2018.11.05: Battle Singer's Challenge for Fostern

Battle Singer's Challenge for Fostern
Lleutrim meets with Brooke to officially challenge for rank and receives his instructions
IC Date	Monday, November 5th, 2018
Players	Benji, Branton, Brooke, Lleutrim, Waziyata
Location	Caern Ampitheater
Spheres	Shifter Garou Gaian

Brooke stands in the Caern Amphitheater, ready for Lleutrim to arrive. She waits for him to enter, and can be seen silently working out details for an upcoming story. When he will approach, she will give a slight bow of her head and wait for him to speak.

The 'young' Galliard arrives in lupus and shifts to his human form. Lleutrim's dedicated a fresh set of clothing and as he'd gotten his hair and his beard trimmed up sharp for Johanna's Adren party, he looks a little more presentable and cleaned up than usual. Seeing Brooke, he heads in her direction with a faint smile and stops to offer her a slight bow in return. "Hushed Blaze'rhya, I am Lleutrim Robert Donnachaidh, Rite named Battle Singer. Born on two legs beneath the gibbous moon, Cliath and Fianna of the Sept of the Enduring Spirit. I formally request to Challenge for the rank of Fostern."

And then there was Waziyata. The white wolf pads out of the brush nearby, not arriving with Lleutrim, but oriented toward the man. She emerges from the brush on the opposite end of the amphitheater, padding in his direction. Then he speaks to Brooke and the wolf's ears perk up. She tilts her head, tail raising and wagging slowly, tongue lolling out in a wolfish grin. Then she pads a little closer and lowers herself onto her belly, settling in to watch the interaction with clear anticipation.

Brooke replies, standing at her full 5'4" height. Formality and all, she gives her full introduction for this auspicious occasion. "I am Brooke Farman, rited Hushed Blaze, Athro, Galliard Glass Walker of homid birth, Beta of Terminal Velocity, Children of Merlin. Master of the Howl for the Sept of the Enduring Spirit. Married to Michael Farman of Glass Walker Kinfolk, mother to Chase Michael Dragomir William Farman, born under the Philodox moon. I accept your challenge for Fostern. What deeds have you done to earn Glory, Honor and Wisdom in the eyes of the spirits to make you ready for rank?"

Lleutrim was warned what the question would be and given it thought, "Specifically since my Rite of Passage, I have been recognized for aiding in the defeat of a group of formori who were attempting to summon a terrible spirit of the Wyrm in an abandoned mine out in the desert. I helped to defeat them and then cleanse the site without any of us getting hurt. I also helped to protect helpless humans and the veil when Black Spiral Dancers brought a corrupted fire spirit to the forest at the edge of the mountains. I've been working on learning several Rites, maintaining good relations with kinfolk, guarding the Caern, and nightly patrols. On one recent patrol we ran into a formor bear - with Puddle Jumper and Claws of Retribution. I was gravely injured but survived an incapacitating wound." Here Lleu glances towards Wazi, as he had noticed the white wolf's arrival. He smiles faintly, "She healed me and now is trying to teach me about making talens, while I in turn am trying to help her learn more about acting human." Lleutrim adds as he returns his attention to Brooke, "I have also been assisting Ildar and Gren, who are new cubs of the Sept. Currently I am also working at the forge with both Weathers the Storm'rhya and Defiant Storm'rhya to learn to make weapons and fetishes, Hushed Blaze'rhya."

Brooke smiles, "You have done well for the Nation, and Gaia." Taking a moment of reverence for all of those deeds, she then continues, "I have decided that as a Galliard, /you/ need to do more than just inspire to battle or recount the events, Battle Singer. In a higher rank, you will become a role model for those below you, and you are off to a great start with the cubs. But this also means knowing when you have made a mistake and taking responsibility for it - which is not easy. In your time as a Cub and even before your first change, you know that you may have wronged someone. That certainly was a by-product of the change, but still is yours to own. Therefore, I challenge you to learn the Rite of Contrition, and then find one Garou you have wronged and perform it for them so they know you mean it. It does not have to be in public, but it must be witnessed by another Garou. Once that is done, I want you to tell me how that made you feel, and how you have learned from it for your future in the Sept and the Nation. Your future can be very bright here, and you have much to give us all. You know you can be a leader, and from what you have told me, you are on the right path."

Donnachaidh grimaces slightly, then nods, "It is true that I need to learn that Rite, and there are at least two whom I can think of off the top of my head to whom I should perform it. Aye, Hushed Blaze'rhya. I will seek someone who can teach me this Rite and once learned, perform it with witnesses. What else would you ask of me?

Waziyata wags her tail again as she watches the exchange, and when Lleu speaks that reply she chuffs from the sidelines, speaking up for the first time. <<It is easy rite.>> Then she's back to watching with a silent, panting grin, observing the interaction between the two Galliards.

Benji wanders in looking around with the demeanor of someone still gaining his bearings. He stops suddenly from his idle observances when he notes others seeming almost startled. He folds his hands behind his back politely waiting to be acknowledged.

Brooke opens up the palms of her hands and motions them from together infront of her to open out to her sides, "That is all I ask. And I would be honored to teach you that rite, and any other of the many that I know. In fact, outside this challenge I would like you to learn Gathering for the Departed. My first time performing it will be a part of my next big story." She nods to Wazi, "Yes, it is. But sometimes the easiest can be the most important and meaningful if done correctly." She raises one finger up to Lleutrim, "Remember, it is more than just performing the rite, it is to be meaningful. I trust that you will find the reverence with it and be exceptional at it, as you are with your storytelling."

"Gathering for the Departed. Understood, Hushed Blaze'rhya. I shall learn what it is for and see who can teach it to me. I'm not familiar with that Rite, yet." Lleutrim stands before Brooke, in fresh clean clothes and with his hair and beard recently trimmed up so he looks a little more presentable. "I will also assist you in any way I am able with this month's Moot coming up. Whatever you could use help with doing it, please do let me know." He inclines his head to her, "I will do my best. I don't care to do anything that isn't sincere, Hushed Blaze'rhya." The Fianna Galliard adds low, "Is there nothing else you require of me for this challenge?"

Branton finds himself in the amphitheater this evening and sees business in progress. A seat is found and sat in way up in the cheap seats and Branton watches quietly for the moment.

Brooke shakes her head, "No. This is not for the rank of Elder, Battle Singer. This is meant to be somewhat easier than your Rite of Passage.." now her whole hand is palm up facing him "..but remember each rank more will be expected of you, not just in your challenge, but in daily life as a Garou. Everything you do will be seen by others and the Spirits. Remember that."

Lleutrim smiles, "Understood, Hushed Blaze'rhya. I will endeavor to keep learning, keep trying to improve. I'll let you know once I have learned the Rite and performed it, and who witnesses it. Thank you. I will remember." He waits to be sure he is dismissed before Lleu is going to look to the others or greet Waziyata.

Brooke waves her hand now with a smile, "Excellent. I look forward to it." She notes the others here, and gives them a wave now that the formal portion of the evening is over.