To Levis:

"I couldn't stand to be in that room anymore, but as promised I did not raise a hand in violence against it." Serandis will go sit next to him and place the compass in her pocket and then turn her mask off of her face. "How can you call that an ancestor?"

She thinks of her father, his devil-may-care smile as he would explain the world to her. She wished he was around for council. Especially now, she could really use him. Sera missed him greatly and losing him the way they did. Without being able to say goodbye, or have a place of rest for him... she washed such thoughts away and waited for Levis' words. Maybe they will say something that will make sense? She doubted it, these cultists were manipulated and brainwashed from an early age she would expect. There had to be some common ground for her and them to share. 

Levis closes their book neatly. "Because she is an ancestor. Riska has resided in this temple for nearly three hundred years, protecting and serving the Seekers who live here. Many of her descendants are scattered throughout Karrnath as abactors and champions of the faith. She has welcomed many Seekers to the faith, myself included." They fold their hands atop their journal. "She gave up her chance at divinity and much of her freedom long ago in order to be able to continue to guide the living. The method may be one you disagree with, but we do not have access to the same resources your people do, nor are we in a position to afford for our unliving champions to all be unable to leave certain locations. So we work with what we have. And we give our martyrs the respect they deserve for the sacrifice they made for us."

As the other three exit into the quiet entry foyer, they see Serandis seated next to Levis near the door, Levis speaking quietly to her. They give you all a brief nod and smile as you come out.

Petra heads out to the foyer and regards Levis as they acknowledge the rest of the party's entry. "Fortunately, Riska was not offended by your outburst back there. Truly, I do not understand why you would take a job in Karrnath if you have this much disdain for the church of Vol. But we should get to speaking with this Virian."

Quote from booksbooks3 >>

Levis closes their book neatly. "Because she is an ancestor. Riska has resided in this temple for nearly three hundred years, protecting and serving the Seekers who live here. Many of her descendants are scattered throughout Karrnath as abactors and champions of the faith. She has welcomed many Seekers to the faith, myself included." They fold their hands atop their journal. "She gave up her chance at divinity and much of her freedom long ago in order to be able to continue to guide the living. The method may be one you disagree with, but we do not have access to the same resources your people do, nor are we in a position to afford for our unliving champions to all be unable to leave certain locations. So we work with what we have. And we give our martyrs the respect they deserve for the sacrifice they made for us."

As the other three exit into the quiet entry foyer, they see Serandis seated next to Levis near the door, Levis speaking quietly to her. They give you all a brief nod and smile as you come out.

"She gave up her chance? Why would one want to become... one of them? There is another way, this magic is evil. Do you understand what comes from Mabar? The problems that face this village. the creatures we fought on the road. All of it has the taint. No wonder the townspeople were so enraged. They have no right to bully you, no matter how foolish your beliefs. But I can understand their frustrations," Serandis wasn't trying to be mean, but she was being very blunt. "What made you choose this life? You don't plan on becoming one of... a martyr, do you?" 

Quote from Sarcasticfury >>

Petra heads out to the foyer and regards Levis as they acknowledge the rest of the party's entry. "Fortunately, Riska was not offended by your outburst back there. Truly, I do not understand why you would take a job in Karrnath if you have this much disdain for the church of Vol. But we should get to speaking with this Virian."

As the group walked out, Petra addressed her in a way that seemed concerned. "I am doing my duty to my family. I have covadish to sell and these folk use quite a bit of it. I'm sorry, but Riska's feelings aren't my concern. This blight, I have some insight in. I grew up close to a zone that was affected the same way. If I can help, I will. That's it. I have not brought shame to my ancestors, for that would bring shame upon myself."

She pauses then asks, "Who is this Virian?"

"You did bring shame to your ancestors, yourself and your people, demonstrating, that they are so uncivilized that allow themselves to barge into a temple in foreign lands and insult a priest of that temple. You might be too little to understand such things, but your parents had to know better than to send an untaught baby to speak on their behalf." Adaliza did not stop telling all this, but just nodded to Levis and followed Citron outside. 

"Okay, nice talk," Serandis says as the confusing woman leaves after the rest. "Apparently, you're not the only defender of Riska here." She says the Levis as she leans closer to them. "You didn't answer my question. Do you plan on...?" She lets it hang in the air.

"She is a bartender at the Gold Dragon Inn. We were told that she would know about Mabaran activity outside the town."

Levis shakes their head at Serandis's question. "The tool may be evil, but it can be used for beneficial means. Our Mabaran champions can protect and guide us in ways the living cannot. Great your Undying Court may be, but you could create them because of a great deal of fortune in your resources, location, and knowledge. The Blood of Vol is, by our very nature, made up of the downtrodden, the unfortunate, the ones who are hated and cast to the fringes. We work with what we have." They smile faintly. "To become a martyr is not my goal, no. My hope is the same as all living Seekers, to find my Divinity Within and one day ascend to a higher state of being. That is what drew me to the faith of the Blood of Vol, the idea that we all possess the spark of divinity within us." They return Adaliza's nod as she leaves the temple.

Quote from Sarcasticfury >>

"She is a bartender at the Gold Dragon Inn. We were told that she would know about Mabaran activity outside the town."

 "Understood. We should probably go meet her then." Serandis will stand up and give a small bow to Levis, they were interesting. They didn't seem blinded by their religion but truly engrossed in it. "I'm sorry, but I still don't see how they are martyrs. I do understand giving over your being to becoming something more for those that come after. It is my wish to become of the Deathless one day. I have had some wonderful teachers and I want to help young minds grow as my teachers have done for me. But this, it isn't the way. Anything with the curse of death is tainted. I hold no hard feelings against you, I just disagree."

"Maybe we can continue this conversation when I have more time to have one?" Serandis will ask of them, not wanting to actually leave.

"Certainly." Levis nods. "I would be happy to discuss further when you have the time. And I wish you good fortune in your search." They open their journal again and begin writing in it again.

Those of you outside find the street still fairly empty, no sign of the mob from before. A few people move across the street on their business, and you see a few smiles tossed your way, likely thanks to Adaliza's speech earlier. You passed the Gold Dragon Inn on your way to the temple, and so know that it's a few blocks away.

Citron sticks his nose in the air and sniffs....

"The Gold Dragon is this way...." and he'll lead the party to the Inn

"Will trust your nose on that," smiled Adaliza and looked up at the grey sky. "A visit to the inn would be nice now even if only for questioning the innkeeper".

“Fare thee well, Levis,” Serandis will say to them as she follows the others out in to the night and into the inn. 

The four of you head to the Gold Dragon Inn, easily found thanks to Citron's nose. Inside, the main room is about half-full with people having dinner, talking, and generally just enjoying themselves. Here, the tense mood of the town is somewhat alleviated, with lively talk and laughter sounding through the room. Behind the bar and at the center of a complicated pattern of servers carrying food and drink around is a halfling woman with white hair and dark brown eyes. A Mark of Hospitality intersects with laugh lines along her left cheek, and she has an air of brisk competence as she pours drinks and chats with the various customers at the bar.

Petra walks up to the bar and introduces herself to the bartender. "Good Morning, my name is Petra. Would you be Virian, by any chance?"

Serandis walks next to Petra and sits down at an open bar stool if there is one. She moves her mask off her neck and places it in her bag. 

True to her word, Adaliza visibly relished the coziness of a warm dry room full of people, that even at this trying time could find it in them to enjoy simple things like a good meal and friendly talk. She followed Petra to the bar and the distinguishable halfling behind it. She did not add anything to Petra's question, just smiled to the friendly-looking innkeeper.

The halfling looks over at Petra with a smile. "Why yes, I am indeed Virian d'Ghallanda. A pleasure to meet you, Petra, what can we get for you?"

Citron hovers up and stands on a barstool 

"What a fine establishment ye have here Virian d'Ghallanda *sniffs* I can tell that yer a halfling of great taste *sniff* perhaps you could give us a mug of the good stuff ya keep back there and some information.  I am often called Citron and The Lady Riska has informed me that you might be the one hearing things as barkeeps tend to...things to do with an excess of Mabaran energy or perhaps rumors of other strange necromantic goings on in the area...." and he'll slip a gold galifar on to the bartop and wink at her.

"Oh, Riska recommended you come chat with me, hmmm?" Virian's eyes twinkle as she swipes the galifar off the table. "She is a smart woman, that mummy. I do indeed hear quite a few things from this bar. Well, there is the rather obvious blight overtaking the fields. But assuming you already know about that, there've been quite a few more undead attacks along the edges of town, lately. Particularly concentrated up at the northeastern end of town." She pulls out a mug and a bottle of dark liquid that she fills the mug with and hands it to Citron.