Healing Combat Class with Rhi

Pio gets back to Avilion to get together with her dear sister druid Rhiannon Skinstand. Rhi is also her druid mentor and guides her on healing and fighting to protect her sisters and brothers from Avilion. Since Pio has been traveling the world she is way behind on her training. Brother Ryu the dragon is the weapon caster who has forged new magic staves for healers. In this mentoring session, Rhi describes the use and healing magic of the new staves.

Rhi (rhiannon.skinstad): Hallooooo.
Pionia Destiny: smiles.  Besitos
Rhi (rhiannon.skinstad): Can you get your staves? You'll need your ACS meter and HUD, and the Druid Staff HUD, as well as the staves.
Rhi (rhiannon.skinstad): ok, that staff is the Naturalist staff. It's a utility staff with a little offense and a little healing.
Pionia Destiny: this is v1.02
Rhi (rhiannon.skinstad): Yes, that's current :)
Rhi (rhiannon.skinstad): yayyyyyyy!!!
Pionia Destiny: ok. I guess
Rhi (rhiannon.skinstad): kewlies :)
Pionia Destiny: meter
Pionia Destiny: I got everything now. Hud for the meter and three staves. I hope it is what I need
Rhi (rhiannon.skinstad): mmhmm :) You have to wear the meter for the staves to work.
Rhi (rhiannon.skinstad): OK! Let's get started :)
Pionia Destiny: potions, too?
Rhi (rhiannon.skinstad):: You know how to raise and lower the staves, right?
Rhi (rhiannon.skinstad): We'll do potions another time.
Pionia Destiny: the hud
Rhi (rhiannon.skinstad): yep :)
Pionia Destiny: smiles.  I remember that
Rhi (rhiannon.skinstad): And you have to raise the staff to pick a spell.
Pionia Destiny: yes
Rhi (rhiannon.skinstad): We probably won't get everything covered tonight, but we can at least go over one staff, maybe 2 :)
Pionia Destiny: smiles. That'll be great
Rhi (rhiannon.skinstad): Let's look at the Purifier staff first, cuz that's what you will most likely use the most in a CTA.

Rhi (rhiannon.skinstad): This staff is all healing. It has 8 spells on it. There are targeted healing spells, group healing spells, self healing spells, a stamina group heal, and a resurrection spell.
Rhi (rhiannon.skinstad):Now, if you look at the big board I've set out behind you, it will tell you which buttons on the staff HUD are for which spell.
Pionia Destiny: it's still blurry
Rhi (rhiannon.skinstad): awww.  ok, I'll go over them :)
Pionia Destiny: I think I must have a texture with those
Rhi (rhiannon.skinstad): I think one comes with the staves.
Pionia Destiny: Yep.  but it's also blurry
Rhi (rhiannon.skinstad): ok, the first row of buttons under the raise and lower buttons are where we'll start.
Pionia Destiny: my graphic card is awful
Rhi (rhiannon.skinstad): The button furthest to the left is Inner Serenity.
Rhi (rhiannon.skinstad): This is the stronger self healing spell.
Rhi (rhiannon.skinstad): It heals you for 45 health points at a cost of 20 mana.
Purifier's Staff~v1.02: Casting: Inner Serenity
Rhi (rhiannon.skinstad): It has something called 'diminishing returns', though
Pionia Destiny: what's that?
Rhi (rhiannon.skinstad): Say you've cast it once. If you cast it again before 30 seconds have passed since the original casting, it will not heal you as much.
Pionia Destiny: I see
Rhi (rhiannon.skinstad): that's to keep us from being able to just constantly cast that and stay alive through any attack.
Pionia Destiny: giggles

Rhi (rhiannon.skinstad): Now, the other self healing spell, which isn't as strong, is the furthest button to the right in that row, and is called Inner Calm.
Rhi (rhiannon.skinstad): It heals you for 25 health points at a cost of 12 mana.
Rhi (rhiannon.skinstad): So, those are our self healing spells.
Purifier's Staff~v1.02: Casting: Inner Calm
Rhi (rhiannon.skinstad): Inner Calm :)
Pionia Destiny: the one in the middle?
Rhi (rhiannon.skinstad): Getting to that now :)
Rhi (rhiannon.skinstad): The one in the middle, and the one right under it are the targeted healing spells. The one in the middle is called Holy Bolt. It is the stronger targeted heal.
Pionia Destiny: aye..that's to heal others, right?
Rhi (rhiannon.skinstad): yes, exactly. The one under that is called Healing Ray
Pionia Destiny: is that one for healing others?
Rhi (rhiannon.skinstad): Holy Bolt heals for 23 health points at a cost of 20 mana. I use this one if I need to heal someone up really fast.
Pionia Destiny: I see
Rhi (rhiannon.skinstad): Healing Ray is the heal I use most of the time. It heals for 15 health points at a cost of 12 mana. I use this one because it saves on my mana.
Purifier's Staff~v1.02: Current Spell: Holy Bolt
Rhi (rhiannon.skinstad): ok, next row down.
Purifier's Staff~v1.02: Current Spell: Healing Ray
Rhi (rhiannon.skinstad): The buttons on the far left and far right are group heals.
Pionia Destiny: I see
Rhi (rhiannon.skinstad): The one on the left is Holy Radiance.
Pionia Destiny: mm how do I use it.. mouselook?
Rhi (rhiannon.skinstad): This is the stronger of the group heals.
Pionia Destiny: I forgot that part
Rhi (rhiannon.skinstad): No, you click the button on the HUD to work the group heals.
Rhi (rhiannon.skinstad): Mouselook is for the targeted spells.
Pionia Destiny: aye
Rhi (rhiannon.skinstad): So, Holy Bolt and Healing Ray are the ones you'll be in mouselook for.
Pionia Destiny: important
Rhi (rhiannon.skinstad): Self heals, group heals, and resurrection will be cast by clicking on the HUD buttons out of mouselook.
Rhi (rhiannon.skinstad): okies
Pionia Destiny: aye
Rhi (rhiannon.skinstad): Holy Radiance. This spell heals everyone within 12 meters for 50 health points, and costs 60 mana. Holy Surge is the weaker group heal. It heals everyone within 12 meters for 35 health points at a cost of 40 mana.
Purifier's Staff~v1.02: Casting: Holy Radiance
Rhi (rhiannon.skinstad): Now, an important thing to remember about the group heals: When you cast them, you are held in place for 10 seconds.
Pionia Destiny: it means..I won't be able to move
Rhi (rhiannon.skinstad): Exactly.
Rhi (rhiannon.skinstad): So, that's something good to remember :)
Pionia Destiny: aye
Rhi (rhiannon.skinstad): ok, the middle button on that row is the group stamina heal.
Rhi (rhiannon.skinstad): It's called Invigorate.
Purifier's Staff~v1.02: Casting: Invigorate
Rhi (rhiannon.skinstad): It heals stamina for 25 at a cost of 20 mana. For everyone within 12 meters. And lastly, the bottom button is the resurrection spell, oddly enough, called Resurrect.
Pionia Destiny: can we resurrect?
Rhi (rhiannon.skinstad): Now, in ACS when a person first falls, they are mortally wounded for 90 seconds before they die. In that 90 second time period, a Druid may bring them back, at half health, half stamina, and half mana.
Pionia Destiny: oops...giggles
Rhi (rhiannon.skinstad): This is another spell that holds us in place for 10 seconds
Pionia Destiny: using resurrection?
Rhi (rhiannon.skinstad): yes
Pionia Destiny: ok.. I ge it

Rhi (rhiannon.skinstad): Now, the resurrect spell on THIS staff will bring back anyone who is mortally wounded. There is another resurrect spell on another staff which will only bring back people who have the same meter color as you.
Rhi (rhiannon.skinstad): But this spell costs 99 mana to cast. Actually that's not right. It costs 30 mana to cast
Rhi (rhiannon.skinstad): hang on
Purifier's Staff~v1.02: Casting: Resurrection
Rhi (rhiannon.skinstad): I'm gonna kill you really fast, be still :D
Pionia Destiny: aye

Pionia Destiny: laughs
ACS Meter <2 .1.3=".1.3"> shouts: Pionia Destiny Has Been Mortally Wounded
Rhi: there :)
Rhi (rhiannon.skinstad): Notice, though, that you still need healing. Do you know about sitting down and what that does? Sitting recharges your stamina. But, also,....
Pionia Destiny: raises stamina
Rhi (rhiannon.skinstad): It charges your mana at double speed.
Pionia Destiny: I see
Rhi (rhiannon.skinstad): Normally our mana recharges at 1 point per second, sitting down recharges it at 2 points per second.
Pionia Destiny: nods
Rhi (rhiannon.skinstad): So, that's the Purifier staff. Any questions? :)

Pionia Destiny: nope I just need to practice and with this class.. I won't have any trouble. you are the greatest...
Rhi (rhiannon.skinstad): awww fankies :). We are looking forward to having you in CTAs again very much :)
Pionia Destiny: I will have to stop now... real life realm is on my need. oh yes.. I will give it a try... I love CTAs
Rhi (rhiannon.skinstad): Want to meet again next Wednesday and go over another one?
Pionia Destiny: thanks for the time you are giving me dear
Pionia Destiny: yes..of course. smiles
Rhi (rhiannon.skinstad): I'll always be your Mentor, sissy. :))
Pionia Destiny: yes.. my dear sister.. always
Rhi (rhiannon.skinstad): Huggs!
Pionia Destiny: besitos mi linda..
Pionia Destiny: hugs you tight
Rhi (rhiannon.skinstad) grins
Pionia Destiny: safe paths
Rhi (rhiannon.skinstad): And you too :)

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Roleplayers: Rhi (rhiannon.skinstad), Pionia Destiny

Realm: Avilion

Sabbat of Lammas with the Torgans

Sabbat of Lammas with the Torgans on PhotoPeach

The invite:
Where: Mountain Stone Circle

As some may or may not know, The 1st of August was the Sabbat of Lammas for the Pagan Druidic believers here.  Lamas is also known as  Lughnassadh, The  First Harvest. It marks the beginnings of the Three  Autumn Harvests. The Torgan Druids welcome you to this special day (A bit belated) And cordially invite you to come and watch, And join in on the Ritual of the Harvest.

Regards
Scatha

A little about the Torgans
'The Kingdom of Taure Ru - The Torgan Empire - a Medieval Fantasy realm is owned by 'The Torgan Empire'

Black Mamba decides to adventure in new lands. Looking for a new home, the demon wanders in the Mountains of the Torgan Realm. A fire on top of the mountain gets her attention and wonders what's happening there. Climbs the road up to the top to encounter a group of Torgan Druids and their King.

09:57] Scatha: Merry meet
[09:58] Scatha: Merry Meet Broder
[09:58] Broder (blitz.dover) smiles "Hail Scatha."
[09:59]  Black Mamba (Pionia.Destiny): looks around and smiles. steps in the back quietly
[09:59]  Broder (blitz.dover) kneels before his king
[09:59]  Scatha: Hail King Zig.
[10:00]  Sab'Rae curtsies the king
[10:00]  Zig (grotch.qarnac): Tal Dag to you
[10:00]  Black Mamba (Pionia.Destiny):  lowers her head to honor the king
[10:01]  Mishi Nori: Tal Nag King Zig
[10:01]  Zig (grotch.qarnac) nods the Aspirant

[10:02]  Vasa (vasa.vella): -shifts the tip of his staff slippin aneath tha long while kilt ta seek out and destroy tha ith about tha base of his hoof..."Greetins Zig..." He says noddin to tha King...
[10:04]  Scatha: We will begin by drawing the circle, and Invoking the elements
[10:05]  Zig (grotch.qarnac) nods to the druid
[10:05]  Scatha takes his ritual wand and walks around the circle, pointing the wand at the floor
[10:05]  Mishi Nori: "Is beannaithe thu, a thimpeal, l'uisge".
[10:05]  Zig (grotch.qarnac): Is beannaithe thu, a thimpeall, le tein
[10:06]  Scatha walks to the eat and says "Is beannaithe thu, a thimpeal, l'aer"
[10:07]  Vasa (vasa.vella): -moves to the North and raises his head to the starry nights skies..."Is Beannaithe thu, a thimpeal, le cruinne" He says inna clear, melodic tone....
[10:07]  Scatha nods "The Quarters are Called, The circle is cast, Let us begin my friends"
[10:07]  Scatha faces north infront of the ater and raises his hands to the sky
[10:08]  Scatha: What will be is. What was will be.
[10:08]  Scatha: The Wheel of the Year forever turns.
[10:08]  Scatha: Dark to light, light to dark
[10:08]  Scatha: each season passes with lessons learned
[10:08]  Scatha takes a knee
[10:10]  Vasa (vasa.vella): -moves next to his Brother and kneels down....hands rested upon his knee..."We plant with love, tend with respect,"
[10:10]  Vasa (vasa.vella): "and at Harvest time our yields reflect The bounty of our Mother Earth"
[10:11]  Vasa (vasa.vella): "ripened by our Father Sun."
[10:11]  Mishi Nori: As each day passes, shorter than the last.
May we each be reminded of the seasons that have passed.
[10:11]  Scatha: The marriage and the seeding of the Goddess back in May,
[10:11]  Scatha: Her womb swollen with life anew at Summer Solstice Day,
[10:12]  Scatha: All this time the Father Sun has shone with so much pride.
[10:12]  Scatha gestures all to rise
[10:12]  Scatha (donney.dagger): Rising early, setting late,
[10:13]  Vasa (vasa.vella): "and now that he's supplied The warmth and light to bring to bear"

[10:13]  Mishi Nori: the Goddess and the lands He knows that his death is drawing near -
[10:13]  Scatha: but this secret he understands, that with the turning of the wheel, his rebirth has been planned
[10:14]  Scatha places his wand on the alter and holds his hands over the loafs of lammas bread
[10:14]  Scatha: Truly blessed are we that receive the bounty of the Harvest,
[10:14]  Vasa (vasa.vella): Blessed be our Mother Earth
[10:15]  Mishi Nori: the Goddess and the lands He knows that his death is drawing near -
[10:15]  Mishi Nori: Blessed be our Father Sun
[10:15]  Scatha: As he teaches us of life, death, and rebirth
[10:16]  Vasa (vasa.vella): I honor Thee, The Two that are One
[10:16]  Scatha picks up a loaf and holds it up to the God and Godess "Blessed be the Harvest,"
[10:16]  Vasa (vasa.vella): Blessed be the Corn Mother,
Blessed be the Grain God
[10:17]  Mishi Nori: For together they nourish both body and soul.
Many blessings I have been given
[10:17]  Scatha: I count them now by this bread
[10:18]  Scatha offers Sava some bread "Take some bread, and give thanks, to what you are thankfull for"
[10:18]  Scatha (donney.dagger): Vasa*
[10:19]  Vasa (vasa.vella): -takes the bread...."I thank tha Mother for tha blessings that have been bestowed upon me...a safe haven...a warm cave...vigorous lovers...and good hunts..."d
[10:20]  Mishi Nori: takes the bread with reverence~"I am thankful for my life in the forest, for the good mentors I have and for the gift of the white raven"
[10:20]  Scatha offers some bread to Mishi
[10:21]  Scatha offers some bread to gracelin
[10:22]  Lammas Bread whispers: eating a piece of Blessed Lammas Bread
[10:22]  Gracelin Maeve Aithne (gracelin) takes some " i am thankful for good friends, a safe home and safe place to help others.
[10:23]  Scatha smiles
[10:23]  Scatha offers Black Mamba some bread

[10:23]  Black Mamba (Pionia.Destiny): takes the bread...."I thank tha Mother for tha blessings that have been bestowed upon me ..being welcom ein strange lands...good hunts.. and the strenght to fight
[10:23]  Scatha smiles
[10:24]  Scatha offers broder some bread
[10:24]  Broder (blitz.dover) takes some bread "I am thankful for good friends and mead to share with them."
[10:24]  Scatha laughs and nods and gives a smile
[10:24]  Scatha offers Sab'Rae some bread
[10:24]  Sab'Rae takes the bread and in a clear voice says "I thank the earth mother for her blessings of a pure heart and new friendships." smiles to Scatha with a wink.
[10:25]  Scatha takes a knee before King Zig and offers his up the bread

[10:25]  Zig (grotch.qarnac) takes the bread in one hand and his flask of wine in his other, the raises them both high above his head. "As you bless these lands, these peoples, so do you bless me. That which i am i have given to you and so have you given to me." lowers his arms, eating of the bread and drinking the wine. he then kneels down crumbling bread into the stone and pouring wine over it.
[10:25]  Scatha smiles warmly as he stands and returns to the Alter
[10:27]  Scatha takes some bread and turns to face everyone "I give thanks to The Mother and father, For their blessings. For them granting me the blessing of friendship and for the world we live in. " he takes a bite, and then places the piece on the alter "I offer my bread as thanks my lord and lady"
[10:28]  Scatha pulls out and hand full of grain from his pouch and holds it in an open hand infront of him
[10:28]  Scatha: Guardian of the East, I pray for your indulgence.
[10:29]  Vasa (vasa.vella): "Hear me now as I request your aid in the cycle of life." He says inna boisterous voice....
[10:31]  Mishi Nori: As your winds blow through fields of ripened grain
[10:31]  Scatha: Carry loosened seeds upon your back That they may fall amidst the soil, that is our Mother Earth.
[10:32]  Scatha blows across his hand, Scattering the soft grain into the winds
[10:32]  Vasa (vasa.vella): "I give thanks to the Great Mother,Goddess of fertile land."
[10:32]  Vasa (vasa.vella): "And to the Great Father, Consort and Provider."
[10:33]  Mishi Nori: For as their bounty sustains my life, so does their bounty sustain my brethren;
[10:33]  Scatha: All living creatures of wood and field, Of lake and stream, and of air.
[10:34]  Vasa (vasa.vella): "Of these blessings I partake And share.
Blessed be this Harvest Night, The Givers and the gift."
[10:34]  Scatha gestures all to kneel once more, He takes a knee infront of the alter
[10:34]  Scatha: All things have their season. "he says softly"
[10:35]  Vasa (vasa.vella): " Again the wheel has turned and brought us To the season of the First Harvest." He says with raised eyes resting upon tha horizon....
[10:35]  Mishi Nori: : A time when we think about sacrifices and reborn hope
[10:35]  Scatha: A time when we reflect on what we have sown by what we reap "he says as he touches the alter with his hand"
[10:36]  Vasa (vasa.vella): " A time when we gather our memories,"
[10:36]  Mishi Nori: And from those lessons that we have learned,
[10:36]  Scatha says with a firey passion "We plan for the future!"
[10:37]  Scatha stands up and shoots both hands into the air " Blessed Be our Mother, whose womb contains and bears all life.!!"
[10:37]  Vasa (vasa.vella): "Blessed Be our Father, whose seed plants all life." He says knockin tha tip of his staff loudly against tha stone beneath them....
[10:38]  Mishi Nori: Blessed Be the Two that are One,
[10:38]  Scatha: From Them life flows and flows back again. "he says loudly in a booming voice"
[10:39]  Scatha turns and smiles to everyone "We shall now close the circle, Take this time to reflect on all things you are thankfull for, and offer a prayer to the coming seasons"
[10:39]  Scatha goes to the middle of the circle "Slan abhaile spioradai de Carraig n’ Duille agus talamh. Go raibh mile mhaith agaibh "
[10:41]  Mishi Nori: Slan abhaile spioradai de Grian agus Tine. Go raibh mile mhaith agaibh
[10:41]  Vasa (vasa.vella): -moves slowly back to his station...Once there he calls out..."Slan abhaile spioradai de Spéir n’Gaoithe agus Néal . Go raibh mile mhaith agaibh"
[10:41]  Mishi Nori: and moves back to the edge
[10:41]  Zig (grotch.qarnac): nods to Scatha "Slan abhaile spioradai de Gealach n’ Uisce agus Muir. Go raibh mile mhaith agaibh"
[10:42]  Scatha: Scaoilim sciath de draiocht seo. Go raibh mile mhaith agat
[10:42]  Scatha: We release the elements, and give thanks to all who have joined us in the celebration of Lammas
[10:42]  Sab'Rae wispers Blessed Be
[10:43]  Zig (grotch.qarnac) lowers his head with eyes closed
[10:43]  Scatha removes his mask, and places his wand along with the mask, on the Alter
[10:43]  Scatha takes a knee and says a small prayer, Giving thanks to all those he holds dear
[10:44]  Scatha smiles "Thank you all for coming, I pray you have a bountifull harvest "
[10:45]  Mishi Nori: looks around a the people with joy in thankfulness in her heart , giving thanks for all the gifts of the Mother and the Father
[10:45]  Zig (grotch.qarnac) raises his eyes "Thank you all"
[10:45]  Sab'Rae lowers her head
[10:45]  Broder (blitz.dover) lowers his head
[10:45]  Vasa (vasa.vella): -draws his fingertips up to his lips...placing a kiss upon them....His head lowers as does his hand, resting for a moment upon his heart....Then kneeling his places his palm flat upon the ground....
[10:45]  Mishi Nori: "This was so beautiful, thank you for letting me part of this important celebration"
[10:45]  Zig (grotch.qarnac): And thank you to Vasa, Scatha, Mishi and all that helped today
[10:45]  Sab'Rae looks up and beams at Scatha
[10:46]  Gracelin Maeve Aithne (gracelin) respectfully nods her head at all "Thank you for letting me be a part of this today."
[10:46]  Scatha smiles to Mishi "You are most welcomed Earth Sister"
[10:46]  Lammas Bread whispers: eating a piece of Blessed Lammas Bread
[10:46]  Scatha: Feel free to take some bread with you on your travels
[10:47]  Vasa (vasa.vella): "Now ifn ya will all pardon..." He says nodding to the host..."Am runnin a wee bit late fera date...succubi...sisters....Ifn am late they will start without me...Ne'er a good thing..."
[10:47]  Black Mamba (Pionia.Destiny):  Looks around with thankful eyes.. wonders if this place could be call home one day. Lowers her gaze and thanks everyone.
[10:47]  Zig (grotch.qarnac) nods to all then turns to depart, still silent wrapped in his thoughts.
[10:47]  Scatha laughs "Enjoy yourself Vasa!"
[10:48]  Scatha gives Sab a warm embrasing hug
[10:48]  Sab'Rae wispers "You did well, my heart."
[10:49]  Broder (blitz.dover) waves as he leaves "Was a wonderful experience to witness this."
[10:49]  Mishi Nori: "be well and walk a safe path" with on last look at the Altar Mishi leaves the sacred place
[10:49]  Sab'Rae: I'm not eating all that bread.
[10:55]  Black Mamba (Pionia.Destiny):  smiles... and waves good bye,... safe paths.. and thanks for allowing me here
[10:55]  Sab'Rae smiles
**************************************************************
Role Players: Sab'Rae, Black Mamba (Pionia.Destiny), Mishi Nori, Broder (blitz.dover), Scatha, Zig (grotch.qarnac) , Vasa (vasa.vella),

Pionia Becomes an Ovate

Druid Initiation Ceremony
  a report by Rhiannon Skinstad, Druid of the Mist
   
Dateline: Avilion August 30 1:00 PM

With summer drawing to a close, and in the wake of all that has taken place in our fair realm, the Druids of Avilion showed us that life indeed goes on, that what was, is, and shall continue to be. Coming on the heels of the rebirth of our lands, we Druids held our Initiation Ceremony at the new Druid Shrine, in the company of friends and loved ones, for all the realm to bear witness to.

Looking as fair as the day was warm and sunny, Lady Osiris LeShelle, the leader of our Order, came forward and spoke thusly.

"Welcome everyone to this special ceremony where we will embrace our friends who have chosen the path of the Druid," she said. "Today some of them will be invited to accept the title of Ovate of Avilion, a title inidcating they are in training to become a Druid of the Mist, and others will be invited to accept the title of Druid of the Mist...a title they have earned in the past months."

After calling upon the four spirits to witness our gathering, she spoke again. "Before I start the real initiation I want to tell you something....
 Behind me stand the Aspirants, Ovates and Druids of Avilion. We began almost 2 years ago...and we came a long way. And...to me it doesn't matter whether someone is an Aspirant, an Ovate or a Druid, with us for 1 week or 2 years... I am so very proud of them all, because of their enthusiasm, their support, their help and their friendship! It's a really great bunch of people...in down to earth terms, and sometimes that just needs to be said!"

" Now...for the festive part!", she continued, and all smiled in anticipation.
" In ancient times a Druid was a priest, teacher, diviner, and magician. Now, in Avilion, a Druid is a teacher and caretaker and healer.  We strive to maintain balance in Avilion and we show the true nature of our community...which is to respect all, and be open to others."

With that, the Initiations of the new Druids began, and when they had been completed we had three new Druids of the Mist. The new Druids are, Lady Polaris Triellis, Lady Miriam Heartsdale, and Lady Theta Marseille. This title is not lightly given, but earned through much hard work and dedication over a matter of months. A title well earned and richly deserved by all three ladies. Ancient and Druid of the Mist, and Sun Grove Elder Aztel Congrejo presented them all with the Silver Sickle, which is given to all Druids upon initiation, to harvest herbs and wear as a symbol of their chosen path.

Then it was the Ovate's turn. Lady Osiris spoke again to us, explaining what an Ovate is in Avilion. "In ancient times an Ovate was a prophet, seer, healer and diviner. Now, an Ovate is one who studies or practices herbalism, healing, combat and behaviour within a Druidic context, someone who has entered the Ovate level of training with the Druids of the Mist."

She then asked the 7 new Ovates to accept admittance to a Grove of their choosing and to continue studying with the Druids. All accepted and were admitted to their chosen Groves. The new Ovates are Fish Emerald (Water Grove),  Lilika Northman (Earth Grove), Pionia Destiny (Sun Grove),
 Saffron Foxclaw (Water Grove), Traeldor Kuhn (Earth Grove),  Violet December (Sun Grove), and Jilyan Aabaye (Sun Grove). Many congratulations are in order for all the new Ovates, and best wishes on their continued studies with the Druids of the Mist.

Lady Osiris then asked the Druids if they accept the Ovates as brothers and sisters and all happily agreed to do just that.

At this time Lady Osiris then said, "There is one amongst the Druids who bested all others during the trials. This Druid has truly earned a special honor.  This Druid, who bested all others, and who will bear the honorary title of Champion of the Druids, is... Lady Rhiannon Skinstad!" I was honored and humbled, and gladly accepted the Golden Sickle from my brother Aztel. I only hope I can represent the Druids of the Mist as their champion over the next three months with grace and dignity, at which time I will relinquish the title to another deserving Druid.

Lady Osiris then completed the Ceremony. "Great Goddess, Mother Earth. Your presence had held us, protected us, guided us, and blessed us at this time of welcoming Spring. We thank for your many blessings, for your grace and goodness, for your beauty and wisdom.  Stay if you will, go if you must. Blessed Be.  May there be light in our hearts now that we finished this ceremony.  May our memories contain what our eyes and ears did gather. The circle is open, but not unbroken.
Merry meet, merry part, and merry meet again. Blessed Be!"