Post by Elyssia Whiterose (SWT) on Oct 15, 2016 8:23:38 GMT
The bells of the Monastery of Car Kells rang out in celebration. Within the monastic church, the smell of incense filled the halls; Incense dutifully provided for by the guilders, who had arranged for the event.
Councilors from each chapter of the Southwestern Traders were in attendance, including Lord Kaegan and Commodore Victor. Among invited non-guild persons could also be seen Vera, Lady Isabella (still in her mourning dress) and Isabella’s son, Daniel. It was Admiral Whiterose’s wish that representatives from both the Old Faith and Nature’s Soft Embrace be permitted to attend, should they wish to do so. Beyond that, it was a fairly private event, although one that would soon become well-known beyond the confines of Car Kells.
The ceremony was held during the feast day of Saint Ceinwen, as chosen by Admiral Whiterose, and there were three aspects to the ceremony. First, a member elected by the council (Lord Kaegan in this instance) would present Admiral Whiterose with her guild regalia: A ceremonial sword, a fancy hat, and the official seal of the Guild’s admiral, recently forged specifically for Admiral Whiterose.
As he presented each piece of regalia, he would make Elyssia take an oath.
“With this sword, you swear to defend the Guild and its allies against all enemies.”
Elyssia nodded, accepting the sword as offered, and repeated “I swear to defend the Guild and its allies against all enemies.”
Presenting her with the seal, Kaegan continued, “With this seal, you accept your responsibilities as Admiral. To lead.”
Elyssia took in a deep breath and swore, “I swear to uphold my responsibilities. To be a leader.”
Presenting the well-crafted beaver hat that menaced with spikes of beaver fur, Kaegan spoke “Let this hat make you a guide, as good as a light in the night guides a ship.” and placed it upon her head, after which Elyssia responded, “I swear to guide the Guild."
With that, she was officially the Guild’s admiral.
The second was now ceremonially conferring upon her the titles of the Guild’s holdings. Due to various changes, it had become simplified to a mere two quite important titles, that each held beneath them a variety of sub-titles. Albeit she was Admiral Whiterose, she had yet to become Admiral Whiterose of the Southern and Western Traders. Or, in common parlance, Admiral of the Southwestern Traders. The investiture would correct that deficiency.
It was Maelgwyn who had been asked the responsibility to confer upon Elyssia those two titles.
She kneeled before him in prayer. With a ritual litany, he conferred upon her first the title of the Southern Traders, and then the title of the Western Traders. Asking her to rise, she rose as Admiral Elyssia Whiterose of the Southwestern Traders.
The Admiral had been a bastard child, city-raised by her mother, a sailor, a drunk, a lover, her father’s first mate, and the captain of her late father’s ship. This was something quite different from all of that. With divine inspiration, it presented to her a world previously unknown to her. She now knew of the sheer responsibility Aethor held every day. Yet with that knowledge, and with that responsibility, there came the power to wield it, as she had sworn to do for her guild.
The final ceremony was the feast in honor of Saint Ceinwen.
Soon after, messengers were dispatched from Camelot to every noble court of Albion as far north as Bayard, and to the guildhalls of both the Northern and Eastern Traders with an important decree to be spoken at every court. Strangely, none reached the state faiths, but by now they already knew.
Further, the various councilors of the guild brought back the message to their various guildhalls, from Caerleon, to Dumonia, to Tir Mor (and even Helna).
“By Order of the Guild Council:
Admiral Whiterose is henceforth regent of the Southwestern Traders.
She assumes the titles, rights and responsibilities previously held by the late Admiral Aethor of Helna,
She promises that all treaties and all deals, official and unofficial, remain respected. The Guild’s promises are true, and Aethor’s word, even in death, holds weight.
All whom served the Guild faithfully before, may continue to serve the Guild faithfully evermore.”
Admiral Elyssia Whiterose hoped to make it to the upcoming winter council, where she might formally meet the various regents of Albion in person.
Councilors from each chapter of the Southwestern Traders were in attendance, including Lord Kaegan and Commodore Victor. Among invited non-guild persons could also be seen Vera, Lady Isabella (still in her mourning dress) and Isabella’s son, Daniel. It was Admiral Whiterose’s wish that representatives from both the Old Faith and Nature’s Soft Embrace be permitted to attend, should they wish to do so. Beyond that, it was a fairly private event, although one that would soon become well-known beyond the confines of Car Kells.
The ceremony was held during the feast day of Saint Ceinwen, as chosen by Admiral Whiterose, and there were three aspects to the ceremony. First, a member elected by the council (Lord Kaegan in this instance) would present Admiral Whiterose with her guild regalia: A ceremonial sword, a fancy hat, and the official seal of the Guild’s admiral, recently forged specifically for Admiral Whiterose.
As he presented each piece of regalia, he would make Elyssia take an oath.
“With this sword, you swear to defend the Guild and its allies against all enemies.”
Elyssia nodded, accepting the sword as offered, and repeated “I swear to defend the Guild and its allies against all enemies.”
Presenting her with the seal, Kaegan continued, “With this seal, you accept your responsibilities as Admiral. To lead.”
Elyssia took in a deep breath and swore, “I swear to uphold my responsibilities. To be a leader.”
Presenting the well-crafted beaver hat that menaced with spikes of beaver fur, Kaegan spoke “Let this hat make you a guide, as good as a light in the night guides a ship.” and placed it upon her head, after which Elyssia responded, “I swear to guide the Guild."
With that, she was officially the Guild’s admiral.
The second was now ceremonially conferring upon her the titles of the Guild’s holdings. Due to various changes, it had become simplified to a mere two quite important titles, that each held beneath them a variety of sub-titles. Albeit she was Admiral Whiterose, she had yet to become Admiral Whiterose of the Southern and Western Traders. Or, in common parlance, Admiral of the Southwestern Traders. The investiture would correct that deficiency.
It was Maelgwyn who had been asked the responsibility to confer upon Elyssia those two titles.
She kneeled before him in prayer. With a ritual litany, he conferred upon her first the title of the Southern Traders, and then the title of the Western Traders. Asking her to rise, she rose as Admiral Elyssia Whiterose of the Southwestern Traders.
The Admiral had been a bastard child, city-raised by her mother, a sailor, a drunk, a lover, her father’s first mate, and the captain of her late father’s ship. This was something quite different from all of that. With divine inspiration, it presented to her a world previously unknown to her. She now knew of the sheer responsibility Aethor held every day. Yet with that knowledge, and with that responsibility, there came the power to wield it, as she had sworn to do for her guild.
The final ceremony was the feast in honor of Saint Ceinwen.
Soon after, messengers were dispatched from Camelot to every noble court of Albion as far north as Bayard, and to the guildhalls of both the Northern and Eastern Traders with an important decree to be spoken at every court. Strangely, none reached the state faiths, but by now they already knew.
Further, the various councilors of the guild brought back the message to their various guildhalls, from Caerleon, to Dumonia, to Tir Mor (and even Helna).
“By Order of the Guild Council:
Admiral Whiterose is henceforth regent of the Southwestern Traders.
She assumes the titles, rights and responsibilities previously held by the late Admiral Aethor of Helna,
She promises that all treaties and all deals, official and unofficial, remain respected. The Guild’s promises are true, and Aethor’s word, even in death, holds weight.
All whom served the Guild faithfully before, may continue to serve the Guild faithfully evermore.”
Admiral Elyssia Whiterose hoped to make it to the upcoming winter council, where she might formally meet the various regents of Albion in person.