The Emberbirth Rite
"From ash to flame, from flesh to fire—may Shayna drink deep of the soul made pure through torment."
Effect
Side/Secondary Effects
Manifestation
The ritual takes place in a chapel created specifically for the task, with writhing, flame-drunk figures of infernal incantations carved into the curving walls of the dome shaped structure. An altar of lava-veined obsidian must be used by the leader of the rite, a priest called The Ash Tongued Cantor, and a well of lava must be created in the floor before the main altar. Across from this well of Lava, a sacrificial altar called The Emberthrone, designed with proper drainage and ergonomics in mind, is set up for the Flensers, who perform the sacrifice at the priest's bidding.
The sacrifice, called The Chained Soul, is gagged with an ash-imbued cloth and chained to the sacrificial altar with silver manacles, opposite the lava well from the obsidian altar. The Chained Soul has been shaven clean (including all facial and body hair) before the ritual, and as the Infernal and Primordial chanting of the Ash Tongued Chanter begins, the raw canvas of The Chained Soul's flesh is defiled with a serrated dagger called The Emberbrand. Using it, spiraling symbols meant to map the route the soul will take through Shayna's tortuous domain are carved into the living skin of the sacrifice by the Flensers. The Infernal Ember, a charcoal human heart that has been lit afire, is placed onto the The Chained Soul's chest wound as the Cantor's chanting reaches a screaming crescendo.
Shayna's sigil, the disembodied wings of a red dragon, appear in the air over the sacrifice at this point in the rite, and flames erupt from the body but do not consume it. A dragon shaped shadow appears from the smoke of the sacrifice's burning blood, opening its maw wide. The Chained Soul's essence is sucked into the gaping mouth, and in the body's place is left a Twisted Ember Wight.
Source
Comments