2018.08: Moot
| Moot | |
|---|---|
| August 2018 Moot for Sept of the Enduring Spirit | |
| Players | Those performing the Moot Rite: Brooke, Gavan, Johanna, Journey, Percy, Moot |
| Location | Caern Ampitheater |
| Prp/Tp | Monthly Moots |
| Spheres | Gaian Garou |
Moots are held on +bboard 79 as of June 2018. This is a compilation of the posts for August 2018.
The Fool
It is that time again, and the Sept of the Enduring Spirit gathers in the Caern Amphitheater. As the circle has formed, the Master of the Howl enters the circle and stops in the center waiting for quiet.
A younger male Ragabash walks inside the circle and whistles. "Hey! This seems a good place for me to hang out and take a nap. You mind moving? I really like that patch of ground you are standing on." He moves up to her, and makes the motion of shooing her off with his hands. A big dramatic yawn, "This is all part of the Caern, and we can all use it if we want. Maybe you could ask everyone to leave too since I need some rest and this just isn't working for me. I need to catch some zzzzz's before I head out to that farm I saw not far from here, and see if I can munch some of their crops and maybe snuggle up with one of the cute Kin girls."
The Master of the Howl looks at this guy, The Fool for this Moot, with a look of derision. "And who do you think you are? Do you have no respect for others and their territory?"
The Fool laughs, "We are all here of Gaia, and the Sept. Share and share alike, makes sense to me! If you have it, share it. We are not fascists. Live in the now." Turning to the Sept around them, The Fool grins and searches for support, "Who wants to live a little with me?" Crickets can be heard at first, then growing boos and some gnashing of teeth, before boos and hisses.
Opening Howl
Looking a bit side-eyed at The Fool, the Master of the Howl steps away from him and puts her hands up to quiet the crowd.
"Welcome, one and all! The Sept of the Enduring Spirit, we gather to honor Gaia and restore our totem for the coming battles. You are all witness and have joined in our growing circle. Join me in calling the Moot to begin!" Letting her head tip back, she takes in a deep breath and lets out her greeting howl, as those around the circle join in.
A few yips from the cubs, and even the Sept begins to quiet again as the howls fade. The Master of the Howl gives a sign for quiet and speaks, "We shall honor and remember all those who have Fallen." She reads the list of names, as well as praising the deeds of how each of the fallen will be remembered. She leads a mournful howl in honor of them all. On opposite sides of the circle, one can hear a Garou on each side with a particularly mournful howl, having lost their father.
"Gaia has blessed us with gifts and abilities to use to defend her, the Spirits, the Nation, and the Sept. Our actions will live on beyond our time on this Earth, so long as we remember and honor those memories. We shall continue now, but teaching The Fool why." That look of derision back to The Fool, who is curled up in that spot he asked for, and is now 'snoring' loudly. The Master of the Howl walks back over to him, and with a foot, nudges him to stop snoring and listen up.
Beginning with the first two parts of the litany, she continues to the portion The Fool began his antics with earlier. "Respect the Territory of Another! Whenever a Garou approaches another Garou's territory, you must announce yourself first and ask permission to enter. This would be a Howl of Introduction! We have all heard when others have come to the Sept! Reciting your name, rank, auspice, tribe, totem, and home Sept. Stepping onto someone else's territory, taking their things, showing disrespect is not our way. Yes, we do share some places, such as at the Caern, it does not mean you can do with it as you wish anytime." She looks to The Fool again and asks, "Do you think anyone would want to help you, if you need cleansed, and you just got done disrespecting their land because you were just having fun? Living in the now? What if you continue to do that, and you get in real trouble with the Wyrm? Let alone, would you ever be accepted in a pack with that attitude?"
"Brothers and Sisters of the Sept of the Enduring Spirit! I know some would still take pity on The Fool here and help him out, but if someone disrespects your land, your home, you family, would you really? Or would you challenge him?" The Fool rolls his eyes, and just lays back on the ground, and feigns to be uninterested. Shouting from the crowd begins, 'Challenge!', as well as a few other choice words, snarls, and howls.
A hand goes up again, and the Master of the Howl finishes the remaining portion of the Litany. The Fool takes time during this to sit up, and pulls out a bag of chips and crunches loudly on them as she talks and finally as the Litany is completed, he stands up. He pulls another bag of chips out, and hands them to the Master of the Howl. "Well, sounds like this Sept does follow traditions and maybe respecting others could be worth it. For Gaia's sake and all. I'll try it your way." He walks off and joins the circle.
The Inner Sky
When her name is called, Brightheart is at first difficult to see. It isn't until a short, slip of a woman - one who looks oddly like she might still be in her mid-teens - melts into the center from the assembled crowd. She wears a simple sleeveless gown of lightweight black fabric, and is undecorated except for a wide line of red paint going from temple to temple over her eyelids and the bridge of her nose. She looks thin enough to appear frail, but for the first time since she came to the area, there is actual color in her face. "Brothers and sisters, we gather in this sacred space, reminded of the joy and complexity of who we are." Despite her small stature, her sweet voice carries as though riding the breeze that begins to stir as she speaks. "We walk in skin." There is a resounding cry from those of homid birth. "We walk in fur." A series of bright howls from the lupus gathered around.
It is at this point that the woman changes, gown melting into soft fur the color of peaches and cinnamon as she takes her breed form and stands in the central space as perhaps the smallest Crinos Garou anyone present has seen. << But we must never forget the spirit that binds us, and it is to that part of our souls that we reach now - to ask the spirits to grant our home their gifts. >> The High Tongue comes easily to Brightheart, adding something of power to her small voice.
It is to the east that the small Theurge turns first. << From the east, we seek wisdom. We seek clarity. We seek knowledge. Cast your light into the darkness so that we can banish all fear! >> As though in response to her invocation, a spirit manifests itself from the Umbra at the East cardinal point. It is a bright thing, like a miniature sun that stands (really it bounces in a small excited circle, but that's close enough) ready to light the way.
To the south Brightheart moves next, a high howl from her preceding her words. << From the south, we seek ferocity. We seek power. We seek might. Share with us your conviction - the strength to use our anger to protect all we hold dear, rather than let our anger use us. >> This time, when the spirit manifests in the realm, it is as though he steps through the invisible curtain. Black Unicorn is unmistakable in his solemn, quiet glory - a massive stallion ready to protect, to defend, and to chase the glory of honorable battle beside his fellow warriors.
When she reaches the westernmost point, Brightheart pauses - luminescent blue eyes sliding closed for a moment of some intense emotion. Such things are much harder to read from a war form face. When she opens them again, both arms spread wide, held out to her sides as though encompassing all who have gathered. << From the west, we seek love. We seek joy. We seek belonging. Shelter us beneath your wings so we never forget that even in our darkest hours, we are /pack/ and we are /never/ alone/. >> At this invocation, the white aspect of a Pegasus Jaggling manifests himself, pawing at the grass before Brightheart reaches one clawed hand to rest warm against his muzzle. At this touch, he settles, and mighty wings unfold to spread wide. Not all love is soft - but this is somehow appropriate for creatures of claw and Rage and war.
Finally, Brightheart approaches the south corner. Here, she stops - cutting into her palm with one claw and letting the blood drip down onto the grass. << From the north, we seek growth. We seek healing. We seek magic. Teach us the secret and hidden things - the Gifts and Rites with which we fulfill our purpose - and remind us that nothing comes without cost. >> What appears is a reflection of the moon, whose light spins and twists into the form of a ghostly woman. She wanders closer and touches the bleeding cut in Brightheart's palm. Almost instantly, that blood stains her whole hand red, and she drags the color over her own face in a mirror of the pattern Brightheart wore in human form. That bloodied hand she then presses to the Crinos form's chest, leaving behind a dark, wet handprint.
With a dip of her head to accept this gift, Brightheart returns to the center of the compass rose formed by the spirits who have come to share this holy moment. Arms outstretched once more, she begins to turn - counterclockwise, as if a storm unto herself. The winds pick up around her and the spirits who have come join the dance, cavorting with laughter, battle cries and even some weeping. All sounds mix together in the rush of light and life and movement. << This is our birthright and for it we will live and die. Look down on your children, Bear, and see that we keep your Caern alive and thriving - bless us with your patience, your strength, and your love. >> Manifesting with the appearance of rising from the heart of the Caern, a massive bear looms over the gathered moot and spirits before rumbling affection and slowly settling down over and into them with a parent's warm embrace. Only then do the other spirits fade. Only then does the sound become silence and the dance become stillness once more.
Kneeling in the center, Brightheart appears homid once more, and though weak enough that two kinfolk come to help her to meld back into the mass of bodies, she has completed her task and appears to be at peace.
Cracking the Bone
After Brightheart exits, the Master of the Howl gives a nod toward the Truthcatcher. Once again, Alecto steps forward holding a wood stick, the one decorated with glyphs in vibrant greens and yellows. Johanna follows just behind her as they wait for the crowd to fall silent. She passes the talking stick to the younger Philodox, who takes it and holds it over her head.
Johanna announces, using the words she was instructed to say, "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?"
Taking grievances one at a time, from highest ranking to lowest, each is given its due time. Minor issues are settled, from misunderstandings to simple mistakes. It seems the major issues are being settled more and more outside of the Moot, until a Cub comes forward.
A lupus trots forward, and nudges Johanna's leg. She recognizes him, and sets the talking stick in front of him, his paw then goes on it. >>Name Sunnyspot. Good wolf. Want to be ... next.. rank. I practice on two legs. I like to claw bad things. Make bad things go away. Ready to be... Cliath. Older person will not let me take..um.. test. Sunny good. Sunny ready.<<
At this point, a man walks forward from the circle. He waits patiently for a turn to speak about this subject. Johanna acknowledges him, knowing the Elder, as she picks up the talking stick from the ground in front of Sunnyspot. He takes the stick and speaks in a solemn, calm voice, full of wisdom, "I am Stands With Trees, Galliard Elder of the Uktena tribe. I have been called by my tribe to oversee and mentor the cubs of my tribe, and any other tribe that seeks help with guiding our newest cubs." He crouches down next to Sunnyspot, getting almost to his level. "This one here is still learning. He is a gift of Gaia to our tribe and to the nation, but eagerness is not enough." Standing back up he looks to Johanna with deference, "If he had asked for a second opinion, I would gladly have brought in another Elder to judge if he was ready. As it is, Sunnyspot is not clear how to introduce himself, and he spends very little time practicing being homid. To that end, his speech is not practiced enough to pass as human, or mannerisms. Not that that is a prerequisite, but as so many in our Sept are homid born, it is a skill that should be further developed."
Stands With Trees turns and speaks to the Sept, "I humbly ask that we all take time, as a Nation, to assist our lupus born just as much as we help our homid borns. Maybe even more. It is not an easy transition for the lupus to homid thinking. We must look out for them, teach them, help them practice. But we must not let any cub get away with breaking the veil or breaking traditions just because we want to see their eagerness rewarded. If I let Sunnyspot go through his rite of passage, not only could he lose his life, but if he does manage to pass, he would be a very ill equipped Cliath. One that does not know how to introduce himself properly so we all understand, or that he could even take pride in his own name and tribe. As a Cliath, he could be allowed to go outside of the bawn and in homid form walk into the wrong part of town, like that drug and crime addled park in downtown, and end up in the hands of the Wyrm!" He looks to Sunnyspot, obvious concern on his wrinkled face. "Starchaser, I ask you to question simple things to Sunnyspot, and you will see just what I am saying." He hands the talking stick back to her, and walks back outside of the circle.
Johanna holds the talking stick in her hand. She nods to Stands With Trees, and then crouches down next to Sunnyspot, who is now laying down flat on the ground. "Sunnyspot, I will pass judgment on what you have asked me. First, let me ask you a couple of questions. What is your full introduction? That includes your name, your rank, your tribe, and your auspice. Those are all important information for those in the Nation to know who you are. To give you the respect you deserve." She places the talking stick next to Sunnyspot's paws, right infront of where his head lays.
Sunnyspot moves his toes, and touches the stick. He picks his head up a bit and says in lupine, >>I Sunnyspot. Cub. Umm... tribe... sounds like bad thing... like choking.. no.. they no like Sunny. Bad group. They smart, say Sunny not. Hmm, ends with ennna. Yuckyenna? Born in a litter with other pups. Moon was gone...that is what they said.<< He looks with doe eyes to Johanna, >>See, I good wolf! I remember. Can I go rip bad things now? Then bury them. Save all the good wolves! Protect friends!<<
Johanna takes the talking stick from Sunnyspot. She stands up and walks over to Alecto for a moment, before she turns back and announces to the Sept. "Sunnyspot has asked for his rite of passage. It is my judgment after speaking with him and with Stands With Trees, that Sunnyspot is eager and will be a willing warrior for Gaia and the Nation. But Sunnyspot needs our help to understand much more about being Garou. I encourage you all to take time, in lupus form, to converse with Sunnyspot. Let's show him we can take the time with our lupus brothers and sisters and prepare them for the world we come from. Let's also have him show us more of our own lupus side that some of us may not spend enough time with." She looks to Stands With Trees, "I would like to revisit this personally before the next Moot. Let's see what we can do as a Nation to help him, and any other cubs that you find are having issues. We are here to support you and the good work you are doing."
Sunnyspot looks a bit defeated, but a couple of other lupus come running up from the circle next to him, and direct him to come sit with them. They leave the circle, as does Johanna who gives the talking stick back to Alecto.
Stories and Songs
The Truthcatcher and Starchaser have finished and exit the circle. The Master of the Howl steps out and signals to someone to rise and join her from the circle.
“Listen up, all will be wise to hear the tales shared tonight. It is a special occasion as Elder Shaderunner'rhya will bless us with a tale. Afterwards, I have something special to share as well.” she announces. Stepping back now, the circle is open for the first speaker.
