The Fire of Knowledge (Closed RP)

Anycity - Ceera's 'White Temple'

Close to downtown Anycity, South across the river from the main part of downtown, there is an area known as the Temple District. The area, as one might guess, has many temples in it, devoted to the many and diverse deities of The Dream. Some are large, gaudy and pretentious, while others are humble and serene. The white temple of Ceera Darkwynde is a quiet and beautiful place, which does little to draw attention to itself. It is enclosed by walls deeply carved with scenes from dreams of various types. Spaced along the tops of the wall and atop marble pillars within the area are brass fire bowls that burn with golden flames. These fires illuminate the area softly at night, and give the grounds a dreamlike, almost unreal quality. Within the walls, winding paths lead past small enclosed bowers, private places of meditation and rest, where an individual might sleep, dream, and reflect upon their dreams. Tall hedges of flowering plants form a maze that offers further privacy to those who walk these circuitous ways. At many places throughout the ground are exquisitely beautiful statues, most of which appear to be made from various types of obsidian, with details that are unbelieveably fine and life-like.

In the center of the grounds is a modest temple, a structure larger than the rest, built of white marble. The central figure in the main room of the temple itself is a white marble statue of a winged woman, almost angelic in appearance, flanked by fire bowls that again burn with golden flames. The is a representation of the Goddess Ceera Darkwynde, captured in one of her most positive aspects. To one side of this central hall is a library, whose main resources are books and scrolls on dream interpretation and divination. To the other, on the right as one enters, are several doors that lead to rooms in which the priestesses, priests, and acolytes of the temple are trained. Several other structures behind the temple offer dormitories and other facilities for those who serve and study here.

Men and women dressed in short Chitons and Grecian sandals move purposefully about, greeting worshipers and scholars, and attending to their duties in maintaining the temple and its grounds. Ceera's white temple has a reputation as being a good place to seek guidance when one is troubled by dreams or nightmares. The priestesses and priests of the temple are called Dreamwalkers, and are trained in the arts of entering, manipulating and invoking or dispelling dreams. They are also said to be skilled at divination, at forecasting possible future events or fortelling what is happening at great distances. A lesser number of the temple staff are skilled in pyromancy - fire magic.

Today there seems to be more activity than usual, as rumor has it that the Goddess herself is soon to arrive. While it is not unusual for Ceera to appear when celebrants worship at the night-time ceremonies here, or when supplicants come here to seek her aid or guidance, this time it is rumored that she will do something which she has never done before in the history of the Temple. She has agreed to take a personal interest in the training and education of several students - people who will learn, directly from the Goddess herself, the ways of oneromancy and pyromancy. Word has quietly spread that those who wish to learn magic, and most especially those magical arts related to dreams or to fire, may present themselves to the Goddess. If she is willing, they may, for such time as she deems fit, study with her and serve her. Not all will be accepted, but for a lucky few it could be the chance of a lifetime.

Some arrive with special invitations, and their acceptance is assured. These few are already in her Service. But others may apply as well...

OOC: This is, for now, an open thread - a 'school of magic' in which Ceera will be the principal teacher. If you wish to learn, enter the thread when it is marked 'open', and present yourself at the temple. When I have as many students as I can manage, I will close the thread to new students. It may thereafter re-open from time to time, as students drop out or graduate, opening new spaces.

This is not to be confused with that other 'school of witchcraft and wizardry', made popular in certain children's books. It is not a light-hearted boarding school for would-be pre-teen spell casters. Some will come here with much potential, but little training. Others may be fully trained in their own disciplines, but seeking to expand their knowledge of pyromancy or oneromancy. All who come here will be expected, to some degree, to apprentice themselves to Ceera Darkwynde, entering her Service and obeying her commands for the duration of their service - until she or they determine that their studies should end. If it works out well, and if other suitable Avatars are willing to join in, I may also accept applications from instructors, with other magical specialties. We shall see.

The doors are open, and certain invitations have been sent. Who shall be bold enough to apply?

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Thank you, Kai, for the gift of this lovely card!