Although it's still early in the Spring season and the wind still carries more than a hint of Winter chill, the Cathedral is warm, inviting despite its grandeur. Candles blaze in every sconce, and the scent of ritual incense hangs light in the air, wreathing the opulent surroundings in an aura of calm ceremony. Templars and Knights of Solace in their shining steel, well-kept leather, and white and gold tabards, line the inner halls, and there is a choir near the altar, singing canticles of the gods. Currently, they are singing one to Jayus - appropriately, it is intricate and beautiful, the story of a sculptor who saved their liege's family by creating a life-like army to 'man' the walls against a much bigger force. Convinced that their prey was too well-defended, the invaders left.

Orazio is standing at the altar, stern as ever in his formal white and gold robes. Although he looks far happier in his way than normal - this is a joyous occasion, after all. He awaits Driskell's approach to the altar, and while he does, he speaks to those assembled. "We gather here today on no less joyful an occasion than a birth or a wedding. In truth, the process of swearing to the Faith involves a little of both. A man, or woman, leaves their former family, and is reborn into the Faith, a brother or sister in a family of the gods. The new priest foreswears husband, wife, and children, so that they may serve the Faithful with all the love of a parent or a spouse. Thank you all for gathering to welcome our new member."

Lord Corban Telmar is not more or less religious than any noble Oathlanders. But having some time on his calendar, he slips into the Cathedral at the beginning of Orazio's invocation, settling into one of the pews set aside for the nobility.

Lethe steps into the cathedral and walks quietly to one of the pews.



The Princess Ailys is chatting with a friend, flashing a smile to all -- it seems that she has more respect than most for the Pantheon. As the ceremony begins, she respectfully withdraws and, as her status as a Grayson princess befits her, she clasps her hand to her front with piety and seats herself by the front pews.



Among the many of the Godsworn sits the Palace Seraph upon a pew in the side alcove. Ailith holds her head high in respectful reverence to the formal rite; another brother and sister to welcome to the Faith. She folds her hands together and places them on her lap once the choir has concluded.

Making his way through the path between the pews, Driskell slowly steps towards the altar and stands in front of it, his hands clasped in front together. The head is tilted down in a small display of reverence towards Orazio and the others. He's alone.

In her black ceremonial leathers but with her hair hanging loose and making her look almost not completely prickly, Thena pads into the cathedral, accompanied by the louder footfalls of her Solace guard. They are settled in near the Seraph by the time the choir is finished and Legate Orazio begins to speak.

Thena has joined the Side Alcove.

Stepping in and lurking near the rear of the cathedral is the guard of the Dominus - except lurking is somewhat hard in full Templar plate armour. The chest of it has a recent repair - rather than being returned to original condition, the large former-gash repair picked out in gold along with another gash, creating a cracked effect. In fact, there are quite a few Templars in the cathedral recently. Almost like there are more of them lurking around. Preston moves across to the side as Orazio speaks, joining Ailith and Thena.

Preston has joined the Side Alcove.

Orazio smiles as Driskell approaches, his expression warm and inviting. "We were gathered here to welcome two new priests to the Faith, but due to circumstances and the will of the gods, Lady Vesper will be inducted at a later time. Today, however, Master Driskell Stillwater stands before us all. He has petitioned the Faith to join the ranks of the Godsworn." His gaze takes in both Driskell and the people assembled in the pews, his voice solemn. "To do so is to remove himself from the bonds of his previous fealty, his responsibilities to his family, and no longer to provide them succor or shelter save as the Faith might provide succor and shelter to any other." He turns to Driskell. "You have petitioned your liege for release. Has release been granted, that you might join the Faith?"

Driskell looks upwards to Orazio and says, "Release has been granted with the blessings of the high lord of Thrax, so that all men might chase their own destiny."

"And thus, does the Faith give credit and thanks to the High Lord of Thrax, for allowing one whose heart is called to the gods to serve with an open and unfettered heart." Orazio inclines his head to Driskell. "Kneel, Master Driskell, for if you would be of the Faith, there are vows which must be heard, understood, and taken without hesitation or reservation." His smile is brief, but encouraging, and he waits until Driskell has done so before beginning, "For Gild, do you, Driskell, swear to leave behind no wealth in your passing, save to the Faith itself? To support none as a spouse or son might, but only through works of charity? For Limerance, do you freely devote yourself to the gods and put these oaths you take tonight above all others? For the Sentinel do you swear to always seek the truth in the grace of the gods?" His voice is rich and commanding, the words ringing like bells in the high ceilings of the Cathedral, which has surely heard this ceremony time and time again, across centuries.

Ailith straightens upon her seat after a few minor and very quiet adjustments - pew shuffling. Her gaze sweeps across the Cathedral in noticing whom attends, pausing for her to acknowledge Lord Corban with a respectful nod, then trailing back towards the altar.

There's a moment of movement before Driskell kneels down, his hands still clasped in front of him while the gold eyes look upwards towards the legate. Soon following the movement is silence, as perhaps Driskell is contemplating the severity of the words being said to him and not rushing to repeat. In his stoic manner, Driskell says "I, Driskell Stillwater, do say without reservation...that for Gild I swear to leave behind no wealth in my passing, save to the Faith itself. To support none as a spouse or son might but only through works of charity. For Limerance, I freely devote myself to the godsand put my oaths I am taking tonight above all others."
    Another moment of silence, but Driskell continues. "For the Sentinel....I swear to seek the truth in the grace of the gods." Each of Driskell's words echo slightly in the expanse of the cathedral as he speaks the words he promises, his voice more monotone and dry than Orazio's rich and commanding.

Titania was a little late but she is here, she is not in any kind of armor nor does she had a weapon on her person. She quietly slips into a pew putting her hands in her lap listening and watching.

Orazio considers, and clearly finds the answer acceptable. He gives the kneeling man a smile before he continues, "And for Gloria, do you swear to act with honor in all your dealings as a priest of the Pantheon? For Jayus, do you vow to always seek the inspiration of the gods and let them color your life? In Vellichor's name, will you preserve the history of the Compact and the Faith, and work tirelessly to unlock the ancient understanding of the gods we once thought lost?"

Corban watches the ceremony politely, tilting his head at Orazio and the soon-to-be godsworn. The oath to Vellichor seems to strike him particularly so, the Telmar bowing his head noticeably at it.

Orazio's words echo a bit in the cathedral as Driskell continues to kneel in the service. The man takes a breath, his shoulders rising a moment, before he speaks again in that neutral tone, "For Gloria, I swear to act with honor in each and all my dealings as a priest of the Pantheon. For Jayus, I swear to seek out the inspirations of the gods and willingly let them all color my life." A moment of pause, perhaps a breath taken in. "In Vellichor's name I swear to preserve the history of the Compact with all that I can and that of the Faith, and I shall devote and work tirelessly to unlock the ancient understandings of the gods we once thought lost."

Orazio's head inclines, approval and encouragement all in one. Steadily, he continues, "As Petrichor grants dominion, do you, Driskell, swear to uphold his ideals and enforce the traditions of Sanctuary to those granted it? To Mangata, do you pledge yourself to the protection of the waters, your ministry knowing no boundaries of land? And for Lagoma, do you swear to always be open to change, knowing that that which does not change, cannot grow, and must die in stasis?"

The Thraxan petitioner kneeling before Orazio gives a nod, and Driskell says "For Petrichor, I swear to uphold and enforce all the ideals and traditions of Sanctuary to those that are granted it. For Mangata, I swear that my ministry shall know no boundaries of land and I shall seek out to spread the Faith beyond that next horizon so that the Light of the Faith may illuminate the world. For Lagoma, I swear that I shall keep my heart and mind always open to change and I shall allow and seek such change to happen within me."

And then, the newer vows, still unfamiliar for those of the Faith. Orazio says these carefully, but without hesitation. "

Orazio says, "As First Choice fought for our ability to choose, do you choose of your own free will and without reservation, to serve the Pantheon now, and to make that choice again, each day, until your time of passing? As the Queen of Endings shelters souls in the realms beyond, do you swear to shelter souls in the lands of the Compact, from their birth until their death? And in the name of Aion the Dreamer, do you swear to serve the creation we share, and preserve the Dream Eternal?""

"For the First Choice, I swear that I seek out to serve the Pantheon of my own volition and without any reservation each and every day until the moment of my last breath and final thought, and to encourage all I encounter to live freely as they can. For the Queen of Endings, I swear that I shall do all that I can to shelter all souls in the lands of the Compact from their birth until their death. For Aion, I swear that I shall serve all creation that we share and will do all that is in my power to preserve the Dream Eternal." says Driskell slowly.

And this time, the Legate doesn't get cursed at. Orazio smiles with pleasure, although it doesn't show in his tone. "One final vow remains. Tehom, the Reflection, requires of you a vow to know the darkness within yourself, to channel your passions and not allow yourself to be ruled by them. Do you swear this as well, Driskell, and in doing so, take on all the responsibilities and duties of one sworn to the gods?"

Driskell considers the words being said by Orazio, and here there is somewhat a pause. The gold eyes look over the legate's face, studying as he contemplates his answer, but the answer comes once more in a neutral tone, "To the Reflection, the Thirteenth, I swear that I shall seek out to master my duality; to use, embrace, acknowledge and control through my constant vigilance my passions and seek out not to deny but understand. To master myself first and assist others who seek Him to do so as well." The vow to Tehom perhaps is more detailed than the others.
    "I, Driskell Stillwater, do swear by all the words I have now said and take on willingly and without any reservation to each and all responsibilities and duties as one sworn to all the gods."

Orazio extends his hand, then, to offer Driskell both permission and aid to regain his feet. "Then rise, Brother Driskell. Today, the Faith acknowledges you as one of its own, and let all who witness, both mortal and under the eyes of the gods, recognize and accord you the respect and responsibilities thereof." He looks beyond Driskell. "All, please welcome Brother Driskell, priest of the Faith of the Pantheon." The Templars and Knights of Solace tagged for the ritual guarding salute as one.

Driskell unclasps the hands folded in front of him and rests one hand on Orazio's with a clasp, rising to his feet at the command from the legate. He bows his head to Orazio and says something quietly.

Thena has only an arch lift of her dark eyebrows at Preston's remarks before the Legate is finalizing the ceremony and helping Driskell to his feet. She stands and offers a salute as well; a precise, practiced thing.

Titania is not sure what to do her first time at one so she remains sitting but there is a soft smile as Driskell is named Brother Driskell now. she looks over in Ailiths direction nodding her head to the seraph then she looks back to Driskell and Orazio watching.

Ailith smoothly rises to attention, shoulders back and standing straight. She applauds in welcoming their new Brother, joining the many other Godsworn in their company.

Driskell turns and looks at those gathered, putting a hand on his chest and giving a small bow to them before he says aside to Orazio, "I should have baked a cake."

Orazio squeezes Driskell's hand in welcome, leaning in to exchange a quiet word with the newest priest of the Faith, before grinning as he turns and faces the audience. He looks to the other godsworn. "Any who wish may now come forward and welcome Driskell. And I advise it, because he's offering to cook, and I gather he's very good at it."

Preston claps his hands together - which is a rather thuddy thing with his gauntlets on, but he claps anyway to welcome the new Godsworn to the faith. He stays in the side alcove though, letting others go up.

When Orazio gives the all-clear, Thena slips out of the alcove she was seated in and picks her way over to the altar, offering a hand and a little flicker of a smile to the newest Godsworn. "Welcome, Brother."

Lethe stands with a cheerful smile as she politely applauds Driskell. Still she remains where she is.

Ailith remains behind briefly to murmur with one of the Palace disciples.

Titania stands up and claps for Driskell, once she has her hands come down to smooth her skirt out that she has on and then her hands come to slap in front of her watching the new Priest.

Orazio is overheard praising Driskell for: Welcome, Brother, to the Faith!

Driskell says something aside to Orazio quietly, and while others might smile, Driskell seems not to. Thena though, when she comes by to speak with him, is given a very small shadow of a smile before he bows his head, "I'm honored you were here to witness, I hope you remind me in later years should I forget what I promised here. Iron sharpens iron, does it not?" He does spy Titania, and he offers her a hand on his chest, a bow given to her in thanks.

Ailith squeezes the disciple's shoulder before leaning close to quietly speak. The moment ends shortly with an encouraging smile and nudge from the Seraph to direct the disciple. He leaves not long after and Ailith strides over to Preston's side and murmurs.

"Never fear, I will." This is said to Driskell with a certain amused dryness, then Thena bows her head briefly and moves out of the way so the rest of the well-wishers can come up. That puts her next to Orazio, whom she eyes for a long moment like a cat eying a mouse, then steps towards him suddenly with an intent to hug, in front of EVERYONE, accompanied by the words, "This is for trying to sneak out of /my/ ceremony."

Oh god, a hug! Orazio blinks, but he doesn't reject the motion. In fact, the Legate smiles, and hugs Thena without hesitation, although briefly. Dignity. It must be maintained. "Technically, I /succeeded/ in sneaking out of your ceremony. Also, I am glad that you came; Brother Driskell is an accomplished steward - I thought he might be able to aid the Silver Order with logistics and the like, at times, when your schedules permit." A glance towards Driskell, to see if this meets with his approval, as well.

Preston gives a small nod to Ailith and pushes himself to go forward. He pulls his helm off and gives a bow of his head to Driskell "Welcome to The Faith in proper, Brother Driskell. I look forward to getting to know you as you serve." Preston gives Orazio an amused sidelook "Just be sure not to pick up too many habits from the Legate. He finds more trouble than those of us meant to guard our leadership might like."

Driskell glances to Orazio and says, "I am always happy to assist wherever I'm asked, a tool ought to be used otherwise it becomes rusty." before looking towards Thena and witnessing the terrible thing of a hug. Preston is given a bow of the head before he says, "I'll be on a few tasks with each of the shrines and their archlectors, but if there's something I can assist you with, you've but to ask."

Orazio harumphs at Preston. "I only got stabbed once," he points out, "and besides, it's good for you to have some excitement in your life." Because Preston clearly does not have enough of that. He nods to Driskell's words. "I thought a good introduction would be for Brother Driskell to serve each of the Archlectors for a bit, to become more familiar with the workings of the Faith. Thena, Preston - as your grandmasters are busy, I might ask you to show Driskell about in turn, instead."

Thena would never suffer an /extended/ hug. That's for touchy feely types. But she's smiling too, more of a real one than her usual politely deployed variety. "Fair point. I'm glad I was able to find the time; I've been running around like a crazy person today. Anyone working on logistics other than me, particularly if they're good at it, is welcome in the wreck I've made of the Grandmaster's office."

A messenger arrives, delivering a message to Thena before departing.

Ailith steps forth from the side alcove and approaches. "Congratulations and welcome Brother Driskell," she warmly greets and bows her head. "I hope your first week of tasks aren't too overwhelming. If you ever need help, my door is always open to offer suggestions and aid in lightening the load." She nods solemnly at Orazio, "Legate."

Orazio laughs a bit at Thena's reply. As Driskell makes the rounds, with other priests and the like coming up to welcome him into the Faith, the Legate turns with a smile and nods to Ailith. "Seraph Ailith. So pleased that you could make it; I'm certain that Brother Driskell will be thankful for your assistance in settling in."