The Adventures of Ardum Kethos
Posted: February 19th, 2020, 2:49 am
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Ardum is an Acolyte of Bahamut and LLiira, the dragon god of good and minor human god of Joy and Festivals respectively.
Ardum Kethos - Brass Dragonborn Paladin
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--
Ardum nodded decisively as the final set of ceremonial banners settled into their box. The week following the Grand Revel was always a time of frantic work. Many regular duties fell to the wayside during the preparations and ensuing cleanup, leaving the acolytes to bear the brunt of the necessary extra work.
He didn’t mind though, the satisfaction of a storeroom where each item was accounted and properly kept was worth the many days of labor. Though, he did silently regret how much it cut into his time of study. Content with the state of the storeroom, Ardum closed the heavy oaken door, locking it tight with the worn key before placing it back into his hidden pocket.
When he returned to the small temple room he found a pair of young people looking around nervously. Ardum put his best smile on, making sure not to reveal too many teeth, and walked over to them with his arms held wide.
“How can this hall of Joy inspire you today?” he asked, returning the bow they offered him stiffly.
“We- uhm- we,” the man to the left started in a deep and somewhat scratchy voice. He was short for a human, but broad chested, and had skin with a deep russet tan beneath ash brown hair loosely tied. It was clear he was very nervous.
“We wanted rings, but couldn’t get away from work for the festival,” his companion said, holding out several shards. The second man was perhaps the opposite of the first, lean and lanky with pale skin and fine platinum blonde hair worn in an undercut. He seemed to stand behind rather than beside his partner.
Ardum nodded, familiar with the request, and accepted the donation with a small bow. It was not uncommon for people to come seeking to form a less binding union after the completion of the Revel. “Please, follow me to the altar and allow me to fetch the rings. Then we will complete the rites.”
He stepped around the thin wooden altar towards the back of the room. With practiced care, he opened a small box and removed a pair of etched silver rings before placing the coins into a slot set into the bottom lining. The muted clink of shards indicating the day had been a busy one.
With the slow pace of rite and ritual he placed a ring in each palm and looked to the two men. “Do you understand and accept these rings in the eyes of Our Lady of Joy that they might inspire you to hold your chosen in your heart with all the love and joy they deserve?”
Both men nodded vigorously, sneaking glances at each other while trying to keep their attention forward. “Then take a ring, and place it upon your chosen’s finger that they might have a token to know your devotion,” Ardum said, doing his best to keep his smile restrained.
The men each took a ring, the blonde blushing fiercely before turning to his partner and holding his finger out. Ardum watched and spoke the words of blessing. “Lady Lliira, we ask your sight fall upon these two and find the joy they carry in their hearts. We ask you to bless them, showing your approval for the bond they now seek.”
Ardum felt the gentle warmth of blessing and saw the rings glow, the tiny chips of ruby and sapphires in the top sparkling brilliantly for but a moment. The two men both blushed fiercely before looking to Ardum.
“It is done, you may celebrate however you wish. Remember to always keep the joy and love in your heart and share that joy with others,” he said, letting his smile open fully when the men embraced and began to whisper sweet nothings between several quick and fierce kisses.
“Is there anything else you require?” he asked politely when they seemed to have worked themselves to a small pause.
“Ah- no,” the broader man said, his blush darkening as he immediately stepped away from his partner. The blonde took his hand, stepping back in close and laying his head on his chosen’s shoulder.
“Thank you,” the blonde said softly, before tugging gently at his chosen’s hand and leading him out of the temple. Ardum watched them go, pleased he had been able to call upon the blessing with so little preparation. Perhaps the Lady was eager to grace those so honest with their joy so close to the grand celebration.
--
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--
Nodding as silence returned to the small temple, the acolyte returned to his duties, walking around the enclosed space and checking each statue and tapestry for wear and damage. Finding them all in good repair, he moved to the censers and found all but one sufficiently filled.
He moved to a small unassuming decorative box in the corner and removed a fresh incense stick. Taking it to the offending censer, he held it up and froze. With a careful glance around, he ensured there was no one present. Confident he was alone, he took a deep breath and opened his mouth a fraction, willing his fire to leak out.
The strong scent of char filled the air immediately, and Ardum coughed as he crushed the flaming stick of incense with his palm before holding the ash covered hand out. He frowned, snapping the remains of the destroyed stick and dropping them before he wiped the ash on the underside of his vestments.
“Of course I get eager and ruin it,” he grumble, berating himself for failing such a simple task. Without another word he moved to the back room and collected a small broom and pan from beside the door. Hopefully the lingering smell would fade before the next acolyte arrived.
Ardum is an Acolyte of Bahamut and LLiira, the dragon god of good and minor human god of Joy and Festivals respectively.
Ardum Kethos - Brass Dragonborn Paladin
Working Roll: [ To view this content, you must log in. ]
--
Ardum nodded decisively as the final set of ceremonial banners settled into their box. The week following the Grand Revel was always a time of frantic work. Many regular duties fell to the wayside during the preparations and ensuing cleanup, leaving the acolytes to bear the brunt of the necessary extra work.
He didn’t mind though, the satisfaction of a storeroom where each item was accounted and properly kept was worth the many days of labor. Though, he did silently regret how much it cut into his time of study. Content with the state of the storeroom, Ardum closed the heavy oaken door, locking it tight with the worn key before placing it back into his hidden pocket.
When he returned to the small temple room he found a pair of young people looking around nervously. Ardum put his best smile on, making sure not to reveal too many teeth, and walked over to them with his arms held wide.
“How can this hall of Joy inspire you today?” he asked, returning the bow they offered him stiffly.
“We- uhm- we,” the man to the left started in a deep and somewhat scratchy voice. He was short for a human, but broad chested, and had skin with a deep russet tan beneath ash brown hair loosely tied. It was clear he was very nervous.
“We wanted rings, but couldn’t get away from work for the festival,” his companion said, holding out several shards. The second man was perhaps the opposite of the first, lean and lanky with pale skin and fine platinum blonde hair worn in an undercut. He seemed to stand behind rather than beside his partner.
Ardum nodded, familiar with the request, and accepted the donation with a small bow. It was not uncommon for people to come seeking to form a less binding union after the completion of the Revel. “Please, follow me to the altar and allow me to fetch the rings. Then we will complete the rites.”
He stepped around the thin wooden altar towards the back of the room. With practiced care, he opened a small box and removed a pair of etched silver rings before placing the coins into a slot set into the bottom lining. The muted clink of shards indicating the day had been a busy one.
With the slow pace of rite and ritual he placed a ring in each palm and looked to the two men. “Do you understand and accept these rings in the eyes of Our Lady of Joy that they might inspire you to hold your chosen in your heart with all the love and joy they deserve?”
Both men nodded vigorously, sneaking glances at each other while trying to keep their attention forward. “Then take a ring, and place it upon your chosen’s finger that they might have a token to know your devotion,” Ardum said, doing his best to keep his smile restrained.
The men each took a ring, the blonde blushing fiercely before turning to his partner and holding his finger out. Ardum watched and spoke the words of blessing. “Lady Lliira, we ask your sight fall upon these two and find the joy they carry in their hearts. We ask you to bless them, showing your approval for the bond they now seek.”
Ardum felt the gentle warmth of blessing and saw the rings glow, the tiny chips of ruby and sapphires in the top sparkling brilliantly for but a moment. The two men both blushed fiercely before looking to Ardum.
“It is done, you may celebrate however you wish. Remember to always keep the joy and love in your heart and share that joy with others,” he said, letting his smile open fully when the men embraced and began to whisper sweet nothings between several quick and fierce kisses.
“Is there anything else you require?” he asked politely when they seemed to have worked themselves to a small pause.
“Ah- no,” the broader man said, his blush darkening as he immediately stepped away from his partner. The blonde took his hand, stepping back in close and laying his head on his chosen’s shoulder.
“Thank you,” the blonde said softly, before tugging gently at his chosen’s hand and leading him out of the temple. Ardum watched them go, pleased he had been able to call upon the blessing with so little preparation. Perhaps the Lady was eager to grace those so honest with their joy so close to the grand celebration.
--
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--
Nodding as silence returned to the small temple, the acolyte returned to his duties, walking around the enclosed space and checking each statue and tapestry for wear and damage. Finding them all in good repair, he moved to the censers and found all but one sufficiently filled.
He moved to a small unassuming decorative box in the corner and removed a fresh incense stick. Taking it to the offending censer, he held it up and froze. With a careful glance around, he ensured there was no one present. Confident he was alone, he took a deep breath and opened his mouth a fraction, willing his fire to leak out.
The strong scent of char filled the air immediately, and Ardum coughed as he crushed the flaming stick of incense with his palm before holding the ash covered hand out. He frowned, snapping the remains of the destroyed stick and dropping them before he wiped the ash on the underside of his vestments.
“Of course I get eager and ruin it,” he grumble, berating himself for failing such a simple task. Without another word he moved to the back room and collected a small broom and pan from beside the door. Hopefully the lingering smell would fade before the next acolyte arrived.