Kora

She takes the chisel and the hammer, walks to the ladder and hesitates a moment, then climbs confidently, and chisels her name, Koranasha Shali, into the stone. She takes just a moment with her eyes closed, then climbs down and rejoins the line. As she resumes her place, her eyes fade a little.

Kora, roll a Perception check. With Advantage, please. 

Perception (with Advantage): 9

His name will not be hard to find, not since you knew where to look. Four lines down from your name, almost directly below it; you see the name Fenoshin Reshni. The same climb he made, the same ceremony. You feel a sense of pride and sadness fall over you as you make your way back into the formation. This is the closest you've felt to him in years.

As you chisel in the last letter of your name, it glows brightly and light forms around your body. A glowing green light. It fades just as quickly as it formed, and then it is gone. Your name, now one with the rock. To be remembered for all time. 

As Kora climbs down the ladder and rejoins the formation, Sarge speaks up again, "Messalina d'Orien, Dragonmarked Heir and Aundarian Cleric of the Keeper. Soldier for Her Majesty, Queen Aurala ir'Wynarn, rightful Heir to the Throne of Galifar. Please step forward."

Percival looks at Isuzu for a few seconds as her name gets called and she steps forward in the line. So Isuzu isn't her real name and she's the daughter of House Orien. Curious that she decided not to let anyone know.

Isuzu without a hint of emotion showing on her face, she silently steps forward as the name Messalina d'Orien is called... a name the Reaper no longer considers her own. Messalina is a shadow, already dead, and only Isuzu remains... it has been this way since the long dark night when she was pledged to the sovereign of death and decay at the Unseen Sanctuary.

Obediently Isuzu remains silent respecting the tradition and takes up the chisel and the hammer before climbing up to the ladder. Without hesitation, she moves upward and chisels the name Messalina d'Orien into the stone. She then takes just a moment with her eyes closed in respect to the those who have fallen and whispers a short prayer, then slowly climbs down and rejoins the line her head bowed down in a show of respect as she silently resumes her place with the others.

As you chisel in the last letter of your name, it glows brightly and light forms around your body. A glowing green light. It fades just as quickly as it formed, and then it is gone. Your name, now one with the rock. To be remembered for all time. 

As Isuzu climbs down the ladder and rejoins the formation, Sarge speaks up again, "Percival Blount, a first son of Aundair, a brave warrior. Soldier for Her Majesty, Queen Aurala ir'Wynarn, rightful Heir to the Throne of Galifar. Please step forward."

Lt. Winehand waits for Percival to step forward before she speaks. 

"Percival Blunt, an Aundarian warrior. Born into a fine house, a manor with lands and servants. You, who had so much to lose did not have to stand and fight, but for Aundair you did! Our need is great, and you being of the character you are could not sit by idly. Now, you join the ranks of those who came before to give what is most important." Lt. Winehand nods her head in a sign of respect to you, knowing how hard it must have been to give up your life of luxury to serve something greater.

“Today you are more than an Aundairian. Today you are more than a soldier in Her Majesty’s army. No, Percival, you are now a part of a noble line of warriors who have stood where you stand. Pledged their fealty to their Queen and to their motherland. Today, you write your name on the Nieber Sandstone and join the ranks of the proud.” 

She pulls a small chisel out of the water, and pulls a golden hammer out of her pocket. She hands them to you.

”Climb the ladder, and where the last name left off sign yours. Your name will be remembered for all time, here at Stickler’s Creek. Upon the Nieber your name shall never die.”

Percival steps forward and he betrays no emotion as the Lieutenant speaks. When she finishes, he accepts the tools and carves his name into the stone. Now I'm a warrior of Aundair. May I protect this nation and bring honor to my house. Once he's finished, he climbs down and returns to the line.

As you chisel in the last letter of your name, it glows brightly and light forms around your body. A glowing green light. It fades just as quickly as it formed, and then it is gone. Your name, now one with the rock. To be remembered for all time. 

As Percival climbs down the ladder and rejoins the formation, Sarge speaks up again, "Sylrie Caldamus, a first son of Aundair, sworn protector of the Queen and her people. Soldier for Her Majesty, Queen Aurala ir'Wynarn, rightful Heir to the Throne of Galifar. Please step forward."

As Sy steps forward, the lieutenant does something different. She salute him. 

“Sylrie Caldamus, a sworn protector of the Aundarian line and it’s people’s. You are a shining example of what can be. This day finds you at your first crossroads, when that will lead you to your destiny. Standing shoulder to shoulder with your brother and sister’s in arms, you know the importance of what must be done. The line must never crossed, the line must go on!” She pauses for a brief minute, hand still saluting, “When King Wrogar of Aundair proclaimed that he would stand by his sisters side, that what the other three nations opposed was a rightful heir to Galifar in backing away from Cyrean Queen Mishann’s rule, he showed all of us something. That loyalty comes first. The other nations turned against us, against what is supposed to be. Now we fight not for the soul of Galifar or Khorvaire, but the very soul of Aundair itself. Be the sword you are supposed to be, but be the shield. Even if your life depends on it. Because the lives of every Aundarian is in your hands.”

“Today you are more than an Aundairian. Today you are more than a soldier in Her Majesty’s army. No, Sylrie, you are now a part of a noble line of warriors who have stood where you stand. Pledged their fealty to their Queen and to their motherland. Today, you write your name on the Nieber Sandstone and join the ranks of the proud.” 

She pulls a small chisel out of the water, and pulls a golden hammer out of her pocket. She hands them to you.

”Climb the ladder, and where the last name left off sign yours. Your name will be remembered for all time, here at Stickler’s Creek. Upon the Nieber your name shall never die.”

She drops her salute as you climb the ladder. 

Sylrie Caldamus

Sylrie's heart swelled with pride, he returned the salute of his LT feeling the energy of the ceremony wash through him. He had never felt more apart of something, more dedicated to something, or more in tune with everything around him. The LT was right, this was a crossroads, and as he dropped his salute and reached for the chisel a few tears began to well in his eyes. One foot, then the next, each taking him further up the ladder, it was practical to the situation but also a metaphor for his own ambitions. This was figuratively and literally the ladder he was climbing to have his name remembered in the annals of history, to prove that he was someone, and to eventually stand in front of his friends and family and be recognized as something more than the troublemaker he'd been pinned with his entire life.  

Chisel found stone, chipping away with force of golden hammer and soon his name was secure in the stone, glowing with magic, reflecting off a small tear that had began to trail down his face. "Today is the beginning of the rest of my life..." he whispered to himself. "All hail her majesty"....

As you chisel in the last letter of your name, it glows brightly and light forms around your body. A glowing green light. It fades just as quickly as it formed, and then it is gone. Your name, now one with the rock. To be remembered for all time. 

———————————————————————————————————-

After the last name is etched, Sarge then comes forward, takes the chisel and proceeds up the ladder. He places his name on the famed structure, climbs back down and hands the chisel to the LT.

”As the commanding officer of this small unit, I will place my name last. For I am the one who will see you to victory, I am the last stand for Aundair. You are more than my unit, you are more than my countrymen and women. You are now my family and I am your matriarch. I will always try and keep you safe, I will always try to make sure you find your way home. One way or another. Aundair dares!” She climbs the ladder and etches her name in after Sarge’s. When she is finished she takes out a small cylinder and touches the structure. A large green flame shoots out of it, flying straight up into the sky. Higher and higher the flame goes, until it reaches the stars itself. 

She climbs down and yells, “Atten-tion! Parade arms!” As the unit salutes the green flame that’s flying above their heads you can feel the calm of this early summer evening. Whatever emotions you feel today, you know that at least you’ll have this moment. A shared bond between all of you. 

The bright green flame becomes smaller and smaller as it gains elevation, straight towards the Rings of Syberis itself. After a couple moments the LT gives the command, “At ease.” She does an about face and faces all of you. “I’m proud of all of you. Let’s have a good night, tomorrow brings War. Dismissed.” 

After the ceremony ends, Percival takes Isuzu aside. "You never told us that you're real name is Messalina. I'm not going to pry into it and ask you why, but I do think that it's a nice name. But I'll still call you Isuzu if that's what you want."

During a quiet moment, between duties, Kora will go look at the monument, searching quietly for another name. Finding it eventually, she will close her eyes to say a few words, then return to the group.

Isuzu merely looks at Percival somewhat perplexed by his interest in her birth name and listens without emotion to his query... and replies, "Messalina is dead, at least to me, but even so, my name and past though not a secret is my business, not yours... or anyone else in the unit... as it has no bearing on anything... so being that it is my name with all due respect, I feel that it is my prerogative whom I share or not share such intimate details of myself with. You may, of course, call me what me what you will m'lord... if you do not respect my own preference and desire to be addressed publically by my title Isuzu rather the name of my birth."

Isuzu pauses as if listening to someone or something whispering... which Percival cannot hear or see. Then she gazes deep into his eyes and offers him a slight smile, probably the first time he has noticed such an expression on her oft overly sullen face. "I am a Reaper, I serve the God of Death and there is a certain expectation of mystery in his service. Think of Isuzu as more of an honorific title... a title that I earned through a great deal of effort and study. It was given to me by my instructors at the Unseen Sanctuary and in the Celestial tongue means, 'fifty bells' so it does have a certain ring to it, don't you think? Do you know the origins of the name Messalina in the old tongue of our forefathers? Perhaps not... most have forgotten... but not all. It might sound beautiful or flowery but in actuality, it means, 'a scheming and licentious woman,' and was given to me by my father, the Baron! I can only assume it was intended as a slight or as an insult to my mother whoever she may have been, or maybe yet still, if she lives, I do not know. Either way, it is a name unsuitable for a Reaper... we are given new names, titles by our instructors as a way to teach us to put our past behind us. Still, I am obligated to serve and honor my father and my House just I am sworn to serve Death, which is why I am here now before you!"

Slowly drawling closer to Percival, Isuzu briefly and lightly presses her pale cold lips against his left cheek and draws slowly back, "I appreciate your interest m'lord, do as you will... call me what you will... such is your prerogative! However, consider a brave and respected warrior known to you. Such a warrior might not appreciate being called by the name that his nanny gave him when he was just a toddler... such as say...  'little lord soggy bottom'... thus some things, some names we all eventually outgrow."

That said Isuzu turns and slowly walks away... then after several paces, she turns slightly to give Percival a coy smile then proceeds to attend to her duties leaving him to consider her words...

I won’t press. I don’t need your life story. So, what are we going to do with the Ankheg meat? Johnathon looks excited. If there’s nothing else and someone doesnt want any, I have Goodberries left. He waves a small totem, and a handful of berries appear in his hand. Just in case.

Percival listens to Isuzu's every word, waiting for her to finish before he replies. "I apologise, Isuzu. I didn't know that the name you were given at birth was intended to be an insult. It appears that I shall have to study the old languages. I am sorry if my inquiry brought up any unpleasant feelings for you and I will continue to call you by your preferred name."

"And you don't have to call me by any lordly titles. I have set aside my Noble titles for the moment and I'm not a Lord anyway. My father still holds that title and hopefully it will be some time before that title is given to me."

Isuzu bows respectfully to Percival, "thank you... perhaps we have much more in common than either of us knows. You are an excellent listener at least, in any case, it is rather liberating to be able to unburden oneself."