To celebrate the arrival of Spring, Priestess Goldenmane organized a procession through Athens to honor and thank our gods and goddesses. Following is my record of this procession.
Thanks to Goldenmane, GM Portia, everyone who led prayer and all who participated in this beautiful event.
>[Athens, Peiraic Gate]
Near the gate, a bubbling fountain in a recess of the wall provides refreshment to travelers entering or leaving the city. Heavily laden mules trod toward the commercial areas while a number of folk on foot head north and south on Apeiros Circle. You also see a cloth sack, a cloth sack, a well, the Peiraic gate with an engraved brass placard upon it and a brightly painted bar.
Also here: Neurowave, Vaage, Maerrie, Ingonish, Aldigold, Zarabeth who is sitting, Xxenos, Posidea, Surana, Areseon, Aleister, Swifthawk, Bowhuntress, Apollonius, Hyzenthlay, Scheherazade, Alydyana, Becca, Angulus, Lindy, Artmalik who is sitting, Llorien, Garrock, Heartsong, Silvershadow and Phalo.
Obvious paths: north, east, south.
{Travel to the Palace of Athens, Chamber of Zeus}
[The Palace of Athens, Chamber of Zeus]
The majestic, dominating statue of the king of the gods, Zeus, stands tall and proud. He is as strong as he is formidable -- a jagged lightning bolt forged from solid gold is in his hand. A crown of oak leaves wraps around his brow, a gilded eagle nestled at his feet.
Also here: Silvershadow, Llorien, Aldigold, Zarabeth, Xxenos, Becca, Apollonius, Areseon, Alydyana, Bowhuntress, Vaage, Ingonish, Phalo, Angulus, Heartsong, Gabit, Maerrie, Swifthawk, Aleister, Lindy, Surana, Posidea, Hyzenthlay, Scheherazade, Renae and Goldenmane.
Obvious exits: west.
>Silvershadow grins.
>Silvershadow bows.
>Silvershadow says, "ok i shall begin"
>Silvershadow taps his foot.
>Silvershadow kneels down.
>Silvershadow removes some oak leaves from his doeskin sack.
>Silvershadow puts some oak leaves on the floor.
>Silvershadow removes some eagle feathers from his doeskin sack.
>Silvershadow puts some eagle feathers on the floor.
>Silvershadow removes a bear pelt from his doeskin sack.
>(Silvershadow places the pelt between the leaves and feathers on the ground)
>Silvershadow begins to quietly meditate
>Silvershadow recites:
"To the heavens I lift my eyes."
>Silvershadow recites:
"To the stars my voice will sing."
>Silvershadow recites:
"I call to thee oh king of all."
>Silvershadow recites:
"I forgot not, the promise that is spring."
>Silvershadow recites:
"Nor do your lesser subjects...."
>Silvershadow picks up a bear pelt.
>Silvershadow offers a bear pelt to Zeus, placing the pelt on the ground.
>Silvershadow recites:
"From the dark forests do the animals thank thee.
Life for lie
The animals remember."
>Silvershadow picks up some oak leaves.
>Silvershadow offers some oak leaves to Zeus, placing the leaves on the ground.
>Thunder fills the air as Zeus is heard to say "These mortals can actually do something right! I'm well-pleased."
>Silvershadow recites:
"From the life of one tiny seed can grow a mighty tree to guard and protect.
The oak with its new life us the promise of spring."
>Silvershadow picks up some eagle feathers.
>Silvershadow smiles fondly
>Silvershadow raises his eagle feathers high above his head!
>Silvershadow recites:
"From the heavens
Do we again thank thee
The piercing cry of the hunter of the skies
May it be as your fanfare trumpeting your presence into the living world."
>Silvershadow offers some eagle feathers to Zeus, placing the feathers on the ground.
>(Silvershadow gazes at the offerings to zeus knowing it is good. A subtle hint of understanding enters his eyes and a moment later is lost.)
>Silvershadow recites:
"From the realm of man, centaur, and giant
We offer our love....and respct
The gratitude of for a bountious spring."
>Silvershadow removes a silver-etched cubit dagger from his leather dagger sheath.
>With a look of resolve, Silvershadow waves a hand over a silver-etched cubit dagger, letting his fingers dance lightly back and forth while speaking, "I offer this blessing in the name of Zeus."
>Silvershadow raises his cubit dagger in triumph!
>Silvershadow recites:
"To prove our love for you...I offer my life's blood..."
>(Silvershadow lays the dagger's blade crosswise over his palm.)
>(Silvershadow gazes up at Zeus's visage and ruthlessly slashes his palm with his dagger in one quick fluid motion)
>(Silvershadow holds his bleeding hand over each offering in turn allowing some to fall upon it.)
>(Silvershadow casually disregarding his bleeding hand he places thumb and forefinger upon the blade and in one slow movement wipes the blood from it)
>Silvershadow recites:
"Life for life!
Born into the world in blood
So to do we honor you with my own blood this day."
>(Silvershadow closes his eyes)
>(Silvershadow acquires a thoughtful expression as though listening to something only he can hear.)
>The blood suddenly sizzles and goes into the sky in a smokey cloud.
>Silvershadow waves his hand over his heart and looks upward.
>Silvershadow recites:
"Thank you, and may we all enjoy your gift of spring..."
>Silvershadow stands up.
>Silvershadow says, "Now if any among you wish to honor zeus this day step forward."
>Gabit strides over to stand before Silvershadow.
>You stride over to stand before Silvershadow.
>With a resolved look, Silvershadow waves a graceful hand over the face of Gabit while speaking, "Let the blessing of Zeus be upon you."
>Trinta strides over to stand before Silvershadow.
>With a resolved look, Silvershadow waves a graceful hand over the face of Trinta while speaking, "Let the blessing of Zeus be upon you."
>With a resolved look, Silvershadow waves a graceful hand over the face of Becca while speaking, "Let the blessing of Zeus be upon you."
>With a resolved look, Silvershadow waves a graceful hand over your face while speaking, "Let the blessing of Zeus be upon you."
>Silvershadow puts a silver-etched cubit dagger in a black leather dagger sheath.
>(Silvershadow gets a cloth from his backpack and lightly ties his hand)
>Goldenmane asks, "Has everyone completed their devotions to Zeus?"
>Silvershadow nods.
>You follow Goldenmane who just went west.
[The Palace of Athens, Chamber of Iris]
A statue of Iris stands in the center of the chamber. It portrays a tall, willowy woman with strong features and wings, plated with pure gold, cascading down her back. Her robes of multi-layered textures carved from the stone brush against the floor. In her right hand she carries a caduceus.
Also here: Silvershadow, Llorien, Aldigold, Xxenos, Becca, Apollonius, Areseon, Alydyana, Bowhuntress, Vaage, Ingonish, Phalo, Angulus, Heartsong, Gabit, Maerrie, Swifthawk, Aleister, Lindy, Surana, Posidea, Hyzenthlay, Scheherazade, Renae, Trinta and Goldenmane.
Obvious exits: east.
>Scheherazade says, "alright, I didn't have much time to prepare and I'm not holy or anything but here goes"
>Scheherazade clears her throat.
>Scheherazade recites:
"From the North we gather,
From the sun-drenched mountain slopes,
Across the rich black earth of the fields we come -
By ones and twos, by threes and sevens,
White ankles gliding through the dew-kissed grass.
Among the shade of the trees in the forest grove,
We raise a temple built from light."
>Scheherazade recites:
"From the East we gather,
From the saffron gates of dawn
Across the open plain we run like mares,
Swift as thought, sure as rain,
Laughing through meadows, shouting through woodlands,
Whistling through golden seas of wheat
We sing our hymns of joy and praise."
>Scheherazade recites:
"From the South we gather,
From the warm bare-limbed lands,
Dancing like wavering flames,
Opening our arms and hearts like roses in bloom.
Our eyes flashing like shooting stars,
Our bodies glowing like candles,
We kindle the sacred fire on the altar."
>Scheherazade recites:
"From the West we gather,
From the salt-sprayed sandy shore,
Flowing in like the surging tide,
Rippling across the dunes,
Gently rocking in each others' arms.
Unrolling a carpet of glowing colors,
We open the door to welcome her grace."
>A faint rainbow appears seeming to enfold the room, then gradually grows stronger until all the colors in the spectrum gleam.
>Scheherazade recites:
"Sing, O Muse, of rainbow-clad Iris,
Who stirs sweet longing in the heart of Night
And brings heat to the breath of Day.
The beasts and birds all hearken to Her call.
Her smile inspires to joyful propagation
All creatures born of land and sea and air
A moment free of fear, in love they mingle,
Gently held in beaneath Iris's wing."
>Scheherazade recites:
"Long ago, both Night and Day were Thine,
The Evening Star struck terror, and desire
The Morning Shine bringing from her sweet blushes
That were spent upon your sacrificial pyre.
But then the jealous claws of Time
Spent his rage against the sky lovers.
You brought them together with dawn's early kiss.
And once again at night with evenings fall."
>Scheherazade recites:
"Great Iris, your messages come from on high
Far up from Olympus to mortals upon earth
Your compassion sparks colors of love in the sky
And your unity gives the rainbows their birth."
>Scheherazade recites:
"Iris heavenly,
Come from the stars, come at our call.
Iris far-shining,
Come from the sky, come at our call.
Iris on the sea,
Come from the ocean, come at our call."
>Scheherazade recites:
"Iris upon the graves,
Come from the earth, come at our call.
Iris in the garden,
Come from the flowers, come at our call.
Iris rainbow goddess,
Come to us, come at our call."
>Scheherazade recites:
"The wind sighs, then the night is still. "
>Scheherazade recites:
"The hearth fire fades to dim embers."
>Scheherazade recites:
"The sea grows calm, and keeps its own counsel."
>Scheherazade recites:
"The silent earth sleeps underfoot."
>Scheherazade recites:
"The rainbow Goddess smiles, and with a soft kiss,
Withdraws to the realm of the Gods,
As we return to the mortal realm.
While the rainbow colors kiss the sky,
May Thine ancient power abide."
>Scheherazade bows.
>Iris says, "Thank you my daughter. May you and your friends prosper this Springtime."