CH 1: The Arrival

[LittleLuna]

Jinali hands out her Staff and works on to Erastin. "Belive in you and never let your hope gone. May Peldrine hold his hands above You." she smiles and stands next to Karathos.

[Jerrard]

"Uhh, thanks." Erastlin comments to Karathos, not sure what to say.

"May Paladine be beside you also." He gives Jinali a quick squeeze on the shoulder.

[JadedDM]

(OOC: Gaia logged on the 20th, but never said anything. I'll just NPC her character until she actually starts posting.)

Selowen hands over her own staff as well, and the six are then allowed into the hall.

The spectacle in the hall is truly impressive. Rank upon rank of armored men stand before the party, gleaming in the sunlight streaming through the western window. The proud symbols of the knighthood decorate their armor, and the profusion of knights is almost overwhelming.

Straight ahead of the candidates, in a cleared space in the center of the room, is a mahogany table with four chairs arrayed behind it. These chairs are currently empty. The escorts lead the applicants to the seats arrayed before the mahogany table, while a page shows the others to nearby seats to the left of the table, about fifteen feet away. As luck would have it, there are still five seats available in the front row. The other seats are mostly filled with friends and families of the other candidates. Sitting in the back row is a beautiful blonde woman with intense blue eyes. It's clear that most of the males in the room are acutely aware of her presence.

The tension among the applicants is intense, yet unsurprising, considering that the rulings made in this room will change the lives of those gathered today. Most of the young men are around Erastin's age, although there are a few older and a few younger than him. There are at least a score of candidates total. The man sitting just to the left of Erastin, a willowy lad whose mustache has just barely come in, seems particularly nervous and fidgety.

The sponsors themselves are seated to the right of the table. A quick glance and Erastin can notice Sir Delson among them.

[HorizonsDream]

Galenye takes a seat in the front row to support Erastin. She stretches out a little as she makes herself comfortable for what should be a long day. "I didn't realize there would be so many," she said softly to whoever sat next to her.

[Jerrard]

Erastlin takes a seat in front of the table, keeping his eyes fixed in front of him, he does notice Galenye and tries to concentrate on his Oath, keeping himself calm and collected.

He doesn't see the woman at the back row.

[Breila]

Karathos excuses himself to his friends: "I shouldn't sit in the front row, I would block everybody's view."

He goes back and stands quietly next to the back row, arms crossed, nodding to the blond woman if she ever looks at him.

[JadedDM]

The slender blonde woman notices Karathos and her electric blue eyes flicker over him. She responds to his nod with a slight grin and a wink, before returning her full attention to the front of the room, awaiting the knightly council to begin.

[Breila]

The long lashes close over one of Karathos's brown eyes briefly, before he, too, turns his attention to the table with the candidates.

He was here to support his friend, after all, but nothing required him to become blind in the process...

[Nuke]

Targin takes his place up front, glad he could see the trials.

He catches Erastlin's eye and gives him a small wink through an otherwise stoic facade.

[JadedDM]

Jinali and Selowen take their seats, as well.

After a slight wait (which feels like an eternity for the candidates, no doubt), four knights enter the room. Grandmaster Gunthar Uth Wistan leads the procession into the room with a minimum of pomp. Even so, their passage seems nearly mystical, like some thing out of legend. He is a stocky man with perfect posture and steely grey hair, and like all male knights, a long, drooping mustache.

He was followed by Quintayne Fogorner, the High Warrior (leader of the Knights of the Crown), and Meredith Turningdale (High Clerist). Forgorner is a tall, muscular man, taciturn and stately. Turningdale, one of the few women in the knighthood, is a stern-looking older woman with grey streaks in her short-cropped brown hair.

The last knight was Liam Ehrling, High Justice (leader of the Knights of the Rose), who was second in command only to the Grandmaster himself. He has strands of gray frosting the temples of his black-haired head, a proud chin, stern brow, dark and brooding eyes, and a long mustache. He looks out at the group of candidates coldly before taking his seat with the other three at the table in the front of the room.

[Breila]

As the knight leaders enter, Karathos straightens up (hope the ceiling is high enough so he doesn't get caught with his horns), watching them intently. Mentally, he compares that stately, venerable procession that nevertheless radiates power to the raucous display of brute force and intimidation that would have marked the entrance of his own people's leaders.

[Jerrard]

(Posted by Jen)

Erastlin keeps himself sitting bolt upright, his gaze unwavering, in awe of the Knights before him.

He takes a brief moment to glance at the others before awaiting the arrival of the Grandmaster.

[JadedDM]

Once the crowd has settled a bit, the four knights stand back up. “Est Sularus oth Mithas,” they say in unison, and all attending knights repeat it back. This is the Oath that all Knights follow, which means "My Honor is My Life."

Then, the knights begin to sing their hymn in celebration of Spring. At last, the three High Knights sit. After they are seated, the rest of the assemblage sits.

Immediately, Uth Wistan calls the council to order. He relates to them the knighthood’s news, which includes dealings with Ergoth and Neraka, his own attempts to revise the Measure (it goes well), and efforts to assist the needy.

Once that is over, he asks, "Is there any further business before we proceed?" while stroking his mustache.

"There is one matter," Liam speaks up. "There are rumors that the Knights of Solamnia may have a traitor in their midst."

Uth Wistan snorts. "Preposterous. No one would be so foolish to betray the knighthood."

The hall is bright and warm. Normally, Erastom would be difficult to stay awake, but the excitement flowing through his veins keeps him alert. (Whether his companions feel the same way, on the other hand...) At long last, Lord Uth Wistan calls upon the supplicants to stand.

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(OOC: I am assuming Erastin participates in reciting the Oath and singing the Hymn. If I'm wrong about that, please let me know.)

[Jerrard]

(Indeed he does)

Erastlin stands when requested, pulling himself to his full height. A Traitor within the Knights, never.

[HorizonsDream]

Galenye tilts her head back to look at the ceiling. She was all ready bored with this whole thing. ~Come on, start the good stuff,~ she thinks to herself.