Esvaris: Emungo points out doors just through the covered walkway to the north of the atrium and tells you that Friar Bernard holds his classes in there.  The weapons classes are in the morning, just after Dawn Service, so they are probably in progress already. You can check them out after you greet Dawnlord Menges.  Emungo tells you that you'll know who Friar Bernard is, because he'll be the one with his head "scraping the roof".

Everyone: As you glance around the courtyard of the atrium you see the backside of the closed, smaller, elaborately carved and guarded doors that you'd seen out front.  They simply lead into the atrium, as well, on the south side.  There are no guards here on the interior.  And there is no visible locking method on them.

Would it be possible to use mend to fix the book before I leave the two elderly clerics?

Continuing the conversation with them: “our party is new here. We came to this place after our old temple was closed. There wasn’t enough followers for us to continue our work there sadly.” 

Korlan: Mend would certainly repair the torn pages, but not remove the water. 

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Korlan: Mend would certainly repair the torn pages, but not remove the water. 

Esvaris

"Okay, thanks." I smile in anticipation of playing with a quarterstaff again, and try to be patient as I wait, and not wander around the courtyard, investigating everything that piques my interest. This is hard for me. At once, something occurs to me! Emungo had mentioned High Lord Emeritus. I've heard Dawnloard Wintermoon talk about that person. If I recall correctly, he's supposed to be really important. "Will we get to meet High Lord Emeritus?" I ask Emungo.

Simeon Grey

"Library Research with Sister Delayna," I say aloud. "I can hear Dawnlord Wintermoon at this very moment: Never underestimate the treasure one may find after digging in a book for just one hour. In his honor, then, I'd like to make Sister Delayna's acquaintance and assist her in the library."

Esvaris: Emungo's face falls at your question and he stops in his tracks. Shaking his head in denial he says in a low undertone, "Sadly, no. Our beloved High Lord has gone missing." He glances around to make sure that none of his superiors are within earshot. "He seemed really interested in some research he was pursuing recently.  Then suddenly, about two fivedays ago, he just... wasn't anywhere to be found."

The young man's eyebrows pinch together in a very serious and concerned expression. "The higher ups have all been looking for him, but there's still no news.  And now," his lips twist in an annoyed manner, "sir oh-so-high-and-mighty, Dawnlord Menges, has installed himself, slick as you please, into the High Lord's place without even a 'by your leave' if you can imagine!"  Sighing, he resumes walking into the covered walkway leading to the doors to the narthex. "I certainly hope the likes of him doesn't get elected to be the new High Lord when all the Dawnlords of Eloth finally arrive for the conclave."

Korlan: The Sisters thank you, expressing condolences over the closing of your monastery, and mention they will be taking the book to the librarian, Sister Delayna, to see if she can perhaps do anything to save what's left of it.

Simeon: Emungo says you can come with him after meeting Dawnlord Menges, since he is delivering his stack of books to Sister Delayna.  She always appreciates an extra hand in the stacks.

Esvaris

That's a lot of words. I generally find it hard to pay attention for this long, but what Emungo says is quite interesting. I nod, and return to trying to be patient while we wait.

Korlan

After speaking with the sisters, I return back to the group. I had to run to catch up, but I arrive as Emungo is finishing his story of the High Lord’s disappearance. I talk in a quite voice. “Are you not allowed to speak of such manners concerning the High Lord? And what possibly could he have been working on?”

Korlan: "Well, it isn't general knowledge that High Lord Emeritus is gone.  Dawnlord Menges questioned me, of course, because I had been running errands for the High Lord before he turned up missing."  Gesturing with the wobbly stack of tomes and papers, the young man says quietly, "These were all pulled from the library by the High Lord, himself.  He had me deliver them to a scribner in the city along with a sealed note." He gives Korlan a significant look. "Now, I ask you, why would the High Lord send out to have copy work done when he has the finest scribes right here in the basilica scriptorium available to him?"  He also says that the scribner, Martus, said he wasn't finished with the work order and that he wouldn't give any of what he had completed over except to the High Lord, himself.

EVERYONE: Roll perception (if your passive wisdom is higher, you may use that instead)

Esvaris

Perception: 22

Simeon Grey

(Perception check...6)

(Passive WIS: 15)

Korlan

Perception: 10 (I notice I’m wearing shoes today)

Passive: 11

As you follow the talkative young novice into the narthex, there are two rows of long wooden benches, divided by a center aisle directly in front of you.  To your right are a line of five more private prayer boxes, each with a narrow wooden door with it's own tiny curtained window.  Esvaris, with his keen elven eyes, notices slight movement causing one curtain to flutter almost imperceptibly.  It catches your attention because you know this is not the Hour of Prayer when those boxes are allowed to be used an hour before dawn.  There shouldn't be anyone in there.

The benches are empty at this time of day since most penitents and newly Awakened believers arrive for the Dawn Service which has just passed.  The narthex is divided by a long low wooden fence with a small gate leading into the main nave which accommodates most of the congregation during services.  The high stained glass windows on both sides of the nave, with the morning sun pouring through them, are breathtaking, portraying scenes of renewal, bounty, and healing all glorifying the goddess, Usoara.  The central nave, supported by two rows of 10 marble pillars on each side dividing the long space into thirds, has no seating as the faithful are expected to stand. 

At the farthest eastern end of the basilica, the domed roof is the focal point over the glorious alter with two side wings off to each side, forming a cross.  As you approach the alter you see two men, one clearly Dawnlord Menges, wearing the traditional long white robes with a yellow embroidered stole over his shoulders. He has a long suffering expression on his face and is listening to the other man, an extremely fat well-dressed lord, who seems to be red faced and spitting a bit as he speaks.  Dawnlord Menges looks relieved at the interruption as you all approach.  "Who is this, then?  The new novices?  Weren't there supposed to be more of you?" He arches a well shaped blonde eyebrow. At that moment, everyone looks around and notices that two of your companions, the firbolg Forest, and the gnome Quiqwin, never followed the rest of you into the basilica...  But they were definitely there when you all arrived...

Does Esvaris see any way of investigating the movement he saw without drawing too much attention to himself in the process, e.g., pretending to admire the stained glass up close?

Simeon Grey

"There seems to have been a change of plans, Dawnlord Menges. Only five of us will be serving in the Basilica; forgive us for failing to inform you of this any sooner, and please accept our apology on behalf of Dawnlord Wintermoon," I say, hoping my rather vague and bland response will be well received. 

Esvaris:

Simeon (make a deception check).  At Simeon's lie, Novice Emungo looks stunned for a moment, but quickly recovers.  "Dawnlord Menges and Lord Atterley, your graces, I present to you the new novices from Second Sun temple.  Esvaris, Korlan, Simeon, Quill, and..." he pauses mid gesture, "um... I'm sorry, a young lady with a foreign name I have not yet learned to pronounce."  

Lord Atterley, fat chins quivering beneath his beard, makes a harumphing sound, "This is most unusual, most unusual!" He attempts to cross his arms over his enormous girth and fails.  "Where is Dawnlord Wintermoon!  Shouldn't he be doing the introductions?" Glaring at each of the new novices as if they are somehow hiding their elven leader.  "And where are the others? Not coming? Preposterous! Most unusual!" He repeats himself with more emphasis each time, sweat trembling on his brow.  "Perhaps they've run off and joined that cult, that's what!" 

At that, Dawnlord Menges and Novice Emungo roll their eyes practically in unison.  The Dawnlord inclines his pointed white clerical hat towards you all while speaking over Lord Atterley. "I highly doubt that. However, all of you should avoid that charlatan who leads the naive simpletons of the city in her newfound 'church' across the square." His stern gaze feels like a weight upon each of your shoulders. "You are welcome here, despite your unusual arrival.  Remember that while the noon and evening meals are optional, the Dawn Service and 9th bell curfew are absolutely mandatory. I'm sure none of you will need Brother Annan's special attentions."