Decade Rite

Decade Rite
Type	Scripted Event
Next	Decade Rite, or Decade Rite Fails

Dialogue

“	Every ten years, the sun priests of Berenstead petition Elmal, God of Survival, as he guards Orlanthstead in the Divine World. The officiant recounts your deeds, as committed to memory in your saga. Elmal assesses whether the <Clan> have fulfilled their sacred duties, and if pleased, grants a great boon. “In such dire times, survival is victory,” the <glowing/shining> god tells your sun priest. “I have heard your <deeds/accomplishments/triumphs>, and <pronounce/declare/call> them more than <worthy/laudable/commendable>. <Where many would have failed and been devoured by Chaos/In ever worsening times/In circumstances where none may truly prosper/Under ever increasing pressure>, you <endure/ride on/persist/persevere>. <The world/Glorantha/Existence itself> needs Berenstead if it is to <withstand/weather/resist/fight off/make it through> Wakboth’s <coming/inevitable/certain/final> <onslaught/attack/assault>. You have <won/earned> my <praise/gratitude/respect>, and a reward. What boon do you seek?” Protection from herd loss. Protection for horses. Protection from dislike. Protection from loss of respect. Protection from population loss. Protection of temples.	”
— Six Ages 2: Lights Going Out

Consequences

The blessing you choose will last ten years, until the next Decade Rite. Elmal will grant immediate aid if needed; his blessing will be felt each Sacred Time thereafter. You cannot choose the same option twice in a row.

It's worth noting that his protection for your herds or horses doesn't alleviate the losses caused by grazing stress, gifts, trades, or sacrifices. Otherwise, every Sacred Time, Elmal will replace any animals of the appropriate type that you have lost over the course of the year.

If you choose protection from dislike, Elmal will grant this, but his priest makes it clear that the god is not foolish, and his protection will not avail you if you go around intentionally causing offense. If one or more clans hates you, you will probably lose that enmity (unless a feud has been declared).

If you choose protection from loss of respect, your neighbors will no longer think less of you when you try and fail at something. Also, any clans that currently mock you will likely stop doing so.

If you choose protection from population loss, Elmal will protect your people. For example, you may lose less people on raids. Your clan may also gain extra people (Commoners) each Sacred Time, especially if you lost many of them earlier that year.

If you choose protection of temples, your temples will be less likely to become damaged, and any currently damaged temples will be immediately restored. Furthermore, Elmal will provide annual upkeep for your largest temple until the next decade rite.

Notes

This event will first occur in Iverlantho 9-12 (the sixth to ninth year of the game, depending on difficulty) and repeat every ten years after. The opening paragraph for subsequent occurrences is replaced by "A decade passed. The moment when your solar priests present the saga of your clan to steadfast Elmal has come again." However, if it is due to happen in the final year of the game, Decade Rite Fails will happen instead.

Later in the game, the illustration is replaced with this one, showing the sun dome rather worse for wear.

Advice

• "Elmal honors the royal clan, as he does no other." - Iverlantho
• "We must choose carefully." - Venef
• "With Elmal’s Ten Year Blessing, we have less to worry about than less glorious clans." - Erenlanth
• "Elmal has plans for us. If we do not fail him, he will not fail us." - Elmal devotee
• "Without horses, we cede our martial advantage. <And the horse goddess is dead.>" - Kerenna/Warrior, the latter part if the Death of Redalda has happened.
• "We can take bigger risks is we don't have to worry about incurring the mockery of our neighbors." - Reda/Diplomat
• "To keep our lore alive, keep our people alive." - Lhankor Mhy devotee
• "Both Cow Mother and Shepherd are dead. Our herds need Elmal's boon." - if both Death of Uralda and Death of Voriof have occurred
• "Truly the <Player Clan>s are blessed." - Agimori Adoptee
• "Only Elmal can restore the holy places of our dead gods." - Magician
• "To spend a decade not worrying about being liked? Paradise!"
• "We have temple damage."
• "For ten years, Elmal will replace all the cows we lose by predators, raids, and misfortunes."
• "To beat Chaos, we must survive."
• "Caution paid off, winning Elmal's praise."
• "Though enemies surround us, we still have the best and biggest clan."
• "I felt that we were doing poorly, but Elmal <sees that it was otherwise/is impressed that we visited Orlanth and Ernalda>."
• "In these times, survival is victory. It takes a god to remind us of that."
• "The times grow ever worse, and Elmal grows ever more steadfast."
• "Of course we survived another decade!"
• "Sure, when Elmal says we're doing well, given the circumstances, you nod your head. But when I say it?"
• "When his father fell from the sky, Elmal sheltered us in his light, becoming the god of survival."
• "<As/So> long as we have his mercy we shall survive."
• "When it gets darkest, remember Elmal’s light."