Narissa nods her head sharply. "Lady," she queries, "Is the gathering to your approval? Shall I proceed?".
Xanthe, the goddess of vengeance says, "Yes, Narissa, you may proceed".
Narissa bows her head, entering a small trance. Her voice low, she begins to intone sacred words. "Now is the time, Midsummer is upon us.".
Narissa continues her chant. "Here is the place, the divine altar of Vengeance.".
Narissa quickly raises her head, releasing herself from the short trance. "Now is the time and here is the place," she repeats.
Narissa looks around at the congregation. "Of the gathered, there is one worthy, here," she intones, her voice reaching the dark shadows of the room.
Xanthe, the goddess of vengeance says, "Krystal step forward".
Shadows wreathe themselves about Krystal's body, forming a nimbus of darkness about her form.
Krystal walks before the room.
Narissa nods her head at Krystal.
Narissa says, "Krystal, you have proven yourself beyond all measure - not only have you mastered combat, you have proven yourself an apt administrator of the Lady's Vengeance".
Narissa bows her head again, kneeling before the Lady.
Krystal kneels before the might of her patron, Xanthe, the goddess of vengeance.
A crimson aura surrounds Narissa for a moment, clearly the touch of the goddess, as she proceeds in her duties.
Narissa rises, facing Krystal.
Narissa regards the bard with a harsh demeanor. "Why do you fight?" she asks, simply.
Krystal says, "I fight for my Lady. Goddess of Vengeance".
Narissa tips her head in acknowledgement. "But what do the deaths you produce mean?" she presses.
Krystal says, "They give essence and strength to Our Order".
A heavy feeling fills the room, one of anticipation and question. Shadows crawl from the corners to lap at Krystal's feet, both menacing and comforting in their aggression.
Krystal says, "They bring the meaning to everyones mind the strength of our Goddess".
Narissa nods her head slow.
Narissa says, "And what is that goal, that divine aspect we seek, with the Lady?".
Narissa regards Krystal with an open expression, her demeanor, for once, candid and listening.
Krystal says, "To not wait for fortune to come to us, grasp it from the hands of our enemies".
The shadows subside with an audible sigh, one of contentment and approval. The room returns to its brighter luster.
Narissa nods her head at Krystal.
Narissa says, "Indeed".
Narissa turns to the Lady, bowing her face before the visage of the Divine.
Narissa keeps her head bowed as she addresses the Goddess. "Lady, Krystal has fought for Vengeance with every fibre of her being," she enthuses. "Her very essence is tied with Yours, as combat regards.".
Xanthe, the goddess of vengeance nods her head slowly at Narissa in agreement.
Narissa stares at the throne of Vengeance shortly, before searching the audience. After a short pause, she continues. "I would petition she become the first of a new rank, a new order of Xanthites...".
Narissa lets her voice trail off, as she scans the far corners of the room.
Someone gets down on his hands and knees and kneels before Xanthe, the goddess of vengeance.
Krystal gets down on her hands and knees and kneels before Xanthe, the goddess of vengeance.
Narissa recovers her poise. "I know your will in this, Lady," she murmurs, "I nominate Krystal as the first "Might of Vengeance.".
Xanthe, the goddess of vengeance's face breaks into an encouraging smile.
Narissa smiles briefly, regarding the congregation, as she gives Krystal a brief friendly flashing smile.
Narissa tells Krystal, "Don't hate me!".
Narissa tells Krystal, "It will work out! Trust me!".
Krystal says, "I would never hate my Priestess".
Without warning the shadows wreathing the room rise up, enveloping the Believer. Within moments, her form is obscured by crimson shadows, vibrantly pulsing in wait of the Lady's command.
Narissa kneels before Krystal, her visage a confusing mixture of uncertainty and exaultation. "Perhaps the Lady favours this choice," she hazards, her eyes shifting to the Throne of Vengeance.
Narissa purses her lips, uncertainly. "I was sure I was right in this suggestion," she murmurs...
Without warning, the room drops in temperature, chill freezing your bones. Krystal, seemingly impervious to this change, rises up, hovering on a Divine aura. As the crimson aura around her fades, a voice can be heard echoing throughout the halls, "I approve - let her be my strength!
Narissa drops into a low curtsey before the throne. "You will, Lady!" she shouts, in obvious delight.
A clarion trumpet proclaims Krystal as a worthy holder of the title "Might of Vengeance." May her foes be prepared.
Krystal opens her eyes wide and says, "Wow!".
Soft shadows recede to the corners of the hall, the room suddenly welcoming, instead of the harsh and frightening aspect the ritual gave.
Narissa inclines her head to Krystal, a broad smile on her face. "Wear the title proudly, wear it boldy," she states, "For few are worthy of it, and you have earned the name.".
Xanthe, the goddess of vengeance gives Krystal an encouraging smile.
Krystal says, "I will my Priestess. Thank You my Lady!".
Krystal bows respectfully to Xanthe, the goddess of vengeance.
As if in celebration, a scarlet surge of shadow sweeps over the room, enveloping the worshippers, and imbuing them with a feeling a divine contentment.
Xanthe, the goddess of vengeance says, "Congratulations Krystal. You've earned it many times over".
----------
Narissa says, "For those confused on what happened".
Narissa says, "Krystal was just appointed a new rank in the Order - the Might of Vengeance".
Narissa says, "That means she represents Vengeance in combat".
Narissa says, "As of now, only she can claim this title".
Narissa says, "It is rare".
Xanthe, the goddess of vengeance nods her head at Narissa.
Narissa says, "Others will earn it, but all will be worthy the rank".
Narissa says, "Only the best fighters in Vengeance can earn this".
Narissa says, "It is quite a great goal. Well done, Krystal!".
Xanthe, the goddess of vengeance says, "I am very proud for you to be the first, Krystal".
Krystal says, "I will not fail You".
Xanthe, the goddess of vengeance says, "I know you won't".
