Excert from a found diary

By Senmonious of the Order of St. Uriel

Where did my life begin before the order? I can hardly remember it.
Now it does not seem to matter, my life has been the order. It was that way with everyone who entered. Ah, but the initiation, I remember that! Who could ever forget that? It seems like yesterday.

“Daren of Farmington, are ye able?” the old priest asked.
“Yes, reverend father, I am able,” I replied.
Reverend Father Daugherty looked at young Daren; a good deal of concern etched his craggy face. “You are sure?” He asked gently, quietly.
“Yes, father,” I replied.
“After the ceremony there is no going back, you understand this?” He stated.
Daren nodded. Reverend Father Daugherty sighed deeply.
“As you will then,” he answered.

“Tonight at the stroke of midnight you will be admitted into the order of St. Uriel. You realize that all who are members of the order pass through the initiation, none are exempted for any reason. It is an ordeal and it is not pleasant; it is life changing and life giving. You realize that when the time comes you must place your total trust in the order-no matter what?”

“Yes, Reverend Father Daugherty,” I replied.
“I suggest prayer then, and good nights sleep if you can manage it.”
“Is it difficult,” Reverend Father?
“It depends how you look at it,” he replied.
“Can you give me a hint of how to prepare?” I asked.
“No,” the old priest said flatly.
“It is forbidden to speak of it,” he added.
“Why,” I asked.

The old priest rose to leave my small bed chamber. He turned around and focused his gaze on a young man who had no idea of what was going to happen to him in a few short hours.

“Are ye able,” the old priest questioned again.
“Yes,” I answered.
“I guess we will see, wont we,” the old priest answered. He left quietly shutting the door behind him.

I never remembered being exempted from chores. I was brought a hearty meal and wine. I was not able to pray, I was too excited. I was not able to sleep either, but something in the Reverend Fathers visit convinced me to try to rest.

At midnight, a quiet knock came at my door. I answered it. A priest that I did not know broughtme a hooded black robe.

“Put this on and take everything else off.” He said.
“Daren of Farmington, Are ye able?” the priest asked.
“Yes,” I replied becoming a little agitated with the same question being asked over and over again.
“When you are ready open the door and come out.” He said.

The priest stepped out of his bed chamber. I quickly undressed and donned his robe and slipped on my sandals, and took a deep breath and opened the door.

The priest looked at me and spoke, “take off your sandals.”
“Why,” I protested.” The stone floors are cold.
“You were not born into this life with sandals nor will you be born into the order this way, leave them.” The priest commanded.

I slipped my sandals off and put them into my sleeping chamber and closed the door, probably too forcefully.

The priest led him into the ceremonial chamber. It was dark, lit by only a single candle. There were very many robed figures standing there, black shapes barely outlined by the light.

“Go up to the dais alter,” the priest commanded.

I walked up to the alter and was stopped by Bregen the head of the order.

“Daren of Farmington, you have stated that you wish to join the order of St. Uriel and are able to keep this trust even unto death.”
“Yes,” I said.
“Very well then, are ye able to offer your life as a sacrifice to the order?” Master Bregen replied.
“Yes,” I replied wondering what was about to happen to me.
“Take off your robe and lay upon the alter then,” Bregen commanded.
I did as he was told.

“As you know St. Uriel is the Angel of Death, true death; we of his order seek out those who seek to upset the proscribed order by entering into un-death. We are his soldiers here on earth whether Priest, Paladin, Invoker, or Avenger. All who enter Uriel’s service must understand death and what it is to die. You have said that you are able, Are ye?”
“Yes,” I whispered.
“Then Daren of Farmington, die to this life and rise to be reborn into St. Uriel’s order.”

With the proclamation completed, Bregen swept out a large ceremonial dagger and plunged it into my heart. I died instantly.

Bregen started an invocation, “St. Uriel angel of Death, we beseech you to bring our new brother into new life. By your power raise him that he might live to serve you and your order.”


I awoke the next morning with a sharp pain in my chest with a large scar over my heart. Was it a dream? I found that answer in the next second when a disgustingly cheerful priest stood over me smiling and asked “rough night?”

I glared at the young priest and said “yeah, I thought I died.”

Celec the young priest said, “well welcome to the club. Ever get tired of the “Are ye able question?”

I answered smiling “only after the fifth time they asked it.”

“Well you better dress; when you are able you have to go off to training,“ Celec said.

“Training for what,” Daren asked?

“Why, your job in the order,” Celec replied.

“What jobs are there,” Daren replied.

“Priest (for the most devout like myself Celec said bowing his head in mock piety), Paladin for the most holy, Invoker for those who feel the call of the great Angel directly, and Avenger for those who want to seek out the great mysteries of our faith,” Celec answered.

“Which will I be,” Daren asked.

“Don’t know and it’s not up to me.” Celec replied.“ But if I would guess, I think it’s more about you,’’ he added. “I think It’s is up to the heads of the order,” he said thoughtfully, “ah, breakfast!” Celec added.

It was the first breakfast ever that I remembered sitting down to breakfast and being served. After a hearty meal, Daren was summoned to Revered Father Daugherty’s office.

“Daren, ye are able,” He said smiling.

“Yes, revered father,” I replied.

“Welcome to the service of the Great Angel, may his favor smile upon you,” The old priest added.

You are to be given a new name-seeing that you are of Deva heritage, I thought of a Deva name for you. From now on you shall be known as Semonius, and I shall have you assigned to a quatrane.

“A quatrane, Reverend Father?” What is a quatrane? Semonius asked.

“It is your new family.” You shall join Balasar, Theren, and Tolbold-the leader of your quatrane. You Semonius shall be their new Avenger, after you are trained of course.