Sgrios Mass: The Ascension of Phever and Wormtongue

High Priestess Paramour: 

For over ten cycles this temple has been entrusted to my leadership. In many ways, I’ve shaped the face of this faith - not through the determination of force, but for lack of collaborators. Much of my life I spent feeling uncertain about the weight of my contributions, feeling as if I was unworthy to instigate change as nothing more than a mere priestess. Knowing what I did of our history, and having been raised in that environment by Van Morgan, the father of the modern Sgrian faith, I spent half of my time wishing I had someone to stand by my side and help me, and the other half fearing what may happen should a spectre of the past should manifest and deem my leadership unworthy.

Though ghosts of the old temple do manifest on occasions, my service to this faith has largely been the work of a lone individual, and in that framework I became accustomed to being alone. Eventually I just gave up on being, altogether. No voice could penetrate my slumber - none but one. Friends and loved ones would coo to me like the sweet birds of mourning, but it was a stranger who reached through the abyss to draw me back. A priest in the service of Sgrios that was doing his best to build a congregation and felt, similarly, alone at the altar. His name is Phever, and since he called me home, neither of us have had to stand alone again.

Today is a special day for two remarkable priests and one markable priestess. For as long as I dreamed of having someone with whom I could rely to help me serve Temuair in this shrine, I never could have conceived that I would find ~two~ that would climb the steep cliffs of service to take their place beside me in this dark corner of Temuair. Furthermore, I will say in all that I’ve done in duty to the temple, there is nothing that makes me prouder than sharing a small part in mentoring these two. Priest Phever and Priest Wormtongue have become the guiding stars in the sky of my life that give me purpose, and though we came here independently, Deoch has lit our sparks with the same source, for, without them, I cannot fathom life in Temuair anymore.

Considering the momentous occasion we have today, I’d like to speak on legacy and how it relates to Sgrios and our congregation, but first I’d like to invite our soon-to-be clerics to speak on what it means to them.

Cleric Wormtongue:

When I first entered this temple, I was filled with a deep desire to learn. Discovering the Sgrian reading list upon the board was both a relief and a revelation, for it opened before me countless truths about our Lord and our faith.

From the beginning, I aspired to advance within the clergy, and in time I came to understand that this path would call me to make my own offering to the body of Aisling works, the very works that had first stirred my spirit.

Throughout the writing process, and even after my submission, I had not fully grasped what it would mean to see my work accepted and honored. To know now that my thoughts in Philosophy stand among those that once opened my eyes is both humbling and unreal.

To join in Sgrios’ living legacy is not merely a title, but a responsibility and a gift: to add my voice to the unbroken chain of those who came before, who gave themselves to truth, decay, and the law of endings. Such an honor reaches beyond what words can hold.

I can only say that I am grateful, for the bonds we share, for the family that has formed here, and for the unwavering support that has carried me to this moment.

High Priestess Paramour:

Your voice is not a single whisper, but a chorus. Your impact on this faith and on Temuair at large will be felt for generations to come. Phever, would you like to speak?

Cleric Phever:

Thank you, High Priestess, I will try to keep it brief. I have been a part of this congregation for... many, many cycles in some form or another. I've witnessed the dribblings of Deksar, the adventures of Van; but nothing more important than the consistency of this High Priestess here. As she alluded to, Paramour has toiled away at masses and wrote sermons regardless of how many attended without ever faltering. This dedication is what I truly aim to reach one day.

The unbridled passion the young Worm has for our Lord, as Temuair in general, is what finally inspired me to submit a work to the college. I hope I can grab hold of a small piece of what he produces every day - as well as be all of your faithful servant, in the name of our Lord.

High Priestess Paramour:

Let it be noted that I have been weeping since we began this ceremony... But also let me say, my sweet prince... The man who cuts the barber's hair must be quite skilled.

Among our congregation, we're all walking our own paths. Recently I was so blessed to welcome Dharma to the clergy as a priestess. She would like an opportunity to speak as well.

Priestess Dharma:

When I first came into this shrine, I felt rather lost. I felt like I was somehow both too soft, and too hard. I even considered joining Deoch for a while *giggles*. Early on in my time here I had... a really bad day. *Deep breath* Sorry for getting emotional... I was scared I had screwed up another set of friendships. See, I struggle with social cues and I can get really overwhelmed quite quickly. Paramour and Phever, and even more so Worm have been as patient and gentle as death itself. Helping me to understand abstracts and nuance that I would struggle to make sense of on my own. Never judged or laughed at. Just helped.

I feel so fortunate to be serving this fellowship alongside my friends. Truly, thank you all for everything you've done for me and for being true friends. I love you three so much.

High Priestess Paramour:

You are where you belong, sister. Among those you belong with. As you two are about to take a big step into the High Clergy, it feels important to hear from one who recently took the same journey. Sister Inuyoko, Deoch Cleric, would you care to speak?

Cleric Inuyoko:

*Wipes a tear from her cheek* Apologies, must be something in my eye...

I just wanted to briefly say that I have been an ally and a lover of this shrine and this fair for a long time, and since I returned to these lands that love has only grown deeper and you all are a big part of that. You have inspired me in so many ways, and made me a better person through our many conversations. You are both so worthy of this step, and I am grateful to call you friends. Thank you.

High Priestess Paramour:

Sister, thank you so much for your kindness and your gentle presence here. You inspire me every time we cross paths; I hope you know that your leadership in Deoch echoes in this cavern here.

Minister PeneAnn, who has been a fixture of this temple since before I sparked, do you wish to speak?

Minister Pene Ann: 

I do. I have been around to see many things pass by, and I have slept through many things more. When I awoke this time, the decline I had seen in the past was all but erased. These three have inspired and encouraged not just myself, but many an aisling among several walks of life. Normally I would awaken and just check in and around, but this time something changed and I was inspired by these three to step into a role that I had not taken for a long time.

If not for all three of their efforts in restoring the faith, I would not be standing here now; would not be enjoying regularly scheduled masses, and may even have already returned to slumber again. Watching you three has inspired me to be more than I was, and to take, again, a mantle that I had forgotten. When I started holding mass again, all three did their best to assist me, for I was lacking. You three have become a foundation - a foundation of Sgrian faith that holds us all captivated. THANK YOU for doing the work that has formed the core of the faith in recent days, and I can't wait to see the heights that you achieve in the near future.

May lord Sgrios bless you all in your future, thank you for listening to me.

High Priestess Paramour:

Amen to that, Minister Pene. Your words have touched me deeply, and your presence here enriches us all. We're all a part of the tapestry of this faith. All of us gathered here. Phever, I would like to invite you, with my blessing, to take your degree with Greim.

Congratulations, dear. This was well deserved and long overdue.

Priest Wormtongue, please, with my blessing, take the role of Cleric in the temple of Sgrios.

Congratulations, my boys. Please listen to me - both of you: I never once felt like I did anything important in this Aisling life worthy of praise until this moment. I cannot put into words how deeply proud I am of both of you, and how honored I am to be even a small part of your great stories. So thank you for letting me be a part of it, and for giving this old crone a purpose again. I love you both so much.

Cleric Nadja:

I would like to thank both Lady Paramour and Brother Phever as well. Without both of you, I never would have had the courage to submit my own work and reach higher in Cail's fellowship. *Smirks at Phever* In your case... It was a bit of competition in addition to inspiration. With you, the Sgrios temple was on the rise. I could not let the Cail temple fall behind. With Wormtongue now added to the ranks, I will have to work harder than ever. 

Kedian:

I wonder if I might speak a moment. First, Phever and Wormtongue, congratulations. I'd like to say specifically that this temple, much to my ongoing surprise, has been a place where I have found quite a lot of friendship and conversation. As someone who has the unfortunate legacy of being the oldest Aisling left, I wanted to speak (very) briefly on the nature of myth and legacy.

Too often we wonder, even myself, if we are worthy inheritors of the past. Too often we allow this doubt to creep into our minds, where it takes us out of the moment, out of the present, and thrusts us either into contemplation of a less perfect future, or a mysterious, ideal past. I speak with confidence and sincerity when I say that I have lived among and with myth and legend. And so therefore I can say, that in this moment, I felt things I have not felt in centuries. There is no doubt in my mind of our collective worthiness to carry on the art.

Paramour, in particular, thank you for making me feel so welcome. And you know, thank the rest of you for listening.

High Priestess Paramour:

Thank you for sharing your wisdom. As always, you speak from a perspective of one who has seen the rise and fall of kingdoms, and, as such, we must hold your words close to our chests - I know your praise is earned, not given freely. Thank you for witnessing our ceremony, and whats more, for being a part of it. I hope you know you're more than welcome here - without you, this hall feels empty now.

I had a sermon prepared, but I believe I will pocket it for another day. I don't wish to detract from this joyous moment with more talk. Mass is cast, dears.