This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
"You don't say." Velyra begins, raising an eyebrow. "What a coincidence then, my companions and I do enjoy a good talk in theology." She nods over to her shield sitting by the table with her friends, emblazoned with the symbol of Sandail. "I've spent a considerable part of my life engrossed in the history of our pantheon. Why don't you come join us?"
The man takes a glance over his shoulder at the rest of the party, then back to Velyra. For a moment he seems indecisive, then shrugs. "If you insist. It's rare to find people interested in such things outside of a temple." Grabbing onto his drink, the man stands and moves to the table with the rest of you, taking a previously empty seat. He gives a quick, small smile. "Clayus Malron, nice to meet you all. Thanks for the invitation I guess." He says, raising his mug.
As Velyra retakes her seat, she quickly introduces everyone. "I'm Velyra, that's Kal, Silthras, Usul, and Sylnora." She says, pointing to everyone in order. "For most of us it's our first time in the city..." After pausing to take a drink, she asks. "On our way in, we did see a large temple. Is that where you've had these exhausting discussions of yours today?"
Silthras take a small sip of whiskey as the man introduces himself, then stands and offers his hand, "Misery does like company..." he says with a warm smile, "...and it has plenty to choose from these days."
Resuming his seat he waits expectantly for a response to Velyra's question.
Clayus takes Silthras hand in his briefly before being seated. "Soon to be a resource that is bolstered I fear." Usul and Velyra notice a flash of a grimace across his face after the words leave his mouth, as if he hadn't meant to say something so grim.
"The Sanctum? Ah, yes yes. I've been there for twenty years now...Hardly feels like anytime at all has passed, but here we are. The quarters are much better when you move from acolyte to priest, I'll say that much." He says with a slight smile on his face. It fades slowly, and he lets out a long winded sigh. "You mentioned you enjoyed a good theological discussion, so I take it at least some of you are particularly devout?" He questions, looking around the table.
Velyra files away the wayward comment for later discussion, moving onto his question. "Of course, I've had the Howling Lord's thunder in my veins for what would seem like a lifetime to you I imagine. Why?"
Kal offers a shrug in response, "It's not something I put a lot of thought into. My order naturally gravitates towards worship of Amah, but I can't say I personally draw strength from that kind of faith."
I am going to make an assumption that your world's axis tilt is similar to Earth's.
"At home we worshipped Ambriel." Sylnora mentions, recalling the vigil her enclave held every summer solstice, when the twilight period would be at its longest. "If I'm being honest with you I don't really know much about the other deities though."
"Mmm." The priest nods, taking a drink from his mug. His gaze focuses on Velyra, and he leans in. "And as of late, has Sandail offered you any guidance? Prophetic dreams? Warnings?...Does he speak to you at all in any way?"
Velyra opens her mouth to respond, then closes it, furrowing her brow as she thinks on the question. "It has been a very long time. But it's not like I go through the commune style rituals to attempt to reach him. And I still have his strength behind me, always." She says somewhat defensively.
Usul sits back with his glass of whiskey, still not sure if he enjoys the taste or not, and quietly listens. Though he of course follows some gods, he doubts that they are the same as the cleric now in front of him, and never really could get into theological discussions anyway.
not sure what gods would match, but for Faerunian style Usul follows Leira and Mask
"Well our priests and priestesses do attempt to speak to Amah. For generations we have communed and divined without problem." Clayus stops to take another drink, staring into his mug again afterwards. "And therein lies the problem. Where there was once guidance, there is now silence. Clear signs are muddled. Dreams are just dreams." His voice lowers, "and it's not just us, but the other faiths at the Sanctum. The entire temple is filled with anxiety."
"Some speak of...Abandonment. Which is...Well." He gestures around the tavern, "disturbing enough to drive me here."
"That is disturbing." Kal agrees, masking the creeping dread he was beginning to feel. It could not be coincidence, could it? "And how long ago did you begin to notice this problem?"
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Velyra watches carefully as the man speaks, remembering his hesitation to speak the whole truth earlier.
"That's absurd." She says, casting Light on her wineglass briefly before ending the effect."My power comes from Sandail. If he were gone, I would know. Perhaps the temple has committed a grave offense without realizing it."
Silthras clears his throat and lifts his hands placatingly, "I am no theologian, but powers such as those we speak of can be fickle." He glances from Velyra and back to Clayus, lowering his voice a little, "I am also no priest, but my family -- on both sides -- have affinities with otherworldly beings. If anything, I would say my dreams have been more frequent and more disturbing than usual. If I had to guess, I would say that they are...worried. Or perhaps...preoccupied?"
"Strange things have been happening to the west..." he pauses, looking for assent from his companions before continuing.
"Some in the temple began to notice problems a few months ago, but it was just a little over a week that it seems a curtain was suddenly drawn between us." Clayus says, looking around to stop someone as his mug has been emptied. As if on cue, the host returns to your table with food, and refills any drinks at your leisure. While waiting for his own refill to come back, the man looks to Velyra. "Our clerics are likewise still able to draw upon their divine gifts. Which is why there has been such a debate. Arguments in the Grand Hall and more personal discussions..." The elven cleric would notice easily that he's still holding something back - again not lying, but omitting.
He seems surprised to hear of Silthras' attachment to such beings, lifting his brow. "The gods being worried of something is a horrifying proposition."
"What strange happenings in our material plane could possibly bother them?"
Velyra offers Silthras a mere shrug, trusting his judgement on what would be appropriate to reveal. She does look to Clayus again, ignoring the food in front of her for now. "Is there something in particular about these discussions that have you so perturbed?"
Silthras nods, "Aye. What indeed? It does sound like there's something you are not saying. Our tales from the wilderness will likely sound paltry in comparison; your expertise in these matters -- your insights -- might be very important. Perhaps then, we might be able to fill in some pieces of what we have seen."
While he waits for a response, Silthras studies the man, trying to determine his likely position within the temple.
@DM: Note sure how the temples work, but in this world it might be finer robes, better jewelry, age, bearing and demeanor etc. Even the kind of al her ordered.
To Silthras, the man's position in the temple isn't immediately clear. Besides a few accents and designs that indicate his dedication to Amah, Clayus' robes don't seem to be anything particularly special. But you're also aware that not all faiths are opulent in their dress. Given the looks of his age(around early 30's), and his earlier comment of having spent 15 years at the temple, you suppose he probably doesn't occupy the upper echelons of the hierarchy, but beyond that you're just not sure.
As a fresh mug of ale is set in front of him, he gladly takes a long drink, wiping his face. He looks between Velyra and Silthras, uncertain. After an uncomfortable moment, he seems to come to a decision and says, "I am not one to spread the private words of a High Priestess like gossip. I have perhaps let the drink go to my head, and spoken too freely already." He fumbles under the table for a moment, pulling out a coin purse and dropping(probably too many) some on the table to pay for his drinks. "Thank you for the company, please feel free to visit the Sanctum while you're here." He mumbles. With that he stands - a bit wobbly - and moves to leave the establishment.
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"You don't say." Velyra begins, raising an eyebrow. "What a coincidence then, my companions and I do enjoy a good talk in theology." She nods over to her shield sitting by the table with her friends, emblazoned with the symbol of Sandail. "I've spent a considerable part of my life engrossed in the history of our pantheon. Why don't you come join us?"
Persuasion: 3
The man takes a glance over his shoulder at the rest of the party, then back to Velyra. For a moment he seems indecisive, then shrugs. "If you insist. It's rare to find people interested in such things outside of a temple." Grabbing onto his drink, the man stands and moves to the table with the rest of you, taking a previously empty seat. He gives a quick, small smile. "Clayus Malron, nice to meet you all. Thanks for the invitation I guess." He says, raising his mug.
As Velyra retakes her seat, she quickly introduces everyone. "I'm Velyra, that's Kal, Silthras, Usul, and Sylnora." She says, pointing to everyone in order. "For most of us it's our first time in the city..." After pausing to take a drink, she asks. "On our way in, we did see a large temple. Is that where you've had these exhausting discussions of yours today?"
Silthras take a small sip of whiskey as the man introduces himself, then stands and offers his hand, "Misery does like company..." he says with a warm smile, "...and it has plenty to choose from these days."
Resuming his seat he waits expectantly for a response to Velyra's question.
Clayus takes Silthras hand in his briefly before being seated. "Soon to be a resource that is bolstered I fear." Usul and Velyra notice a flash of a grimace across his face after the words leave his mouth, as if he hadn't meant to say something so grim.
"The Sanctum? Ah, yes yes. I've been there for twenty years now...Hardly feels like anytime at all has passed, but here we are. The quarters are much better when you move from acolyte to priest, I'll say that much." He says with a slight smile on his face. It fades slowly, and he lets out a long winded sigh. "You mentioned you enjoyed a good theological discussion, so I take it at least some of you are particularly devout?" He questions, looking around the table.
Velyra files away the wayward comment for later discussion, moving onto his question. "Of course, I've had the Howling Lord's thunder in my veins for what would seem like a lifetime to you I imagine. Why?"
Kal offers a shrug in response, "It's not something I put a lot of thought into. My order naturally gravitates towards worship of Amah, but I can't say I personally draw strength from that kind of faith."
I am going to make an assumption that your world's axis tilt is similar to Earth's.
"At home we worshipped Ambriel." Sylnora mentions, recalling the vigil her enclave held every summer solstice, when the twilight period would be at its longest. "If I'm being honest with you I don't really know much about the other deities though."
"Mmm." The priest nods, taking a drink from his mug. His gaze focuses on Velyra, and he leans in. "And as of late, has Sandail offered you any guidance? Prophetic dreams? Warnings?...Does he speak to you at all in any way?"
Velyra opens her mouth to respond, then closes it, furrowing her brow as she thinks on the question. "It has been a very long time. But it's not like I go through the commune style rituals to attempt to reach him. And I still have his strength behind me, always." She says somewhat defensively.
Usul sits back with his glass of whiskey, still not sure if he enjoys the taste or not, and quietly listens. Though he of course follows some gods, he doubts that they are the same as the cleric now in front of him, and never really could get into theological discussions anyway.
not sure what gods would match, but for Faerunian style Usul follows Leira and Mask
PbP 🎲: Tyekanik; Moneo Noree; Korba Muris; & occasional DM:
"Well our priests and priestesses do attempt to speak to Amah. For generations we have communed and divined without problem." Clayus stops to take another drink, staring into his mug again afterwards. "And therein lies the problem. Where there was once guidance, there is now silence. Clear signs are muddled. Dreams are just dreams." His voice lowers, "and it's not just us, but the other faiths at the Sanctum. The entire temple is filled with anxiety."
"Some speak of...Abandonment. Which is...Well." He gestures around the tavern, "disturbing enough to drive me here."
"That is disturbing." Kal agrees, masking the creeping dread he was beginning to feel. It could not be coincidence, could it? "And how long ago did you begin to notice this problem?"
Velyra watches carefully as the man speaks, remembering his hesitation to speak the whole truth earlier.
"That's absurd." She says, casting Light on her wineglass briefly before ending the effect. "My power comes from Sandail. If he were gone, I would know. Perhaps the temple has committed a grave offense without realizing it."
Insight: 14
Silthras clears his throat and lifts his hands placatingly, "I am no theologian, but powers such as those we speak of can be fickle." He glances from Velyra and back to Clayus, lowering his voice a little, "I am also no priest, but my family -- on both sides -- have affinities with otherworldly beings. If anything, I would say my dreams have been more frequent and more disturbing than usual. If I had to guess, I would say that they are...worried. Or perhaps...preoccupied?"
"Strange things have been happening to the west..." he pauses, looking for assent from his companions before continuing.
"Some in the temple began to notice problems a few months ago, but it was just a little over a week that it seems a curtain was suddenly drawn between us." Clayus says, looking around to stop someone as his mug has been emptied. As if on cue, the host returns to your table with food, and refills any drinks at your leisure. While waiting for his own refill to come back, the man looks to Velyra. "Our clerics are likewise still able to draw upon their divine gifts. Which is why there has been such a debate. Arguments in the Grand Hall and more personal discussions..." The elven cleric would notice easily that he's still holding something back - again not lying, but omitting.
He seems surprised to hear of Silthras' attachment to such beings, lifting his brow. "The gods being worried of something is a horrifying proposition."
"What strange happenings in our material plane could possibly bother them?"
Velyra offers Silthras a mere shrug, trusting his judgement on what would be appropriate to reveal. She does look to Clayus again, ignoring the food in front of her for now. "Is there something in particular about these discussions that have you so perturbed?"
Silthras nods, "Aye. What indeed? It does sound like there's something you are not saying. Our tales from the wilderness will likely sound paltry in comparison; your expertise in these matters -- your insights -- might be very important. Perhaps then, we might be able to fill in some pieces of what we have seen."
While he waits for a response, Silthras studies the man, trying to determine his likely position within the temple.
@DM: Note sure how the temples work, but in this world it might be finer robes, better jewelry, age, bearing and demeanor etc. Even the kind of al her ordered.
Silthras Religion: 12
To Silthras, the man's position in the temple isn't immediately clear. Besides a few accents and designs that indicate his dedication to Amah, Clayus' robes don't seem to be anything particularly special. But you're also aware that not all faiths are opulent in their dress. Given the looks of his age(around early 30's), and his earlier comment of having spent 15 years at the temple, you suppose he probably doesn't occupy the upper echelons of the hierarchy, but beyond that you're just not sure.
As a fresh mug of ale is set in front of him, he gladly takes a long drink, wiping his face. He looks between Velyra and Silthras, uncertain. After an uncomfortable moment, he seems to come to a decision and says, "I am not one to spread the private words of a High Priestess like gossip. I have perhaps let the drink go to my head, and spoken too freely already." He fumbles under the table for a moment, pulling out a coin purse and dropping(probably too many) some on the table to pay for his drinks. "Thank you for the company, please feel free to visit the Sanctum while you're here." He mumbles. With that he stands - a bit wobbly - and moves to leave the establishment.