Location Syliran Order Recruitment Office

[Altos Ironheart Coglias]

3rd of Spring 514 AV


The words spoken by the arm less man struck a chord deep in Altos' being. His eyes dropped for a moment, unwilling to look him in the eye. Am I worthy? Could I stand here and claim that I am good enough to join them, not just in skill but in every meaning of the word? For a moment doubt crossed his mind. He had failed before and it had crushed him, could he once again take the plunge and dedicate himself to something more? Was he truly ready? It was there Altos found his answer. If he was not worthy now he would become worthy. He would join these Knights and they would be his furnace, and he would reforge himself into something he could be truly proud of, a force of strength for justice and for peace.

Altos lifted his eye's met the man's gaze "I know not if I am worthy, but I am ready to do whatever it takes. I have come to reforge myself,to become strong and to serve justice." He spoke this not only to the Knight but to himself as well. It was a promise, a vow, and it was one he would dedicate his life to." If you would have me, I would be honored to join and devote my being to the Knights"

[Radiant]

The male Isur looked startled by Erik's words, in a good way. He seemed to be contemplating about his resolve and spirit, searching deep within his own being, and that was just how Ser Erik wanted it. If potential recruits had any lingering doubts, they should clear them up right then and there, there was no place for hesitation in the Order. Indeed, there were some squires who gave up half-way and left the Order, unfortunate, but such was life. The one-armed knight kept watching, waiting for Altos to finally speak.

The man's words were replied by a simple blink from Erik's old eyes, the Knight didn't give a verbal reply, e just simply picked up a quill, then wrote something on a parchment. The man took his time, writing each word with detail, then he rolled up then tied the parchment with a blue ribbon. Ser Erik offered it to Altos, "Correct answer, everyone begins as being unworthy then through dedication and perseverance, they proved their worth, only time will tell if you can prove yourself, Sir Altos, no, should I say, Squire Altos Ironheart. Go to the Squire Dormitories then give this parchment to one of the Chaperons, she will show your room and introduce you to your patron Knight," The knight then leaned back into his chair, gesturing for another recruit to be ready, "Go on now, make me proud."

OOCPM me about your patron of choice from the NPC Master List, however, if you want your own patron Knight NPC, please request one in the NPC Request page. After you done so, I will add your name to the Shield Points list and you're officially accepted into the Order.

[Altos Ironheart Coglias]

Altos stood in silence waiting for a response. Picking up a quill with his good arm the heavily scarred Knight started to write something on a piece of parchment. The soft scratching sound of the quill as it traced it's path on the sheet of parchment served only to make Altos nervous, as he had still not received a reply.

So when the first words made there way out of the Knight's mouth he could barely contain both his excitement and his relief. Altos' accepted the parchment tied with a blue ribbon "Thank you Ser." With a huge smile plastered on his face Altos left the recruitment office to go and begin his new life.

[Bitt]

Ist day of spring, 514 AV

Bitt stood patiently in the recruitment office and let his thoughts wonder. The citadel was huge! There were so many people bustling about. Bitt had never seen so many people. Despite his confidence at the gates Bitt quickly became lost when he entered the Stormhold Citadel. The labyrinth of stone corridors confused him. For a while, he was worried that his corpse would be found centuries later in some unknown corner of the structure.

After wondering aimlessly for a time he bumped into a resident of the citadel who was kind enough to guide him to the recruitment office. People in Syliras were helpful. Bitt liked that. A surge of anticipation began to boil inside of him. He had made it this far. Starting today he would work hard and become the strongest knight there ever was. That way he could protect the people he wanted to protect.

Finally, it was his turn. Bitt approached the one in charge. The man was old and missing an arm; he was probably a retired knight. A knight who's day had passed and who was approaching his eternal (k)night. The pun, poetic though it may have been, was bad; but thinking it helped calm Bitt's nerves. He looked the older man dead in the eyes, a feat he needed to slightly crane his neck in order to achieve, and spoke.
"My name is Bitt. I wish to become a Syliran Knight." As he awaited the man's response he thought of his experience at the gate earlier that morning and wondered how many more times he would need to say that same statement before the day was through.

[Radiant]

Ser Erik eyed the next applicant, he was a rather tall boy, with smooth light tan complexion, messy dark brown hair, and strong features. His cheekbones made him look like he was angry all the time, but of course, appearance meant little to Ser Erik, what was important is one's heart, desire, and drive. The one-armed Knight then put his left hand to his chin, rubbing it in thought, "I see, Sir Bitt," He regarded the boy with a polite title, all should be treated as equal in the eyes of Sylir.

The Knight gave a chime to examine his demeanor, then he leaned in, his face serious and no-nonsense, "Tell me, what is your desire, your motivation, your drive to join the Knighthood? It is no small decision as you will be devoting your life to the cause of Sylir," The Knight then gave him a small fatherly smile, "Take your time, think well, and answer me."

[Bitt]

Bitt stood motionless as the old knight examined him.
"I see, Sir Bitt," Bitt's lip curved slightly upward for the briefest of moments upon being addressed as Sir. He thought the process must be going well. The knight said nothing further for a chime and Bitt was beginning to grow anxious though he hoped it didn't show. Suddenly, the knight leaned forward; his face had transformed into a picture of seriousness.
"Tell me, what is your desire, your motivation, your drive to join the Knighthood? It is no small decision as you will be devoting your life to the cause of Sylir," The Knight then gave him a small fatherly smile, "Take your time, think well, and answer me."

The knights words resounded in Bitt's head. This was it. This was the test. What was the correct answer? Should he say what he thinks the knight wants to hear? Is it a trick question? All these thoughts began to dance around and Bitt quickly realised that he was overreacting. He closed his eyes and took deep breaths until his heart-rate slowed. This was a knight he was speaking to. He would tell the truth and live with whatever consequences arose because of it.

"Until very recently I worked on a ship with my father. A little over two weeks ago he was killed by pirates out at sea. I was powerless to save him. I would have died to if not for the intervention of the Syliran Knight we were giving passage to. He killed them with magic. He protected those of us he could. I was unable to protect my father but I want to become strong... strong enough to protect," Speaking of his father's fate was still difficult for Bitt and his eyes began to water slightly. He hoped he was coherent. Still, it felt good to say it aloud. He had said what he needed to say; now he could only hope it was enough.

[Radiant]

Ser Erik was always pleased to see recruits like Bitt, a person who wanted to protect, not seeking fleeting glory or self-pride, no, Bitt was here to protect and serve. The boy was off to a good start, but a Knight couldn't be a knight with just a will to protect alone. Erik simply gave Bitt a simple nod, to see if he would hesitate, he needed to make sure Bitt was firm in his words.

"I am sorry for your father," He gave his sympathy in a fatherly smile, "At least, I'm glad that one of us managed to save you." Erik was curious on who was that knight, but he didn't ask, he would know in time. Erik leaned forward again as he began his next question, "The will to protect is one of the Knight's virtues, you are correct. However, you will hold power in your hands, raw power that can be used to protect and destroy, you will use both. Tell me, Sir Bitt, who shall we protect and who shall we destroy?" Erik needed to make Bitt realize that Knight work wasn't necessarily all glorious and beautiful in nature.

OOCA word of advice, you don't have to repeat your thread partner's words exactly (Copy-pasting), you can make up your own words to describe them.

[Bitt]

The knight's words shook Bitt mentally. The power to destroy, Bitt had never really considered it like that. In hindsight, in protecting him the knight on the ship had destroyed the pirates. Was it right to destroy in order to protect? The knight who saved Bitt had thought so; he knew who to destroy and who to protect. Bitt considered the knight's question and its implications. He maintained eye-contact with the knight.

"We will protect if it is right. We will destroy only if it is right," Bitt's answer came slowly, but he gained confidence as he said it.
"I know it was right when the knight who protected me destroyed the pirates. I can feel it... I'm just not sure why," Bitt paused momentarily as he pondered his next words.
"I am not a knight, so I can only guess when it is right. But I think that's what it means to be a knight. To know, to really know, when it is right," Bitt flushed slightly at the answer, it sounded better in his head.

[Radiant]

At the boy's words, Ser Erik went silent, he kept it up for about thirty ticks. Even until then, he didn't answer Bitt verbally, he simply took out a parchment, wrote something in it, then stamped it, then he rolled it up. Ser Erik eyed Bitt for any last signs of hesitation, satisfied, he handed the parchment as he said, "Correct, protect what is right, destroy when it is right, Chivalry, honor, humility must be protected. Evil, arrogance, greed, must be destroyed." His words meant that a Knight's duty didn't stop at physically protecting and destroying, but mentally as well, his own self specifically because if one couldn't protect oneself, how could one expect to protect others?

"From here onwards, you are Squire Bitt of the Syliran Order, take this parchment to the Squire Dormitories, talk to one of the Chaperons, she will get you suited to your new home and introduce you to your patron knight." Erik then proudly smiled at Bitt, "Go on, Squire, make me proud."

OOCCongrats, Bitt! You are accepted into the Order.

I will add your patron Knight NPC and PM your SS thread soon!

[Nivel]

1st day of spring 514 AV Nivel was overjoyed upon realizing that she had finally reached her destination of Syliras, The giant castle where her parents had became knights. The Pycon had learned many tales of their heroic deeds and wanted nothing more than to experience this honour first hand. She didn't know much besides what little her parents told her but was already sure that she wanted to become one. Nivel had expressed an interest in becoming a knight to one of the many lumbering giants that live in the city and was given some simple directions. However, The eager pycon couldn't help but get lost in the dark maze like hallways that filled the city and had to keep asking other tall folk for directions. One Tall folk in particular, Was nice enough to escort Nivel to where she needed to be. After a long and irksome journey, Nivel believed she had found her salvation. The Pycon's escort was nice enough to open the door for her and wish her luck before parting ways. Once inside, She saw a giant with a very aged and worn looking clay body and knew right away he was the one to talk to. "excuse me sir" Nivel said politely in hopes of getting his attention. When she saw the tall folk look down in her direction she spoke again. "I want to be Knight...are you the person I'm supposed to be speaking to?" She sat and waited patiently like the statue she closely resembled.