Avery, being of the more adventurous side, "Thank you for the offer, but I may just head to the inn for some good food and drink, then rest. I'll be here at first light. Accept this donation of 5 gp to the church."
Honestly, after so many days in the swamp and the naga's lair, Xanrym was looking forward to sleeping in a real bed tonight. He's inclined to go to the inn with Avery. Liarin and Theldrin could keep vigil in the church if they want, but if the party splits up, it'll make keeping an eye on Abramo more difficult.
Xanrym finally asks Vinme about Abramo, hopefully out of Abramo's hearing, "Here's another one. A priest of Merikka who was enchanted by the naga and -- I don't doubt --compelled to commit terrible acts. We subdued him, and he is now free, but the horror of the experience seems to have unbalanced his mind. We hoped to find a healer who could cure his affliction and let him begin his penance and hopefully make amends for the acts he committed while under the naga's spell. He should probably not be left alone. Do you think that the Cuthberdites could help him? Or is there a temple of Merikka in the city who may be able to advise us?"
Seeing that Avery and Xanrym seem to want to go to the inn, and hearing that Liarin is agreeable to doing so as well if no one else wants to stay at the temple, Theldrin is easily convinced. He actually hopes that they might see Bigby again or perhaps meet another member of the Citadel.
Vinme examines Abramo and responds, "This man has clearly taken poorly to the effects of a Domination spell, i'm sorry but his mind has been irreparably corrupted. There are places in the city for such people, but I must be honest, the level of care they can afford to give is not adequate. Unfortunately Merikka is a little too obscure a deity to have a church in the city. So your best bet is either to try to convince one of the big churches to take in an ex-priest become unbalanced, or take him on your adventures with you. If you want my advice, i'd suggest bringing him along tomorrow anyway. Perhaps another solution will present itself."
Avery still intends to go to the inn, even if it means he has to bring Abramo with him.
Agreed. And if all four of us are at the inn, we can get a Long Rest and still set a watch rotation over night just to ensure that Abramo doesn't do anything to harm himself or others (or simply run away).
Before you leave Vinme responds to Liarin, "Well there's really only two options. Either we go to the Temple of the Far Horizon of Fharlanghn and see if any of their more powerful priests are in attendance, or we ask Sarana at the Temple of the Radiant Sun of Pelor. Although we may not find a high priest of Fharlanghn, we'd have a better chance of convincing them to help than Sarana. I've had some poor experiences with her before. What do you think we should do?"
Avery will just shrug. "I'm a simple soldier, though a I know a direct approach may not always be the correct way of handling things, we should hedge our bet on the surest one if we can find the best chance with the right priest. I also wonder how much it will cost us."
Avery will just shrug. "I'm a simple soldier, though a I know a direct approach may not always be the correct way of handling things, we should hedge our bet on the surest one if we can find the best chance with the right priest. I also wonder how much it will cost us."
"We didn't guarantee victory, nor even Toska's safety, in the naga's lair," Xanrym says, "but we did lead her to her death." He muses for a bit, "How much is a life worth? The question seems absurd because my life has nearly infinite value to me. But it is a question that sages have debated for ages and that the laws and customs of different lands address in weregilds and ransoms and fines." Returning to the practical matter at hand, he says, "I do not know what price such a spell would demand. I suppose we can only ask for help and try to negotiate. If it is a price that we can pay, in treasure or acts of service, then I would pay it."
Regarding the churches, Xanrym says, "Let's try the Temple of the Far Horizon first. I have more sympathy with the Dweller on the Horizon than with the Sun Father, and it sounds like that might be the easier bargain. If they cannot help, then we'll go to the Temple of the Radiant Sun. I believe that I can make a good case for why Sarana should help us. After all, we just defeated a naga cult and put an end to Garath's necromancy, so the followers of Pelor should see us as allies."
"That sounds like the best way to proceed," Theldrin agrees. "I'm more a philosopher myself, but have great respect for the different faiths... one thing I have learned however, is the gods are one thing, their followers can be a different matter altogether."
Vinme nods, "That sounds like a good plan, the Temple of the Far Horizon is the best choice." She bids you farewell for the night and sees you out to the street and promises to look after Toska.
A quick investigation and you discover that the High Tower Inn is in The Garden Quarter, a seemingly extravagant neighbourhood. After a short walk you come to your destination. Conveniently located near the Selintan River, this inviting inn is distinguished by its tall tower, which is pointed at the top like the hat of an eccentric wizard. While the people coming in and out of the Inn seem to be some of the wealthiest you've seen in the city, the building itself isn't ostentatious at all.
When you enter the High Tower Inn, you see a few stranglers having their end of evening drinks, and an older man with grey hair and a pot belly serves from behind the bar. In the corner you see two people seemingly having an argument. One is an angry looking middle aged man with a brown beard flecked with grey. The other is a stern woman with blonde hair and sharp features. The woman has a small dragon on her shoulder.
Avery, keeping an eye on the argument, approaches the bar keep. "Good evening fine sir. We come seeking rooms, a good meal and perhaps a hearty drink or two. Are there rooms available?"
Theldrin joins Avery at the bar and will order a glass of red wine and something to snack on if possible, while waiting for hopefully a room and dinner. He takes a moment to discretely scan the room for anything happening of interest, in particular seeing if he can notice anything about the argument in the corner.
The man greets Avery with a soft spoken voice, "Welcome to the High Tower Inn, of course we have a few rooms available, and a bite to eat if you need it. Adventurer's aren't you? I dabbled a bit in my youth, but I found I had little taste for danger and my life’s calling involved more sedentary pursuits." He laughs softly, "So what are you after? Wine? Ale? Our food is exquisite, as long as you like things on the spicy side."
Theldrin can't quite understand the two in the corner's conversation, but it seems to have something to do with city governance and the importance of magic.
"Spicy is good," Theldrin smiles and orders whatever the bar keep recommends. He leans against the bar and takes a sip of his wine, looking casually around the room. He amuses himself for a few minutes considering that Bigby might be here in altered form again, as he looks around at the other customers.
Avery, being of the more adventurous side, "Thank you for the offer, but I may just head to the inn for some good food and drink, then rest. I'll be here at first light. Accept this donation of 5 gp to the church."
Honestly, after so many days in the swamp and the naga's lair, Xanrym was looking forward to sleeping in a real bed tonight. He's inclined to go to the inn with Avery. Liarin and Theldrin could keep vigil in the church if they want, but if the party splits up, it'll make keeping an eye on Abramo more difficult.
Xanrym finally asks Vinme about Abramo, hopefully out of Abramo's hearing, "Here's another one. A priest of Merikka who was enchanted by the naga and -- I don't doubt --compelled to commit terrible acts. We subdued him, and he is now free, but the horror of the experience seems to have unbalanced his mind. We hoped to find a healer who could cure his affliction and let him begin his penance and hopefully make amends for the acts he committed while under the naga's spell. He should probably not be left alone. Do you think that the Cuthberdites could help him? Or is there a temple of Merikka in the city who may be able to advise us?"
Seeing that Avery and Xanrym seem to want to go to the inn, and hearing that Liarin is agreeable to doing so as well if no one else wants to stay at the temple, Theldrin is easily convinced. He actually hopes that they might see Bigby again or perhaps meet another member of the Citadel.
Vinme examines Abramo and responds, "This man has clearly taken poorly to the effects of a Domination spell, i'm sorry but his mind has been irreparably corrupted. There are places in the city for such people, but I must be honest, the level of care they can afford to give is not adequate. Unfortunately Merikka is a little too obscure a deity to have a church in the city. So your best bet is either to try to convince one of the big churches to take in an ex-priest become unbalanced, or take him on your adventures with you. If you want my advice, i'd suggest bringing him along tomorrow anyway. Perhaps another solution will present itself."
(Just checking, are you all heading to the Inn?)
Avery still intends to go to the inn, even if it means he has to bring Abramo with him.
Agreed. And if all four of us are at the inn, we can get a Long Rest and still set a watch rotation over night just to ensure that Abramo doesn't do anything to harm himself or others (or simply run away).
Liarin will ask Vinme “what ARE the bigger churches in this place?”
Liarin: Against the Cult of the Reptile God
Adewild: Shadows and Light 2
Brother Thaddeus: Rime of the Frostmaiden.
Theldrin seems like he would like to go to the inn, and will help keep an eye on Abramo.
Before you leave Vinme responds to Liarin, "Well there's really only two options. Either we go to the Temple of the Far Horizon of Fharlanghn and see if any of their more powerful priests are in attendance, or we ask Sarana at the Temple of the Radiant Sun of Pelor. Although we may not find a high priest of Fharlanghn, we'd have a better chance of convincing them to help than Sarana. I've had some poor experiences with her before. What do you think we should do?"
Avery will just shrug. "I'm a simple soldier, though a I know a direct approach may not always be the correct way of handling things, we should hedge our bet on the surest one if we can find the best chance with the right priest. I also wonder how much it will cost us."
"We didn't guarantee victory, nor even Toska's safety, in the naga's lair," Xanrym says, "but we did lead her to her death." He muses for a bit, "How much is a life worth? The question seems absurd because my life has nearly infinite value to me. But it is a question that sages have debated for ages and that the laws and customs of different lands address in weregilds and ransoms and fines." Returning to the practical matter at hand, he says, "I do not know what price such a spell would demand. I suppose we can only ask for help and try to negotiate. If it is a price that we can pay, in treasure or acts of service, then I would pay it."
Regarding the churches, Xanrym says, "Let's try the Temple of the Far Horizon first. I have more sympathy with the Dweller on the Horizon than with the Sun Father, and it sounds like that might be the easier bargain. If they cannot help, then we'll go to the Temple of the Radiant Sun. I believe that I can make a good case for why Sarana should help us. After all, we just defeated a naga cult and put an end to Garath's necromancy, so the followers of Pelor should see us as allies."
"That sounds like the best way to proceed," Theldrin agrees. "I'm more a philosopher myself, but have great respect for the different faiths... one thing I have learned however, is the gods are one thing, their followers can be a different matter altogether."
Avery nods in agreement
Vinme nods, "That sounds like a good plan, the Temple of the Far Horizon is the best choice." She bids you farewell for the night and sees you out to the street and promises to look after Toska.
A quick investigation and you discover that the High Tower Inn is in The Garden Quarter, a seemingly extravagant neighbourhood. After a short walk you come to your destination. Conveniently located near the Selintan River, this inviting inn is distinguished by its tall tower, which is pointed at the top like the hat of an eccentric wizard. While the people coming in and out of the Inn seem to be some of the wealthiest you've seen in the city, the building itself isn't ostentatious at all.
When you enter the High Tower Inn, you see a few stranglers having their end of evening drinks, and an older man with grey hair and a pot belly serves from behind the bar. In the corner you see two people seemingly having an argument. One is an angry looking middle aged man with a brown beard flecked with grey. The other is a stern woman with blonde hair and sharp features. The woman has a small dragon on her shoulder.
Avery, keeping an eye on the argument, approaches the bar keep. "Good evening fine sir. We come seeking rooms, a good meal and perhaps a hearty drink or two. Are there rooms available?"
Theldrin joins Avery at the bar and will order a glass of red wine and something to snack on if possible, while waiting for hopefully a room and dinner. He takes a moment to discretely scan the room for anything happening of interest, in particular seeing if he can notice anything about the argument in the corner.
Perception: 11
Insight: 8
With the others taking the lead, Xanrym just hangs back and keeps an eye on Abramo for now.
The man greets Avery with a soft spoken voice, "Welcome to the High Tower Inn, of course we have a few rooms available, and a bite to eat if you need it. Adventurer's aren't you? I dabbled a bit in my youth, but I found I had little taste for danger and my life’s calling involved more sedentary pursuits." He laughs softly, "So what are you after? Wine? Ale? Our food is exquisite, as long as you like things on the spicy side."
Theldrin can't quite understand the two in the corner's conversation, but it seems to have something to do with city governance and the importance of magic.
"Spicy is good," Theldrin smiles and orders whatever the bar keep recommends. He leans against the bar and takes a sip of his wine, looking casually around the room. He amuses himself for a few minutes considering that Bigby might be here in altered form again, as he looks around at the other customers.
Perception roll for Theldrin: 14