the hell pyre ✞ church of todd

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the hell pyre ✞ church of todd May 19, 2023 18:09:55 GMT -5

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Post by Deleted on May 19, 2023 18:09:55 GMT -5

t a n n e r g a r c i a .

Once a day they release their demons, and once a year they become them.

Devilish, they devour as if it's the Eve of Destruction - it may just happen. This year could be the year one of their own are chosen in Todd's greatness, as either sacrifice or to be molded into the highest great you can become. Invincible, only he purest of Ripred's intent will survive the greatest test of devotion their Gods can offer. And only if you survive, will you know if you are truly worthy. It's a cannibalistic mindset they've developed; in the commune, they are one, and in the reaping, they are one hundred. Limb from limb, they would gladly be torn apart in the name of the highest power.

Tonight marks twenty four hours until the Reaping - Tanner's final reaping. Nineteen awaits just as the festivities do, with the prodigal son's arrival imminent. Since the beginning of the week, members of the commune have spent their calloused hands crafting the scene. Five hundred feet north of the church and into the red sands of the commune's outskirts lays an assortment of facilities built by hand, at its center: a grand pyre in the form of a wooden man, twenty feet tall at least. To the east, a white tableclothed buffet hosting grilled meats, glistening fruits and gainful vegetables beg to be consumed. To the west, a woven hay mat lays stretched, saving the holy rat's cage from touching the bare ground.

Ratniss, waiting for its feast of cow blood with beady red eyes and snow white fur.

Upon entry, each member of the commune is alloted one glass of wine. Tanner tips it ever so slightly, watching as the wine retreats from the side of the glass and back to its excess ever so slowly. It's bitter on taste, white wine appearing gold under the dying sun. Tanner is among the earliest to arrive, but not nearly the first - that would be to the honor of the disciples who worked restlessly to put the feast together. There's small talk to be had for the first few minutes as he sips the blood of Todd and waits for the sun to finally rest beneath the horizon. Then, and only then, he excuses himself to begin the ritual at hand, setting his wine in the hands of Marybeth, his wife to be before gathering himself.

Tanner begins at the west, dipping the sacred torch in the slick oil before the holy rat, an unease sitting in his gut at Ratniss's presence. He lights it in the burning bowl adjacent to the rat before raising it above his head, savoring in the cheers of the members of the commune. The mass of them wear black and are barefoot, only the father wears white. A beacon amongst them - even in the dark, he is the easiest one to find. For the first time since the Hell Pyre's ritualistic creation, the father allows another to light the wooden goliath. Tanner and his dad make eye contact as he approaches the pyre, stopping before him until greeted with a nod. After, he turns the torch to the masterpiece, watching as the fire cracks against the pyre's ankle and spreading from leg to groin to torso to neck. There's howling from the other members as the head ignites.

Maniacally, they then begin their feast and dance.

Last Edit: May 19, 2023 18:24:29 GMT -5 by Deleted

mat
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the hell pyre ✞ church of todd May 19, 2023 20:24:15 GMT -5

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Post by mat on May 19, 2023 20:24:15 GMT -5

A D A M V I G I L A N C O

The pyre's flames ignite the commune's members in light. The uniformed black outfits give everyone little identity in the night. With the exception of Alban, of course. He wears white, so everyone knows who to follow in the event of the long-professed cataclysmic Rapture. Adam prefers the color. In fact, he didn't even need to change after returning home from the center of the district. He wears black on the sweltering journey, a condition of his representation of the Church of Todd. By sunset, he returned home with the exchange: a month's tesserae for a few dozen kids for their signatures. One short, of course, as Adam abandons his own tesserae form in the garbage near the square. God'll forgive him for not wanting to be the one.

As he watches the crowd of church members dance, he wonders how many of them want to be the one. The sacrifice or the host for a savior, whichever one they choose to believe first. Adam claps encouragingly as more of them join at the fire. What a ritual to have the night before the Reaping. Glass of wine in hand, he keeps a close eye on the youth. Granddad asked him to do as much and take mental notes on who might be well-suited for one another. This year's betrothals have already been completed or set in stone, but there's no reason not to start looking for next year. The dilemma between coupling those who will suffer or adore each other's is an honorable duty. An easy one, too, for who will question one of the holy three, or his most trusted apprentice, when they're ordered off? Not his little sister, Talia. Not her husband. Not even the prodigal son, whose mismatch briefly raised some brows. Marybeth holds Tanner's wine, now. Whether it was predictable or not, they have made it work.

Adam holds his wife's hand as both remain seated during the festivities. His legs are tired, or so he claims, from the long day. Some members with calloused hands and limping strides dance on, so close to a sense of autonomy. Guilt rubs against his palms as his wife places her second hand on top of his. Does she know of his adultery? Two lovers in separate worlds that will never cross paths, he finds himself torn between them. The attachment for his wife, the inside, feels like one of obligation and order. If he leaves, she will certainly be punished for whatever "association" Alban manages to brew up. And the attachment to his lover, the outside, where he's free. She has taught him everything he knows about what it means to have passion for another. He will be punished if it ever comes to light. Juggling them both at once over the past year has been difficult, but it's too late to pick one or the other. He needs both realities to survive.

Adam turns to the father, whose eyes reflect fire directly back at him. His eyes dash upward, signaling that the Vigilancos must dance like the rest. Adam stretches his legs against the bench. His hand slides away from his other half's grip.

"I am going to go and celebrate. Once everyone has gone to bed for the night, we must try again." They've been trying for months. Their relationship has been fruitful in all senses of the world except for a child. Parenthood is an expectation for couples in the church. Together, they've tried and tried again, to no avail. Soon, he hopes, they'll have a child. "We'll get there, soon enough."

Adam rises, moving to the crowd. Unenthused, he nods and taps his foot to the music, celebrating in anticipation of the big day tomorrow. He smiles, ready to exchange pleasantries with whoever comes his way.

Secretly hoping that no one pays him much mind in comparison to the golden boy.

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the hell pyre ✞ church of todd May 21, 2023 5:47:14 GMT -5

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Post by d11a tsiuri dermott ☕ minie on May 21, 2023 5:47:14 GMT -5

c e p h a s .

"So I surrender all
All I want is to live within your love"

In 24 hours, all the reaping eligible members of our church would hold our breath as we await to hear who would be sentenced to death. Every year a relief when it is not one of ours, our faith growing ever stronger. We were right in our faith, our devotion to the old and new gods fortified once more.

Father left with the other priests earlier for the ceremony while mother and I were running late. We had souls to tend to, it was a time of great distress for many of the young, but our ears were always open to listen to the fear of those entering the reaping for the first time. We held their hands as we told them to be strong and trust in the gods. There was no need for any concern as we had the saving grace of our lords to protect us.

I arrived with mother just before the traditions commenced, both of us in black robes with a golden medic symbol to ensure that our role was clear to everyone. I placed myself on the right side of my father and my mother to his left. We watched as Tanner took the torch and set the large pyre on fire, burning away all the fear of our community. I could not be prouder of my friend in the moment, as the crowd howled with joyous celebrations, I smiled at my brother in faith.

Disciples and Divine alike swarmed the feast and became one as well danced away to the rhythm of the music. Today in this very moment we were all celebrating the very same thing, united in our faith. A rare occasion where I felt like I could let loose and not worry about everything and everyone around me. I smiled and exchange brief pleasantries with those around me. Shaking hands and fleeted greetings as I danced my way through the masses. The heat from the fire still strong in our surroundings but it fueled us for what was to come the next day.

I let my eyes wander through the crowd as I searched for Tanner only to see him occupied with his wife to be. I was not proud of the jealousy I felt towards his future bride, there was no acceptable explanation for what I felt. I knew it would never be me by his side at events like these. When we were kids, it was cute and brotherly. These days it would be an abomination and I knew it. There was no amount of telling myself that these feelings that consumed me on the daily were wrong that could make them disappear. I take another sip from my wine as I continue to search for someone or something that could take my mind off of my cursed emotions.

A familiar face moves through the crowd, another divine of my cohort. Someone who grew up alongside me and Tanner. Although never as close, there were not all too many of us and all born the same year led to bond not shared by many of the commune. ”Brother Vigilanco” I greet him with a raise of my glass of wine and a friendly smile, ”Here is to our last reaping”. After tomorrow we would all be free to concentrate on our jobs, there would no longer be the threat of us being thrown to the wolves.

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the hell pyre ✞ church of todd May 21, 2023 8:05:00 GMT -5

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Post by d6a georgie cham 🍓🐢 frankel on May 21, 2023 8:05:00 GMT -5

Marybeth Summers.

God has already reaped Marybeth for another purpose. Soon the holy ceremony will commence, and the heavens will tie the knot but first the annual festivities must come and go before the church can be decorated with wedding bells and it will be her turn to wear white. This evening it is the turn of the father, Marybeth wears a black dress, gifted to her just a week ago by a well-respected divine. It is a show of honour to wear it for such an occasion as the pyre festival. A whole year of abiding by the holy god’s book, tomorrow will determine if it has all been enough. Hidden sinners will be revealed, or another Todd’s name will be called.

A gift would be to see the great Todd himself on the reaping stage, alongside the hollow unworthy victors that the masses of District Ten worship. They are all in the wrong Church to follow their names, Marybeth is just blessed to be born in the only true one.

Marybeth smiles and nods at her betrothed as she is trusted with Tanner’s glass of wine as he commences the opening of the festivities. She stands besides her parents, watching the ceremony begin. This may be the last time she stands by them at such an event, soon she will be stood alongside Tanner himself. It will be a sin to ever leave that side, especially when the rest of the commune are watching with their prying eyes. Marybeth knows her purpose, the second chance that has been bestowed upon her family’s name. Not one luring thing will ever influence her to break it. There is a place in Marybeth in this world and she will make sure to find comfort in it.

The pyre’s embers heat up the side of Marybeth’s cheek. Suddenly the whole atmosphere dances along with the blaze, members join in the festivities and Marybeth finds her place at the food table dishing out the baked goods that she has prepared with her own hands and raw ingredients.

”May I go?” She asks her mother, her eyes have followed Tanner amongst the dancers and mingling members. It only seems right to join him tonight instead of being in her usual place as a disciple. Her mother nods and Marybeth dashes off, catching sight of Tanner amongst the other’s dressed in black. She stops herself from grabbing his hands, instead catching his attention by voice. ”The pyre is the biggest I have ever seen this year, they have truly worked hard on it.” She says over the strumming banjos and screeching violins. ”I know it is custom for the man to offer first but may we dance? The commune will be overjoyed to see us together this evening.”

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Last Edit: May 21, 2023 16:05:40 GMT -5 by d6a georgie cham 🍓🐢 frankel

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the hell pyre ✞ church of todd May 25, 2023 10:44:31 GMT -5

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Post by Izzabel Bennet D8A (Jorg) on May 25, 2023 10:44:31 GMT -5

Elijah Ringenberg

Reaping's Eve

Elijah sits in the jail on the south side of the commune, wondering if he made the right call not scheduling anyone for jail watch tonight, even though the prison currently sits empty. It's the eve of the Reaping, so the commune is getting ready for their annual pyre, a night of prayer through celebration for the Gods' favor and approval. He's still determining if they are praying to be chosen or spared; perhaps there is a mix. Elijah knows of some people hoping to be saved so they can focus on their jobs and start their new families. Some people, though, may want to be chosen, a chance to prove themselves worthy to the Old God and walk through the same trial as the New God Ansgar Todd took. Elijah would lie if he said the thought hadn't crossed his mind. The chance to prove he is worthy of being Divine like Tanner is.

But those are blasphemous thoughts. If Elijah should be chosen, it should be because the Ripred chose Elijah to represent him, not to quench his jealousy.

"My service would be tainted, and how could I prove myself pure enough to survive the gauntlet of the Arena if I am clouded by my own sins." He thought as he picked up the black robes over his desk.

"The very least I can do, though, is my duty." he thinks as he changes and starts to make his way north. Making his way north past the blacksmith and clergy house, he faces the gallows and can't help but think about tomorrow. Elijah remembers watching the Reapings before and seeing the sea of relieved looks as the crowd thins out afterward. But as he grew up, his focus changed to watching those chosen to helm the challenge of Ripred's call. Yet those chosen often don't share the sentiment that the holiest Ansgar Todd did during his Reaping. Elijah can't help but wonder if the District would see things differently if the District followed Father's teachings. Father surely knows that it's an honor to be chosen. However, many false gods came before and after Todd.

"What would happen if one of us followed Todd's footsteps and rose to the challenge of Ripred's call?" he thinks as he stares at the gallows. Unsure of whether he wants to know the answer, he travels past the church built by his once prisoner and into the field where the effigy stands. It's hard to miss as it stands over 20 feet tall, but it's still nice to celebrate. Who knows what the Gods have planned for them, but for tonight they dance and drink with friends. He take a sip of the wine given as he enters the celebration square and take in the scene. Everyone except for Father wears all-black robes, glasses of wine in hand that reflects the orange and warmth of the setting Sun. Ratniss sits in her cage on top of the hay, and East sits off the food table for the community to satiate their gluttony. What he wasn't expecting to see was Tanner at the helm of the ritual.

"Of course, Tanner gets to handle the pyre this year." Elijah thought to himself as he chugged down a gulp of his wine.

After Tanner talks with his betrothed, he heads to where Ratniss is with the torch. Fire goes up in ethereal glory, and Elijah notices a pit in his stomach that only seems to grow as he sees his brother's silhouette backlit by the holy flame. A seed of blasphemous envy seems to bloom in Elijah as the flames grow stronger. He chugs down the rest of his wine, hoping that those around him see the mask of celebration he's trying to put on, but it never seems to reach his eyes. He places his glass down next to the other empty wine glasses and storms off toward the edge of the ceremony, hoping to remain hidden.

He doesn't see the heartbroken look that Father gives him, though, as he storms off.