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Post by Diocles on Jan 5, 2021 4:23:02 GMT
In the "morning", Petemet, priest of Galadrin, is waiting for you on the freshly-washed stone steps of his humble temple. He welcomes you with a smile. "It's not much," he says, gesturing to the small yet beautiful temple, "compared to what you've seen in Arinport, but we love these old walls."
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Post by Storyteller on Jan 5, 2021 4:51:40 GMT
"They are beautiful," I say honestly. "And I am grateful for your taking time to meet with me. I know that in such a difficult period you must be very busy with the townsfolk."
(What sort of priest of Galadrin is he? Can I tell? Roll Religion or Etiquette or Heraldry? I have all...)
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Post by Diocles on Jan 5, 2021 4:52:10 GMT
religion check
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Post by Storyteller on Jan 5, 2021 4:56:35 GMT
(Made it)
I try to make out what Path of Galadrin this is so that I know how to address the priest.
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Post by Diocles on Jan 5, 2021 4:57:20 GMT
He follows the Path of the Sea, so he is a Mariner. But it's curious that he, being of the Sea, would oppose the institution of the Sacrifice.
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Post by Storyteller on Jan 5, 2021 5:00:43 GMT
That question fascinates me, and I wonder if he perhaps knew a Sacrifice, too?
"Mariner," I say, curtsying. "Would you be able to spend some time with a would-be follower of Galadrin? There is so much I want to know--and I want to sacrifice on behalf of Iritari, the Sacrifice I loved. I love him still, and I will be bold to say it, even though I am a girl."
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Post by Diocles on Jan 5, 2021 5:03:46 GMT
"Of course I have time. That's why I have agreed to meet you here this morning. But what do you mean, a would-be follower? If you are making offerings to Galadrin, do you not already follow him?" Petemet takes you by the hand and leads you into the warmth of the temple interior where a fire burns.
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Post by Storyteller on Jan 5, 2021 5:08:01 GMT
"If that is enough, then I am a follower," I say. "I am still learning about the ways of Galadrin. Perhaps this might seem like a leap to a later lesson, but would you please share your wisdom concerning Sacrifices with me? So that I might be able to make the best sacrifice I could, on Iritari's behalf..."
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Post by Diocles on Jan 5, 2021 5:10:17 GMT
Petemet stares into your eyes and muses and at last says with a wry smile, "I would not wish to upset your faith, little one! Perhaps it's best I keep my unorthodox opinions to myself."
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Post by Storyteller on Jan 5, 2021 5:14:06 GMT
I look down, and my sorrow swells. "I have seen Iritari. Even if I never see him again, the fact that I once saw him, is enough to make me grateful to Galadrin forever. Iritari was made. For the sight of his dark eyes, the whole world's creation is explained. If you were to say to me that the sun will never return because the whole world has fulfilled its purpose in letting Iritari exist for a space, then I would say to you that the world's purpose was a glorious one, one well worth its making for. Add to this, that I was once permitted to kiss the peerless glory that is Iritari, and I do not think that you could shake my faith."
I look up into his face, and my eyes are gleaming with tears.
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Post by Diocles on Jan 5, 2021 5:16:37 GMT
"Do you think it was necessary for your one true love to go to his doom beneath the waves?"
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Post by Storyteller on Jan 5, 2021 5:20:18 GMT
I look at him. "I do not know how it might have worked in some other way, but the Ithacul who came for the ship, without Iritari, then they would have sunk the whole ship--and still my beloved would have gone beneath the sea. So in practice, Iritari gave himself for all who were aboard that ship. In theory--that is what I asked you to teach me. My heart broke when Iritari was taken, and my eyes are darkened. But what is that in comparison to what my Iritari had to endure?"
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Post by Diocles on Jan 5, 2021 5:23:15 GMT
"Though it might seem paradoxical for you to hear this, I must say that there are many of us who walk the Path of the Sea who say Sacrifices are not necessary, merely expedient for the maintenance of trade." He leaves his criticism of his Trade Path brothers unspoken.
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Post by Storyteller on Jan 5, 2021 5:26:19 GMT
"So that if the Ithacul came, it would be simply the loss of the ship with all hands?" I ask. I am not being in any way disrespectful in tone, for I would dearly have loved to have gone down hand-in-hand with Iritari, but I would not have wanted all the ship's crew's deaths on my head.
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Post by Diocles on Jan 5, 2021 5:27:32 GMT
"No, no, little one," Petemet says with a warm smile, "it's just that perhaps there'd be some greater attempts at negotiation and not taking the expedient path of appeasement." He shakes his head. "Anyway, let us make your sacrifice for your Iritari."
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