Day 21 (continued)
Gage decides to see if he can check in with his party members before deciding to stay in Silvanus’ Beard but they did not agree a meeting point. He checks the caravan, which has made its way to the south exit. He approaches a driver and strikes up a conversation – he looks for a recommendation. The driver recommends somewhere posh in the south and somewhere shady in the north-east. Gage heads to the south, rich estate. He bumps randomly into Theren and tells him about the beds for the night.
Theren suddenly recalls the strange animals in the park. Gage decides it’s best to find Lavender first, although he thinks Halsen would be interested in animals behaving strangely. They head to the tourist area and spot Lavender heading into a tavern. Gage informs her about the beds and food. Lavender says that she will not join them as she has business to attend to. Gage offers to assist her but she declines.
They decide to return to the strange animals to see what they were doing. Gage pulls out his mossy stone and shows it to Theren – it is a single-use sending stone for emergencies. They return to the park but cannot locate the same animals that Theren saw before. Gage investigates the trees – they are fairly normal and well-kept. Runcible flies up and flushes out from the bushes the raven, jackalope and weasel. Theren senses that they are not what they seem, but they’re not fey.
They speak together and the 3 animals turn back into druid children – human, elf and tiefling. They deliberately disturbed Theren’s vision – he is cross.
They ask to play – Gage says that Temerity would definitely want to play and asks them to keep an eye out for him. The children are excited by the thought of Temerity’s animals. Gage says that they will see each other at Silvanus’ Beard later.
The two head to the shady area – Gage is looking for places to purchase things. They head into a pub. Theren senses that they will be wary of outsiders and cautions Gage. Conversation ends – all look at the two newcomers. Gage strolls up to the bar – the barman is a huge half-orc with scars all over him. He converses in thieves cant with the barman. Conversation starts up again.
The barman hands Gage a drink. He converses in thieves cant and tries to gather information about necromancers. The half-orc provides some information about the clergy. Theren pays for Gage’s drink and tips him for the information. Gage asks him to keep an eye out for Temerity. They leave the tavern and head for the temple.
As evening approaches, Lavender walks back to the manor and looks round the back to see that there’s a light at grandmother’s study. Lavender knocks on the front door. A butler opens the door – his name is Alaric – he recognises her. She exchanges pleasantries with him and enters.
Everything is familiar, yet distant. She asks him if her sisters are married yet – he replies that they’re both courting. She enters her grandmother’s study – it is bright, airy and light inside – and bows – she keeps the ring covered. The grandmother does not look up. Lavender mentions Orris Locke and the grandmother ceases writing – she still does not look up. Orris has not been seen since Lavender left but he has written. Lavender says that he has become involved with necromancers. Grandmother looks up after Lavender mentions that she has seen Orris. Lavender worries about Orris – is he under control or is he willing to be so cruel? She asks her grandmother’s blessing to do what must be done. Grandmother tells her to do what she must – try to pull Orris back from his path but she must be a soldier and must be true to herself. Lavender admits that she has become linked to a forgotten god. Her grandmother gives her blessing. Lavender leaves.
Theren and Gage head to the temple. Gage looks for thieves cant symbols on the temple but sees none. A few monks are standing beside the door. Theren sees that it is the Temple of Sol, god of the sun – it is a big, old religion in the world. Gage says that Theren should speak to someone and be a distraction whilst he sneaks around. Theren flails around whilst talking to the monk – it does not go well. Gage brushes past and takes Theren to sit on a pew.
A priest at the front speaks to the congregation, clearly very familiar with them. Gage and Theren sit at the back – there’s nothing particularly necromantic going on in the temple. Gage stealths and slips off to investigate – he sneaks around and finds a staff-only area. A monk enters the door – he sees a corridor beyond – he decides to wait until the sermon begins before entering.
He slips covertly into the corridor and sees the corridor with six doors leading off. He hears nothing from behind the last door on the left. Gage carefully pulls the door open – it is a dormitory – he sees nothing of value. He tries the door behind him – it is another dormitory – again, it contains nothing of value. He moves forward through the corridor to the centre doors – there’s someone behind one of the doors – he tries the opposite door and hears nothing – it contains a study with desks and manuscripts – he rifles through the room and finds many books on religion – mostly on Sol but one on Auriel. In a desk drawer, he sees a dark gem but held to the light, it is cloudy – he takes it and then uses a thieves’ trick to lock the drawer closed. He goes back into the dormitory by the room with the person in and listens through the wall but cannot discern anything specific. He goes to the final two rooms – one has no sound from it – he enters and finds a refectory – a long dining table and benches – there is a door into the room with the noise. He goes to the final room – there is no noise – it is the toilet. He exits the corridor and seats himself beside Theren.
Theren sits and meditates – he drifts off from the sermon and thinks of his patron, but decides to respect the anonymity of his patron. He hears a voice in his head – it asks if Theren seeks it. He asks about his power – the patron replies that it comes from him for payment – Theren realises that there is no love between them, but the patron says that this is not how warlocks work – the patron says that Theren must use his fear to make him strong – fear was what led Theren to him in the first place.
The sermon ends without any insanity – everything seems fine. Two monks come and put hands on Gage’s shoulders. Gage mentions healing Theren’s headaches, but the monks are insistent that he goes with them. Theren agrees. They are marched behind the altar and through a door – the priest who led the sermon is there and looks down at Gage – a trespasser. Gage mentions necromancers. The priest breathes sharply and denies this. Theren tries to intimidate them but fails spectacularly. Gage agrees to offer more information about his dealings.
Theren notices that the priest is scared – he is being used by the necromancers. He is honest with the priests about being against the necromancers and offers to help them – they want to take down the necromancers. The two monks are waved away by the priest. The priest had no choice but to work with the necromancers. He can offer a blessing. Theren mentions his headaches – the priest touches his head and says that it is a fey enchantment – only a fey can break it – but he can mitigate its effects somewhat. Theren feels his head relax. He offers his help at any point if the priest needs it. Theren and Gage leave via the back door and agree to head back to the druid enclave.
Temerity waits until dark and then heads south, keeping off the road but he reaches Avalon before dawn and ends up near the port.