Cotton has a hearty meal for the first time since coming to this horrible place, but like Dyrm she slips her comrades some of her bounty. She notices Krant's discomfort, but does not comment on it; instead, she tries to make some inroads with the other 'clergy' before heading off to do the odious copying...
Your transcription goes well as this book is written entirely in common, you find it far easier to translate than the last tome you were given. You return to your room to find Elvar enjoying a bottle of wine. Laid out on Cotton, Dyrm, and Elvar's beds are all the gear they entered the temple with.
The next day you go through your usual routine. Awaken, breakfast, yard and kitchen labor, morning prayers, lunch, cleaning, afternoon prayers. When you get to your evening training, you find that this has changed. Your lessons before were focused on walking as a ground, keeping composure, and not revealing your identity. Your training today is focused on how to deal with the local guards and others who would interfere with "temple business" as well as how to mock other faiths to make Razmir seem more powerful. After hours of training you're brought to dinner, evning prayers, then sent to transcribe again.
Sa'soi grimaces at the clear message sent with only certain people's gear being returned... it only serves to stoke the fires of the blood and merciless VENGEANCE she will reap upon all of this cult the moment it is no longer time to play nice!
The mercurial female half-elf is in a rotten mood the rest of the day snapping at people over the smallest of things...!
Yet there seems to be no lacking in her keen mind's sharpness to detail and she is done quickly and efficiently.
She is angry enough that she doesn't bother to flirt with Evlar.. and spends the rest of her time brooding, her pretty violet eyes... not so pretty with murderous thoughts swirling in their depths!
Vera is less than pleased that her gear hasn't been returned, but the fact that some of them are now armed is still better than nothing.
Unfortunately she once finds herself in the painful position of needing to transcribe. She prepares herself for a long night.
After 5 grueling hours of work, Vera finally finishes and manages to get at least a few hours of sleep.
Drym hides as best he can, his delight at his goods being returned. I can call upon the spells of the Green once more with confidence. Not that I dare use them where others will know.
He's less thrilled with lessons on belittling other religions. It sticks in his craw to mock the faiths of others when he faced so much disdain from fellow dwarves for his own druidic paths. We have got to get evidence of wrong doing and soon at this place, or I may just set fire to it and be done!
The next morning you are awoken at your usual time, taken to breakfast, do your yard and kitchen work, and go to morning prayers. After morning prayers, Egarthis and a few other priests approach you.
Egarthis informs you, 'I need the 6 of you to assist in today’s sermon to the masses. Your task shall be simple. Move through the crowd and extol the virtues of Razmir. Feel free to use any of your talents to gain the attention of the crowd in any way possible so that their fellow priests can look for potential followers."
You are lead out throught he courtyard and outside the temples walls. The streets are filled with merchants, shoppers, and other folks. Egarthis stands atop a small crate to speak to the masses, drawing a large crowd around him. While this is going on, the other priests instruct you to work around the edges to keep people interested.
Sa'sori finds the whole matter disgusting and distasteful to the her very core... but thankfully under her mask none can see her displeasure.
But she stokes her vengeance just a little hotter inside to prepare a most satisfying blood-soaked repayment by throwing herself into the 'act'. Sa'sori knows how to 'act', it was the first thing her trainers beat into her as a whore of CALISTRA~ 'Most "clients" have fragile egos... especially men, work with that~ play with it; let them think they are the most proficient 'lover' you have ever met! Stoke their ego and the hate you feel at the same time, if you must, into the silent part of your heart where you plot their most humiliating end! Enjoy the moment of that in the pit of your heart. Charge HIGH for your "attentions" and never let them forget they pay YOUR price but YOU know the only thing keeping them from their screaming black fate you have prepared is the gold they owe your waiting hand, and knowing smile!'
She had paid the Church of CALISTRA.. oh how she had paid so VERY dearly AND In Full for the 'payment' of her apprenticeship with the Vargidans... a payment she would return 10-fold upon Moltus Vargidan... eventually, when she brought his entire family to ruin and death by her hand for her further molestation during her sorceress training at his hands! Sa'sori drew upon that hate and let it deepen to a cherry red glow in the pit of her heart.. and her smile grew wider indeed.
Sa'sori casts maintaining the spell as she works her way through the crowd... she cleans clothing and bodies, extinguishing bad odors, hides warts scars and blemishes upon the people she touches; extolling that these are but a few of the gifts RASMIRAN provides.. but they are permanent ONLY to his faithful who give their all to his service~ as the Man, who self-made himself into a GOD!
It only helps her claims that she knows that only some of her cantrip's magic is permanent and the majority fades as she moves more than 10'ft away from her target or she stops concentrating on the spell! But most common folk have never seen magic and would not know the difference in 'real' divine blessing the minor illusory effects of spellcasters.
Sa'sori plays it up putting on a show working the crowd with the acumen of a trained performer... all the while extolling that RAZMIRAN's Divine power is the source of her gifts and temporary blessings she can share with them!
Sa'sori will also have a running as she works the crowd... mindful to stay clear of anyone with an actual magic item as they may be an adventurer or spellcaster themselves and not easily taken in by her claims and minor magical cantrips.
Vera will quietly offer free healing to any who want it(probably skinned knees and bruises), but will mostly keep her head down. This calls for a different kind of skill than she has, not even including her general displeasure at having to do something like this. It just all the more sets her resolve to make sure this undercover work ends up being worth it.
Cotton follows a very simple pattern; she finds street corners and there she sings. She sings passages from the book of Razmir and her voice is fair enough, her recitation exact.
And yet.
Buried in the song are subtle stresses and tonal shifts. It's a bardic trick, normally used to exert a subtle influence so people will find favour with what the performer is singing about. This time, however, Cotton is working to cause subtle disfavour. Not enough to cause an out-and-out riot or guide violence her own way, but enough to nudge those hesitating whether to join or not towards not and deflect curiosity.
With luck, Cotton's trick is too subtle for the Razmiran priests to spot...
Dyrm is at a loss, Talents? What talents? Should I smith in public? Well, I suppose I can talk...
"Pardon me, sir," He says moving towards the nearest citizen, "Have you heard the words of the living god? "
Unbeknownst to Dyrm, Moira was having similar thoughts. What skills could she show off to get people interested. Wait, she didn't want that. So now she wondered how she was going to at least look like she was trying. She sighed behind the mask. Nothing. So she tried to look tough and used the talent she had, strength, to keep the masses in line.
You notice that one of the priests in grey who is moving through the crowd is trying to pick the pockets of the crowd.
Vera will look at Dyrm to see if he's seen what she saw and then, as well as she can without speaking, ask what they should do in this situation. Blowing their cover is bad, but just letting this happen?
Moira notices exactly what they had come to find out, going on behind the gathered crowd. Thievery. And they were supposed to be undercover, she saw an opportunity.
Using the crowd and the acolytes focus on the money against him, she moves closer and casually sticks a out before him. If he tripped him and scattered all the stolen money, that would put the whole operation in a bind and pressure on the organization. She could also see the reaction of the guards. But if it didn't work she could still bluff or flee.
Dyrm frowns, exchanging a look back with Vera....
The priest easilly avoids Moira's attempt, pulling her aside after pocketing the coins in his hand. "Do your job girl and I'll do mine." he says in a hushed, threatening tone.
Cotton looks out for any guardsmen she might see, and continues plying her subtle tricks. Even while she lauds the importance of civic obedience as put forth in the book of Razmir and to be monitored by the priests, she tries to project at those same guardsmen the notion of falsehood. Of someone breaking the rules. A priest. A priest of Razmir. That one!
There was a brief struggle within Moira about what to do. Stay in character or break the charade once and for all. It was brief because the side of her that wanted to reveal the thief also reminded her of the monotonous work to come later in the night. "My job?" she says loud enough for the masses around her to hear. Time to turn the tides. "My job is to guide these people into the warm embrace of the living god Razmir. That should be yours too. And yet here you are, stealing the hard earned coin from these innocent people. Check your purses, who here is missing money?" she asks of the crowd, allowing them time to check. When they have she turns back to the culprit and points an accusing finger. "Empty your pocket snake. Those who do not believe must be converted to the faith of Razmir by showing them the glory and wealth that awaits them in His service. Those who refuse are corrupted by the unfaithful and should be denied such luxuries." she says quoting the rules they told her two days ago. "You seem to have misinterpreted these words. The paltry sum you have collected, is that a luxury for these people? No, it is the food on their table and roof over their head. These are not luxuries, they are necessaries. Only those who believe in the Living God deserve a life of plenty and pleasure. Others must suffer and toil until they see the light of Razmir. Should they want more than this they will seek out Razmir. They are smart people. They can see their life has no meaning without Razmir in it. You need not go so far brother."
Yep. No more scribbling, one way or the other. She'd get back to the forest if it killed her. At least her friends would be under less suspicion if she drew all the attention. This was also a good way to see what the guards would do.
Moira's claims seem to be ignored by the crowd compared to the eloquence with which Egarthis is preaching. The sermon is wrapped shortly after and the other priests make their way back into the temple. Once inside Egarthis thanks everyone for their service then makes his way upstairs. Once he has left, several of the grey robed priests begin to pool coins together. They divide the coins and give 6 gold coins to each of you as payment for your service.
Vera will reluctantly take the gold offered, with the silent resolution to see it returned to it's rightful owner by the time this was over.
Sa'sori... always one to push things steps up to Egarthis and bluntly states, "..IF you really mean that ..then Give me BACK my gear that your goons took from me! I'm in this for power, for the long run... I may not 'seem' all that pious but I am practical and right now... all I have witnessed is a bunch of 'taking' from me! What is Razmirian doing for me!?!"
She is hopeful for a response but if she does not get one she glowers dangerously at him....
When the grey robed priests give her a share of the gold she sneers at them, ".. is the paltry sum of my share?
It's an INSULT!! I'll have you know the Gear STOLEN from me is 1,000 times this sum!!! My patience is wearing thin...!"
She accepts the coins reluctantly with a clearly angry scowl... not truly knowing the source of the gold... or caring in her 'on-the-edge-of-violence' fury that she is feeling right now...
Her magical tattoos are beginning to sear the all-encompassing robes of her acolyte status. Those that know Sa'sori know her tattooed sorceress talents force her to wear rather revealing clothing because her tattoos~ when her magic is invoked; eventually destroy any clothing that covers her too fully.. like the acolyte robes.
The slightly smoking robes she is wearing being a clear sign to her friends that... Sa'sori is reaching the limits of her patience and may soon just start cutting loose with her magic until enough dead convince her captors to either give her back her gear or kill her in self-defense. It is clear she is in a rage.. and only barely restraining herself from attacking out of hand her oppressors.
Literally... Sa'sori is fuming!
After dinner and evening prayers, Krant dismisses you from evening training and transcription duty congratulating you on a job well done. When you return to your room you all find your gear returned. Free of your duties you could get yourself 10 hours of sleep or...
Vera will sleep. She's not the stealthiest member and there's no reason for her to go clunking around and get into trouble when she can look around more during day when it isn't so suspicious.
Before the group goes to sleep, Cotton checks no one is spying on them, then pulls everyone close together and whispers: "What do we do next? I'm done towing the line here; let's find out what we need and then leave! Preferably after setting this dump-hole ON FIRE."
Elvar is sitting up in his cot, seemingly restless. He asks if any of you have plans for the night.
Elvar seems to be pretending to not listen in to your huddle.
Sa'sori, at first, is clearly gleeful for the return of her gear... she had been hoping her overly dramatic display of wrath had not pushed the bounds of believablity... but it worked.. and it got her her precious gear back so she could not do MUCH more than threaten violence or plot revenge..she could act.
She wasted no time on propriety or for that matter modesty as she took off her mask and acolyte robes to put back on her clothing and gear eagerly...
But her gaze caught on Elvar... and she became pensive.. and slowly ...evidently very VERY sad. Her expression one of growing sorrow...
Once fully equipped ...she pulled on her acolyte robes and her mask to hide her growing malaise.
Lifting the mask to the crown of her head she turned away from Elvar and seek out Moira... she sat down on her cot facing her and away from Elvar... clearly tears threatening to spill from her pretty violet eyes...
She whispered to her friend, '...oh Moira.. you were so right. This was a terrible plan to come in here. We should have just assaulted the place and been done with it!'
Her words say one thing... but its clear to her friend something else is deeply bothering her...
'...why can't I ever find happiness Moira? Am I really such a bad person.. I don't deserve some small bit of happiness?'
She put her hands on her face to hide her tears... and perhaps an even deeper felt shame... something she rarely ever lets rise to the surface of her heart...
'I've had more men in my bed~ I did not want there; than I can count... and yet when I finally find a young man I'm interested in.. one I'd like to be close to... I can't even move his heart!'
'..one way or another we are going to attack this place... and Elvar will likely be here... oh Moira.. I don't think I can hurt him... and if I must.. it would tear out my heart to do so! Will you take care of him if it comes to that?'
...that was not the reaction Moira was expecting. No mass outrage, no punishment, no reaction at all. What was going on here? How much hold did these people have on the populace? Why weren't Egarthis and the others upset? That was the real scary part. It's like they knew her actions would have no effect. Like they were just strutting, showing off how powerful they were. They even paid her in coin she knew was stolen. It was a sobering feeling. When she saw her gear sitting on her bed, paranoia set in. Challenge or death sentence? Even though the others were discussing strategy, even though Sa'sori was having an emotional breakdown right next to her, all she could feel was one emotion. Fear.
She turns around, wide-eyed and pale, "We need to leave. Tonight." Then, turning to Sa'sori, "I'm sorry. I can't help. I can't even think of anything but leaving right now and getting back to the Pathfinders."
With the same lack of modesty Sa'sori normally shows she throws off the robe and mask and puts on her old clothes and armor frantically.
As soon as Moira speaks, Cotton turns on Elvar and -- starts to croon a haunting tune. The music is hypnotic, attempting to worm its way past his mental defences and hold him immobile.
"He's listening in, but is doing that to him really necessary?" Vera asks, seeing what Cotton was doing.
"Regardless, they gave me back my gear, but kept my Holy Symbol, not surprisingly. I can still crack some heads, but I'll be a bit more limited on other fronts." Vera says as she checks the grip on her axe. "I'm not sure now is the best time to act, but if we're going to go I'm as ready as I'll ever be." Vera's Holy Symbol was a gift from Rantal Prasst. One of precious few gifts she had received during the course of her life. She hated to leave it behind, but knew their lives took precedence.
Dyrm winces as it seems everyone is having rather extreme reactions, but in truth, he can't blame them. We may have been poor choices for this mission. I have the people skills of an iron prong and none of the others are exactly smooth.
"Alright, alright, I know its hard, but we have no real evidence against their crimes here to show others ... We know they're sour, but we can't prove it enough...what about that?"
"I don't care about that anymore. I just want to get out," she says continuing to dress. "Besides we don't need proof. Just information. We have plenty of that."
Sa'sori just slumps her head... her pains not apparently important to anyone.
She knows that's not fair.. everyone is scared, but that's how it felt nonetheless... but she is not sure what to feel anymore.
But even Sa'sori.. the most socially adept of them all had been unable to get ANYWHERE inside the cult to find anything that would be incriminating enough to inspire those official that were not already corrupt to do anything significant! But now they were in.. leaving now... without what they came for would likely be even worse. They were not even getting paid for any of this.
But the point was moot to her.. likely the doors were guarded and locked and none of them had the skill to open the locks to the Temple exits without there being a fight... one likely they could not win trapped inside and outnumbered.
These thoughts were clear to her... but she just could not muster the spirit to point them out... she wanted to help Elvar... and now it didn't seem likely ANY of her efforts had helped... nor did he have any desire for her.
So Sa'sori just kept staring at the floor... part of her waiting for Elvar to make some sign as to his feelings on the matter.. and part of her pondering just giving up...
And in the deep worries of her heart... she wondered if her 'friends' felt the same way...?
Elvar is stunned by Cotton's magic, sitting wordlessly for the duration of the spell.
"Tie him up and put him under his bunk," Cotton sings. "Gag him and knock him out. He'll peach on us if you don't."
"I don't care about that anymore. I just want to get out," she says continuing to dress. "Besides we don't need proof. Just information. We have plenty of that."
"Do we? What have we learned? That they're cheats and swindlers? I think we all knew that even before we got in. That they will starve you, deprive you of sleep,then act kindly to try to make them think they like you? We've seen them play that but i doubt its of import. So what have we really learned?" He asks
"Their numbers, fighting style, leadership, hierarchy, daily schedule, layout of the compound. Have you not been paying attention?" she says starting to get angry, though it is more out of fear and anxiety than hate.
"I've tried to, but I also know we've only looked at the surface..." He sighs, and starts to tie up Elvar, "And I suspect you know it too. They're going to keep on hurting people. I just worry that leaving too soon may mean we're going to lose a chance to truly make a difference against these monsters." As he ties Elvar, he says, "Elvar... when you snap out of this, we're going to have a talk." Gagging the fellow, "At whisper level. Not sure how we're going to convince you in good faith, but this church is evil."
"No doubt staying here is hard, but I agree with Dyrm. We need to stay longer. We can't take them out alone, and we need proof before we can get anyone to act with us. Otherwise, we did all this for nothing. Now, if you want to stop playing nice and go find some proof, I'm all for it. But we still need the element of surprise in order to get away. I don't like our odds if we start a fight in the middle of their compound."
Sa'sori, wipes her face and cheeks and comments, "... you've all seen the front gate... from the courtyard.. there is a heavy iron portcullis there in addition to the locked heavy doors. None of us can open locks. Fleeing now even if we wanted to would not be possible even if we wanted to..."
She stands and hastily arranges her somewhat disheveled robes and walks purposefully over to Elvar...
Sa'sori begins to untie him and remove his gag speaking to him the whole time, ", listen to me, My name is ... until recently I was an apprentice in the town of . A few weeks ago, ALL of us were taking part in a annual ritual of the town to signify our graduation from our various apprenticeships, the ritual involved going into the town's crypt where their honored dead are kept and lighting a symbolic flame of remembrance. But what we found inside instead was evidence of a breaking and multiple murders of the townsfolk who set up the ritual. Someone had broken in pillaged the dead and left behind unquiet spirits - a wraith and some kind of skelatal warrior. There were many innocent people killed by these intruding bandits efforts... we tracked them and came across the corpse of one of their number..apparently slain by the same undead they had awoken and left to savage the town. This corpse was dressed in black robes and wearing an Iron Mask of . We followed the trail of the escaping robbers to this temple of here in ."
"We are here to put them down! But they have corrupt town elders protecting them... we must have solid proof to end their secret tyranny from the shadows."
"Please believe me.. these cultists ... offer no spiritual enlightenment... they only serve themselves and murder, and steal to get their way!"
"I know you are desperate to find purpose and a place in the world... but can you honestly want to become as murderous and self-serving as these ? You DO NOT NEED them! They NEED your duplicity and ignorance of their wicked goals... I promise you, YOU are Better than these cut-throats, and if you will let me... I can help you find your purpose and your own worth! I care about you... I WILL NOT abandon you!"
And with that she lightly kisses him on the lips smiling...
"Please help us!"
Elvar is grateful to be free, frowning deeply. "And how are you any different?" His tone is a mix of hurt and anger. "You lied and cheated your way in here. You've talked about killing them all and burning the temple down. You serve yourselves just as much as they do. Hell, you used magic to take control of my body, bound, and gagged me for no reason just to keep me out of your plans. Is that really much different from what they've done to me. At least here I've been paid."
Elvar pulls himself away from you his frown growing even deeper. "I'm going for a walk. I won't say a word about whatever it is your planning, but I ain't helping either." Elvar will make his way out of your room, upstairs, and up to the courtyard if not stopped.
"Fair enough, kid," Cotton says. "For what it's worth... sorry. And good luck to you."
Vera is left speechless. She didn't really pay attention to all of the threats her friends had made, but having them all put together like that really did paint a pretty stark picture. Vera just hoped they didn't have to fight him when push came to shove.
Moira sighs heavily. Staying seemed crazy. Their control was too good. What else did they need anyway? They had their numbers, hierarchy, the layout. What more did they need? But as soon as she had the thought, another entered her mind, one of the dead pouring out of the crypt and devouring everyone in her home. These men had killed some people from that home already and stole something important to them. She had to rectify that. "Fine. I'll stay."
Sa'sori's hope is simply crushed. She releases Evlar and lowers her head as he leaves.
She has no words in reply...
The well of emotions inside her threatening to burst... she stands pulls her mask down and walks to the door leaving without a word.
She does not follow Evlar... but she roams the part of the Temple complex she has access to to find a private corner to be alone in ... too proud to show her true-feelings to those who do not care or have no time for her deep abiding sadness.
She slumps to the floor sitting with her back to a wall~ face in hands and weeps softly, bitter pain-filled tears.
While you're searching the floor your rooms are on, you find the cells you were held in originally. Making your way past that you find a small storeroom. There are few things of value, mostly clothes and minor gear held on a rack and table in the room. A well made and large chest rests in the room and is secured with a good lock. Of more note, you notice a slot in the wall hiding a secret door. It doesn't take you long to get the door open. The hall the secret door hides is long, narrow, and dark .
Elvar pulls himself away from you his frown growing even deeper. "I'm going for a walk. I won't say a word about whatever it is your planning, but I ain't helping either." Elvar will make his way out of your room, upstairs, and up to the courtyard if not stopped.
"Much truth to what you say, I'm afraid we have used you unfairly in our quest to stop them from hurting others as they hurt a home we care about. For that, I'm sorry."\
He watches the young man walk away, and looks troubled.
** spoiler omitted **
** spoiler omitted **
Sa'sori sits her emotions in turmoil her face in her hands... her mind keeps hearing Evlar's words... each hitting home cutting deeply within her heart, ... 'I'm not... once a whore ...always a whore...'
She stared at her hands, seeing the line of callouses in her palms where she held her sword through many a long practice.. and she notes her wrists... the faded but unforgettable scars of her slave manacle burns from her early childhood when her step-father sold her into slavery out of spite for his deceased unfaithful wife... Sa'sori's mother. Her nightmares were still haunted by the horrid demeaning things the slavers and eventually even , had done to her before she managed to escape.
...
"..I am... alive."
Her life until now had been a series of coercion, abuse, violence and betrayal.. her innocence ripped from her body, her screams of horror, pain, and forced pleasure; responded to with laughter and scorn; but through it all she was still alive!
Her gaze rose and lighted on the wall across from where she sat... and suddenly she noticed the obscured seems of a secret door she had not seen before.
She wiped the tears from her eyes and cheeks...
...
Slowly she gathered her feet to stand...
Standing she straightened her back & shoulders and hefted her weapons belts.. her eyes turning fierce and unkind.
Sa'sori strode purposely over to the secret door identifying its full measure and seems. Taking out a piece of chalk.. she outlined the seam in the wall. Narrowing her gaze she looked about... no one was around.
"'In for a penny in for a pound..'", ...; "I am different.. I survive and I live on my own terms.. not anyone elses! We have a purpose here.. let's get on with it!!"
The half-elven sorceress drew her robes aside throwing them over her right shoulder away from the grip of her Curve Blade at her left shoulder; revealing her soft enticing tattooed flesh beneath...
She first summoned her familiar .. to perch upon her shoulder. Then she cast to scan the door for any magical auras that might indicate a magical trap or alarm in place. Satisfied she drew the enchanted longsword feeling comfortably balanced and light in her hand.
Sa'sori cast her shield spell to raise her defenses and opened the secret passage.. that seemed to lead into darkness.
She frowned slightly, then gestured for to perch on her hand to which he faithfully complied.
"My friend.. go back to our barracks and get .. bring her here..show her the secret door! Go, be swift!"
Sending her familiar on his way, Sa'sori again scanned the open secret passage into darkness for magical auras with her {just to be sure}.. then she cast her the four motes appearing around her in polychromatic color.
Enchanted sword in hand, defensive spells cast and floating motes of light slowly circling her... she entered the secret passageway and closed the door behind her...
Sa'sori's hawk familiar flies back into your room. The hawk flutters and calls trying to get Cotton's attention. Once it has it, it flies out into the hall, down past the cell block and into a storage room. Inside are a number of items, mostly useless gear, a locked chest, and strange chalk marks on one wall that seems to outline a door.
The tunnel is narrow and dark, but stable. It stretches in a straight line for a long way, seemingly longer than the whole of the temple and its courtyard.
"Settle down, bird," Cotton says as she follows the hawk. "Guys? Looks like Sassy -- hel-lo! Think your holy symbol might be in here, Vera? Maybe in the box?"
Cotton quirks an eyebrow and jerks her thumb at the chalk outline.