The Grand Chamber of the Taldryan Citadel was almost always unlocked, free to access by Taldryan’s members so that they could see the fine artwork and detailing of precious artifacts within. Beyond that, the chamber served the Clan’s gatherings and most important ceremonies: The enthronement of the Consul, ceremonies for various sacrificial awards, and even “state” funerals provided to the most revered of Taldryan members. Although Taldryan’s historic stores and artifacts had been destroyed during the great purge of the Kr’Tal System by one of their own, Grand Master Jac Cotelin, Taldryan had begun to amass anew, and the collection had been ordered on display by her former superior Rian Taldrya. Yet this time, the doors were sealed shut from the inside.

“Why the hell is this door locked?”

Erinyes was somewhat irritated at the hindrance on her entry to the chamber. She had been summoned to the chamber by way of a small and archaic scroll, signed only with the symbolic claw, crescent, and star that formed the Taldryan logo. As Consul, she lacked a concrete reason as to why such a message had been sent to her without her knowledge of the true sender’s identity. Erinyes was garbed in her simple yet effective attire, suitable for combat, with her own armorweave cloak bearing Taldryan’s crest emblazoned across the back. Glamor and Grace both hung from her wrist via two quick release wrist slings, with her traditional Taldryan-esque Bryar In Memoriu_ - which paid homage to a former friend and Taldryan Consul, Shadow Taldrya - strapped firmly to her side via a simplistic holster sewn out of the finest materials available to the craftsman who had created it for her.

Erinyes attempted to search the room with her mind, but found she was unable to break through the protective barrier in the Force surrounding it’s walls. The scarlet-haired Zeltron then attempted to force open the doors using her abilities in telekinesis, but the Elder found she was equally powerless against whatever forces were holding the door shut. She stood there momentarily, tapping her feet as she devised a way into the chamber.

Someone called me here, and I intend to find out who, she mused internally. The Consul of Taldryan was not so easily deterred by something as simple as a door. Yet try as she might through several endeavours, including the amplification of her physical abilities, it seemed like nothing short of the superheated plasma blade of a lightsaber was going to allow her entry into the chamber. The Zeltron had nearly given up and was prepared to activate Grace when one of the fine wooden doors, similarly engraved with the emblem of Taldryan, creaked open ever so slightly.

Quirking a brow in suspicion, the Adept put her hand on the door and pushed forward with little hesitation. She cared not if danger lay within the chamber, her determination taking over like wildfire; for she was prepared for whatever was there. As the door slowly swung open with a gentle push, it revealed little of the chamber to her azure eyes for the darkness encapsulated most of the room. Several torches lit in intervals down the expansive length of the two hundred meter-long chamber, illuminating little around them as they led a path through the chamber.

Erinyes followed the torches, which ended at the cusp of the lengthy room. By this time, she had drawn both lightsabers from her hips and was prepared to activate them at a moment’s notice, all while scanning the room both visually and throughout the Force for any threats. She could not detect any other presence, the room clouded in her mind’s eye. The female Marauder was intensely aware that whatever may be happening, it may be a trap. An overwhelming presence pushed against her consciousness.

“Who goes there?” sounded a vaguely familiar voice. Erinyes tried, but she couldn’t place it.

“Seraine Ténama, known as Erinyes, Consul of this clan!” she responded forcefully. There was silence for another moment, before a different voice - coming from a different direction - sounded and posed to her a new question.

“And which Clan do you truly serve, Consul Ténama?” the secondary voice boomed, nearly echoing throughout the chamber.

“I serve Clan Taldryan,” she replied.

Another question was poised to her through a different voice, this time making her heart pound below her breast as her thoughts consumed her, “To which clan would you sacrifice everything for?”

“Clan Taldryan!” she responded with her own voice booming throughout the relatively empty chamber behind her. Without warning, a veil of darkness lifted itself from the end of the chamber, revealing several hooded figures, each bearing a specialized ring on one finger of their choice that surrounded her body. Only the center one directly before her appeared as a hologram. She was unable to make out their identities, but they soon revealed themselves to her anyways.

Standing at the forefront and middle of the circle surrounding Clan Taldryan’s Consul, in a projected image of blue-hue was none other than the visage of Telaris Cantor, Grand Master. Once he had removed his hood, the rest of the figures followed. Surrounding Erinyes was Benevolent Taldrya Whiner, Howlader Taldrya, Raistline Majere Taldrya, Justinios Drake, Rian Taldrya, and the armored form of her own Proconsul, Zxyl Venzos Taldrya. Though he stood there not in physical form, the Consul was almost certain she felt the presence of another who recently passed into the void; Vodo Biask Taldrya.

As custom, the most powerful of the group, Telaris Cantor, was the first to speak, “We welcome you, Seraine Ténama. You are summoned here to be inducted into the rolls of the Sons and Daughters of Taldryan. Kneel.”

She did so, waves of emotion thrashing inside her soul. In this very moment she wished she could take a swig from her flask to calm her nerves, but now was not the time.

Zxyl reiterated the same phrase Rian had bestowed upon him during his own naming, the one and only time the Mandalorian had ever removed his helmet for another being - the very act of which had been hidden from anyone not inside the chamber, “You are to become our sister. Among the Taldrya there are no secrets, no betrayals. Only unwavering loyalty to Taldryan.”

The holographic image of the Grand Master nodded in the newest member’s agreement, continuing on, “To be a Taldrya is to accept ownership of the Clan. It is not the ownership of one who possesses a thing and enjoys the use of it, but rather that of one who understands and accepts the responsibility for its health, its well-being, safety, upkeep, and success. To take the Clan name is to stand as an exemplar to the entire Brotherhood what it means to be a Taldryanite. Your victories and your failures will be Taldryan’s but so too will Taldryan’s victories and failures be yours. Do you understand?”

Erinyes nodded, “I do, my lord.”

It was only a singular moment before Telaris motioned Erinyes to her feet, “Then rise, sister, as a Daughter of Taldryan. The remaining Taldrya gathered intoned at once, “Welcome, sister.”

The armored Mandalorian stepped forth, the Proconsul approaching the Consul with zero apprehension. He extended a closed fist towards the Zeltron, motioning for her to open her hand to his. She did so, and a moment later a cool silver object dropped into her open palm. Rolling it from her palm into her thumb and index finger, Erinyes inspected the item. It was a ring with a solid band, curving upwards into a flat and smooth circle. The ring was inlaid with a mirror-polished jet black stone and gems of purple, red, and blue colors bearing the crest of Clan Taldryan. She stared at it and the Crescent, Star, and Claw stared back at her.

It was only a moment later that the band adorned her hand, like her fellow brothers.

--

On this day, August 07th, 2020, it brings me immense joy to announce the naming of our newest Scion of Taldryan, via overwhelming consent of the Taldrya that have gathered so-forth. Erinyes has over the last year sacrificed much for our clan, leading us first as Proconsul and then Consul, and then was the main unifying and driving force behind our fourth place finish in this most recent Great Jedi War- Taldryan’s best position in the results in many years. It is without a doubt that due to her own personal efforts not just as a contestant in this event, but a leader, that we succeeded and ended up where we did; more than doubling our points from the last vendetta just nine months ago, and proving to the rest of the Brotherhood that Taldryan is not dead but in a major resurgence.

She has fostered new growth in our Clan, taking the reins and ensuring that the buck stops with her on any of the Clan’s follies. To take the Taldrya name is not an honor that confers privilege but rather responsibility. We hold ourselves to an exceptionally high standard, embodying the best of the Clan and its values. From this time forth she will find herself busied with the affairs and well-being of Taldryan, whether a leader or not. She will advise its summits, will guide its members, and continue at all times to represent the Clan to whom she has dedicated so much of herself, both with integrity and honor. I could not be happier to have Erinyes inducted within our ranks, which I myself joined such a short time ago.

On behalf of all the named Sons and Daughters of Taldryan, we welcome you within our ranks. Congratulations, Erinyes.

Zxyl Taldrya
Son and Proconsul of Clan Taldryan
Praetor to the Regent