Jax sees the monk's face. With the exception of his blank stare, he just looks like another human, mindlessly tending the overgrown gardens.
Cerilis tries to locate Jax.
*BRAPPPP*
Cerilis, hidden well behind the overgrowth notices Jax moving carefully closer to the lethargic monk to get a better look. The monk's concentration is broken however when Jax bumps a cracked planter and it falls of an old wooden table crashing loudly onto the pavers below.
The monk stops what his pointless attention to landscaping and turns to watch the sneaking ranger, just about twenty yards away.
Augier taps his foot nervously.
Catching sight of Jax, the monk sets his broken tools down and walks briskly towards the temple door in an effort to get safely inside.
I think we have a problem! Augier tells the others.
"We should stop him before he reaches the door or they'll be all over us in no time.
Seeing Jax come running towards the main doors and seeing the Gardener making for the temple doors, Cerilis runs as fast as he can towards the man. He angles his path so that he can intercept the gardener before he gets to the door. His weapon comes free as he moves...
Ah f*$& me. Shit!!!
He once again adjust his path and his speed.
The man did not raise the alarm..why is that? Could he be just a gardener? Test the tumblers twice, pick them once....be certain of your actions before you act.
As Cerilis comes between the gardener and the door. He voice is calm if not a little winded but he keeps his composure.
Kindly step away from the door, I do not want any trouble. Now if you make any noise, you will not like my response. So please do not, I would hate to make your day any worse. Walk with me and answer some questions and I will let you go. I do not wish to spill innocent blood.
Cerilis see that he is not going to make it in time. He get as close to the Gardener as he can before he gets to the door. He leans on his sword huffing and puffing after the run from the main doors.
Sorry, I am sorry...Did you see anyone run in here. They just tried to rob me on the road into town. I have been chasing them and he gave me the slip in the woods outside this temple. Can you aid me, please.
Well let us get moving. Augier gets his short legs a pumping.
Ravenna clamps one hand on to her hat and starts jogging along with her companions, to reach the not-so-sneakies.
Siondel moves up with the others, while Medved jogs along easily enough.
Zirul will pull out his bastard sword and prepare to charge in if necessary.
Cerilis makes it to the heavy wooden door just as it closes. Jax is close behind him. There is no visible locking device and no barring of the door can be heard. Just the sounds or quick and disappearing footsteps across the stone floor inside. The door is about eight feet tall and almost four feet high.
Well it looks like we all are going in now.
"We knew this was bound to happen, sooner or later. Might as well get on it, then."
Siondel readies his bow and stands beside Medved, near the middle of the group.
"Right! Let's do this," says Ravenna. "I've never broken into a temple before. Spooky."
Zirul marches forward with his sword at the ready.
The party gathers around the solid wooden door, weapons in hand, waiting for something to happen.
Anyone good at opening doors?
When the rest of the companions gather around, Cerilis nods and turns towards the door.
There is no locking device nor did I hear any bar sliding across to stop us from entering. Everyone ready?
He will open the door and see what is inside.
All set here
The group prepares to follow Cerilis through the door, some with weapons in hand. The door creaks a bit announcing their arrival. There is no time to worry about that as a large monk, nearly seven feet tall and hooded, stands ten feet in front of the group.
He speaks,The clerics are not in, how may I serve you?
Looking at the monk with a casual but careful look, Cerilis steadies himself for what may comes next.
Well if he is asking questions..he is either not involved or stalling....let's see which one it is
We are here for those that use this temple to waylay innocent travels and those that obey their orders. If you are not part of this evil then please kindly step aside and let us do our jobs. We wish to spill no innocent blood this day.
Augier let's the chatty ones take the lead.
The large monk pauses for what seems to be a very long time. Long enough for the group to catch a good look at the main sanctuary.
The large room has a tile floor decorated with an abstract pattern of orange, tan, brown and blue. Several tapestries decorate the walls, all depicting scenes of lush farmland and crops at various stages of development. Five huge elm trunks serve as columns in the room, and a statue of Merikka , carved from a solid piece of jade, is mounted on a low dais at the north end of the room.
Well, if the matter does not concern healing then perhaps I can take you to see the Abbot, the large monk suggests. Would you like to make an offering to Merikka before we proceed? he says, pointing to a basket in front of the jade statue.
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Augier preps fireball. Then remembers he can't cast that and settles for sleep.
The monk looks at the five gold as if expecting more. Then, after another long and awkward pause, he leads them to a southwest door.
Augier tosses in a gold coin.
Cerilis watches in amazement as the monk offers to take them to the abbot and then at the request for a tithe. The hairs in the back of his neck were just beginning to rise when the monk made it apparent that the offering was too little...
[i]This is not good...something is wrong here. Why would a goddess of what looks like farmers ask for money as a donation? Farmers do not just have money toss around let along dropping 5 gold coins to a jade statue. Something is not right.
He looks at the others as the monk leads the way to another room.
He gestures towards the tapestries and then at the jade statue. He mouths the words
Not right....
Augier nods in response.
The monk leads you quietly to the door of a room to the left of the entrance, , opens the door and beckons you inside with a slow and reassuring motion of his left hand. There is a large blue drapery running across the room. Seated at a small wooden desk is the smiling abbot who remains seated as he greets you.
Welcome travelers! How can we be of assistance to you?
Well, we need some help to find someone who has gone missen. Augier pokes the more charismatic ones in his group.
Ravenna doffs her hat and makes a sweeping curtesy. "We have, by some strange fortune, lately stumbled across a strange conspiracy; the very fabric of this community, it seems, is riven by turmoil. Dark attackers in the night, people whisked away from their homes! Lizard folk and cultists! It is all very melodramatic."
"As this is the spiritual center of the village, we are eager to learn what you may have seen, and to put an end to such terrors."
She watches carefully to discern the monk's reaction.
Cerilis' face remains a mask of neutrality but on the inside is a different situation altogether.
Well that is one way of laying all your cards on the table. This may work to our advantage. Let us see who calls and who raises.....
Zirul waits impatiently for him chance to redeem himself for his last encounter with the lizard folk by putting his sword through it's skull. As that idea crosses his mind a slight smile creeps across his lips.
Siondel says nothing, waiting to see how this audience progresses.
"I see," says the abbot concerned, "let me go and summon one of the clerics to clear this matter up and assist you with your needs."
The abbot asks the large monk to fill the water and wine skins of the weary travelers while you wait as the abbot stands up from his chair.
It does not seem that the abbot is truly concerned with the plight of the outsiders.
Augier looks suspicious as the abbot leaves.
After the abbot leaves, Ravenna says in a low voice to the team, "I think he means to 'clear this matter up' by eliminating us with his clerics." Then she tips her hat up slightly and says, "Isn't this his office? Anyone spot any ledgers or anything we could check really quickly?"