RP:Hope and Frustration

Part of the The Prophet of Vakmatharas Arc

This is a Devout's Guild RP.

Synopsis: Khitti carefully makes her way to the Chapel of Cyris in Larket. She finds Zahrani and the priests attending to a small group of Larketians who have come to the Chapel in light of Macon's ongoing propaganda campaign for Vakmatharas. They update each other on what's been going on, before parting ways once more to continue their work.

Small Chapel of Cyris

Zahrani | It is a busy evening at the Chapel. A group of Larketian civilians - men, women, and children - can be seen doing various things. Some of them rest in the main hall, others help the priests and clerics with chores like tending the vegetable gardens in the courtyard, others study in the library. They were refugees within their own home, turning to Cyris for protection for their children against the curse that plagues the city. It is common knowledge that there is an ongoing propaganda campaign to turn Larket to the cult of Vakmatharas in exchange for halting the curse. Alas, there are a few families that are unconvinced, and others who would rather turn to their neighboring deity. Some of the children and young adults have decided to join the order as paladins or clerics. It would not be an easy life, but they would have protection from the curse until it could be reversed. Zahrani could be seen in a nearby field, providing a neophyte's physical training to a half-dozen young adults. She is in her more humanoid form to come off as less intimidating to the humans, her black hair in dreads and tied back in a pony-tail as she runs them through the paladin's version of basic training.

Khitti || It’d been some time since Khitti’d been to Larket. She’d meant to bring Ulah and Camina here on their mini-pilgrimage, but she’d conveniently made an excuse to go elsewhere. Like Gualon, to see the Q’na temple, with Camina. She was alone now, however, for that little excursion had been days ago, and Khitti knew she couldn’t really escape going to that dreaded city anymore. The giant shadow cat known as a Tikifhlee kept to the shadows, its form and Khitti’s naught but a blur as it bounded along past guards, the two melded between this world and the Shadow Plane in an effort to keep hidden--at least until they crossed the bridge. Certain individuals in Larket didn’t care for her, you see. She was a part of the war between Frostmaw and Larket, before a resolution came into play. She’d almost entirely destroyed that very bridge she crossed, with Brand’s help and others as well. Too bad it didn’t succeed. Too bad they also remade it out of that Larketian stone Macon likes to boast about so much. The city felt… different, though. Things had certainly changed after Valrae had burned, but now things felt even darker. She couldn’t shake that strange, familiar feeling. Did something bad happen? Was she too far away in her head to get that usual gut feeling about things? The thought of something bad happening was only solidified more as she finally stepped into the temple and was greeted with way too many faces. There was never this many people here. Crimson brows furrowed as she sought out the nearest priest, who then pointed Khitti in the direction of a certain feline-who-was-not-a-feline presently. “Zahrani? What the frak is going on? Where did all of these people come from?”

Zahrani turns to see Khitti, her eyes widening slightly at seeing the leader of the Paladin's Guild. She turns to the trainees, "Take a break. Stretch, and meditate." She had written instructions and diagrams that they could reference. The paladin seems slightly more cautious than before. Training and accepting refugees wasn't a problem, but nonetheless, the feline looks past Khitti, scanning for any of Kingsguard uniforms or people looking at them. In a low voice, she says to the other woman, "It's good to see you, but let's stay discreet. Macon has sent a couple guards to monitor us. For 'our protection.'" A look of annoyance forms on her face, before she explains, "It seems the King has made a covenant with Vakmatharas. The God of Death is asking for undying faith in him, and in exchange people's children will be saved from the curse that ages them. Many have taken this bargain, but there are some who are unconvinced. They fear what else Vakmatharas will demand from them in the future, so they have come to us for help. We do not ask for anything from them in return, and we make that very clear to our...watchers...but that hasn't stopped many from volunteering." She turns to the 6 new recruits, who were looking over the diagrams and stretching their sore muscles. It had been about 40 minutes. The paladin looks back to Khitti. "Ideally, we'll have 6 new paladins." She then lowers her voice so only the Guild leader could hear, "Realistically, most of them will end up joining the priesthood or the clerics." Paladin training is rough, and the duties are high-risk.

Khitti couldn’t help but scowl at the thought of needing protection from those frakking uptight, witch-hating morons when she’s told as such. The scowl shifted into a bitter smirk as Zahrani went on, Khitti’s line of sight dancing towards the initiates that the feline had just sent off for a break. “I highly doubt the actual God of Death told them anything. He wants souls. He doesn’t care how he gets them. Whether it’s through war, or natural death or more unsavory acts. He is not as supremely evil as everyone makes him out to be--if he was, I wouldn’t be here right now.” She tried to make her demeanor seem a bit more pleasant, just in case one of those guards had happened to look her way. “Many of his followers seem to have in their head to sacrifice anyone and anything for Vakmathras, as if he’d just give them power. No. There’s almost certainly someone speaking -for- him. Like Gevurah and Facilier.” Her attention shifted back to Zahrani finally, and a pleasant smile swept across Khitti’s face, despite their conversation, her voice a bit higher so that anyone nearby could hear her delight at the new initiates bound for the path of Light. “You’ve done well here, Zahrani. I’m sure whatever path they take, they’re be wonderful at.” Khitti knew full well how difficult paladin training was--which is why she decided against it and became a templar instead. “And speaking of that path, I think it’s high time I move you up in rank in the guild. You’re now a Theologian. You speak the word of Cyris, truly, without judgement, and this sort of thing is what Lithrydel needs, whether people actually set out to follow the same path as us, or even just use that knowledge in their daily lives.” She, of course, let Zahrani continue with anymore information about this new Vakmathras cult if she had it. This upbeat attitude of Khitti’s was just a facade right now, for she was well and truly irate with the monarchy here.

Zahrani tilts her head to the side. Having a rank is an unusual concept to her and to other members of Cyris' order. While she appreciated the recognition, it isn't her goal to climb ranks. For her and her father, a paladin is whatever they need to be in a given moment. She offers a polite bow, "Your words are kind, my friend." To the recruits, she says, "Alright, everyone. Last exercise: run 8 laps around the chapel grounds. Pace yourselves; not too fast, not too slow. After that, we'll be done for the day." They would be free to rejoin their families, rest, or study in the library. She turns to the Guild Leader and invites her to walk with her to the chapel courtyard. "I actually tried reaching out to Macon and offering an alternative; a way to find out how to reverse the curse. It went about as well you'd expect. Fortunately, I was able to see myself out of Fort ~Freedom.~" She says the name of the King's fort with a generous helping of irony. "But we're seeing a steady stream of people who don't want anything to do with this new agenda of his. We're running out of space, and I was hoping...should the need arise...that the Guild might be able to help with housing and training any who volunteer." It's quite poetic that the rise of darkness in Larket is sparking a growth in the light that rises to meet it. Sometimes it takes an oncoming storm to bring people together, and it had been some time since Chapel had such an influx.

Khitti could sense Zahrani’s confusion about the rank, and the strangely polite words, “It’s more of just a title really than anything. People know you to be trustworthy and know they can come to you. With the Warrior’s Guild, those of higher rank helped the new recruits out and helped to point them in whatever direction they might want to go in, or at the very least, pointed them in the direction of where to study on different methods of fighting. I adopted this for the Paladin’s Guild, so people will know who to come to, besides myself. Hildegarde’s a bit busy, as is Leone, I’m sure. And Kelovath seems to have disappeared entirely again as he is wont to do. You’re already doing this sort of thing wonderfully with the people here, so it didn’t make sense not to boost you up a bit.” She did indeed walk with the other woman, and replied to Zahrani’s inquiries about the guild helping. “I’m in the process of getting the guild hall set up as we speak. It’ll be in Kelay, in between the restaurant and the town hall. Perfectly centralized and in an area where anyone should be able to find it if they’re in need. It’ll definitely be big enough to house these refugees and more. I know Cyris isn’t fond of overly grand things, but it does need to be big enough to house altars to each of the gods.” She paused briefly, a crease of concern marring her forehead. “I know Rorin wasn’t exactly enthused about it… because an altar to Vakmathras and Delisha will be there as well. I know it seems bad… but there’s plenty of good people that follow those gods, and I want there to be a safe haven for them as well.” Khitti sighed heavily, her olive-green line of sight peering down at the blades of grass beneath their feet. She hated that no one seemed to understand her reasoning for this. Too many people that walked the path of light seemed to be blinded to the fact that there is no light without darkness, and that even the darkness can do good. Khitti did exactly that with her necromancy, when she had it.

Zahrani offers a smile, both in relief and understanding, at the prospect of a multi-faith hall for people to go to. As they enter the courtyard, the panther takes a seat, leaving room for Khitti to sit with her. Around the corner, an aged black wolf slowly ambles up to greet the feline, placing its greyed muzzle on her knee with a soft chuffing noise in greeting. "Hello, Shadow." Rani gently pets the old wolf, who is a recent retiree at the Chapel. To Khitti, the paladin responds, "You'll hear no judgment from me in that regard. We of Cyris are less concerned about who people worship, and more concerned about compulsory worship under the threat of this curse, or threat of anything for that matter. No one should be forced to worship any god just so their children can have a normal life. Not even Macon." A pause, then. "And while it's been...marketed...as a choice, it's not much of a choice. We have a ritual that gives people the ability to seek answers that mundane eyes could never find, but because the offering is so significant and so specific, it is one that only a few can undertake. One of the few things that Cyris accepts as anything resembling a sacrifice...is an Act of Empowerment. You must free others in a significant way to gain his favor."

Khitti took a seat next to Zahrani, seemingly content with the paladin’s answer. It was good to hear that -someone- agreed with her. “I am glad that you’re fine with it. It took a little time to get through to Ulah, but she’s a lot older, has seen a lot more things than Rorin has. Despite being amongst the grown-ups, he’s still very much a child that thinks he knows what’s what. He may be of Arkhen, but the word of Arkhen preaches about forgiveness and understanding, and I think he looks past that, even if unintentionally. I’m hoping, in time, Ulah and I can get through to him. Not force him, of course. If he cannot see, then he just cannot. It’s the way with some paladins of Arkhen. But, it’s very hypocritical on his part to refuse to understand, when he himself has been tainted by darkness as well.” She shrugged and sighed. Rorin was a handful, even in just normal conversation. Shadow was a welcomed distraction from that rabbit hole of thoughts and Khitti held out her hand somewhat cautiously to allow the wolf to sniff her first, before she tried to pet him. “Nothing like this is ever by choice in Larket. Hildegarde should’ve taken out Macon when she had the chance. Even still, with Valrae’s burning, she’s kept ties with Josleen, even after publicly declaring that their peace treaty was broken. Now things are even worse. He is an evil that should’ve been stopped long ago and now I fear that it’s too far past that.” She nodded to Zahrani, at the explanation of ritual, a small smile appearing finally, “Sounds like Cyris. I’ve been trying to keep things to his liking, with planning for the guild hall, but since I’m making it a place for all of the gods, I’ve got to consider what they might want as well. It’s rather challenging and if I misstep somewhere, hopefully he’ll take a cue from Arkhen and forgive me, heh.”

Zahrani ponders Rorin's brashness and zeal, watching as Shadow moves to sniff cautiously at Khitti's hand. He allows her to pet him for a few moments, but after that he turns towards the gardens and walks away, patrolling for mice and other vermin. As the woman speaks of Macon, the feline occasionally looks around them, her ears moving slightly and searching for any sign of eavesdroppers or guards. "It's a mess, but it's not that different from other messes Lithrydel has dealt with. And we're certainly not alone. Saturday evening, they put on a play trying to cast this covenant in a positive light. You should have seen the protests." The elder cleric of the chapel appears through a nearby doorway. Approaching them, he kneels down with surprising spryness and speaks in a low, gruff voice, "Just a reminder: our current residents are turning in for the night." The old man has a weary but fierce gaze; he's one of those types who are still energetic despite the number of winters they've endured. To Khitti and Rani, he asks, "Will the two of you be staying here tonight?"

Khitti took what little delight she could with petting the wolf, but ultimately allowed him to do as he wished. “A play? Of course. A subtle way to push their agenda for now.” Khitti smirked, then shook her head, “It’s definitely a mess we’re capable of dealing with, even with my moments of doubt. Things are far from over in Venturil as well, but I think that’s something I must talk to you about at another time. It’s… concerning with what happened to me in Aedrebyrg.” There was a brief frown, but the priest’s interruption cleared it away quickly, “I cannot, unfortunately. I’ve got to return to Kelay and inform the terramancers that they’ll need to double their efforts… just in case if things go south anymore here.” That last bit was whispered of course. “I have complete and total faith that you and Zahrani and Shadow there can handle things for now until the guild hall is ready. If I’m needed, I won’t be too far away. For now, though, I must go find that cat of mine before they either confiscate her on whatever grounds they deem or she turns some guards into a snack.” Eight foot tall kitties get hungry, you know.

Zahrani rises to her feet, exiting the courtyard with Khitti as the cleric heads back inside. "I'll be here for a little while, keeping an eye out for anyone else who comes here looking for aid." She thinks she spots the tikifhlee near the edge of the forest just north of the Chapel, but it's so dark (the night and the creature), even her vision could be wrong. She offers an embrace to the other woman, "Stay safe. Keep an eye out for unfriendly eyes and ears." It's advice that Chapel has lived by for quite some time, even before the current reigning monarch.

Khitti nodded and smile, returning Zahrani’s embrace. “You as well, Zahrani. Keep me updated should anything else occur.” With a slight wave, and wary glance towards a couple guards that just made themselves known, Khitti headed off to where she left her Tikifhlee, disappearing into the shadows just as well as she’s always done. A play was an interesting concept. The gears in her mind turned as she mulled it over in her head. It was, of course, not something she’d use in retaliation to the monarchy--one less war the better right now. No, she’d use it to draw out Gabriel from his little hiding spot in Venturil. She did, after all, have her own band at her disposal and the Cenril theatre to use and that lizard did so love his disguises.