Antagon was a young priest of Vulken, or young as Vulkenik priests go. (He was twenty eight at the time of our story, having been ordained for one year.) Antagon was a serious man, with reddish-brown hair and a bit on the tall side. He stood six feet tall in today's measurements. His features were sharp, as was his mind, and sometimes his speech. Antagon was not an evil man, but he was a determined sort. Once he made up his mind, there was little chance of changing it. He was still thinking in what we would call “black and white”in this day and age, and most of us would have described him as stoic and rigid. Antagon had a slight sense of humor, and an exaggerated sense of piety and righteousness.
The problem with the came about because Antagon became determined that mining the great vein of orichalcum was angering his God Vulken, and Vulken was taking it out on everyone by making the earth tremble all around Mount Alluveath. Antagon feared that if he didn't stop the mining, Vulken would begin working the bellows of his Forge, making molten rock, ash and hot gases fly up and shower upon all their heads. This was greatly complicated with frustration, because Antagon was Second Priest, and the First Priest, Firgane, didn't agree with Antagon at all. They had discussed this at their dinner table more than once in lively debate, but Firgane's word was last at this temple.
Firgane firmly believed that mining orichalcum was Vulken's intention, for how else could one craft the necessary implements and ritual objects necessary to properly equip new Vulkenik temples? Firgane was a jovial sort with olive skin and dark hair. He was of medium height and built like a dancer, despite his fifty years. Firgane was prone to deep meditations and vision, with a kindly yet firm manner with most everyone he met. Firgane had yet to grasp the depth of near-panic that Antagon was internalizing with each tremor of the ground and burble of hot gas or steam from the Forge.
One of the main functions of the priests of Vulken's temple and their rituals was to help keep the God of the Forge appeased, and to make certain that his blessings kept lending mejikal power to the equipment that worked the mines. Without Vulken's blessing, there would be no lights, no water, and no cutting tools operating in the Cradle. The heat from the steam vents leading down to the Forge powered all this, and even partially powered the great lung of the Cradle itself. Vulken's priests were supposed to be deeply trained to withstand the shaking and smoke caused by the Hammer striking the Forge. Firgane couldn't understand how Antagon could not realize that these tremors and smoke were a necessary part of the God's work.
What Firgane didn't know of was the graphic and vivid dream Antagon had had on the last night of Winter, at the Solstice itself. Antagon had seen the God with an angry face and red glowing eyes, swearing to strike the very Earth asunder with his hammer if his treasures were not properly respected. At the end of the dream, Vulken's eyes had become shining orbs of orichalcum, gleaming hot as Antagon awoke in dread and terror. Antagon was certain that Vulken had spoken to him, ordering him to slow the mining of red gold, and reserving it solely for use in the temples that he must build all over the world. It was this dream that Antagon related only to the Second Acolyte Merdano, his sole confidant and closest friend at the small and slightly remote temple of Alluveath.
One of the rituals performed by Vulken's followers was to observe the Forge from the rim of the caldera on a daily basis and determine Vulken's mood and manner for the day. There were many small details to pay attention to, such as the heat and steam and smoke, the way the air shimmered with heat waves, if the air had color or odor to it, and exactly how the ground moved if it did so. The ancient ritual elements and deep meditation that went with this duty were good indicators of whether Vulken would fully heat the Forge, causing a massive eruption of Mount Alluveath. This was done from a small observation seat at the end of a narrow footpath that lead to the other side of the caldera from where the temple was located.
There was only the one path to and from the seat, so going there was literally putting one's fate completely at the mercy of Vulken. Should He work the Forge with rage, there was no time to escape His wrath. The Second Acolyte must accompany the Second Priest on this daily walk of fate, and share it.
It was the Second Priest's duty and honor to perform this ritual. Should the Forge awaken in full, there was a shrill whistle carried by the Second Priest to warn the Temple. If the Second Priest were overcome before he could give warning, the Second Acolyte had a whistle also. If the Second Acolyte saw the Second Priest put whistle to lips, the Second Acolyte must immediately do the same, so that the warning wouldn't fail. The First Priest in turn would roll a massive boulder over onto a track leading down the Mount to alert the Cradle and the Temple of the Peacemaker. The rest of the Temple of Vulken's people would follow the boulder in wheeled vehicles down the track in the order of their training status in an attempt to preserve the knowledge of the Order. The Seconds could try to follow, but they were entirely at Vulken's mercy in their flight. One must wonder, despite the years of meditation and training, how exactly this daily walk and watch shaped the internal mindscapes of the Seconds.
One of the interesting powers of the Priests and Acolytes was their ability to call forth a small portion of the heat and light of Vulken's Forge Fire and bend it to their will. The more able the Priest or Acolyte, the greater portion of the Fire they could call forth. It was not uncommon to see one of them light candles at dinner, or heat water for a bath when traveling. They could set most anything flammable to burning, and light dark spaces. If you watched closely, you would see them whispering prayers to the Forge God when calling Fire. Many an Acolyte had been ordered to journey between temples for trading and passing messages, and to assist with the safety and comfort of trading vessels or caravans. A follower of Vulken was always a welcome traveling companion for those who respected the Order of Fire.
Followers were also sworn to never speak something untrue, so their word was greatly respected. They were also renowned for their silence and discretion as a result of this oath. As one might expect, this and the abilities of Fire were a great source of the Order's income and means of support. They could demand a strong price for dispatching an Acolyte along on a journey or to carry a message faithfully. The price for a Priest of Fire was even greater, but their ability and honesty were in great demand for traveling through dangerous or remote areas of the world.
When a new Second Priest and Second Acolyte were dispatched to the temple, life got much more interesting for Antagon and Merdano. Much more interesting indeed.
To be continued...
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