Opening Ceremony -- Glomdoring's Solstice Festival, 548 CE

*** The following is a record of the Opening Ceremony of Glomdoring's Solstice Festival in the year 548 after the Coming of Estarra, which took place before the Master Ravenwood Tree within the Glomdoring. The theme of the Festival was Rebirth; a notion manifested within the ceremony's words and movements. Thus is how a member of the audience witnessed the Lady Haruspex Rancoura So'hthae's performance. ***

Rancoura sweeps forward in silence, reverently bearing a bundle of long, unlit torches in her arms. Thin, argent chains glint from the aphotic, silken skirt upon her hips and the anklet revealed by her steps, a silver-streaked black scarf winding around her waist.

A halter blouse reveals the pale flesh of her abdomen, strong yet smooth; every inch of her indigo-brushed skin is covered in violet-painted runes and symbols, and Rancoura moves with a smooth grace despite the burdens she carries.

Casting a jewel-toned lazuline gaze around for a moment before selecting a clearing amongst the crowd, Rancoura solemnly drives a torch into the ground at each of the four cardinal directions, twisting the ravenwood poles as she plunges their sharp points into the loam, the earth firmly packed by centuries of movement beneath the boughs of the Master Ravenwood. She leaves the torches unlit, disappearing into the darkness beneath the roots of the towering Tree.

As she emerges a moment later, the Wyrden Haruspex grasps a verdant branch of hemlock in each hand, the brush-like leaves of the evergreen hued a deep emerald. With swirling movements, Rancoura sweeps the boughs along the ground, brushing over the organic debris upon the forest's floor.

A stream of whispered prayers flow from Rancoura's pale lips as she circles the perimeter set by the standing torches, the names of Night, Crow, Idols, Shadowbeat and Dark Spirits amongst her invocations. Once the circle is complete, the Haruspex continues the trail towards its centre, setting the branches to rest at her feet.

Extending open palms at her sides, Rancoura's eyes flutter closed as she concludes her whispered communion, form stilling save for the immense, shadow-spun wings expanding slowly at her back. Unfurling like a cloak, their ethereal adumbration shifts and stirs in the wan breeze.

Suddenly, Rancoura snaps her fingers, and the torches flare to life with purple and black shadowflame.

The Haruspex's eyes slowly open, the last blue streaks seeping out as her irises shift into shades of violet, shadows of the same ebon and mauve flames flickering within their depths. "Welcome, Wyrdenkin, and those who come from beyond," Rancoura breathes, words a steady cadence that resonates amongst the dusky trees.

With a steady, melodic flow, Lady Haruspex Rancoura So'hthae, Ole'noc Caihel whispers, "As the Solstice draws near, the Glomdoring's borders are open to you, but beware: the Heart of Darkness lives, and it breathes, and it seeks."

In smooth, silken tones, Lady Haruspex Rancoura So'hthae, Ole'noc Caihel whispers, "Tread carefully through our woods, for the Wyrd fears not death. Death is but a new beginning, and the rhythm of the Shadowbeat paces the journey of Rebirth."

Rancoura gracefully bends to unwind a series of long strips of dark cloth from the handles of the hemlock boughs, arranging them in her grasp in a tassel-like array. The material is dusted with a curious, pale powder, already leaving thin clouds of particles in the air as the Haruspex organizes them.

Rising to the balls of her feet, Rancoura crosses her wrists high above her head and arches her slender form. "We dance these steps, in peace and war," she continues, her voice silken. "The storm crescendos as it ruins, the snows ferry death as they fall; yet new life thrums as it abates, awaiting the time of its emergence."

Drawing a breath, Lady Haruspex Rancoura So'hthae, Ole'noc Caihel whispers, "So does the Solstice portend; and this Rebirth we celebrate, for it is ours to transcend."

Rancoura lapses into a momentary silence, allowing the distant beating of the Drums of the Dead to fill the quietude. With a faint, knowing smile, her eyes close once more, chest rising as she draws a deep breath, bated with anticipation.

Seamlessly, the demidivine descends in a graceful movement, moving with the thumping rhythm and swooping forward, torso curved towards the ground as she draws the cloth tassels through the air. Rancoura swirls the strips above her as she rises, snapping them like a whip and sending the powder coating them billowing into the air.

The shadowfires atop the torches crackle as the powder makes contact, sending bursts of flame outwards. Rancoura begins to move in a mesmerizing dance, snapping the tassels whenever she nears a torch, sending tongues of wyrden fire snarling outwards as they react. Her dance a study in fluidity, the Haruspex moves a few more steps before she begins to chant.

Feet stamping lightly as she moves, Lady Haruspex Rancoura So'hthae, Ole'noc Caihel chants, "Evernight, evernight, the eventide is nigh."

In smooth, silken tones, Lady Haruspex Rancoura So'hthae, Ole'noc Caihel chants, "Isa, Isa, the shadows a-flight."

In smooth, silken tones, Lady Haruspex Rancoura So'hthae, Ole'noc Caihel chants, "Slumber, slumber, the biding shall end."

In smooth, silken tones, Lady Haruspex Rancoura So'hthae, Ole'noc Caihel chants, "Waken, waken, the Hallowed portend."

Rancoura's movements gain in speed, skirts sliding about her long legs, the symbols upon her skin cavorting beneath the dark illumination of the torches. Shadows chase each step, twirling and undulating about her form like insubstantial, ebon flames themselves as she twists the strips of cloth over and around her swirling figure.

Continuing to flow around the circle, Lady Haruspex Rancoura So'hthae, Ole'noc Caihel chants, "Glory, glory, webbings and weave."

In smooth, silken tones, Lady Haruspex Rancoura So'hthae, Ole'noc Caihel chants, "Hunger, hunger, afore the eve."

In smooth, silken tones, Lady Haruspex Rancoura So'hthae, Ole'noc Caihel chants, "Journey, journey, adapt and survive."

In smooth, silken tones, Lady Haruspex Rancoura So'hthae, Ole'noc Caihel chants, "Revel, revel, the Solstice arrives."

Rancoura throws her arms outwards, whipping the cloths one last time -- and the shadowfire torches burst with engorging dark flames, tendrils of black and violet flaring out across the glen as a murder of crows launch themselves from the Ravenwood's boughs, cawing their symphony to the drumbeat as they take flight.

Her chest heaving lightly, Rancoura's gaze moves among the gathered, lingering upon a visage here and there. "Blessed are we, who walk the shadows of the Wyrden Woods," she whispers breathlessly. "So do we revel in the art of Rebirth."

With a delicate sigh, Lady Haruspex Rancoura So'hthae, Ole'noc Caihel whispers, "Let the Solstice Festival begin."

Rancoura sinks into a deep curtsey, arms outstretched and wrists gracefully curled, wings unfurled elegantly at her sides.