Nightingale Dagger: Ritual Consecration

Zarialle

So I designed a dagger for rituals in use with Lady Drocilla's Order. But, I figured, a ritual/ceremonial tool should be consecrated somehow. Yay, opportunity for a ritual! I like my rituals interactive so I had to wait for people to be around. 

I hope you enjoy the log as much as I enjoyed putting it together. I don't post to the forums much (sat on this a couple days deciding whether to post) but wanted to share and take the opportunity to thank the participants for making this fun for me: @Yarou @Sylvanas @Milune @Gavriel @Vhaedryn @Othero

Also some love for @Nikkakorra who genuinely wanted to attend when I first tried to gather people days before but timing was not on our side!

And of course, thanks to @Drocilla for giving us reasons to gather and shed blood in Her name. :-bd 

(What's a Magnagoran ritual without some blood, right?)

=================================================================

(The Evanescent): You say, "Please gather at our Lady's Fulcrux."

Gavriel folds his wings around his body, wrapping himself in a feathered embrace.

You reach out and touch a bewitching censer smouldering with lavender flames.

Your fingers tingle pleasantly as you trace the outline of your earlobe, 

fingertips gliding against the hazy mistglass. The entrancing melody of the 

censer swells in your ear, soothing and empowering at once.

With a flourish of his arm, Vhaedryn bows deeply.

You say, "Please talk amongst yourselves. The Crescendo shall arrive momentarily."

Othero positions himself near the wall, standing near one of the ornate windows, 

and waits while watching the open antechamber.

(The Evanescent): You say, "Yarou, please attend at the Lady's Fulcrux, you may 

teleport to me."

Yarou curtseys gracefully.

Blandly, Mystagogue Gavriel d'Vanecu, of Intrinsic Ire says, "Crescendo."

The surface of the portal ripples as a figure encased within liquid gold emerges.

 As the gold recedes back into the portal, the form of Sylvanas is revealed, her 

eyes shining in utter rapture.

Gavriel creases his brow in a frown.

Sylvanas inclines her head politely to those around her.

You say to Gavriel, "Not quite psychic yet Mystagogue."

You have emoted: Zarialle's lips turn upward in a crooked grin, eyes alight with 

a dangerous kind of mischief.

Pointing between Sylvanas and Yarou, Mystagogue Gavriel d'Vanecu, of Intrinsic 

Ire says, "Rather, reversed. Never you mind."

The ghost of a smile passes fleetingly across Yarou's lips.

You cease wielding a baroque violin of wine red rosewood in your left hand.

You cease wielding a vespertine whip of the Dread Enchantress in your right hand.

Othero ceases to wield a golden whip of the pious in his right hand.

You say, "Thank you Evanescent for partaking in this ritual. It is the first of 

its kind as we consecrate this dagger to Her Service."

You begin to wield a nightingale ritual dagger in your left hand.

You have emoted: Zarialle raises the nightingale dagger high so all may see and 

witness.

~~~

Impeccable artisan crystal of lavender crowns this dagger with a

vitreous blade and, through meticulous care, retains an immaculate

cleanliness between uses. Much like the Enchantress' own exquisitely

taloned finger, this ritual accoutrement is an extension of Her exaction

with dual edges honed masterfully for efficacious slicing and piercing

of proffered, sacrificial flesh. Despite the atypical composition, the

blade is lethal when required while exuding a sleek, vespertine

elegance. Scintillating and lustrous, white copper comprises the hilt,

ergonomically fashioned with undulating handholds. Sculpted into an

elongated caricature, the handle is a volant nightingale with the head

centred on both front and back of the shaft-side crossguard. The replica

avian's wings are outspread, showcasing its plumage and beauteous

craftsmanship, to form the quillon. To ensure a steadfast grip, a

slender length of leather swathes the hilt, its alabaster hue

complementing the burnished metal. On the pommel a censer facsimile with

splinters of lavender crystal simulating flame consummates this

ceremonial implement branding it indelibly and exclusively in service to

Lady Drocilla.

~~~

You intone, "By Her power and grace we are given this dagger to implement Her 

will. But it is not yet ready. We Evanescent are here now to bless its service 

to the Lady Enchantress."

You have emoted: Zarialle motions for each of the assembled Evanescent to gather 

in a circle around the master shrine of Drocilla. Speaking clearly and with much 

reverence, Zarialle says, "Please join me Evanescent in a ritual circle around 

Her master shrine."

Yarou obediently moves to join the ritual circle, taking her place beside you.

Prayer beads in hand, Gavriel steps to one side of the Lady's shrine.

Othero d'Vanecu steps away from the wall and takes a place beside you.

Sylvanas moves to join the circle, smiling faintly.

Vhaedryn enters the circle with a flourish.

You have emoted: Zarialle nods approvingly then moves to the head of the 

gathering and places the nightingale dagger into the holy ground, walking around 

the attendees to enclose them within the ground-carved circle.

Wiping the blade clean with a piece of cloth, you say, "We are now enclosed as 

one, Her Evanescent, united in a single goal."

You have emoted: Zarialle turns her back upon the gathering and kneels before 

the master shrine reverently. With an authoritative tone, Zarialle says, "Kneel 

before this manifestation of Her strength and power."

You kneel before the master shrine of Drocilla, swearing your allegiance to it.

Vhaedryn kneels before the master shrine of Drocilla, swearing his allegiance to it.

Yarou kneels before the master shrine of Drocilla, swearing her allegiance to it.

Gavriel thuds to one knee, head bowed.

Sylvanas kneels before the master shrine of Drocilla, swearing her allegiance to it.

Sylvanas stands up and stretches her arms out wide.

Sylvanas coughs softly.

Othero kneels before the master shrine of Drocilla, his head bowed in prayer.

Sylvanas kneels before the master shrine of Drocilla, swearing her allegiance to it.

You have emoted: Zarialle rises as she hears the final person kneel and moves 

amongst the gathering once more, using a dab of jasmine oil to anoint each one. 

Using her finger, taking great care, she outlines the symbol of a nightingale 

upon each Evanescent's brow.

You stand up and stretch your arms out wide.

Finished with the anointing and standing before the assemblage, you say, "You 

are each anointed and prepared now. The dagger can only be blessed by your 

Devotion. As I come to you, bespeak a prayer to Her. It need not be lengthy. 

But! It must be personal. It must be true."

You have emoted: Zarialle returns to face the master shrine and bathes the 

nightingale dagger in the wafting lavender smoke, watching as each censer's 

smoke embraces the dagger and warms its crystalline blade.

You have emoted: Zarialle walks towards the first Evanescent with a benevolent 

and refined smile that does not touch her eyes.

You have emoted: Zarialle places the very tip of the nightingale dagger gently 

upon Othero's lower lip, not yet drawing blood, but with the intent of allowing 

it do so with the prayer to be spoken. Imperiously, with a stern and commanding 

tone, despite the soft volume, Zarialle whispers, "Bespeak your devotion and 

bathe Her dagger with your words."

Slowly, letting the dagger cut shallow into his lip, Seditionist Othero d'Vanecu,

 Dark Star says, "I pray that I will be given the seat Lady Drocilla has tempted 

me with."

You have emoted: Zarialle nods, smiling in a refined manner that does not quite 

touch her eyes as she moves towards Yarou.

You have emoted: Zarialle places the very tip of the nightingale dagger gently 

upon Yarou's lower lip, not yet drawing blood, but with the intent of allowing 

it do so with the prayer to be spoken. Imperiously, with a stern and commanding 

tone, despite the soft volume, Zarialle whispers, "Bespeak your devotion and 

bathe Her dagger with your words."

Gavriel d'Vanecu brushes blackened fingers over the back of his neck as you 

continues your rounds.

Yarou winces as the dagger slices into her lower lip, deeper than perhaps 

intended. But her brow creases with determination and she speaks her prayer 

distinctly, despite the downpour of blood. "I pray that I will find my proper 

place within the Lady's Order, the place that only I can fill. The place that I 

will be able to best serve Her, as She deserves and more."

(The Evanescent): Milune says, "Greetings Evanescent."

Gavriel removes an antiqued nighthawk mask with a cowl of preserved petals.

You have emoted: Zarialle graces Yarou with a pleased smile and gently pecks her 

cheek as she removes the dagger, turning swiftly to the next Evanescent, Sylvanas.

(The Evanescent): Othero says, "Hail, Milune. We are currently gathered in The 

Lady Enchantress' Fulcrux. We are part way through a ritual but you may be able 

to slip in."

You have emoted: Zarialle places the very tip of the nightingale dagger gently 

upon Sylvanas's lower lip, not yet drawing blood, but with the intent of 

allowing it do so with the prayer to be spoken. Imperiously, with a stern and 

commanding tone, despite the soft volume, Zarialle whispers, "Bespeak your 

devotion and bathe Her dagger with your words."

(The Evanescent): You say, "Aye, please do come, join our circle."

Sylvanas continues to kneel, no change to her facial expression as she speaks, 

"I pray that I am granted further wisdom to aide the Lady Enchantress and the 

city." Blood trickles down her face, and she does her best to ignore it.

You have emoted: Zarialle nods approvingly at Sylvanas, a warmth to her 

expression despite no other visible change. Without missing a beat, Zarialle 

gestures for Milune to take her place in the circle between Vhaedryn and Gavriel.

Gavriel d'Vanecu gestures to the empty space alongside him for Milune.

Milune nods and gently kneels down next to Gavriel.

You have emoted: Zarialle walks steadily towards Vhaedryn and readies the dagger 

for another offering.

You have emoted: Zarialle places the very tip of the nightingale dagger gently 

upon Vhaedryn's lower lip, not yet drawing blood, but with the intent of 

allowing it do so with the prayer to be spoken. Imperiously, with a stern and 

commanding tone, despite the soft volume, Zarialle whispers, "Bespeak your 

devotion and bathe Her dagger with your words."

Vhaedryn lurches forward eagerly, his violet eyes alight with feverish zeal as 

the blade slices open his lower lip, spilling blood all over the blade and down 

his chin. With a soft moan he indulges in the ecstasy of the pain, rolling his 

eyes back before he murmurs, "May the Lady bless me with Her divine vision, that 

I may bring about the blissful End.. the Everdusk. Let the world tremble 'neath 

Her power, and let mine be the hand that delivers unto Her this world".

You have emoted: Zarialle quirks the edges of her lips in a grin and nods to 

Vhaedryn, understanding the zeal, and turns to the next in line, Gavriel.

You have emoted: Zarialle places the very tip of the nightingale dagger gently 

upon Gavriel's lower lip, not yet drawing blood, but with the intent of allowing 

it do so with the prayer to be spoken. Imperiously, with a stern and commanding 

tone, despite the soft volume, Zarialle whispers, "Bespeak your devotion and 

bathe Her dagger with your words."

Gavriel shuts his eyes briefly, tongue creeping from his mouth to moisten his 

lips. His fingers grip the prayer strand more tightly, until his knuckles whiten 

against the beads.

Eyes fluttering open, words unwavering in his conviction, Mystagogue Gavriel 

d'Vanecu, of Intrinsic Ire says, "True Creatrix, bless this blade that we may 

cut free and discard the pieces of this world that You find so unfitting." He 

presses forward to cut himself upon the blade, old viscous blood creeping 

thickly along its edge. "May we be remade in Your image and, in turn, become 

Your transforming touch upon the world that so longs for You."

You have emoted: Zarialle smiles in a pleased and satisfied manner, nodding at 

the ferventness of the prayer and steps towards the final attendee, Milune.

You have emoted: Zarialle places the very tip of the nightingale dagger gently 

upon Milune's lower lip, not yet drawing blood, but with the intent of allowing 

it do so with the prayer to be spoken. Imperiously, with a stern and commanding 

tone, despite the soft volume, Zarialle whispers, "Bespeak your devotion and 

bathe Her dagger with your words."

Gavriel scrubs the heel of his hand over his mouth. The inky fluid smears, and 

he tugs his mask back into place.

Gavriel slips into an antiqued nighthawk mask with a cowl of preserved petals.

Nodding simply Milune takes a deep breath, puffing up slightly before speaking 

in a silky voice, "Lady, I devote myself to You. I wish to serve You well and 

earn Your wondrous blessings."

You have emoted: Zarialle nods approvingly, pleased and satisfied, as the 

lavender crystal blade seems to glow with an indigo light, absorbing the final 

Devotion.

You have emoted: Zarialle stands once more before the assembled Evanescent and 

joins the circle kneeling before the master shrine. She places the dagger upon 

her bottom lip, allowing blood to to be drawn, as she speaks, "Ever Yours, Ever 

Enchanted, Your Evanescent bless this dagger in Your Name."

You kneel before the master shrine of Drocilla, swearing your allegiance to it.

You have emoted: Zarialle moving the dagger towards her own throat, nicks the 

skin within the jugular notch, and drives the blade into the ground before the 

master shrine as an offering of the Evanescents' combined prayers and blood 

sacrifice.

Intoning in a manner to indicate all should accompany her blessing, you intone, 

"With our offering, this dagger be blessed, by Her Will and in Her Name, it will 

serve Her."

Words a whispered echo, Mystagogue Gavriel d'Vanecu, of Intrinsic Ire says, "In 

Her name, it will serve Her."

Yarou, Conductress of Discord murmurs, "In Her name, it will serve Her."

In a whisper, Seditionist Othero d'Vanecu, Dark Star says, "In Her name, it will 

serve Her."

Priest Vhaedryn d'Vanecu, the Black Keeper says, "In Her name, it will SERVE 

Her!"

Echoing softly, Cursed Crescendo Sylvanas, the Dark Lady says, "In Her name, it 

will serve Her."

You have emoted: Zarialle removes the dagger from the ground and places it 

within a nearby censer, burning away any grime, dirt, or blood, and watching as 

the blade glows a pleasing shade of white and lavender.

You have emoted: Zarialle anoints her entire hand in jasmine oil, then 

methodically wipes clean the carved circle, as a healer might apply salve to a 

wound, to release the energies with reverence.

Holding the dagger above her head as she stands before the master shrine, you 

say, "Thank you Evanescent, for your Devotion this day. You are all released and 

may now come up to make further sacrifice to our Lady with the dagger before you 

depart."