Korlan: Novice Emungo raises his eyebrows in surprise, "Well, everyone knows that the Wickham council controls the capitol. They make the laws and enforce them." He gestures behind him, "Lord Atterley is the head of the council. He'll tell anyone who will listen that generations of his family have donated most of the funds needed to build this basilica. Every pane of stained glass has some subtle reference to one of his family members in it." Giving you a conspiratorial look, the young man lowers his voice, "Sometimes I think Lichfield Basilica is more of a monument to Atterley's family pride than to the goddess." He gestures with his head for you to open the door to the library for him, since both his hands are full with more books than you are carrying and gives one final piece of information. "As to whether the council controls the church... I'd say 'not directly', but Dawnlord Menges seems very confidant of his being promoted to High Lord when the Dawnlord's meet for the next conclave."
I say a quick goodbye to my friends and tell them I'm going to learn about quarterstaff technique. Then I head for the doors north of the atrium, looking for Friar Bernard.
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IRL: Dungeon Master--Adventures in the Cassitana Islands PbP: Player--Esvaris Liadon, Wood Elf Monk 2/Cleric 2--Clerical Heirs: A Divine Mystery
Where is everyone else going? It's about two hours before the noon meal.
Simeon Grey
I find the references to unique hairstyles and silly religion sufficient merit for a quick stroll outside the Basilica. If such a thing doesn't arouse too much suspicion or run contrary to rules for novices, then I head out to the square to see what I can make of Sir Gable's mansion.
"Demoiselle, four eyes might serve better than two; so if you're willing to join me..."
“The vote for a new High Lord seems a little fast considering the High Lord hasn’t been missing very long.” I open the door for full handed Emungo. “So does Lord Atterley have any family within the temple?” I continue, “You’ve been very helpful. Thanks for helping us get everything accustomed to our surroundings. One last question though. Where can we find the High Lord’s and Dawnlord Menges’ office? You know, if I need to update him on Dawnlord Wintermoon’s condition.”
After speaking with Emungo, I want to go investigate the stained glass.
Esvaris: Moving quickly through the fragrant atrium, under the covered walkway and then through the open double doors on the north side, you find yourself in a large wood floored salle. The smell of sweat and the noise of clashing wooden weapons fill the air. Weapons and armor on racks and shelves line the far wall. To the left you see one entire wall is covered floor to ceiling with an enormous mirror. There is a smaller closed door in the wall to your right. Several folk of various ages are spread around the room in a loose circle watching the two central figures. A red faced young dwarven girl with short spiked hair is locked in intense battle with the biggest Goliath you have ever seen. Though the ceiling is nine feet high, his head comes surprisingly close to reaching it, although that impression may be influenced by his rippling tattoo covered muscles and his lightning fast moves as he wields what looks like two halves of a quarterstaff against his opponent's glaive.
Korlan: "Fast? It won't happen for a few weeks yet, of course, but with the Summer Dawn welcoming coming up soon, you know there must be a High Lord greeting the dawn. Usoara will not be pleased if we dishonor her." He sighs. "But... I do hope that Emeritus turns up before then. He has always been kind to me." Emungo acknowledges that Dawnlord Menges is the oldest son of Lord Atterley. His second son, Brackus, is on the Wickham council as well. He tells you that both the Dawnlord and High Lord have their offices and rooms in the rectory where the new novices will sleep. "The High Lord always says that the best place for those awakening to the Light is near those closest to its Source."
Quill, Demoiselle, and Simeon: By mid morning the market is filled with throngs of people buying and selling. The whole square is awash with noise and color and mixed smells of spices. Goats and sheep are openly walked between stalls and crates of chickens are stacked at one end. Interspersed among the crowd you can see beatifically smiling barefoot men and women dressed in long white flowing gowns, each with several wreaths of flowers hung round their necks offering them to passing strangers. "Come! Follow the Way of Enlightenment!" they call to the crowds. Some of them seem to be offering potions of some blue liquid for free to anyone who wants one. The truly surprising thing is that every one of them has a completely shaved head except for the back where their hair forms a long braided tail tied back with a leather strap. It's particularly disconcerting to see on the women. (All three of you make a perception check with disadvantage due to the chaos)
With your keen perception you spot what looks like your two missing cleric friends in the crowd at the far end of the square, just outside a large mansion. One of them, well over seven feet tall, blue face peaking out from his hood, the other, Quiqwin the gnome, looking like a child next to him. Both seem to be smiling almost dreamily and are wearing a wreath of flowers around their necks. Then the crowd surges again and they disappear from your sight.
Quill and Simeon see a large mansion with four beautifully carved marble pillars along the front facing them across the crowded square. It's a lovely counterpoint to the Basilica.
I approach the nearest barefooted, gown-wearing, wreath-donning individual, be it man or woman, and ask if I might have a sample of the blue liquid. If there's any sort of requirement to drink it on the spot, then I kindly change the subject and move on. If, however, I am given some of the liquid, I stow it away in my pack so I might examine it sometime later.
Regardless of what happens in the above situation, I approach one of the local sellers and do what I can to glean some information on the Way of Enlightenment. "Pardon my interruption, sir (or madam). What can you tell me about these folks who are on the path to enlightenment? They certainly seem like pleasant people, but there does appear to be something slightly out of the ordinary about them. Am I wrong?"
Simeon: You draw near to a tall, slender woman, with large dark eyes and a long black hair tail who would have been lovely if not for her stark appearance. "The Wa welcome you!" She says as you approach, offering to place a floral wreath over your head. "Do you seek enlightenment?" Her face lights up when you ask to sample the blue liquid. "It will bring you peace," she says encouraging, but not forcing, you to drink it immediately. The small, clear glass bottle seems to have enough for just one or two mouthfuls. The liquid within is the color of the ocean on a cloudless day. "Come!" she beckons you, "and listen to our divine leader, Kara-Tur. She will guide you down the true path." She reaches out to gently tug at your hand.
Seeing that you are not ready to follow her, she kisses the tips of her fingers and presses them to your chest. "May the Celestial Emperor bless you with peace," she says and then moves further into the crowd, offering more wreaths.
Soon after, speaking to a man selling sweet potatoes buried in hot coals within a small black iron cauldron for a copper a piece, you question him about the strange religious folk. His time worn face, sprinkled with large brown freckles, wrinkles in distaste. He spits into a sack of peelings next to his pot. "Them? They come round nigh on two months ago." He makes a vague gesture towards the mansion across the square. "One of their first converts, or dupes as I call 'em, was Sir Gable. Nice young man, always generous with his wealth, but innocent, might say gullible, even." Taking a large bite of one of his steaming hot potatoes, he continues talking with his mouth full, dropping crumbs onto his shirt front. "They moved into his place and set up shop. Been luring more people in with their 'peace potions' every week since then." That seems to be all the information he has about them.
Demoiselle leaned close to Simeon and murmured. "This is bad, mon ami. I just saw our lost fellows with the flowers around their necks and now these blue drinks? I am thinking many people are being drugged."
"Quiqwin and Forest? Really?" I shake my head in disbelief at how quickly this day has morphed into a series of oddities. "Well, Demoiselle and Quill, two of our fellow brothers of the Second Sun need some help, and I fear the strange hairstyle is the least of the dangers they're facing. Demoiselle, ma soeur, can you lead the way to where you last saw them?"
Demoiselle smiled. "Oui, they were swallowed by the crowd but I will surely lead us to where I saw them standing." She said and began to move in the direction she saw them.
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Esvaris make a stealth check
Esvaris
Stealth: 8
IRL: Dungeon Master--Adventures in the Cassitana Islands
PbP: Player--Esvaris Liadon, Wood Elf Monk 2/Cleric 2--Clerical Heirs: A Divine Mystery
Korlan: Novice Emungo raises his eyebrows in surprise, "Well, everyone knows that the Wickham council controls the capitol. They make the laws and enforce them." He gestures behind him, "Lord Atterley is the head of the council. He'll tell anyone who will listen that generations of his family have donated most of the funds needed to build this basilica. Every pane of stained glass has some subtle reference to one of his family members in it." Giving you a conspiratorial look, the young man lowers his voice, "Sometimes I think Lichfield Basilica is more of a monument to Atterley's family pride than to the goddess." He gestures with his head for you to open the door to the library for him, since both his hands are full with more books than you are carrying and gives one final piece of information. "As to whether the council controls the church... I'd say 'not directly', but Dawnlord Menges seems very confidant of his being promoted to High Lord when the Dawnlord's meet for the next conclave."
Esvaris manages to read the note discreetly without attracting attention and quickly drops it back where he found it before moving on.
Esvaris
I say a quick goodbye to my friends and tell them I'm going to learn about quarterstaff technique. Then I head for the doors north of the atrium, looking for Friar Bernard.
IRL: Dungeon Master--Adventures in the Cassitana Islands
PbP: Player--Esvaris Liadon, Wood Elf Monk 2/Cleric 2--Clerical Heirs: A Divine Mystery
Quill humphs at Korlan's explanation, but has to admit it is somewhat reasonable.
He waves goodbye at Esvaris.
Quill is quite interested in this "cult" or "new religion." He starts heading out of the Basilica.
And that's all I have to say about that.
Demoiselle nodded "Oui, this is a true statement and while I do not wish to be boastful but mine are as keen as a bird's."
OOC: Oh boy did I just tempt the dice gods...
Quill will tag along, as well.
And that's all I have to say about that.
Korlan
“The vote for a new High Lord seems a little fast considering the High Lord hasn’t been missing very long.” I open the door for full handed Emungo. “So does Lord Atterley have any family within the temple?” I continue, “You’ve been very helpful. Thanks for helping us get everything accustomed to our surroundings. One last question though. Where can we find the High Lord’s and Dawnlord Menges’ office? You know, if I need to update him on Dawnlord Wintermoon’s condition.”
After speaking with Emungo, I want to go investigate the stained glass.
Investigation: 19
PC: Fitzroy Hammerstone - The Mad Empiricist of Corinth
DM:
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Esvaris: Moving quickly through the fragrant atrium, under the covered walkway and then through the open double doors on the north side, you find yourself in a large wood floored salle. The smell of sweat and the noise of clashing wooden weapons fill the air. Weapons and armor on racks and shelves line the far wall. To the left you see one entire wall is covered floor to ceiling with an enormous mirror. There is a smaller closed door in the wall to your right. Several folk of various ages are spread around the room in a loose circle watching the two central figures. A red faced young dwarven girl with short spiked hair is locked in intense battle with the biggest Goliath you have ever seen. Though the ceiling is nine feet high, his head comes surprisingly close to reaching it, although that impression may be influenced by his rippling tattoo covered muscles and his lightning fast moves as he wields what looks like two halves of a quarterstaff against his opponent's glaive.
Korlan: "Fast? It won't happen for a few weeks yet, of course, but with the Summer Dawn welcoming coming up soon, you know there must be a High Lord greeting the dawn. Usoara will not be pleased if we dishonor her." He sighs. "But... I do hope that Emeritus turns up before then. He has always been kind to me." Emungo acknowledges that Dawnlord Menges is the oldest son of Lord Atterley. His second son, Brackus, is on the Wickham council as well. He tells you that both the Dawnlord and High Lord have their offices and rooms in the rectory where the new novices will sleep. "The High Lord always says that the best place for those awakening to the Light is near those closest to its Source."
Quill, Demoiselle, and Simeon: By mid morning the market is filled with throngs of people buying and selling. The whole square is awash with noise and color and mixed smells of spices. Goats and sheep are openly walked between stalls and crates of chickens are stacked at one end. Interspersed among the crowd you can see beatifically smiling barefoot men and women dressed in long white flowing gowns, each with several wreaths of flowers hung round their necks offering them to passing strangers. "Come! Follow the Way of Enlightenment!" they call to the crowds. Some of them seem to be offering potions of some blue liquid for free to anyone who wants one. The truly surprising thing is that every one of them has a completely shaved head except for the back where their hair forms a long braided tail tied back with a leather strap. It's particularly disconcerting to see on the women. (All three of you make a perception check with disadvantage due to the chaos)
Quill's Perception Check: 18
And that's all I have to say about that.
Simeon Grey
Perception check: 8
Perception: 13
Demoiselle:
With your keen perception you spot what looks like your two missing cleric friends in the crowd at the far end of the square, just outside a large mansion. One of them, well over seven feet tall, blue face peaking out from his hood, the other, Quiqwin the gnome, looking like a child next to him. Both seem to be smiling almost dreamily and are wearing a wreath of flowers around their necks. Then the crowd surges again and they disappear from your sight.
Quill and Simeon see a large mansion with four beautifully carved marble pillars along the front facing them across the crowded square. It's a lovely counterpoint to the Basilica.
Simeon Grey
I approach the nearest barefooted, gown-wearing, wreath-donning individual, be it man or woman, and ask if I might have a sample of the blue liquid. If there's any sort of requirement to drink it on the spot, then I kindly change the subject and move on. If, however, I am given some of the liquid, I stow it away in my pack so I might examine it sometime later.
Regardless of what happens in the above situation, I approach one of the local sellers and do what I can to glean some information on the Way of Enlightenment. "Pardon my interruption, sir (or madam). What can you tell me about these folks who are on the path to enlightenment? They certainly seem like pleasant people, but there does appear to be something slightly out of the ordinary about them. Am I wrong?"
Simeon: You draw near to a tall, slender woman, with large dark eyes and a long black hair tail who would have been lovely if not for her stark appearance. "The Wa welcome you!" She says as you approach, offering to place a floral wreath over your head. "Do you seek enlightenment?" Her face lights up when you ask to sample the blue liquid. "It will bring you peace," she says encouraging, but not forcing, you to drink it immediately. The small, clear glass bottle seems to have enough for just one or two mouthfuls. The liquid within is the color of the ocean on a cloudless day. "Come!" she beckons you, "and listen to our divine leader, Kara-Tur. She will guide you down the true path." She reaches out to gently tug at your hand.
Seeing that you are not ready to follow her, she kisses the tips of her fingers and presses them to your chest. "May the Celestial Emperor bless you with peace," she says and then moves further into the crowd, offering more wreaths.
Soon after, speaking to a man selling sweet potatoes buried in hot coals within a small black iron cauldron for a copper a piece, you question him about the strange religious folk. His time worn face, sprinkled with large brown freckles, wrinkles in distaste. He spits into a sack of peelings next to his pot. "Them? They come round nigh on two months ago." He makes a vague gesture towards the mansion across the square. "One of their first converts, or dupes as I call 'em, was Sir Gable. Nice young man, always generous with his wealth, but innocent, might say gullible, even." Taking a large bite of one of his steaming hot potatoes, he continues talking with his mouth full, dropping crumbs onto his shirt front. "They moved into his place and set up shop. Been luring more people in with their 'peace potions' every week since then." That seems to be all the information he has about them.
Demoiselle leaned close to Simeon and murmured. "This is bad, mon ami. I just saw our lost fellows with the flowers around their necks and now these blue drinks? I am thinking many people are being drugged."
Simeon Grey
"Quiqwin and Forest? Really?" I shake my head in disbelief at how quickly this day has morphed into a series of oddities. "Well, Demoiselle and Quill, two of our fellow brothers of the Second Sun need some help, and I fear the strange hairstyle is the least of the dangers they're facing. Demoiselle, ma soeur, can you lead the way to where you last saw them?"
Demoiselle smiled. "Oui, they were swallowed by the crowd but I will surely lead us to where I saw them standing." She said and began to move in the direction she saw them.