pc: euphausia

[sacredpath]

Comments

[sacredpath]

[i'm. happy for her mask.

shadowheart is hanging out on the edge of the dark forest, sitting at the base of a tree. she startles a little when she sees eupha.]

...Your helmet. It surprised me.

[trifocal]

Did it? I'm sorry... I forget sometimes that this isn't normal for most other people.

[ she'll come over to greet her, though. the warmth of her tone and mannerisms are no different from usual. ]

[sacredpath]

[good for her, good for her.]

No, no. It's striking. I simply wasn't expecting it. May I ask what it is?

[trifocal]

It is part of traditional mustari attire. A ceremonial mask, and a symbol of our faith.

Many people wear theirs all the time, though I usually only wear mine for ceremonies.

[sacredpath]

That's beautiful. I've trained long to be a Dark Justiciar. There's a very foreboding armor associated. Is it like that? Are you a warrior?

[trifocal]

Oh, no, not at all... I don't even know how to fight, really.

What is a Dark Justiciar?

[sacredpath]

A warrior who fights for Shar. Her sword arm and mouthpiece.

[trifocal]

It sounds like quite the honour.

[sacredpath]

It is.

[she grimaces a little, like she's uncertain of something.]

Somehow I forgot.

[trifocal]

You forgot...?

[sacredpath]

I thought I'd failed at it. I don't know why.

[trifocal]

How strange... How does one fail at it?

[sacredpath]

Like any faith, Lady Shar tests her followers. She expects them to prove themselves to her.

[trifocal]

[ nodding... that makes sense so far. ]

How does one prove oneself?

[sacredpath]

Trials of skill, of devotion. And then at the end, a sacrifice is made.

[trifocal]

I see... What kind of sacrifice?

[sacredpath]

Typically, a Selǔnite is sacrificed. That is how a Sharran proves herself to the Dark Lady. Though I would say, not any Selûnite ought to do. There are plenty of ordinary believers of the Moonmaiden and killing them wouldn't be much effort - it hardly proves loyalty.

[trifocal]

You sacrifice those in opposition to you?

[ there's a thoughtful pause. her tone is still one of sincere curiosity, with an absence of shock or concern about this. ]

So it must be a person of higher rank?

[sacredpath]

As I said, some believe any Selûnite counts. But for it to be a true test of skill and faith, I believe a powerful servant of the Moonmaiden ought to be the minimum.

[trifocal]

I see...

It sounds quite different from our rite of sacrifice.

[sacredpath]

And what would yours be?

[trifocal]

Our Dragon God is our protector, but when enraged, not even our island is spared from its wrath. In times of calamity, a sacrifice is offered to appease our god and restore peace to the land.

Some believe that any life may suffice, but tradition dictates that this is the duty of the priestess.

[sacredpath]

The duty of the priestess to make a sacrifice...? [or to be one?]

[trifocal]

Yes. To offer her own life to the Dragon God.

[sacredpath]

Is that your role?

[to just be fed to a dragon?]