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The majority of the Sanctuary's population are obviously no threat to you. Given a source of healing, you could probably defeat pretty much all of them - unless they piled on and dropped you through sheer weight of numbers. There are a few exceptions, of course, but Ardathatus seems to be the strongest member of this conclave. You haven't actually seen the Elders, though, but you're fairly confident of your chances against anyone else. Granted, each person is a high-functioning lunatic, but that mainly seems to manifest in a somewhat-off-putting over-friendliness. By the time you've finished exploring , people are beginning to head toward the dining area. A minute later, a haunting noise evocative of a wind blowing over a desolate wasteland sounds from the walls. "That means it's time to eat," a helpful resident explains.
"Sounds like it's time to meet the parents", Skaar comments to his priestess as he moves to follow the herd. "I haven't seen anything too dangerous but be ready for trouble - if things are gunna go wrong it'll be at dinner."
The dining hall is filled with rows of long tables, each with an assigned place. Next to Ardathanatus are two spaces labeled 'New Friends', presumably for you and Syl. Once everyone is seated, a trio of gray-robed figures appear at the front of the room. Each is wearing a mask that looks like a skull-faced moon. "Welcome, dear friends, to the ending of another day and the growing closer of The End. We were grieved to hear of the untimely passing of Brother and Sister Breckenridge, but the Harbinger has been good to us by bringing two new friends to our fold. Please welcome Skaar and Syl!" The Elder gestures grandly in your direction as the dining hall erupts in applause.
Ardathanatus, while clapping, whispers, "It's customary to say a few words - unless you're feeling shy, of course."
Holding his hands up to silence the applause, Skaar shifts the attention toward his host. "It's Ardathanatus you should be cheering - his willingness to look for answers is what brought us here. He's the real hero of today."
But taking the hint, he plays along. "More importantly, we should all appreciate that Brother and Sister Breckinridge didn't die for nothing - nobody should. I think it's important for everyone to take a moment to think about their life and ask themselves if they're livin' a life worth dyin' for."
The Elders nod solemnly at your words. "Well said, Brother Skaar. Let's take a moment of silence and contemplation to remember their sacrifice." Across the hall, people bow their heads. After ninety seconds, the Elders break the silence with a proclamation. "To a better world!" With that, the food is served - a featureless gray gruel that tastes much better than it looks. Whoever does the cooking here clearly knows a little magic. The meal concludes with a dessert of skull-faced pastries that crumble to ash in your mouth but taste surprisingly sweet.
Skaar is surprised at the lack of gusto in the feast's food. In his past experience death cults tended to lean toward hedonism in their food and drink. Despite the disappointment, he eats his fill in honor of his hosts.
"Are there other plans or does everyone usually call it a night after dinner?" he asks Ardathanatus. "I was hopin' for some private time with the Elders."
"We normally induct new members in the morning, but if you'd like to speak with the Elders tonight, that can be arranged."
"No need to go imposin' on our behalf. It can wait 'till morning", Skaar concedes. "Where will we be bunkin' down? Does everyone have their own space or are we talkin' barracks living?"
"We have two sleeping areas: one for the males, and the other for the females. I can show you to your places, if you'd like."
After giving Syl a reassuring glance, Skaar nods in understanding. "Show us the way."
You're led to a large room with fifty cots. As there's only one empty bed, it's not hard to tell where you'll be expected to sleep. "We have meditation and recitations at dawn, followed by the morning meal. Then the Elders will meet with you before the induction ceremony."
"I'm lookin' forward to it", Skaar offers sincerely. "The more I can learn about all of this the better. What should I expect for the meeting with the Elders? I hope they're not expecting a gift. We didn't bring much."
Your guide chuckles. "Your presence here is gift enough, friend Skaar. Tomorrow, the Elders perform the Ritual of Enlightenment and share the holy doctrine. After that, they'll perform a series of tests to determine how you may best aid your new family."
Skaar rests but it's not peaceful. He doesn't fear the cultists themselves - most weren't strong enough to be a danger to himself and Syl - but the feeling that he was unwelcome in the house of another god was unshakeable. The fact that that god was Rovagug - god of entropy and destruction certainly didn't help his unease.
Despite the uncomfortable setting, as the night passes he focuses on the task at hand. He would learn the source of the teachings being passed on by the cult's elders and save those that he could from the path of destruction they had started down. At the height of his power, madness was not uncommon among those that worshiped the Unfailing Pillar. He would forsake these people now.
Come morning Skaar is fully awake and prepared for whatever the 'Ritual of Enlightenment' entailed.
After you rise and get ready, Syl is waiting for you. Shortly thereafter, your Elven companion arrives to escort you to the Elders' quarters. He's clearly excited at the thought of gaining allies as powerful as the two of you.
You're escorted to a large circular chamber that you hadn't had the opportunity to enter earlier. There, the elf leaves you, promising to save you some breakfast. The chamber is devoid of furnishings; the only 'decoration' is a skull-faced moon mosaic set into the floor. Waiting inside are the three robed figures you saw yesterday. You can also feel an almost-overpowering aura of wrongness that permeates the entire chamber. This room is a sacred site to Groetus, and as such, your presence is not welcome. Nobody else seems to feel it - or even be aware of your discomfort.
Skaar fidgets in discomfort as he enters Groetus's house. He was unwelcome but the sensation was not a surprise. The Unfailing Pillar swallows, hard, and focuses on the robed figures.
"Thanks for meetin' with me", the big orc offers in greeting. "I've been looking forward to learnin' more from all of you. So, what happens next?"
"We'll conduct the Ritual of Enlightenment. It will bestow upon you all the knowledge of Groetus."
"Can we start with a history lesson? I'd like to know who you are and how all of this came to be?" Skaar counters. "I don't know if I'm ready for all the knowledge of Groetus right away."
The Elders nod. "Very well. Three hundred years ago, the Harbinger of the Last Days granted a vision to his High Priest: that Pharasma had conspired with the other gods to ensure the End Times would never come. Thus, it fell to Groetus to act to ensure the Cycle would continue. Alas, He could not take direct action, as that would violate the Agreement, so he tasked his worshipers to do it for him. He gave us instructions on how to build these enclaves, and as the years went by, they were gradually filled with the faithful. The three of us are direct descendants of that High Priest, charged with continuing his sacred mission."
The Elders pause to make sure you understand. "We know this is a lot to take in at once, but that's the purpose of the Ritual of Enlightenment. Once it's complete. your eyes will be opened, and you'll see clearly why this must be done."
Skaar paces the the limits of the chamber as he studies the cult's elders and the room's exits as he plans the quickest ways to end them. These men were willing participants in a mad god's machinations but he didn't want them to suffer.
"To that end I'd say you served him well", the Unfailing Pillar offers with a shrug of his massive shoulders. "Did you ever consider you had his teachings wrong? What if your understanding of the cycle is all wrong? Groetus is the Harbinger of the Last Days. If the End Times come and this world ends, that'd lose all meaning. He'd be a god without purpose. Can you imagine a worse fate for something timeless and eternal?"
The Elders nod. "A wise question, but your understanding is flawed. Time itself is cyclical. What you call the End Times is actually a new beginning. Groetus' role is to restart the cycle when it comes time for everything to end."
"And how does he know when it's time to restart the cycle? How can all of you know? If you got it wrong, you'd be destroying the whole process Groetus set himself to guarding. You'd be undoin' his will."
"The Ritual will reveal all."
"That's not good enough - faith's gotta be earned", Skaar explains grimly as he begins to understand the totality of the cult's hold on its members.
Skaar shakes his head as he cracks his thickly calloused knuckles. "Know that I don't take any joy in what I'm about to do. But this world deserves better than the cycle you think you know so much about."
The three Elders sound almost offended as they move forward to meet you. "You threaten US? It seems you are beyond salvation, then." Taking a cue from you, Syl draws her knives and readies herself for battle.
"We're beyond whatever salvation you and your madness think you're offerin'."
Quickly, the Unfailing Pillar works a charm sharpening his aim and strengthening his fists.
One of the Elders pulls out a vicious-looking flail and moves to face Syl. The other two look at you and utter foul-sounding words of power. One begins to glow with voidfire; the other draws a rapier and creates a number of shadowy duplicates.
Doomspeaker: doom of consuming fire 6rds
Skaar lunges for one of the cult elders and smashes him with one huge fist.
-Posted with Wayfinder
The Elder dodges your blows, but your proximity to the voidfire chills you to the bone.
He responds by stretching out a hand glowing with necrotic energy.
Your other opponent, meanwhile, agiley springs forward and makes a quick stab with her rapier before dancing back to her previous position.
Doomspeaker (1d8 damage): doom of consuming fire 5rds
Skaar groans in pain as the elder's necrotic touch blackens his brawny flesh. Eager to end the threat, the Unfailing Pillar turns his huge fists on the second Elder. Suddenly taking his opponents more seriously, Skaar stops pulling his punches.
The voidfire continues to burn you as you pummel the Elder. He attacks you again with negative energy but has been heavily wounded by your pummeling. Another good hit should drop him. Your other opponent dances in again with her rapier, but you're able to avoid the strike once more.
Doomspeaker: doom of consuming fire 4rds; 3hp remaining
Wary of the elder's hand wreathed in voidfire, Skaar surges to the side and drives his fist into his opponent's belly.
Before the elders can mount the offense again, the Unfailing Pillar presses the advantage, pounding them mercilessly.
Your counterattack knocks the Elder to the ground. He doesn't get back up. Taking advantage of your seizing of the initiative, you step forward and punch your other opponent hard in the face. She flinches, but responds with several quick slashes...
... which fail to connect.
Skaar ignores the rapier that clatters harmlessly off his magical defenses and thick hide. His fists continue pulverizing the insane cult elders.
Your blows leave the Elder reeling. She seems severely injured and responds by launching a last-ditch assault as her magical floating blades dive at you.
Without another word, Skaar's fists work to finish removing the influence of the corrupt elders from the world.
With a pair of powerful blows, you bring down your opponent. Syl, likewise, is in the process of finishing off her Elder. She's taken a few wounds, but nothing too debilitating.
Skaar grunts laconically and surveys the scene. His heart still pounds in his chest as the fires of battle die down but he’s glad to see the grim task of putting down the cult elders complete.
Closing his eyes, the Unfailing Pillar concentrates on the angry presence he felt the moment he entered the sacred site and tries to push it out.
Skaar picks over the slain elders bodies and gestures for Syl to follow suit. The other god's presence would have be tolerated, for now.