Apse.
This small chamber sits at the peak of the nave, overlooking the long halls
below. A light that is surely divine fills the room with a pleasant warmth that
quietly soothes your soul. A respectful silence lingers here, encouraging inward
meditation and deep thought, while the scent of fresh flowers also infuses the
air, wafting from the blossoms strewn in offering. A runic totem is planted
solidly in the ground. A leather-bound book, upon a pedestal of pure light,
rests here. A ladder of long, soft leaves comprises a wispy Weaver's Fern along
the ground. A sigil in the shape of a small, rectangular monolith is on the
ground. The shining figure of a guardian angel floats in the air here.
You see a single exit leading south.


(Church): You say, "Members of the Holy Church, I would call all of you
to the Apse. There is one in our midst who seeks the redemption that
only the Light has to offer."

(Shallam): You say, "Members of the City of Light, I would call all of
you to the Apse. There is one in our midst who seeks the redemption that
only the Light has to offer."

Mathonwy bows his head in silent prayer.

Tanaros says with a thick Xorani accent, "Why deliverance?"

Balthazar stares meaningfully at Tanaros and furtively makes a small
gesture in front of his neck.

Daje rolls on the floor, laughing.

Sethai cringes and drops his face into his palms with a shake of his
head.

Athelus snickers softly to himself.

Tanaros shrugs helplessly.

Mathonwy raises his head and gestures for silence.

It is now the 19th of Miraman, 522 years after the fall of the
Seleucarian Empire.

You say softly, "Hail, citizens and brethren in the Light."

Daje Kindfire says, "Hail Shallam, Archprelate."

Daje nods his head at you.

Daje bows his head slightly in reverence to everyone in the area
surrounding.

Balthazar sighs and slumps slightly.

Balthazar lowers his head and mumbles to himself.

Drohgnor says with a Heavy, relaxed Dwarven accent, "Hail Archprelate."

You say, "I have asked you here to witness a cleansing of one our newest
allies."

You purse your lips, deep in thought as you contemplate Daje.

You look thoughtful and say, "The Codex says that we should support
those who support us in our vigilance against those who oppose Creation.
All have been asked to attend this ritual of rebirth for exactly this
reason."

You say, "Indeed, the measure of a man is the story of his service to
Creation. As Good is reckoned in action, so too is one's character the
story of those actions."

You say, "A story, though, is altered by the tellers, whereas Good is
eternal and unchanging. So, too, are our actions in relation to Good:
though the context of these actions - the frame, as it were, into which
one places one's composite character - may change with the telling, the
actions ever remain."

You say, "Consider, then, Daje Kindfire."

Mathonwy gestures toward Daje.

You frown and say, "For too long has the filth of the West permeated his
body. For too long has a Good-given soul rested upon a foundation of
rot."

You pause for a second in contemplation.

You say, "This month is Miraman, named for the Goddess of Justice. It is
especially significant, for justice ought to be meted out."

You say, "Daje stands judged before us, guilty of a past of crimes
against the Light."

You say, "Consider."

Daje kneels onto one knee, demonstrating his humility and respect.

You say, "He has slaughtered our denizens and massacred our guards for
naught but indulgence in a passing fancy."

You say, "He has smudged our totems and assaulted and harassed our
citizens."

You say, "He has defiled the City of the Light with his unclean
presence, lingering overlong in a wanton embrace of Evil's seductive
half-truths."

You say, "He has spoken heresy with the intent to deny the Light to
those who rightfully sought it."

Mathonwy turns to Daje.

You ask, "Daje, you stand here today so judged before the City of Light
and the Holy Church. You know these faces well, for before you aided us
you were a deadly saboteur for the vile city of Mhaldor. You oppressed
these very citizens you see here, in cold blood, an instrument of
cruelty and pain. You followed the seething will of Evil. What do you
say for yourself?"

Daje Kindfire says, "Aye. Today I stand here, humbled by the power of
Good and aglow with the Light of the Church. Absent is the light in
Mhaldor and deletrious was her poison: corrupt were my actions and
chaotic became of my mind. Now I ask for forgiveness, and hope to grow
in the Light, purify my will through Justice, and bring order to my
mind."

You ask, "Do you forsake your former comrades? Do you surrender yourself
to the will of Good, that your history of Evil may be cleansed? Do you
give your life to the greater Good of Creation?"

Daje Kindfire says, "Yes, my comrades are forgotten; I have shattered
them from my mind. The foolish, nihilistic path of Evil is but a distant
memory only to be purified by Righteousness. I swear upon my very spirit
to give up my life for the greater Good of the Church, Shallam, and the
Te'serra."

You say, "Very well. As you were once oathbound to Evil and its emphasis
upon the transient facets of our world, so too shall you now be bound
eternally, instead to Good, eternal and unchanging. Should you decide to
stray from that path - should you come to live in the absence of Light -
may your shattered body become a commonplace testament against the rot
and decay such lifestyles bring. Daje, repeat this oath after I utter it
and in blood shall your word be sealed."

Daje Kindfire says, "So be it."

Mathonwy nods gravely to Daje.

You say, "'I, Daje, swear upon the Codex of Light, on my life, and on my
soul, to follow the Light, give my life to the pursuit of Good, and
protect the weak with infinite patience so that they may grow as I have.
Should I defect, I will live in exile and in exile I will wither and
rot, hunted forever by advocates of the Light.'"

Daje Kindfire says, "I, Daje, swear upon this Holy Codex, on my life,
and on my soul, to follow the Light, give my life to the pursuit of
Good, and protect the weak with infinite patience so that they may grow
as I have. Should I defect, I will live in exile and in exile I will
wither and rot, hunted forever by advocates of the Light."

You say, "'Never again shall I stumble upon the Path of Light: never
again shall Evil's seductive promises of Strength hold sway over my
soul. May all who hear these words hold me accountable, and may I be
hunted should I fall into such ignobility for a thousand thousand
years.'"

Daje Kindfire says, "Never again shall I stumble upon the Path of Light:
never again shall Evil's seductive promises of Strength hold sway over
my soul. May all who hear these words hold me accountable, and may I be
hunted should I fall into such ignobility for a thousand thousand
years."

You say, "By blood this oath will be sealed and in blood will it be
broken."

Daje Kindfire says, "By blood this oath will be sealed and in blood will
it be broken."

You nod your head emphatically.

Mathonwy turns to the assembled congregation.

You say, "Fellow devotion users, I would ask a boon of you."

You say, "It is purity that Daje seeks. I ask that you recite to him the
ancient and purifing verses, and utter to him a prayer followed by the
laying of hands, one at a time."

You say, "In such a manner may we, the followers of the Light, welcome
him into our midst."

Halos steps forward.

Halos looks towards Daje and begins to recite the holy verses.
Daje screams in agony as his soul is burnt with purgatorial fire.

Halos lays his hands gently on Daje.

The faint sound of a heated debate can be heard from elsewhere in the
Basilica.

Mathonwy nods solemnly at Halos.

Areigna takes a step forward.

Areigna looks towards Daje and begins to recite the holy verses.
Daje screams in agony as his soul is burnt with purgatorial fire.

Justiciar Ariye Areigna Dawyn-Shiva Rian says to Daje, "May the Light
forever brighten your soul, guide your Path and strengthen you, Daje."

Areigna lays her hands gently on Daje.

Sethai steps forward.

Mathonwy nods solemnly at Areigna.

Sethai looks towards Daje and begins to recite the holy verses.
Daje screams in agony as his soul is burnt with purgatorial fire.

Sir Sethai Del-Amroth, Templar Knight says to Daje, "You've held
yourself with great dignity, and I have only these words for you."

Sir Sethai Del-Amroth, Templar Knight says to Daje, "You singe
beautifully."

Sethai lays his hands gently on Daje.

Ovid steps forward.

Ovid looks towards Daje and begins to recite the holy verses.
Daje screams in agony as his soul is burnt with purgatorial fire.

Ovid says, "If you have a bow, Daje, shoot. Get to work and prove
yourself with a mighty deed!"

Ovid says, "May you conquer many more."

Ovid lays his hands gently on Daje.

Mathonwy nods solemnly at Ovid.

Balthazar steps towards Daje.

Balthazar looks towards Daje and begins to recite the holy verses.
Daje screams in agony as his soul is burnt with purgatorial fire.

Balthazar says to Daje with a zealous, Dwarven accent, "With the
cleansing of our enemies, shall ye too be cleansed, brother."

Balthazar lays his hands gently on Daje.

Mathonwy nods solemnly at Balthazar.

Drohgnor steps forward to stand before Daje.

Drohgnor looks towards Daje and begins to recite the holy verses.
Daje screams in agony as his soul is burnt with purgatorial fire.

Drohgnor says to Daje with a Heavy, relaxed Dwarven accent, "I know you
only a little, but I have seen you in valorous defense of shallam. I
give you my blessing. go and follow the light."

Drohgnor lays his hands gently on Daje.

Athelus steps forward.

Athelus looks towards Daje and begins to recite the holy verses.
Daje screams in agony as his soul is burnt with purgatorial fire.

Equerry Athelus, Protege of Lady Trenia says, "May creation guide you,
valour guard you, and justice be with you upon the enemies of the
light."

Athelus lays his hands gently on Daje.

You nod your head emphatically.

You ask, "Have any others words for the accused?"

Aximand steps forward.

You nod your head at Aximand.

Aximand says to Daje in a radiant voice, "We've never really spoken...
but this is an inspiration to me and hopefully to everyone else. May you
never stray from the Path of Light. I give you my blessings."

Aximand lays his hands gently on Daje.

Halos's mouth turns up as his face breaks into a smile.

Halos steps forward.

You nod your head at Halos.

Areigna takes a drink from a fairy-shaped amber vial.

Halos says with an eastern accent, "The Light is a hard master, yes?"

Halos says with an eastern accent, "You've nearly become a fixture
within the Grey Haven."

Halos says with an eastern accent, "But the true purpose is clear. May
we meet often along brightly lit paths. You have my blessing as well."

You nod your head at Halos.

You ask, "Have any others words for the accused?"

<nothing>

You nod your head emphatically.

Mathonwy steps forward.

The sound of a practising choir reverberates throughout the Basilica.

You recite the holy verses to pierce the soul of Daje with purity.
Daje screams in agony as his soul is burnt with purgatorial fire.

You say to Daje, "In the Light, may you find the purpose you seek."

You lay your hands on Daje.

You say to Daje, "The community has shown its acceptance of you. Between
them and you, now, only stands the foundation of Evil upon which you
have built your early life."

You ask Daje, "I ask you, Daje: how deep is your commitment to the
Light?"

Daje Kindfire says to you, "I commit my entire body, mind, and soul to
the will of Light and the Good of Creation."

You ask Daje, "And yet, you are in a transition, not yet purified of the
miasma of Evil that permeates your being. I wonder: will you accept the
judgement for your sins?"

You ask Daje, "In order to be purified by judgement, the body must
break, that the soul is truly free. Do you accept the penitence?"

Daje Kindfire says to you, "I do."

Mathonwy nods gravely.

You silently draw a spiritual mace from a plain leather beltloop.

You say to Daje, "Stand in judgment, then, and be reborn a servant of
the Light."

You raise a spiritual mace over Daje to pass judgement on his sins, and
it begins to crackle with fire.

You swing the crackling mace about your head, gathering momentum as you
bear down on him.

The mace begins to make a high-pitched keening sound as it rapidly spins
over your head.

With a roar of righteous fury, you bring your burning, shrieking mace
down upon Daje, who crumples lifelessly to the ground as his sins are
purged by your cleansing fire.
You have slain Daje.

You gather the broken corpse of Daje into your arms and gently breathe
life into him. When you are done, you feel weak as a newborn babe.
Daje rises again with new life, his wounds miraculously closing up
before your eyes.

Daje opens his eyes, his body still weak from the trauma of this
metamorphosis. His body begins to glow with a radiant white light,
dissipating after a moment.

You approach Daje and present a stirring argument on the driving ideals
of Good. As testament to your devotion, you offer him the opportunity to
be delivered safely from harm when he is in great peril.

Daje's face becomes a mask of faithful reverence as he accepts the words
and opens his heart to the purity of Good.

You say to Daje, "Go, then, with my blessing, and serve Creation, ever."

You pour blessings of bliss over Daje, granting him visions of the
majesty of the divine.

Daje bows his head and closes his eyes in apparent humility and respect.
After a moment passes he opens his eyes again, head still bowed.

The game needs more of this.

The game needs more of this. Thank you.

Sethai looks towards Daje and begins to recite the holy verses.
Daje screams in agony as his soul is burnt with purgatorial fire.

Sir Sethai Del-Amroth, Templar Knight says to Daje, "You've held
yourself with great dignity, and I have only these words for you."

Sir Sethai Del-Amroth, Templar Knight says to Daje, "You singe
beautifully."