<div class="floatright">(http://i.imgur.com/6I6Qez8.jpg)<br/><br/>(http://i.imgur.com/Ct9gzNL.jpg)</div><br/>The sensation of stepping through the portal wasn’t like diving into cold water, but it was somewhat disconcerting in it’s own way.  While Pipa felt nothing from the portal itself, and it was akin to walking through a doorway, there was a noticeable difference in the air around her.  The warm spring air of the rolling hills around Tinchea Valley was suddenly replaced by a much cooler breeze flowing across the Erusrin river and down off the North sea carried a slight lingering bite of the northern waters.  So too did the air smell different, salt filled the air and the immediate smell of civilization replaced the clean scent of the woodland glade that Pipa had just left.<br/><br/>Looking around she realized she stood at the edge of a broad grassy courtyard, surrounded on all sides by buildings.  She’d seen pictures of the Temple of Cyril, a massive city like structure that spanned the River Erusrin like a great bridge of course.  It was often shown early in every Æthercast of the annual dungeon run.  But she’d never guessed what it might look like on the inside.<br/><br/>In front of her stood several people, not counting Pellen and Eren of course.  There were several people garbed as priests and acolytes (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=234676.msg11541399#msg11541399) of Cyril of course, they were easily recognizable by their purple or white and purple robes.  But the figure that dominated the scene was a raven haired woman of very pale skin, draped in a black velvet cloak that brushed the stones at her feet.  Pipa noted the hood that was raised, keeping her fair skin out of direct sunlight and leather collar that encircled her neck.  It was only when she began speaking that Pipa also noticed a tiny diamond stud piercing her upper lip.<strong>“Greetings contestants, welcome to the temple of Cyril.  I am Headmistress Ravensoul, in charge of the contestants that come to the temple to train.  Anything that the acolytes or pages can not assist you with, you may come to me.  I am glad to see you here, but the first thing we must do is have the judges inspect you to assure your purity.  Then you will be questioned before being assigned to a bunk for the next several months until the dungeon run of 443 pi.  Do any of you have any questions for me before you are sent to examinations?”</strong><br/><br/>Pipa looked at Pellen and Eren and both looked somewhat confused by this whole transition, and neither seemed about to ask any questions of the strikingly beautiful woman.  That didn’t mean Pipa couldn’t however.<br/><br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">ooc</div><div class="spoiler_body">Roll a ‘Mind’ check.  1 success lets Pipa recall that a contestant named Ravensoul escaped the dungeon in the year 339  (it is 442 currently).  2 successes and Pipa recalls this is that same woman.   3 successes and Pipa remembers the woman was a druid of some sort.</div></div>