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Post by Veritas on Oct 21, 2011 22:43:06 GMT -4
Vince watches, reluctant to step further into the temple, to wander. He's been here before, but not always in trouble. His right ear throbs a little, a reminder of how he was hauled out after he smashed the window on the left side when he was nine. A mischevious scamp, but he was convinced then that the temple held great treasures. Perhaps he had been right, but the simple fact is that he was wrong to look for them.
Ori gone, Cael by the door. Miriam near. He smiles that little bit over to her. And then he shrugs softly in response. "I'd rather not wait. Ori hopefully won't be more than a moment, but you may need to go get her. I have the feeling that she has great emotion within. It's difficult to see him so wounded...but he needs us. Or he wouldn't have called for us to go to the school."
It is easier to talk shop.
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Post by joviality on Oct 22, 2011 14:46:50 GMT -4
Cael has hung back as the group left the inn; speaking with these humans would never be his forte. Instead, he covered them as the guard had led them through the streets toward the temple, his ever-vigilant eyes scanning for threats and prepared for the next attack.
As they reached the temple, he was struck with the enormity of the situation. There were so many injured and writhing bodies here... he didn't know what he could do. His magic seemed to be of little help at the moment. Deciding to fall back on his decades-old hunting instincts, he decided to guard the door, watching the city outside the temple's walls seem to waver and dance in the coruscating light.
Occasionally he would look back at the group. It seemed as though Erfryn was being taken care of, hopefully he would be alright. What they needed to do was find his assistant so they could get to the bottom of what was causing such chaos in the city. Hopefully they would be able to answer some questions soon.
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Post by irishmagician on Oct 22, 2011 20:19:19 GMT -4
Seamus enters the Abbot's quarters, nodding once to the dwarf next to Erfryn. He turns to Solonius.
"Well? Do you have an idea how to heal him? This bloody gnome is probably the only person in this town who has a clue towards what's going on, and this situation isnt going to be taken care of if Erfryn turns into one of those explodin' things!" Seamus says irritatedly, a lack of sleep quite evident on his face. The abbot shakes his head with a sigh.
"I am at quite a loss on what to do, unfortunately. All of our prayers and magicks seem to do naught to alleiviate the affliction the townsfolk suffer. I have been looking through our records to see if there was something like this in the past, but nothing has turned up yet," Solonius says, rolling up the scroll he had been perusing.
"The only solution I haven't tried is to see if Falar had left any tools behind for me to use in situations such as these. I dare not venture into catacombs beneath the Temple to search for it; the wards on the door have come to life, surely indicating that some evil has arisen below the Temple in response to the chaos that surrounds us," he ponders worriedly as he rubs his balding head with a sigh. "I just do not know what course of action to take."
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Post by irishmagician on Oct 24, 2011 16:02:25 GMT -4
A pause comes over the Abbot's study as the situation sinks in between the two individuals. Seamus leans against the wall next to the desk with another sigh.
"As distressing as that possibility may be, the wards seem to be holding at the moment. If we can't find a way to get information from Erfryn, I can only hope that there is an assistant or someone who was working with him that may have an idea of what is going on," Seamus says matter-of-factly. "You can place your hopes on a solution that might work, I'm going to head up to the Academy to see if I can find answers there." Seamus turns towards the door.
"But what if the wards fail, guardsman? Should evil truly have awoken beneath the Temple and it breaks through, not even myself would be able to completely defend this place from it," Solonius says grimly. He arises from his chair to face Seamus. "Do not forget your duty to protect the people of this town as well." Seamus rolls his eyes in exasperation, clearly hearing a lecture brewing in his direction. He turns to Ori sitting nearby.
"Dwarf, you and your companions seem to have an interest in this gnome as well. This old codger and I will not be able to come to an agreement anytime soon about this issue," Seamus says wryly. "Be our tie-breaker of sorts, if you will. Speak with your compatriots about what course of action we should take, and we all will follow your lead. Speak to either of us again when your group has come to a decision." Seamus exits the room, with the Abbot shaking his head in annoyance behind him as he leaves. Solonius returns to his chair to examine another scroll.
(OOC: clarification on your options here: 1. Seamus' path: search for Erfryn's assistant up at the Academy. 2. Solonius' path: search for tools left by previous Abbot to attempt to cure the affliction. 3. Other: whatever else you decide.)
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Post by comicsans12pt on Oct 27, 2011 19:35:21 GMT -4
Ori feels like a child who has accidentally wandered into the teachers' lounge at school. The interaction between the sheriff and the priest seemed strained and defiant. Perhaps the troubles here have delineated boundaries already in place for years. Is it safe to leave Erfyrn here? She didn't doubt that the old gnome would be treated well but she wondered at the political climate that would surround his healing.
Solonius was reading at his desk and took no notice as Ori walked to Erfyrn and explained that she had some business with Cael, Miriam and Vince. She would be back when she could and that he was with Solonius and he would watch over him. She squeezes his hand and promises a return as soon as possible.
She was reluctant to leave but the interaction left her with questions that only her new friends could answer for her. She slips out of the room and backtracks to the part of the temple where she left the others.
She stops at Miriam, who is supervising some of the palliative efforts and whispers, "There is a request to have our group decide something. I don't know enough about the political climate of this town but know enough to understand that this decision may make a boundary where one should not exist. If we gather, i can explain it once."
Waiting for an assenting nod from Miriam, Ori heads toward the the temple entrance. She sees Vince and knows Miriam will go to him and tell him of Ori's message. Ori takes this time to find Cael and speak quietly to him.
"The priest and the sheriff disagree as to the next course of action and the sheriff has asked that we make the decision.There seems to be little love lost between the two and i personally believe that this crisis has awakened prejudices that do not sleep soundly. Vince and Miriam seem to keep each other's counsel. For their understanding of this place i am grateful and because Erfyrn trusts them, i do too But i would trust too, an opinion of another one unattached except to Erfyrn. I would be grateful,if you joined us to make this decision."
Gathering them together, Ori confirms that Miriam has told Vince of her and Ori's conversation.
Ori begins. "The sheriff is anxious to go to the academy to find Erfyrn's assistant and find out what caused this. Solonius believes the sheriff's place is here at the temple, guarding against any more evil that might manifest here. Solonius believes he can find tools that earlier priests have used to end the anguish. They have asked us to make the decision as to what course of action to take. "
"On a personal level, i think that whatever we decide, sides will be chosen and minds will close. Difficult tasks may keep a rift from forming but no energy can be wasted now. What do you all think?"
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Post by joviality on Oct 28, 2011 9:55:10 GMT -4
Cael pauses to think about what the dwarf has said after they are all gathered together. He is unsure of the politics of these humans, but he knows what he thinks they should do in this situation.
"I am of course unfamiliar with the relationships that exist between members of the community, such as the sheriff and the abbot. I believe that I can therefore offer a slightly more neutral perspective. I do not know what dangers the priests believe exist here, but there is a clear and present danger in the raucous magic present outside.
I therefore think that there is everything to gain by seeking out Erfryn's assistant. He will have information immediately relevant to the catastrophe at hand, and will hopefully be a powerful magical force in his own right.
Erfryn is in good care here; there is no sense in transporting him again. His wounds would only be exacerbated. If the four of us could find the apprentice and bring him back here quickly, I think we should."
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Post by Veritas on Oct 28, 2011 11:09:28 GMT -4
Vince's arms fold over his shoulder. "Let's do both, then. The sheriff can stay here. We can go to the Academy. It's that Erfyrn thought we should do. If we're quick, maybe we can get back here in time to help the priests dig through their basements."
What should be noted is the strained look Vince is getting when he says this. It's clearly not an easy decision for him. The basement of an active Temple of Mysteries, an old and untouchable vault of treasures to discover! Personal feelings, however, must be set aside. His eyes wander over Miriam for a fraction of a moment.
"That's my vote, anyway."
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Post by Juniper on Oct 28, 2011 15:43:50 GMT -4
Miriam bites her lip, clearly conflicted. "Father Solonius believes that whatever is in the vault could help heal those brought here. Moreover, if there are threats created by this menace wandering around in the crypt, I don't see that I can in good conscience leave here. If this place is to stand as sanctuary for the village, we should make sure it is truly secure. To my mind that means clearing the crypt and bringing up whatever Father Solonius needs. The Academy will still be there when we are done."
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Post by Veritas on Oct 29, 2011 9:29:13 GMT -4
"Will it be?" Vince asks, looking over at Miriam. "Do we really know that?"
Inhaling, he reaches up and pinches the bridge of his nose. Conflicting desires become more conflicting. And he smiles that little bit. "If the menace is stopped, the people will stop needing to come here. I hope. And if we clear out the crypt...it might not help, if the demands from outside overwhelm the ability for defense."
He shakes his head. "No matter which way we cut it, someone loses."
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Post by comicsans12pt on Oct 30, 2011 1:00:23 GMT -4
Ori clears her throat. "Nothing is secure. Whether it comes in the form o'a monster from the cellar or'a sickness from something in the ground, it's already here and we're taking casualties. Let them stay together to remind the other they both serve." "Efryrn chose us because he trusted us to be tough enough take care of the bad guys and smart enough not to forget the task a' hand is to remove the plague. If they insist we can point out that we are four battleready heathy bodies with a doctor, a priestess or whatever your friend here is-no disrespect intended-a guy with a sentient bow and a barmaid. We'll pretty much go where we want. " "My observations tell me this is the way to go but I will follow any plan if it begins quickly."
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Post by Juniper on Oct 30, 2011 8:59:30 GMT -4
Miriam cocks a friendly eyebrow at Ori. "None taken. I'm a priestess who's made a living as a doctor for five years." She then turns to Vince again. "If you think we need to see what's going on at the Academy first, I'll follow you. But as Ori pointed out, I'm a priestess and a doctor. If Solonius thinks the tools needed to save these people are in the infested crypts of my temple, I'm going down there to get them and to clean it out for the glory of Desna, as soon as I possibly can, and you're going with me, especially if you make me wait."
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Post by joviality on Oct 31, 2011 17:46:36 GMT -4
Cael smiles a bit at Ori's designation for him, and a short peal of laughter is heard over his shoulder. "Woodsman will suffice. There are a few parlor tricks I have found useful through my years, but I am a child of the forest at heart."
Turning to address the group, he looks stoic - like he has offered similar in the past:
"If it would please everyone, I would volunteer to find the assistant on my own and bring him back... I know the way to the academy well, unless it has changed drastically in the intervening years. I could move quicker and perhaps more... subtly... on my own. There are a few magics I possess to aid travel.
Miriam, what do you think? It would perhaps expedite our journey into the crypts..."
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Post by Veritas on Oct 31, 2011 22:10:22 GMT -4
"Going off on your own just increases our likelyhood of someone - or all of us - getting killed. Splitting up isn't a good call. I think we need to stop this...whatever it is," Vince says, his head jerking towards outside for a moment. "Only then will we be able to stop filling this hall. Sure, we might be able to save the people here with what's below...but what about the next ones? What if all the clerics get ill? It seems to me we have to shut off the tap before we clean up the mess, otherwise we're doing nothing other than wiping up a spill."
Turning to Miriam, he reaches out and rests a hand on her shoulder, leaning forward as his eyes meet hers. "I'll come back here after we find the assistant and help you with this, I promise. But I think we'd all feel better if you came with us. We might need your talents - even if only to keep the man alive until we can get the information we need. But I promise you we'll get back here as soon as possible and tend to these people."
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Post by irishmagician on Nov 1, 2011 22:20:26 GMT -4
Time passes as the group discusses amongst themselves their options in this dilemma. After a while, both Seamus and Solonius walk up to the party. Seamus sheepishly runs his hand through now moist hair, and the faint smell of lavender soap comes from his direction. A satisfied look from Amara as she walks past him clearly identifies her stance on cleanliness under her stern eye. He adjusts his now-clean chainmail uncomfortably as he approaches, Solonius accompanying him in silent contemplation.
"Have you all come to an agreement, I hope? I must apologize for delegating such a decision in such a manner, but time is of the essence in situations such as this." Seamus says. Solonius nods to the group as well.
"Indeed," the Abbot says, "I must agree with the guardsman on the issue of time. What say you all?" They both look expectantly at the four adventurers, awaiting their response.
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Post by comicsans12pt on Nov 1, 2011 23:36:35 GMT -4
Ori looks at both Solonius and Seamus.
"I believe we all understand that time is a precious commodity. But we also understand the need for protection here at the Temple."
"This is how we see it. The Temple needs as much protection as we can offer so we propose that Seamus stays here with his people and we will go to the academy to find Erfyrn's assistant. We have proven we are battle ready. If we cannot find him, if we find him or if we find the Temple needs us, we will be here faster than a dwarf to gold. (Ori seems amused by her comment.)"
"In any event, we will be back to help Solonius with his task of finding the tools to fixing this problem. That is our decision."
She looks to Vince (because she knows that Miriam will follow him) and Cael and turns, not giving either Solonius nor Seamus an opportunity to give protest.
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