Solo Rejected

[Alric Wilmot]

Summer 41st of 513 AV Alric Wilmot walked along the city of Alvadas in a state of euphoria. He had talked with Kuvarakh the other day, reconnecting to the Order he had briefly had a part in creating near a year ago. Quite a lot had happened in his absence, but the Order had more or less remained small. He imagined it had great potential regardless, and had made sure to indicate he wished to help it along. However the fruits of that labor would be a long time in coming, and it was best to step back and watch it grow. In the mean time, Alric wanted to reconnect to his home, and his god. In the past he had served as a Speaker, to better help the city he loved. But it had been a long while since then, and he might find he thought he might have earned scorn for his extended absence. As it turns out, he was right. He had found the Womiyu quickly, surprisingly quickly really. And had explained himself before Jahoma. Unfortunately, she was not one to show sympathy. She had given him leave to go to Zeltiva for a season, and no more. The fact that his extended leave was his fault did not do him any favors. Luckily, Alric had talked her out of arresting him, since he didn't make any money during the venture. Because of that he technically did not exploit the Womiyu. It had been an upsetting visit that ended with Jahoma telling him just what she thought of upstart wizards. The words stung, but not quite as much as her refusal to reinstate him. Though, her words from so long ago, to join the Temple of Ionu itself, had come to the forefront of Alric's mind. Why not join the Temple? He had not thought himself worthy before, but well he had a mark did he not? He had a feather given to him by Ionu herself. Why not join? Hence, his good mood. Currently He was walking along a broad street that seemed to go up along a hill before going down. The street had transformed to water about three blocks back, but Alric had discovered one could still walk on it. It was quite the sensation. Several of his fellow citizens seemed to enjoy it too, though Alric wasn't paying much attention to them. As he turned left at a fork, the watery street was no longer able to be walked upon. As such he made quite a splash into the stream. For a brief moment, Alric panicked. He had never learned how to swim, and was afraid Alvadas had turned on him. But by the grace of Ionu, it seemed that the stream was shallow. Alric would be able to walk along, still. Only his legs would get a little wet. Alric laughed at Ionu's little prank. Scared of death one moment and laughing the next, surely that was what Ionu was all about! He went along, attempting to dry his upper half, when he came across the Temple. Only the front of it was visible today it seemed, the back-half had seemed to vanish. It was beautiful as always with great vines and foliage crawling about it. Alric took a deep breath and headed to the stairs leading to the entrance. As Alric entered the Temple, he was greeted by the sweet smell of fragrance and the sounds of prayers. Several purple, blue, and rainbow colored cloaks adorned the devout. He saw a few men in a corner laughing heartily, and obviously intoxicated. As he went on, along the tall arched hallways he came across acolytes and and alter boys all huddled together whispering about something. As he passed them he thought he heard a giggle. Almost as soon as they were out of sight, Alric tripped on something. He fell on the cold stone floor with a thump. Behind him he heard laughter of the acolytes and alter boys, apparently Alric was the victim of a little prank. Alric personally didn't think it all that funny, but he supposed if it brought them amusement, it wasn't so bad. He stood up and brushed the dirt off his robes. As he rose and went along his way, he fell again, this time a lot harder. The laughing behind him was much louder this time. Alric got up quickly and looked back, a scowl on his face. Once was fine, it didn't bother him so much that he was the center of amusement for them. But doing it twice, that was just cruel. With a twisted grin, Alric decided to amuse himself. After all, it was only fair right? A little tit for tat. He pulled back the sleeve of his right hand, and tapped his gnosis mark. With a grin he extended his hand towards the group of young ones. They might have had more marks, but that didn't make them immune from his. Though with only one mark, he could only affect one sense at a time. That was all he needed. He chose touch for this one, and made them feel the sensation of touching fire. All at one the laughter turned to shrieks of terror as the acolytes and alter boys ran off trying to douse invisible flames. Alric allowed himself a chuckle before continuing on his way. Or at least, he turned around. He was unable to proceed however, thanks to the priest in front of him. Alric took a step back to give the man some personal space and go about his way. However, He was surprised to find Cadmus the High Priest of Ionu the one blocking his path. "So, I take it that was a practical joke?" Alric blinked a few time before realizing that Cadmus was talking about Alric's illusion. "Yes Sir! Just a little harmless joke." Cadmus peered over Alric's shoulder to see the men still jumping and screaming. "I'm not so sure they'd say the same." With a wave of his hand, the shouting and hollering stopped as the invisible flames were extinguished. When he was done he made to leave Alric be. Alric stood in front of his way however. Now was his chance to truly serve the god of illusion, as he had desired for so long. When he blocked the way, Cadmus looked at him cross. "I'm terribly sorry, Cadmus. It's just that, I was looking for you. I was hoping I could join the clergy? I want to serve Ionu more fully! Truly, truly understand illusion and its role in our lives. I have gone through much, and have realized the glory that Ionu truly has! Please, let me become one of you. Let me preach the glory of Ionu!" Cadmus looked on with a bored expression, and casually looked Alric over as if inspecting him. Whatever he was searching for, however, he did not find it. "I'm sorry, what was your name?" "Alric Evelyn Wilmot." "Well Alric, I'm sorry but I don't think the Temple is in need of you. It would be best to find another site of employment. Now, if you don't mind I have some acolytes to comfort, and then I have noon prayers." Alric couldn't believe his ears. He was being rejected? Why? He had a mark! Why couldn't he join? Alric stayed where he was, not letting Cadmus pass. Cadmus let out an annoyed grunt, but other than that seemed to wait for Alric to move out of the way. "W-What? Why can't I join? I mean, I have a mark. I-" "Yes. You have one mark. It simply means Ionu sees you as amusing, nothing more. People like you come in asking to join the Temple everyday. And I'm sorry to say, there is a reason Ionu has not given you a second mark. You are a trickster, yes. But you have yet to truly grasp what Ionu is all about. You think you do, you think you're pious, but the sad truth is, you are just trying to ride the coattails of something greater than you. Your kind come in all the time. No true love of mischief and trickery. All you have is the wonder of a child watching as the illusionists preform. That isn't a bad thing, Mr. Wilmot. But the sad truth of the matter is that is not what a member of the Temple should be. now please, go about your day and let me get on with mine." Alric attempted to block the way, say more, but all at once Cadmus vanished. The Temple vanished. He was back outside, a victim of Cadmus's third mark. He looked back at the temple, feeling as if he had been stabbed in the chest. Being rejected, he could understand, to an extent. He didn't like it, not everyone who wanted to serve could. He got that. But the casual dismissal of his devotion. The mocking of his faith to Ionu, by the High Priest himself... that hurt the most. He didn't know anything about him! Nothing but his name, and half of a silly prank! Who was he to say his faith was childish? But, then Alric realized, he was the High Priest. His connection to Ionu was far stronger than Alric's. If anyone knew matters of faith, it would be him. That just made him angrier. He wanted to discount the man, but he couldn't. He was Ionu's High Priest! Tears began to well in Alric's eyes, a sense of betrayal coming to him. Was his faith a joke? He had been cast aside so easily, as if he was nothing. Why hadn't he used his hypnotism? He could have made Cadmus take him on. He should have made Cadmus take him on! A stubbornness came over Alric, a need to prove Cadmus wrong. To prove to him, and himself that his devotion was strong. He was a devout follower of Ionu! And no one short of Ionu itself was going to tell him otherwise, priest or no. With a snarl, Alric wiped the tears from his eyes, and stormed off down a flooded street with a new goal in mind.

[Harrier]

Skills	Amount
Observation	2
Rhetoric	3
Planning	1

Lore

Avoiding jail time

Alvadas: Walking on water

Ionu's Temple: half there

Acolytes on FIYAH

Cadmus: Rejection

Acolytes: More than just mischief and illusion

Proving Cadmus Wrong

Bonus:

Additional Comments: What a fun little encounter, Alric. I'm excited to see what mayhem he causes to get back at the High Priest. As for the Planning, I gave that because of the promise to do something about this predicament.