Pava approaches Mephistopheles' symbol, studying it and the magical marks with quite a bit of interest. "Mephistopheles, you say? You don't hear much about the big ones except Asmodeus." Kneeling down to examine the circle, she looks up at Melani. "Do you suppose this was worship? Or just an errant ritual for some specific purpose?" She returns to studying the scene, trying to answer her own question.
"Well, I hate to buy something without trying to haggle the price, but it seems like you are giving me a fair price already." Cael finish taking out the gold that the group gave him for the purchase. He then takes the item and store it in his bag. "Now Mr. Zoags, I'd like to talk more with you, but my colleagues are waiting for this item. Maybe we can share a meal at some other time. Or maybe you can show me where the best fishing spot is around here." With that, Cael leads the man outside. Saying his goodbye, he then turns around wondering where he should go next.
Pleased at the find Melani relates I think it was worship, thought I do not understand the bones. Few are foolish enough to dare an archdevil in anything but worship, though worship of Mephistopheles is rare. She surveys the scene more closely, casting Detect Magic as she looks about and closely inspecting the circle, looking for accuracy and possible flaws. As you may or may not know, my lord Asmodeus created the great Mephistopheles to serve him from the essence of Caina itself. As hell is a lawful place there is a proper hierarchy and respect for all ranking devils. I pay homage to all the archdevils and if someone saw fit to worship Mephistopheles here, I am pleased.
Vicenzo, shocked at first, rolled with the scene. "So worship and not a ritual asking for a favor then."
He looked at the remains trying to determine the age of the bones or blood.
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Taking a second look at the symbols on the ground, he also discovers that, aside from a regular shrine and altar, there are also signs of a ritual... the clues points towards a greedy man, even if devout, trying to reach beyond his station, and probably punished, grievously.
Aside from some completely ruined, and unreadable, tomes, you find nothing else in the basement or in the manor.
Good observations Vicenzo. I suspect you are exactly right in what happened. I like this house and think it would make an excellent place to start my temple. The secret basement is a bonus. I wonder what could be done to secure the deed? She looks about one last time before concluding Time to head back and regroup I think.
Vicenzo is glad to be back together and relates what they had found at the old house. ... and that was when Pava here broke in...in the basement, we found some indication of some sort of ritual or worship, we're still not sure. In any case, it was old, like a decade or so and made to someone other than Asmodeus. it was made to Mephistopheles."
tag?
He asked Cael, "Any luck with purchasing healing items?"
tag?
"I didn't break in. That was an official government investigation." Pava says with a light smile. Longacre hasn't exactly welcomed me back, but this sure is a good fit. She looks around at the other deputies. This is the crew that can do it. We'll get this town back into shape.
When Vicenzo asks about the healing, Pava looks to Cael with interest. "Yes, we need that. We've had too many close calls by far. If we're weak, we lose this town."
Listening to Vicenzo, Cael nods while he retells the story of how the exploration of the manor went. "So, some minor repairs to do, but the temple can get moving? That's some good news." When Ahreni mention what happened to the Church, he frowns for a second. "Divine retribution from Erastil? Isn't he the God that hate cities? Wouldn't he be against the town no matter who live in it are am I thinking of the wrong one?"
Turning back to Vicenzo. "Well, I understand more when you said you couldn't buy healing supplies from the local merchants. And with the current attitude from the temple here, I refuse to buy there." He pulls out an item wrap in a cloth. "But we seem to have a supporter in Mister Zoags that own the docks nearby. He was able to sell me this nice little thing." Cael unwrap the wand and hand it to Vicenzo. "It drained our treasury by 825 pieces of gold, but when you think of our current situation, I think we got the best price possible." He smiles as he hopes to have succeeded in his assignment of the day, at least better then the fight earlier.
Melani comments Yes, the old Mayor's house will be a good place to start our church here. I wonder how to best go about obtaining legal access to it. First step is to find out who actually owns it. Back to the clerk for that.
A couple minutes after you come back to the jail, Cimri enters the building holding a piece of paper. "Oh, finally! I've been looking for you... we still have these damned pamphlet problem to solve... any ideas?" From her hands, you recognize the same pamphlet that Cael found the previous day, bearing a sketch of an armored woman wearing an angelic helm and with the words "Will you come when she calls?".
Vicenzo looked at the picture and sighed, "So what can we do? Do we know who put these out? If so, we can go talk to them but otherwise..."
He asked the others, "Any ideas?"
"Could we try to find out who's making the pamphlets? This is a small village; there can't be that many who could make a large quantity of identical pamphlets. They will certainly have some information for us."
"Where did you found those?" Turning back to Vicenzo. "We would need to catch the person in the act. I don't think that the majority of the townfolks would be willing to tell us no matter how nicely we ask. I suspect the people at the temple, they seem to like inciting people to unrest from what Ahreni told us from this morning."