As part of the Elanthian Conclave individuals came learn about one of the lesser known goddesses with Kayse Thaellian as she discussed Aeia.
We also found out about how Aeia saved the people of River's Rest as well as participate in a ribbon ritual to honor the Earth Mother. As we gathered at Silvergate Manor Courtyard, on Niiman on the 30th of Eoantos at 10:00 P.M. we witnessed an amazing recreation of the dance!
Documented below:
(Kayse moves to the front of the crowd and surveys the audience, a brief smile touching her lips as she regards the rowan tree.)
Kayse serenely begins, "Tonight I will discuss a lesser known goddess. Only lesser known because a lot of her followers do not extend outside of my home, River's Rest."
Dinaden turns an inquisitive ear toward Kayse.
Kayse didactically informs, "Aeia was worshipped widely during the Kannalan Empire and was a goddess of considerable importance. After the decline and eventual fall of the Citadel, however, her followers have diminished."
Kayse adoringly emphasizes, "She is the Patroness of the earth and gardens--also known as the earth mother. It is said that any garden plot that is decorated with a statue of Aeia will bloom and flourish."
Kayse ruefully notes, "Unfortunately, because of the fall of the citadel, not a lot of Aeia is known and most of the lore or knowledge about her is speculation."
Kayse vaguely discloses, "But there is something that has been proven about the goddess and I have seen it with my own eyes."
Kayse smiles serenely to herself, her hand reaching up to briefly clasp the sephwir lily hanging around her neck.
Kayse carefully confides, "Last year, she sent me visions to aid the town and denizens of River's Rest against Chaston and the Blameless. She is a patron who continously watches over her people."
Kayse clearly says, "Tonight I will tell a different tale of how the earth mother saved those of River's Rest another time. One that has been passed down from one generation to the next."
(Kayse takes a step forward and shifts her gaze to the ground a moment as she collects her thoughts. After a brief pause, she tilts her head upwards, meeting the audience with a pensive expression.)
Kayse gently says, "Aeia has a fondness for gardens and perhaps because of her adoration for flowers, a white lily is the symbol that represents her."
Kayse brushes her fingers lightly against her glass lily symbol.
Kayse tucks a blown glass lily symbol of swirled white and green into a small pocket inside of her leather jacket.
Kayse brightly says, "Since Aeia lived in River's Rest, she had a large garden which was filled with a variety of flowers--many of them various species of lilies."
Kayse frankly interrupts, "Now besides Elven and Aelotoian, I like to consider myself versed in the language of flowers."
Kayse thoughtfully marvels, "Every flower has a meaning and can be used to communicate a message or phrase."
Kayse casually mentions, "Tiger lilies have the meaning of "wealth" and they got that meaning through Aeia and this story I am about to tell."
Kayse cautiously observes, "Back in the day, Krolvins raided River's Rest frequently, and it was not always the peaceful backwater we see it as today."
Kayse seethes, "They were after anything portable that would bring them wealth."
Kayse desperately says, "After frequent invasions, the people of River's Rest had nothing left to give them."
(Kayse adjusts her posture, her eyes flashing a brief moment of concern before returning to an impassive mein.)
Kayse frustratedly spits, "The krol outraged by this, slaughtered people in the streets of the town." Kayse pauses a moment before continuing in a soft tone, "Aeia watched helplessly as her people suffered."
Kayse quickly says, "Looking around her garden, she saw the bright golden-orange tiger lilies swaying in the salt breeze."
Dinaden takes a drink from his white peony tea.
Kayse grabs an orange tiger lily from a small pocket inside of her leather jacket.
Ysharra smiles at Kayse.
Kayse measuredly says, "Swiftly moving through her garden, she picked and gathered all that she had and prayed to Imaera for guidance."
(Kayse closes her eyes a moment and inhales the scent of the tiger lily. She slowly opens her eyes and smiles brightly.)
Kayse carefully explains, "Trodding warily to the town commons, she began dropping the tiger lillies, one by one, every few steps from there to Maelstrom Bay."
Kayse disbelievingly says, "As she gracefully moved, she went untouched by the Krol--for as each lily dropped from her hand, it turned into gold."
Kayse gives a sidelong glance at an orange tiger lily in her hand.
(Kayse holds up the tiger lily to the crowd displaying it for all to see.)
Kayse clasps her hand over an orange tiger lily.
(Kayse holds out her hands and flips the gold coin up into the air, flashing a huge grin at the crowd.)
Kayse suddenly says, "The krolvin stopped attacking the citizens and greedily snatched up the golden coins."
Kayse carefully places a dull gold coin on the ground.
Kayse apprehensively says, "When she reached the shore of the bay, she had one lily left."
Kayse grabs an orange tiger lily from a small pocket inside of her leather jacket.
Kayse steadily says, "Staring into the dark waters of the bay, she threw the last lily into Charl's embrace."
Kayse tentatively says, "The foamy water tossed around the flower enticing the krol to come and get it. Several of them swam out after it, but as burdened as they were with all the coins they had gathered, they drowned immediately."
Kayse amusedly says, "The rest of the krol, upon seeing the intervention of the Arkati fled to their longships and into the receding tide to escape."
Kayse wryly says, "But they quickly learned, they might have been better off on the dry land. No sooner had they ventured out to sea that a kraken of the same golden orange and brown as the tiger lilies rose up out of the water and devoured them."
Kayse somberly remarks, "As much of Aeia's worship and lore was lost after the fall of the Citadel, there is one major ceremony, The Blessing Tree, that has stayed around."
Kayse explains, "Followers ask her for a bountiful and fertile harvest and it is often performed throughout the summer, sometimes beginning as early as Ivastaen."
(Kayse takes a few steps back towards the tree as she twirls the tiger lily between her fingertips.)
Kayse simply says, "Although it is just getting into the dead of winter, I will demonstrate The Blessing Tree for the purposes of the Enclave."
Kayse tucks an orange tiger lily into a small pocket inside of her leather jacket.
Kayse plainly comments, "It can be conducted alone, or with any number of dancers."
Kayse grabs a cobalt-edged pale ivory silk ribbon from a small pocket inside of her leather jacket.
Kayse grabs a bright aurora green satin ribbon from a small pocket inside of her leather jacket.
(Kayse stands on her tiptoes and ties the ivory and green ribbon to one of the lower branches of the rowan tree, she lets the silks' strands hang down as she turns back towards the audience.)
Kayse patiently says, "Ribbons are tied to a large tree and dancers weave them around the trunk and the branches."
Kayse crisply says, "Right. Let's begin."
(Kayse gestures at the rowan tree and a trio of gnomes holding instruments appear from behind it: one with a drum, one with a zither, and one with a lute.)
(Kayse grabs the green ribbon and arches her back. She raises her hands above her head elegantly, and extends her right foot in a pose--standing perfectly still.)
(Kayse nods slightly to the musicians and a slow and steady drum beat begins the piece. The zither player strums chords in a upbeat, jovial manner.)
(Kayse curves her arms downward as she slowly begins to move, she sweeps her right leg inward in a half circle, her gaze following her hands as she gracefully moves them outward and steps around the rowan tree, the ribbon wiping and twirling as she moves her arms.)
Kayse smiles softly as the green ribbon weaves through the branches and foliage of the tree. The lute player joins in as rushing arpeggios compliment the zither's playful tune.
(Kayse sashays to the right around the rowan tree, her arms following the movement of her body. She stands tall bending her left knee as she twists her leg inward and out, her toe pointed as she twirls around the ribbon.)
(Kayse tugs on the green ribbon causing it to intertwine into a higher branch. The drum beats becoming quicker paced and more staccato. With the change in tempo, Kayse drops the green ribbon and snatches up the ivory one as she moves in the opposite direction.)
(Kayse steps on the balls of her feet, she pivots left and right in fluid movements causing the ivory ribbon to weave into the green one, creating a web. Her arms alternate behind and in front of her as she dances.)
Kayse smiles brightly as she bends her right knee upward and skips. Holding the ribbon with both hands, she spins dramatically, causing the last of the ribbon to weave around the trunk of the tree.
(Kayse scans a critical eye over the rowan tree and admires her work, the musicians slowly decrescendo as the instruments gradually fade out.)
(Kayse leans against the tree and smiles slightly as she says, "Does anyone have any questions regarding Aeia?")
Dinaden says, "I do not, but that was remarkably well done."
Archales says, "Yes I enjoyed it thoroughly."
Nazarr says, "Beautifully done."
We also found out about how Aeia saved the people of River's Rest as well as participate in a ribbon ritual to honor the Earth Mother. As we gathered at Silvergate Manor Courtyard, on Niiman on the 30th of Eoantos at 10:00 P.M. we witnessed an amazing recreation of the dance!
Documented below:
(Kayse moves to the front of the crowd and surveys the audience, a brief smile touching her lips as she regards the rowan tree.)
Kayse serenely begins, "Tonight I will discuss a lesser known goddess. Only lesser known because a lot of her followers do not extend outside of my home, River's Rest."
Dinaden turns an inquisitive ear toward Kayse.
Kayse didactically informs, "Aeia was worshipped widely during the Kannalan Empire and was a goddess of considerable importance. After the decline and eventual fall of the Citadel, however, her followers have diminished."
Kayse adoringly emphasizes, "She is the Patroness of the earth and gardens--also known as the earth mother. It is said that any garden plot that is decorated with a statue of Aeia will bloom and flourish."
Kayse ruefully notes, "Unfortunately, because of the fall of the citadel, not a lot of Aeia is known and most of the lore or knowledge about her is speculation."
Kayse vaguely discloses, "But there is something that has been proven about the goddess and I have seen it with my own eyes."
Kayse smiles serenely to herself, her hand reaching up to briefly clasp the sephwir lily hanging around her neck.
Kayse carefully confides, "Last year, she sent me visions to aid the town and denizens of River's Rest against Chaston and the Blameless. She is a patron who continously watches over her people."
Kayse clearly says, "Tonight I will tell a different tale of how the earth mother saved those of River's Rest another time. One that has been passed down from one generation to the next."
(Kayse takes a step forward and shifts her gaze to the ground a moment as she collects her thoughts. After a brief pause, she tilts her head upwards, meeting the audience with a pensive expression.)
Kayse gently says, "Aeia has a fondness for gardens and perhaps because of her adoration for flowers, a white lily is the symbol that represents her."
Kayse brushes her fingers lightly against her glass lily symbol.
Kayse tucks a blown glass lily symbol of swirled white and green into a small pocket inside of her leather jacket.
Kayse brightly says, "Since Aeia lived in River's Rest, she had a large garden which was filled with a variety of flowers--many of them various species of lilies."
Kayse frankly interrupts, "Now besides Elven and Aelotoian, I like to consider myself versed in the language of flowers."
Kayse thoughtfully marvels, "Every flower has a meaning and can be used to communicate a message or phrase."
Kayse casually mentions, "Tiger lilies have the meaning of "wealth" and they got that meaning through Aeia and this story I am about to tell."
Kayse cautiously observes, "Back in the day, Krolvins raided River's Rest frequently, and it was not always the peaceful backwater we see it as today."
Kayse seethes, "They were after anything portable that would bring them wealth."
Kayse desperately says, "After frequent invasions, the people of River's Rest had nothing left to give them."
(Kayse adjusts her posture, her eyes flashing a brief moment of concern before returning to an impassive mein.)
Kayse frustratedly spits, "The krol outraged by this, slaughtered people in the streets of the town." Kayse pauses a moment before continuing in a soft tone, "Aeia watched helplessly as her people suffered."
Kayse quickly says, "Looking around her garden, she saw the bright golden-orange tiger lilies swaying in the salt breeze."
Dinaden takes a drink from his white peony tea.
Kayse grabs an orange tiger lily from a small pocket inside of her leather jacket.
Ysharra smiles at Kayse.
Kayse measuredly says, "Swiftly moving through her garden, she picked and gathered all that she had and prayed to Imaera for guidance."
(Kayse closes her eyes a moment and inhales the scent of the tiger lily. She slowly opens her eyes and smiles brightly.)
Kayse carefully explains, "Trodding warily to the town commons, she began dropping the tiger lillies, one by one, every few steps from there to Maelstrom Bay."
Kayse disbelievingly says, "As she gracefully moved, she went untouched by the Krol--for as each lily dropped from her hand, it turned into gold."
Kayse gives a sidelong glance at an orange tiger lily in her hand.
(Kayse holds up the tiger lily to the crowd displaying it for all to see.)
Kayse clasps her hand over an orange tiger lily.
(Kayse holds out her hands and flips the gold coin up into the air, flashing a huge grin at the crowd.)
Kayse suddenly says, "The krolvin stopped attacking the citizens and greedily snatched up the golden coins."
Kayse carefully places a dull gold coin on the ground.
Kayse apprehensively says, "When she reached the shore of the bay, she had one lily left."
Kayse grabs an orange tiger lily from a small pocket inside of her leather jacket.
Kayse steadily says, "Staring into the dark waters of the bay, she threw the last lily into Charl's embrace."
Kayse tentatively says, "The foamy water tossed around the flower enticing the krol to come and get it. Several of them swam out after it, but as burdened as they were with all the coins they had gathered, they drowned immediately."
Kayse amusedly says, "The rest of the krol, upon seeing the intervention of the Arkati fled to their longships and into the receding tide to escape."
Kayse wryly says, "But they quickly learned, they might have been better off on the dry land. No sooner had they ventured out to sea that a kraken of the same golden orange and brown as the tiger lilies rose up out of the water and devoured them."
Kayse somberly remarks, "As much of Aeia's worship and lore was lost after the fall of the Citadel, there is one major ceremony, The Blessing Tree, that has stayed around."
Kayse explains, "Followers ask her for a bountiful and fertile harvest and it is often performed throughout the summer, sometimes beginning as early as Ivastaen."
(Kayse takes a few steps back towards the tree as she twirls the tiger lily between her fingertips.)
Kayse simply says, "Although it is just getting into the dead of winter, I will demonstrate The Blessing Tree for the purposes of the Enclave."
Kayse tucks an orange tiger lily into a small pocket inside of her leather jacket.
Kayse plainly comments, "It can be conducted alone, or with any number of dancers."
Kayse grabs a cobalt-edged pale ivory silk ribbon from a small pocket inside of her leather jacket.
Kayse grabs a bright aurora green satin ribbon from a small pocket inside of her leather jacket.
(Kayse stands on her tiptoes and ties the ivory and green ribbon to one of the lower branches of the rowan tree, she lets the silks' strands hang down as she turns back towards the audience.)
Kayse patiently says, "Ribbons are tied to a large tree and dancers weave them around the trunk and the branches."
Kayse crisply says, "Right. Let's begin."
(Kayse gestures at the rowan tree and a trio of gnomes holding instruments appear from behind it: one with a drum, one with a zither, and one with a lute.)
(Kayse grabs the green ribbon and arches her back. She raises her hands above her head elegantly, and extends her right foot in a pose--standing perfectly still.)
(Kayse nods slightly to the musicians and a slow and steady drum beat begins the piece. The zither player strums chords in a upbeat, jovial manner.)
(Kayse curves her arms downward as she slowly begins to move, she sweeps her right leg inward in a half circle, her gaze following her hands as she gracefully moves them outward and steps around the rowan tree, the ribbon wiping and twirling as she moves her arms.)
Kayse smiles softly as the green ribbon weaves through the branches and foliage of the tree. The lute player joins in as rushing arpeggios compliment the zither's playful tune.
(Kayse sashays to the right around the rowan tree, her arms following the movement of her body. She stands tall bending her left knee as she twists her leg inward and out, her toe pointed as she twirls around the ribbon.)
(Kayse tugs on the green ribbon causing it to intertwine into a higher branch. The drum beats becoming quicker paced and more staccato. With the change in tempo, Kayse drops the green ribbon and snatches up the ivory one as she moves in the opposite direction.)
(Kayse steps on the balls of her feet, she pivots left and right in fluid movements causing the ivory ribbon to weave into the green one, creating a web. Her arms alternate behind and in front of her as she dances.)
Kayse smiles brightly as she bends her right knee upward and skips. Holding the ribbon with both hands, she spins dramatically, causing the last of the ribbon to weave around the trunk of the tree.
(Kayse scans a critical eye over the rowan tree and admires her work, the musicians slowly decrescendo as the instruments gradually fade out.)
(Kayse leans against the tree and smiles slightly as she says, "Does anyone have any questions regarding Aeia?")
Dinaden says, "I do not, but that was remarkably well done."
Archales says, "Yes I enjoyed it thoroughly."
Nazarr says, "Beautifully done."