The elder priest of Ezra wore a grim expression. Then again, he always wore a grim expression but today he seemed grimmer than normal...
"Castien," he said, ignoring any pleasantries. "I have received word from Brother Elijah, who tends to Northorpe in the Barony of Wyndshire. He sends word that he believes the Cult of Zura may have infiltrated the Barony. This cannot be allowed to stand. I have called you here to honour you with this task. Meet with Brother Elijah, find out what he has learned, and investigate. Deal with the cultists if you can, or return to us with the information if you cannot. Can I entrust this task to you?"
Castien was praying to a statue of Helm, God of protection, life and light whose statue is seen as a Knight who shares a similar appearance to a Paladin. This is a god who defends the weak, especially children. Although Castien is no cleric this is a common practice for him.
He gazes up at the elder priest from his kneeling position, a stoic expression on his face
"He is alone, but he did not go. He tends to a small chapel in Northorpe. The Cult appears to be extending it's reach into his home. Brother Elijah couldn't say much in his letters. He didn't know which couriers he could trust, which is why we need to send someone to him."
"No. Only that he had found signs and symbols. He suspects that some of the citizens have joined the cult but he either couldn't, or couldn't safely say, who in his letters."
Castien stated before grabbing his leather hat and placing it on his head, striding over to a statue of Kelemvor, the god of death who was currently holding his leather coat around his stony fingers, Castien had little respect for death as death can normally be senseless, especially at the hands of monsters.
” If there isn’t anything else, I’ll take my leave father “
"Blessed be your journey, my son. And may Helm protect you as you bring light to dark places."
A few days later...
Wyndshire was an odd place, much too big to be a town but much too small for a city. And over it all stood "Castle" Wyndshire, really a crumbling watch tower built long ago to defend the crossroads that mark the center of the community.
Castien had already found shelter and stabling at a combination Inn and Tavern called "The Boar & Lyre". It was late afternoon and Castien khew he had a few hours to ponder his next move before night fell...
Castien strolls up to the bar and places around 20 silver pieces before the bartender
“ Ale and i need some information. “
He said gruffly, keeping his face hidden from under his wide hat brim, being a werewolf he can smell surroundings and chose to focus in on conversation from far and near, but for now all attention is on the bartender and the smell of food from around the tavern
The bartender eyes up Castien appraisingly. He's middle aged and heavy-set, but the Blood Hunter has spent enough time sizing up opponents to recognize there's a lot of muscle underneath. The scars on his left cheek are from claw scratches, the one on his arm looks like the work of a sword slash, though not a deep one...
"That's a lot of coin for one drink, so I'll wager the information you need is hard to come by. I don't gossip with strangers, friend. You have a name?"
For a moment Castien did contemplate on giving the bartender a fake name, but decided against it
” Castien Inakas, I understand that you are a business man and so that money is for a mere few questions, providing you are willing to answer them “
He said smoothly, trying to persuade the other because he needs to follow up on the disappearances of civilians, hopefully someone in this bar knows something
Castien lifted his head a bit, so that his face was finally revealed and you could see his piercing golden yellow eyes and a gave a breathy chuckle, which revealed his sharp canine teeth
“ Now, now my friend. You didn’t answer my first question, so let’s not get ahead of ourselves “
"I meant no disrespect, sir. It can be dangerous to speak out of turn. There's been rumours of unusual happenings. Mostly up near the cemetery. Strange lights and whatnot. Folks are starting to say the place is haunted."
“ I understand the danger, but if I may be so bold, you appear to sell yourself short, those battle wounds tell a different story to what you are saying, I dare say you can handle yourself. “
He complimented the bartender, normally facial scars like that tell a different story, it is the mark of an adventurer and if the man before him is still breathing after his travels, he can undoubtedly handle himself
“ But while we’re on this topic, have any of your patrons been acting out of character? “
“ Aye, may I suggest you show me your select alcohol, out back? I’d quite like a glass “
in other words, tell me out back because Castien could see how nervous this question had made the bartender, which meant there could be some of the cult followers amongst them
One Year Ago...
The elder priest of Ezra wore a grim expression. Then again, he always wore a grim expression but today he seemed grimmer than normal...
"Castien," he said, ignoring any pleasantries. "I have received word from Brother Elijah, who tends to Northorpe in the Barony of Wyndshire. He sends word that he believes the Cult of Zura may have infiltrated the Barony. This cannot be allowed to stand. I have called you here to honour you with this task. Meet with Brother Elijah, find out what he has learned, and investigate. Deal with the cultists if you can, or return to us with the information if you cannot. Can I entrust this task to you?"
Castien was praying to a statue of Helm, God of protection, life and light whose statue is seen as a Knight who shares a similar appearance to a Paladin. This is a god who defends the weak, especially children. Although Castien is no cleric this is a common practice for him.
He gazes up at the elder priest from his kneeling position, a stoic expression on his face
“ Did he go alone? “
she / they
"He is alone, but he did not go. He tends to a small chapel in Northorpe. The Cult appears to be extending it's reach into his home. Brother Elijah couldn't say much in his letters. He didn't know which couriers he could trust, which is why we need to send someone to him."
" That’s a relief, didn’t want to be the bearer of bad news. “
In other words, Castien didn’t want to drag a body back with him or tell the church to arrange funeral arrangements
Getting up Castien sheathed his sword, which is was formally on the being presented to Helm, for he is someone who strives to be, a true protector
“ Did he reveal any information in his letters on the cult or other? “
she / they
"No. Only that he had found signs and symbols. He suspects that some of the citizens have joined the cult but he either couldn't, or couldn't safely say, who in his letters."
“ Then best we find out. “
Castien stated before grabbing his leather hat and placing it on his head, striding over to a statue of Kelemvor, the god of death who was currently holding his leather coat around his stony fingers, Castien had little respect for death as death can normally be senseless, especially at the hands of monsters.
” If there isn’t anything else, I’ll take my leave father “
she / they
"Blessed be your journey, my son. And may Helm protect you as you bring light to dark places."
A few days later...
Wyndshire was an odd place, much too big to be a town but much too small for a city. And over it all stood "Castle" Wyndshire, really a crumbling watch tower built long ago to defend the crossroads that mark the center of the community.
Castien had already found shelter and stabling at a combination Inn and Tavern called "The Boar & Lyre". It was late afternoon and Castien khew he had a few hours to ponder his next move before night fell...
Castien strolls up to the bar and places around 20 silver pieces before the bartender
“ Ale and i need some information. “
He said gruffly, keeping his face hidden from under his wide hat brim, being a werewolf he can smell surroundings and chose to focus in on conversation from far and near, but for now all attention is on the bartender and the smell of food from around the tavern
she / they
The bartender eyes up Castien appraisingly. He's middle aged and heavy-set, but the Blood Hunter has spent enough time sizing up opponents to recognize there's a lot of muscle underneath. The scars on his left cheek are from claw scratches, the one on his arm looks like the work of a sword slash, though not a deep one...
"That's a lot of coin for one drink, so I'll wager the information you need is hard to come by. I don't gossip with strangers, friend. You have a name?"
For a moment Castien did contemplate on giving the bartender a fake name, but decided against it
” Castien Inakas, I understand that you are a business man and so that money is for a mere few questions, providing you are willing to answer them “
He said smoothly, trying to persuade the other because he needs to follow up on the disappearances of civilians, hopefully someone in this bar knows something
she / they
The bartender grunts
"Can't spend if you're dead. Need to make sure the answers won't get me killed."
"What exactly is it you're wanting to know?"
“ Then I will make this swift, I will only ask 3 questions. “
Castien understood exactly where this bartender was coming from and he’d be going against Helm if he was the cause of the bartender’s endangerment
“ To begin with, have you noticed anything out of ordinary? “
she / they
"Now there's a dangerous question if I've ever heard one! Spilling secrets without even knowing what it is that you're curious about?"
He eyes the pile of silver longingly, but doesn't touch it.
"Next question?"
Castien lifted his head a bit, so that his face was finally revealed and you could see his piercing golden yellow eyes and a gave a breathy chuckle, which revealed his sharp canine teeth
“ Now, now my friend. You didn’t answer my first question, so let’s not get ahead of ourselves “
she / they
intimidation check: 15 +2 = 17
she / they
The bartender pulls back with a start.
"I meant no disrespect, sir. It can be dangerous to speak out of turn. There's been rumours of unusual happenings. Mostly up near the cemetery. Strange lights and whatnot. Folks are starting to say the place is haunted."
“ I understand the danger, but if I may be so bold, you appear to sell yourself short, those battle wounds tell a different story to what you are saying, I dare say you can handle yourself. “
He complimented the bartender, normally facial scars like that tell a different story, it is the mark of an adventurer and if the man before him is still breathing after his travels, he can undoubtedly handle himself
“ But while we’re on this topic, have any of your patrons been acting out of character? “
this was Castien’s second question
she / they
"A man can fight what he can see, but loose tongues tend to die in the dark. If you get my meaning."
His eyes dart around the room to see if any of the other patrons may be watching.
“ Aye, may I suggest you show me your select alcohol, out back? I’d quite like a glass “
in other words, tell me out back because Castien could see how nervous this question had made the bartender, which meant there could be some of the cult followers amongst them
she / they
Persuasion check: 14
she / they