Game Date: 20 Leaffall-4 Yearwane, 994 KC; Play Date: 11/24/2001
[This session for Laylah alone, in order to get her caught up to the point Darra and Ruqayyah reached. See the Arcadayn Journal index page for Ruqayyah and Darra's perspectives during this time: Sessions #41-46 and 48-49 for Ruqayyah; #41-42 and 47 for Darra.]
20 Leaffall: Al-Zaki and Ruqayyah departed from Berigissel. Laylah found swan feathers to give darr and Al-Zaki, and gave Darra hers.
22 Leaffall: Master Volan and Mistress Roassa Dagni arrived in Berigissel. Laylah was included in the clerics' plans for the Asanos, because she wished to help, learn what she could, and stay busy.
29 Leaffall: The Asanos was moved from the vineyard to a shrine near Berigissel. Theolodia remained at the main temple; Pelmark guarded the shrine; Laylah spent her days at the temple and nights at the shrine.
30 Leaffall (Full Moon): Darra informed Laylah and Pelmark of her plans for the night. Laylah gave her blessing, and insisted that Darra come back.
1-2 Browning: Laylah heard that Darra gave Pelmark the obsidian disk for analysis; he repeated his report to her after informing Darra. [See Session #42.] A message arrived saying that Al-Zaki and Ruqayyah had returned, with some Duz. (Laylah was at the temple that evening, so missed Ruqayyah visiting the shrine that night.)
3 Browning: The next morning, Theolodia met with the Duz at the shrine. As they talked, Laylah caught up with her friends' news, including Ruqayyah's encounter with the obsidian disk and Darra and Al-Zaki's plans to help Yantos. [See Session #42.] Laylah gave Al-Zaki his feather, and a kiss, and said that she would enjoy seeing him again sometime. He promised to send word with Darra if he did not return himself.
4 Browning: Darra, Al-Zaki and Naima left Berigissel together.
8 Browning: Ruqayyah asked Laylah what she would need for a trip in the swamp--she wanted to see the lizard men and the sea. Laylah's list included: a guide, boots, rope, anti-poisons, drinking water, a hammock, and a very sharp knife. Ruqayyah left that day for a trip to the swamp and the sea.
9 Browning: Ruqayyah returned from the sea--with her body having been transformed into water, and an amnesiac women she found on the beach. Qutaibah helped return Ruqayyah to flesh and blood. [See Session #43.]
11 Browning: Afla informed Laylah that Ruqayyah planned to go to Ligabeth with "Star" (the amnesiac) and Sarah (the boat-owner who shared in her discovery), in the hopes of helping "Star" learn more about herself. They left the 12th.
In the meantime, Laylah learned the itinerary planned for the cleansing of the Asanos. The clerics would perform a ritual in each of the four ducal capitals, then a final ritual in the Imperial capital, Krynan. They would start in Berigissel itself, with a ritual on 24 Browning (full moon), during the Harvest Fair. Then they would travel to Mundec, where they would board a ship across the Sea of Krith. The other ducal-level rituals would be held in Grimfeld on 6 Yearwane (new moon), Bregmund the 12th (waxing half), and Gunrothric the 18th (full moon). Then, after a week of purification rites in Krynan starting on the 24th (waning half), the final ritual would be held at Year's End (the 30th, new moon). That day was Zukuvor's holy day, but would be immediately followed by 1 Darkblight, which was the winter solstice, the new year, and Doshonor's High Holy Day; the ritual would last the entire night bridging those two days. During these rituals, the clerics would be involved in re-consecrating the Asnos. The Duz (afla, Quitaibah, and Murshid) and Laylah would be observing, watching for trouble.
While in each capital, the clerics would need to meet with the Dukes, in order to secure their participation as observers representing their people. Theolodia and Laylah discussed whetehr Laylah should have any part in these meetings. They decided that she would not attend the original audience, and only if a Duke expressed a special interest in her would she have more contact than a brief introduction just before the ritual.
They also discussed appropriate garb for Laylah during this time. During the rituals, she would wear her gift-robe from Umar Ganirit; for travel (and audiences, if any), she would wear Celestian novice robes. During the preparations for the journey, Laylah was fit for several changes of robes, for both formal and daily wear, and she was encouraged to get accustomed to them as soon as she could. (Among other things, the new clothes would help her more easily blend in with the clerics, once she was used to them.) The novices' travel robes were gray and plain, while those worn in the temple were white with some blue decoration. (Solid blue garments, and rings of any kind, were reserved for ordained priests.)
When Laylah had no other duties, she danced as a form of prayer to Rashira--creating something beautiful to counteract the darkness. She did this in private, high places; Theolodia allowed her use of her observatory tower. She very carefully did not ask Rashira for anything, feeling the may need that help more later, for something, for important.
21-27 Browning: Harvest Fair in Berigissel.
22 Browning: Clerics' audience with Duke Rothrid of Westmarch.
24 Browning (Full Moon): Laylah was introduced to Rothrid before the ritual began. His Grace was a musician as well, so expressed an interest in her singing. She obliged him with a song, and he was appreciative, which made her much less nervous around him.
Because the ceremony in Berigissel was held in the main temple, during Harvest Fair, there were many observers, but only a very few knew the full import of the ritual. The clerics' actions went mostly according to plan. Laylah heard a hissing of snakes in her head; it was very strong at the beginning, fluctuated during the day, and dropped off near the end. After the ceremony ended, Laylah found a place to dance and calm down, then informed Pelmark about the snakes. He told the others.
28 Browning: The clerics' caravan left Berigissel. Laylah refused to ride in a wagon, so Pelmark made certain a horse was available for her to ride. While that was being arranged, she spoke with Theolodia's assistant, Norris, to help make the elderly priestess's journey more comfortable. (Laylah knew her of dislike of travel, and resolved to try to entertain and distract her on the road.)
29 Browning-4 Yearwane: Laylah was able to do quite a lot to ease Theolodia's journey, and was thanked profusely for her efforts. In the evenings, Qutaibah contributed to the entertainment with stories from his homeland.
During the journey to Mundec, Laylah sensed something going on between Afla and Qutaibah. Qutaibah was helping Afla improve her reading skills, and they seemed to linger in each other's company more and more. Soon after passing through Harwen (1 Yearwane), they quietly started sharing the same tent. Laylah approved, and carefully said nothing.
The Asanos was passed around among whoever was on watch at the time. Occasionally, the handler for a given night was not fit for much the next day. Laylah did not ask to carry it beyond her share of the rotation, in order to preserve her cheerful demeanor and better help the others cope.
Eventually, Theolodia broke the news to Laylah that she would be expected to meet the Paragons and the Emperor, and likely also the Empress and Crown Prince (Sidor, age 7). Laylah protested that she was not important--the thing was important. Theolodia stated that they both needed to be present; whether the encounter came to more than that remained to be seen. Theolodia confessed being nervous herself about all of these audiences--least so with Rothrid (with whom she had previous contact), most with the paragons (her direct superiors).
4 Yearwane: The caravan reached Mundec, and made preparations to board the ship to Grimfled.
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