Crowns and Bishops Roleplay

Crowns and Bishops Sideblog for Longform text rp with other blogs! (that way it doesn't disrupt the flow of comics and asks! :3)

[bishop-percival]

@candbrp

(prev) “It depends on where it was sacrificed and the necessity,” she explains. “Bishop Leshy hungers constantly, so that Deer will go to feed him, and most of the excess bodies the other Bishops sacrifice will often be sent to him as well,” she explains. “In Anura bodies are assimilated into a giant fungal mound, in Anchordeep they’re used as medicinal and ritual treatments, and in Silk Cradle we do tend to bury them, to return their lifeforce to the soil.” she explains. “Though we also use them for potions and rituals too when needed.” The Darkwood cultists take out a sack, which the deers body is quickly put into and tied up for transport.

Miriam quietly listened to Kimaris’ explanation then watched as the body got put in a bag. Drats, she felt it was too late to ask if she could harvest the teeth. Oh well. It wasn’t like there were bones scattered seemingly everywhere throughout The Lands; maybe she’ll come across something interesting. 

Slowly and idly, Miriam started wandering closer to the Mother’s Eye sigil on the ravine face. “I found the recital of the ritual interesting. Despite being gods already, can the Bishops ascend further? To, quote, encircle the world?”

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Indeed there was, though the ritual site itself was rather clean all things considered just beyond it Miriam is sure to find plenty of teeth and other things to collect. Kimaris follows her and checks to make sure the Darkwood cultists aren't quite close enough to hear and leans in. "That's honestly just some silly belief many Darkwooders hold, not all of them, but a good number believe Leshy to be an infant world serpent, that if they feed him enough he'll grow to his next stage and harbinger in the end of the world." She says. "I don't think that's quite right, the Bishops are already ascended beings! What more could there be than being Godly, you know? And none of his siblings have such bold claims made, I can't help but think it suggests Bishop Leshy is somehow greater than the others, which is quite the absurd notion, but then again it is characteristic of Bishop Leshy's cult, they thrive in the unpredictable and the offbeat."

[bishop-percival]

@candbrp

(prev) Kimaris grins and nods as the lower ranked cultists got to tidying up the space and removing the Deer from the slab. “Happy to have you with us! I hope you enjoyed it! Was it up to par with other ones you’ve seen and taken part in?” She asks.

“The ones I take part in are usually incredibly gruesome. But this one was still nice. It was simple and chill. I appreciated that,” Miriam replied with an affirming head nod.

She eyed the cultists removing the deer. “What happens to the body? Does it just get buried or thrown somewhere?”

[candbrp]

"It depends on where it was sacrificed and the necessity," she explains. "Bishop Leshy hungers constantly, so that Deer will go to feed him, and most of the excess bodies the other Bishops sacrifice will often be sent to him as well," she explains. "In Anura bodies are assimilated into a giant fungal mound, in Anchordeep they're used as medicinal and ritual treatments, and in Silk Cradle we do tend to bury them, to return their lifeforce to the soil." she explains. "Though we also use them for potions and rituals too when needed." The Darkwood cultists take out a sack, which the deers body is quickly put into and tied up for transport.

[bishop-percival]

@candbrp

(prev) It could be something to ask later, for now nothing around gave Miriam an answer. Kimaris grips her dagger and steps up closer to the slab, raising the blade before striking it down into the deer’s heart, their cry of desperation and pain cutting out soon after as blood started to drip down the surface, the candles surrounding the ritual area burned brighter, and eventually, Kimaris pulls up, removing the blood soaked blade. “For energy taken is energy given, may Bishop Leshy’s land flourish to provide for us another day.” The Darkwood team leader bows their head in agreement. “May he continue to grow, till he ascends to encircle the world!”

Miriam watched with rapt attention as the dagger was plunged into the deer. She took in the sound of their scream, the deep crimson of their blood, the excited flames of the candles. 

She found the lead cultist’s final chant intriguing. Can the godly bishops ascend further? Another thing to ask about, she supposed.

Assuming the sacrifice was officially completed, Miriam chimed up with, “what a wonderful ritual. Thank you for inviting me to witness it.”

[candbrp]

Kimaris grins and nods as the lower ranked cultists got to tidying up the space and removing the Deer from the slab.

“Happy to have you with us! I hope you enjoyed it! Was it up to par with other ones you’ve seen and taken part in?” She asks.

[bishop-percival]

@candbrp

(prev) If anyone did notice the sigil, nobody spoke a word after Kimaris put the lead cultist in their place. Kimaris draws from her robes a dagger and looks to the deer before her and takes a breath. “Bishop Leshy, we of Silk Cradle thank you for the wonderous plants you provide, so we may remain strong in health and in might,” The Silk Cradle cultists bow their heads. “As we have taken from your wilds, so must we return, as Bishop Shamura teaches us of trophic exchange, please accept this sacrifice, to nourish you and your lands.” Here the Darkwood cultists pipe up with a declaration, “The Worm must feed!”

Miriam listened intently to the prayers. She perked up when the Darkwood cultists chimed in. Was Bishop Leshy a worm?

She stared up at the dagger with anticipation.

[candbrp]

It could be something to ask later, for now nothing around gave Miriam an answer. Kimaris grips her dagger and steps up closer to the slab, raising the blade before striking it down into the deer's heart, their cry of desperation and pain cutting out soon after as blood started to drip down the surface, the candles surrounding the ritual area burned brighter, and eventually, Kimaris pulls up, removing the blood soaked blade. "For energy taken is energy given, may Bishop Leshy's land flourish to provide for us another day." The Darkwood team leader bows their head in agreement. "May he continue to grow, till he ascends to encircle the world!"

[bishop-percival]

@candbrp

(prev) The cultists expression sours and they quickly look to Kimaris once more, bewildered, “That’s heresy though! Worship of those other than the Bishops is prohibited!” They point out. Kimaris waves this off, “It is by our Wise Parriarch’s grace that they are permitted, you would not think to argue with a God, would you?” The cultist looks to argue further but nothing comes out and they merely nod, rightly cow-towed for their behaviour, who WERE they to argue with a Bishop’s decision, even if it didn’t follow the laws of the lands? There must be a very good reason for it. Kimaris moves past it. “Now then, let’s not waste any more time with that, we should be ready to give our thanks,” she says, moving to center position before the sacrificial slab, the other cultists nod and fan out to points of the bloody circle, some kneeling pray, the leader of the Darkwood group moves to stand on the opposite side of the slab.

Miriam’s expression similarly soured, her face tightening into a glare when the other cultist got all worked up over her heresy. But she soon grew smug when Kimaris set them straight. She hoped they somehow wouldn’t notice the large Mother’s Eye sigil on the ravine wall.

Miriam got as close to the ritual circle as possible without disrupting or being in the way of anything so she could get a good view.

[candbrp]

If anyone did notice the sigil, nobody spoke a word after Kimaris put the lead cultist in their place. Kimaris draws from her robes a dagger and looks to the deer before her and takes a breath. "Bishop Leshy, we of Silk Cradle thank you for the wonderous plants you provide, so we may remain strong in health and in might," The Silk Cradle cultists bow their heads. "As we have taken from your wilds, so must we return, as Bishop Shamura teaches us of trophic exchange, please accept this sacrifice, to nourish you and your lands." Here the Darkwood cultists pipe up with a declaration, "The Worm must feed!"

[bishop-percival]

@candbrp

(prev) Miriam certainly gets some looks as the arriving cultists notice her, almost to the point where they’re distracted from their task! But with a stern look from Kamaris they pull themselves together and the two carrying the sacrifice are quickly helped by some of the Shamura cultists in tying the deer down to the slab while the head of the group approaches the pair. “Disciple Kimaris, I hope the herbs of Darkwood were to your liking.” Kimaris nods in return. “Yes thank you, we found all we needed,” she smiles. “And now we shall give back to Bishop Leshy for his generosity,” she says. The head of the group nods but again is caught up looking at Miriam, and thankfully they manage to hold back on interrupting the Disciple before blurting out, “Quite a visitor you have there,”

Miriam stared back at the cultists as they gawked at her. Though her impassive face didn’t show it, she found it rather amusing, especially when Kimaris got them back on track with just a look.

“I am quite a visitor,” she nodded in agreement. “I’m Reverend Miriam of the Church of Glorn. I’m a friend of Bishop Shamura’s. 

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The cultists expression sours and they quickly look to Kimaris once more, bewildered, “That’s heresy though! Worship of those other than the Bishops is prohibited!” They point out.

Kimaris waves this off, “It is by our Wise Parriarch’s grace that they are permitted, you would not think to argue with a God, would you?”

The cultist looks to argue further but nothing comes out and they merely nod, rightly cow-towed for their behaviour, who WERE they to argue with a Bishop’s decision, even if it didn’t follow the laws of the lands? There must be a very good reason for it.

Kimaris moves past it. “Now then, let’s not waste any more time with that, we should be ready to give our thanks,” she says, moving to center position before the sacrificial slab, the other cultists nod and fan out to points of the bloody circle, some kneeling pray, the leader of the Darkwood group moves to stand on the opposite side of the slab.

[bishop-percival]

@candbrp

(prev) Indeed it was! It was a smaller group of three cultists, one leading and two behind, carrying between them a captive deer, crying but otherwise resigned to their fate. The cultists wore a similar uniform to those of Shamura’s cultists, but where theirs were dark gray with lighter gray accents, the Darkwood cultists outfits were a dark grayish brown with golden accents and a pentagram clasp holding their robes together.

Miriam delighted at the sight of the crying soon-to-be sacrifice. After observing the other cultists, she wondered if they were informed about her and Mike being guests of Bishop Shamura. If not, how would these guys react to the sight of a strange eyeball creature? To be safe, Miriam stood close to Kimaris to make it clear she was with this group. 

[candbrp]

Miriam certainly gets some looks as the arriving cultists notice her, almost to the point where they're distracted from their task! But with a stern look from Kamaris they pull themselves together and the two carrying the sacrifice are quickly helped by some of the Shamura cultists in tying the deer down to the slab while the head of the group approaches the pair. "Disciple Kimaris, I hope the herbs of Darkwood were to your liking." Kimaris nods in return. "Yes thank you, we found all we needed," she smiles. "And now we shall give back to Bishop Leshy for his generosity," she says. The head of the group nods but again is caught up looking at Miriam, and thankfully they manage to hold back on interrupting the Disciple before blurting out, "Quite a visitor you have there,"

[bishop-percival]

@candbrp

(prev) Kimaris nods and takes a deep breath as she lets it all wash over her, the cracked surface of stones, the lichen cascading over the area, the soft rustle of the trees, the smell of the earth and plantlife, but also the iron of blood and smell of decay. As they did the group hears something approaching from the other side of the ravine.

Miriam perked up when she sensed something approaching. She hoped it was the other cultists with the sacrifice. She walked toward the ritual site to see if she could spot them.

[candbrp]

Indeed it was! It was a smaller group of three cultists, one leading and two behind, carrying between them a captive deer, crying but otherwise resigned to their fate. The cultists wore a similar uniform to those of Shamura's cultists, but where theirs were dark gray with lighter gray accents, the Darkwood cultists outfits were a dark grayish brown with golden accents and a pentagram clasp holding their robes together.

[bishop-percival]

@candbrp

(prev) Kimaris gives a determined nod, taking the talisman she follows Miriam’s instructions, drawing the sigil rather large against the side of the ravine, unsure exactly how it worked but assuming that a bigger sigil might give the being a better view of things!

Miriam seemed antsy as she watched Kimaris draw the sigil. She was restraining herself from criticizing every little detail. Really, Kimaris drew it pretty well for her first time. Miriam just held herself to a standard that bordered on perfection. Once it was done, Miriam nodded in approval at it.

“Great. Onto the next step.” Miriam turned to face the ritual site. “Consciously make note of what you see, what you hear, what you smell, what you feel… Your emotions and thoughts… Good or bad.”

She stood quietly with her arms beyond her back for a moment, allowing Kimaris to do just so. Soon she added, “And try to do the same during the sacrifice.”

[candbrp]

Kimaris nods and takes a deep breath as she lets it all wash over her, the cracked surface of stones, the lichen cascading over the area, the soft rustle of the trees, the smell of the earth and plantlife, but also the iron of blood and smell of decay. As they did the group hears something approaching from the other side of the ravine.

[bishop-percival]

@candbrp

(prev) Kimaris shakes her head. “No need to spare any resources for me,” she assures, “I’m sure I can draw it into the surface,” she assures. “So how should I go about this?”

Miriam took out a talisman that had the sigil on it to use as a reference. 

As she explained, she traced the design with her finger. “You draw the center circle first. Start from the top point of the diamond and swoop it to the left, leading into the wing. Then circle around to the right to draw the other wing. Connect that to the top point. Then draw in the bottom half of the diamond.” 

She then handed Kimaris the talisman.

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Kimaris gives a determined nod, taking the talisman she follows Miriam's instructions, drawing the sigil rather large against the side of the ravine, unsure exactly how it worked but assuming that a bigger sigil might give the being a better view of things!

[bishop-percival]

@candbrp

(prev) The runes were simple, one circle at each cardinal direction and three lines, growing smaller as they went between them, the circles had lines of blood passing through them, and on the far side of each was rested a candle. The design was encircled by an outer circle of blood as well. Kimaris nods eagerly at the idea and hums, noticing Miriam’s gaze. “Perhaps we can inscribe it into the side of the ravine?” she suggests. The four assisting cultists set their things to the edge of the ravine away from the ceremony and busy themselves checking that the area was properly set up.

Miriam nodded and walked over to the ravine wall, looking for a good spot. She soon found a relatively flat and clear area not too far from the ritual space. 

“How about here?” she asked Kimaris.

As she observed the surface she continued, “You can use anything to draw or carve it. But if you don’t have anything on you right now I suppose I can let you use my special paint that I make…”

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Kimaris shakes her head. "No need to spare any resources for me," she assures, "I'm sure I can draw it into the surface," she assures. "So how should I go about this?"

[bishop-percival]

@candbrp

(prev) When they had finished up, the other cultists loading the herbs carefully into collection, they returned their rank and file line and continued on into Darkwood, eventually arriving at a large ravine, one that might’ve been natural once but was likely expanded at some point for use as a ritual space, though vegetation had once again overtaken the surfaces. Torches are hung around the area and at its centre a large stone slab sitting on a slightly raised stone platform, a ritual circle of blood has been drawn around it, inscribed with runes and surrounded by candles and small shrine stones. “We got here first,” Kimaris remarks, “but they shouldn’t be too long,” For once one of the other cultists speaks. “With Darkwood cultists you can never be sure, they’re not exactly fond of plans,” they point out, their voice somewhat deep.

Miriam took great interest in the ritual circle, observing the runes around it. She then eyed the cultist who spoke, rather curious about how the cultists of the different bishops viewed each other. But instead of inquiring further, Miriam had something else on her mind and turned toward Kimaris. 

“Maybe in the meantime I could teach you how to draw the sigil of Mother’s Eye.” She then began glancing around for a suitable place for it.

[candbrp]

The runes were simple, one circle at each cardinal direction and three lines, growing smaller as they went between them, the circles had lines of blood passing through them, and on the far side of each was rested a candle. The design was encircled by an outer circle of blood as well. Kimaris nods eagerly at the idea and hums, noticing Miriam's gaze. "Perhaps we can inscribe it into the side of the ravine?" she suggests. The four assisting cultists set their things to the edge of the ravine away from the ceremony and busy themselves checking that the area was properly set up.

[bishop-percival]

@candbrp

(prev) Kimaris grins and laughs. “Perfect! I’ll draw the sigil there then,” she says, giving a hum as she watches her group continuing their gathering. “We should be close to stocked up, then we’ll be meeting with a group of Bishop Leshy’s cultists to perform a joint ritual,” she explains.

Miriam was intrigued by the prospect of meeting another bishop’s cultists. She knew Mike would be, too. Boy, was he missing out.

Miriam nodded in response to Kimaris, and helped in gathering the rest of what the group needed.

[candbrp]

When they had finished up, the other cultists loading the herbs carefully into collection, they returned their rank and file line and continued on into Darkwood, eventually arriving at a large ravine, one that might’ve been natural once but was likely expanded at some point for use as a ritual space, though vegetation had once again overtaken the surfaces.

Torches are hung around the area and at its centre a large stone slab sitting on a slightly raised stone platform, a ritual circle of blood has been drawn around it, inscribed with runes and surrounded by candles and small shrine stones.

“We got here first,” Kimaris remarks, “but they shouldn’t be too long,”

For once one of the other cultists speaks. “With Darkwood cultists you can never be sure, they’re not exactly fond of plans,” they point out, their voice somewhat deep.

[bishop-percival]

@candbrp

(prev) Though Miriam can’t quite see it under her hood, Kimaris smiles fondly at that. “Okay great, I’ll see where might be a good place for it.” she chuckles. “Do you think she’d have any interest in watching the sacrifice?” she suggests.

Miriam seemed to light up, clasping her hands together. “She most certainly would. She’s fascinated with such spectacles. Death, blood, viscera… It would be the most interesting thing she’s seen all week.”

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Kimaris grins and laughs. "Perfect! I'll draw the sigil there then," she says, giving a hum as she watches her group continuing their gathering. "We should be close to stocked up, then we'll be meeting with a group of Bishop Leshy's cultists to perform a joint ritual," she explains.

[bishop-percival]

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(prev) Kimaris nods thoughtfully. “Ah I see! I asked because I was considering making one as well elsewhere, but I wasn’t sure if it would be redundant,” she admits.

Miriam’s eye widened and she was quick to reassure Kimaris. “No, it wouldn’t be redundant at all. The more the merrier. I’m sure she would be happy to see something from someone else’s perspective…”

[candbrp]

Though Miriam can't quite see it under her hood, Kimaris smiles fondly at that. "Okay great, I'll see where might be a good place for it." she chuckles. "Do you think she'd have any interest in watching the sacrifice?" she suggests.

[bishop-percival]

@candbrp

(prev) Kimaris observes the sigil carefully, “Does it allow her only a view in direct line of sight, or is it an area of effect?” she asks, glancing around with a soft hum.

Miriam folded her hands together. “It’s… not as straightforward as those, though I suppose an area of effect is the more accurate description. According to her, it’s more of a collection of what I’ve perceived. Prominent colors, objects, even smells and sounds.”

[candbrp]

Kimaris nods thoughtfully. "Ah I see! I asked because I was considering making one as well elsewhere, but I wasn't sure if it would be redundant," she admits.

[bishop-percival]

@candbrp

(prev) Kimaris takes notice as she does and curious she approaches. “What are you doing, Priestess?” he tone is gentle and non-confrontational, genuinely curious. It’s possible that the mention of another God would offend the cultists, but given everything leading up to it and Miriam’s position of regard with their very God, it’s unlikely that they would react badly to such a thing.

“I’m showing the beauty of Darkwood to my beloved god, Mother’s Eye. I’m drawing her sigil in the hopes that she’ll get a glimpse of it in her dreams,” Miriam answered, straightforward.

The resulting sigil looked as if it was drawn with tools, with straight lines, symmetrical curves, and a perfect circle in the middle. She stood and dusted residual moss off of her hands.

[candbrp]

Kimaris observes the sigil carefully, "Does it allow her only a view in direct line of sight, or is it an area of effect?" she asks, glancing around with a soft hum.