The Imbibement of Bahamut

"The wine is indicative of your inherited wealth. It shall help to maintain prosperity in your lands. But as with any good wine, one must not drink it all up at once. It is something to be savored and valued."
The Platinum Priestess takes an ornate chalice made from silver, and slowly pours wine into it. The deep red of the wine reflects the candlelight from around the room, glistening slightly.
"Bahamut's hand pours wealth into Askon, just as I pour wine into this cup. Never forget why you have the wealth that you do."
The Platinum Priestess placed the chalice on the small table in front of her with reverence and respect. In the soft candlelight, it is impossible to see any of her features under the hood she wears.
"The ash is indicative of so many that are lost under your rule. While the wine may absorb some of the ash, mixing with it, there will also be some solid ash clumped in the bottom of the chalice. Much like your kingdom, which the poor, diseased, and the hungry will weigh heavy on your mind and constantly remind you that there will always be unpleasant parts of your kingdom. This ash is from one of the least fortunate areas of Qore. Bahamut's foot has walked upon the ash and brought the injustice of the downtrodden people to light, just as I sprinkle the ash on top of the precious wine. Never lose sight of your least fortunate subjects."
She lightly sprinkles the ash on top of the deep red wine. Viktor grimaces. He does not understand why this ritual was necessary at all. Ash in wine is just disgraceful. He hates that his best friend has to drink this swill.
"Fertile soil represents you, my Holy Heir. You are new life that is being breathed into the kingdom. As of now, no seeds have yet been planted. But as you reign, the fruit of your efforts will be laid bare for all to see. Never overlook the importance of any decision made by you. While you may not see results immediately, all good things come to those who wait... and bad things, likewise. Be wise."
A pinch of healthy looking soil was placed in the wine with ash. Viktor, again, does not understand this. Just as he makes a sour face, he was jolted to attention when the sound of a blade being drawn rings out in the small room. Instinctively, he draws his own blade.
"You shall not harm my lord. Sheath your blade at once!" Viktor demanded.
"Lord Mossward, your loyalty is noted and appreciated. But I assure you, we mean no harm to the holy heir. Please, sheath your weapon so we may continue the ritual." The Platinum Priestess states this as if she is almost bored. There was no stress in her voice.
Viktor looks over at his best friend for confirmation. Marcus looks up at him and nods solemnly. Without any other convincing, Viktor sheaths his sword.
"Very good. Now, holy heir, the last ingredient we need for the ritual is blood."
Viktor tenses and pensively looks at his friend for action. Marcus does not budge.
"Holy Priestess, if you require my blood, then you shall have it, as my uncle gave to you before me, and his father gave to you before him." Marcus stated firmly and formally.
The Platinum Priestess shook her head slightly from side to side. "My Holy Heir, your blood already runs with the blood of Bahamut. Spilling your own blood will not help you in this ritual." She turns slightly towards Viktor. "But the blood of your most valued comrade will represent many things: it will represent the importance of trust and how one cannot rule alone. It will represent the sacrifice you must make as king. It will also solidify Lord Mossward's position as your blood brother. His new position would be of Blade of the King."
Marcus reacted to this slightly, but tried to maintain his composure. "He shall not be severely injured, I hope?"
The Priestess, once again, smiled under her hood. "It is but a slice in the palm, my Holy Heir. He shall recover within a few hours if he seeks out a healer."
Viktor extends his right hand with his palm facing upwards. "If it is for my lord, I will graciously provide my blood." Viktor says this with sincerity, but still has reservations about the ritual as a whole. He is loyal to his friend, but has a hard time swallowing the cult like mentality of this Priestess.
With a reverend nod, the Priestess stands and holds an ornate silver dagger out in Viktor's palms. With one quick motion, blood began to spill from his hand and into the chalice. Viktor flinched just ever so slightly, but his face did not change expression. It was something Marcus admired of his friend. He had a great resolve about him.
Once enough blood had accumulated in the cup, the Priestess closed his hand into a fist. She held her other arm out to one of her high priests, who provided her with a band of cloth. She presented this to Viktor, who took it and began binding his hand. "Lord Mossward, you must leave us now, for this part is not to be witness by The Blade." After some hesitation, Viktor was escorted outside of the small, dimly lit room.
"Now my Holy Heir, take of this cup, the embodiment of your future kingdom. Take in the good with the bad. Experience all that your reign will have to offer. Under Bahamut's Wings and by his blessings, you shall become a powerful and just king." The Priestess lifts the chalice and presents it reverently to Marcus. He takes of the cup and drinks. Before long, his vision begins to fade...

History

Although the exact origin may have been lost to time, it can be traced back to the beginning of the Barrington reign in Askon, which started approximately 400 years prior to the events of the campaign. It started as a closed door ritual to name the next heir to the throne after the previous one had passed away. It's main goal was to signify that the new heir understood and respected the position they were taking, which many believe to be a direct link to a divine power. However, many in the kingdom (while they respect the idea of a Holy King) view most of the religious aspect as tradition rather than truth. The ritual itself is kept very much a secret, but some assume it has to do with ingesting something.

Execution

The Holy King to be is escorted in a chamber with the Platinum Priestess, a few high priests, and one of the King's most trusted companions, at his choice. The Platinum Priestess procures wine from the most reputable source in town prior to the ceremony. She has some of her priests gather ash from fires made in the slums of the city. From the castle grounds, she finds the most fertile soil. She combines these three items, stating that it represents the wealth of the kingdom that the new king is inheriting (wine), but adding in the potential displeasure of famine, disease, and poverty (ash). However, each new king brings new life into the kingdom (soil). The last ingredient will be representative of death and war. The king's companion will be instructed to hold out their hand over the wine. The Platinum Priestess will produce a ceremonial blade, called Bahamut's Fang, and cut the palm of the companion, bleeding it into the wine. This represents the blood that shall be shed by the Holy King, but also represents a blood bond between King and Bahamut's Hand (chief adviser to the King). After taking the mixture in, the new King will allegedly undergo some type of trance or hallucination. This is not confirmed by anyone in the kingdom and is simply a rumor, but even rumors hold truths.

Components and tools

Wine procured personally by the Platinum Priestess from only the most reputable source. Ash procured by the priests from the slums of the city. Soil procured personally by the Platinum Priestess from the Castle Grounds. Blood given by a companion to the new king.

Participants

The Platinum Priestess Two High Priests The New Heir to the Throne Companion to the New Heir

Observance

They take place as soon as the old heir dies, usually within a week. This is not a ritual the public can see.

Primary Related Location

Bahamut's Citadel