Salem's Judgement

[hazlogs]

It is currently 17:58 Pacific Time on Sun Nov 11 2001.

Currently the moon is in the waning Crescent Moon phase (27% full).

Currently in Saint Claire, it is a cloudy day. The temperature is 51
degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius). The wind is calm today. The
barometric pressure reading is 29.80 and steady, and the relative humidity
is 92 percent. The dewpoint is 49 degrees Fahrenheit (9 degrees Celsius.)

By the Waterfall

The edge of the valley forms a sheer rock face on this side of the Caern,
perhaps 10 meters straight up, studded with outcroppings and lined with
narrow cracks in a tracery of spidery fractures. Over the top lip of this
natural wall streams a narrow, glass-like sheet of water that hurls itself
into a small pool at its base, throwing up spray to soak the stones there,
the rock behind it, and the surrounding earth. From this pool the water
flows in a shallow bed toward the southwest before disappearing below the
surface of the earth again in what must be an underground stream.

To the west, cool mist kicked up by the falls mingles with warmer steam
from geothermal sources; these mists swirl around the caern to the north.
The caern's center lies northwest of here. You can pick out what seems to
be a hazardous trail over rock and up the wall, to the side of the
waterfall.

By the steam vents, Storm-Singer comes into the caern from the southwest.

By the steam vents, Kaz picks her way through the vents, watching the
occasional one warily.

By the steam vents, Storm-Singer trots into the area, sniffing at random
plants as he heads for the Caern.

Salem steps down the path into the caern, making as wide a circle around
the waterfall as is possible, given his approach. The Glass Walker pauses,
skimming the valley with one good eye, then starts moving toward Adam. His
face is composed, emotions masked, body language very controlled.

Center of the Caern

This area of the clearing is about 30 meters wide and is a mixture of dark
soil and clay throughout, though much of it looks like it's been sodded in
recent months. Near the center of the clearing, the top of a large white
boulder juts out from the soil like a bone revealed after the skin of an
animal has been torn away. The large rock appears to be normal stone at
its base, but towards the top stone gives way to a sparkling collection of
quartz crystal.

Around you, twenty yards in every direction, stretches the caern. To the
southeast, a waterfall plummets over the edge of the chasm into a small
pool in the caern; nearby, to the southwest, steam comes from cracks in
the ground, perhaps some of the same water. Northwest, a rocky spar juts
out of the ground at a low angle, showing a sloping but smooth top. The
chasm walls narrow a bit to the northeast, causing some of the mist to
swirl in that area.

By the steam vents, Storm-Singer heads into the center.

From the rock outcropping, Adam can easily be seen, crouched on the Rock
Slab, his hands spread out in front of him as he balances on the balls of
his feet. His blue-eyed gaze overlooks the Caern, and specifically the
entrances and valleys leading to the place. He sees the Gnawer enter
first, then the Glass Walker, then the Shadow Lord. His eyebrows lift a
little at that last part, but he doesn't seem annoyed by it. Everyone gets
a respectful nod as they enter, as he looks back to the valley entrances.

With a thick muzzle and shaggy, blue-black fur, Storm-Singer is a picture
of balanced strength and grace. His movements are practiced and fluid and
his 100-pound weight appears to be distributed in perfect proportion. His
eyes still darkly reflect intelligence, though his reactions and
mannerisms are 100 wolf. Chock full of potential energy, this lupine is a
formidable presence.

By the waterfall, Wildfire comes down the trail from the rim above.

Storm-Singer pads over to Salem, chuffing inquiringly. This one has
arrived at an auspicious moment. What is happening in this place? A moot?
A story? A Rite?

By the waterfall, Wildfire heads into the center.

By the waterfall, Kaz comes down the trail from the rim above.

By the waterfall, Kaz heads into the center.

Storm-Singer greets the two fostern as they enter the center of the Caern
with a polite growl of acknowledgment.

Kaz mutters a fairly polite greeting to both men, but doesn't answer
Jarred's question.

Salem glances down at Storm-Singer, regarding the wolf without a hint of
recognition. "A judgement," he answers coolly. His gaze shifts toward Kaz,
then Wildfire, regarding the both of them -- the Get in particular -- with
a hint of wariness. Then he shifts his attention to Adam.

Wildfire comes into the Caern by his usual path beside the waterfall. In
lupus at the time, one might notice that he's in at least somewhat good
spirits. Once he spies the others in the center, though, he slowly shifts
upward into the warform, his increasingly heavy pace slowing to a lumber
until he's at the center. There, he just stands, saying nothing.

Kaz mutters, "Down boy," at Owen.

Part wolf, part man, this towering monster comes straight out of myth.
Standing well over nine feet tall and seemingly just as wide, this
bristling beast shows massive strength, speed, hardiness, and cunning all
at once. Digitigrade legs, clawed hands, thick arms complete with a lupine
head and tail are all covered in thick, solid grey fur. A pair of iron
vambraces in the form of serpents coiling around his upper arms are
noticeable and a pattern of scars suspiciously looking like a bite from
something very big can be seen circling around his chest, abdomen, and
back. A patch of scars on his lower abdomen is evident and another scar
can be seen running down his left eye and cheek, showing off the prowess
that he seems about ready to extend to you.

Storm-Singer looks at Wildfire curiously, head cocked slightly, then back
at Salem, flicking an ear in thanks for the bit of info. Shadow Lords do
so hate to be out of the know.

Salem's jaw tightens at the Get's chosen form, though he shows no
surprise. Distracted this way, he misses Storm-Singer's thanks, as well as
his remark in wolf-speech.

From the rock outcropping, "As Mr. Salem says," Adam replies to Jarred,
after the other Philodox has spoken, "it is a judgement." As the last of
the Garou he asked for arrive, the young Gaian lifts his eyes, taking the
Near-Man as he does. "We are gathered here," he intones, "because one
Salem, known as Dark One, Philodox of the Children of Cockroach, has
confessed to a sin committed two years past. Said transgression was a
breaking of the Veil, upon which Salem fled afterwards. A result of this
was the pack known as Razor's Edge to be forced to change their lives, and
find a new place to house their pack." He pauses. "Salem had come to the
Philodox, when we last held Moot for our Auspice, and cited a desire to be
judged and punished for a crime he acknowledges doing." His eyes shift
until he faces the Glass Walker. "Is this still true," he asks. "Do you
still wish to face my judgement, and accept your penance, whatever it may
be?"

Kaz continues to loll against the column.

Salem's mouth tightens at the Gaian's use of his old deed-name, but
otherwise, he remains almost motionless. Gloved hands come out of the
pockets of his coat and clasp together behind his back. The Walker answers
Adam in a clear, precise voice. "I do."

Wildfire just stands where he is, looking like a fur-covered muscle of
hatred, but that's usual. Actually, he seems quite cool about all this so
far, even though some near him seem to worry in some fashion.

Storm-Singer merely watches, content to take in the events for future
recollection.

From the rock outcropping, Adam nods slowly, as Salem gives his pledge.
"So it is said, so shall it be," he says. With those words being
exchanged, he then turns to the two members of the former Weasel pack who
are there this night. "I have spoken with each of you, regarding the
details of the incident, and your feelings about said act. Said thoughts
were duly noted. I have asked you both here tonight, because this
judgement involves you both as well. Do you hear my judgement, with full
cooperation and acceptance, whatever direction this judgement may take?"

Kaz says, "Yeah, yeah. Get on with it. I already said you were th' man,
here, anyways."

Storm-Singer lolls briefly at Kaz.

Wildfire simply nods.

By the steam vents, Agatha comes into the caern from the southwest.

By the waterfall, John comes down the trail from the rim above.

From the rock outcropping, "It is my decision," Adam begins, "that the
Glass Walkers known as Salem be Ostracized for a period of two months."
There. That's been said. "But my call for penance is twofold, and the
Ostracism is merely the second part." He pauses here, collecting his
words. "Salem, your actions caused Wildfire-rhya and
Ears-to-the-Ground-rhya to lose their home, for a time, among other
things, and besides your penance to the Sept, noted for your unsolicited
confession and willingness to submit yourself to judgement, you owe these
two a debt as well. So, it is my judgement that you will perform a service
for each of the former members of Edge, as well as
Chuga-by-the-Gallon-ryha and Skadi's-Defiant-Storm-rhya, should they
resurface. You will do one service, whatever they ask, without question,
and whatever they feel would help you repay your debt to them." Another
pause, here, to take a breath before the Gaian goes on. "But, said
service, that they hand down, will not be one that causes to break the
Litany, or cause any betrayal to your Tribe. This is your matter, not
theirs." He turns to Kaz and Owen. "Whatever you ask of him, he is not to
be harmed. No suicidal missions, and if your strike at him at this time,
you will face my judgement on a breach of contract. Also, as I said,
nothing that would break the Litany, so orders of 'Bite me, Salem,' will
not be acceptable. I'll leave your service up to your judgement. You can
have him clean your bathroom with his toothbrush, for all I know what you
two think." Pause, once more. "AFter the services are done, for Kaz and
Owen, then Salem's period of Ostracism will begin, where he is to have no
contact with Garou for the next two moons once the rite is done. Any
breach in that, they will answer to me."

By the steam vents, Agatha snorts softly as she listens to Adam's judgement.

Storm-Singer looks over at Salem, to whom he was just speaking and growls
softly.

Kaz jerks a thumb at Salem. "What about th' folks he's buildin' a pack with?"

By the waterfall, John takes a few steps away from the spray of the
waterfall, at that; arms folded, he merely continues to watch, with grim
interest.

The expression on Wildfire's face can only be described as dour as Adam
makes his judgement. He turns then to regard the Walker, peering down at
him, obviously thinking about something.

Salem listens, and his face might very well be made of stone, for all the
change in his expression. His gaze remains forward, his posture
ramrod-straight. Anyone happening to be behind the Glass Walker may note a
subtle tightening, clenching, of his hands. As the Gaian Philodox
finishes, he opens his mouth to say something, then closes it as Kaz
voices a question that was probably on his own mind.

From the rock outcropping, Adam tilts his head to the side. "He cannot
betray them either," he says to the Bone Gnawer. "But, should his pack
seek their Totem before his services are performed, then so it is. But,
the Ostracism still stands, for All."

Kaz blinks. "Then so it is /what/?"

Wildfire continues to regard Salem but asks a question of Adam.
~Ostracism. Would that not preclude him from his 'services' to us, or do
we wait until it is over?~

By the steam vents, Alicia comes into the caern from the southwest.

By the steam vents, Agatha is standing quietly, half-hidden in the steam,
watching the scene unfolding in the Caern.

By the steam vents, Alicia strides down the path towards the caern,
brushing back a few strands of hair from her face.

Salem's lips thin at Adam's answer; he seems no more enlightened than
Ears-to-the-Ground.

From the rock outcropping, Adam shakes his head. "The services first, then
the Ostracism," he clarifies. To Kaz, he explains. "The services need not
be ordered immediately, be it if he has such pressing business as a Totem
quest. But it will be done soon, at your whim and judgement."

Kaz says, not quite leaning against the rock anymore, "I give a shit about
services? I do not. I meant, with Derrick, he could hang with his pack.
That ain't true, in your version of the world?"

By the steam vents, Agatha snorts again, still faintly. Under her breath,
she comments, "So he can put off the Ostracism for as long as it takes for
the services?"

From the rock outcropping, A flicker of something negative crosses Adam's
face as he explains to the Gnawer. "Correct," he says to the Fostern
Galliard. As Agatha speaks up, he shakes his head. "Owen and Kaz proclaim
the services. Once they are done, then the Ostracism. It cannot be easily
put off."

By the waterfall, John speaks up, now, calling up to Adam. "You said no
contact with Garou. Does the Ostracism include kin? I expect not for the
running of messages, as that goes against the spirit of the judgement. But
contact?"

From the rock outcropping, Adam clarifies. "Ostracism is that among Garou.
Kin are not included, but...yes, the spirit of the judgement should be
remembered."

Salem remains silent through all of this, his good eye fixed on Adam until
Kaz's question is answered. Then his chin tilts downward slightly. If
anything, his expression grows colder.

Kaz considers this briefly, glance sliding briefly to Salem and then back
to Adam. "Dude, I love you and shit, or anyway I respect you, but whatever
I got f'him t'do can wait. Ostracism first. I 'spect he'd rather get it
outta the way ASAP. I cede my thingy til afterwards."

By the steam vents, Alicia rubs the back of her neck and glances over to
Agatha questionably, then peers off to the center at all the talk circling
around Salem.

Storm-Singer looks over at Alicia.

Wildfire had turned to Adam as the philodox clarifies himself, but soon
turns back to regard not just Salem but Kaz as well. He says nothing, but
the dour expression certainly hasn't faded.

By the steam vents, Agatha mutters to herself, shaking her head slightly.

From the rock outcropping, Adam breathes. "It's not his decision on which
order he takes the punishment, Kaz," Adam says, eyes narrowing just so.
"Your...thingy should be soon, then, if you wish for him to get the
Ostracism done and over with."

By the waterfall, John looks expectantly to Owen, brow furrowing slightly.

By the steam vents, Alicia blinks her eyes a bit and starts to giggle,
waving her hand in the air. Finally, she tosses a slight glare over
towards Jarred, calming herself down.

Kaz says, "Hello? I wasn't saying it was his decision, I was saying it was
mine. But whatever, if it's a now or never kinda thing, I'll get right on
it."

From the rock outcropping, Adam nods, once. "Please do."

Kaz twirls a finger in the air.

Wildfire looks over to the sound of giggling, muted as it may be, and
stares hard at Alicia. ~You, who thinks this matter is humorous, get down
here and stand behind me. Bare witness to this first hand.~

Salem inhales a breath, then lets it out. Controlled. Deliberate. Again,
he glances at the former members of Edge before returning his attention to
the rock outcrop. "Will that be all?" he asks the Gaian. His tone is
utterly flat.

By the steam vents, Alicia heads into the center.

Having no problem in learning something new, Alicia simply heads down to
the Caern, offering an apologetic nod towards Owen and makes her way
around behind him, her face growing serious.

From the rock outcropping, Adam has yet to notice his Tribesmate enter the
Caern until Owen calls attention to her. As Salem asks his question, the
Halfmoon nods. "It is," is his answer.

Kaz mumbles, "Right." And then sits down, against the stone, thoughtfully.

Wildfire frowns, pursing his lips for a moment (at least as good as a
crinos can do that). ~First,~ he starts, ~Let me introduce you to one who
would laugh at your predicament. This is no laughing matter, not in the
least. Trust me in that I certainly have not laughed since the day we were
ousted from the Rialto, that I lost my inheritance, the last tangible
thing left to me by my parents aside from a pair of granite slabs on the
other side of this continent.~ His eyes narrow more as he speaks. ~Tell
me, first, what you think about that, think about her, then I will give
you your duty.~

Alicia clears her throat slightly, speaking up on her behalf. "I apologize
for my... giggle earlier. But it was not at Salem that I was finding
amusement in." She shifts her eyes over to Jarred, giving him a glare,
pressing her lips together. Her boot finds the ground in a soft thud as
she toes the earth.

From the rock outcropping, Adam is there. This is something...unexpected,
as he watches Owen speak over this. He stays silent, his deed done for the
night.

By the steam vents, Agatha's eyes scan the group in the center, her
expression faintly disapproving for some reason. After a moment, her eyes
travel to the figure on the rock, and her expression becomes a little
more... disgusted is perhaps the most accurate word.

Wildfire waves his left hand in a knifing motion to silence Alicia,
waiting only for Salem to speak.

Salem glances at Alicia for a brief moment, then turns his eye up toward
the Get Crinos. The Walker takes a deep breath, and then answers clearly.
Though he doesn't project, neither does he attempt to make his words
unaudible to the rest of the caern. "Alicia says it is not me nor my
situation that she found amusing, and I'm more than apt to take her at her
word. In regards to the Rialto..." Pause. "I'm sorry. That I lose control
of myself on your territory was bad enough. That I left before facing
judgement was reprehensible, irresponsible, dishonorable, and cowardly."
He says this last without the slightest bit of flinching.

Wildfire soaks this in with a short glare to the Galliard Gaian for having
spoken up, that having not fit into whatever plans he had in mind.
~Dark-One, I have seen your past actions as completely reprehensible.~ He
holds up a hand to stop any retort from anyone. ~However, I also find your
coming back to face-up to that both honorable and commendable. For you,
from me, you tack will be this: Since I have lost my home, I think it
right that you should replace it. You will dig a hole for me with your
bare bands and claws.~

Kaz blinks at Owen. She mutters something about imagination.

By the steam vents, Agatha snorts faintly at Owen's demand, though she
doesn't put her opinion into words.

Salem's face doesn't change; he merely nods once and asks, "Show me the
place, and it will be done."

By the waterfall, John's head tilts slightly, as he considers the
service-- a thoughtful look crosses his face.

Wildfire swivels an ear at a sound, adding shortly after, ~And if someone
has problem with it, they can speak up before I break my foot off in their
ass.~

Alicia takes a few steps back quickly away from Owen, obviously not having
a problem with it.

By the waterfall, John's lips twitch in the ghost of an approving smile,
at the addition.

Kaz blinks innocently. "Who, me? Nah. Though..." She trails off, glance
slewing to Jarred and then back to the Walker. "Salem, I gotta thing for
you, later. That involves less dirt."

Salem glances momentarily at Kaz and nods.

By the steam vents, Agatha watches Adam, her expression almost totally
shuttered. After another long moment, she turns and heads towards the
forest surrounding the Caern.

Eventually, Kaz gives the assembled a small, mock salute, and wanders out
the way she came. "Catch you later, Salem," is the only thing she says, as
a farewell.

Wildfire seems satisfied enough with the results. ~I will find the spot,
Dark One, then we will get to work.~

Salem turns his attention back to the Get. "Shall I return tomorrow?"

Wildfire thinks on it a minute, then just nods.

Salem dips his head, first to the Get, and then to Adam. His hands unclasp
from behind his back; he takes a single step back, and then turns to go --
utterly cool, utterly calm. His eye falls on John as he leaves, and for a
moment he pauses, arching a brow questioningly.

By the steam vents, Agatha heads out of the caern toward the southwest.

By the waterfall, John unfolds his arms, letting them slip into his coat
pockets, as he inclines his head respectfully. "We'll talk." is all he
says, loud enough for Salem, before he turns to start walking out.

Wildfire just shakes his head slightly as Salem turns to go. For being a
mad, frothy Get, he kept his composure fairly well today. He turns and
eyeballs Alicia for a moment.

Salem nods to his tribemate, and then departs the caern without further
word.