Ordeal of Orhai-Cia

This ordeal is undertaken by members of the Order of the Children of the Blind Serpent. It is a long and sometimes painful ritualized process that can take over 10 years.

At the end of the ordeal, a priest will be completely blind, but have extraordinary enhanced senses and developed a form of echolocation. They will have Blindsight.

History

This tradition was developed by the founder of the Order of the Children of the Blind Serpent Paneen the far sighted around 25BT.

Execution

An acolyte must have served at the shrine for at least five years and fifteen summers or older. They must demonstrate that they have memorized the Order's oral histories and lore and recite them exactly. Then they begin a long-involved tradition which is made up of four sacraments.

Noalon - Sacraments of the blinding

The ritual begins by progressively wearing a blindfold for longer periods during the day, learning to heighten his other senses. He learns to make clicking sounds identifying the position of objects by how long it takes for the sound to reflect and return. After a few months, they wear the blindfold at all times, never taking it off until the final sacrament.

Orcyna - Sacraments of the tasting

After a year or more, their senses have heightened considerably, but that is not enough. They start imbibing a concoction mixture called the Necta of the Serpent. The dosage over several years is increased until the priest has gained tolerance. The Necta sharpens the senses further and opens parts of the mind, usually shut. Small doses are required periodically for the rest of the priest's life; otherwise, they will suffer terrible migraines.

Hiakor - Sacraments of the hearing

The next three to six years are spent in deep meditation, reciting prayers, using rituals and spells to improve their senses. Priests claim to perceive mystical energy fields and occasionally have telepathic contact with random Ivashu, divine entities of questionable origin, and occasionally the god Ilivir himself. During this period, they may be told great secrets and learn hidden knowledge.

Orhai-lina - Sacrament of the shedding

The last stage of the ordeal is this painful ceremony. On a clear morning on any holy day significant to Ilvir, the priest recites the final prayers, removes his blindfold for the first time in years, and looks directly at the sun rising in the direction of Araka-Kalai. His eyesight is forever burnt away, and instead, he has a range of heighten senses and a form of echolocation.

Only about half the priests survive this Ordeal. Some die from accidentally falling down cliffs, some from over-dosing on Necta of the Serpent, and others kill themselves after voices in their head tell them secrets they cannot cope with.

During this ordeal priests, they rarely leave the Shrine.

Components and tools

Necta of the Serpent

This concoction is known only to the members of the order.
Ingredients include diluted venom of the Silver Rock Adder, and various local mushrooms and plants.

Ilvir Blind by Attacus

Other Articles

Ordeal of Orhai-Cia - D&D 5E Notes

Ilivir
Major Ivirian holy Sites

Primary Related Location

Hefiosa Hills