Ashnabis session 52
Summary
Session
Session date: May 9, 2021
Fair Cycle date:
Introduction
<AshnabisGM> In all the stories, the rain clouds always part just before the hero of the tale is to be wed. But this is Khurar in Ashnabis, and even heroism is insufficient to stave off the heavy downpours on this, the day of Katenzhi's wedding to Gefraz of the Argolda.
<AshnabisGM> But the venue could not be more ideal. The Argolda are an important Choradani family, after all, and although Gefraz is not its most prestigious representative, the General has made available the halls of Fort Kaskind in honor of the noble guests.
<AshnabisGM> The wedding will be officiated by none other than the high priestess of the colony, Dezmali Jesha of the Hand. Marrying into nobility has its privileges, you suppose.
<AshnabisGM> In the absence of an Argolda lineage house, the General has opened several halls for the family, and graciously allowed some space for you too, Kat, so that you're not trying to change into your wedding dress on the boat.
Katenzhi prepares for her wedding, with help from her mother
<AshnabisGM> Katenzhi, you are getting ready, with your family nearby either helping you with your dress, jewelry, and makeup (your mother), or fretting anxiously about how everything will go today (your father).
<Shiklazh> You look beautiful, my sweet. How are you feeling? Not too nervous?
<Katenzhi> I just need to remember that I've called lightning down on swamp monsters. I can handle this. Probably.
<Shiklazh> No lightning today!
* Shiklazh says firmly.
* Romoga laughs.
<Romoga> The ceremony is indoors, fortunately.
<Katenzhi> Well, none from me at least. It's petty nasty out.
* Romoga looks out the window.
<Romoga> I still think maybe we should have had the ceremony in Choradan - only a few of his family will make such a trip.
<Katenzhi> It was best all aound, I think.
<Shiklazh> Well, it's too late for that now. They already arrived - his parents, his brother, sister, and the sister's husband - and we need to put on a good display for them, so they'll see how well Gefraz is marrying.
<Katenzhi> Right. That's exactly the reason my wedding should be nice.
<Romoga> I suppose so. As long as it all goes well.
<Shiklazh> Yes, so they know their money is well spent :)
* Katenzhi sighs.
<Shiklazh> Don't be worried, though - I'm sure everything will be fine and afterwards, you can relax and have a good time.
* Shiklazh gives you a gentle hug, careful not to disarrange your hair or dress.
<Katenzhi> ight. Looking forwad to it.
<Romoga> He's a good man, your Gefraz.
<Katenzhi> Yeah... he actually is.
<Shiklazh> We're very proud of you, my dear.
<Katenzhi> I just never thought this day would come.
<Katenzhi> Hoped... actually.
<Katenzhi> But he is a good man. I could do a lot worse.
<Katenzhi> And thank you both for... all of this. Everything.
<Katenzhi> I know you only want what's best for me.
<Romoga> All we did is give you a gentle nudge.
<Shiklazh> After this, we will be out of your hair! until grandchildren begin to arrive, that is :D
<Katenzhi> yaaaaaaay...
<Katenzhi> Is everyone where they're supposed to be?
<Shiklazh> I think it's just about time... we should get into place.
<Romoga> Yes, I think so.
* Katenzhi hugs her mother and gives her father a kiss on the cheek.
<Katenzhi> Wish me luck, I guess.
<Shiklazh> The very best.
<Romoga> Full fortune to you, my beloved daughter.
* Katenzhi smiles, genuinely.
<Katenzhi> Thank you.
The wedding of Katenzhi and Gefraz takes place!
<AshnabisGM> Most of you haven't spent much time in the interior of the Fort - nor have you had much reason to want to. But the place definitely has its appeal. You knew there was a lot of construction last summer on the outbuildings, but the Fort itself has had lots of recent interior construction, mostly decorative.
<AshnabisGM> Spring greens bedeck the walls and the Argolda banner has been erected here and there near the suite of halls where the event will take place.
<AshnabisGM> The great hall itself, an oblong chamber with high round windows above you, lit by oil lamps along the long walls, is one of the least local-looking parts of Ashnabis any of you have ever been to.
<AshnabisGM> Even the Omban elites like Galdai normally make accommodations to local architectural practice and the climate of the Sestapor. Here, there is none of that - it is humid and sparse.
<AshnabisGM> None of you have ever been to a Choradani wedding, and the most recent wedding you were at, Lllillilli's traditional Aummesh ceremony, was very different.
<AshnabisGM> Like hers, this one features a procession of the bride, but instead of various lineage members, Katenzhi is escorted by a cadre of armed sentinels from the Fort in full dress armor, as if they were guarding a precious treasure. The journey is just down the hall, rather than through the whole town.
<AshnabisGM> A great bass horn signals your arrival in the great hall for the gathered guests, who rise and stand at attention. A young girl, perhaps a sentinel in training, sprinkles heavily scented water from a chain in front of you, moistening your path.
<AshnabisGM> One thing that is the same is the presentation of the bridewealth - that coin, previously agreed upon, that compensates Katenzhi's father for the loss of her labor to the family.
<AshnabisGM> Gefraz is led out by his father Kertu, along with other members of the Argolda clan who surround him, holding great spikes upon which vines spiral down to the floor. The groom himself is wearing a long, elegant coat trimmed with gold braid, and his mustache is neatly curled.
<AshnabisGM> Daifan, your attention was mostly on Katenzhi at first, naturally, but as she heads down to her new husband's family, you see a familiar face among them.
<AshnabisGM> A tall dark man stands among the shorter, olive-toned Argoldas. After a moment, you recognize it as Khesh. You have absolutely no idea what he is doing here. He does not appear to see you or notice you - if indeed he would recognize you anymore. But you are certain that it is him.
* Daifan unconsiously grips Junan's hand more tightly
<AshnabisGM> The high priestess Dezmali extends her hands towards the bride and groom, drawing you towards her.
* Dezmali is wearing resplendent long black robes, with a gold-lined belt around her waist. Her presence fills the room and all eyes are upon her as she begins to speak.
<Dezmali> Before the eyes of the ancestors and living members of the Argolda and Lovresi lineages, we come to join these their descendants Gefraz and Katenzhi in marriage.
<Dezmali> Once, all Kinds were one Kind, and all Clans were one Clan. But the Unfolding is unpredictable, and Coherence is fleeting. The cosmic egg is forever cracked.
<Dezmali> Yet a marriage is our way, as men and women, of claiming back Coherence against the sorrows of life. The joining of these two Clans, Argolda and Lovresi, serves to please the ancestors whose lives and deeds bring us to this moment of choice.
<Dezmali> Our ancestors beseech us: create life! Our ancestors command us: have hope!
* Dezmali takes an ornate silver bowl full of water and offers you each a sip from it.
<Dezmali> Without water there is no life - may you be blessed with a long and satisfying life together.
* Katenzhi takes a sip from it.
* Gefraz does as well.
* Dezmali then follows this with a second bowl full of newly-sprouted grains, presenting you each with a few to eat.
<Dezmali> Each seed has within it the potential to bring forth new life - may you be blessed with a fruitful and productive life together.
* Dezmali takes a third bowl, this one full of a mix of spices, and offers you a taste.
<Dezmali> Spices give seasoning to life - may you be blessed with a prosperous and delightful life together.
* Dezmali mixes the substances together - spices, grains, and water - and places them aside for your later post-ceremony meal.
* Dezmali then brings forth a long black cloth. She wraps one end around your right forearm, then brings it over to wrap around Gefraz's left forearm.
<Dezmali> Let this show that you are now bound to one another, with a tie that you have chosen and accepted willingly. You are now husband and wife.
* Gefraz gives you a kiss that's long enough to convince the relatives but short enough not to be too much of an imposition.
<Katenzhi> (Awww, he's so thoughtful :3)
<AshnabisGM> A great cheer goes up throughout the hall!
<AshnabisGM> The new couple leads the procession westwards down a long hallway, then north through an enclosed courtyard where a quartet of players of long Choradani stringed instruments serenades you onward.
* Katenzhi smiles at the crowd
<AshnabisGM> You head finally into a great round banquet hall, laid out already for the guests. The scent of smoked meats and spices fills the air. You honestly don't know who's paying for this, the Argolda or the Fort. As long as it's not you, you're not sure you care.
<AshnabisGM> There is a great dais at the center of the room for you and Gefraz, with all the other tables around the walls, looking inward towards the new married couple.
<AshnabisGM> And now, the great wedding feast!
* Katenzhi will smile at Gefraz and walk with him up to the dais
