I embrace the manual labour: a chance to clear my mind and replicate the feeling of helping the community that I get in my ordinary service.
If we are with others, I do my best to muck in, help others and offer the odd encouraging noise or supportive statement. In the long run, it seems like the other novices could help us to get ahead of ourselves.
Barek flops down on a bed when they return to the barracks. He looks around for any other acolytes before he speaks softly. "What do you think? Seems a tad over the top and Krant annoys me, but nothing too bad yet. The Captain had us run nearly to death the first day of being in the guard. This wasn't so bad all things considering."
"Maybe we should take the next couple days to just watch and observe people and activities."
"The others don't like Krant either. One of them told me that he broke someone's neck once: they fear him." I shrug, "It could be useful."
"It might make them more willing to share information," Lector says, nodding in agreement, "But we must take care not to cross him. At any rate, Lorant is right. We know the routine, but we should spend some time taking note of our surroundings."
Kerret nods in reluctant agreement. If I had my way, I'd show these cultists some real power, but I'd rather not get my neck broken either. Let's wait and see the routine, and keep our eyes open for a way to take advantage of the schedule. I'd just rather not wait too long. We need to find that amulet and get out of here. I'm guessing it's either upstairs, with the higher ups, or locked up tight in the basement, and we'll need our gear if we're going to do this properly.
The remainder of the evening is eventless and turns up no new information for you. From what you can tell, some of the Acolytes actually really like it here while others despise it. There are few among your ranks that take praise in Razmir very seriously, but some do. Eventually you all find a lumpy bed in The Baracks and fall asleep only to be awoken by Krant at first daylight, ringing a large triangular dinner bell and smacking Acolytes who are not prompt to rise from their slumber.
At 7:00AM sharp the Dining Area is opened and you are allowed to help yourself to a meal of bread, water and old fruit should you like to. Among those eating is Elvar, the man who was recruited at the Rangers Lament with you and shared a brief time in the holding cells. He seems to be getting along quite well so far and proudly displays his new White Robes and Mask which few Acolytes wear at this time since there is no mouth hole to eat through.
Kerret springs out of bed when woken and takes time to make himself presentable before breakfast. When he enters the dining hall, Kerret sits down on the bench next to Elvar and claps him on the back in a friendly way. Ho Elvar! A white robe! Razmir be praised, you must truly be favored by the living God! Tell me, how did you ascend the ranks so quickly?
Lorant blinks his eyes at the new surroundings as he pulls himself out of bed. He scowls at Krant for a moment before putting on his 'Acolyte-face' and moves toward the dining hall.
While Kerret speaks to Elvar, Lorant tries to talk to some of the older Acolytes. "So how long have you all been in the temple? We just got here yesterday. How are you liking it?"
[B]Crud, I thought we got black. GM, if that's the case, please disregard my previous post.
Kerret notices that Elvar's spirits have been heightened since receiving his mask. He even laughs a little at Kerrets joke. "Verry funny Kerret. I must say that I'm getting along just fine since I've gotten out of those cells. One of the other Acolytes told me that we're going to be allowed outside the walls tomorrow to proselytize with some of the Priests." Elvar's eyes grow wide with excitement as he leans in and whispers: "He even said that we get to beat up and steal from people in the crowd if they refuse to make donations. I really hope I get to lay on the hurt so some of those insolent dogs. This is like, the best family I've ever had!"
Lorant has far less luck as many of the other Acolytes are tired and just concerned with waking up and getting their cup of coffee.
Lorant nods to the others and leaves them to their coffee. He sits back down with Kerret. "Not very talkative, but I get the sense they're pleased with their new station in life. I bet few have truly felt accepted anywhere else."
Kerret nods enthusiastically along with Elvar. This place definitely suits you then, Elvar! You're certainly fitting in well here! I can't wait to get outside and spread the word myself.
When Lorant joins them Kerret nods in his direction. That one, well, he won't win any popularity contests, but he can be very persuasive when he wants to be.
Once he is able to part ways from Elvar, Kerret uses his message spell to communicate with the others.
No way in hell am I going to hurt people for this cult. I say we do some looking around tonight and find everything that we can and then get out of here.
I nod in approval with Kerret's suggestion. This place, it drags people down.
"Don't let it get to you. Not yet. Our best chance will be when they give us the freedom to move on our own accord."
Elvar makes some small talk but has nothing substantial to say. Before long, 7:30AM rolls around and a Priest in Grey Robes enters the room and announces: "All new recruits to the yard for Simple Labor. Anybody who shows up late will be promptly disciplined and be forced to wear The Mask of Shame!"
Lorant hauls himself out of bed, biting back any comments for the priest. "Mask of Shame? I wonder what that might be?" He dresses quickly in his new white robe and exits out to the yard.
Kerret makes his way to the yard with the others and does his best to hide his growing disgust with the Razmirans.
Krant grabs a backpack from the kitchen then chases the rest of the Acolytes out of the Dining Area. "MOVE NEWBIE!" he shouts to Elvar. Elvar scrambles to get out of his chair and on his feet but is too slow. With a swift kick to Elvar's rump, Krant knocks him to the floor. Elvar is quick to get up, dons his mask and runs to The Courtyard as instructed.
Out in The Courtyard a Grey Robed Priest instructs you to line up along the horse pen and wait for Krant.
Lorant watches as Krant kicks Elvar to the floor. He turns away from the scene before rolling his eyes. He dons his mask and lines up with the others.
Kaylee scrambles to get up and get ready as Krant starts to shout. She frowns as Elvar is knocked to the ground and suppresses the urge to give Krant a piece of her mind. Temper held in check, she quickly walks to the courtyart and takes a good look around before lining up along the horse pen.
I move to help Elvar to his feet but he is too swift and I follow quietly into the courtyard.
Lector makes haste, tying on his mask and following after the others.
Kerret hustles out of the dining room and lines up near the horses with the others.
Shortly after you are lined up, Krant emerges from the main entrance and into the courtyard. He begins pacing back and forth while inspecting each of you, pausing for an extra long time to eye Kaylee's figure up and down several times before moving on. Once he's done sizing you up he hands each of you a Sap which he pulls from the backpack he retrieved from the kitchen.
"Part of being an Acolyte means that you are completely and unquestionably obedient to your superiors. This means that you must do whatever we say no matter what it is" he says. "As a test of your new found obedience I am commanding each of you to beat each other into submission by whatever means you have at your disposal. As a reward, the last man," Krant leans in close to Kaylee and says in a low voice "or woman standing will be rewarded with a bottle of fine Chellish wine from my own private stash AND be excused from transcription duties this evening."
Lorant looks down at the sap he is given. "Oh, you've got to be kidding me..." He glances at the others and shakes his head.
Beneath my mask, I roll my eyes.
Correct. Krant and a few priests are watching from the sidelines though. I'll have a map detailing everybody's locations shortly after initiative is rolled.
Krant instructs each of you to a separate corner of the Courtyard then steps into the middle. "and just to make things interesting..." He reaches deep into the backpack and pulls out a Heavy Mace and drops it to the ground before taking position at (F-10).
"Go"
Lorant rushes out to the mace, but instead of taking it, he kicks it away in anger. Then he turns to face Elvar, uncertain of what the man might do.
Any disdain on Lector's face regarding their assigned task is hidden by his metal mask. Staying put only briefly to watch the situation unfold, he whirls the sap around his hand once before approaching Kaylee with grim determination. Once he closes in he swings the weapon at her with a grunt of effort, seemingly intent on striking her head, only for the sap to whiff by her ear without making contact.
Kerret lays down.
Eh, the rest of you can have it. I like transcription duties.
"You'll have to do better than that!" Kaylee admonishes her attacker. She takes a quick step back and with a quick gesture and a small piece of wool in hand she casts daze on Lector.
I dither nervously,
Kerret (22)
Lorant (19)
Elvar (11)
Rhomelus (7)
Vastar (5)
Kaylee (3)
- Kerret lays down on the ground and refuses to fight.
- Lorant rushes forward and kicks the mace out of the way.
- Elvar goes right for the mace. Assuming Lorant doesn't stop him for any reason, he moves to I-6 and picks up the mace.
- Rhomelus steps up beside Elvar and takes a swing at Kaylee.
- Vastar takes a defensive stance.
- Kaylee steps back and casts Daze on Lector.
Krant is not pleased with Kerret or Vastar's actions. From the marble steps he shouts: "You do as you are told or you will suffer the punishment!" Krant then steps down and walks furiously toward Kerret while drawing a Greatclub from his Backpack and swings at the prone sorcerer.
]
Krant shouts at Kerret with ferocity: "is that enough to get you to listen or would you like another?" he then turns to Vastar, extending his club to point at him and says: "If you don't start following orders than you're next!"
Kerret has taken 17 damage
Lector pauses for a moment and blinks, but quickly shakes off the effects of Kaylee's spell.
Kaylee takes a step back forward and swings hard against Elvar as he bends to pick up the mace. "Lector, get on the other side of him and we'll take him out first and then we'll settle our disagreement later."
Lorant swings at Elvar as he passes.
Lorant's attack is a hit, but he fails to stop Elvar from running over and picking up the mace.
Kerret (17 Damage)
Elvar (8 Nonlethal Damage)
"Hey Krant! Are you joining in too?" Lorant laughs and hooks his foot behind the cruel priest. Then he shoves Krant and sends him sprawling, hoping to embarrass the man, though avoid any real damage.
Oh that's it! Kerret growls as Krant bashes him with the cudgel. Enough of this farce!
Leaping flames erupt from Kerret's hand and he lashes out in a firey blaze at the Razmiran thug.