squiring ♔ the greatest way to live with honor in this world is to be what we pretend to be

[wynn]

♬ Troy - James Horner

WHO || Wynn, Kate Beckett, Annabeth Chase, Soo-Jin Song, current Knights attending the ceremony
WHAT || December Squiring Ceremony
WHERE || Knights Headquarters, the Great Hall
WHEN || December 1st, 2013, 6:00PM
HOW || Actionspam

The impressively large Great Hall of the castle could easily pass as a royal throne room, with its length and the red carpet leading up to a set of steps. However, there is no throne set at the top of them, and the Hall is wide enough to accommodate hundreds of Knights. And indeed, several hundred Knights stand in ranks on either side of the wide stretch of red, each wearing the traditional set of ceremonial armor in their possession.

The new squires are fitted to their armor after meeting with Wynn, and it's traditional for each to appear for the first time before the Knighthood wearing it. Each new member is assured that only a very small number of the Knights make use of their armor for other circumstances, but it does create an intimidating sense of unity as they stand shoulder to shoulder in rank and file to receive their newest pledges.

The squires are ushered in together, with a flair of orchestral music that fills the hall with as much pomp as possible. It's a lot like that last scene in A New Hope. Yeah, you thought I was going to get through an entire post being all serious, didn't you.

At the top of the steps, Wynn waits, wearing a sword on his belt that canny eyes† might recognize as familiar.

It's one hell of a long walk past all those staring, curious eyes. Luckily, it's a long musical number.

For additional dice rolling fun (optional):

† Roll or randomize a d20. Those who roll a 15 or above can spot the sword for being the exact same sword that was suspended in the statue above the Round Table, when they met with Wynn in the Prologue.
† Roll a d20 dexterity check. If your character rolls a 2 or 3, at some point during their walk they're bound to stumble. A critical fail will lead to an epic faceplant ... or worse.

Comments

The Walk

[wynn]

[Optionally play out your character's WALK OF DESTINY down the red carpet, and people in the crowd can judge them / encourage them / gawk ]

[windsical]

[Soo-Jin’s walk down the red carpet is awkward and stiff as hell. Hey, she’s 90 lbs soaking wet with strength to match. This armor’s a cumbersome bitch, okay? (dex 7)

Nevertheless, her face radiates pure joy. While outwardly Soo-Jin is trundling along, inside she’s floating on cloud nine. This is clearly the awesomest thing that has ever happen to her! She’d pump her fist at y’all, but it’s kinda hard to move her arms while dressed in this stuff.

Now, given that Soo-Jin’s emotional state is higher than a kid full of sugary cereal on a Saturday morning, the winds that swirl around her have picked up a fair bit, as they are wont to do. A rush of air will blow around the loose hair of anyone near Soo-Jin like a wind machine at a modeling shoot. Work it if ya got it, girls!]

[killmypatience]

[Kate's walk is smooth and practiced, like she was born to do it (dex 20 total). She's (fairly) certain she's never worn armor before, but odds are, she's probably been practicing to make sure that she doesn't fall flat on her face. She's smart that way.

As she walks in, she catches sight of the sword (spot 15), and she isn't sure if she should be comforted or not by the fact that it's not just for show. All the same, she keeps walking, eyes focused dead ahead and taking this as seriously as she should.]

The Ceremony

[wynn]

[ When they have arrived at the far end of the carpet and stand before him beside each other, Wynn addresses both would-be squires solemnly by name. ]

Annabeth Chase. Kate Beckett. Soo-Jin Song.

Kneel. And repeat this oath.

The Pledge

[wynn]

[Each line is spoken separately as a call and respond.]

"I swear to defend the Knighthood."

"I swear that I shall protect all weaknesses and shall constitute myself the defender of them."

"I shall not recoil before mine Enemy."

"I shall make war against injustice, without cessation and without mercy."

"I shall never lie, and shall remain faithful to my pledged word."

"I shall be generous, and listen to and respect all."

[And finally, in ringing tones:]

"I shall be everywhere and always the champion of the right and the good against injustice and evil."

[optional rolling; roll a D20 Wisdom check in order to see if your Knight can remember the phrases properly or not so much.]

[windsical]

[Got a 14 on her wisdom check. Eh, not bad. Soo-Jin starts out strong, getting her lines right or close enough. Unfortunately, the longer it goes on, the duller this whole thing becomes for her. So, she punches up the wording, adding some much needed ~*pizzazz*~ to the pledge.]

[killmypatience]

[Her face is serious as she does her best to remember all the words, most of her focus is on the oath. It's not perfect, but still pretty adequate (wisdom 12). She's not good with public speaking, really.

But she still manages to get through it all the same.]

Dubbing

[wynn]

[With a beautiful sching noise, Wynn draws the oh so shiny sword from its sheath. One by one he lays the flat of the blade upon the squires' right shoulder, then raises it gently above their head to place it upon their left. When he is finished with each of them in turn, he returns to his place at the top of the steps, and announces:]

You may rise: Sir Annabeth Chase. Sir Kate Beckett. Sir Soo-Jin Song.

[The moment the squires begin to rise, the entire hall bursts into a frenzy of cheers, applause, hoots and hollering that's practically deafening. It quiets a bit when Wynn speaks again.]

We ask you to join us tonight in celebration of our newest members in the ballroom.

[windsical]

[Soo-jin pretty much falls into a kneeling position for her dubbing. (dex 1) Yet, somehow, she gets up like a mother-loving champion. (dex 17!) Triumphant, she lets out a happy whoop right before the crowd explodes into cheering. Best. Day. EVER!!!]

[killmypatience]

[Kate stands once she's given a the cue to (dex 13), doing her best to remain professional. She won't deny that there's a bit of a thrill in being knighted like you always hear about in the stories, but this is time for her business face (will save 24). Geeking out can happen later.

But she is more than ready to get out of this armor. Point her in the direction of the changing room.]

The Peanut Gallery

[wynn]

[ALL THE GOSSIP. Anyone in the crowd can make threads here to talk amongst yourselves.]