>>5612238>Lost Sons of KarnKarn Jordal dies in his sleep, whether to consumption, or perhaps the dreaded Viper of sentimentality, lost in the mourning of the death of his eldest brother - the High Priest. The ensuing power struggle is quick, and bloody, as most selections of new Karns are. The priests and learned shamans close the doors to the temple and as always state to the Karn claimers gathered outside after the funeral procession ."There can only be one." And with their announcement, the day long brutality of those that seek to prove their might and take the Divine title of Karn as their own begins.
Taking the corpses of the two brothers deep within to be laid to rest with the rest of the honored dead. May Hele - the tender daughter of Volgmawos - with her pale hands and weeping tears of blood; watch over them, care for them, and guide their souls to the after life. While the able bodied and glory seeking warriors engage in their challenges, duels, and assassinations, the priests stand vigil and sing the ancient rites and prayers, long set in stone by the first Karn.
The bodies are first drained of blood, to be offered back to the Blood Emperor Trapped in the Stone - The First Karn. The crimson glow of his monolith pulses. Runes are carved across the body, detailing the men's deeds in life. Organs are removed and burned, and within the body is placed a single blade, an orange, and precious salt gathered from the sea. For the High Priest an addition is made, the corpse of a two headed serpent; a familiar of Yigg to mark his creation of the Trial. The bodies are furthermore salted, painted with ash, and wrapped in cloth. Stone brick sarcophagi are measured and laid in the dark bowels of the Temple of Karn, and the great men's names carved on the face.
When the priests are done with their work, the challenge rite is finished, and the bloodstained form of the remain claimant stands outside the temple holding the head of a beheaded enemy as an offering.
Hroth, son of Karn, was a leading blacksmith yesterday, he had been on scouting ranges before, but never quite one of the outer Raiders. Yet today he stands unbroken, unbowed, and yet to pass the final test.
The new High Priest stands tall, unflinching, and stern.
"Who are you to claim to be Karn?"
"I AM KARN HROTH, SON OF KARN! I HAVE KILLED ALL THOSE WHO HAVE STOOD IN MY PATH TO GLORY!" Belows the once-smith. The wind whips the scent of citrus past the temple.
"Who is your father, so called Karn Hroth?"
"MY FATHER IS THE BRINGER OF DEATH, THE FARMER OF BATTLEFIELDS, THE GOD OF SLAUGHTER, VOLGMAWOS!"
The High Priest nods, takes a deep breath, and belows the final riddle.
"What is best in life, so called Karn Hroth, son of Karn, Blood of the Blood God, Son of Slaughter?!"
"TO CRUSH YOUR ENEMIES, SEE THEM DRIVEN BEFORE YOU, AND HEAR THE LAMENTATIONS OF THEIR WOMEN!"
