2018.07: Moot

Moot
July 2018 Moot for Sept of the Enduring Spirit
Players	Those performing the Moot Rite: Brooke, Gavan, Iris, Johanna, Sergei
Location	Caern Ampitheater
Prp/Tp	Monthly Moots= Previous-Next
Spheres	Gaian Garou

Moots are held on +bboard 79 as of June 2018. This is a compilation of the posts for July 2018.

The Fool

The Sept has gathered in the Caern Amphitheater. The wolves have gathered and now it is time for The Fool to speak. So it is that Starlight Eyes strides forward on four legs then rises to two. In silence, he turns his blue eyes upon the attendants as though.. judging them? Then he takes a sharp breath of air.

"So I've been asked to play The Fool this day. To test the litany.. well what I offer today is more than a test. It's a fact. They say, combat the Wyrm. Wherever it dwells. Wherever it breeds. And that's fine."

He nods as if that's that.

"But I ask you this. Is the Wyrm truly our only foe? Has it not been said that the Wyrm was driven to its state? Captured, trapped, and driven to madness?..." A pause.

"...By the weaver." He continues. "A weaver that to this day is responsible for the rise of Man. The decimation of our wild spaces. The looting of our lands. The formation of concrete pillars that block out the sun. Roads of asphalt ridden with conveyances that spew forth noxious fumes." His voice is growing with fervor. "You've all smelled it. How many of you have convertibles and have ever sat in rush hour traffic?" There's a look around. "Can you breathe that? Is that really the Wyrm's doing? Or how about plastics? It's everywhere. Sure, we recycle. But how are they made? Noxious chemical processes that spew filth into our rivers and poison the land. Speaking of poisons, rather than let nature's balance control pest populations, mankind has to use poison. Set out carelessly so that wild populations are decimated."

He lifts his hand high. "Who here is devoted to Peregrine. What is Her ban upon us? Who's truly to blame for the death of her children? The Wyrm? Or the Weaver? So I say to you.. combat the Wyrm if you like... or combat the Weaver. Our true foe."

Opening Howl

As The Fool is speaking, The Master of the Howl has entered the circle, and waits for him to stop. She comes up behind him, just as he finishes, and places a hand on his shoulder, signaling him that it is her turn.

"Welcome everyone of the Sept of the Enduring Spirit. We gather to honor Gaia and restore our totem, Bear, for the coming month, and the coming fight in defense of our traditions and against our foes. I call this Moot to start, and for you all to witness and join in our ever widening circle. Hear me! Join me!" She leans her head back and lets her greeting howl ring out, as the rest of the Sept howls with her.

The Master of the Howl raises a hand, as the final strains die out. "All those who have fallen, we honor and keep the memory of them and their deeds alive." The list of names are read, giving each the deference due. She starts the low, mournful howl, closing her eyes as the whole of those gathered join in. The howl begins to fade, she says, "Defending Gaia, the Nation, and the Sept is our privilege. Those that have given their lives will live on in our memories, our stories, and our songs." She turns to Starlight Eyes, and is ready to begin the litany.

The Master of the Howl recites the beginning of the litany. At the second law, she announces, "Combat the Wyrm, Wherever it Dwells and Whenever it Breeds!" She takes a few steps away from Starlight Eyes, and begins her rebuttal of The Fool's words earlier. "We all agree that the Wyrm is our enemy, and needs to be destroyed. The Weaver.." a look to Starlight Eyes, and then off to more than likely Eye of the Storm, ".. if left unchecked certainly can cause problems as Starlight Eyes has said. But is it a bigger threat to Gaia than a deformed, demented god thing that seeks to mutilate, torture, rape, murder and destroy everything in its path? While the Weaver works slowly changing the world in ways we can combat easy enough with the help of mortals and kin, the Wyrm is burning, tainting, possessing and attacking actively wherever it goes."

"The Weaver can be useful, and be used to fight the Wyrm. Sanitation, Medicine, the Internet.." she looks to the other Glass Walkers around ".. even weapons. Yes, some have fallen to the influence of the Weaver, and we need to keep it in check. But so are other things where a little is good, and too much is poison. The Wyrm only takes a TINY bit to be poison. The Weaver, and all it has brought us has helped extend lives, bring in jobs, food, homes, etc. Without it? People would be broke, homeless, starving, and struggling to survive. Thus, you have fed the Wyrm just what it needs. If we are that concerned, as Peregrine is about toxicity? Then lets organize more cleanup projects, and education to not only the Sept, but through our kin and influences to the mortal population as well."

She dismisses The Fool and moves on to the rest of the Litany. At the end she walks off for the Theurge this month to lead the Inner Sky.

The Inner Sky

The Opening Howl completed, and Mercy's Messenger moves forward into the moot’s open space, a simple white Grecian style dress whipping around her bare feet while she moves, her huge white dove’s wings streaked with colors. “Each month we give our thanks and remembrance of our spirit cousins, reminding ourselves that there is more to our world than just what we see, more to our family than those that sit beside us now. We solidify our bond with the umbra, ancestors, our totem and Goddess. We call these corners to infuse our Caern home with the essence of life and power that makes this place an integral part of our survival. We do not falter, we do not forget, we do not let our sacred place fall to slumber and despair. Children of Gaia and Luna, we meet as one.”

Mercy’s Messenger's pack mates assist her with the Inner Sky, each bedecked in elemental symbols. She moves first towards Like-the-Wind in the east, the wolf’s wintery fur streaked with silvery swirls, with tiny feathers and bells that flutter lightly with invisible air gaffling play. “We give our thanks to the east, to the element of air. You give us winter chill and sweet scented spring breeze, warnings and wisdom you send to us, carrying our howls across the land and bringing the scents of prey to our noses. We thank you for carrying the seasons in your wake, and beseech you always send us wisdom to do the right thing in our dire moments.” From the east, a gentle breeze swells, fluttering Like-the-Wind’s feathers and bells as the wolf howls to her element. A small, snow white Pegasus answers the call and materializes beside her, fluttering her wings in silent recognition of the ritual thanks. Mercy's Messenger bows deeply to the wolf and spirit before moving to face the south.

Eye-of-the-Storm’s homid skin is painted in whorls of red and yellow, with feathers the color of flame draped around his neck and shoulders, standing with simmering rage beside a small brazier of smoldering herbs and a tiny dancing fire elemental. Mercy's Messenger smiles and speaks, “We give our thanks to the south, to the element of fire. You give us warmth on cold nights, and the rage to crush the Wyrm in our jaws, the strength to resist your pull and the respect that such power brings. We thank you for your wild might, O dangerous friend, and beseech you always give us the passion to live and continue fighting for our Goddess.” Eye-of-the-Storm lifts his head to howl strong and clear to his element. In a burst of flame, a small Aithon answers his call, its equine body black and red, with a mane and tail of living flame. It screams wildly and belches forth a gout of flame from its mouth while stamping its hooves restlessly in answer to the thanks. Mercy's Messenger bows deeply to the man and spirit before moving to face the west.

Hushed Blaze’s homid form is draped in blues and sea greens, neck and hair festooned with seashells and corals, and from small, sparkling basins of water near her, tiny water elementals jump back and forth in playful fountain sprays. “We give our thanks to the west, to the element of water. Devoted to Luna, your tides and currents keep our watery world true and fair. You quench us when we whither, and give us sweet rains that nourish the land. Formless, fluid and changeable, you bring us emotion and memory, and remind us each day that all things change and move, that there is no place the dedicated cannot go. We thank you for the gift of life, of movement, and for your many secrets, and beseech you always fill us with wonder and adventure in this garden Gaia has given us.” Hushed Blaze lifts her head to issue a musical howl to her element. A small crashing wave materializes in answer to her call, the sea spray forming itself into a small Hippocampus. The horse’s sea green furred upper body balanced on two hooves, it’s lower body that of a coiled, scaled fish. It neighs with the sound of waves and waterfalls, musical and wild. Mercy's Messenger bows deeply to the woman and spirit before moving to the north.

Howling-Wind’s fur has been whorled in vibrant greens and rudy browns, with small crystals and rough gems set in his fur, with lumps of iron, copper, granite and quarts scattered around him. The ground wiggles with the play of submerged little earth elementals. “We give our thanks to the north, to the element of earth, the very ground beneath our feet. The skin of our great Mother, you bring us stamina and patience, the beauty of all we see and the hidden secrets in the dark. Your passages bring us closer to Gaia, and to our eyes you show us all the beauty and strength for which we fight to protect. You connect us past, present, and future, you give us stability and constant reminders to carry on. We thank you for giving us hearth and home, and beseech you always temper us and give us and remind us that there is more than just today, more than just tomorrow and yesterday.” Howling-Wind’s crystals and gems clink and sing as he lifts his muzzle to howl to his element. A small white unicorn materializes beside him in answer to his call, gold hooves stepping lightly, shaking her pearly horned head in recognition of the ritual thanks. Mercy's Messenger bows deeply to the wolf and spirit before moving to the center of the circle.

A light mist begins to spread outwards from the middle, materializing in an ever shifting fog of oscillating, pulsing colors. As Mercy's Messenger speaks and the Color Cloud spreads, a small Color String spirit rises from her hair and begins to zip around, playfully booping and slithering through the attending Garou. “We give thanks to Wyld, Nature, Gaia, and to our Caern’s totem, the great Bear. We thank you, Bear, for watching over us, giving us your wisdom and healing, your great strength and will to survive. We honor you and ask only that you will continue to love us and guard our sacred home.” A deep, rumbling bears growl sounds from all directions in answer to the prayers, vibrating through the air and sounding of contentment. Mercy's Messenger and the Garou and spirits of each direction lower themselves with respect before the voice of Bear.

The elemental spirits wink out of this plane and through the gauntlet again, and the Terminal Velocity pack pick up their ritual items and slip off to the side as the colored mist fades back into the umbra.

Cracking the Bone

The Master of the Howl gestures toward the Truthcatcher, and introduces her with a solemn howl. Alecto steps up holding within her grasp is a stick of hard wood, about six inches long and decorated with glyphs in vibrant greens and yellows. She waits for the howl to die and the crowd to fall silent before she lifts up her strong voice, the talking stick held over her head. Tonight, she passes the stick to a younger Philodox. She nods to her, allowing her to proceed with this part of the rite this month.

The younger Philodox announces, "I am Johanna Isla Johnson, rite named Starchaser, born on two legs beneath the Half Moon, Fostern of the Stargazers. Daughter of Seeks-the Stars, granddaughter of Calls-Down-The Stars-To-Judge, great granddaughter of Stardancer. Packed with Aster Iustum, children of Peregrine. On behalf of the Truthcatcher I ask you, who has business?"

Gareth Kenrick, Firewatcher, Galliard Athro of the Fianna, raises a hand and waits to be recognized. Johanna hands the talking stick to him. Firewatcher stands up and speaks in a loud, thickly accented voice, "The pack territory of Mystic Heart is in dispute on our western border. We claim the land up to the great Deodar Cedars. The neighboring pack is claiming they have the Cedars as their territory, and into our land to the Crystal Stream. Our pack and families have lived on that land for 20 years, and this will not stand."

A hand immediately shoots up from Aleksander Uren, Battlepaw, Ahroun Athro of the Get of Fenris. He looks impatient to speak. Johanna nods to Firewatcher and takes the spirit stick from him, and hands it to Battlepaw. Immediately he snarls with his words, "You bring this here? Our packs have been working together for five years since we moved here! Our cubs want a place to play, and your cubs invited them to come to the stream. Your pack has twice the land that Bloodmoon Guardians has. Why do you have to be such a hard ass? Just let the cubs have their play! We never claimed the land as ours, just as an area that the cubs could meet and play games together." He thrusts the stick back toward Johanna, trying to be respectful, but obviously riled up about this dispute.

Johanna takes the stick and looks between each of them, judging the situation. She looks to Firewatcher and before handing him the stick, she says, "Firewatcher'rhya. Would Mystic Heart be willing to name the area from the great Deodar Cedars up to and including the Crystal Stream as your land, but with the right for Bloodmoon Guardians to come on it for the sole purpose of your cubs and their cubs having it to train and play games together? That piece of land, and no other unless permission was granted after they howl for permission to enter?"

Firewatcher takes the stick and replies, "Battlepaw, I was not told that our cubs did the inviting. It was not their place, but they are cubs and make mistakes. Let's get our packs together and work this out, with our cubs in mind." A nod to Johanna, "Those terms are acceptable to Mystic Heart." Battlepaw nods his head, looking less angry now.

Johanna takes the stick back and says, "So be it then. The territory belongs to Mystic Heart, but will be a training play ground for the Cubs for Mystic Heart and Bloodmoon Guardians."

More grievances are dealt with, from high to low rank. Most are small minor issues, only a half dozen or so this month. Some heated words, and passionately pleas are made. Not everyone happy with the judgments made, but each handled with fairness and respect.

The final one to speak up is Winona Moon-Otter, Theurge Cliath of the Uktena. Johanna hands her the talking stick, and takes a step back for her to voice her issue. "My sister, Mina Little Rabbit, has chosen to leave our families land and live in the city. It is not our way, and we fear she is losing touch with nature. The weaver is too strong there. She has thus far refused to come home despite our pleas, and it is causing strife within our family. "

Mina Little Rabbit, Ragabash Cliath of the Uktena, rises from her seat. Johanna gives her the talking stick, but she speaks quietly at first. After some encouragement to speak louder, she is heard. "I have had my Rite of Passage, and I choose to live now just outside the forest, in the city. Only a block away. I know my family want me to return to their lands, but I am in search of new adventures, and am looking to make a name for myself. There is no disrespect meant toward my Elders or family. Sometimes, one needs to do things on their own to seek the path they are destined to take."

Johanna takes back the stick and says, "It is my judgment that Mina Little Rabbit can remain in the home she has chosen, as she seeks her path. But she is to return to her family land for dinners twice a week, visit her family one afternoon a week, and join in bawn patrols at least 4 times a week. If her family still believes she is losing touch with nature, they can revisit this grievance in two months."

Stories and Songs

With a bow of the head to the Truthcatcher and Starchaser as they finish and exit the circle, the Master of the Howl steps forward again. As she does, she gestures for the first person to join her.

“Now is the time to inspire and remember the bravery of the fallen, our ancestors, and the spirits. Let us share and bring them life!” she announces. Stepping back now, she invites those that have arranged to share a tale to come forward and begin.

Story: Mystery Challenge

There is silence from the Sept gathered in the circle, as Hushed Blaze returns to the center of the circle. She raises her chin up a bit, standing tall for her whole 5' 4" frame. She looks solemn as she begins her tale tonight.

"I share with you tonight the tale of the Caern Confrontation from February of 2017. Before my time here, but a story that has been shared with me on several occasions that has had a rippling impact upon the Sept. It begins here, just outside this amphitheater. Many kin and Garou were gathered for a feast of barbecue chicken, a new Cliath was being met, it was a nice time. Seeing as though so many uninvolved people were present, it seemed the time perfect time to accommodate the conditions the Master of the Challenge had set forth for the challenge between Mocks the Dark'rhya and Myrina's Vengeance'rhya. Those interested in witnessing were invited inside here, the amphitheater to bear witness."

Taking a few steps over, closer to where some sit, Hushed Blaze gestures, "The kinfolk were directed to move together, as even within a formal challenge, it can be dangerous. It was made certain that Myrina's Vengeance'rhya's mate, Vicky, was allowed to be at the front, in support of her mate." A few more steps and she presents the beginning of the challenge with her left hand out flat. "Myrina's Vengeance'rhya began with stating the issue, and what she wanted to see happen should she win. In her eyes, Mocks the Dark'rhya had made a statement to the Elders of her flaws, flaws that she should correct before pointing them out in others. Part of that included her True love with her mate, and their breeding that produced their child. She took great offense at the suggestion that her love, her mate, and her child could be disgusting, not a blessing as she saw them. Her terms upon winning this challenge were for Mocks the Dark'rhya to cry her pardon for his suggestion."

Holding out now her right hand, "Mocks the Dark'rhya replied. He claimed not to have called Myrina's Vengeance'rhya's true love or child a flaw. He saw them as ignorance, and an unwillingness to learn things properly. Her flaws came from her education, which he saw made her unfit to serve as Den Mother. Mocks the Dark'rhya also named her lack of ability to control her Rage and a display of disrespect for an agent of a Sept officer when acting in an official capacity. His terms upon winning this challenge were for Myrina's Vengeance'rhya to renounce her post as Den Mother publically."

She takes a pause, and places her hands together in front of her. "At this point, words from both sides of this challenge were said. Myrina's Vengeance'rhya was certain that Mocks the Dark'rhya would lose, and others in the gathered audience were holding back their feelings .. just.. barely, as they supported this challenge to her and were ready to take her on themselves if needed. Mocks the Dark'rhya kept his cool and laid out the remaining rules for the challenge. They were both to shift to Crinos, wait for a count of ten, and then /it .. was .. on/. Gifts, Powers, Fetish Weapons - all fair game. No outside interference, of course." She takes in a breath. "Myrina's Vengeance'rhya wanted to add for those gathered the exact words from Mocks the Dark'rhya that was the last straw leading to this challenge. She was still seeing 'red' from his words and will never forget them, I am sure."

Pulling out a small note from her pocket, she then reads to be sure she does not miss a syllable. Using her own gift, she mimic's Mocks the Dark'rhya's voice, "Saying our Sept is being made to look foolish by others while you're acting outside your own Sept and Office? And your own departure from orthodoxy in breeding? Before plucking the splinter from your neighbor's eye, see to the beam in thine own." She slips the paper away, and begins taking slow steps in front of the audience, looking out to them all. "For those of you that did not know Myrina's Vengeance'rhya, she and her mate Vicky were able to conceive their daughter with the assistance of magic. The child was, by blood, Myrina's Vengeance'rhya's and her mates. This method was the definition unorthodox, as it was not a manner that was natural, authorized, or generally accepted in practice. The child is not to blame and is most certainly a blessing from Gaia. Let's be sure that is clear above all."

"During this time," Hushed Blaze continues, "The Kinfolk were watching, feeling the intensity, and getting translations whenever words were spoken not in English. The tension though between some of them and some of the other Garou watching was not going unnoticed. This whole challenge was very serious, with what would end up far reaching, long lasting repercussions. The time came then, and both Myrina's Vengeance'rhya and Mocks the Dark'rhya shifted to Crinos and combat began. A bite misses, then a slash misses. They both could certainly feel frustration and rage building up. A bite from Myrina's Vengeance'rhya lands and rips a large gobbet of flesh from Mocks the Dark'rhya's stomach. That of course was not enough to taste his blood." She makes a bite motion with her hands towards some of the Cliaths near her as she paces along those gathered.

Hushed Blaze spins around, making a 180 degree turn, starting to walk back toward the center of the circle. She holds up her index finger on her right hand. "That is when Mocks the Dark'rhya knew he had to be smart about his next move, or he would be beat. He went impossibly still and when Myrina's Vengeance'rhya lunged again, he was able to sidestep to deflect with the sharp edge of his blade, and split her nose and she dropped to the ground." She stops in the center of the circle and looks from one side of the circle to the other as she speaks, "Her mate being kept back, the Truthcatcher ran to check on Myrina's Vengeance'rhya, and called in Bastion, the unaffiliated healer on call for this challenge to care of her and knit her back together as the challenge was now over. As some of the interested crowd dispersed, and Myrina's Vengeance'rhya healed, and reverted to her breed form, she woke back up. Once she was on her feet again, she was honorable and accepted her defeat. She upheld the conditions and publicly stated she was no longer fit to serve as Den Mother for our Sept."

Standing still a moment, giving the previous words their solemn deference, folding her hands in front of her, Hushed Blaze waits a minute and then continues. "At this time, Mocks the Dark'rhya accepted Myrina's Vengeance'rhya's statement, and then addressed the crowd himself. He wanted to be sure it was completely crystal clear that his objection to Myrina's Vengeance'rhya's actions had nothing to do with gender, or who they love. It was the use of magic - will-worker magic to achieve something that there are other customs to allow for childbearing." She takes in and lets out a breath. "At this time, Howls at High Moon, being the ranking Philodox present, declared the challenge ended, Mocks the Dark'rhya the victor. Myrina's Vengeance'rhya returned to her mate's side and went home to complete her healing."

A smile now, as Hushed Blaze can move on to the next section of this story, "Mocks the Dark'rhya was charged to appoint a new Den Parent. He asked around for someone to see if Lucky Bastard'rhya was at the Caern and would bring him there. As his mate, Lucie, runs the Kinfolk house it made sense to keep it in the family. Even as an Adren at the time, being that he had a solid control of his Rage, and could be counted on when dealing with Kinfolk. Once Lucky Bastard'rhya arrived, Mocks the Dark'rhya sprung the news on him. How could he refuse? An Elder has asked an Adren to take on an important position. Of course he felt honored and accepted the position to serve the Sept. It may have confused him a bit, but it really was all part of a greater plan."

Now, a grin on her face as she walks forward and makes a motion with her hands in a circle. "Fast Forward to April 2018. Lucky Bastard'rhya is finally ready to challenge for Athro. A long time coming, one might say. Who knows what challenge he would need to complete? He goes to Mocks the Dark'rhya to make it official. And what happens? Mocks the Dark'rhya just grins and answers him that he has been running his challenge since the day he chose him to be the Den Father, and had wondered what was taking him so long." She cannot help but look amused, as she knows that Mocks the Dark'rhya was. "This lead to probably the best replies ever relayed to me. Lucky Bastard'rhya had to take a long moment, unsure if he should be mad, proud of himself, or just totally confused. So his reply was.." she mimics Lucky Bastard's voice... "You dick..." A laugh as she shakes her head. Returning to her own voice, "Mocks the Dark'rhya, in his wisdom came back with 'Well I'm a Ragabash, so that's pretty much the same thing. And I'm pretty sure you've learned things from the experience.' Which considering the events of that previous year, was very true." By now she has stopped and holds both hands out. "With that, we have the story of how one fell from her position, one rose to his, and how Mocks the Dark'rhya is always a few steps ahead of us all. You, or you, or even you may be in the middle of some plan he has right now as well. Given his wisdom, I'm looking forward to see what plan he has set out for me as well."

She takes a short bow, and walks off, signaling the Wyrmfoe and his Revel leader for this month's Moot to begin.

The Revel

When the debates are over, when the stories are told, when the grievances have all been aired, Howling-Wind comes striding out in his white and grey furred Crinos form, having been chosen to lead this month's revel by the Wyrmfoe. He stalks around the circle and peers out into the crowd, occasionally making fierce deliberate eye contact. Returning to the center he howls, the first howl he always makes >>WENNNNDDDIIIGOOOOOOOOOOO!<<

As the last echo fades and silence falls he turns to speak words that may sound strange to the local Garou but he carries with a weight of tradition from far away >>Ancestors hear us! Spirits of Gaia hear us! All the living world HEAR US! Another Moon has passed and still we Endure the great enemy's endless assaults. Another Moon has passed and still we Strive in the Great Mother's Blessed Name. Another Moon has passed and still we WIN.<<

Again he allows his shout to fade as he scans the crowd before continuing with a shouted question >>In who's charge do we guard this sacred place?<<

And the shout comes back >>For Gaia!<<

He calls again >>In Who's Name do we serve?<<

And the shout comes back >>For Gaia!<<

And a third time he calls >>Who's Enemies do we hunt?<<

And louder than ever before the air shakes as every gathered throat cries out >>FOR GAIA!<< chanting it over and over, the crowd getting riled up and pouring energy into the Caern before tearing off into the night with Howling-Wind at their head in a great and glorious hunt.