[Location] The Temple of the Black Sun

[Gillar]

Before the 1st of Spring, 512 Dominating the city of Ravok, the Temple of the Black Sun is a structure of exquisite beauty. Carvings of all manner of creature from humanoid to monstrous adorn nearly every inch of the temple's exterior while massive domes and dozens of carved spires top the holy structure. Serving as the central government building, main center of worship and even military headquarters, the temple is an earthly sign of Rhysol's power and influence upon Mizahar. The base level may be accessed via the main canal that runs through the heart of the city. Vast arches allow Ravosala's to pass beneath them and onto the inner confines of the temple. A series of small docks await visitors and from there, a large set of wide stone stairs lead up to a pair of black, iron doors adorned with huge white pearls arranged in a sunburst pattern. Standing in front and to the side of each door is a member of the Ebonstryfe. These dark paladins watch over all who would seek entry through the doors and into the temple's central worship chamber. So long as visitors to the temple are not already restricted from entry or otherwise do not cause trouble, most are allowed to pass without harassment. The central worship chamber is enormous. The chamber itself is circular with a polished, black marble floor. Numerous alcoves branch off in all directions while balconies stretch out overhead. The great central dome of the temple looms above and is covered in a dark mural depicting the grand figure of Rhysol gathering the frightened and lost people of Mizahar; protecting them from the ravages leftover from the Valterrian. In the center of the chamber floor is a tall black shard of unknown material jutting upward about 20 feet. At the base of the shard, facing the main entrance, is an altar apparently carved from the shard itself. There are pews arranged around the shard and extending outward toward the outer wall; aisles allowing ease of entry and exit amidst the numerous pews. Two sets of stairs climb the outer wall and lead to the upper levels where government offices and private quarters are located. A simple set of black wood doors lead to the Vitrax; the headquarters of the Ebonstryfe. Services are held daily in the central chamber and are normally conducted by one of The Voice's personal acolytes and druvin with The Voice conducting special sermons usually once a month. After the 1st of Spring, 512 During the Djed Storm of 512 the Temple was almost completely destroyed. The front half of the temple sunk into the water, and the temple was shattered. Over the spring and summer the Ravokians have been working day and night to rebuild the temple, though it has remained closed to worship during that time. Worship is done in the courtyard outside, but nobody other than the workers and members of the Ebonstryfe or Black Sun are allowed into the temple itself. After the 41st of Fall, 512 AV All in one day the temple was reopened, and closed again. Ravokian workers labored tirelessly all through the spring and summer to get their temple up and running again, but on the day it was set to reopen, the Rising Dawn attacked, setting fire to the temple from within. Though much of the structure still remains, it has been closed once more until the repairs can be completed. Once again, worship is held in the Courtyard rather than in the temple itself. After the 1st of Spring, 512 AV After working hard all winter long, the Temple of the Black Sun was finally reopened again to the public, and this time with no incidents. A small but heavily guarded celebration was held, and citizens were once again able to worship their god in peace.

[Xenova Prillar]

This was the day Xenova had been waiting for her entire life. Today she would present herself for entry into the Black Sun. Her father had prepared and trained her vigorously and mercelessly in the art of poisons since she held a talent for it as well as the history of the Black Sun and the lores of Rhysol. Her mother had taught her the art of Seducing her targets and left her with no preferance for gender when it came to that, though she enjoyed men better, they were easier to play with.

But even as she dressed for this day, she was anxious. Would Rhysol accept her? Would he grant her her desire to serve him through the Black Sun? She knew the defiler as he who had saved her from death and kept her safe in chaos. But he was the lord of chaos and his whims operated within that realm so she had a healthy fear of him. At the same time she was confident she could do this. It was chaotic within her heart, what better gift could she present Rhysol with?

The time had come and she stepped outside her family's dwelling and toward the canal where a Ravosala was waiting to take her to the Temple. She pulled her cloak around her as the air had a mild chill in it and entered the boat. The boatman nodded when she gave her destination to him and began to steer toward the central canal that lead right to the docks at the base of the Temple. She was in quiet meditation and prayer to Rhysol the entire journey.

The boat slipped into veiw of the vast Temple and its many domes and spires, and soon they were slipping under the vast archway that led to the docks. All too soon they docked and she stepped out paying the fare to the boatman. She ascended the long stairway up to the magnificent black,iron doors that were adorned with the pearls arranged in a sun pattern. It was a comforting sight to her that she had seen all her life as her family attended services. She nodde to the Paladins guarding the door

I am here to petition for entry into the Black Sun. the dark warriors simply nodded and the doors were opend for her to enter the main cathedral. She knew that the message had already been relayed that she was here and the appropriate Acolyte or Druvin would come when he or she was ready. In the mean time she knelt and spoke a prayer to Rhysol quietly.

It is I Xenova lord Rhysol. I am confident that this is the path you have set me on. However your will is the essence of Chaos and I respectfully ask of you to grant me favor. I wish only to be an agent of Chaos and Betrayal. Your will be done lord Rhysol

She then awaited the arrival of the one who would hear her petition.

[Gillar]

Xenova knelt in the isle between pews and began her prayer. The black marble floor felt warm to the touch and above her, without looking up, she could sense the great dome above with the sacred mural of Rhysol's aid to the people suffering from the Valterrian. The black shard, the most holy relic of Order of the Black Sun, dominated the center of the chamber and loomed before her. There wasn't anyone standing at the altar when Xenova entered and only a few people scattered about in the pews; they too offering prayers to Lord Rhysol. The muffled sounds of activity could be heard coming from the various alcoves and hallways that branched off of the main chamber yet they were slight and failed to interrupt Xenova's prayer. When her prayer was finished, Xenova felt a presence behind her. Unconsciously, she turned her head to see a massive figure behind her. It was a man dressed in long white robes. He towered easily at seven-feet tall and looked built as hardy as the marble floor they stood on. While most in the temple wore darker colors, the man's choice of garb seemed a bit off. Long, neatly braided blond hair draped over his shoulders as he looked down at Xenova with solid white eyes. Even as tall as Xenova was, she couldn't help but feel small by comparison to this man. He nodded his head in acknowledgment to her and said in a deep yet smooth voice, "Xenova Prillar, we received word of your request to become a part of The Black Sun. My name is Silvas and I have agreed to meet with you. Do come with me." Silvas did not wait to see if Xenova followed or not. He casually turned and led the way to one of the nearby alcoves and through a heavy, black wooden door with a single white circle in the center. Assuming she followed, Xenova would find herself led into a small chamber lit by a series of small, white glowing orbs lining each of the four black marble walls. The orbs were not set into the walls but were floating about six feet above the ground. Dominating the center of the chamber was what appeared to be a large, black marble well filled to the brim with a silver liquid. Silvas stopped and leaned against the edge and touched the surface of the liquid with the palm of his hand. It rippled at his touch followed by bubbling and churning. Without looking at Xenova, he stared into the churning liquid and said, "This is the Well of Madness. With it, I can see disturbed, twisted, insane thoughts of our world and focus them into solidified form." Silvus dipped his hand into the liquid and slowly pulled it back out. In the palm of his hand he held two small silver cubes no bigger than a pair of dice. In fact, as Xenova watched, the cubes slowly turned white with black dots forming on each side. "These dice hold a bit of the madness experienced by a man having spent years in a dungeon for trying to swindle many a miza from a wealthy merchant with ties to the local constabulary. Those who roll the dice take the chance of going insane." Silvas placed the dice in a pocket of his robe and looked at Xenova. "If you wish to serve our Lord as a member of this Order, you roll the dice every day in His name. Sometimes, you lose. Sometimes, you win. Nothing is set, nothing remains the same. Tell me, what do you feel you have that others don't? What make's you think you can serve our Lord?"

[Xenova Prillar]

Xenova had been kneeling and praying for an unknown period of time as she was unaware of the presence of any other as she offered supplication to Rhysol as she had been taught, She meditated on what had brought her to this place and time. According to her adopted father, her unusual skin and eye color were due to a mutation and her parents had left her to die as a result. She felt that in itself had been the ultimate betrayal, parents shunning their only child over a simple eye and skin color difference. She felt the emotions churn in her and the strange change that occurred when she felt that way. Suddenly she was cool and calm, her mind clear and focused. The chaos that was her life was under control and she was confident. Then as suddenly as the other Xenova had appeared, she was gone.

Suddenly she felt a presence behind her, her head turned automatically to see who it was. There before her was a massive figure easily seven feet tall and massively built much like the marble floors she had been kneeling upon. Instantly she felt dwarfed by this man and she was no small woman herself. The figure was a man, but there were several things about him that were quite unusual First was his size, but second was his choice of dress, he was in long flowing,white robes where as most here favored the darker version. He also had long neatly braided blond hair that he kept over his shoulder. But the striking thing was his two white eyes.


Anyone not associated with the Black Sun would have presumed the man blind, but Xenova knew he saw so much more clearly than anyone ever could. This was one of Rhysol's favored,something she could only wish to be. She thought at first that he might be a Druvin and she was especially honored that he would come hear her petition, and a bit fearful as the Druvin were the most powerful of Rhysol's servants other that The Voice herself. It was also possible that this was an Acolyte either way she was going to be met with and that was a start. At his summons to follow him she hurried to do so as his stride was greater than hers and he was not concerned about if she were following.

She followed him into the alcove he was headed for and through the heavy black door with the single white circle on it. Once inside she noted the black, marble well with its contents of silver liquid. She watched as Silvas brushed his hand across the surface and how it reacted. She was fascinated and bothered all at the same time. He called this well The Well Of Madness and it was the focus of his attention at the moment. She also noted the small white glowing orbs that illuminated the room.

When he retrieved the small dice and explained what they were she was fascinated that lord Rhysol could provide in such a way so powerful an example of what it meant to follow him. He then asked her why she should be admitted to the Order and she nervously began to speak

Well Mi lord Silvas. It is to be expected that nothing stays the same, it is the nature of the lord Rhysol. she felt herself slipping away and she looked at Silvas with a deadly calm face and spoke in a soft and silky voice unlike the woman he had brought in here and she said, But mi lord Silvas, embody that which Rhysol is. I have been betrayed by my own parents. I am Chaos as you wills see when my sister returns. [b\] she spoke again with that calm,silky voice that was a deep alto. [b] What do I have to offer that anyone else doesn't? I have studied the art of Seduction and Poison to become quite expert at it, I can betray and corrupt by a word or an action. And with poison as my ally I can harm that which would get in the lord Rhysol's way. What do i offer? I offer this and my own life to the lord of chaos. she continued. Why do I think I can serve the lord Rhysol? I am ready to roll the dice as it were and take my chances. I am willing to serve him no matter the cost for he took me from the hand of Dira and made me one of his many children. I can serve because I am driven to do so

[Gillar]

Silvas listened to Xenova but displayed no emotion nor reaction to anything she said while she was speaking. Over the years, so many had come to the temple hoping to serve Rhysol. Most saw service to The Black Sun as a means to get rich and/or powerful. They sought to use Rhysol to boost their own position in life. Some of those individuals that Silvas had met with occasionally offered a chance to prove themselves yet the whole while Silvas knew they would be destroyed. Rhysol, as unpredictable as he was, could be counted on to consume anyone who dared expect anything from him. As for Xenova, Silvas had heard her words many times before from the mouths of many before her. The answer to his question barely changed over the centuries since his rebirth as one of Rhysol's children. However, it wasn't the answer he was focusing on for Silvas always heard more than what was spoken; he always saw more than there was to see. After Xenova had given her response, Silvas remained silent for a moment. "When asked why one feels they are worthy of anything, they answer by praising themselves, their accomplishments and their future achievements. Hardly ever do they mention their flaws. Rhysol will strip away everything that makes you who you are. He will cast aside the meaningless and useless and leave you with only that which serves him best. That includes your flaws. You must learn them, accept them and embrace them just as you would your successes and strengths. Silvas turned from Xenova and looked back into the well. "You have told me why you feel you are worthy. I believe I will offer you the chance to show me that you are. I warn you though, it is not a test for the meek or mindless. I am not looking for mindless servitude, thoughtless acts or deeds done simply because you feel it will please Rhysol. The first lesson that you must learn is that nobody truly knows what will please the Defiler. This will be a test of that as well." Silvas touched the surface of the silver liquid with his forefinger. An image of a man, a soldier dressed in the formal garb of the Ebonstryfe, appeared. The man was writhing on the ground; pain-filled screams exploding from his open mouth. "This soldier dared to expect Rhysol's blessings for deeds performed in the name of the Defiler. His mind is being carved-up like a slab of meat; slowly and with great precision by Rhysol, Himself."

[Xenova Prillar]

Xenova had not expected any reaction at all from Silvas nor emotion, it was known that his chosen saw things much clearer than the mortals could. She was however convinced that she stood before a Druvin and that in itself caused trepidations as she knew his Chaon could pick out her littlest flaw and magnify it to such reality that she could not tell reality from fear.

She also knew that such was the province of Rhysol. She listened as her "sister" prattled on about all her praises and knew that was not all that Silvas would be looking for or at for that matter. As Silvas spoke to her about flaws and having to live with them and grow from them she finally overcame the confiddent Xenova and spoke

It is my flaws that I must learn to accept Milord Silvas. For they can be used by the Defiler as well, they too can benefit him. I must simply understand how. As far as stripping away that which is who and what I am, I have been taught that is his nature. Only he can cleanse me and make me what he wants, not myself. I am ready to accept that fact even if the method is one I am not prepared for.


When he spoke of giving her her chance to prove her worthiness, she hardly dared breathe. A test! I have been at least found worthy of a chance. she listened to him speak of the test not being for the meek not mindless and she ralized that she was not meek, but more mindless than she had first realized. She at that moment realized that Rhysol would only favor those who thought for themselves but still allowed him to decide when or if to reward or punish them. Those who betrayed or defield of their own reasons were those he preferred. And she could come up with plenty of reasons if she thought about it.


Then he spoke of no one knowing what would please the Defiler and that too rang true. There might never be anything she could do that would truly please him, then again everything she did might please him. Now she was confused so she tried not to think about it. She simply spoke.

Milord Silvas. I am honored to be given the oppertunity to prove myself. It is all I ask. But I have my reasons for wanting to prove myself, mayhaps it will be that in so doing I please Rhysol. He has already done far more than I deserve in saving me from Dira's clutches. I promise you tha I am neither mindless nor meek. Perhaps indecisive but not meek


She saw the image of the Ebonstryfe soldier within the silvery liquid of the well. She saw the pain filled screams coming from his open mouth. She heard Silvas describe the man's hubris in expecting Rhysol's favor for deeds done. That was not his place to expect, only to wish for, even beg for. But even in that knowledge the scene disturbed her deeply. Her answer was an attempt to overcome this, even as she knew Silvas could see otherwise.

He deserves his fate, it is the fate of any who think the favor of Rhysol is theirs to court. It is his to give and his alone, we should be gratefull that he lets us live each day. she knew her answer was probably not unexpected and that Silvas saw her heart and mind already and knew what she had not said. She awaited her test.

[Gillar]

Silvas appeared as though he were listening to every word Xenova spoke. For Silvas however, he already knew all he needed everything he needed to about her. As he feigned listening, she finally said something that caught his attention. Her comment about the tortured Ebonstryfe soldier caused a slight crease in Silvas' brow. Turning again to face her, Silvas ordered more than asked Xenova to hold out her hand. Whether she did or not, he reached for it and took hold. He looked into her eyes and said, "I am sorry to say that you have failed the first part of the test." With her hand in his, he used his other to quickly take hold of the little finger on her left and and effortlessly pull it from the socket. The flesh, muscle and tenons that connected Xenova's finger were torn instantly as the bone separated from the rest of her hand. The pain was sharp; turning from an intense burning to blinding pain that ignited every nerve in her hand. The pain shot up her arm and tore its way through her mind. Ignoring her reaction which undoubtedly would be one of surprise and pain-induced shock, Silvas showed no emotion and missed not a beat when he continued speaking. His voice remained calm and emotionless despite his apparent act of merciless violence, You spoke as if you knew what I wanted to hear. Never do that again. As we speak, you are nothing more than an insect seeking to evolve into a greater form of life. Passing judgment is not yet your place; especially when you are not privy to the full spectrum of your own flaws, much less those of another. You do not yet understand, but you will else you will suffer as much if not more than that pathetic wretch of a soul." Silvas walked to the side of the room where hung a finely crafted chain with a silver ball at the end. He reached and pulled down on it. A brief moment later, a female slave, nude save for a silver-chain loincloth, opened the chamber door and entered. "Tend to her wound." Silvas said to the young girl. The slave left for less than a minute before returning with a small basin of water and a small packet of first-aid supplies. She waited for Xenova to allow her to fix the wound where once there was a finger. Walking back toward Xenova, Silvas spoke again, "The next part of your test will hopefully progress more positively. There is a merchant here in Ravok who dares challenge the idea of slavery. He is a minority yet his voice carries weight among some of the other merchants in the city. Your task is to convince him that slavery is a good and just institution. Make him truly believe that he would be doing the right thing by supporting it. Threatening him, beating him, forcing him will not suffice. He must truly believe that what he would be doing is right. Convince him of this, and I will sponsor you in becoming an Agent of The Black Sun. You will find him in the Nitrozian Plaza. Ask around for Javent Krilor." Silvas held Xenova's finger in his hand and looked at it with his pale, empty eyes. "Fail in your task and your finger will not be the only thing I take from you." His eyes moved from the finger to meet Xenova's gaze while the slave fished out a needle and thread from the kit after cleaning the wound with water.

[Xenova Prillar]

Xenova had no sooner got the words out of her mouth than she knew she would regret them. This was not the being to be so smug around however what was said was what she meant. She hesitated and tried to back away when Silvas ordered her to give her hand to him. It was at that moment she knew she was going to suffer.

Quick as a flash, the Druvin had not only caught her but taken her hand. Then she felt the flaring pain from her hand to her mind as her finger was deftly separated from her hand. At that time all she could think of was the pain of the tearing flesh and tendons and muscles, it threatened to consume her and cause her to black out. The shock was so great that she did not utter a sound, but stared at the gushing,raw wound hoping he would not let her bleed to death.

She was not allowed the luxury of death or unconsciousness as she was being tended to by a nude slave, apparently Silvas intended she live, but for what purpose she knew not. She listened to his words and knew them to be untrue, she most certainly was not telling him what she thought he wanted to hear. The part about her being an insect was probably true, though she didn't feel like one she knew she probably was viewed as less than one.


She gritted her teeth and her silver eyes flashed with anger as he berated her but she spoke not for fear of having worse done to her for daring to speak her mind again. She would have her chance at him someday and then he would regret this insult. Until then she would wait and hope for Rhysol to allow her to give her worship to him with her mind and body intact. She feared though that death might still be her reward for coming here.


She listened to her assignment, listening to what she needed to do to gain sponsorship. He was assigning her to do a great task, one that seemed near impossible. She was to corrupt a man into thinking his own mind was wrong, she wondered if this wasn't part of the test, to understand that one's own mind was wrong sometimes. Corrupting was something she relished though and it drove any thoughts of revenge on Silvas from her mind. She spoke

Nitrozian Plaza. Javent Krillor. Convince him that slavery is good...in fact make him believe that he should support it. No coercion, no threats nor brutality. Got it.

If Silvas had nothing else to say she left his presence and headed to the Plaza to find Krillor. She still wondered about the whole true purpose of the test.

[Gillar]

Xenova's response following the removal of her finger seemed to satisfy Silvas for he responded with a nod. When he spoke again, his tone was calm and almost pleasant, "Very good. I do look forward to your return and reports of your success." The slave tended to Xenova's wound with surprising skill. Such was the way in Ravok though. Slaves were a valued resource and those possessing and excelling in various skills were highly sought after. The Black Sun was known for its quality of slaves as it paid a heavy price for most of them. Although the pain of the wound remained with Xenova as she left the chamber, the skill of the slave upon it would leave but a simple scar. After she had left, Silvas walked over to the wall near where the chain hung that summoned the slave. He touched one stone of the wall with the palm of his hand. A portion of the wall slid back slightly and then to the side revealing a large opening. Inside there were shelves filled with severed fingers; all well preserved presumably by some foul magic. There were fingers from both genders as well as a few non-human ones. With Xenova's finger in hand, he placed it on one of the shelves, setting in a strange holder of sorts. With a cruel smile, he stepped back and the opening closed. Whether or not the owner of his newest trophy returned successful or not was something left to the will of Rhysol. For Silvas, he was in a strange mood and decided it was far past time to enjoy his slave's other talents. He turned back to the slave girl and summoned her too him; a cruel and lustfilled look on his face.

[Goshawk]

Fall 26th, 511 AV

Goshawk's dark eyes lingered upon the dark, beautiful mural that sprawled the great dome of the Temple's ceiling, Rhysol's likeness her source of interest. In it, the God was calling the weak, the needy, the frightened. He was saving them, all of them, from the tyranny of the Valterrian and the selfishness of the other Gods who would do the saviour harm.

Awe glittered in Goshawk's mind, filled her thoughts and her emotions. She was in awe of Rhysol, He who had saved her ancestors from the remaining djed storms after the Valterrian. It was He who had given her a life in Ravok where she had nothing, and no one, to depend on. He and His Voice, the two saviours of Goshawk. For them she had shed the weak coil of Aquila and become greater, a creature with no history and no weak ties.

Rhysol's white eyes, a sign of true beauty in Goshawk's mind, seemed to laugh as the hopeless, lost men and women followed him. Goshawk smiled, sharing the joke his eyes expressed, but the smile dimmed and she turned her eyes down to the floor.

She was kneeling in the Temple no more than ten feet from the massive pinnacle of carved nothingness. The black mass was a void, like her own eyes. It was beautiful, obsessive, breathtaking, and haunting. It was something that could take her prayers and devour them, make them strength for Rhysol. Goshawk's smile returned and she lowered her head in respect to it.

She began to pray.

Until that point, Goshawk's inner voice had been quiet, pensive, sharing an opinion with her. Now, it whispered in two voices. One belonged to Aquila of the past, the other to Anser. Combined, they were what Goshawk felt to be her true voice.

"Bring us to your utopia, God of Power and Might." Goshawk thought. Her eyelids closed over the dark, cold irises that would, like the black art before her, consume until sated. "Show us your enemies so we may make an example of them and earn your affection. grant us strength so we may bolster the ranks of your faithful, true servants. Guide us like you once did the helpless masses after the great Valterrian so we may make you proud..."

All throughout her praying, she was silent and still, her breathing the only movement she made.