"Calm, Boosey, Allister, his surprise is genuine, I believe," Sthara says.
"We do this by our own accord–we heard stories of pirates and pieced together some ill will on the part of someone within your walls. We merely want to see the malefactor brought to justice, as I can only imagine a holy man would want as well."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
While this conversation is going on, Boosey is going to start looking round the temple for any hidden doors or cubbyholes and anything that looks like it might be valuable for use in ceremonies (preferably breakable) Investigation check 8
While everyone focuses on the task at large, Funderburk concentrates on the man in front of him. First, he learned of the fear the was going on, now prying deeper in his brain, Funderburk decided not to talk and instead focus his attention on the mind alone.
He takes on a sour expression and grimaces, slightly rubbing his temple, "I don't really care for your tone, sirs! Their disappearance had nothing to do with me as I was here that entire night through. I don't know who you expect to answer for this." He takes a quick look around the room and grabs up a candlestick.
"I am a servant of the divine, too," Nenne says, in a calm tone. "I understand better than these the importance of rituals and ceremony. Why, brother priest, did you move the day of the memorial forward one day? Is not the honoring of the dead a sacred thing here?"
His demeanor calms ever so slightly and moves to put more distance between Boosey and Allister, but closer to Nenne and Sthara. His eyes are darting to each of you frantically and he winces in pain periodically. "The ceremony was moved upon Liara's request. She had pressing matters the next day. What does that have to do with anything?"
Cancelling his spell, Funderburk's face moves from a cold concentrating gesture, to pure rage, "LIARA!"
Funderburk, without another word leaves his friends, marching angrily towards to main building where they met the commander from before. However, just before leaving the temple, he began muttering that it was not the priest. "It was not the priest all this time. It was not the man who led it, but the one who planned it."
"The commander has authorized us to begin an investigation on the pirate raid," Nenne replies simply. "As to the ceremony details, I was simply curious. I am a priest of Kelemvor, as you can see by the crest I bear, so proper respect of death is of vital importance to me and my work."
She inclines her head toward him. "Apologies for my rudeness, and that of my companions. I am Nenne Amharat. Peace to you."
Her arms are folded casually across her chest, though her hand is a little closer to her mace than usual.
"I wonder, brother priest, if you had heard why Sven and Ivan were not at their posts that night? Surely they came to you to do their penance." Her eyes are a bit chilly as she says this, and her tone gains a degree of military authority.
After Funderburk's outburst, Nenne looks over at Allister, her expression growing darker. "I believe I said before that a good commander always knows what takes place in her own fort. It seems our wizard has confirmed this."
"We should go after him," Boosey says as he's inspecting what looks like a fragile vase sitting on a plinth. "Things might not turn out too well if he storms over there by himself. It's a pity, Liara seemed to be trustworthy. I'm beginning to have doubts about this whole Flaming Fist operation."
Looking at Sthara and calming just a bit, Funderburk still on his way towards the building told Sthara what he had learned. "To put it simply sorceress, I have learned that the priest was asked by Liara to move the days of the ceremony a day before. To which he complied due to his reasoning that she was under a lot of work. However, while on a podium giving a speech, he noticed that the commander was still not present. He thought she was just under a lot of work still and missed it anyways." He looked and Sthara, "I believe differently though. I believe he was told by the commander to move the day so that she may be able to work with the pirates and help them escape."
From there he told her everything. "The pirates were captured by the fort when their ship sank in battle. They were to be hanged the day before the ceremony. With the ceremony moved however, my presumption is that Liara helped them escaped while everyone attuned the ceremony. The priest believes we are with the pirates, that is why he is scared. His memory seems to have gaps on that night... something took them. Or someone."
Now finished telling Sthara, Funderburk continued onwards towards the building, looking for Commander Liara.
We should speak with Liara's second before we confront her, Gruta Halsdottir I seem to remember Horace calling her. She may be involved too, but if she isn't I suspect we could have a useful ally in her." He gives a wry grin, "It may also stop the whole garrison attacking us if we go after Liara!"
"It is true. If you slay the tiger when you see its face, you do not need to learn how sharp its claws are. Let us find Gruta. If she is involved, we can end her involvement and move onto Liara."
Nenne walks up to the priest, hands at her sides, in as non-threatening a way as she can. She peers at him intently, and a little sadly, in silence for a moment prior to speaking. "I apologize again for our behavior. We are merely dedicated to understanding this tragedy and preventing more deaths. You may recall the wanderer, Artus, who stood against the tide of undead not long ago? Our mission is not dissimilar to his, and he in fact aided us in getting here. All we want for this fort and its people is life, and that abundant. To that end, we must take our leave. Thank you for your continued ministry. Kelemvor's grace upon you."
With that, she turns to her friends, nods, and walks out the door.
The priest calms as the storm leaves his temple just as quick as it had come. Standing there alone in the room once again, he mutters to himself, "Artus?"
As the excitement boils in everyone's veins at the suspected course of deceit, everyone has to work hard to control themselves as they ask about for the castellan, Gruta Halsdottir. When the party finds the woman, they are a bit taken aback by her out of place appearance in contrast to most everyone in Chult thus far. Standing on one side of the bailey courtyard is a red headed pale woman with a medium build. She confirms that she is in fact Gruta and listens to the party's story in earnest. Her face goes through a range of emotions: disbelief, horror, and worry before settling into resolve.
She agrees to help in any way she can and informs the party that the commander is in the very room they first met her in. Gruta proposes that the seven of you enter as one and Gruta will demand everyone else who isn't Liara leave the room. Gruta expresses her concern that helping pirates is a serious matter that should not be overlooked no matter who is the cause, but she also says Liara is one of the best commanders Fort Belurian has ever seen. Eku says that she would prefer waiting just outside the room as a lookout of sorts.
The six of you enter the room in which Liara stops mid sentence talking about some forest region near a hill. The commander begins with, "What the hell-" before Gruta cuts her off. "Shut your damn mouth right now! Everyone out!" There is no tone of suggestion in her voice, and the soldiers inside leave just as fast as their legs can take them. Gruta slams the door closed behind the last of them and motions for the party to continue.
Boosey looks at Liara. "I must say, I'm very disappointed in you Captain. I'll cut to the chase, and you may want to answer honestly as my friend here", he motions to Allister, "is not happy with you, and he is less patient than I am. Why did you let the pirates escape?" He lets the question hang in the air a moment. "We know what has happened here, just not why," and his face turns dark. "Your answers better be good, or it wont just be Allister wanting blood". Intimidation check 17
He fixes Liara with a smile that is anything but friendly
As soon as Boosey finishes Allister draws his dagger. "Patience? Never heard of it. Never needed it. There´s matters so urgent you can´t wait for an answer. You just act. Let me show you." Allister throws his dagger towards Liara with the intention of missing but scaring her.
Funderburk ready's himself for what is about to come. Bursting inside the room, having one other than the ones needed out of the room, door closed and all, Funderburk was all prepared. He was deciding to once more cast his spell that he used on the priest, but decided to ultimately hold it. With her caught red handed, it might not be needed. yet..
"Calm, Boosey, Allister, his surprise is genuine, I believe," Sthara says.
"We do this by our own accord–we heard stories of pirates and pieced together some ill will on the part of someone within your walls. We merely want to see the malefactor brought to justice, as I can only imagine a holy man would want as well."
Persuasion if needed: 14
While this conversation is going on, Boosey is going to start looking round the temple for any hidden doors or cubbyholes and anything that looks like it might be valuable for use in ceremonies (preferably breakable) Investigation check 8
While everyone focuses on the task at large, Funderburk concentrates on the man in front of him. First, he learned of the fear the was going on, now prying deeper in his brain, Funderburk decided not to talk and instead focus his attention on the mind alone.
Made you look.
He takes on a sour expression and grimaces, slightly rubbing his temple, "I don't really care for your tone, sirs! Their disappearance had nothing to do with me as I was here that entire night through. I don't know who you expect to answer for this." He takes a quick look around the room and grabs up a candlestick.
"I am a servant of the divine, too," Nenne says, in a calm tone. "I understand better than these the importance of rituals and ceremony. Why, brother priest, did you move the day of the memorial forward one day? Is not the honoring of the dead a sacred thing here?"
His demeanor calms ever so slightly and moves to put more distance between Boosey and Allister, but closer to Nenne and Sthara. His eyes are darting to each of you frantically and he winces in pain periodically. "The ceremony was moved upon Liara's request. She had pressing matters the next day. What does that have to do with anything?"
Cancelling his spell, Funderburk's face moves from a cold concentrating gesture, to pure rage, "LIARA!"
Funderburk, without another word leaves his friends, marching angrily towards to main building where they met the commander from before. However, just before leaving the temple, he began muttering that it was not the priest. "It was not the priest all this time. It was not the man who led it, but the one who planned it."
Made you look.
Eku stands there blinking before asking Nenne what just happened.
“Thank you priest,” Sthara says following after Funderburk.
—
“What is it you have learned?”
"The commander has authorized us to begin an investigation on the pirate raid," Nenne replies simply. "As to the ceremony details, I was simply curious. I am a priest of Kelemvor, as you can see by the crest I bear, so proper respect of death is of vital importance to me and my work."
She inclines her head toward him. "Apologies for my rudeness, and that of my companions. I am Nenne Amharat. Peace to you."
Her arms are folded casually across her chest, though her hand is a little closer to her mace than usual.
"I wonder, brother priest, if you had heard why Sven and Ivan were not at their posts that night? Surely they came to you to do their penance." Her eyes are a bit chilly as she says this, and her tone gains a degree of military authority.
After Funderburk's outburst, Nenne looks over at Allister, her expression growing darker. "I believe I said before that a good commander always knows what takes place in her own fort. It seems our wizard has confirmed this."
"We should go after him," Boosey says as he's inspecting what looks like a fragile vase sitting on a plinth. "Things might not turn out too well if he storms over there by himself. It's a pity, Liara seemed to be trustworthy. I'm beginning to have doubts about this whole Flaming Fist operation."
Looking at Sthara and calming just a bit, Funderburk still on his way towards the building told Sthara what he had learned. "To put it simply sorceress, I have learned that the priest was asked by Liara to move the days of the ceremony a day before. To which he complied due to his reasoning that she was under a lot of work. However, while on a podium giving a speech, he noticed that the commander was still not present. He thought she was just under a lot of work still and missed it anyways." He looked and Sthara, "I believe differently though. I believe he was told by the commander to move the day so that she may be able to work with the pirates and help them escape."
From there he told her everything. "The pirates were captured by the fort when their ship sank in battle. They were to be hanged the day before the ceremony. With the ceremony moved however, my presumption is that Liara helped them escaped while everyone attuned the ceremony. The priest believes we are with the pirates, that is why he is scared. His memory seems to have gaps on that night... something took them. Or someone."
Now finished telling Sthara, Funderburk continued onwards towards the building, looking for Commander Liara.
Made you look.
We should speak with Liara's second before we confront her, Gruta Halsdottir I seem to remember Horace calling her. She may be involved too, but if she isn't I suspect we could have a useful ally in her." He gives a wry grin, "It may also stop the whole garrison attacking us if we go after Liara!"
"It is true. If you slay the tiger when you see its face, you do not need to learn how sharp its claws are. Let us find Gruta. If she is involved, we can end her involvement and move onto Liara."
Nenne walks up to the priest, hands at her sides, in as non-threatening a way as she can. She peers at him intently, and a little sadly, in silence for a moment prior to speaking. "I apologize again for our behavior. We are merely dedicated to understanding this tragedy and preventing more deaths. You may recall the wanderer, Artus, who stood against the tide of undead not long ago? Our mission is not dissimilar to his, and he in fact aided us in getting here. All we want for this fort and its people is life, and that abundant. To that end, we must take our leave. Thank you for your continued ministry. Kelemvor's grace upon you."
With that, she turns to her friends, nods, and walks out the door.
The priest calms as the storm leaves his temple just as quick as it had come. Standing there alone in the room once again, he mutters to himself, "Artus?"
As the excitement boils in everyone's veins at the suspected course of deceit, everyone has to work hard to control themselves as they ask about for the castellan, Gruta Halsdottir. When the party finds the woman, they are a bit taken aback by her out of place appearance in contrast to most everyone in Chult thus far. Standing on one side of the bailey courtyard is a red headed pale woman with a medium build. She confirms that she is in fact Gruta and listens to the party's story in earnest. Her face goes through a range of emotions: disbelief, horror, and worry before settling into resolve.
She agrees to help in any way she can and informs the party that the commander is in the very room they first met her in. Gruta proposes that the seven of you enter as one and Gruta will demand everyone else who isn't Liara leave the room. Gruta expresses her concern that helping pirates is a serious matter that should not be overlooked no matter who is the cause, but she also says Liara is one of the best commanders Fort Belurian has ever seen. Eku says that she would prefer waiting just outside the room as a lookout of sorts.
The six of you enter the room in which Liara stops mid sentence talking about some forest region near a hill. The commander begins with, "What the hell-" before Gruta cuts her off. "Shut your damn mouth right now! Everyone out!" There is no tone of suggestion in her voice, and the soldiers inside leave just as fast as their legs can take them. Gruta slams the door closed behind the last of them and motions for the party to continue.
Boosey looks at Liara. "I must say, I'm very disappointed in you Captain. I'll cut to the chase, and you may want to answer honestly as my friend here", he motions to Allister, "is not happy with you, and he is less patient than I am. Why did you let the pirates escape?" He lets the question hang in the air a moment. "We know what has happened here, just not why," and his face turns dark. "Your answers better be good, or it wont just be Allister wanting blood". Intimidation check 17
He fixes Liara with a smile that is anything but friendly
As soon as Boosey finishes Allister draws his dagger. "Patience? Never heard of it. Never needed it. There´s matters so urgent you can´t wait for an answer. You just act. Let me show you." Allister throws his dagger towards Liara with the intention of missing but scaring her.
Funderburk ready's himself for what is about to come. Bursting inside the room, having one other than the ones needed out of the room, door closed and all, Funderburk was all prepared. He was deciding to once more cast his spell that he used on the priest, but decided to ultimately hold it. With her caught red handed, it might not be needed. yet..
Made you look.
Allister stares at Liara and pulls a handaxe from his belt. "Speak, or this one will hit."