Cinder Hall, an apothecarial-focused chapterhouse and academy for Mercies of Lagoma at Cedar Vale

With permission from Count Graham as well as in coordination with the local Seraph and local Mercies, Lord Rafael will be using the experience gained from founding the Mercy chapterhouse at Pridehall to do similar good works at Cedar Vale. Our Lady of Glorious Change and Pridehall reside closeby a waterway offering access to medical supplies and knowledge coming in from the west. Rafael hopes to take strategic advantage of Cedar Vale's relative proximity to the opposing river, maximizing the flow of vital healing resources from the east to create a nexus ripe for medical innovation. With both Mercy sites working in tandem, and an already existing relationship with the Mercies of Arx, the overall positive effect for the people of the surrounding regions can only increase!

A modestly sized but whimsical castle designed with, as a nod to Lagoma, purposeful architectural emphasis on the harmony between human beings and the natural shift of the seasons, 'Cinder Hall' will conspire to create the perfect atmosphere for those seeking faith-based instruction in the healing arts. The chapterhouse will include intimate educational and residential wings, and a dedicated area of worship with representations of the entire Pantheon, not just Lagoma.

Given Cedar Vale's already well-established popularity among apothecaries, Rafael will see that Cinder Hall's academic focus be placed predominantly on the niche teachings most relevant to that vocation, thus differentiating it from the larger Mercy location at Pridehall's more generalized curriculum -- keeping the conversation on cooperation rather than competition, a point Rafael sticks to whenever the academy at Blancbier is brought up.

Amantha is all for another mercy chapterhouse, even though she herself isn't a Mercy. Being the commander of the Nurse Corps she'll lend her expertise to the best of her abilities. She'll offer advice on combat medicine and the apothecarie aspect of that, but especially she'll also offer her insights on the transport of more dangerous medicine and the criminal aspects that might be issues when dealing with certain sought after substances, those that can be used counter to the intentions of the Mercies. She'll also look for the possibility of making the Iron Guard's Nurse Corps known as an option for those mercies that are going to travel to Arx or it's immediate surrounding after their graduation.

Nurie Baseborn is happy to lend both her craftsmanship and networking skills to the endeavor. She will help design both a working tunic and sash with a special insignia for the graduates of the academy, so that they are easily recognized. These items can be worn together or separately, as the wearer deems appropriate, both of excellent craftsmanship and with special design elements to aid them in their work (built in pockets, incorporating aeterna in areas highly likely to be stained, and other touches that will likely be very pleasing to those that have earned them, as well as looking prestigious to those who see them being worn).

Nurie personally invests resources in silver to ensure an adequate supply of fabric so that the new chapterhouse and academy can use their funds towards their own goals rather than having to bear the expense of this. She also invests her considerable social abilities in talking up this new academy so that graduates and those wearing the ensemble will be easily recognized for their accomplishment.

Haptenna has been asked by Rafael, by messenger, to draft a 'school song' of sorts of the school. Getting over her initial terror at the request because it's the last thing she wants to do, she settles down to write a song in her own particular stylings that she is sure will be rejected! Absolutely not be what is wanted by Rafael at all. Totally. As Haptenna's songs tend to be murder ballads and folktales, it is the song sung from the point of view of an ill-educated apothecary, inviting people to sample his wares for their healh, entirely cheerful about how it works... most of the time and, well, he definitely doesn't use them himself and so what if a few people have died. It's no big deal and that's just how these things go, come on, let's drink to your health. It's through-line shows the thin line between life and death and, naturally, the final lines aiming to fade out with his implied demise.

The plans are set in motion to begin building a healing annex within the borders of Cedar Vale; a sister site to the great shrine and healing college within Pridehall lands. This smaller chapterhouse is dedicated to the alchmeical arts, medicine making: tinctures, draughts, ointments, salves, potions and poultices.

With the curriculum designed by Lord Rafael Bisland, the students are all but guaranteed success, so long as they apply themselves. His efforts are not solitary, finding assistance from Ironguardsman Amantha Harrow who works out security protocols and patrols; Nurie Baseborn, who generously provides yards and yards and *yards* of fabric, used in everything from bed linens, school robes, bandages, suture and decorations around the Hall. It is, perhaps, Haptenna's contribution, in the form of a... memorable... tune, that sees word spread like wildfire of the new chapterhouse. It goes something like this:

In a town called Dranruee,
The people were as careful as could be,
For if they fell, got sick or hurt,
The call would sound and bring Ol' Kurt.

Kurt the Hurt they called him silently,
Each one he mended would sprout unsightly
Spots or pox or unwanted hair
The cost for healing too much to bear.

As often as he healed he hindered,
People often endured more than splinters
To evade his 'help' lest they find
A pus-filled boil on their behind.

Don't be like Kurt, get yer learning good
Don't mix your poultices with lice and wood
Head to Cinder Hall and learn from the best,
Avoid Ol' Kurt's fate and pass the test.

In the end the venture is a resounding success, with an increase in population and funds flowing into Cedar Vale as word of this new place of learning spreads, and associated with it, the names of those so vital to its success.

Lou brings everyone to the Society of Explorers, and bars the doors against entry for the evening. Only those that are partaking in the ritual will have permission to be in the spacious Explorer's Hall. For those who have not experienced the ritual previously, she has taken extensive amounts of time to talk to them about what's involved, and teach them what's needed to perform their own, and expresses that the ritual is very different for each person, as it is their own vision that's required to make it a success, and then she invites them, and others, to help her with her own ritual.

The thirteen candles are set up around the grand map in the Explorer's hall. Each is placed in a spot where Lou has directly explored before. Everwinter, Eventide Vast,
Lastlight Hold, where Morien's final stand took place, the location of the Battle of Blackwoods where Pena Stormryder asked Petrichor to help against their Sylv'alfar foes, the Isle of Storms, Whitepeak, the beautiful aerie in the mountains where Brass's magical map to help find the dwarves was located, the caves at the Lodge of Petrichor, the not so general location of the Wolfheart Tribe, the blackened ruins of the where the great hold of Eastguard once stood, the general location of the four castles from the Northern Sea Marches, Icefall, where she met and helped rescue 5 live dwarves, the general location of the caves she shared with a pack of wolves for the evening. (OOC: these are locations from @actions and/or @clue 45 - Lou's Travels.)

Once the candles are set up, they are lit at the proper time, and Lou takes the time to meditate over each item, and infuse both herself and her item with her intention. When she's ready, she starts to feed each of the items into the flames, passing her vision and her intention into the fires. As she does, she says the following.

"There may be darkness, but in the darkness there is always light, and where there is light there is always wonder and hope in the world, and in the dream. My wish, my intent, is for the dream to be ever filled with wonder and hope, that people get to experience all of the amazing things I have experienced over the years, from the beauty of the mountains, to the strange wonders of an unknown ocean. To run away form an avalanche, and be able to discover an old people, or new to you people, long thought lost and dead, only to have them revive before your very eyes, having the chance to bring a long thought lost race back into the world. To have passion, and spark of imagination, and to see it grow, and unfold, until you're holding your own tiny clockwork griffon in your own hands - and watching in amazement as it flies around, not once, but three times, before landing at your feet. To experience the fear and worry, but then also the joy and warmth, of sharing a night with a pack of wolves, in an agreed upon truce for a peaceful night of slumber out of the worst storm you've ever experienced. To play, and learn new songs from children of a people long descended from a great people, even if they give you a bit of a scare with one of their games. To always, always want to dream, and explore, and learn something new, and bask in it. For, adventure awaits in everything that we do. Adventure Awaits."

Each of the items she puts to the fire are tiny souvenirs, things that mean only something to Lou, based on her finds from her adventures. Some are more precious than others. A scarf from Viktarkim from their trip to Everwinter, a piece of Mason's shirt from the day they first met when he fell into her encampment while she out exploring, that arrow that was accidentally loosed against Luca when out on patrol, that was meant for an abyssal wolf, a copy of the map she drew of Brass's magical map, a copy of the schematics she made of the clockwork bird she helped make which gave her the other half of the map to find the living dwarves, bits of dried flora she collected from Whitepeak, and a number of other things, until all thirteen pieces are delivered to the flames and burned.

Once that last piece is burned, she whispers again, "Adventure Awaits."

Calaudrin is here to observe and not break anything!

Arcadia is here to watch, learn and support. She will focus on good thoughts on adventures and exploring as guided too and be quiet and still when she needs to be.

Quintin is along to watch the ceremony, participate as needed, and make mental notes for his own ceremony (hopefully).

Having already done his own ritual, Mason is here to support Lou and assist her in adding her own vision to the Dream. Given the theme of adventure and exploration, he will focus his thoughts on the many many adventures he and his wife have gone on together, (and the ones he's only heard about from her). There seems to be no worry or doubt on the man's face, as he fully believes in Lou and supports her. When the time comes for the ritual to be completed, he will also try to meditate and see if he can't witness the culmination of her efforts with Mage Sight.

Amantha will help out as and when asked to as she takes mental notes of the ritual and everything around it.

Cufre is among those who relatively new to the ritual, so she briefed on what was to come and its personal nature. She lends a hand, as needed, during the setup the precedes the ceremony. Once the ritual begins, Cufre's attention is fixed on Lou's countenance and words far more than on the individual offerings.

Lou closes the Society of Explorers for the evening, bringing only those who will witness her ritual to the Explorers' Hall. Still, it's important to her to have this here, and now. Even as she explains what's needed, it's fitting for her, she feels, that she is explaining such a thing in a place that is so very much a part of who she is. Of how she sees the world.

And then she sets up her thirteen candles around the map in the Hall, each one placed in a spot where Lou has directly explored. And in the thirteenth hour on the thirteenth day she lights them, feeding her sacrifices into the flame. As she does, she speaks.

"There may be darkness, but in the darkness there is always light, and where there is light there is always wonder and hope in the world, and in the dream. My wish, my intent, is for the dream to be ever filled with wonder and hope, that people get to experience all of the amazing things I have experienced over the years, from the beauty of the mountains, to the strange wonders of an unknown ocean. To run away form an avalanche, and be able to discover an old people, or new to you people, long thought lost and dead, only to have them revive before your very eyes, having the chance to bring a long thought lost race back into the world. To have passion, and spark of imagination, and to see it grow, and unfold, until you're holding your own tiny clockwork griffon in your own hands - and watching in amazement as it flies around, not once, but three times, before landing at your feet. To experience the fear and worry, but then also the joy and warmth, of sharing a night with a pack of wolves, in an agreed upon truce for a peaceful night of slumber out of the worst storm you've ever experienced. To play, and learn new songs from children of a people long descended from a great people, even if they give you a bit of a scare with one of their games. To always, always want to dream, and explore, and learn something new, and bask in it. For, adventure awaits in everything that we do. Adventure Awaits."

Each of the items she sacrifices are mementos, precious to her for their experience, and her relationship to each one. And as the last piece burns, she whispers again, "Adventure Awaits."

The phrase echoes through the hall. "Adventure awaits, awaits, awaits." The fires flame up, bright as sunlight, and suddenly they are not in the Hall at all, but they are on a mountainous peak, and from the peak they can see all the world spread before them. For a moment, they see not just the world at their feet but the fabric of the Dream itself - the feeling that everything is connected. The thrill of knowing all the threads that have gone into weaving this tapestry, and the thrill of not knowing what will come next. The joy in the adventure, in the story. Tales of love and laughter. Tales of sorrow and betrayal. Adventures of discovery - of the world, of the people within, of oneself. For a moment, they can see it all spread before them and then they are back in the Hall, and the candles gutter out as one. "Adventure awaits," comes the whisper again, though not from Lou's voice this time. "Make it a good one."

In order to spread Death's doctrine in Arx (and around the compact if rumors spread and travellers carry the word onward), the Harlequins and Bard's college plus associates of either, with Harlequin Mockingbird Evaristo, Legate Aureth, Voice of the Queen of Endings and Nightingale Gianna organising, get together to create the Festival of Death.

The festival itself takes place during spread out events over the course of the summer, culminating with the The Rhytm of the Wheel that in itself is more than one event. Many of the events will take place in the Lowers and Uppers and will largely be free to attend. Nobles are encouraged to donate to the Faith of the Pantheon and the Harlequins in particular, however. Some contests might have a small fee if you also win something, but commoners will pay a token one. Streets will be decorated with bats on string, skulls, spiders and of course, wheels.

Streets nearest the events will be decorated with spiders, bats, wheels and skulls (not real ones!) hanging from buildings or in trees. (Yes, they will be taken down and not left to litter!)

Events will include (but not exclude other things):
* Pun contests
* Fashion show
* Craft stations for children (make your own bat plushie or spider etc.)
* Pin the leg on the spider
* A Death inspired poetry reading
* A Death inspired Masquerade ball
* A spider petting zoo
* Play performances on Death history and stories
* Music performances
* Dancing performances
* Sermons at the Shrine of the Queen of Endings, and lore sessions for the curious

Each event will offer the Death Prayerbook to read and each event will give a short briefing on her doctrine at the start. The Iron Guard will be helping to keep order on the streets on any events taking place outside in the public.

The culmination of the festival will be The Rhytm of the Wheel event, in which hundreds of drummers of all ages get together, wearing clothing in black, white and red. (See this link for an idea of how it might look/sync - though think more heartbeats. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbmrJ85p_fo) None will have faces painted as skulls, but there will be Death's own symbol on the clothes or held aloft on banners. The drummer event will start at the Shrine of the Queen of Endings and move towards the Graveyard right outside of Arx. It will portray the beating heart - of the city, of the people. Syncronised and organised by the Bard's College and conducted by its members, Evaristo will walk in the front with any Harlequins who wish to do so and other invited guests who might want to join. It will be a powerful display, with the rhytms perfect, the drummers moving in sync with well-rehearsed dance steps and drumming. Small drums, large drums, combined into an epic melody of life, from beginning till end. Along the way, actors will perform little mini-plays of scenes from life. Children playing. A marriage. Adventures. Lazy days in the sun. Shivering cold in the winter. Working. Tragedies, joys.

At the Graveyard the drums will slow down. Slower and slower until they stop. And symbolically, a woman in a black dress and a black hooded cloak (Gianna acting as Death herself) will come forth and embrace an old woman before the two walk away together while the drummers slowly fade out the 'heartbeats' - the Ending. But then, after it fully stops, a young couple walks into the graveyard, the drummers parting way. They carry a young baby, walking to visit a grave. The drumming begins picking up once more. A new life has come. A new Beginning. The concert ends in a crescendo, every drummer giving it all.

After the Rhytm of the Wheel event, Evaristo, Aureth and Gianna will do a concert together. They will sing and play. The Life is a Near Death Experience song will be sung, but also new songs about stories about Death. Humorous, and serious, epic and small. The concert will be held at the Shrine of the Queen, outside of it on a stage built for the occasion. And then it will all end in an amazing party, finishing the Festival of Death - for this year.

Aureth is here to grease wheels, primarily (this is what the 500 social he added is for -- for greasing wheels and calling in a few casual favors, as a big bad faith favor caller), but he's also here to offer cheerful sermonizing and a little performative panache to the whole thing in conjunction with Evaristo and Gianna. There's nobody who loves Death more than him, as far as he's concerned, and demonstrating that is his favorite part of his job. He's available for singing, juggling, and the all-important part of his priestly role, answering questions for the confused.

Though not a Harlequin, Helena is a fan of the Queen of Endings and Beginnings for a few reasons, so she lends her voice to the effort, to help spread the doctrine of Death. She'll attend and lead events, speak highly of the goddess, answer questions, and do her best to help the people of Arx understand what a gift the Queen is to humanity, rather than being something to fear.

As a Harlequin Lethe will attend as many events as she can. She wants to make sure people have a good time. She will be there to talk to anyone who is curious about the Queen of Endings and will do her best to answer any questions they may have. She will also walk with Evaristo and other Harlequins during the rhythm of the wheel event.

As with any large gathering of people, it is wise to have well-practiced healers on hand just in case. While this is a Festival of Death, there is no requirement for any actual deaths (this is not a Nox'alfar gathering after all). Estelle will be there with a number of Mercies both to keep everyone in good health and spirits while the Godsworn woman will also offer what she knows of the Queen of Endings.

Gianna's main contribution, aside from providing the Bard's College backing, will be to perform in that concert. The Nightingale herself! People pay big money to have her sing, and here she's doing it for free. FOR FREE. You're welcome, everyone. She will even play nice and sing with Evaristo and Aureth instead of trying to grandstand. Or she'll try not to, anyway. Sort of. OK, there might be some grandstanding.

Darkwater itself has gone through the wheel of life, so it's one of the reasons the Countess of it feels a connection to the Queen of Endings because of it. Carita's more than happy to lend resources and silver for this beautiful idea of Evaristo's. After all, she knows people that know people to make sure things run smoothly even with minimal resources.

Drums may not be Saro's more typical line of work, but with skills in both wood- and leatherworking and a perfect ear for pitch, it's certainly not outside her capabilities. That being the case, she's taken it upon herself to create some of the drums to be used in the parade; just a few larger pieces worked in the motifs of the Queen of Endings to punctuate certain points of the procession and provide a decorative, and spectacularly LOUD, focal point.

Warrick will bring the presence of the Iron Guard to the festival to provide order and security for the performers and guests. He'll keep the other guardsmen evenly divided between the roads they're instructed to block off. More guardsmen will be directed to stand guard at every corner on the parade route, and a small squad will travel alongside the drummers in the Rhythm of the Wheel event, spaced so they remain discreet. Any disorder will be met with every attempt to de-escalate, or else a gentle escort out of the festival.

As a Harlequin and a Lowers man, Raymesin will be adding security measures throughout the festival that have nothing to do with the Iron Guard and everything to do with keeping the peace. After all, there are few things like the offer of having a personal meeting with the Queen in a minute or two to help someone decide that maybe they didn't want to do what they were about to do after all.

While not a Harlequin, Ida believes all of the pantheon should be honored, so at the suggestion of Princess Helena, she stocks the shop with hairpins in spider and skull themes for the upcoming events. A portion of the proceeds from those sales will then be donated to the Shrine of the Queen of Endings.

Amantha will be there leading a small group from the iron nurse corps to assist the Mercies when needed or patrolling the festival when it's not.

Berenice will be at her socialite best, offering the weight of House Velenosa's grandeur and style to the festival, as well as serving as a co-host for one of the final events. Don't you want to join? Are you /sure/? (You definitely want to attend.)

It's a good festival in the way all festivals ought to be. Enough events, spaced out far enough, that the Queen stays on people's minds, that the momentum for more Queen events remains. This is all known, everyone knows that they've been out there, spreading the word, spreading art and music in her name.

What isn't known is this: After the drums of the Rhythm of the Wheel fade, after the crowds have largely dispersed, after costumes are shed and it's time to tend to the Graveyard and make sure nothing's left behind, Evaristo and Aureth, Gianna and Helena, Ida and Berenice, Carita and Lethe and Saro, Estelle and Amantha, Warrick and Raymesin, they all see someone strange. They're seated at one of the tables not quite cleared away, thin and cloaked and slump, and they're singing a thin, sharp song that only just carries.

You are born. Now. Open your eyes and cry.
You are aged and worn. Close your eyes and die.
You are born. Now. Reach out your small hands.
You are worn. Now. Lay your body on the sands.

The soul is spun new. The soul is spun old.
You are righteous and bold. Or clever and cold.
The light excites you. Or the dark draws you close.
You embrace a legacy. Or resist it, in throes.

You are dead. Now. You wake now, anew.
You will look back, soon, see how you grew.
Or didn't. Now. Again begin. End again.
Close your eyes. The Wheel still spins.

As the song continues, the graveyard darkens slightly, the soil near them rivering with spiders. The sky does not change, but the feeling of being outside does, as if they were wrapped in close garments and kept somewhere safe. And by the song end, the figure is gone, although no one saw them leave. Their heartbeats seem a touch louder for a few minutes after, drumlike, as if accompanying something unheard.