The Temple of Jelmine has been governed by the benevolent Desola of the Durten, who became the Chief Priestess in 1570.  At the time she was a grandmother, and since assuming the Mantle Shawl of Ernalda, has seemingly ceased to age.  As tradition has it, she has been served by served by priestesses from the other two bloodlines since her elevation, the eldest of which would take Desola’s place when she went to Ernalda.  Five times since she took up the Shawl has she elevated women into the full service of Ernalda, some of whom had ambitions thwarted by the ever constant Desola.  When any have asked her about her age, with a beatific smile she claims that it is but the manifest will of Ernalda.

In 1620, Havar Ironfist sent a cohort of troops to Jelmine to harass the tribes of the Alone Confederation and to levy taxes on the town.  The cohort’s orders were to establish a fort in the proximity of Jelmine.  This well-organized body of warriors was met with trepidation by the people of Jelmine.  Commander Jalmon, son of Pharanges, great nephew of Havar Ironfist, read the decree that the town was hence forth a protectorate of Aldu-Chur, and would pay taxes to Duke of Alduchur, and through him, to the Red Emperor.  Shouts of anger and outrage came from the clan.    The Wilaenik thanes began to form up as the people braced for what they thought would be their first fight against the Lunar Invaders they had heard so much about.  Then Desola stepped forward.

None had seen her approach from the temple, but there she was, standing between the clan and the outsiders.  She looked at the Lunar commander and said in a soft voice, “ten of the Temple’s hides shall you manage for your master; what you take from those will be the tax you seek to take.  No more will be given.”  As the commander inhaled, ready to protest, Desola pursed her lips, and her eyes narrowed.  Commander Jalmon hesitated, taking a step back.  Pointing to an adjacent face of the hill she said, “you can build what you need there, and you will defend this place and her people.  You may worship as you see fit but build no temple to your gods on this land.”  She threw a side of her shawl across her shoulder, then strode up the hill toward the temple.  The commander took two steps to follow, again inhaling to speak.  Desola turned again, “you have achieved what you wanted with no blood shed; take what is offered child and see to your people for they are hungry and tired.”  She turned and continued up the steps; the commander did not follow.

In the Durten long house, strong words and accusations flew.  Desola sat calmly while many had their say, including her second, Eselien.  As the commotion calmed down, Desola raised her hand to command silence.  “My friends, how soon you forget the stories.  How did Ernalda teach Orlanth that the Earth was not his to take?  There is always another way, that is what she teaches us.  You have heard of the deprivations of the Lunar Empire, and the Chaos that they stir in their wake.  You want to fight to teach these upstarts a lesson, but do not let rashness harm our community. These men and women may serve an Emperor in a distant land, but they have learned ways of war that we do not know.  Even the bravest of you have heard tell of the prowess of their armies and magics.  I know that you are strong and brave, even though there are those who claim that I do not,” she said with a pointed look to Eselien.  I know that you would give your life to defend this home, and there may come a time when you are called upon to do just that, but not today.  Today would have been a fool’s battle and left us at their mercy.  With what appears to be a small gift though, they have learned their place and will eventually come to me for Ernalda’s mercy.”

Looking to the chief, she continued, “you know the hides that I gave to them for their tribute; you know their worth.  Now do you see?”

The chieftain nodded.

An uneasy truce began.  The Lunar Tharsites built a small fort, which held a shrine to their foreign gods.  More merchants came to the community from Aldu-Chur, as did some people who wanted a new life.  Some struck off into the hills to build new settlements, against the advice of Desola and the elders of the village, for winter is harsh, and the proximity to Snake Pipe Hollow means the unwary often become prey.

The elder’s fears were well founded as the Great Winter came upon the land in the next year with the proclaimed deaths of Orlanth and Ernalda.  Even as the people panicked, Desola reminded the people “She is not dead, only asleep.”  Still there were some who whispered that this doom came about due to the presence of the Lunar forces.  Desola remained unmoved by the whispers and gossip.

The harvest of 1621 was poor.  It was only due to the fungi gardens of the Garlin bloodline that the people had enough food.  The great winter continued in 1622, and some of the clan became convinced that it was the presence of the Lunar Forces that had caused such sorrow.  Members of the Durten and Murval bloodlines left to join the rebel forces of the Alone Confederation, including the priestess Eselien.  When asked, Desola only said, “ambition is a sickness that darkens the world.”

The Lunar forces were is some disarray as the removal of General Fazzur Wideread was a disheartening blow to many of the troops.  They carried on with their mission, which seemed to maintain a Lunar presence in the far reaches of Tarsh and Sartar.

The year 1623 saw the migration of Uz toward the Fortress of Lead.  The people of Jelmine were forewarned of the migration by people who had fled in front of the Trolls and were prepared when raiders tried to take what little the people had.  Many battles occurred with the Uz raiders until a Troll Priestess of Kyger Litor came to the town.  She spoke with the elders, including Desola.  When she left, she gnawed a mark into the gate posts that marked the entrance to the town.  From that point on, the Uz left the town of Jelmine alone, but this protection did not extend to those outside of town.  The elders of Jelmine ordered all tenats, hunters and herdsmen to return to the town.  Those that heeded the warning were spared from the Uz migration.

In 1624, Diros, the boat planet, reappeared in the skies.  This was seen as a powerful omen, which was proven when the Great Winter ended.   During Fire Season of 1625, Eselien returned with the High Priestesses of the Amad and Tres tribes came with forces to dislodge the Lunar forces in Jelmine.  When they arrived, Desola stood waiting at the gate.  Eselien was eloquent in her condemnation of Desola, and ordered her to step aside and install her as the new chief priestess.  Ignoring Eselien, Desola welcomed the two Earth Priestesses in a very formal greeting ceremony.  Eselien attempted to stop the greeting ceremony, but was silenced by the two tribal high priestesses.  Desola escorted the two priestesses to the temple, but then Eselien attempted to enter, the protector of the temple manifested threw Eseline from the temple grounds.  Desola turned to the gathered people and addressed Eseline as she tried to rise from the ground, “you have broken the one sacred trust of the All Mother; you have sown discord.”  With that pronouncement, Eselien ceased to move, and the earth swallowed her body.

Hours later, when the high priestesses of Amad and Tres left the temple, they were pale and visibly shaken.  With few words, even to their husbands, they began to leave.  When their husbands, loyal men of Orlanth questioned them about why they would leave with Lunars present, their wives just looked at them.  Those close recall that the look was something they had never seen pass between the married couples, something cold and frightening.  They said in unison, “this is not our land and you have trespassed long enough.”  The words carried a chill of the other world, as if they were not speaking their own thoughts.  They left with their forces.  It was later reported that three days after returning to their homes, both women entered the Loom House of Ernalda (euphemism: they died).

On the 22nd day of Earth Season, the world changed.   Even from Jelmine the Dragon could be seen.  Its roar was felt coursing through the very earth.  To the north, great magics could be seen from Cliffhome, and for a moment, the Sky Fall ceased to flow.  Since that day, Desola has only been seen on the holy days Ernalda.

It is now Freezeday of Movement Week of the Storm Season.  Desola has agreed to elevate a new priestess to replace Eselien before the Sacred time begins.  The ritual of accession has been planned for Winds Day of Movement week, a day to Ernaldan’s known as Wife Day.