The Second Reading - Bera
The words of the book blur and a scene appears; a castle courtyard, decorated for some kind of celebration. Sunny day, blue skies.
Priest in one area, Druidic figures in another. Elves and humans are mingling around. A canopy set up over the cobblestones of the courtyard, in the centre. Seems to be a focal point of sorts. Made of red cloth, held up by 4 poles and a central strut. The cobblestones are newly laid. 5 or 6 stones are missing, but fancy worksman tools are in a box nearby.
Bera speaks to the priest. Clothes look old fashioned, but similar to what Shasti described from her encounter in the book. Bera goes to speak to the Druidic figures. There’s some tension between the two sides as to who should or should not be here.
The ceremony is to bless a hearth.
Bera goes to speak to the Elves and asks again about the ceremony. Elf turns hostile and states they’ve been requested. Definite tensions in the area.
A commotion heralds the arrival of Strahd. Looks much older than when Shasti saw him previously. Rahadin looks exactly the same.
This is Castle Ravenloft - recently completed. Wants the place to be a place of justice. Will lay the final cobblestones to mark its completion. Both the Druids and the Priests will bless the castle.
Druids go first. Mutters and murmurs from the humans in the crowd, some seem uncomfortable. The three figures lift their veils; one wears an inantler headdress, one has painted to additional pairs of eyes (forehead and cheeks), one has drawn on her hands very intricate swirling patterns.
They make a triangle around the cobblestones and begin the ceremony (burning exotic flowers - Feywild related, might have a similar effect to mushrooms encountered previously). Smoke gathers under the canopy. Six eyes lifts spindle and a distaff and moves them through the air, a magic thread appears as she weaves runes of protection. Third figure holds a shallow bowl and an ivory/bone knife. Calls forward a young acolyte, who kneels. She cuts his arm and collects his blood. Uses it to sprinkle patterns on the ground, and the blood seems to have burnt the pattern into the ground. Druids bow in Strahd’s direction, bow slightly to the Elves.
Strahd calls Father Andral to lead the prayers of the Dawn Father. Much more traditional blessing for a new building.
Strahd thanks everyone for attending once both blessings are done. Informs everyone his father has died, but Strahd will not be crowned until he is married, in line with their tradition.
Bera talks to the acolyte about the ritual. “When blood is shed, prophecy is always involved.” The Weaver, The Hunter and The Seeker rarely come together. They favoured the old rulers but accept the current situation.
Priest in one area, Druidic figures in another. Elves and humans are mingling around. A canopy set up over the cobblestones of the courtyard, in the centre. Seems to be a focal point of sorts. Made of red cloth, held up by 4 poles and a central strut. The cobblestones are newly laid. 5 or 6 stones are missing, but fancy worksman tools are in a box nearby.
Bera speaks to the priest. Clothes look old fashioned, but similar to what Shasti described from her encounter in the book. Bera goes to speak to the Druidic figures. There’s some tension between the two sides as to who should or should not be here.
The ceremony is to bless a hearth.
Bera goes to speak to the Elves and asks again about the ceremony. Elf turns hostile and states they’ve been requested. Definite tensions in the area.
A commotion heralds the arrival of Strahd. Looks much older than when Shasti saw him previously. Rahadin looks exactly the same.
This is Castle Ravenloft - recently completed. Wants the place to be a place of justice. Will lay the final cobblestones to mark its completion. Both the Druids and the Priests will bless the castle.
Druids go first. Mutters and murmurs from the humans in the crowd, some seem uncomfortable. The three figures lift their veils; one wears an inantler headdress, one has painted to additional pairs of eyes (forehead and cheeks), one has drawn on her hands very intricate swirling patterns.
They make a triangle around the cobblestones and begin the ceremony (burning exotic flowers - Feywild related, might have a similar effect to mushrooms encountered previously). Smoke gathers under the canopy. Six eyes lifts spindle and a distaff and moves them through the air, a magic thread appears as she weaves runes of protection. Third figure holds a shallow bowl and an ivory/bone knife. Calls forward a young acolyte, who kneels. She cuts his arm and collects his blood. Uses it to sprinkle patterns on the ground, and the blood seems to have burnt the pattern into the ground. Druids bow in Strahd’s direction, bow slightly to the Elves.
Strahd calls Father Andral to lead the prayers of the Dawn Father. Much more traditional blessing for a new building.
Strahd thanks everyone for attending once both blessings are done. Informs everyone his father has died, but Strahd will not be crowned until he is married, in line with their tradition.
Bera talks to the acolyte about the ritual. “When blood is shed, prophecy is always involved.” The Weaver, The Hunter and The Seeker rarely come together. They favoured the old rulers but accept the current situation.
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