[color=772d99][center][h1][i][b]Cult of the Horned Goddess[/b][/i][/h1][/center][/color]

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The flickering light from the flames licking the sconces hung along the wall bathed the gathering in a warm glow. The occasional murmur and bustle from the streets of the district penetrated the thick weave curtains from time to time - the sun had gone to rest, but Ketrefa was just coming to life. So too for the two dozen gathered around the long table in Akellos grand estate, feeling the warmth of spirits and fire alike as the celebration continued.

Yaren glanced about the table, recognizing only a few faces in his extended family. Akellos was such a distant relative he wasn’t sure they were related by anything but tradition tying their minor house to the rich noble line, yet his father had received an invitation all the same. The opulent mansion was unlike anything Yaren had experienced before, with a massive staff of slaves to fill their plates and goblets the moment they weren’t filled to the brim, to entertain and sing, and provide a tasteful ambience with light and appealing dress that matched the regal curtains of red and gold. The merriment was total, and they were coming in on their sixth hour of celebration now, as Cousin Elerik and his two officer sons launched into their third raucous song about the ‘virtues’ of a marriage. 

The bride-to-be at the far end of the table looked none too pleased, thought Yaren. Then again, neither did her future husband, squirming awkwardly next to her. Their families however, about as related as Yaren’s house was to Akellos’, seemed to be caught up in the revelry, happily singing along, laughing, and chatting. It was an infectious feeling to be sure, to be surrounded by such luxury and excess. It was easy to be happy when the curtains were closed and the food kept coming. Davit, his brother, slapped him on the back and laughed, and Yaren was pulled along in the celebration, head dizzy with spirits.

And so the feast proceeded, merry and in high spirits, for another hour. Akellos’ contacts in the markets had ensured he had many exotic meals to offer, and one by one delicacies from distant lands were placed upon the table for the excitement of all. Yaren had never eaten so well in his life. As his goblet was being refilled for the eleventh time, the master of the house stood up and quieted his guests with a jovial gesture. The laughs died down slowly but surely, as mirth-filled faces drew to Akellos himself. The comfortably rotund man grappled briefly with his oiled mustache before animatedly sweeping his hands in rhythm to a grand speech.

“Beloved!” he began, with a grin like a lord surveying his lands. “I must thank you all for coming to this delightful feast. Never before have all branches of our grand house gathered under a single roof! My father said it was impossible, but I - I dared to dream!” He paused for applause and cheers from his distant family, most of whom were happy to oblige. “But this end to old animosity is not the only cause for celebration, nay, I dare say it is but a minor event to be noted. Indeed, let us not all forget the true purpose of this most wonderful of feasts,” Akellos grinned warmly under his bushy mustache and gestured down to the other side of the table, where both bride and groom smiled sheepishly and tried their best to shrink out of notice. “The majestic and downright divine union of Kalet and Mira! With their endless love bound together, the houses of Nikuet and Nakun shall become one, as they were so long ago. We have put the legacy of the feuding brothers behind us, and we shall enter a new era of Akellan success in Ketrefa! A toast!” Akellos raised his goblet, as did all the others. Yaren smiled briefly at a slave-servant topping up his goblet before raising his own to join the crowd.

Akellos took a moment to smile around the table. “To the strong and hearty Kalet, and his beautiful bride Mira. May the love goddess herself come down from the sky to bless your most holy union!” A round of agreements, and a solid five seconds of hearty drinking. The scrawny old woman sat next to Akellos leaned his way and murmured something to their host, and the rotund man agreed with a heavy nod.

“My beautiful and wise mother has come with a suggestion befitting of this most holy of days! Why don’t we all come together and pray to Neiya? For her blessing for this most beautiful of couples!” Akellos roared with vigor, and all around the table were sound agreements. Yaren smiled warmly himself, touching at the symbol of the Five hanging around his neck. Their host cleared his throat as loudly as he could, and to the snicker of a few around the table, dramatically raised his hands towards the sky. “Great Goddess Neiya,” he boomed with melodramatic intent. A few others intoned after him. Yaren’s brother jabbed him in the side, and Yaren repeated the line himself. “Reach down to us from your palace among the stars! Join us in our festivities for a moment, and bless these wonderful lovers with your divine wisdom and unity. For a long life together, forever bound by your eternal love and devotion!” The crowd chanted in union, smiling down at the couple, who were now starting to find warmth in each other’s presence. “Show them the endless reaches of your divine grace and affection, so that they may follow your example!”

“And the rest of us, while you’re at it!” Elerik chimed in at the end of the prayer, to the grand amusement of the table. Akellos reached for his glass to offer his cousin a jovial toast. 

Then, something whispered in the room, cutting all chatter to an immediate silence. The flames flickered and wavered unsteadily, and a heavy, imposing presence began to lay over the room. Yaren found it hard to keep his eyes open, and saw others struggled with the same. Then he heard it. A beautiful, gentle voice crashing into his mind like the ocean rolling onto the shore. [color=8493ca]”As you ask, you shall receive. My love for you, Yaren, son of Kaster and Irla, is eternal.”[/color]

Yaren could no longer breathe, and before his eyes streamed thousands of shapes, colours and lights. He heard screaming, felt the pain of a thousand blades stab into his every limb, saw the true depravity of mortals all across Galbar. A horned apparition, extending her arms. Hollow cries for help, a never-ending longing for those lost, an unshakable hatred for those who took your beloved from you. There was peace, happiness, joy. A fleeting and intermittent holdout in a torrent of endless suffering. It made him want to claw his eyes out. To rip his goblet from his hand and cut his heart out with it. There was no escape to the madness, no respite, no end. Somewhere in the timeless abyss of pain, he came to want that brief peace. That joy of a relation that would soon crash and burn - just not yet. The embrace of the horned one. Devotion. Eternal love.

Yaren’s breath returned, and reality crashed in around him. Around him the voices of his screaming relatives filled the room. He heard only the siren song of the voice in his head. [color=8493ca]”I have given you my love, my beloved Yaren. You have shared in my pain, and now we are as one. Will you be mine, as I am yours?”[/color]

“I-..” Yaren breathed heavily, staring at the brief mirage of her beautiful, obsidian-horned visage. “I am yours forever, goddess. We shall always be together.” He replied with newfound devotion, his shocked face twisting to a warming smile. Around him, he heard others say what he had said, or pledge themselves in other ways.

[color=8493ca]”Then we shall always be together, my love. So long as you do not break my heart. You wouldn’t do that, would you? Don’t disappoint me, my dearest.”[/color]

He parted his lips to speak, but the goddess was gone from his mind. A pain gripped his soul, an intense warmth spreading throughout his body. The goddess was with him, and he felt relief. He would never disappoint her. As his gaze moved across the room, he saw that others were recovering as well. Some had fallen, their hearts given out or lives taken to end the pain. They had not been worthy of her love. Even the slaves were dragging out of a deep daze across the room, having pledged themselves to the one true goddess. No - slaves no more. Kin, in her eternal love’s embrace.

The jingle of metal caught Yaren’s attention, and he glanced down to the symbol of the Five hanging around his neck. A deep frown spread across his features, an intrinsic disgust rippling from within. He knew only the goddess, as she did him. With a quick rustle, he freed himself from the religious symbol, and discarded it on the ground. Again he looked around, and Akellos gave him a confident, stern nod.

He would never disappoint her.

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[hider=Summary]
All is well in Ketrefa! Well, maybe not everything, but for the Akellos noble house, the entire noble estate and their many branches have gathered to celebrate a very special day - a union between a man and a woman from two previously feuding branch houses! There is much feasting and celebration, until Akellos gets the idea to pray for Neiya to bless the couple-to-be. Due to poor wording, spite, bad timing, or all three, Neiya imparts a deluge of visions upon all gathered in the house, be they slave, noble or citizen, showing them the true extent of mortal emotion and suffering. Unable to cope, their minds attach themselves to the goddess, who promises eternal love as long as they do not disappoint her.
The Cult of the Horned Goddess is born!

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[hider=MP/DP Summary]
Starting MP/DP: 5/5

Created the Cult of the Horned Goddess - Holy Order
Eternal Love II: (Neiya has shared a sliver of her affection, and in turn the affected love her unconditionally. Their devotion to the cause extends beyond mortal loyalty, and as such they are resilient against corruption, betrayal and interrogation.) - (Free with Devotion Portfolio)

Green-eyed II: (Loyalists are compulsively drawn to stealing possessions treasured by others as well as defacing religious symbols, and are blessed to act with increased skill and guile when doing so.) -2 DP (2 towards Envy Portfolio)

Ending MP/DP: 5/3
Portfolio Progress:
Envy 2/5

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[hider=Prestige]
+4 Cult of the Horned Goddess
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