Perhaps some of you recall the night, less than a moon ago, when Spike, the great War Rat, walked our fair streets once again. We were all excited when we saw him, although none quite so much as Lady Seckara Danceonstones, priestess and patron of all ratkind.
This is the true story of Seckara and the Rat Revolution.
Seckara's story began when she was but newly arrived in Wehnimer's and still stalking the sewers for rats to slay, as was the way of many in their first days. This was where Seckara first encountered Spike, three times the size of an elf, stooping as he walked the sewers collecting the young around him to hear his tale. Seckara sat rapt, listening to Spike, and vowed silently to never harm another rat, so entranced was she by this heroic rodent.
Years later, Seckara was awakened from her slumber by a most agonizing nightmare… something was terribly wrong in Elanthia! She then learned that Spike had been murdered! It was beyond comprehension who could ever kill this gallant rat, this rat who could stun Lord Thalior with a glance, who helped save the Landing and recover the Griffin sword…. Seckara was devastated. Weeping upon his freshly dug grave, she knew her life would never be the same again.
Words cannot describe the change that happened inside Seckara's heart in those terribly bleak days. Suffice it to say, she dreamed of Spike; she breathed in life from the sewers; and she counted her children among the thousands of rat folks scurrying about under the town's very streets. She became obsessed, frenetic in her very need to spread the word, to enlist every soul in Wehnimer's into the salvation of the rodents… the Great Cause…for Spike! For Spike's kin!
Seckara began blessing swords in the name of rat folk and more conspicuously to resurrect the dead only after they took the Sacred Vow to never again harm any rodent as long as they lived. Seckara gathered a following in her nights spent converting people in the sewers. Countless numbers of citizens have taken the Sacred Vow and the movement grows stronger with each passing day.
This movement is not unfounded… No! Many have witnessed the miracles that accompany Seckara when she preaches in the sewers. One night, as usual for her, Seckara was in the sewers praying with a small band of new converts when her preaching took on a hysterical quality.
"Come rats, we fight with ya! RISE! TO VICTORY!"
The young converts trembled as red eyes appeared from the darkness of the tunnels… watching them. The ground began to tremble violently, all were thrown to the ground. Seckara was delirious in her religious ecstasy…
"YES! ONWARD! AYE! Knock us down! Spill the blood o' them tha' have killed yas fer so long!"
More beady red eyes appeared from the shadows and suddenly an army of rats. Hundreds of rats came running from the darkness, scattering into the sewers! Seckara was in a frenzy, nearly choking herself in her excitement.
"FIGHT! FIGHT RODENTS!"
The wave of rats seemed never ending. The converts knelt stunned and protected as they watched in fascination. The rats hordes were joined by swarms of shades, orcs, and kobolds released into the sewers by Seckara's rodent invocations.
People began to gather. Among them came Wehnimer's ratcatcher, vowed slayer of rats, Lord Shallowgrave. The crowd stood a fearful distance from the rat priestess who was frothing at the mouth, her eyes rolled up in her head. She caught sight of her nemesis….
"THIS IS ONE who has murdered so many o' yer number! Kill him!"
Rats continued to swarm through the crowd. Seckara screamed, her arms flailed and her skin turned white! Seckara's eyes took on a blood red hue. She was frenzied beyond what any mortal could stand. She stumbled about blindly for Shallowgrave, prepared to tear his life from him with her very hands.
Shallowgrave whirled on Seckara, his rat deathaxe held high. He pointed his crooked finger at her and muttered an incantation, The Curse of Luukos!
Suddenly, one very large set of red eyes loomed down on Seckara from the darkness. Her life was yanked from her in an instant!
Dead. The priestess of rats lay dead in the sewer stench, killed by Shallowgrave Ratcatcher's dark god.
Shallowgrave spat on Seckara's corpse and disappeared back into the shadows, undoubtedly to check his rat traps strewn about the catacombs for dead rats.
And Seckara? Well, Seckara's body was recovered by her devoted Sisters and she walks among us again today. Still preaching, continuing to spread her holy word.
"The Rodents will rise up again! Fight on! Fight on! THE REVOLUTION!"
By Mossrose Ivyleafe
The House of the Argent Aspis was the first house established in Elanthia and was founded by Ilstar, Jamel, Taarna, Delvian and Erebor. I recently met with Striict and Tanri, officers of Aspis, to get more information about this well-known house. Jorak and Mychayla, both members of Aspis, were present to offer comments as well.
As mentioned, Aspis is the oldest house in Elanthia. "The House formed around the ashes of the fallen Elven Empire and is older than anyone can quite recall," said Striict. "To give meaning, it began with Wehnimer’s when it wasn’t even Wehnimer’s at all."
When asked how the House got its name, Striict said, "Aspis is our driving force, a drake or dragon as younger folks say." According to Tanri, "Aurien (the House Chair) read an old tome by Taarna that said Aspis was a silver singing dragon." House members have adopted Aspis as their mascot and the dragon theme is found throughout the halls of the House. A large banner depicting Aspis hangs in the House’s Trophy Room and members often refer to one another as "Dragonsibs".
The House holds regular events for its members. Activities include House hunts, scavenger hunts, flirting contests, insult contests and drag races where participants drag their partners from the basement to Erebor’s room and back. With such frequent contact between members, it might be easy for friction to develop. House members are adept at leaving their personal conflicts outside the House doors, though. According to Tanri, officers have only found it necessary to become involved in a conflict once. "Both members were asked to come to a meeting of the officers only," she said. "Both accepted what was decided." Striict attributes the members’ interpersonal successes to the House’s severe waiting list. "It tends to bleed out the impatient and uncontrollable folks," he said, "so our members tend to lean toward the mature end."
Argent Aspis members don’t limit themselves to House-only events, though. As Tanri put it, "Aspis is devoted to giving aid to deserving newcomers." To further that aim, Aspis was the first house to sponsor a Newcomer Night. Striict said, "Members are often seen in the Nexus or other areas aiding the youth for no other reason but that. It’s no shock to see one of us giving needed items to another, or to a good youth.
Members of Aspis are expected to aid the youth, and not to go out of the way to treat them badly."
In fact, this devotion to assisting the youth of Elanthia has been a primary reason why many members have joined. Jorak, a long-time member of Argent Aspis, said, "I decided on Aspis because of what they mean to the young. I’ve always wanted to help people where I can." Mychayla echoed his sentiments, saying, "I jes felt it had a good cause an I could help de cause. Plus it sounded like a verra friendly place."
Despite this affection for the House and its aims, members stress tolerance for all. "We as members love our House to no end but do not feel it is above all others," said Striict. While the House has no official ties with any particular group, members may participate in anything they wish so long as that activity does not conflict with the aims of the House.
Argent Aspis is currently headed by a group of six officers. Aurien is Chair and Bloodsnake is Co-Chair. Striict serves as Treasurer with Allyria as Co-Treasurer. Thia is Secretary and Tanri is Co-Secretary. Elected members hold office for one year and all House members are invited and encouraged to participate in voting.
While there are no restrictions on membership by race, gender or profession, the process for joining the House of the Argent Aspis is complex. Prospective members must submit a letter of application to ArgntAspis@aol.com. The letter should include reasons for wanting to join the House, attempts already made to assist Elanthian youth and at least three personal references. It is not necessary for the references to be members of Aspis.
This information is forwarded to the Aspis voting committee, which consists of all six House officers and three members. The voting committee keeps names for consideration for up to three months. These three months should be used by applicants to seek out House members and ask any questions they may have concerning House matters. All members are made aware of the applicants’ names and are encouraged to give input to the voting committee regarding prospective members.
The voting committee checks applicants’ personal references during the waiting period. If an applicant receives a poor recommendation from a reference a member of the voting committee usually will contact both the reference and the applicant for more information. "There are two sides to every story and we try to hear both," Tanri said.
If the voting committee accepts an applicant, the new member is usually inducted the following Sunday. If an applicant is rejected, the individual is given the reason. Rejected applicants may apply again. According to Striict there are two things that will cause an application to be rejected immediately: Scripting for learning or silvers and consistent out of world language or behavior. "If you are not a character for yourself, then why would Aspis want you as a character for them?"
Members of Aspis can usually be found on the Hearthstone steps or upstairs at the Wayside Inn and most are happy to answer questions about their House.