#eluthanai

[eluthanai]

My husband made Guardian Flame emblems for my D&D character. The colors are indeed inspired by the anarcho-communist banner. 

[kittychans]

I took my guys on an autumn outing. The Knight, Mae, and Hiereus. 

[eluthanai]

Excerpt from the Flame Cycle Book Delta

I speak to you that you may know of our people's escape from slavery, so that you may know the power of the Flame, that it should lead you to liberation.

Though called the children of Liliq, in those days the gods did not hear our prayers. The Skotia, the influence of darkness, bound our minds to serve the demon we named Poneros, Worthless Toil in the common tongue.

So it was we worked in dark 'neath demon's land. Delivered coal, ore, and precious stone, Our lives were bleak, our wills were aught.

In winter's cold of Longest Night, a single fire the three did share. Huddled in their cell, Phlogos told the flame his wish.

“O small fire, hear my call, on Longest Night when darkness reigns, keep us warm and light our way.”

The Flame fell dim then brightened greatly. Red light shown on Longest Night, warmed their being and soothed their aching.

The three did rest by light of fire

In dreams the Flame threw its spark

light in their minds it left a mark.

On Shortest Day, influence of the dark called the workers. But its force the three resisted, Phlogos, Phos, and Luo. One of Flame, one, of light, and one for liberation burning bright.

Two at that time did seek to flee, but Luo knew alone that could not be.

By Flame's light, we are awake

but above demon's guard would overtake.

Let us carry the Flame into the shadow,

show our kin and call them to battle.

We must destroy the dark bindings on our friends

Form bonds of trust, with each other fend

Phos carried Flame by lamp to guide them through tunnel black,

By her light they descended deeper; carried the Flame to their people.

[eluthanai]

Birth by Flame: An Eluthanai Ritual

“The Flame fell dim, then brightened greatly. Red light shone on Longest Night, warmed their being and soothed their aching.” Pelos read aloud from the Flame Cycle to his children. Moira had since fallen asleep in his arm that wasn't holding the book while Rai'Tu'Sai sat on the floor at his feet.

He closed the book as a sudden warm sensation washed over his body and his wife's voice spoke in his mind. “It's time, my love, come to the temple. Tlemon will guide you into the mine.”

Pelos shivered despite the heat of the Flame's power. “On my way,” he whispered, and knew Flame's light had carried his words back to his wife. 

He set the book on their table and laid Moira on a bed. “It's time for me to go; can you watch baby Moira for me?” he asked.

“Is it time for my new baby brother?” Rai'Tu'Sai asked as Pelos put on his cloak. 

For the past month his son had asked this every time he told him he needed to leave the house and he gave a hearty laugh before answering, “Yes, it's time for your baby brother.”

Rai'Tu'Sai beamed, as though the timing of his question showed some level of cleverness. “Then I'll take good care of Moira while you're gone.”

“I know you will,” Pelos whispered ruffling his son's hair. “After all your horns are coming in, it means you're growing up” and Rai'Tu'Sai smiled as he felt the lumps on his forehead where his tiefling horns would soon show.     

***

 Even in late summer the evenings in Eluthane were cold, and Pelos gripped his cloak as he walked from his small home to the temple near the center green. 

At the temple's entrance he was met by the priest Tlemon. “Pelos,” he said raising his hand in greeting, “I'm glad you could come quickly, Phose has already been taken below. Follow me, I'll take you to her.”

Entering the temple he was led through a corridor lined with rooms for prayer and various temple rituals. They soon came to the central chamber where a large fire was kept burning at all times beneath an oculus dome. The power of the deep red Flame reflected in his soul as he was led past and into a room that contained the mine entrance.

Pelos had come here twice before when his children were born. The mine was used for many things, mostly storage, but some of the most sacred rituals were held in the places where their ancestors had been held captive.     

Tlemon eventually brought him to a room where his people came to give birth. Phose already in labor was laying on in a bed as the clerics attended to her. She smiled then grimaced and roared as labor pains gripped her.    

Soon at her side, Pelos took his wife's hand and she gripped his in return. “How are you my light?” he asked.

“I'm just glad they aren't born with horns right now,” she said through clenched teeth. 

The priests attended her with both spell and mundane medicine. 

Hours passed while Phose was in labor, and he remained by her side, his hand crushed by hers. Finally though, the baby came through, wet and crying in the cavern lit by red fire.

"Your child appears healthy; hold him and keep him warm. We must attend to your wife."

"Is anything wrong?" Pelos asked, concern entering his voice as the infant was placed in his arms.

"Only the normal level of healing is needed, but we must attend to it," the priest said as the flame on her lamp deepened its color as she began to utter a blessing. 

Pelos sighed relieved, and smiled at the small form in his arms. "Well Hiereus," he called the baby by the name Phose had picked for him, "You look like a piece of coal, like your mother and sister."

He held his son tight, wrapping his cloak over both of them. The old mines were kept warm by Eluthanai fire, but even still drafts could carry a chill. Shortly a priest came to inspect the infant, and wrap him in a blanket. And for the first time Hiereus was quiet. 

Once the magical healing was complete Phose was up and dressed in her own priestly garb by his side. 

“It's time,” she said, “I hope you're more practiced than last time,” she said, reminding him that he had stumbled over his part of the ritual when their daughter was born ten months prior. Though not a member of the priesthood, as the child's parent he was expected to take part in the Birth of Flame ritual.

“As practiced as I'm going to be,” he said, taking a ceramic lamp in hand and lighting it from his wife's lamp made from her horn.  

“Our child,” he said reciting the rote line, “I speak to you that you may know of our people's escape from slavery, so that you may know the power of the Flame, that it should lead you to liberation.”

“The way of the Flame is trust and benevolence,” the members of the priesthood sang as a chorus

As they finished, Phose intoned the next part of the text, “Though called the children of Liliq, in those days the gods did not hear our prayers. The Skotia, the influence of darkness, bound our minds to serve the demon we named Poneros, Worthless Toil in the common tongue.”

“So it was we worked in dark 'neath demon's land. Delivered coal, ore, and precious stone,” Pelos said. “Our lives were bleak, our wills were aught.”  

“In winter's cold of Longest Night,” the chorus chanted, “a single fire the three did share. Huddled in their cell, Phlogos told the flame his wish.”

“O small fire,” Phose recited the line, “hear my call, on Longest Night when darkness reigns, keep us warm and light our way.”

The priesthood chanted, “The Flame fell dim then brightened greatly,” as the Flames of their lamps mimicked the scripture. “Red light shown on Longest Night, warmed their being and soothed their aching.”

The lamps shone brilliant red. “The three did rest by light of fire,” Pelos recited more steady than he had been last time. “In dreams the Flame threw its spark, light in their minds it left a mark.”

“On Shortest Day, influence of the dark called the workers.” As the chorus chanted they moved into the next cavern of the mine, “But its force the three resisted, Phlogos, Phos, and Luo. One of Flame, one, of light, and one for liberation burning bright.”

Phose took up Hiereus before continuing the next line, “Two at that time did seek to flee, but Luo knew alone that could not be.”

“By Flame's light,” Pelos took up Luo's line, “We are awake, but above demon's guard would overtake. Let us carry the Flame into the shadow, show our kin and call them to battle.  We must destroy the dark bindings on our friends, form bonds of trust, with each other fend.”

“Phos carried Flame by lamp to guide them through tunnel black,” Phose recounted the story of her own namesake. “By her light they descended deeper; carried the Flame to their people.”  

After Phose finished her line the chorus chanted a series of verses and they were led through a corridor that carried them deeper then back up toward the temple.

Deep in the mine Eluthanai work

Demonic masters offer them no shirk

But light of Flame is burning bright

Gives hope for them, freedom’s plight

And in their souls reflects the Flame

The world above, it sets their aim

Will of their own, it doth bestow

From dungeon deep, down below

Skotia's power at last did break

Poneros' bonds the workers forsake

From the deep they started singing 

With the Flame its radiance beaming 

To stand up to oppression's hand 

With solid trust they form their band

The Flame it shows their path to go

To demon's castle in the snow

And to the Flame, they pray for aid

It hears their call, their cries are bade

With Flame in hand, against the sword

They stand against their Demon Lord

Up from the cave, the workers burst

To keep of Lord, the Flame leads first

By light of Flame, they break his power

They throw their Lord from the tower

As the chorus finished the last verse they reemerged in the oculus of the temple and brought Hiereus to the great fire at its center. 

Near the edge of fire Phose dipped her hand into the ash, and with it anointed her infant son. Then together she and Pelos chanted the Prayer of the Eluthanai.

Gazing into Flame of lamp 

In my soul, warmth's reflected back

We speak a prayer, and utter blessing

The Flame it guards and guides our path

The Flame it leads to liberation

Frees the will from domination

Common trust is our blessing

Benevolence keeps freedom lasting

Our labors it guards and makes them strong 

To hold Flame's light is our song

Our work is shared, we have not master 

The Flame's our keep, and gives us shelter

Pelos drew his wife and son into a gentle embrace as the ritual concluded.

“Welcome to the world little one,” Phose whispered, smiling down at her baby. “We love you.” 

[eluthanai]

Kobold Spring

Sitting outside of kobold camp In land called free, these slaves are kept A tiefling priest makes a fire To share Flame's light is his desire

He keeps it low, avoids detection From human house, and aggression He hums the songs of his people Their time captive, escape from evil

Yet kobold trust is hard to win Owing to abuse and slaver's sin Each night he comes, despite suspicion Empowered by Flame, with renewed ambition

Third night approaches small dragon being “What do you want?” they ask the tiefling “My people, like you, were once bound” “By Flame's light, will to resist was found”

The kobold turns and beckons preacher Into camp, though outside creature He comes each night, resistance teaching Flame burning bright, their souls reaching

One night their slaver hears them singing Roused from sleep, sees fire gleaming   Down from the house to put down rabble With posse and chains, to suppress and grapple

Kobolds offer prayers, and call the fire Slavers step back, position dire Their path cut off, they plea to go The priest looks down, and answers, “No”    

This is inspired by My D&D character's back story.

[eluthanai]

Hiereus the tiefling Cleric