Constance keeps an eye on the "needle," watching it for any shift that might indicate Ed is on the move. "It would not be a reach to assume the Heralds apprehended them," she postulates aloud, gloved hands wringing back and forth. "Though they could've also found something of further interest at the yew tree...No. Unlikely. They were headed towards the livery, which most assuredly means they were detained."
As Dulana mentions her lack of rest, she looks up at the Dwarven woman with a hapless smile, her own concern clear above even the exhaustion plaguing her features. "I should think I would make for quite a poor companion if I could rest while the people I care about may be in danger," she laughs weakly, removing her glasses to rub at her eyes, the world a blur as she gazes at nothing in particular. "We... lost someone of our own a few months back. And it's surprising how easily those wounds reopen. No matter how many times you suture them closed again."
She takes a deep breath but then quickly dismisses the sentimentality, glasses returned to her face once more. "Though I'm sure they're all on their best behavior! Nothing to worry about."
The "needle" hasn't moved. It just points towards the direction of the temple, the tree, and the road. Closer to the three of them Constance would get a clearer idea of where the pendant is exactly located.
"You can't take care of anyone dear if you don't take care of yourself first. My granny use to say "you can't set yourself on fire to keep those you love warm" it's better in dwarvish but that's the translation, " she adds offering Constance a pouch of herbs. "Here," she says. "This will bring one person back from the brink of death. Use it wisely, " she adds.
Dulana gives Constance the mini version of an herbalist kit.
Initiative over. Post at will.
Outside...
"I will," Viga replies turning around and heading back into the forge.
Inside...
"There's been a bit of a scuffle, " Viga begins coming into the forge to find Dulana and Constance talking. "It seems the party attacked the Heralds, " she adds frowning. "It's tense out there but they're asking for you," she adds looking at Constance with a somber expression. "High Warden Reeves requires an audience with the party, " she explains.
Constance processes the wise advice, unable to argue against it, then accepts the herbs with heartfelt thanks. She’s about to question the woman over the types of herbs and their different properties when Viga enters.
“Oh? Seems I… spoke too soon,” the wizard gapes, slightly gobsmacked. Surely if they attacked, it was for good reason.
“I‘d wager all 537 of my leaves that it was that hot-blooded rogue! Poor Miss Perianth, getting dragged into a ruffian’s row!” Alphinius laments, the cleric the picture of perfection in his eyelets.
“Are they all alright?” Constance asks, ignoring her tome as she gets to her feet and immediately heads for the door.
"No one was injured but ...uh the Heralds, " Viga says with a sort of cocked eyebrow and smile.
Dulana chides her for her smirk.
"Violence will not bring those we've lost back, " the older dwarven woman adds frowning. "I will remain here. Since we...we were the architects of the Gunnulf twins plan I think it's best you accompany Miss Drake's party, " Dulana says brokering no discussion.
Viga only nods and doesn't give even an inkling of reserve.
"Let's go, " Viga then says to Constance with a somber expression again. "I do...I do not like violence..." she then pauses, "but it's the one thing we haven't used to get them to leave, " she whispers at Constance's side as they walk out together.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Sometimes a Nat 1 tells a better story than a Nat 20 ever could.
Salamir stands there whilst they wait for Constance to arrive.
"So, how are you enjoying it in Carrowkeel?", he asks of the paladins, trying to make small talk. "And what called you to serve the Dawn Father in the first place?".
His eyes flick to each paladin in turn and back to the first, warily watching them.
Rammand presses a button on his wrists, reeling in a thin wire attached to the hammer. He joins his companions, grumbling to himself. ”Self-righteous jerks.”
Constance pauses at the doorway, not liking the thought of leaving Dulana alone. She removes her quill from behind her ear and flicks droplets of wet ink into the air, which converge together into an owl mid-flight. "This is Archimedes," she says as he finds a perch on the back of an arm chair, eyes immediately shooting daggers at his wizard. "Don't mind his grumpy exterior, he's a sweet ball of fluff on the inside." Salamir and Rammand would likely disagree with that statement.
The owl clicks his beak in annoyance, his head lowering into a cowl of fluffed up feathers. "Please send him for us if there's any trouble," she urges as she tucks the quill away. She needs to ask him if Wyn sent a letter in return, but it would have to wait.
As she heads through the door with Viga, Constance turns. "Srinshee is not the only wizard in a hundred miles now,"and gives Dulana a beatific smile, even as her worry for the kind woman tightens around her lungs. "We will get this all sorted. You have my word." Then she closes the door and heads out into the street. To Viga she recites something Kit said to her long ago in soft reply, "Those who make peaceful revolution impossible, make violent revolution inevitable."
Salamir stands there whilst they wait for Constance to arrive.
"So, how are you enjoying it in Carrowkeel?", he asks of the paladins, trying to make small talk. "And what called you to serve the Dawn Father in the first place?".
His eyes flick to each paladin in turn and back to the first, warily watching them.
There's a long silence before the injured dwarf speaks.
"Our service to the Dawn Father was a call for each of us," the dwarf replies to Salamir with a ragged breath. "Our Father sent us here to root out the evil growing here. In the dark. Under these people's noises," he adds eyes flickering towards the forge where Viga and Constance emerge.
Constance pauses at the doorway, not liking the thought of leaving Dulana alone. She removes her quill from behind her ear and flicks droplets of wet ink into the air, which converge together into an owl mid-flight. "This is Archimedes," she says as he finds a perch on the back of an arm chair, eyes immediately shooting daggers at his wizard. "Don't mind his grumpy exterior, he's a sweet ball of fluff on the inside." Salamir and Rammand would likely disagree with that statement.
The owl clicks his beak in annoyance, his head lowering into a cowl of fluffed up feathers. "Please send him for us if there's any trouble," she urges as she tucks the quill away. She needs to ask him if Wyn sent a letter in return, but it would have to wait.
Retroactively...
"Ah, I was curious which animal you'd choose " Dulana says beaming at Constance.
Archimedes then begrudgingly holds out his leg towards Constance unwilling to wait! In opening the return message within it's short and to the point!
"On our way, no trouble so far. Take care, more than likely to arrive early evening. Will meet at the homestead," the message reads.
"Good news I hope," Dulana asks as Archimedes takes flight to a welcoming perch that's unoccupied. "Regardless of Viga's opinions of my abilities I can defend myself, " she adds nodding and smiling.
"Whatever happens. I have your back," Viga says to Constance as they step out into the street to face the Heralds.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Sometimes a Nat 1 tells a better story than a Nat 20 ever could.
Constance gives the half-orc a grateful nod and whispered "thank you," then approaches her companions, her movements sluggish.
"Heralds," she greets and inclines her head politely. Her eyes widen as she notices how badly the dwarf is injured, gaze then flicking across her companions' faces. Constance clears her throat and smooths at the wrinkles in the fine fabric of her navy vest. "I was informed we've been asked," she makes pointed eye contact with the dwarf, "to meet with your High Warden? Let's not keep her then, shall we? To the temple, I presume?" She arches an eyebrow then strides off in that direction, but pauses when the others are slow to follow. With two sharp claps of her hands, she does her best impression of her governess, "Chop, chop! No time to dilly dally," then is a whirl of skirts once more as she continues on her way. It's quite clear the scribe's patience has been worn thin by exhaustion as she throws the weight of her nobility around like a bull in a crockery shop.
As Constance appears and swiftly marches off towards the temple, Salamir stays close to the dwarf matching their stride.
"Strange you came here to root out evil, considering all the problems started after you all arrived", he says thoughtfully. "Best do as she says, assuming you don't want a lecture on punctuality", he adds with a grin as Constance hurries them all up.
Even though outwardly he is trying to remain flippant and clam, his mind is racing trying to figure out how to react to whatever is about to happen. The High Warden had shown no friendliness towards them before the service, hinting heavily that they should leave. Perhaps now she would be more direct.
"I don't suppose you spotted our tabaxi companion on your travels?", he then asks the dwarf, anxious to figure out what happened to Ed.
"Ha!" The dwarf exclaims at Salamir's statement. "I suppose they told you that? They missed the part where a portal to the Shadowfell just appeared, " he emphasizes the word 'appeared ' with a hard ton, "we were passing through recruiting when High Warden Reeves was tapped to close this mysterious portal that just happened to open of it's own accord! We stayed to riddle out who was the author of this terror, " he says quite resolutely. "As for your tabaxi companion. They were caught harassing a villager who called for help. You will be reunited," he adds. "They are being questioned by High Warden Reeves now," he adds.
Disregarding the statement about Constance the paladins move in a semi circle flanking the party as if herding them towards the temple.
OOC anyone else need to add anything before this next beat?
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Sometimes a Nat 1 tells a better story than a Nat 20 ever could.
Constance, palm pressed against the cover of her tome to keep track of Ed's location, looks curiously at Viga over the dwarven Herald's assertion, trying to read her expression in reaction to it. Lies or delusions?
((Does Viga make any indication that the dwarf is lying? Just in case it's needed, Insight at disadvantage: 6... sigh.))
Salamir cocks his head at the dwarf's assertion, trying to figure out if they are being truthful, but does not engage in more conversation. It seemed things really were not what they seemed here.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Persephone sees things in Constance that remind her of her younger sister. But she maintains a pokerface under the circumstances. She pays attention to escape routes & how close the pallys are getting.
(Does she hear the dwarf mention Ed "harassing" or the gate "appearing"? Is it loud enough she hears it or gets a perception bonus?
Salamir can tell from the dwarven man's tone that the convection in his words are genuine to him at least. Salamir's been around both parties, villagers and Heralds, and has only extremes of emotion from each side. He needs to collect more evidence from both sides.
Entering the temple the party is lead down a hall way towards a backroom. Before the dwarven man can knock on the door however a female voice is heard resolutely from the other side.
"Enter," High Warden Reeves calls out as the party arrives.
The dwarven man lingers outside as the bowman nodding to her superior leads the way. Viga however lingers awaiting the party to enter ahead but brings up the rear of the group her tall figure looming in the small but ornate space.
Light. Light hits the party regardless of the late autumn day outside and its somber, gray skies threatening snow. High Warden Reeves sits at a table between a roaring hearth and a mural of the Dawn Father. His head a beckon of light and his body clad in golden armor.
"I've been informed there was some difficulty arranging our meeting, " High Warden Reeves says her tone even and her word choice diplomatic. "It seems you come from a place where violence solves most of your...issues with a slight inconvenience," she adds a little less diplomatically. Her eyes then find Viga. "Oathbreaker," she addresses the smith. "Have you been playing the hero with these misguided travelers? Would they really want your help if they knew your past crimes against the church," she adds resolutely but her tone never raising above conversational.
Standing behind the party Viga remains silent.
OOC Perception checks please in addition to your RP.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Sometimes a Nat 1 tells a better story than a Nat 20 ever could.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
15 Perception. Looking for signs of Ed, by the way.
"Violence doesn't always solve problems but sometimes seems the only option left. Like when a companion goes missing and so far we've heard two stories from your heralds. I'd cast Zone of Truth, but it seems I'd need to get the whole town in it. Where's Eyes in the Dark, our Tabaxi companion? Are you finally ready to join forces to close the gate and dispel the shadow beings?" "And please let the gentleman I harmed that I sincerely apologize for the attack. Though I felt we were threatened the spell was much more damaging than I intended and I pray the Moon Mother grants me a less damaging spell."
Constance steps protectively in front of Viga, though it does nothing to block the Warden's line of sight of the much taller woman, and puts her hands on her hips, waiting to see how she responds to Persephone.
((Perception: Nat 1+2 3 Whereabouts does Locate Object indicate Ed is at the moment? Can Constance remember anything about the Dawnfather's dogma that she could use against these Heralds, examples that would suggest their impiety perhaps? Religion at disadv: 14))
Salamir smiles at the High Warden after Persephone has said her piece.
"You reap what you sow High Warden. You could have sent a message asking us to meet, but you sent three heavily armed paladins with orders to escort is immediately here no matter our response. I would suggest your instruction left no possibility for you to accept any inconvenience, and were we to decline we would have been brought using force, so lets drop the holier than though attitude and you can tell us where Eyes in the Dark is, and what you want from us that is so urgent", he says calmly and without malice.
Rammand nods along with the High Warden. “You’re right. I would like to apologize for our unnecessary and unwanted aggression. We never should have come here and placed this town under martial law. Then we forced our religion on the people and cut down the tree that has protected the town and unleashed dangerous shadow creatures. And that doesn’t account for all of those people we “took under our care” because they have a chance of disagreeing with us. Or disappearing the friend of a simple group of adventurers who are actually trying to help people.” An odd calm comes over his face. “You’re are a group of cowards and it is truly unfortunate that you’ve twisted the tenants of your own god and project your failings upon us.”
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
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(AFAIK Viga & Rammond are nearest the smithy, so Seph will ask the closer one:)
"Can you please call Constance to come with us, thank you."
She won't mention that she wants Connie awake & ready to run if they need to.
Constance keeps an eye on the "needle," watching it for any shift that might indicate Ed is on the move. "It would not be a reach to assume the Heralds apprehended them," she postulates aloud, gloved hands wringing back and forth. "Though they could've also found something of further interest at the yew tree...No. Unlikely. They were headed towards the livery, which most assuredly means they were detained."
As Dulana mentions her lack of rest, she looks up at the Dwarven woman with a hapless smile, her own concern clear above even the exhaustion plaguing her features. "I should think I would make for quite a poor companion if I could rest while the people I care about may be in danger," she laughs weakly, removing her glasses to rub at her eyes, the world a blur as she gazes at nothing in particular. "We... lost someone of our own a few months back. And it's surprising how easily those wounds reopen. No matter how many times you suture them closed again."
She takes a deep breath but then quickly dismisses the sentimentality, glasses returned to her face once more. "Though I'm sure they're all on their best behavior! Nothing to worry about."
The "needle" hasn't moved. It just points towards the direction of the temple, the tree, and the road. Closer to the three of them Constance would get a clearer idea of where the pendant is exactly located.
"You can't take care of anyone dear if you don't take care of yourself first. My granny use to say "you can't set yourself on fire to keep those you love warm" it's better in dwarvish but that's the translation, " she adds offering Constance a pouch of herbs. "Here," she says. "This will bring one person back from the brink of death. Use it wisely, " she adds.
Dulana gives Constance the mini version of an herbalist kit.
Initiative over. Post at will.
Outside...
"I will," Viga replies turning around and heading back into the forge.
Inside...
"There's been a bit of a scuffle, " Viga begins coming into the forge to find Dulana and Constance talking. "It seems the party attacked the Heralds, " she adds frowning. "It's tense out there but they're asking for you," she adds looking at Constance with a somber expression. "High Warden Reeves requires an audience with the party, " she explains.
Sometimes a Nat 1 tells a better story than a Nat 20 ever could.
Constance processes the wise advice, unable to argue against it, then accepts the herbs with heartfelt thanks. She’s about to question the woman over the types of herbs and their different properties when Viga enters.
“Oh? Seems I… spoke too soon,” the wizard gapes, slightly gobsmacked. Surely if they attacked, it was for good reason.
“I‘d wager all 537 of my leaves that it was that hot-blooded rogue! Poor Miss Perianth, getting dragged into a ruffian’s row!” Alphinius laments, the cleric the picture of perfection in his eyelets.
“Are they all alright?” Constance asks, ignoring her tome as she gets to her feet and immediately heads for the door.
"No one was injured but ...uh the Heralds, " Viga says with a sort of cocked eyebrow and smile.
Dulana chides her for her smirk.
"Violence will not bring those we've lost back, " the older dwarven woman adds frowning. "I will remain here. Since we...we were the architects of the Gunnulf twins plan I think it's best you accompany Miss Drake's party, " Dulana says brokering no discussion.
Viga only nods and doesn't give even an inkling of reserve.
"Let's go, " Viga then says to Constance with a somber expression again. "I do...I do not like violence..." she then pauses, "but it's the one thing we haven't used to get them to leave, " she whispers at Constance's side as they walk out together.
Sometimes a Nat 1 tells a better story than a Nat 20 ever could.
Salamir stands there whilst they wait for Constance to arrive.
"So, how are you enjoying it in Carrowkeel?", he asks of the paladins, trying to make small talk. "And what called you to serve the Dawn Father in the first place?".
His eyes flick to each paladin in turn and back to the first, warily watching them.
Rammand presses a button on his wrists, reeling in a thin wire attached to the hammer. He joins his companions, grumbling to himself. ”Self-righteous jerks.”
Constance pauses at the doorway, not liking the thought of leaving Dulana alone. She removes her quill from behind her ear and flicks droplets of wet ink into the air, which converge together into an owl mid-flight. "This is Archimedes," she says as he finds a perch on the back of an arm chair, eyes immediately shooting daggers at his wizard. "Don't mind his grumpy exterior, he's a sweet ball of fluff on the inside." Salamir and Rammand would likely disagree with that statement.
The owl clicks his beak in annoyance, his head lowering into a cowl of fluffed up feathers. "Please send him for us if there's any trouble," she urges as she tucks the quill away. She needs to ask him if Wyn sent a letter in return, but it would have to wait.
As she heads through the door with Viga, Constance turns. "Srinshee is not the only wizard in a hundred miles now," and gives Dulana a beatific smile, even as her worry for the kind woman tightens around her lungs. "We will get this all sorted. You have my word." Then she closes the door and heads out into the street. To Viga she recites something Kit said to her long ago in soft reply, "Those who make peaceful revolution impossible, make violent revolution inevitable."
There's a long silence before the injured dwarf speaks.
"Our service to the Dawn Father was a call for each of us," the dwarf replies to Salamir with a ragged breath. "Our Father sent us here to root out the evil growing here. In the dark. Under these people's noises," he adds eyes flickering towards the forge where Viga and Constance emerge.
Retroactively...
"Ah, I was curious which animal you'd choose " Dulana says beaming at Constance.
Archimedes then begrudgingly holds out his leg towards Constance unwilling to wait! In opening the return message within it's short and to the point!
"On our way, no trouble so far. Take care, more than likely to arrive early evening. Will meet at the homestead," the message reads.
"Good news I hope," Dulana asks as Archimedes takes flight to a welcoming perch that's unoccupied. "Regardless of Viga's opinions of my abilities I can defend myself, " she adds nodding and smiling.
"Whatever happens. I have your back," Viga says to Constance as they step out into the street to face the Heralds.
Sometimes a Nat 1 tells a better story than a Nat 20 ever could.
Constance gives the half-orc a grateful nod and whispered "thank you," then approaches her companions, her movements sluggish.
"Heralds," she greets and inclines her head politely. Her eyes widen as she notices how badly the dwarf is injured, gaze then flicking across her companions' faces. Constance clears her throat and smooths at the wrinkles in the fine fabric of her navy vest. "I was informed we've been asked," she makes pointed eye contact with the dwarf, "to meet with your High Warden? Let's not keep her then, shall we? To the temple, I presume?" She arches an eyebrow then strides off in that direction, but pauses when the others are slow to follow. With two sharp claps of her hands, she does her best impression of her governess, "Chop, chop! No time to dilly dally," then is a whirl of skirts once more as she continues on her way. It's quite clear the scribe's patience has been worn thin by exhaustion as she throws the weight of her nobility around like a bull in a crockery shop.
As Constance appears and swiftly marches off towards the temple, Salamir stays close to the dwarf matching their stride.
"Strange you came here to root out evil, considering all the problems started after you all arrived", he says thoughtfully. "Best do as she says, assuming you don't want a lecture on punctuality", he adds with a grin as Constance hurries them all up.
Even though outwardly he is trying to remain flippant and clam, his mind is racing trying to figure out how to react to whatever is about to happen. The High Warden had shown no friendliness towards them before the service, hinting heavily that they should leave. Perhaps now she would be more direct.
"I don't suppose you spotted our tabaxi companion on your travels?", he then asks the dwarf, anxious to figure out what happened to Ed.
"Ha!" The dwarf exclaims at Salamir's statement. "I suppose they told you that? They missed the part where a portal to the Shadowfell just appeared, " he emphasizes the word 'appeared ' with a hard ton, "we were passing through recruiting when High Warden Reeves was tapped to close this mysterious portal that just happened to open of it's own accord! We stayed to riddle out who was the author of this terror, " he says quite resolutely. "As for your tabaxi companion. They were caught harassing a villager who called for help. You will be reunited," he adds. "They are being questioned by High Warden Reeves now," he adds.
Disregarding the statement about Constance the paladins move in a semi circle flanking the party as if herding them towards the temple.
OOC anyone else need to add anything before this next beat?
Sometimes a Nat 1 tells a better story than a Nat 20 ever could.
Constance, palm pressed against the cover of her tome to keep track of Ed's location, looks curiously at Viga over the dwarven Herald's assertion, trying to read her expression in reaction to it. Lies or delusions?
((Does Viga make any indication that the dwarf is lying? Just in case it's needed, Insight at disadvantage: 6... sigh.))
Salamir cocks his head at the dwarf's assertion, trying to figure out if they are being truthful, but does not engage in more conversation. It seemed things really were not what they seemed here.
Insight: 8+2=10 (Passive: 12)
Persephone sees things in Constance that remind her of her younger sister. But she maintains a pokerface under the circumstances. She pays attention to escape routes & how close the pallys are getting.
(Does she hear the dwarf mention Ed "harassing" or the gate "appearing"? Is it loud enough she hears it or gets a perception bonus?
If not, perception w disad 17
Persephone can hear all that is being said.
Salamir can tell from the dwarven man's tone that the convection in his words are genuine to him at least. Salamir's been around both parties, villagers and Heralds, and has only extremes of emotion from each side. He needs to collect more evidence from both sides.
Entering the temple the party is lead down a hall way towards a backroom. Before the dwarven man can knock on the door however a female voice is heard resolutely from the other side.
"Enter," High Warden Reeves calls out as the party arrives.
The dwarven man lingers outside as the bowman nodding to her superior leads the way. Viga however lingers awaiting the party to enter ahead but brings up the rear of the group her tall figure looming in the small but ornate space.
Light. Light hits the party regardless of the late autumn day outside and its somber, gray skies threatening snow. High Warden Reeves sits at a table between a roaring hearth and a mural of the Dawn Father. His head a beckon of light and his body clad in golden armor.
"I've been informed there was some difficulty arranging our meeting, " High Warden Reeves says her tone even and her word choice diplomatic. "It seems you come from a place where violence solves most of your...issues with a slight inconvenience," she adds a little less diplomatically. Her eyes then find Viga. "Oathbreaker," she addresses the smith. "Have you been playing the hero with these misguided travelers? Would they really want your help if they knew your past crimes against the church," she adds resolutely but her tone never raising above conversational.
Standing behind the party Viga remains silent.
OOC Perception checks please in addition to your RP.
Sometimes a Nat 1 tells a better story than a Nat 20 ever could.
15 Perception. Looking for signs of Ed, by the way.
"Violence doesn't always solve problems but sometimes seems the only option left. Like when a companion goes missing and so far we've heard two stories from your heralds. I'd cast Zone of Truth, but it seems I'd need to get the whole town in it. Where's Eyes in the Dark, our Tabaxi companion? Are you finally ready to join forces to close the gate and dispel the shadow beings?" "And please let the gentleman I harmed that I sincerely apologize for the attack. Though I felt we were threatened the spell was much more damaging than I intended and I pray the Moon Mother grants me a less damaging spell."
Constance steps protectively in front of Viga, though it does nothing to block the Warden's line of sight of the much taller woman, and puts her hands on her hips, waiting to see how she responds to Persephone.
((Perception: Nat 1+2 3
Whereabouts does Locate Object indicate Ed is at the moment?
Can Constance remember anything about the Dawnfather's dogma that she could use against these Heralds, examples that would suggest their impiety perhaps? Religion at disadv: 14))
Salamir smiles at the High Warden after Persephone has said her piece.
"You reap what you sow High Warden. You could have sent a message asking us to meet, but you sent three heavily armed paladins with orders to escort is immediately here no matter our response. I would suggest your instruction left no possibility for you to accept any inconvenience, and were we to decline we would have been brought using force, so lets drop the holier than though attitude and you can tell us where Eyes in the Dark is, and what you want from us that is so urgent", he says calmly and without malice.
Perception: 15+2=17
Rammand nods along with the High Warden. “You’re right. I would like to apologize for our unnecessary and unwanted aggression. We never should have come here and placed this town under martial law. Then we forced our religion on the people and cut down the tree that has protected the town and unleashed dangerous shadow creatures. And that doesn’t account for all of those people we “took under our care” because they have a chance of disagreeing with us. Or disappearing the friend of a simple group of adventurers who are actually trying to help people.” An odd calm comes over his face. “You’re are a group of cowards and it is truly unfortunate that you’ve twisted the tenants of your own god and project your failings upon us.”