Mercer's Tavern (A Kwalmendi Campaign)

(tenets of davidri faith?)

OOC Dadvidri is an agricultural deity that is most commonly worshipped among the rural populace. At planting time, a few seeds are burned to her, while harvest time is when a major festival is held in her honor. If the harvest is a good one, livestock may be sacrificed along with examples of her blessing (fruits, vegetables and some seeds).

Followers believe that Dadvidri will help those who help their neighbors. If one refuses to help their neighbors in times of need (or with planting or harvesting), then she will reduce the yields of that person's crop and may even render some individuals infertile.

Lorgar notices the two people cleaning and takes a look at his own clothes and boots, dusty from the road. He stops, turns around and leaves, motioning silently the rest of the group to do the same. Once outside, he dusts off the best he could before reentering, not wanting to be disrespectfull to either the goddess and her site of worship nor the people working to keep the shrine clean. He will then slowly approach and greet them in a humble and friendly manner: "Well met. I am Lorgar of the Helmite order. I must apologize for disturbing you in your work like this, but I am looking for the priest Teh-Koh. Do you perhaps know where I could find him, and if I might take up a moment of his time?"

Lukas just finds a seat and meditates, figuring regaining mental balance may help him.

Quin remains outside the temple.

When Lorgar asks for Teh-Koh, the woman at the back points to the man dusting benches up toward the front and says "There he is. He is always willing to take a moment to talk with the faithful" (at this point she appears to notice Lorgar's dress and symbols of his faith) "or those who dedicates themselves to other deities."

Upon approaching Teh-Koh, the man looks up and says "May I help you?"

Balthazar joins Lukas, though with all of the excitement of these last few days, he finds it hard to meditate. He finds himself being distracted by the temple's sparse imagery and format, attempting to infer ritual and tenets of the faith without needing to resort to asking questions. His hand itches to make a quick sketch, but long hours in services as a youth prepared him for the requisite discipline of sitting still when needful. He envies Lukas's poise.

"Greetings. I am Lorgar of the Helmite order in Sarnate. I bring a message from Viktor." says Lorgar, and produces a small but thick envelope from under his armour that he kept in a pocket in his shirt. The wax seal in the image of an open eye upon an armoured gauntlet is still intact. It is obvious that the stamp used to make such a detailed seal was crafted by a truly skilled artisan. He continues: "I was told you would have either a reply or further instructions for me. I was also to report to you of any dangers that might threaten a trader which I learned on my travel." He will then slowly recall the trouble with the goblins in their fort and the crown and disk they found, followed with information about the horse thieves and finally about the smugglers.

20

Lorgars insight roll ro judge the truth of the priests words. He believes the man will tell he teuth, but with the events of the last few days he remains watchfull.

While the rest take care of business inside the temple Quin moves to a vantage point where he can watch the happenings of the plaza. Through his observations he tries to discern the general mood of the hamlet as well as the town hierarchy. He attempts to glean as much information as possible but paying particular attention for any seedier goings on.

Perception: 12

“Greetings Lorgar” Teh-Koh replies as he takes the package. He listens intently to Lorgar’s retelling of the party’s adventures on the trip to Springholde. “I have never heard of King Hergok, but, then, just about every leader of a goblin band, no matter how small or insignificant wants to style themselves as a king. Even if all he rules are his two younger brothers. As far as the horse thieves and smugglers, I don’t have a lot of information on those types of individuals. Aside from Junkar Hannom (ooc: Junkar is the lowest ranking noble in the Kardagen Empire, the equivalent of a knight), no one in this village owns horses, so, we generally aren’t bothered by horse thieves. Springholde is a poor village and generally avoided by the most of the criminally inspired individuals. There is just not a lot of money to be made from this village. But, I know a few villagers will occasionally work with smugglers to supplement their income. The Junkar would be the person to ask about them. He knows which villagers might know these individuals who misled you and your companions.”

He pauses for a second before continuing “Why don’t you come back to my office to discuss the message from Viktor.” The priest then turns and heads to a door off to the right of the altar.

From what Lorgar can tell, the priest is being honest.

Balthazar does notice several paintings on the walls of the temple. They appear to depict people going about various farming activities including planting, weeding, and harvesting. In all of the images, a woman is depicted watching over the individuals. The variability in the images suggest they have been painted by different people. None of the paintings are of the quality of a master, but, probably were painted by local individuals who has some artistic talent, but, no training.

Quin watches the comings and goings in the plaza. He does not notice any seedier events. Most of the people in the courtyard during the middle of the day are children playing various games. A few adults do pass through the plaza, clearly on their way to one task or another. A few elderly women are sitting in the sun on the edge of the plaza using a distaff and spindle to spin yarn from flax.

Lukas spends the remainder of the time looking at the paintings.

(how do i roll for introspection? or do i roll at all?)

What are you trying to gain by rolling for introspection?

less trying to gain, more realized lukas' bout of anger might have been, i dunno, ooc. it's more of a flavor roll than trying to get a meta advantage.

character development is something I think should be roleplayed and not dictated by dice. So, if you want to have him reflect on his weaknesses or mistakes, that is entirely up to you how you want that to play out.

well, lukas is looking at these people, through the art, seeing their joy in their simple lives, and wonders if envy had taken hold of his heart by way of pride. for they have what he does not: a profession in which they can be proud of.

Balthazar gives in and selects a clean page of parchment, on which he begins to loosely sketch in simple lines the principle figure of the goddess. He focuses on making her form seem sturdy, faithful - a mother or aunt long accustomed to giving good gifts to young children. An unassuming countenance, but with a certain warmth to her posture and expression, as if watching with the patience of the turning seasons. He doesn't get very far before he notices Lorgar stepping away, presumably to follow the priest he was speaking with. He also notices a rather tense expression coming from Lukas. He sighs.

"Need to talk about something?'

He keeps his work in front of him, but his posture indicates a willingness to listen, and to respond, though his eyes remain lowered on his slowly moving hand, forming graceful lines and contours while adding a bit of shading to give the work depth and a certain tactile presence. One does not brave the intricate written forms of Elvish poetry without at least a year of calligraphy ensconced in one's academic portfolio.  

"just confusion at my anger. for a long time i've kept calm and cool, as that's how you survive in the field. but now, seeing these people, and having my honor betrayed, i know not why my anger has surged forth. is it envy? pride? or something else?"

Balthazar lifts his hand and rubs his chin in thought. 

"I don't know... that it is anything to be truly confused about. You failed in a matter with which you had little experience. You don't seem like the kind of person who takes part in too much that is criminal, but I think it helps to not take yourself so seriously. We'll be back for them, one day - you'll see. Anger's a natural thing, really. You know, it reminds me a bit of when I was learning to cast my first spells. I knew I had the talent, and I had been up for two days trying to keep a spell in my head, only for it to fail again and again. When I was about to give up, it finally clicked - it wasn't calm or focus that got the spell to come out right. Well, technically it was, but it didn't quite feel that way. There was a sense of resistance, or ownership, from my frustration that made room the spell to manifest properly. I don't mean to get technical, but I thought the analogy was apt. Anyways, I suppose what I am saying is that life, and most things else, isn't about just surviving, even though there's plenty out there than can kill you very easily. It's what you do when the big threats aren't around that define you, and moments of anger and disappointment highlight that, I think. Perhaps there's something we can all learn from my friend the priest of Helm - awareness, watchfulness, these are the things that help you know what fights to take, and to better know who you are. Look ahead to what comes next - I think you'll find a better future to consider there than to look behind."

Balthazar takes a breath as if to say more, but doesn't, instead casting his gaze back down to his work. A blot of ink had fallen from his pen, but instead of wiping it away, he studies it for a moment, and then turns it into a part of the background for his drawing.

"There, you see. Sometimes a error in judgement can lead to the best of all possible worlds."