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Welcome my friend to the Order of the Black Rose. Please join us in a prayer before we begin.
No clever counsel is granted favor.
To run, to escape, to quiet and to pacify are yours, Roses."
Come into the temple with us and we will tell you of her. Roses is the light that leads us through the dark. You may be wondering what or who she is. Roses, is a prophet, sorceress, vampire. The history of her you will find here has been passed down the generations. Our records are sacred to us. Let us begin with the event of her arrival in the lands of Ur.
To give you a sense of familiarity with the lands and peoples discussed here please bear the following in mind. The land of Babylonia is often given to the whole of southern Mesopotamia. Historically, there is some argument on this issue. As some historians will believe, historically Babylon is limited to the first dynasty of Babylon established by Hammurabi in 1750 B.C. And the Neo-Babylonian period began when Babylon fell to the Assyrian Empire. For our purposes we have accepted decided to call Roses simply a Babylonian though chronilogically there may be some discrepency. With that in mind read on... 1875 B.C. after the fall of the third dynasty of Ur and prior to the rise of Hammurabi the lands of Babylon were in discord. For many of these abandoned peoples religion was at the core of their hopes and dreams. At the edge of the place that would grow to the great city of Babylon a prophet made his humble home. Dependant on his neighbors for everyday needs and he repaid them with his predictions, weather, crops etc. Unbeknownst to his neighbors, some of his truest and most important prophecy had nothing to do with the people of that time. Through the long winter months he had dreamt of a child nightly. The girl child that haunted his dreams was dark skinned, perhaps the child of some African or other people. In the dreams she was held out to him in the arms of his goddess Inanna. The goddess spoke to him, giving him instruction to find the girl child and bring her to the temple. By the time spring arrived the message had been burned into his mind. He must find the babe and take her to the priestesses. Even when in the warmth and rebirth of spring the dreams ceased his obsession only grew. He would walk for days among different peoples. Giving them bits of prophecy and singing songs for his supper. He would delve deeply into wild areas. Went about the healers tents looking for the girl. This went on for months and near to the end of summer he found her. That day his spirit was particularly low. As he walked with his staff he prayed continually to Inanna, begging her to show him some sign that he pleased her. That he was doing her bidding. As prophets are want to do he was not paying attention to where he placed his feet and stepped into a shallow hole in the ground. As he went tumbling headlong into the brush his face was tickled. His head came up and his eyes widened in disbelief, here in this wild place where no man made his home he had found a grotto. The place was perhaps an outdoor temple. The ground had been cleared of bracken, and all around him grew wild roses. In the warm evening and soft light the flowers seemed to explode with light and color. Each plant more proud to display her wares to his eyes than the last. The perfumed air was thick and heady with a holy presence. Humbled by his goddess he placed his forehead to the ground and gave thanks silently. Then he stood and delved deeper into this place. After making it through a tangle of wild rose he came to a small pool of fresh water that bubbled up from the ground with a pretty musical sound. Intermingled with this sound was something else. The soft burbling of a babe. He found her laying nestled in the soft grass next to the pool. Rose petals scattered on her blanket and over her chubby little face. As he neared and bent over her the child opened her eyes and smiled at him. Looking into her big black eyes his senses were overwhelmed, in that dark gaze was a holy fire. As the tears of joy filled his eyes the babe lifted chubby brown hands to him and he lifted her and cuddled her to his chest. All the while praising Inanna for this precious and perfect gift. He paused only briefly in the nearest settlement to hire a wet nurse for the child. Though the only time he would let her out of his arms was to be fed. The rest of her care was done by him. He knew where to take her. They traveled slowly and carefully. Taking no chances. Each night settling to sleep in relative safety. His destination was the Temple Of Inanna near his home. He knew those gentle priestesses would care for his charge. When they arrived the women crowded round gaping at the man. They had not seen him in nearly a full year. One of their own prophets had foretold of his journey and that he would return with a gift from their goddess. The child was cherubic, with large black eyes dark skin and an intelligent expression. Trying in vain not to boast he told of his adventures. The dreams, his newly aquired skill of child care. By the end of the story all of the women of the temple were gathered around listening raptly to his tale. After he was fed properly and the wet nurse thanked and sent away several of the priestesses huddled together to discuss this. The decision was made to keep the child. The prophet, who in addition to his many other odd habits was known to be an admirer of the priestesses of Inanna. Because of this and his generally charming demeanor he was given special thanks by two of the ladies. As a gift to the prophet the child was named Roses. For the grotto she was found in and the curious fact that her skin, even when she had just been bathed the soft scent of roses clung to her. In her early years she was a happy toddler. Raised by loving women, and often spent afternoons with the prophet. Around the age of 4 (this was around 1871 B.C.) it became apparant she was gifted. The priestesses noticed her ability to cast little spells. She'd sit at the feet of a statue of Inanna babbling to her goddess, and causing the bowls of flower petals to whirl prettily. Her laughter would ring out in the halls of the temple. As she grew older, she had daily lessons in the use of her skills. She was able to call forth wind, rain, fire, and oddly enough was able to hide herself from others. Not make herself invisible per se, but to make her appearance dim. Rather ghostlike. She grew into a graceful young woman, small of stature, even for those times. Her face and manner gentle yet regal. As the area settled more and began it's journey to becoming one of the greatest cities on earth the people who came to the temple to pray to Inanna grew to love her. It was around, 1861 B.C as Roses began to change into a woman that another of her gifts became apparant. Roses was a prophet. During her years of puberty her gift sharpened showing her to be more than a prophet. Her gift was that of a true seer. Daily as she matured so did her ability to weild her gifts. Around the time she started giving prophecy our order was founded. Several of the priestesses of Inanna began meeting in secret to record the revelations of Roses. And to keep a record of her growth and maturity. Peace reigned in these days. Roses spent her days giving prophecy to petitioners, and with her friend the prophet who had found her. Word spread quickly through the land that at this temple there was one who walked hand in hand with Inanna herself. People came from all over the land between two rivers. Even a few from as far as the other side of the Euphrates River came to see the phenom named Roses. Then, in 1857 B.C disaster struck. A few men in the guise of poor beggars came to the temple to wreak havoc on the witch. It is not known to this day where the men were from or who they were. For days Roses had been uneasy. Jumping at every noise and wary of every stranger. When asked she was not able to determine why she was feeling so out of sorts. Then in the dead of one night the men slipped unseen into the temple. They slew the priestesses as the came upon them. Roaring that they would destroy the witch. Roses who slept in the inner sanctum at the feet of the statue of Inanna was awakened by the screams of her protecters. In that moment Roses had her first taste of true rage. Calling upon her patron goddess to guide her she killed the first of the intruders she came upon with his own blade. The next invader was destroyed with fire. Even as she cut down those who would desecrate the temple of her goddess. Then among the screaming and chaos something amazing happened. It was not Innana herself but her sister, Erishkegal who appeared. Erishkegal is the goddess of the underworld and the dead. All the fighting stopped immediately and they all just stared as the goddess took Roses into her arms. The remaining infidels each dropped dead with a glare from the goddess. Then, as quiet descended upon the priestesses the goddess spoke softly to them.
With that the goddess layed a soft kiss upon Roses lips, set her down and faded into a mist. All the women stood about in shock. The prophet burst in at that moment, only having eyes for Roses. He swept the young woman into his embrace and held her tight. He knew what the goddess had meant, and hoped that it would turn out that way.
1745 B.C A few years before the ascent of Hammurabi Roses lived ensconced in a new temple. She spent much time in repose. Word of her continued existance had been confined to her followers. Who then numbered at least 10. Each of these women gave oaths to keep her protected, and the secret of her true age would go with them to the underworld. In the evening she would stroll among the streets of Babylon, happy to see it's growth. And knowing it would become greater still she bided her time. Deciding that when the new rule took hold she would place herself at Hammurabi's side. Much of the following is to be found in no other history of the time. Roses to ensure her own safety, persuaded historians to erase her name from their histories. And it is told though she has never admitted to being able to do it, the very memory of her existance wiped from their minds. We will spare you the mundane and readily available history of Babylonia at it's peak. Suffice it to say the hand of Roses can be seen in much of it's lore. From Hammurabi's law, to the hanging gardens. Usually gently she guided, whispering in the right ear, sending dreams to some. Only occasionally would she use her gifts to frighten anyone. Until the fall of Babylon Roses lived in relative peace. Only troubled by the odd greedy priest of Marduk or even once priestess of Inanna.
The years rolled on quietly for her. Her only lament at the gift of extended life was that she had not had the chance to bear children. It was around 1625 B.C that she began to appear to children in their sleep. There were tales told of Mother Roses as she was known to them. In their dreams she gave them peace and often insight into whatever troubles they had. Parents of the visited children were always aware when their child had been blessed. The children would wake to find rose petals tickling their cheeks and the lingering perfume of the lady on their fingertips. All of this pleased Roses to no end. Soon her name was known through out the known world.
From time to time her awareness brushed against something she had no real knowledge of. Creatures called the Alal. Up to this point she had only dabbled in what was known to her as "Abysmal magic". Through the touch of Erishkegal she had been given the ability to look into this realm and much to her own suprise travel in it. It was her curiosity that led her to discover the existance of these Wardens of a Fallen God. Watching her as we do we learned of her excursions into this Abyss because she took to becoming still for days, and later for years on end. Always one to find knowledge where she could, she traveled among various infernal creatures seeking the patriarch of the Alal. She sought this one because in one of her excursions she had been marked. The mark some sort of as far as she could tell very ancient Sumerian, confused her. All she was told was to find the elder Alal. Her quest proved fruitless.
Through the ages she searched off and on for the Father Alal or any of his spawn. Between her wanderings she had a powerful premonition that he would bear a flesh and blood child who, just might prove to be the key to unlocking the curse of the Alal. As the years progressed she became aware of knowledge deep within her. She came to know that this knowledge is known to the Alal as the "Akashic Tomes". In her mind the entire history of the world flowed like a river of time. All events from the beginning before man walked the earth, through the time when Kutulu was placed in R'leyh, and into the future. This coupled with her gift as a seer was near to overwhelming. So many of the events, were out of her hands.
Near the year 5 B.C. Roses beheld in one of her visions some horror that she would not discuss with any of her keepers. The priestesses could only watch in mute fascination and terror as Roses wept for seven days and seven nights. After this display of such deep despair she bade the priestesses to leave Mesopetamia with her. She would have her temple in the dark heart of Egypt. As is our custom half of the priestesses were left behind to dismantle the temple. With a horde of strong men bought in the slave market the lovely temple was dismatled stone by stone and scattered all over the land between two rivers. Some portions of this particular temple have been rediscovered. But most are lost to history.
During the long journey into Egypt Roses remained silent. Not once giving prophecy or blessings. No songs came from her lips. Roses has never given explanation of her behaviour during that time. Nor for her desire to go into Egypt. Arduous though the journey was they arrived during the height of spring. Roses led the way up the Nile to a place where the soil was fruitful, the people were kind and there was ample space to build her a new temple. Instead of buling the sort of temple she had previously she directed that a great house be built. Within the walls her temple would be safe from the curious.
Astonishingly, word of Mother Roses had spread that far away from Mesopetamia. For a long while things seemed peaceful. She continued to make her nightly visits to local children, and was visited by dignitaries from Cairo and Georgia from time to time. On the surface of things life was pleasant. Perhaps a half century after the move to Egypt, The Order began to accept men. Some of the women were mistrustful, and among themselves decided to put the men who came to petition Roses for her acceptance, through rigorous testing. Most failed some portion of the test and were relegated to menial tasks. Yet others were made into a gaurd. It took yet another 150 years for them men to be truly accepted into the fold.
During these years Roses began to go out less and less. Her moods were unstable and she would lash out in anger at those who acted as her keeper. She would spend weeks underground in her private temple. Allowing no one into the room with her. We have no records for a period of time then. In the year 210 A.D the Dark Times began. Continued...