akkala and Velena, accompanied by Kyia in a gleaming ball of light. Kyia tells the two daedra that they are no longer welcome in Metamor. Together, Merai and Raven dispel the two daedra, and remove their influence upon the Mule patrons.
The three of them return to the Keep walls. Merai and Daria are still in their sexualized bodies, but Raven assures her Velena will return them to normal in the morning. Merai apologizes for failing, but Raven consoles her for surviving and learning from this mistake. Raven shares an incident where she attempted to cure a girl possessed by evil, but the power of the Lothanasi gods failed her. It was an Ecclesian missionary who saved the girl. Merai shares an observation that Raven was surely fast enough to evade the Hound, and must have allowed herself to be attacked, hoping that it would awaken her. Raven admits that she had to take that risk, and that she would gladly risk herself for others. She leaves Merai with Daria, who apologize for hiding their feelings from each other, and leave before their new bodies bring them back into temptation.
On November 21, Merai faints during the dawn sacrifice. She awakes the next day, feeling something wrong with her body. She slowly gets up and walks to a mirror, to find that she has become a plain-looking cat morph. She thanks Kyia for giving her a form she can live with.
Meanwhile, in the Archives, Raven finally finds what she has been looking for since August. "Elenin" means "starchild"; Silvinia wrote a long prophecy about the Starchild, and Raven realizes that the many omens of the past year are all corroborated in the prophecy. Among the predictions is that the Starchild must come in secret; Raven vows not to tell Merai, lest the daedra discover her. She returns the book, marking its place with a handkerchief, and prays to Sammekh for wisdom.
Characters
Main characters:
- Merai: A thirteen-year-old girl who dreams of becoming a Lightbringer. On May 27, Raven recognizes her potential, and takes her in as an acolyte. On September 13, she is initiated as a priestess. On November 22, she changes into a cat morph.
- Various signs throughout the year point to her as an important figure: namely her innate magical potential and Yajiit addressing her as "elenin". Raven graully realizes that Merai is the central figure in the Starchild Prophecy, but she does not tell Merai.
- She has dark brown hair.
- Her family name is Anboren.
- Raven: The Keep Lightbringer. She is more properly the High Priestess of Metamor Keep. She is the supreme authority for the Lothanasi of Metamor Keep and the Northern Midlands. She leads the rituals towards the gods, and personally oversees Merai's teaching, telling her many secrets of the Lothanasi.
- She has a conservative ideology: she disapproves of Malisa running away over her gender, and insists on Daren going through the stages of grief rather than being comforted by Merai. She believes that purity and self-discipline are necessary to prevent exploitation by the daedra and the powers of hell.
- She wields a blade called Elemacil, the Starsword, made of mithril, or elf-silver. It has been wielded by the high priests of Metamor for many years.
- There are 6 aedra whom Raven has personally met: Akkala, Velena, Dvalin, Samekkh, Yajiit, and Artela. The first five, whom have a heavenly nature, are the most splendid beings she has ever met.
- Daren / Daria: Merai's childhood friend who becomes a female gendermorph. Before his change, he desired to become a knight errant; afterwards, she learns to fight with a rapier, hoping to one day become a field officer. She was unaware that Merai had a crush on her as a boy, always thinking of her as a sister. During Daedra'Kema, Suspira returns her to a man's body, where he almost gives into temptation for Merai. After Raven rescues them, he and Merai come to terms with their feelings for each other.
- He was born sometime in April 692. As a boy, he was passionate about knights, chivalry, and warfare, often swinging his shortsword around.
- He was not a good-looking boy, having too many freckles, a slightly pug-like nose, and a round face. Her new appearance surprises her, as it is the first time that she looks pretty. She has red hair.
- He cares a great deal about his family's honor. In the summer of 705, he attacked a merchant who insulted Leon.
- She is an Ecclesian, but her connection with Merai keeps her aware of the events of Daedra'kema, until Merai breaks away to confront the two daedra.
Supporting:
- Caitlyn: An assistant healer, Daren's mother, and a child morph. She has about twenty-five years of experience healing scouts. Merai is her assistant. She has long auburn hair.
- Dana: Merai's father, a male gendermorph. He had fought with his then-husband at the Battle of the Three Gates. He is still overwhelmed with his new masculinity. He enjoys tales of warfare.
- He has shoulder-length black hair, grey eyes with bronze-skinned arms.
- Garulf: A tall boy who is Merai's age, who fights Daren twice over the story. He is lanky during his fight with Daren in July, but is more muscular during his fight in October.
- Yajiit: Aedra of fire and the sun. She is of a heavenly nature.
- Normally, in her physical appearances, her eyes are a fiery yellow, to emphasize her divinity. Notably, during Yajiit'kema, she appeared with flashing human-like blue eyes.
- Celine: A Lightbringer acoloyte, and a child morph. She helps Merai prepare for the Day of Admission. She is the first to congratulate Merai for her initiation. She falls under Suspira's influence during Daedra'kema towards a weasel-morph.
- She is 30-some years old, and stays at 15. She has green eyes and is shorter than Merai by several inches. She has blond hair, cut just below the ears. As an acolyte, she wears simple brown robes. She is quiet but passionate about her studies.
- She is engaged to Jonathan Caroway.
- Suspira: The Daedra of Lust. She appears in the Deaf Mule on Deadra'Kema, and makeds the patrons give in to their passions. She is expelled by Raven and Merai.
- Klepnos: The daedric Master of Madness and Folly. He enters the Deaf Mule on Daedra'Kema disguised as a Flatlands trader, and allows the non-Ecclesian patrons to give into their passions. He is expelled by Raven and Merai.
- Jambris: Suspiria's Hound, accompanying her on Daedra'Kema. He can disguise himself as an ordinary dog.
Minor characters:
- A leopard morph. He is a thin and lanky scout, missing part of his left ear. He was attacked by a lutin raid, and healed by Caitlyn on May 27.
- Alexander / Sandra: Merai's mother, a female gendermorph. She had fought with her then-wife at the Battle of the Three Gates. Now, she has taken to enjoying the curse, especially while making love to Dana.
- She has brown eyes and brown hair.
- Rickkter: A mercenary and raccoon morph. He is one of the figures that troubles Raven on July 20th. During the night of Daedra'kema, he goes hunting for daedra, telling Merai to go home.
- Misha Brightleaf: A Long Scout fox morph. Raven decides, on July 20, to solicit him for instructors on wilderness survival, for Merai and the other acolytes. He is present at the Deaf Mule on Daedra'Kema, but as an Ecclesian, he is left unaware of the daedra's influence that night.
- Donny: The bartender of the Deaf Mule.
- Leon hin'Gallad: Daren's father, a lion morph. He is a guard for Duke Thomas.
- Jack DeMule: The castellan of the Keep, and trainer of new recruits. He gives harsh but important lessons to his students.
- Akkala: Aedra of healing and purity. She is of a heavenly nature. She and Velena help Raven against Klepnos and Suspria.
- Velena: Aedra of beauty and love. She is of a heavenly nature. She and Akkala help Raven against Klepnos and Suspria.
- Kyia: The protector nymph of the Keep. She watches over all the Keepers, and forbids killing within the walls. It is said that her wards protect the outer walls of the Lightbringer Archives.
Cameo:
- A grizzled wolf morph: A scout who accompanies his friend, the leopard morph, into the sick-bay on May 27.
- Thomas: Merai's baby brother. He is six months old in May 706, meaning he was born in November 705.
- Landon: The master of the archers. New archer recruits are drilled at least twice before they see combat.
- Wanderer: The court poet. He and Raven are very close, walking side-by-side on May 27.
- A deer scout. He is injured on June 3rd. Raven heals him to demonstrate Lothanasi healing to Merai.
- A tall scout. He goes on the Duke's hunting trip for Artela'kema, and shows the ritual buck to Raven.
- A duck morph who thinks he is an eagle.
- A fox morph woman and a Lothanasi. She is at the Deaf Mule on Daedra'kema, and strips for the men in delirium.
- Copernicus: A lizard scout and an Ecclesian, one of those present at the Deaf Mule on Daedra'Kema, time-frozen by the daedra's magic.
- A weasel morph. On Deadra'kema, he tempts Celine.
Important mention:
- Malisa: The Duke's adopted son, now a female gender morph. Unlike most gender morphs, she refused to accept her new gender, keeping her breasts flat and wearing non-gendered clothing. She has been absent for a while from the Keep.
- Artela: Aedra of the hunt. Her appearance is rather mortal-looking, a dark-skinned woman in a hunter's garb. The ceremony of Artela'kema is detailed, for her honor.
Referenced:
- Samekkh: Aedra of prophecy and light. He is of a heavenly nature. He is frequently sought or invoked for his wisdom.
- Nocturna: Daedra of dreams and the afterlife.
- Duke Thomas: Ruler of Metamor Keep.
- Dokorath: Aedra of war.
- Kammoloth: King of the Gods.
- Pascal: The Keep alchemist. Among her inventions are lab-grown sponges.
- Dvalin: Aedra of weather. He is of a heavenly nature.
- Loriod: A recently deceased lord of Metamor Valley, the subject of a prophecy.
- Oren: An otter-human morph from the South, the subject of a prophecy.
- Scratch: A tiger morph who got into some trouble a few months ago, also the subject of a prophecy.
- Phil: The Protector of Lorland. His careful administration leads to record levels of crops.
- Macaban: Phil's assistant in Lorland.
- Coe: The Keep medic. He appears to deal with mundane healings, while more urgent or difficult healings are handled by the Lightbringer.
- Jonathan Caroway: A Lothanasi acolyte and Celine's betrothed. He is due to marry Celine in the spring.
- Tallakath: The Daedra of Sickness and Death.
Lothanasi
Over the course of the story, Raven reveals many details about the Lothanasi Order to Merai, both as part of her training, and as personal opinions. Some of these beliefs are common knowledge; others are secrets to acolytes or priests only. Intermingled with these Lothanasi beliefs, are descriptions of Lothanasi practices both within the Keep and in other parts of the world.
Beliefs
- Lothanasi believe in the Supreme Creator, who made the heavens and earth, and is separate from the aedra and daedra. He does not reveal himself to his followers, and remains a mysterious figure.
- The gods are popularly believed to be spirit and incorporeal, ensuring their immortality. They are not eternal; they did have a beginning, being said to come to earth for the good of mortals.
- Raven tells Merai that the gods do take physical form often, but whether they are mortal is an open question, as they have been powerful enough to avoid all death thus far.
- She reveals a Lothanasi secret: despite their immense power, the gods are not truly gods, and are lying about their true natures. The Lothanasi obey them out of fear and respect for their power.
Practices
- The Dawn Sacrifice is conducted every morning by a priest or acolyte. In Metamor Keep, it is usually done by Raven, eventually alternating between Raven and Merai.
- At the altar, the priestess pours a mound of incense into the bowl, and presses a candle into it. A dove is taken and held in one hand, with a ceremonial knife in the other hand. A few words in the Old Tongue are spoken. The bird is then killed, ideally as swiftly and painlessly as possible. Its blood is allowed to flow over the candle and into the bowl. With hands over the flame, the last words of the rite are spoken. The priestess summons divine heat to light the candle.
- The Lothanasi in other kingdoms have priests and priestesses, but they usually promote men over women to the Lothanasa.
- The temple at Metamor Keep was designed for 100 acolytes, but they were decimated during the Battle of the Three Gates. As of September 706 CR, there are 47 acolytes who work the temple, despite Raven's tireless recruitment.
- Most of the acolytes are women and younger than twenty-five; many are child morphs. The work is strenuous, and most acolytes retire after forty. Ex-acolytes find positions as teachers, healers, secretaries, and archivists.
- Lothanasi initiates are given a light gray robe to signify their status. They are exempt from military service to Metamor. They typically abstain from alcohol.
- Light-Healing is implied to be a form of Healing specific to the Lothanasi, allowing them to heal through thought alone. It was a special teaching from Akkala. It is very exhausting. The healing is not easy; it involves creating an orb of energy that wills the broken bones together by force.
- A more advanced use is to pacify the emotions of others, including animals. If the subject is not willing, this can be very dangerous for an unpracticed acolyte, sweeping them into a maelstrom of emotions and trapping them within the subject's mind. A practiced acolyte can form a mental shield to sturdy themselves, open the subject's mind, and project emotions inside.
Days
- June 3rd: Artela'kema, the celebration of Artela. A large ritual buck is captured, cleaned, and dressed in ointments and ceremonial horse tack for Artela's Mercy Offering, where it is released back into the wild. It is a short ceremony, visited by a few hundred people.
- July 20th: The Sacrifice of Yajiit, a sacred festival for Lightbringers.
- At noon, the goddess Yajiit typically sends a wave of heat to ignite the sacrifice; in particularly favorable years, this takes the form of a ball of fire.
- All members of the Lightbringer clergy are required to be present, but only the Lothanasa is allowed to perform the sacrifice. Children are forbidden due to the danger involved. Other Lightbringers are welcome to attend.
- Metamor Keep is the only place north of Elvquelin that celebrates the sacrifice. The town is congested with Lothanasi pilgrims, devotees of Yajiit, and tourists during this time, particularly those unafraid of the Curse.
- The altars to Yajiit are kept to the east of Metamor town. They were built centuries ago and have been maintained by Lothanasi every since. They consist of a circle of large stone rocks, well-charred over the years.
- The sacrificial cattle are laid upon the wood and kindling on the altar. Then Raven gives an opening speech to the gathered crowd, followed by the Blessing Prayer. The crowds then wait for precisely high noon for Yajiit to accept the sacrifice. It is not a good sign for her not to appear.
- September 13th: The Day of Admission. This is the day when new acolytes are initiated into the Order of the Lightbringers. This day is not well-known to most of the peasantry, and the specifics of the initiation ceremony are closely-guarded secrets. The following is specific to Metamor Keep, but can generally be applied to other Lothanasi temples:
- The Lothanasi initiates are asked to fast so that they have an empty stomach. Before the ceremony, the initiates cleanse and purify their bodies for the ceremony. The priestess cleanses her body as well.
- The altar room is lined with candles. Silk white veils line the doors and windows. The offering basin is placed on the altar, and a large circle with patterns and symbols, dominated by the twin cross of the Lothanasi, is drawn on the floor before the altar.
- At the start of the ceremony, the priest stands with a kryss in one hand. Three acolytes stand to each side of the priest. Six acolytes surround the initiate, while the remaining acolytes form a line to the altar.
- The ceremony begins with an ancient flute melody, and the initiate enters the circle to stand a few feet from the priest. The melody ends, and the opening ritual is given: the initiate is asked their name, their purpose, and their pledge.
- After correctly giving the answers, the priest taps the initiate's head with the kryss, leaves the circle, and asks them to kneel. The initiate kneels with their hands over the offering basin, and the priest gives them the kryss to prove their resolve.
- The initiate closes their hands over it so that their blood falls into the basin. The lines of power should begin to glow. The initiate repeats the "blood for blood" mantra as they lower the knife into the blood, and then raises it.
- If the gods accept the pledge, there should be a flash of light and a brief wind. If the gods do not accept, the initiate must wait a full year to repeat the attempt.
- October 31st: Daedra'kema, the Night of the Daedra, when daedra and creatures of darkness are free to roam the Earth. It seems that only Lothanasi are affected on this night; Ecclesians face no effects. Lothanasi are cautioned to stay in their homes, with charms to ward off evil spirits.
- Lightbringer priests patrol the city to ward off evil spirits. In 706 CR, only Merai and Raven are available.
- It is believed that this day was made because of a treaty between the Lothanasi gods and the daedra from a battle over Earth. This treaty also made clear that the daedra could visit Metamor Keep on this day; on other days, they are unwelcome.
History
- According to legend, the Elves were a powerful race during the days of the Titans. They are also referred to as the Elder Race.
- Lucien: The founder of the Lightbringers, and the first Lothanas, around 1500 years ago.
- Nathales: One of the Titans. He is believed to have ordered the forging of mithril swords, including Raven's kryss, by dragons and Elves. There is a Lightbringer legend in which he is chained deep inside the earth, where he is met by Lucien, the founder of the Lothanasi.
- Valaria Lightbringer: Lucien's great-granddaughter. She recorded several stories about Lucien and the founding of the Lothanasi.
- Geshwa Onequion: An alternate spelling of Yahshua. He is also called Hirasoth, and misinterpreted by Raven as a god.
- Silvinia: A prophet who wrote a series of prophecies in 242 CR, including the Starchild Prophecy. Her shorter prophecies have all come true, fully convincing Raven in the Starchild Prophecy.
- She predicted that the Starchild, Elenin, would come in secret, and that if the daedra discover her before her time is ready, it could lead to the destruction of the Lightbringers, if not the world.
- Magnus Lightbringer II, or Magnus the Wise, Sept 13, Oct 31: The Lothanas of Metamor during the late 500s. He was a prolific writer, and was known for his wisdom and judgment, and helped keep the Order alive.
- The Dialogues of Magnus the Wise were the recorded conversations Magnus had with his pupils on philosophy, the Lothanasi, and sensible living. It is this work that Magnus is most famous for.
- In the late 500s, the last of the Elves who were Lightbringers passed away. By that time, the Elves had lost their influence over humanity.
- The battle of Salinon Field: A legendary battle that took place in the 590s, between Titus and the Salinon people against the Ebony Horde from the Eastern Regions. Although Titus and his allies won the battle, Titus and his knights were destroyed by the Horde's mighty longbows.
- More precisely, Titus's army consisted of full-plated knights and legions of footmen. The Ebony Horde had pikemen phalanxes with cavalry and longbow support. Their longbowmen used six-foot-long bows, with two-and-a-half foot-long warbolts.
- Since that time, metallurgy has improved the quality of metal and armor. Longbows have remained at relatively the same strength.
- During the Battle of the Three Gates:
- All of the children were hidden in the catacombs underneath the Keep. The magic supposedly protected them from the curse, but if any remains at the Keep by the age of 14, they too will be cursed.
- Two thirds of the Lothanasi temple servants were killed, despite not being involved in the fighting. None of the survivors witnessed what happened, though it is rumored that a wraith snuck inside the Keep during the fighting.
The Old Tongue
- The Blessing Prayer for Yajiit'kema is as follows:
"Aiya, Anarbareth, Nariel! Anta`mmelya` si anna sina laitaleo. A tulamme si, a nai nuvan laitalilya oiale. Aman nai na i esse Yajiito."
* Translates into:
Hail, Sun-Queen, Fire-Maiden! We give you now this offering of worship. Come to us now, and may your blessings be ever with us. Blessed be the name of Yajiit.
- These are the words spoken immediately before the dawn sacrifice:
"Nemmë Lothanasi; maremmë i enessë ba'neva a únemmë pelda."
"Nemmë Calimarimbë; caremmë mara i enessë rukia."
"Nemmë Tirimbë Metammurava; á termarë rambarya síllo i Ambar-mettanna."
* Translates into:
We are (ever) the Lightbringers; we abide (ever) in the midst of the darkness and are not (ever) overwhelmed.
We are (ever) the Bright Ones; we (ever) create (order/goodness) in the midst of chaos.
We are (ever) the Guardians of Metamor; may her walls (stand firm/endure) from now to the end of (time/the world).
- Spoken immediately after the dawn sacrifice:
"Serkë … serken. Coí … coíen. Er fira ilyenen nai nuva coirëa. Á quantuva sina osto-aina i lothanen."
* Translates into:
Blood … for blood. Life … for life. One dies so that many may live. May this holy place be filled with the light.
- "Mae govannen" seems to be an expression of astonishment.
- During their fight against Klepnos and Suspira, Raven and Merai say "Autalye, essenen Kammalotho! Autalye, moreri!" It is implied to be a call to expel them, by the power of Kammoloth.
Locations
Lothanasi Temple
- The Lothanasi altar room is sparsely decorated, with only an altar sitting in the back, in front of an apse with a tympan window facing northward. There are nearby storage rooms for the various ceremonies — incense, candles, ceremonial knives, a communal cage of doves for the dawn sacrifice, hand-lamps, fine white silk veils,
- The outer doors are illuminated with gold, silver, and bronze plated beasts whom the Lightbringers have fought, with gemstones for eyes.
- The Lothanasi library, located underneath the temple, is one of the largest collections of knowledge in Metamor Keep. It extends for eleven stories beneath the Keep, and contains everything from bestiaries, histories going back to the founding of the Order, myths and legends, prophecies, spellbooks, catalogues and compendia of ceremonies and plants and artifacts. Due to its wide range of material over the years, it is badly organized; many works are too delicate to move around.
- To get there from the entrance, one walks through the passageway into the inner chambers, through a door on the right and to the stairs at the end of the passage.
- The top floor of the Archives contains commonly referenced works and is available to Lothanasi acolytes for their training. Lowers floors contain more private material, available only to the High Priestess and those with special permission. They are connected by spiral staircases for quick access.
- The entire library is protected by powerful wards placed, according to legend, by Kyia herself. The lower levels of the Library are protected still further by wards placed by the Lothanasa.
- The acolyte living quarters consist of one vaulted hall, with one wall dividing them by gender, connected by a pair of doors lockable from either side. Each side is furnished with wood-paneled walls and floors, several rugs, bunk-style and double beds, and a hearth and wash-room. At the foot of each bed is a wooden chest for the acolytes' possessions.
Metamor Keep
- The houses of Metamor Keep are more advanced and better designed than those in the Midlands. Most have load-bearing walls of concrete bricks, and large post-and-lintel windows for light and cooling.
- Merai's house has a crack on its right side that looks into the master bedroom, opposite the bed. Merai and Daren used it to exchange notes as children; they use it on May 27th to spy for voyeuristic purposes.
- Merai's house is close to the Keep's Inner Gate, and is a typical example of a Keep residence.
- Daren's house is also a typical Keep residence. Daren's room, prior to Daren's change, was decorated with all manner of family weapons. There was also a looking glass on the walls. Daren initially hides all these articles in shame of her change; it is unknown whether she restored them later that year.
- The outer Keep walls function both as defensive measures and as a pedestrian overlook of the Keep.
- The market district sits outside the Keep proper.
- Metamor ale is made from barley in the autumn, and serves as much as a food as a drink. With its thick soupy texture and rich flavor, it is popular throughout the northern Midlands.
Other places
- The Elderwood: A woodlands where giant spiders live.
- The Flatlands, the Pyralian Kingdoms: Two distant lands.
- Sathmore: The princesses of Sathmore are apparently well-known for elaborate dresses.
- Glen Avery: 11 years ago, a girl there was possessed by demons. Raven was unable to cure her, but a wandering Follower missionary was able to.
Continuity notes
- Dana points out to Merai that there are three women in Metamor who are knights.
- Lorland has yielded record number of crops in the current year (706). Entire storehouses have been stuffed with food for winter.
- It is implied that if a child leaves Metamor before their fourteenth year, they might escape the curse. This is later shown to be a misconception.
Points of Interest
- Merai has had her menarch before July 20th, indicating that the curse is not directly triggered by it.
- The Sunday before June 30th was the last time Merai attended wilderness survival training with Misha.
- The Knights of the Red Stallion are Thomas's elite order of warriors.
- "Patildo" / "Patildor" are terms (singular/plural) for members of the Ecclesia.
- "Phergold" is a derogatory term for Ecclesia, used often by peasants.
- "Pagan" is also a derogatory term, in reference to Lothanasi.
- To "pass beyond the Veil" is a euphemism for death.
| The Starchild Prophecy | |
|---|---|
| Stories | Lightbringer · Rites of Ascendancy · A Cold Day in Hell · A Road into Darkness · Signs and Portents · In the Absence of Martyrs · A Presence of Thieves |
| Major Characters | Raven · Merai · Daria · Tessariel |
