After Ruan asks about the pilgrimage, she replies, "I've been struggling a bit spiritually as of late. I think Darlen wants more from my life and I've been feeling like I need to sacrifice something to help others, but I'm not sure what or how to do it. I came here hoping you could give me some guidance."
"The strong must protect the weak, for this is the
natural order. Those with great abilities or aptitudes must usetheir gifts for the betterment of their fellows. The faithful must
be ever vigilant for evil’s rise, but must show mercy in dealing
with its tools." , That is Darlen's way young lady. - Ruan say citing a very famous quote from Darlen tenets.
He hows you the book he was reading before you came to his presence, "on the nature of the Law", an important text consisting on commentaries from various high priests of the past.
Having say that, I don't think it means you have to sacrifice your happiness
===============
Hearing about "strong protecting the weak" Jal's chest grow, and he stands more straight than usual.
Achlys turned to Agramayne and had a quiet word with the paladin, "I would like to retire to my sleeping chamber and do what I can to tend to this small wound. Will you stay with the curator or find your own sleeping chamber until we sup with the locals?"
Agramayne smiled at his charge, standing protectively close to her and laying a gauntleted hand on her arm. "Where you go, I go, Achlys," he said. "I will take the room next to yours and wait for you. Perhaps I can help repay these monks for their kindness by cleaning up."
Turning to their traveling companions, he said "Call us if you need us."
With that, the paladin followed Malvenos to the cells. "We are used to far rougher lodgings," he said. "But if you will direct me to a mop and broom, perhaps I can clean up before the others arrive." Agramayne was never too proud for simple labor. Indeed, he believed it was a positive good for the soul.
Felixus on the other hand is rather too proud for manual labor, and will locate a chapel to pray (or failing that a shrine, or holy statute, really anything except for manual labor).
Ok, I added a bit more of information in the campaign info and Let's continue
@ Agramayne
Malenos provides a mop and a broom, and any other thing you need to clean the room
@ Felixus
Malvenos points to you to the Justicar hall
The High Altar, flanked by three statues on either side representing important saints, dominates this chamber. Dusty pews fill much of the remainder of the hall.
The painting behind the altar depicts Darlen sitting in judgment on a great multitude of souls. The picture to the left shows souls found wanting being cast into hell while that to the right depicts a fanciful view of the afterlife.
In there you see an entrance to the sacristy, the bell tower and the vestry.
@ Achlyss
Malvenos go with Achlyss to the Stable
A row of unused stalls, their floor covered with old, brittle straw, stand at the rear of this low, one‐storey building. This area has been unused for months you can guess. A storeroom contains a small supply of mouldering grain as well as all the paraphernalia required for tending horses. A dusty, dilapidated cart stands in one corner.
The half-elf remain quiet most of the way, but once in the stable he say
Is very unusual to have visitants that risk their life to came to Cymer...
If it is clear that Achlys worship Iomedae
Specially if you are not devote to Darlen
Felixus will pray at the three statues in turn. If nobody is around he will stick his head into the sacristy and have a nosy. (Well more than a nosy).
Tamarie will thank Ruan for his words of wisdom and go help spruce up the lodging area until dinner. She's already seen most of the priory, so sightseeing isn't necessary. She'll also see if there's anyway she could try to secure the sagging ceiling, maybe ask around to see if anyone has a long pole to stick in the middle of the room.
Is very unusual to have visitants that risk their life to come to Cymer...
Specially if you are not devoted to Darlen
Achlys surveyed the poor condition of the stable and the short supply of hay.
"Is this the priory's entire store of hay, Malvenos?" pointing to the stable floor after scanning her eyes for additional bales.
At his statement regarding the journey to Cymer, the inquisitor raised her hand and brushed the iron holy symbol of sword and sun around her neck.
"I was sanctioned by the Head Priestess of the Church to journey to Cymer in order to bring the Curate a gift from an old student who passed away not long ago. The student in question had been the Priestess' own brother and he himself a follower of Darlen. I am doing my duty by fulfilling a dying man's wish. I hope our arrival has not caused you too much trouble."
Turning her amber eyes fully onto the male half-elf, she simply enquired, "How long have you been at the priory, Malvenos, and what is your formal position?"
Jal sees Tamarie go, and smiles to her.
"I'll be with you in a minute."
Then he go and kneels before the curate.
"Father, please bless me. How can you know if you are the weak one, to be protected, or the strong one, protector of the weak? How can we beg Darlen for the blessing of his strength?"
@ Felixus
The image doesn't represent an actual judgement of souls but a moral one, for the ones that took advantage advantage of the weak.
@ Malvenos
I have here near two years by now, I'm not member of the clergy, I'm just the gatekeeper and a guardian...and this is all the hay we have
@ Jal
Strong and weak are relative terms young man, There is always someone weaker than you and someone stronger than you, just strive to do your best, that is all we mortals can do
@ Tammarie
There is no such pole. btw, Tammarie finds that the priory seems with way less activity than when she visit it in her youth.
Agramayne began to clean not only his chamber, but those of his fellow travelers. However, he stopped when Achlys left to go with Malvenos. Leaving his sword and shield and gear of war behind, he followed the inquisitor with only a small dagger at his belt.
Jal keeps knelled, deep in thought. After a minute he continues.
"Those are wise words, father. But, what if our best is not good enough?"
"Then I suppose the old straw in our beds will remain and we will make do. We shall simply clean the rest."
Achlys cast her eyes to Agramayne who remained silent nearby and gave him a small smile. As she readied herself to return to the sleeping chambers, Achlys turned her head and spoke again to the gatekeeper, striking up passing conversation in hopes of learning more about the priory,
"Two years is a fair time, Malvenos. How has life been at the priory during this time? Any troubles? Or is it a rather peaceful existence, poor weather aside."
@ Jal
Unfortunately, There is no good answer to that and even some of the greatest heroes in history not always were good enough...what is troubling you young man?
@ Achlyss
Lie have been monotonous, few people come here - He then avoid further conversation indicating that he will be in his watching post in case there are more travelers seeking for sanctuary.
Achlys' amber gaze grew keener as she sensed Malvenos' reticence in speaking of Cymer and the troubles of the priory. The inquisitor did not press the Half-Elven gatekeeper nor did she stop him from returning to his duties.
"Well, life can be so at times. Thank you for assistance. We shall return to the sleeping chambers and finish the cleaning."
When they were a fair distance from Malvenos' post, Achlys drew side by side with Agramayne and whispered to her paladin-watcher, "The gatekeeper was guarded when I asked after possible troubles in the priory. Be mindful, companion."
Her eyes began to discreetly scrutinise the priory as she walked through the halls and up to the chambers. What is going on here? she mused silently.
"There is much that is expected of me, but I don't feel The Justicar promised blessings. I fear I am not worthy of him."
@ Felixus
Shelves line the walls of this small chamber. Dusty prayer and hymn books as well as a plethora of small icons (many suffering minor damage) fill the shelves. There is also a small coffer.
@ Achlyss
You find nothing unusual. In the way to the guest lodgings Achlyss and Acramayne pass next to the frater and the kitchen.
@ Jal
I'm afraid I'm not understanding, what are the things you think you are expected to do?, and more importantly, what do you think the Justicar have promised to you?
Jal shows the birthmark on his neck.
"This is the promise that was made to my parents, to everyone. This is the mark they saw as a promise and a future, and I feel like a burden, a mark of shame. I have seen the abilities and powers the Justicar has blessed others with, while withholding them from me. "
He extends his hands.
"Why Darlen has forsaken me?"
I'll take a look in the small coffer.
Do any of the prayer books or hymn books look as if they are from another religion (taking 10 for DC15 religion) ?
Blissfully ignorant of Malvenos's discomfort, Agramayne smiled encouragingly at the monk.
Passing the dining chamber and kitchen and seeing nothing untoward, Achlys continued (with Agramayne beside her) to the sleeping chambers and carefully removed all the mouldered bed linen (kerchief over her nose and mouth) and swept the floors. She shook the straw mattresses as best as she could since there was no fresh straw and made the rooms at least inhabitable during their visit. There was nothing much she could do about the rusted chamber pots -- again, they'd have to make do. She made sure they were at least empty and rinsed out.
Achlys (with Agramayne's aid) took the foul bed linens to the wash room, where she boiled water and placed the linens to soak before they could be washed.
She turned to Gram, "We can use our own blankets and bedrolls until the linens can be washed and dried lest we take ill from the mould."
@ Jal
It is indeed quite a remarkably resemblance with Our Lord symbol...but that means little Young man, don't ask what Darlen can do for you, but what can you do for others...You also seems to worry to much for magical powers... - He stand up and reach for an old book
You are strong, healthy and kind-hearted, those are enough blessing, if you don't believe me then the tale of saint Donalus may interest you - he offers the book to you
@ Felixus
The holy symbol are from Darlen cult, and they don't seem to be corrupted. The chest have 6 vials with water inside.
@ Ach and Agra
In your way you see no sing of other people (if you see the map in roll 20 you can see you have not walked in the north and right hand side of the priory)
@ Tammarie
What do you do?
Felixus will noisy into the vestery and take a gander.
Once Tamarie is done cleaning up as best she can, she will lay down and take a nap until the dinner is ready. The lack of sleep due to the extreme cold has gotten to her, she will rest up to let her body recover.
After he and Achlys have cleaned up and made their spaces livable, Agramayne suggests to her and the others "Let's take a walk and see the parts of the priory we've so far missed."
Jal takes the book, and thanks the father.
"I will read it. Thanks, and may Darlen bless you."
He will go looking for Tamarie, and seeing her sleep he will leave the book in his assigned cell, together with his weapons and armor, and join with Agramayne and Achlys.
"Thank sounds like a good idea, my friend."
"Aye, Gram, let us go now before we rest and then dine."
Achlys turned at the sound of Jal's voice and heard his eagerness to join them in the general exploration of the other parts of the priory.
The inquisitor left her main blade hidden in her sparse chamber as requested by the curator - but she still carried the dagger hidden in her boot in case of trouble. Rarely did she trust in the word of strangers.
Her eyes scanned the interior and corners as she/they moved through the north side of the building.
@Felixus
The door of the vestry is badly hung. It required you to apply some force to open it. When opened, it hang crazily from one hinge. Lines of pegs stud the walls of this small chamber. Upon four hang ceremonial robes of white edged with silver trim. They all seem somewhat dusty.
@ Aclyss, Agramayne, Jal
While Tammarie is sleeping, you continue exploring the priory.
The first thing you encounter in your way north is the chapter house, which in turn contains many doors (H in the map). From that point you see that further north lies the chapel.
"Please accompany me into the Chapel... I would like to make a small prayer."
Felixus will try to rehang the door and make some prayers whilst pondering the situation.
Yes is the only chapel of the place, it is somewhat big one though. Jal (and achlys and agramayne if they go too) encounter Felixus praying in the chapel.
The painting behind the altar depicts Darlen sitting in judgment on a great multitude of souls. The picture to the left shows souls found wanting being cast into hell while that to the right depicts a fanciful view of the afterlife.
In there you see an entrance to the sacristy, the bell tower and the vestry.
Jal, carefully, sits next to Felixus to pray a little.
After a while praying, Jal stands and thanks everyone.
"Thank you , I needed that."
He will got with Agramayne and Achlys to get to know all of the chapel.
We explore!
Just before you were ready to leave the justiar hall you hear the sound footsteps of someone approaching. A human male in his late thirties with the robes of a priest.
He seems surprised by your presence.
oh, uhm, Hello...
"Hello. We are pilgrims, she is Achlys Dess and he is Agramayne, Iomedaians, and he is Felixus Deonus, and finally I am Jal Hetzau, brothers in the faith. What is your name?"
Greetings you pilgrims, My name is Tomas Leleand an initiated in the ways of our great lord Darlen the noble one. Sorry for my surprise I just did not expect to see any traveler with this climate...would it be wrong to assume you already met with our leader, Ruan Gloyne?
"You would be correct. We have already had the pleasure of meeting him."
Felixus will continue to pray ignoring the conversation.
I see, are you going to stay in the guest longing?, of course you will, I'll recommend them to take some fresh straw from the stable, and you could also use the time to do some cleaning, unfortunately that room have not being in use in some time.
If you don't have something else to ask or to say, Tomas indicates that he need to return to the bell tower to ring the bell in case some more travelers are lost in the storm outside.
"Let me thank you, as you saved out lives! The bell ringing is what brought us here! May Darlen bless you!"