the Gleaming
the Gleaming 25
Somewhere within the True Realm of Shadow . . . hidden carelessly by time at the Spine of Flux . . . . in this first Fertile Cradle of Civilization and the success of Will, is the secret to the Gleaming.
Ancient beyond surviving history. Older than the earliest concept of survival. Gather up your courage, you have passed the Empress' review and are permitted to attempt the Gleaming. Let us now go deep within the archeological foundations beneath the Imperial Palace of Darrheabarr . . . down through ancient stone, carefully exposed by tenacious scholars . . . past Imperial sentries . . . an elaborate labyrinth is what we shall enter into . . . somewhere within lies a Well of Darkest Night.
A window into The Night that preceded Will. The Night that was all before Sentience.
Be ushered there by one who Knows the Gleaming.
Stand at the edge of the Well. Watch the torches flutter toward the deep Dark, but there is no draft. Likewise, note the burning sparks of shielded lanterns lean to that pool of Night. And you, yourself, can feel the universe within the rough-hewn walls tilting toward the Darkness.
The walls here are the silent testimony of the first ancestors to huddle about the Well. Now they are discovered once again.
Move closer. Stand at the very Edge of Night.
For this is your quest, your next step to power. Here you will step from the Edge into the Well of Night and attempt to find the Gleaming.
You will be accounted one of great courage, even if you never return from the Well.
Do you prefer to step? Leap? Dive? Or go home and forget the fathomless Night?
When raised, the Gleaming appears as a flickering eerie light, never quite silver, never quite gold, which can be seen by sorcerers, sensitives, psychics, and the fey.
The Gleaming may join with the initiate in any of five ways. The manner is always determined by the attempt of the Initiate to find the Gleaming within the Well of Night.
Some manifestations of attunement are more common than others. They may be referred to loosely, in common vernacular, as Nimbus, Hands, Mask, Corona, and Eye. They are all of a single power source, despite appearance.
Most common is the Gleaming Nimbus. Those who find the Gleaming at the last. This covers the initiate's body completely with light.
Common is the Gleaming Hands. Those who find the Gleaming at the first. This covers the initiate's hands and forearms with light.
Rare is the Gleaming Mask. Those who find the Gleaming as they close. This covers the initiate's head completely with light.
Most rare is the Gleaming Corona. Those who find the Gleaming as they begin. This covers the initiate's upper head like a crown of light.
None living in modern times have the Gleaming Eye. Those who are found by the Gleaming. This appears at the initiate's forehead, slightly above the bridge of the nose. A point of light about the size of the smallest fingernail.
Be honored. You are now a worker of wonders. You have won the Gleaming.
Apply the Gleaming to the tasks of your life, and for the Honor of the Empire.
With the Gleaming as your ally, you will find that you may more safely cross the dangers of Reality, longer persevere in deadly environments, attempt to increase your might, and weather terrible energies.
You may illuminate Shadow eddies, spot strange intrusions and powers, and sharpen your successes.
You may push your personal resources to their limits and beyond.
You may add your power to things and other persons, to the duration of your concentration.
Hail the Gleaming. Hail the most Excellent Lora, Empress of the True Realm.
The sixth manifestation of the Gleaming. Always feared and shunned.
Cursed Gleaming 13
The Well of Darkest Night.
Some never return from the Well. Within the primal Night, there is no natural environment to sustain the initiate. Death is the result of prolonged exposure. Those who wait for the initiate to return from seeking the Gleaming need not wait long. . . . for the Well is without heat or light or air.
The longest exposure recorded is five minutes. That initiate lost both ears, some hearing, and two fingers of the left hand . . . . but success was the result.
Those who do not return are honored highly and their names are included on the roster of the Gleaming Initiates.
Of the Lost, One in a thousand comes back with the Curse.
Hours . . . days . . . weeks later, they claw their way out of the Well. Impossibly, they have survived Death.
They bring back with them the Gleaming of the Lost, the Cursed Gleaming. Dark spidery traces rush about their forms when the Cursed Gleaming is raised.
Their facial expressions stilled, they are leeched of color. Their bodies eaten, burned, and disfigured, they heal poorly. Their minds, trapped in an isolated nightmare, they never succumb to terror. Their movements darting and unnatural, they feel no pain.
Legend has it that they are then immortal. If so, then so is their suffering.
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