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Ceremony of Acceptance
Torches burned low as the initiate to serve Ji’Kalna entered the room within the
temple of Ashi’naa of the Siejin Shukkami (sacred Priestess). Kneeling in
graceful fluidity on the cushion in front of the Siejin Shukkami their forehead
touched the floor softly and there they remained in wait. “So you wish to serve
Ji’Kalna, was all that could be heard as the Shukkami spoke.” Not removing the
eyes of submission from looking down, the initiate simply nodded, as they were
not allowed to speak within the walls of the temple of Ashi'naa, until such time
as the initiate had taken their vows. “Then I shall begin. Listen well to my
words and ye shall serve Ji’Kalna well.”
“Many, many years ago it is told that Ji’Kalna, a sister to three other Gods,
was well loved by the two brothers for she was the youngest and sweetest,
However, the older sister hated Ji’Kalna and wanted the land her younger sister
had chosen. As the older sister ended up stuck with the snowy reaches. After
Ji’Kalna brought her chosen people to the mountain land, the older sister
plotted and plotted to take from the younger what she felt should belong to
her.” It is said that she finally dragged Ji’Kalna deep into the sea, throwing
her into the belly of a great Umi-sune-ku (sea serpent). Ji’Kalna transformed
in her death, taking the form of the sune-ku (serpent) and all its tremendous
power and knowledge. Rising to the surface Ji’Kalna discovered the slaughter of
her chosen people scattered on the shores of the great sea. In her grief and
anger she dove deep into the belly of the sea only to be caught by an ancient
Umi-sune-ku (sea serpent) that forced her to mate with him. Ji’Kalna killed the
great umi-sune-ku (serpent) but still conceived.
Ji’Kalna returns to the surface in her human form. The brilliant markings of the
sune-ku (serpent) lie across the shoulders of her back. When the time of birth
came, the birth water flowed over the slain bodies of her chosen people and they
regained life. The birth waters of the mother flowed into them, returning their
mortality.
Ji’Kalna, stayed in her human form for nine days and nine nights, stalking naked
down the shores of her chosen as they watched her in silence. On the tenth night
she returned to her form sliding into the sea once more. It is said she walked
the shores until she chose the one who would serve her in the High temple as
Seijin Shukkami. Once doing so a pact was formed for all others in service to
Ji’Kalna to follow.
" Many things, beings, generations, and eras have come and gone, my chosen one,"
her tone low and serious, to choose the way of a Shukkami of Ji’Kalna you will
need to complete three tasks.”
The Seijin Shukkami lie before the initiate an ornate bowl made from a sea scale
of the Uni-sune-ku. It was inlaid with the finest metals. Gems of jade and
rubies surrounded the inlay on one side. Each etching held one face of Ji’Kalna
both major and minor. “The faces of Ji’Kalna are many; choose three runes from
the bowl of acceptance.” The initiate’s hand entered and gracefully pulled the
three runes from the bowl of acceptance. (Here the initiate would choose three
aspects of Ji’Kalna, and the quest would be tailored to those three)
After a moment of composure the Seijin Shukkami simply said rise child and
listen well.
“You have chosen three major faces of Ji’Kalna!” Thinking privately, only one
had ever chosen three major faces in the path of Ji’Kalna before, startled yet
she composed herself on the outside and continued. “The path you choose is not
an easy one. Many dangers await you. Do you choose to continue?” The initiate
simply nodded and a gong sounded that echoed off the walls of the high temple.
The sound rang out to notify all within the temple the Initiate had chosen their
path and accepted.
“These are your chosen paths,” she spoke simply as she touched the first rune
before her.
The Seijin Shukkami, placed the first rune facing north as she repeated its
meaning to the initiate. “This is the rune of Aja’Kalna one of the major faces
of Ji‘Kalna. Its aspects are of the Senses; Sensuality, its symbol is of the
sacred Lotus, and the Seijin Shukkami gave the description of “A dark skinned,
beautiful, androgynous Jillhani
“In the far reaches of the jungles of Bishani, lies a small and secret swamp.
Residing within this swamp is a clever dark skinned beautiful androgynous
Jillhani; it possesses answers you will need. Take heed, however, for it is a
trickster, and if you are not careful it will enslave you forever. This
beautiful androgynous Jillhani can disclose the location of the way of A
Thousand Steps, for a price. This thousand steps passageway (a metaphor only)
leads to the cave of the Ancient Sune ku, (serpent). Again, have a care, for not
only does each step you place your foot upon recreate a vivid recollection of
some forgotten memory, each step comes with its own signature danger. And the
way of a thousand steps is the only way for you to enter the cave of the Ancient
Sune ku (serpent).”
" Provided you have reached the top and survived, the priestess handed the
initiate a pouch and said. “You will learn of the location of the only Lotus
tree within Bishani lands, take only three petals from it. If any fall to the
ground they must be burned and the ashes spread within the sacred trees soil.
Once you have placed the three petals within that pouch, you will face an old
woman of the cave.”
(The thousand steps is a metaphor and part of the riddle for the Initiate)
The second rune the initiate pulled from the bowl of acceptance, was read its
meaning to the Initiate. “The runes of Ss’ Kalnar, its aspects are physical
endeavors, war, strength, Virility and dexterity. The Seijin Shukkami secretly
had raised one brow but her voice was kept steady and low as she continued. Its
symbol is the Sword, and she gave a description of a muscular male Jillhani.
" Once, before your path crossed mine, I myself trekked the innumerable distance
to these great and wise faces of Ji‘Kalna our Tenshami (Goddess). Not all are
destined to go, mind you, and you are the second to choose three major faces of
Ji’Kalna. Only one other before you has ever chosen the same. The priestess
continued not disclosing who it was that chose three major faces of Ji’Kalna,
before the initiate before her.
" Heed my words well, beloved initiate, for the way to knowledge is not without
peril; indeed, just as knowledge is power, so as deep and fierce is the
protection of it.
" The road to serve Ji’Kalna is different for each initiate; one must gain
knowledge to each stage.” The Seijin Shukkami handed a sacred dagger to the
initiate. Its hilt was decorated with an elaborate ornament of the serpent
wrapping its body around the seemingly delicate hilt of the dagger.
“The old woman of the cave is not a gracious hostess, my child, and you will
have to woo her and placate her, should you wish to receive what you seek.
Unlike the androgynous Jillhani, she cannot lie nor can she trick you, for she
is bound by an oath of truth. This does not, however prevent her from giving you
true information wrapped into an almost senseless riddle, and this she is sure
to do. Listen to each word she says carefully, for she is only bound to say it
once. If you are smart, and careful, and alert, you will find the answer to what
you seek: The way to the serpent will test your Virility, strength and dexterity
as it is challenged beyond what I can disclose.”
" Your quest is not finished here, for now that you know the way to the
umi-sune-ku lair (serpent) you will be sworn to secrecy, you must travel it, and
fight off its dangers and perils. Once there, you will begin the ritual of
umi-sune-ku (the Serpent). This you must do perfectly for should Ji’Kalna find
favor in your ritual, you will have only until the sun sets to find the scale of
the sune-ku serpent child. The dagger will aid you in your quest. As once you
have the scale within this pouch, the priestess handed her a white pouched
etched with serpents. Place it in the pouch and return to the alter of blessing,
offering blood of your body in thanks. Then wait; you will be visited upon one
with two faces.”
Again the Seijin Shukkami read the runes meanings. You have chosen another Major
face of Ji’Kalna child, both her brows arched as she read its meaning.
Jusa’Kalna its aspect is wisdom, contemplation; its symbol is the maze. The
Seijin Shukkami described its description to the initiate as a double-faced
female Jillhani.
“You will have to prove your worth to the double-faced female Jillhani, who,
should she not find you worthy, will behead you where you stand. Many who have
reached this point go no further, their heads landing at their feet. I have
faith in you dear child, I pray you shall be granted entrance and will stand
before the Temple of Ji‘Kalna and take your vows. This last task is the most
dangerous of all.”
“Have a care child and heed my words; you must choose which face will speak the
riddle. One is of lies the other of truth. Choose wisely child, for one leads to
the sacred garden of Ji’Kalna that holds the sacred tablet to the temple. The
other is death.”
“Answer the riddle of the double-faced female correctly and she will speak the
language of Jillhani, and you will find yourself within the maze that will lead
you to the sacred tablet of Ji’Kalna. Answer falsely and you will be beheaded
where you stand.
“If you succeed beloved initiate you will be transported towards your third
task, a Maze. Set in the middle of the mists you will need to find your way out
of the maze of confusion to reach the sacred tablet of Ji’Kalna. Should Ji’Kalna
find favor with you, you will find yourself victorious.” Touch the tablet three
times with the dagger. Place the petals of the Lotus in the directions of your
rune path; lay the dagger over the petals to hold them from the wind and to show
strength. And finally fasten the serpent scale to face the one direction in
which you stand. You will then find yourself before the council of acceptance to
the temple of Ji’Kalna. All who serve Ji’Kalna will await your arrival.”
“You will strip off the robe of travel and bow low touching your forehead three
times upon the tablet in front of you. Once the gong has sounded seven times,
one for each of the major faces of Ji'Kalna, pick up the robe and headdress that
lie before your cushion and don them. You may not speak words or sounds during
the ceremony. For to do so would show dishonor and displease Ji’Kalna.”
Once your vows are taken, you will be taken to the temple of learning and given
to a Shukkami Sinjo. The gong will sound 10 times as you leave the room, one for
each day Ji'Kalna stalked the shores of Bishani after the birth waters gave life
back to her chosen. Upon the tenth gong, you will become a Shukkami of the
temple of Ji’Kalna.
You have chosen three major faces of Ji'Kalna.
Know this Initiate, your pilgrimage should you succeed, is one of high tsa
(honor) and glory. Go now Initiate your pilgrimage awaits you.”
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