The temple is surrounded by an impressive wall that encompasses the entire city block that it occupies. The wall is 15 feet high and relatively smooth. Any attempt to climb the wall could prove to be quite difficult (especially to meet up with Reginar at the specified meeting time), but that is only from an outside perspective. From time to time an Acolytes head can be seen bobbing by at the top indicating that there could be a walkway surrounding part or all of the inside. There is only one entrance into or out of the grounds.
The people around it seem to pay little attention except maybe to avoid getting too close.
Reginar takes any additional items left with him.
It is now late afternoon/early evening. Sitting in the shadow of the Temple to Razmir, the Ranger’s Lament is a simple establishment. Made from solid wood timbers, the one-story building is comprised primarily of
a large common room, with a bar and a kitchen off to one side. Although open for business, very few people appear to be inside, despite the fact that many of the other local establishments seem quite full. The only people are Rolen Oggersmith the Human bartender and one other young man (also Human) sitting patiently at a table.
Lorant enters the bar and signals for a round of drinks from the bartender. "None of the Razmirans are here yet? We heard this was the place if we were interested in joining the church."
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I smile at the barkeep, "We didn't come on the wrong day, did we?"
The razmirians like to make an entrance. the bartender replies. They'll be along shortly. Food and drinks are free to any of those looking to join. Please have your fill and enjoy until they're here.
Now that's what I like to hear! A bit of wine, if you would, innkeep. I have a thirst.
He turns back to the others, smiling broadly. This is going to be great. I can't wait to become a member of the church!
Kaylee orders a modest meal of stew and bread with water to drink. She smiles at Kerret's enthusiasm before addressing the man sitting patiently at the table nearby.
"Sir, are you waiting for the Razmirans as well?" she asks politely.
Hearing the drinks are free, Lorant gathers several mugs of ale and delivers them to the table. "Free drinks! A pretty good welcome."
He takes a deep drink of ale. "Hey friend. You a Razmiran? We're looking to be. My name's Lorant."
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"Sir, are you waiting for the Razmirans as well?"
The young man replies with a simple "Yes" in a very annoyed, monotone voice and then crosses his arms and looks the other way.
"Is something the matter, sir?" Lector asks, his usual suave tone perhaps a little too intrusive.
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Kaylee frowns at the man's rudeness but doesn't say anything more to him. Instead, she begins eating her newly arrived meal and feeding pieces of it to Fenris at her feet.
The man disregards any comments directed at him and continues to mind hs own business.
Kerret strolls over with a jack of wine in hand. Ah, leave the poor fellow be. I'm sure he's got a lot on his mind.
I tuck in to my food with relish, "this is pretty good, thanks."
Twenty minutes after the you enter The Rangers Lament, a group of six masked cultists arrive, three dressed in white robes, two in gray robes, and one in black robes. They look about the room and move toward the stage. After stepping up onto the stage, the figure in the black robes turns to the audience, his face hidden behind an iron mask. With a strong voice, he calls out, “You have come here to seek the power and glory of Razmir, and I am here to tell you that he has found you worthy!” At that, all of the other priests chant in one voice, “All praise the Living God!”. “He is proud of you,” the black-robed figure continues, “for taking this, the first of 31 steps to enlightenment, the path of righteousness, the stairs to power and glory. Razmir is the one true god. What other god so richly rewards those who follow him? What other god lives among his people, guiding them with his wisdom and his might? What other god can lead you to true salvation? None of them! Only Razmir can offer you the power, the fortune, and the glory that you desire. Will you join him?” He folds his arms and waits for an answer.
Yes! I will join him! All praise and glory to Razmir!
"Fortune and glory? What god can promise more?"
"I will. Praise be to Razmir!" Lorant lifts his mug of ale high.
"I will" Kaylee says simply, raising her cup and taking a drink.
"I too, am for Razmir!"
lastly, the quiet young man stands from his seat and replies to the man in black robes with a simple "Yes" before returning to his seat.
"Excellent!" the man in black replies. "The first of the 31 steps to enlightenment is being inducted to, and embracing the faith of Razmir. Let us all celebrate with cups of wine!" He signals to the 3 Acolytes dressed in white robes and they promptly fetch bottles from behind the counter. They are marked with golden labels and are pulled from the highest rack on the shelf which is reserved for the best and most expensive vintages. The Acolytes pour cups for all the recruits and distribute them while the 2 followers in Grey robes come and question the inductees.
"It is required for new followers of the faith to take up residence at the temple here in Tamran immediately until their devotion is proven and undoubted. Following the celebration here you will be escorted to the temple where you will be assigned quarters and duties accordingly. We trust this will not be an issue?"
Lorant looks around the room at the five recruits. "Is this it? I had assumed this place would be packed with people."
He stands and shrugs. "Regardless, I'm in. Living at the temple might be nice."
An issue? Not at all! I can't wait to see my new quarters. Kerret hooks his thumbs into his belt and stretches with an easy smile. He inhales over the wine, hoping to savor rich aromas. I'm sure there's plenty I can do to advance the faith!
"It would be nice to stay at a temple. I have no problem with this." Kaylee nods as she is handed her cup, but waits until the acolytes are not paying attention to her to cast detect poison on the wine.
Roll a stealth check Kaylee.
Kaylee tries to keep an eye on all six acolytes. Drink already poured the three white robes are moving on to the others. Already answered the grey robe, they're not checking me out, are they? And Mr. Black robes… She quickly casts the cantrip, heart racing, unsure if the lead acolyte was paying attention as he watched over the scene.
I look a little surprised, "Wow, well, that's a bit full on but, well, I'm in. It's not like we're prisoners or anything: we're learning about the Living God!"
The Acolytes in white robes clear any remaining plates and existing cups from your table(s) and hand out a cup of wine to each of you and a cup to the young man.
Kaylee whispers the magic words and masks the magic gestures required for the spell. Things seem to go well as none of the Acolytes take notice.
Suddenly Kaylee feels a hand on her shoulder. It is the follower of Razmir dressed in black robes. He leans in close and whispers in Kaylee's ear.
He then stands and announces "Now everybody drink, and mark this as the beginning of a new and better life in the service of Razmir."
Lorant takes the cup and watches the Acolytes. He senses some ceremony behind this and notes that none of the Acolytes have any cups of wine themselves. He takes a breath, that he hopes simply comes off as nervousness, and drinks from the cup.
Kerret nods to Lorant and takes a measured drink from his cup as well.
Lector glances at the Kaylee and the man in black, smiles slightly, and proceeds to take a deep drink.
Kaylee blushes and smiles nervously at the black robed acolyte. Taking a quick breath she forces herself to drink a mouthful of the wine.
I take a gulp of the drink and smile at the masked men.
dice=Sense Motive1d20 + 8
The young man accompanying you also drinks. He downs his cup eagerly and slams his cup on the table. You all finish and a moment passes. The man in black robes congratulates you all on a wise decision and then raises his arms to the sky and begins a sermon, praising the Living God.
The long and boring sermon goes on for about 5 minutes when all of a sudden the young man falls unconscious and falls face first into the table with a loud BANG. Suddenly the rest of you (except Vastar) immediately begin to feel a slight chill followed by a gentle numbness and begin passing out also.
I look around for a startled moment before realisation dawns on me.
Then I try to ape my friends movements and slip into a false slumber, all the while keeping my ears pricked.
"Excellent!" says the man in black robes as he walks over to the main entrance and locks it. The door to the store room opens and 6 more Acolytes walk out and begin carrying everybody one by one back in. Inside the store room is a hatch in the floor that leads to a tunnel. It is a long tunnel about the length of a city block. The Acolytes are surprisingly gentle as they carry all of you. The tunnel emerges into a bricked room lit by single everburning torch in a sconce on the eastern wall which provides light for this area. It reveals a dusty, cobweb ridden corridor. The stench of sweat and worse hangs in the air. Six narrow cells line the south side of this corridor, each containing a simple straw mat thick with fleas. Each cell has iron bars at its front that swing out on a hinge, making a simple door. The Acolytes carefully strip you of all your possessions except your cloths, and place them in a chest outside the cells. Each of you is placed in your own individual cell. Vastar sits alone in the dim light for hours before the first signs of movement can be heard from the other cells and you all wake up.
Kerret awakens groggily, hocking and spitting, trying to clear his throat. Augh! What happened, and why does my mouth taste like the inside of a tanglefoot bag?
He blearily sits up and looks around, trying to get a bearing on his surroundings.
"Kerret, glad to hear a friendly voice: seems that you've been napping. Too much to drink, I suppose."
Lorant wakes up and his instincts take over. He reaches for his sword but finds that it's not there. "What happened to my sword!" The situation slowly comes to him and he gets to his feet shakily.
"What did they do to us?"
Kaylee wakes up to the noise of her companions. She sits up slowly before answering Lorant.
"They poisoned the wine. I'm assuming it was some kind of sleep powder. How long have you guys been awake?"
Lector blinks as he is waking, before calmly sitting up on the spot and dusting off his overcoat. He pats down his pockets, checking for any belongings he might still have. He scowls when he finds that the pocket that he keeps his watch in is empty.
"Not terribly long," he replies, adjusting his glasses. With a disappointed tone, he adds, "I should have expected something like this would happen... but I do not imagine refusing the drinks would hae been very wise."
"It wouldn't have been. The lead acolyte was somewhat threatening when I casted to find out if it was poisoned." Kaylee examines her cell and surroundings. "So what do we do now?"
Hmmm, Kerret muses, maybe it's a test? Of our patience, or determination to serve the living god... He brightens significantly, Or maybe it's a test of resourcefulness, to see if we're worthy! I bet if we can get out of these cells, they'll know we're just the sort of folks they want for the congregation!
Kerret gives a meaningful look past Rhomelus at the jail's other sole patron, and examines his cell closely, checking for loose bars, material of the lock, and feeling through the mattress for any strange lumps.
"Well, there are 31 steps," Lector replies, stroking his chin in thought. "If I had my tools I could try to pick this lock, but it would seem that our captors were rather thorough in taking our possessions."
Lorant stands up, a bit angry at their treatment. "Hey!" he calls out to the other man. "Hey! Wake up! What's your name, buddy?"
I shrug, "The drug didn't take on me so I faked it. They were actually quite careful to avoid hurting us but the really weird thing is how we got here: tunnels under the town."
"Hey! Wake up! What's your name, buddy?"
The young man opens his eyes. "Elvar" he replies.
"I wasn't expecting this. Why are we in prison?"