The Damass's do not know the exact addresses of the night staff, just that they live locally. Heracles then suggests that returning tonight might be the best option as the staff are probably still asleep at the moment anyway.

Thinking the business over, Heracles then take a long drink from his mug of caf and gets to his feet. "Well, Apprentice Midian, if that is everything, I need to get on with my day. I have some stock to order."

[DM note: The smell of food and the caf he had been drinking have made Midian distinctly aware that he has yet to eat today.]

"All of our business, yes, as an agent of the church," Midian says.  "Now to our business as a customer, the breakfast smells fantastic.  I would like to order some before I go."  

Lucinda smiles at this and says, "If you aren't picky. You can do us a favour, and have breakfast for free. The cook has cooked too much bacon. I can fry you an egg and make you some toast, and there's plenty of caf left on the stove."

Heracles' frowns for just a moment and then adds happily enough. "Yes, on the house, for our friends in the Temple."

Midian accepts the complimentary breakfast. “If it’s to aid the community I would be happy to dispose of your excess bacon,” Midian says with a smile. 

After the meal if there is nothing further offered by the tavern owners, he goes to seek out Moonson, asking around in the Scholar’s Ward area where he recalls the man’s rankle rousing speeches. 

While he is eating the free breakfast, one of the kitchen staff approaches him. She is a young woman of about his own age.

"Blessed day," the woman begins timidly, "Mistress Damass was talking in the kitchen about the dreadful thing that happened to Seeker Harlan and how that woman Sarina might be also be a victim."

Looking around as if she is afraid of being overheard, she quickly adds, "I wasn't here at the time, but one of the staff who was told me that she and Seeker Harlan had words with each other the night before he was killed."

She looks around again and then adds, "Right here. Right in this dining room. She also told me that that Arion priest Simad was here too, trying to lure some poor students into the clutches of his horrible sect."

Then, she leans in conspiratorially and adds, "I don't know what it all means, but I thought you might find it useful information as Mistress Damass didn't seem to know about it."

Midian nods and meets the girls gaze, unless doing to makes her nervous, in which case he subtlety mimics her body language, to keep her comfortable talking. “That is interesting. I know you were busy working of course, but sometimes when conversations get heated, people speak too loud not to help but overhear. Did you hear anything they were discussing by any chance?”

[FYI, the girl is Stemian and speaking in that tongue rather than Sorendenese. Midian, like many Sorendenese who live in Engle, is fluent in both languages.]

"No, no," she replies. "You misunderstand. I was not here. I'm just telling you what I heard from one of the night staff. It was likely something to do with Seeker Harlan flirting with the woman. He does that a lot..."

At this she looks totally embarrassed and says, "Sorry. I didn't mean to speak ill of the dead."

“Not at all, I asked and you answered, hardly anything to be apologetic about,” Midian says reassuringly, in Stemian. “If you should hear any more from the other staff members, do try to recollect, though. I may return later.”

After finishing the breakfast Midian sets out to find Moonson.

OOC:

If any checks are needed to ask around for his whereabouts, I will roll them. 

[OOC: How long (in hours) does Midian plan to spend searching for Moonson?

The amount will affect the DC and the results of the following roll, but the actual time spent searching might differ because of results of the roll.

Make an Investigation check please.]

OOC: Depending on the size of the district he is hoping to learn about his whereabouts in 2-4 hours. 

6

Makeup for experience. 21

[OOC: Midian gains some experience and is no longer as unfamiliar with this area as he was.]

After about four hours walking around the area and asking questions of the types of people who are usually good for knowing about such things, Midian has had no luck in getting a lead on the whereabouts of Simad Moonstone, though he has spoken to people who are aware that Moonson is a priest of Arion.

It is getting close to midday when he hears the following announcement being called by the candle callers [OOC: Time keepers for the city who also double as town criers.]

"Hark: As of this day, the 17th of Khorhalas, the king has declared all worship of false gods within the boundaries of the city of Constantine anathema."

"All persons must remove any non-Mithran symbols of worship from their person and place of residence or leave the boundaries of the city by Holyday.

"Those not conforming to this royal decree will thereafter suffer the righteous wrath of both the city authorities and the Temple."

Midian can hardly believe what he is hearing. He knows that it has always been the Temple's policy to strive for this, as they have done in other cities and countries, but the moderate king, Oran the third, has always been resistant to their approaches before this. Midian is also aware that this will be particularly upsetting to the majority Stemian population of the city, as Midian knows that many of them still follow the old ways.

As a member of the state permitted pantheon faith, Midian would have concern that townspeople who follow the old ways might see him as a convenient target to take out their aggression over this policy change.  Insight if needed: 17

[OOC: Midian's insight is correct. Many Stemians under the Sorendenese rule have not accepted the Mithran gods as the only true gods, simply adding them to their own original pantheon of deities who should be placated. To deny these other gods will cause confusion in the greater Stemian population and possibly anger those dedicated to their original gods. These people might strike out against the representatives of the Mithran gods until they convert to the true religion or are taught the error of their ways. Such things have happened before in the empire's history and he sees no reason why it shouldn't happen here. Fortunately though, the Stemians seem to be a pretty docile race, in general.]

[Please make a Perception check.]

Perception: 3

Midian, on recognizing the danger, would either return briefly to the cafe or find some other secluded spot where he could remove his vestments, hide his holy symbol, and take other measures to ensure that he can blend in with a crowd and is not easily recognizable as one of the clergy.

[OOC: You may make a Perception roll for experience.]

Midian makes his way back to the Scholar's Retreat through streets that now seem a little hostile, but perhaps that is just his imagination.

However, as he approaches the entrance he sees something unusual: another Nubian, a man this time, talking with three Stemian youths at the mouth of an alleyway between two shops.

Having Glory Rahni in town is unusual enough, but to have three Nubians is something that draws Midian's attention.

[Make an Insight check.]

Perception for Experience: 18

Insight on the Nubians:  9

[OOC: Midian has gained some experience, and can roll again for a failed Insight check.]

More concerned about being a potential target to religious unrest than the mysterious Nubian, Midian continues on towards the Scholar's Rest. However, not three breaths after making that decision he hears someone shout the word 'Help'.

Instinctively whirling in the direction of the shout, he sees that the Nubian and the Stemians he was talking with are no longer to be seen.

[If Midian wants to get involved, roll for Initiative.]

Midian would attempt to remain concealed and get in a better position to observe what is taking place before revealing himself or taking any action.

Initiative: 12

Stealth: 9

Note: Midian retrieved his expensive rapier prior to leaving the restaurant.