Seeking the Selfless: Salubri Embracing Thread - Closed

[Uta]

It wasn't something Zeresh necessarily liked to do, but it was something the Clan had to do, for the benefit of all. In times of old, many a Salubri had sired but a single childer, before allowing themselves to be diablerized by their very creation, as a way to finding lasting peace. However, Zeresh had never been quite so blind by such extremism, and was grateful that those old days were long since passed.

Though she did not, would not, embrace without ample research and study of the prospective fledgling, Zeresh too great pride in seeking out potential. The Salubri might be seeking Golconda, but they had a purpose, and a role to fulfill. No matter what the Tremere had done to them, no matter how mistrusted they were among the Clans, the future generations were the only way for their message, their mission, to carry on.

So it was, Zeresh had taken time to study, watch, and learn about any and all prospective candidate. She had careful notes about each and every individual, and had sorted them into three, distinct categories. Each folder of information was stacked, from highest to lowest, and those in the first, and tallest pile, were those who were the purest of spirit. Those who already had healing magics, or were well-versed in doctoring, nursing, or caregiving were her natural preference; she had been a healer, before her own embrace, and was keen on bringing those with the most compassionate hearts into the fold.

The middle pile, and of moderate height, were names that were made of stronger mettle. They were guardians, paladins, or individuals who wanted to save the world; knights with great chivalry, and faes who were ready to give it all for the greater good.

Of course, not everyone Zeresh had watched and taken notes on had golden hearts. Lastly, in the third, and smallest pile, were the truly damaged. No, for in the shadows, she had lurked -- and there were some she had fond that were so wretched, so miserable, so mired in hate and the stench of their own self-centered, brutal ways that her undead, stilled, heart would have nothing but pity for the creatures. Yes, some of those had also been noted -- for a spirit so tainted could, with time, be made new.

So it was, with her lists made, she sent out invitations. Those whose names were in the first two piles would be invited to a weekend nighttime retreat, as an honorary guest. The weekend would involve an entire host of strangers, with events planned primarily during the overnight hours. There would be plenty of speakers, meditation, and panels, though there would be quiet meditation and a time of peace and quiet during the daytime . Those who attended would find plenty of speakers telling their life stories, and would be encouraged to give impromptu talks about why and how they dedicated their lives to service. There would be plenty of individuals to meet, along with plenty of science, magic, and homeopathy. From crystal massages, sound baths, meditation, lectures, stress relief, and panels, this retreat was as much a weekend of spiritual healing and physical recovery as it was a place to meet some of the most giving, and compassionate of souls.

By the end of it, Zeresh would know exactly who had made the cut. Those who did would be sought out by her, a private invitation of one, for a final meditation. It was with their eyes closed, and their minds at peace in a moment of zen, she would bring them from their world, into hers.

They would not be returning alone, or even that night...instead, they would remain with Zeresh under her care at the small retreat, learning of their new unlife, and what it meant, as well as what entailed. A few nights later, along with the rest of the newly turned brood, Zeresh would lead them out of the retreat and gide them back to the Salubri mansion, where their new lives seeking Golconda, healing the damned, and quieting the Beast could begin.

For individuals who were in the third pile... there would be no invitation. But Zeresh would seek them out personally. [OOCly, as these sorts of embracing's are meant to be very rare -- if you have someone dark and twisted you wish to redeem as a Salubri, please DM me so we can do this in an RP! Again, this should be rare, and once turned, there's no real way out. So please don't do it just for kicks -- even if you DM me it's not a guarantee Zeresh will do it, for these represent the greatest risk.]  

[Uta]

Clan Information:

The Salubri are seen as murderers and soul stealers by the rest of the clans. Nothing could be further from the truth. When the Tremere were first founded, they sought out Saulot, the founder of Clan Salubri and the first vampire to attain Golconda, and diablorized him for his power. Since that day the Tremere have hunted and killed all but a few of the former clan, and proceded to spread rumors condemning the Salubri to the life of prey in the vampiric world. Because of this they persue Golconda in remote locations away from Kindred and Kine alike.

The once mighty Salubri Clan is considered barely a bloodline after the diablerie of their progenitor, Saulot. Their general few numbers grant credibility to the rumors that they are only composed of seven vampires at any time, and that these modern Salubri are fully committed to the search for Golconda – enacting a bloody ritual when they achieve that state or despair of ever doing so. They are divided into three branches: the Healers, the Warriors and the Watchers, and each of those branches has their own specific vampiric weakness.

There are not enough of them to have a culture. What little there is has mostly focused around Golconda lore. Salubri believe that vampiric existence is torment from which Golconda or death is the only escape. Consequently, the modern Salubri would Embrace, teach a childe the basics of the route, leave clues for the childe to follow to achieve Golconda, and then have their childe diablerize them.

For more information, see the Clan Vampires List and the White Wolf Wiki (though keep in mind that not everything in White Wolf canon is Faekats canon!)  

[Uta]

Rules

1. To join this embracing thread, please fill out the form in its entirety.
   
2. Only those who match the above requirements to be a Salubri will be accepted and embraced in this thread. Please note, this thread is meant for those who are healers, doctors, caretakers, gentle souls full of compassion, knights and warriors who are pure, good, and true, etc. Those who wicked and twisted will need to DM me if you want to see if Zeresh will embrace them, and it must be through RP!
   
3. Zeresh would have done plenty of research and study, in secret, regarding your character in question. She will know much about them even before the retreat -- seeing how they act around her, and others, over three days will either cinch her decision, or have their names removed from the pile.
   
4. Each RP will be treated as a 1 on 1 RP, no matter how many applicants are in this thread.
   
5. Please do not include any OOC remarks. The aim is to get to know your character in a natural way.
   
6. VERY importantly, do not have a character apply who has a mate or close family, as this could be a danger to maintaining the Masquerade.
   
7. Lastly, it is possible Zeresh might not embrace those that you enter. There are no guarantees here! If you enter multiple characters, I could embrace them all, I cold embrace none, or I could embrace only a select few of them.
   

[center][b][u]Welcome to Eternal Night Retreats:[/u][/b][/center]
[img]cert here[/img]
[b]Hello, My Name Is:[/b] What's your fae's name?
[b]What Interested Your Kat in This Retreat?[/b] Why did your Kat decide to join the retreat?
[u][b]What's Your Kat Like:[/b][/u] What's their personality like? What do they do? Why would Zeresh have taken an interest in your Kat particularly?
[u][b]Why Are You Interested in Having Them In the Salubri Clan?[/b][/u] Why does this kat fi in with Salubri or why you want them in there?
[u][b]RP Response -- How Are We Doing?: How Is Your Kat Enjoying the Retreat So Far:[/b][/u] Are they eager to return home or wishing to stay? What are they getting out of it? What panels did they attend or things did they do? Write a short little blurb to show us a bit of your fae. [i]Completely optional[/i] but might help a higher up to select your fae for turning.

 

[Uta]

The Embraced: Fledgling Salubri - Welcome!

• Erilynne (DaisyMilk)
  
  

 

[Uta]

It would be after the closing ceremonies that Erilynne would be approached by a blond-haired woman, with a sky-blue coat, and deep blue eyes. "Might you join me in a final, private meditation?" She did not go into detail, waiting to see whether the other would take her up on the offer.

So it was, upon agreement, she would lead the Fae to a private room. Candles would be lit, soft music would be playing, and the overall vibe would be one of peace. Exactly what would happen in that room was only for Zeresh and Erilynne to know -- but by the time both re-appeared, the Salubri would find a new fledgling in their ranks.

DaisyMilk

Welcome to Salubri!

I kept the embracing a little vague. Zeresh could have changed her during the session, with her eyes closed, deep in meditation. On the other hand, if she felt comfortable, she might try to offer her a new trial, so to speak -- a different path. She would not break the Masquerade, or even allude to vampirism, but she definitely would warn her that this path would be life changing -- there were pitfalls, dangers, but the need was genuine.

So up to you... either way, she is now under Zeresh's care! Please don't hesitate to ping me if you want to RP. Zeresh is a bit like a mother hen to her childer, and other Elder's fledglings -- so she's available anytime Erilynne might need (within reason).

 

[Uta]

The innocent fae before her seemed eager, ready and willing to do what they must. It was these moments, when the Beast within stirred most strongly, knowing what would soon happen, that Zeresh felt the most shame. But there was no other way about it. The Salubri had always been small in number, and the Tremere had all but ensured their eradication.

"Once we begin, there is no going back," she warned, her voice grave. There was also the undertone of something ominous. Not a threat, per say, but of dire warning. Zeresh had to be sure that Erilynne knew that there would be no way out once they began.

"If this is what you want, close your eyes. Rest," she spoke, reaching over to ring a bell. She let the sound wash over the room, over Erilynne, over herself -- the noise was often associated with meditation, with mindfulness. For Zeresh, it was the beginning of the end for this mortal... but also the start of something new. Change was in everything -- no two breaths were the same.

"Inhale..." she instructed, moving behind the other. "Exhale..." She wanted the other to truly relax, and to perhaps savor the last breaths she would ever take.

"Inhale..." She spoke again, the beast stirring like a predator within her, pacing, fangs bared at the understanding of what they would now do. This was no ordinary feeding. This was something bigger. This childer would be hers to mold, to craft, to ensure the Salubri stock might grow strong -- and another to, perhaps, one day, seek and find Golconda.

Before she instructed Erilynne to exhale, Zeresh leaned forward and sank in her fangs. She wrapped her arms, strangely powerful, around the other -- but she did her best not to harm. She drank until Erilynne went limp in her arms, and drank further still. The beast wanted her to consume, to finish, to drink every last drop of the liquid vitae -- but Zeresh had a purpose. She would not lose this fight, though it took all her willpower, all her being to stop just before the Fae ceased to exist completely. She hastily licked close the wound, before moving on to the next task -- and time was of the essence.

Hurriedly, she bit her wrist, and put it against the others lips. "Drink," she commanded, words soft, as if she might be tending a sick child. And was that not exactly what she was doing? "Drink, and be at peace, child," she assured.

Guilt gripped Zeresh -- and she savored the feeling. She was a monster, as much a beast as the one she had now given Erilynne. But numbers were needed -- the Salubri could not, would not, survive without them. "Welcome, fledgling. Welcome to the start of a new path."

DaisyMilk

 

[Uta]

Zeresh watched as the young one drank, completing the blood ritual that would change her path forever. As she had told her, there was no going back from this, and the Elder almost felt sorry for what she had done. She felt the bristling beast within her, felt its feral pacing, the scent of blood teasing its senses. But Zeresh was an old hand at keeping herself in control...

Just as she had not lost herself to the beast, so she would do all that she could that Erilynne was the same.

She was hers now, just as all her childer were. They might grow, might leave her care to find their own paths, to see Golconda on their own... but Zeresh knew each of their names, and held them close to her undead heart. She'd never had children her own ... but she had childer. Some vampires turned them away, or would watch them struggle and fail, as if it were simply some diversion or pastime to while away their days with. The life of a vampire was not easy... but Zeresh was here.

She stroked the others hair, almost maternally, before she slowly loosened her grip. She didn't want the other to panic, or start flailing or shrieking. Reaching up, she reached up and removed the pink scarf that she'd worn across her forehead all weekend, and seeimginly never took off. A blue third eye opened and gazed down at the other.

"The path you walk is one I began many, many, moons ago," she explained. "It will change you, physically, emotionally, spiritually... but there can be great reward." She paused for a moment, letting it all sink in, before adding, "There is great danger, as well." That the fledgling could well succumb by a rogue hunter, a werewolf, some other creature-of-the-night, or even by other vampires as well. Hopefully, that would not be this one's fate.

"There is much to learn, much to teach you, and much for you to understand. For now though, I suggest you stay here and rest. Your body will change, the sun is now a death sentence, and you will need feed on the blood, or as we call it, vitae of fellow fae... But rest now. Meditate. For all that has and will change, your purpose will remain the same. There is darkness and light, but light can still be found in shadow. No matter how the beast might rage within, conquer it, fight it. Don't forget yourself, no matter how dark the night gets."

Zeresh's words were as much an assurance as they were warning.

DaisyMilk