the first Home Stone swearing ceremony

This log details the first Home Stone swearing ceremony in the city of Isle of Teletus on September 9, 2025.

The ceremony involved Kati Evans formally pledging her allegiance to the city. The Ubar, CaineSteele, officiated the solemn rite at the altar where the Home Stone rests. The Ubara, Muse Steele, was also present, supporting Kati and overseeing the proceedings.

During the ceremony, Kati cleansed her hands, recited two oaths of loyalty, and, with the Ubar's assistance, placed a drop of her blood upon the Home Stone to seal her allegiance. The ceremony concluded with CaineSteele welcoming Kati as the first citizen sworn to the Home Stone, and a celebratory exchange of hugs and well wishes between the three. There was a minor issue with missing bread and fire for a symbolic part of the ceremony, and a quick decision to omit mentioning the blood oath to avoid seeming barbaric to some.

[18:28] CaineSteele: is online.

[18:29] zCS # [Mod] CaineSteele Resident [Combat] logged into the region.

[18:33] Muse Steele (muse.triellis) heard her name carried faintly on the wind coming in off the harbor and leaned in a bit, looking in the direction it seemed to come from

[18:37] CaineSteele grins seeing the two closest ladies he has in his life walk out the door.  "Tal!"

[18:37] Kati Evans: Tal

[18:38] CaineSteele waves his arms around at the setup and smiles to Kati, "My first person swearing to the city?"

[18:38] Kati Evans: grins

[18:38] Muse Steele (muse.triellis) smiled brilliantly when she saw her companion, saying, "Tal my Ubar," then prods the lady forward a bit

[18:39] CaineSteele chuckles, "Come forward, I won't bite...."

[18:39] CaineSteele: Are you ready?

[18:39] Kati Evans: Yes

[18:40] CaineSteele walks up to the altar holding our Home Stone. Upon reaching the dais where the Home Stone rests next to, framed by Teletus’ colors and the emblems of her station, he halts. With a steady, solemn tone, he speaks, "On this day, beneath the Sun’s watchful gaze and in the presence of those bound to this City, we bear witness to a solemn rite, the pledging of heart and honor to the Home Stone of Teletus. This is no mere stone, but the embodiment of sacrifice, of duty, of unyielding promise. To kneel before it is to accept both privilege and burden: the mantle of belonging, the charge of protection, the call to serve. Let no one come in pretense. Let all who speak this day do so with truth in their hearts."

[18:42] Kati Evans smiles

[18:42] CaineSteele gestures to the side, revealing a small, ornate bowl of water beside a neatly folded rep-cloth, then speaks with quiet formality, “Kati, if you would, cleanse your hands. It is a symbolic gesture, affirming that you come to this pledge free of dishonor.”

[18:44] Kati Evans  takes off my gloses and washes my hands.

[18:44] CaineSteele watches as Kati washes her hands then says, firmly, "Please repeat after me, the following, By steel and word, by trade and toil, I pledge myself to the City of Teletus.  Her enemies are my enemies. Her prosperity, my duty.  Her Home Stone, my soul's anchor.  From this day forth, I am bound to protect, to build, to honor. So let it be witnessed, by those present, and by the Stone itself.”

[18:45] Kati Evans: By steel and word, by trade and toil, I pledge myself to the City of Teletus.  Her enemies are my enemies. Her prosperity, my duty.  Her Home Stone, my soul's anchor.  From this day forth, I am bound to protect, to build, to honor. So let it be witnessed, by those present, and by the Stone itself.

[18:47] CaineSteele he steps forward and rests his hand upon the Home Stone. His voice, clear and composed, carries through the space, “Teletus is not forged by sword alone, but by loyalty, unity, and truth. To those who have pledged this day, I say, rise as Citizens of Teletus. May your words be honest, your efforts fruitful, and your loyalty unwavering.”  He then gestures toward the bread and salt, adding, “Take a pinch of each. They are symbols, of sustenance, of endurance, and of the bond you now share with Sulport’s strength and survival.”  He looks around and grumbles not finding the flame lit or any bread.  "We will do that in our hearts...."

[18:48] CaineSteele: Speak the following oath:”  “I, Kati Evans of the Caste of Scribes, swear to the Home Stone of Teletus—to serve my Caste and my City with honor and unwavering loyalty. I shall share with my brothers and sisters the salt, the fire, and the bread of our Home Stone, and upon the oath of blood, I vow to protect them, and it, with my life. I bind both sword and quill in full oath to the great land of Teletus.”

[18:49] Kati Evans: “I, Kati Evans of the Caste of Scribes, swear to the Home Stone of Teletus—to serve my Caste and my City with honor and unwavering loyalty. I shall share with my brothers and sisters the salt, the fire, and the bread of our Home Stone, and upon the oath of blood, I vow to protect them, and it, with my life. I bind both sword and quill in full oath to the great land of Teletus.”

[18:49] CaineSteele reaches for the ceremonial dagger resting upon the altar and extends it toward Kati, his voice calm and resolute. “Kati, draw but a drop of blood, and place it upon the Home Stone, to seal your allegiance to Teletus.”

[18:51] Kati Evans: Holds my hand out toward the Ubar, not wanting to do the cut myself.

[18:52] CaineSteele smiles and grabs her middle finger and uses the tip of the dagger to give a quick prick of the pad.  He squeezes to draw up a small drop of blood then steps away so she has access to the stone.

[18:52] Kati Evans: Wakes to the stone and places my blood on it and smiles.

[18:53] CaineSteele smiles to Kati and gives her a side hug.  "Welcome home and to the Teletus family officially, my friend.  Hail Teletus"

[18:54] Kati Evans: Giggles and forgets myself ,,, grabs the Ubar and hugs him.  Realizes what I did and steps back. Grins shyy.

[18:55] Muse Steele (muse.triellis) beams saying, "Hail Teletus!"

[18:55] CaineSteele looks to Muse and then back at Kati.  "May it be known that you were the first citizen to swear to the Home Stone!"  He laughs hearing her giggle.  "That should be all."

[18:56] Kati Evans: Thank you

[18:57] Kati Evans: Hugs Muse too

[18:57] Kati Evans: Thank you both.

[18:58] Muse Steele (muse.triellis) smiled and hugged her tigjtly

[18:59] Kati Evans: Giggle and laughs.... Abe missed this one too.

[19:00] Muse Steele (muse.triellis): Yes, well, he will get sworn in with the others.  I did not want you falling asleep on your feet as you waited another ahn or more

[19:00] CaineSteele grins

[19:01] Kati Evans: THank you for that, this was special as it was just us.

[19:01] Muse Steele (muse.triellis): very much ao

[19:01] Muse Steele (muse.triellis): smiles

[19:01] Kati Evans: You can tell them "First blood is all ready on the Stone"

[19:01] Muse Steele (muse.triellis): well

[19:02] Muse Steele (muse.triellis): we wont mention the blood

[19:02] Muse Steele (muse.triellis): grinned

[19:02] Kati Evans: First sworn

[19:02] Kati Evans: grins

[19:02] CaineSteele: I just remembered blood is considered barbaric by some.

[19:02] CaineSteele: sighs

[19:02] CaineSteele he takes a piece of parchment and scribbles some stuff down to verify the swearing is complete.

[19:03] Muse Steele (muse.triellis): smiled

[19:03] Kati Evans: In this ase, I am not so sure.

[19:03] Kati Evans: case*

[19:04] CaineSteele: I need to go get Talon and Priya

[19:04] Muse Steele (muse.triellis): ok my Love

[19:04] Muse Steele (muse.triellis): I will wait here

[19:06] Kati Evans: Big hug

[19:06] Kati Evans: See you tomorrow

[19:09] Kati Evans: See you tomorrow and thanks

[19:10] Kati Evans: poof