Some stop and listen or join in with Tunt's prayer while others go about their business. Once Tunt's prayer is complete a man approaches your group.
A smiling heavyset man in the dark robes of a monk approaches with a shuttered lamp in his hand. He takes a pointed look at your weapons before grinning up at you and winking a bright blue eye. “Greetings pilgrims. Such faith and preparation is admirable to see. You are the help that the abbot has sent for, yes? Truly we are not forgotten. I’m Brother Lamark, one of the churchmen of this mission. Welcome to Stern Hope—the abbot awaits your pleasure at the priory in the morning after you are rested. Unfortunately he is currently occupied and apologises for not greeting you himself.”
Brother Lamark makes a point to give each of ye a firm handshake. Aristarchus nods, seeming a bit distracted.
Mordecai will firmly return the Brother's handshake.
"By Him on Terra.", he replies, appraising the man.
"It is unfortunate indeed that the abbot is otherwise disposed. Do you have an idea of when he will become available again?"
“Prelate Skae attends a sick girl and her family. He asked me to greet your party in his stead when you all arrived… sir. We arranged accommodations for you at the Crying Clota, our guest hall and an inn of sorts. Not much, but better than a tent.” Smiles and starts leading your group, presumably towards the Crying Clota.
He is definitely holding a few details back but he doesn't seem guilty or concerned about it.
"I see. I am Mordecai Rhones. Are there are other pertinent details that you can offer us?"
The brother takes you to a rickety looking two story building. The Crying Clota also appears to double as a scrap trader’s yard and livery stable. In truth, it is mostly a watering hole that just happens to have a few rooms for rent on the second storey. Constructed of old scrap wood, flint blocks and corrugated iron, it has a shabby appearance, and looks like it would collapse under a strong wind. Hanging from strings all along the front porch are spent brass cartridges and shells that tinkle in the fitful breeze.“You've had a long journey, there's time for all that later. Take the chance to rest. I’ll tell the Abbot, you’ve arrived.”He nods and walks off into the sea of tents.
The interior consists largely of the bar room, and a dozen tables and six booths offer plenty of places to sit. Most days, there’s a handful of people inside, but at night, the place is packed with standing room only. An middle aged ashleen man greets your group "Welcome outlanders to the Crying Clota. The Abbot's men have already paid for room and board. Would you like some spitbrew?"
"Certainly. And I will try the spitbrew."
It can't be worse than that maggot milk.
Fr Tunt hears the offer of the barkeep and nods. "Add in a bowl of whatever is good and hot if you could as well and Emperor bless your business" Fr Tunt will sit at whatever booth offers the best view of the room. Lacing his fingers together he rests his hands on the front of his breastplate as he looks about. Leaning towards the middle of table to speak to the others in a hopefully lower tone he says, "They're not in much of a rush around here, we might need to modify how we deal with them. We've all been used to dealing with organisations like the Guard", he says nodding at Bas, "or Enforcer organisations which have a more regimented procedure with stricter time keeping. These fellows are probably used to doing things at their own pace. The Abbot is probably the next closest thing to absolute around, barring The Emperor or course, so I'd advise we treat him as such. The next thing I'd advise is to eat and drink well because who knows when we'll get our expenses paid for by the Ecclisarchy again."
The spitbrew is definitely better than maggot milk but it's a little thicker than the average brew. It's tart but enjoyable.
Tunt is given a bowl of stew and a small loaf of bread to go with it. There are a few vegetables as well as some unidentifiable local meat. It is a very hearty and filling meal.
Mordecai almost smiles when he sips the spitbrew. Almost.
"Father, I agree with your assessment. And I will take your advice."
Mordecai calls over the barkeep:
"Bring over stew and bread for us all."
Bas will quietly join Tunt and Mordecai.
Yarl will tuck in heartily to the food, tempted by the thought of a hot meal after the time on the road. He will avoid the alcohol though and instead request a tea if they have it. Although not making a scene he will attempt to sit as far from Mordecai as possible.
"When we get some more privacy I will attempt to gain more information"
He speaks to the group, eyes moving across everyone but never Mordecai.
To Mordecai
Speaking around a mouthful of stew,"I have some experience dealing with these priestly types", he says without a trace of irony or humour.
To Yarl
"Our room or rooms would provide that I'd say. I'm not certain what accomadation we actually have. For my part I was going to see what I can gather from the common area for a while longer. It may take a while and several more of these", he lifts the mug of spitbrew, "but I'm confident I can get some local knowledge. What do you think Bas, up for some recce?"
"I shall remain in the common area too. I can keep eyes and ears open anyway.", Mordecai says as he sups.
Bas nods at Tunt's request without making eye contact.
The stew is provided for the group as requested.
Yarl can always head to their quarters for privacy.
The Crying Clota doesn't have many people in it currently aside from yourselves and the staff at the moment.
Mordecai gazes around for anyone or anything of interest. His enforcer training itches.
Mordecai spots nothing that was not previously obvious in the tavern. But he has time to walk amongst the rest of the settlement if he so desires.
"I am inspired to go for a sightseeing walk. Would anyone like to join me?" he enquires at the table.
Fr Tunt looks delighted at the idea. "Good plan Prime, we can see if this town has any other, ah, social houses like this one to get more information."
"I'll stay with Yarl and Aristarchus."
Asking around there are four locations o interest in the settlement. First is the Cathedral, then the Priory, the Warrior Camps and then finally the Generatoria and Workshops.
"I'd recommend the warrior camps, if information is to be flowing it'll be among the soldiers because in my experience we dirt pounders gossip like old folk but it's up to you Prime Mordecai. You do have more experience in investigation matters"
"My expertise in investigation has a great gap when it comes to charming suspects and witnesses. But that is where you come in, Father Tunt. Let us go to the warriors."
This area is set aside for visiting Ashleen clanners, clota herd drovers and other nomad groups that may pass this way, and is made up of open tents, a corral and a wellhead. It is isolated enough from the main camp to make everyone feel a little safer while remaining inside the wall.
Mordecai keeps an eye out for anything especially suspicious.
Fr Tunt will keep an eye out for any groups of people gathered around a fire or sitting and eating.
Mordecai is adrift once more on alien worlds with xenos flaura and fauna which have not been rendered into building materials... but nothing seems more suspicious that he would normally expect to find.
Tunt sees several groups, even the Ashleen if not looking respectfully at him are a bit more grudgingly accepting. He could approach campfires of mostly Ashleen, herders, nomads or a mix.
Mordecai turns to Tunt:
"I am afraid that I see nothing or no one that stands out to me. How about yourself?"
"Over there", Fr Tunt indicates a campfire of a mixed group, "we should go where the groups are mixed. Less likely of a stonewall mindset. Lets see what these folk think about, well, everything and anything." Tunt will approach the group smiling and wait till he's given the chance to introduce himself rather than inturrupt anyone. "Blessings on anyone who wishes it, I'm Havelock Tunt and this is Mordecai Rhones. We're just arrived and we're at a bit of a loss for what to do in our time off and we saw the campfire and figured if anyone knows it should be this fine bunch here." He looks about the group beaming and asks, "So, whats a man to do for fun about theses parts?"
"Drink if he can find some!" One man comments glibly and a few chuckle.
"Any pointers on finding a drink here?", asks Mordecai.
"Have something to trade or coin and ask about the merchants."
"Well a man could do worse than spend the day with some fine lads and whatever rotgut he can rustle up. Beyond that is their anything else though. I can get by on prayer and drink for a while but that can lead to monotony and that leads to boredom and that leads to restlessness and That leads to getting into trouble. Again. Still, who hasn't done something they shouldn't every now and again?"
An evening of talking with some of the men gets Tunt a few bits of information from various individuals.
-“Abbot Skae is a great and holy man. I lost everything to a warlord’s raiders and he saved me from the scavenger’s life… Before he came I had no purpose and would surely have died without the Emperor’s light.”
-“Strange lights have been seen dancing on the mountains and ill winds blowing up from the hill country. I saw them myself only the other night, the lights, distant, but I saw them. Some fools believe it’s a sign of the Emperor’s favour. But those of Ashleen blood speak of old devils in the lost places angered by our intrusion into their lands.”
-“I hear that woman Esha Raine is coming to the ceremony. She’s one of the “widows of the Ashleen”—a respected wise woman and healer. She believes the cathedral will help the Ashleen join “real” Imperial society and better us all. They say that’s why she agreed to help Skae and discouraged those clans nearby from raiding us. Her voice is listened to by many of the war clans and even a few renegades.”
Fr Tunt will swap stories and any gossip he has heard coming in on the transport with anyone he speaks to. Once the evening starts to wind down he says, "Well lads this has been a great introduction to your world, I'm sure we're going to meet again, Emperor willing, but for now I must retire to my bed like some sort of old and infirm man. The trip in was a long one and unlike the Holy Emperor my strength is not limitless."
He'll bid goodbye in general and specifically to anyone he spoke to that he thinks has given him useful information.
Once they leave the campsites behind he says to Mordecai, "So, any useful information in that?"
"I would consult with the others. I believe that may be a more productive conversation."
Yarl sets a candle burning in his room and begins to clear his mind for the divination. The world melts away as he mediates staring into the single flame.
Free of the presence of the null Yarl is able to glean further information from the flames. More riddles to try decipher but perhaps the others will be able to add insight
Yarl sees into the flames. He sees a man with a painted face approaching Stern Hope with a weapon in his hand and violence in his heart. A dark presence lingers about him urging him to action. He is not alone others follow him.
The flames change and Yarl can see Stern Hope passing by in a blur, the man is not there at least for now. It is peaceful for now beneath the shadow of the Cathedral the vision of the man is a thing yet to come.
When Mordecai and Tunt return. Bas will address them.
"Do you have anything to report? We should join Yarl in our chambers and compare notes."
Yarl pushes his senses further he sees many things. He sees Bas speaking to Tunt and a hazy figure. He sees the staff in the bar going around menial work. He sees people in the street walking, arguing, fighting. He sees people in tents eating, sleeping, drinking talking, going to the toilet. He sees shale crows cawing. He sees a man with a bionic eye taking off priestly vestments and washing himself with a wet cloth. He sees the Seer consulting his Emperors Tarot. He sees Ashleen fighting each other. He sees shale crows landing. He sees men, women and children living, praying and sinning. He sees a man in flak armour with a bionic eye drinking and playing dice while and Ashleen curses his name. He sees shale crows cawing... one crow turns and looks at him and caws.
The flames erupts into a gout as if from a preachers flamethrower as the caw still rings in his ears... flames begin to spread quickly in the dingy room... a flaming feather falls from above.
Seeing the flames leap up Yarl focuses his mind in an attempt to extinguish the fire before it get out of hand.
His mind still focused on the vision he raises his arms and as he lowers them the flames die out.
Time to find the others and tell them what I've seen.
Scorch marks cover the near wall and ceiling but the flames Yarl subdues.
"Father Tunt made some intunnels with the locals. Father?"
Yarl will get everyone to join him in his room before beginning.
"I have been peering through the flames and seen an attack coming on stern hope. A few individuals with painted faces moving in to attack, their actions may not be fully their own, I sensed a dark presence guiding them, pushing them further.. When I delved deeper I glimpsed repeated flashes of shale crows until one turned and looked at me.. Some malignant force tried to reach back and burn the room down"
Bas is moved to more emotion than normal by Yarl's prophesying.
"Do we prepare for an attack? Is there symbolism in the shale cows?"
"What do you mean exactly by burn the room down?"
Bas has no idea what to do with the information but is trying to accept it as fact.
Mordecai tries to cut through the symbolism.
"Word of an attack has use, but did you see details? Numbers? Armament? Direction of the attack?"
"No, the warp is a fickle thing. Getting the information we do have takes skill and much time ability." Yarl replies quite firmly to mordecai.
"As you can see Bas, the enemy has attempted to stop us from prying on them" Yarl says as he points to the scorch marks throughout the room.
"As for symbolism? Perhaps, or the enemy may have a means of spying through their eyes.. We will need to be extra vigilant where ever we see shale crows, real or symbolic. Sadly I don't know when the attack on the port is coming but hopefully when it does we can pick up this influence leading them from the warp"
"There was some talk of strange lights and ill winds from one man, seen only the night before. He said that the Ashleen believe it to be some old heathen devils angry at the spread of the Emperors Worship. If interpretation of the vision is needed there is a local wise woman in town with strong Imperial sympathies. Her more specific knowledge of the pagan rites and such may help some more. In the meanwhile we could ask for a scouting party to be sent to the hills where the lights were seen as a precaution?"
Fr. Tunt turns to Mordecai."What do you think Prime?"
Mordecai goes very quiet,then nods.
"Yes. We need every edge we can reasonably obtain from Imperial servants."