Grrrumble grumble . . .I'd rather be sticking daggers in these jokers' eyes than playing their game . . . grumble harumph!
Vaughn also kneels, but simply mutters under his breath, trusting in Kyren's show of piety.
Kenta looks surprised as the others kneel before the pyramid, but after a short moment he begins to wail in a language foreign to your ears - while his arms gesticulate in a manner not unlike some kinds of worship that you have seen...
"Watashi wa, sukoshi tīpotto mijikai to futotta yo
Koko ni watashi no handoru ga ari, koko de, watashi no sosogiguchidesu
Watashi wa subete no kankan ni okotte iru toki wa, tsugini watashi ga sakebu
Watashi o sosogu, watashi ni tentō."
Here is my handle, here is my spout,
When I get all steamed up, then I shout
Tip me over, pour me out."
... Buta just stands idle, panting and watching the display with as bemused an expression as a boar can muster.
A group of five priests enters and hesitates as soon as Kenta's ear-shattering display of piety starts. After he has finished his little show, the leader of the newly arrived priests harrumphes to get your attention
It is good to see such a devoted group of men...and animal...in this horrible city. Your future is going to be bright if you only remain steady in your faith...but eh, now we are here for the collection, heh...you all know how important your alms are for us...I mean for the poor who receive your money through our hands.
Vaughn makes no move to comply. If there's a long enough hesitation where no one responds, he'll finally come out with We gave all we had to the last priests who came by.
Vaughn also whispers so that (hopefully) only his friends hear him: they touch her, they die.
"Yes, yes! Naturally, we want to continue giving generously and hope to send a large shipment of valuables to ensure the Child Goddess recognizes our devotion. Could you kindly give me the name of your leader so that I may send it to him directly when I make arrangements with my bank. Clearly we want to make sure the offering is directed to the correct person."
Wonderful! the priest beams at Kyren Our leader is the magnificent high priest Ozolar. He will be most delighted to hear that you will be sending a large sum of money soon. Well, we don't want to interrupt your prayers, but as you know, the pyramid has to be shown to the faithful.
the priests accompanying the speaker mover over to the altar to lift the silvery pyramid with Albright in it.
Kenta looks to the talky man for guidance... it seemed like this development could complicate things.
If no one interferes, the priests will move over to the pyramid and lift it...if no one interferes :)
Sirs, what happens to they pyramid once the faithful have been shown, if you please?
Those who know Vaughn has hidden daggers, know he's fingering them right now.
The priest smiles openly but misinterprets your question
Hah, yes, that is what you all want to know isn' it, heh. Don't worry, the goddesses never leave the pyramids, it's part of the wonder of our faith.
Vaughn hesitates, then steps back to let them do their thing. Assuming they're going to bring it back . . .
*whispered* we'll just get her out again when they come back
"Well, we don't want to interrupt your prayers, but as you know, the pyramid has to be shown to the faithful."
"Yes, yes, I am aware that you need to show this pyramid to the faithful, but could you kindly permit this faithful group a few more minutes to pray to this pyramid just a little longer. I feel the spirit moving through me, and I think I am somehow finding atonement with the Child Goddess. You certainly would not want to break off the divine bond that is forming as we speak. Please, of great ones, give me but a little time to recite my prayers and I will let you know when I am finished."
Mhm...that is highly uncommon, but yes, I feel the goddesses' power running through your very fabric...heh...but ritual hours are ritual hours, you surely understand this, right? ...ummm...well, on the other hand, a small donation to the temple could be seen as a righteous reason to postpone the ceremonial showing of this pyramid for half an hour, heh...
Slowly you rather like like being on the bazaar again...
"The Godess be praised! Now you are talking! I feel the love flowing for sure! Now here is some gold for your troubles and be sure to leave a plate for me to fill. Please also remember my promise for more to come. We will make this the grandest temple yet!"
Kyren gives them five gold apiece and goes back to praying until they leave.
The priest looks a bit disappointed at the meagre donation, but keeps his mouth shout and signals his fellows to leave.
Moments later you are alone again in the chapel.
Good thinking Kyren. Now let's get her out of there. I think we're going to have to keep her with us, we can't send her to the Revive when there's no one there.
Vaughn opens the pyramid and gets the girl out. C'mon sweetie. Time to go.
Albright climbs out again and can't hide a grin
Good job Kyren - hey, inside the thing I had an idea, can't we just set my prison on fire, then call for the priests - I bet they will panic big time, when they see that. Not so much of fear that I might burn, but more because a burned-out pyramid would proof that there are no goddesses in these thing, just children without any magic mojo powers.
"Good job Kyren - hey, inside the thing I had an idea, can't we just set my prison on fire, then call for the priests - I bet they will panic big time, when they see that. Not so much of fear that I might burn, but more because a burned-out pyramid would proof that there are no goddesses in these thing, just children without any magic mojo powers."
"Kazam, Kazam! We have bought ourselves a little more time. That was a close one. Now, let's find a way to get you out of here as quickly as possible. Do you really think that burning the pyramid would help? I mean, what should we do with you while the pyramid burns? Do you think Bunta would be able to carry her away through the temple and back to the Revive or should we try to keep our lovely Albright with us?"
Can't you hide me under one of your cloaks...mhm...ok...I guess that wasn't a really great idea, eh? nervously Albright shuffles her feet We need an idea quickly or they will come back!
"Under a cloak may be a fine idea. This temple is busy enough that they may not pay that much attention. The problem is, that we must also try to find Bobo. Tal, my friend, I am too short to put Albright under my cloak. Do you think you could fit her underneath? Just remember to walk slowly. I have no doubt that you will look pious enough. Let's just get her out of here and back to the safety of the Revive. Once we are assured of her safety, then we will reenter and find cousin."
"Albright, can you give us directions to where we may expect to find my cousin?"
Removing his helm Kenta remarks "No need for cloak... little girl put on Kenta helm, then think of what want to look like. Maybe like priest person, then can escort special worshippers to secret places?" before handing his modified hat of disguise over to the child goddess.
"Nice touch, Kenta! I would hardly recognize her with that helm on!"
Turning to Albright, Kyren asks, "If you were in disguise, would you be able to lead us to where my cousin Bobo is likely kept? Naturally, we do not expect you to do any fighting, and I promise we will keep you safe and well hidden from the cultists!"
Sure! Uh, but how will you be able to follow me? I mean...
Albright pauses and puts the helm on and a moment later she looks like a fat, pimpled, red-haired boy of about twelve years
Ha! Now I'm Olfie, the high priest's son!
Oh...what I wanted to ask - why do you think should they allow you to follow me down?
"Oh...what I wanted to ask - why do you think should they allow you to follow me down?"
"Yes you may be right. Let me consider this matter." Kyren scratches his head and considers the matter for a minute. He then asks his companions, "At what point do you think we should take back our weapons and go in by force? I mean, I am an eloquent talker, but I doubt that we will be able to persuade these fanatics to let us prance in and take back Bobo. I think we may need to spill some blood here. i also don't think we would be doing a disservice to the town should we do so."
Before anyone is able to answer, Albright interrupts
Shh! I can hear them coming back - oh, and it's about time for the Ardoc member to arrive, let's quickly hurry over to the pyramid's entrance. And keep an eye open for a red-haired slightly obese boy, heh - wouldn't be good if he spots me...uh himself, I mean, heh!
"Quick, let's put on this helmet and kneel down in prayer with the rest of us. Every look pious! Here they come!"
At the sound of them returning, Kyren gets back to his prayers to the Child Goddess.
"Oh great, great, super child goddess, bless us with your blessings and let us be at oneness with you!"
Kenta sings another song of his childhood by way of gibberrish worship.
I support this plan.
Vaughn follows suit and kneels down to "worship"
Tal'Zeneb also joins the fake prayers, gritting his teeth.
The priest you spoke to earlier smiles friendly and says
Your devotion is really refreshing...very good. then he and his fellows move over to the altar and lift the pyramid...for a moment they pause and you already fear that they could sense the hoax, but then they leave the room without saying anything further.
Once the priests are gone and the coast is clear, Vaughn heads briskly toward the entrance. On the way, he talks to Albright.
OK, get yourself out of here. To the rest of the group . . .I don't think sending her to the Revive is a great idea--there's no one there to look after her. *snap* I know!!
He turns to Albright again. I've got a friend who will look after you until we get out. Go find a tavern called "The Pit." It's in a pretty shady section of town, so keep your head down. when you get there, ask for Goldie Blasthammer--tell him Vaughn Elliot sent you and he needs to keep an eye on you 'til we get back. You got that? The Pit, Goldie Blasthammer, Vaughn Elliot.
"I hate the idea of letting her loose on the streets of Kaer Maga, but it cannot be any worse than being kept prisoner here in a pyramid by a bunch of fanatics. Let's just escort her to the door of the temple and make sure she gets out ok, then we can get on with the business of finding Bobo. "
"Alchy, I think it is about time you went and had a few words with the Ardocs. See what you can do to put a stop to that contraption."
The Wee Bluets will escort Albright, who is disguised in a helmet, to the door of the temple, and see that she gets out alright.
"Farewell, Jak. We will see you at the next worship service!"
Albright nods eagerly
I know that place - well, I know nearly every corner of Ankar-Te, they have carried me around for years now...pfff...I will find it and wait for you there...I...oh look!
She points at the entrance of the pyramid, through which just a bald, broad-shouldered man with a large bag of tools enters
That's the golem technician - I know him, spoke to him once, his name's Arendu and he was pretty friendly back then.
After that the slightly too fat boy says farewell to all of you and leaves the pyramid...
Kenta watches the little one leave before turning back attention to the golem. Nudging Alcheringa he says "Kenta think time for cat man to make with words"
Kyren accompanies Alcheringa and the party up to Arendu, the golem technician.
"Well met, my friend. I am Kyren Tosscobble at your service. Are you Arendu of the Ardocs? I have a friendly cat here named Alchy who wishes to have a few words with you. Do you have a moment that we may speak with us?"
The man furrows his brows, but the safety of the place seems to blow all concerns away and so he just decides to trust you
Ok...umm...how come you know me...and even more important, how is this cat supposed to speak with me?
"This is Alcheringa, the great druid! He will transform his shape when the time is right. He is a friend of the Ardocs and he will politely request your assistance when there are fewer eyes about. Are you familiar with the workings of the golem that guards this place?"
Kyren leads Arendu to a quiet corner or alcove in the temple away from preying eyes where Alcheringa can make his change.
The Ardoc brother nods and follows, obvisouly he has heard of Alcheringa before. Once you have found a quiet alcove, away from the prying eyes of the priests, the bald man begins to ask questions, he seems a bit nervous
Of course I am familiar with the golem, what do you want me to do? Honestly, you don't look like followers of the Child Goddess to me to...are you some sort of assassins?
Kenta chuckles at the concern "Heh, Kenta no assassin... we go find their friend that was taken"
We're a rescue team, not assasins!
But I'm not above killing to protect stolen children. What we want is to bypass the iron golem protecting the dungeon so we can get in, get our friend, and get out, without being smashed into paste. Can that be done?
"Indeed, this is what our cat, Alchringa is planning to talk to you about. We need some help getting past the Golem and he hoped that we can borrow on some of the good will that Alchy has already built up."
Mhm... Arendu scratches his head and after a moment just shrugs Well, I could disable it for let's say ten minutes...tell the priests something about an important rune-update or something like that...they are not very smart when it comes down to technical things you know...but I guess not much longer, because otherwise they might get suspicious.
"Well that would be a big help. We cannot thank you enough. But tell me, good sir, if it does reactivate and we have to face it in open combat, is there some weakness to the creature or something we can do to possible survive the encounter with it?"
How about "run?" I mean, we'll be on our way out, right?
The Ardoc technician pauses for a moment and it looks like he really tries to come up with a good idea...but then, he just says
No, you can't fight such a golem and hope to win, so your friend is probably right.
Then he takes some weird looking tools out of his bags and asks
OK, ready when you are. I just go over and tell them that I have to shut down the golem, right?