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Purnel returns somewhat dejected. Once the others return he gives his news.
"The groups coming and going would be easy to fake with the masks and all, but not for a halfling." "No way they don't notice a 3 feet height difference between coming and going." "Even if we could hijack an d ty up a group."
"The other problem is the number of people in the group." "It seems they travel in groups of six. We are just five and one being distinct in height."
"Alternatively, my posing as a delivered crate is not very feasible as I did not see any delivery area."
"I think the most sure fire way in is as new members."
"This is boring." He signals Lauranna and heads towards the inn.
Lauranna pulls out a bird call to give the counter signal. "Was it two quacks or three?"
Purnel returns somewhat dejected. Once the others return he gives his news.
"The groups coming and going would be easy to fake with the masks and all, but not for a halfling." "No way they don't notice a 3 feet height difference between coming and going." "Even if we could hijack an d ty up a group."
"The other problem is the number of people in the group." "It seems they travel in groups of six. We are just five and one being distinct in height."
"Alternatively, my posing as a delivered crate is not very feasible as I did not see any delivery area."
"I think the most sure fire way in is as new members."
"Look at all the flowers I picked!"
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"'Sir' Lauranna, why on earth are you picking flowers? Did you spot anything useful while wandering around the temple? A secret entrance would be nice. Did you see one of those?" "Nevermind, don't answer that." "It will have the word 'flowers' in it, and that will just be perfect."
"I had such high hopes for this stakeout. But they are all gone like ... wilted 'flowers'." "Now we will have to go the new member route."
Purnel still sulking a little does manage a smile.
"They are pretty flowers though."
"The process? I suppose it is mentioned, but no the details are not surrendered to all." replies the unknown man to Syllyn. "If you wished, you could bring a chair. I would think a young man such as yourself would be able to handle standing though. The crowd tends to be decent at the services."
"'Sir' Lauranna, why on earth are you picking flowers? Did you spot anything useful while wandering around the temple? A secret entrance would be nice. Did you see one of those?" "Nevermind, don't answer that." "It will have the word 'flowers' in it, and that will just be perfect."
"I had such high hopes for this stakeout. But they are all gone like ... wilted 'flowers'." "Now we will have to go the new member route."
Purnel still sulking a little does manage a smile.
"They are pretty flowers though."
"It is pronounced 'Ser'. It is considered to be more gender neutral--not that I need it to be. And as to why I picked flowers--because they were there. Besides there wasn't anything else to see, was there?"
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"Sneak in during the service might be better." "Also might give us a chance to swipe the fancy robes and masks they all wear." "Lauranna, can you charm people?" "If we could get one of them to give us clothing and masks, we would be in business."
"But what business? I kind of forgot why we are infiltrating. I have been so focused on thinking of ways to get in, I have lost the reasons behind it all. I think we were looking for proof that they were behind the problems at the crypt, but what proof do we need? One of the Medallions?"
Purnel looks very tired. He puts his muttled mind to bed. "Maybe it will be clearer in the morning."
Purnel gets up in the morning and decides to attend the service but will make his way to the other entrance. to scope it out.
As you make it back to the street before the temple, you find a crowd has gathered. Their anticipation of the service vibrates in the air. Suddenly, the temple doors open and 6 cultists step out. A black robed figure steps to the front of the crowd, while 4 hour white robed cults begin walking through the crowd. The final cultist stands off to the side. All 6 wear the standard masks, hiding their faces.
The speaker clears his throat and begins. "Welcome! It's pleasing to see so many showing to hear the words of the one true god! All Praise the Living God!"
The crowd echoes the man "All Praise the Living God!"
Continuing, the man calls out "We welcome you all to the fold. You need to simply accept the Living God in his entirety for He is AMONG US. With a simple 31 step process you too can be enlightened." The speaker continues on, extoling the power and virtue of Razmir.
Meanwhile, the 4 continue to move through the crowd, collecting donations to the temple. A few citizens hesitate, to which they are told "Those you refuse to donate are bound to receive the ire of Razmir! You wouldn't want that now..." Quickly, they manage to locate a coin or two to add to the pot.
You notice as they collect donations, the cultists are picking pockets as well.
Ser Lauranna creeps along like a stage villain wearing clothing made of kitchen pots. So intent upon her sneaking Lauranna does not even notice that her companions have given up the pretense.
"Why aren't you guys sneaking?"
The cultists standing off to the side approaches Lauranna as she heads away from the group. "Sir, where are you headed? The services are over there."
As the sermon continues, the cultists moving among the crowd approach the group. "Ah, and would you be generous as well? A tithe...a donation....either term is acceptable. We wouldn't want the Living God's ire, now would we?"
They eagerly accept your offered coins.
The cultists standing off to the side approaches Lauranna as she heads away from the group. "Sir, where are you headed? The services are over there."
"It's 'ser' actually."
"Who are you talking to, Ser?"
"See?"
Lauranna heads over in the direction indicated.
As the sermon continues, the cultists moving among the crowd approach the group. "Ah, and would you be generous as well? A tithe...a donation....either term is acceptable. We wouldn't want the Living God's ire, now would we?"
They eagerly accept your offered coins.
"I suppose not." Lauranna says dubiously, and offers a half-dozen silver. "Say, those are some nifty looking robes and masks. Do you offer those at your concessions." Ser Lauranna says wiggling his mustache.
Snagging the gold piece and turning it over in his hands, the man looks up to Syllyn. "My! Such a worthy donation ser. Razmir appreciates your generosity."
Nodding to the half-orc as he deposits a few coins, the main goes back to admiring the gold piece. Turning towards Lauranna again, he replies "Concessions? Uh...no. You must join the order to be deemed worthy."
"As for penniless hobos? Perhaps the only way to save your soul is to join. Is there truly nothing you would donate to the great Razmir? Nothing worthy of the Living God? I pitty the fool..." Shaking his head, he sighs.
"Yes, the temple accepts the downtrodden. At least, that's to say they are allowed a chance to prove their worth. Good day gentlemen."
As the service winds down, the cults make their way back to the temple without another word.
Making your way towards the tavern mentioned by your pathfinder informant, you find the Ranger's Lament 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.
It seems the facility is vacant, save the proprieter, a human male. Glancing your way, he smiles. "Take a seat anywhere you like. Get you started with an ale?"
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Purnel sits down and looks over the place.
"Nice place you have here. Are you the Lamenting Ranger?" "Because I am lamenting wasting a hour in that crowd over there." "Is your crowd usually so light for this time of day?"
Purnel puts out a few coins for the drinks. "Yes now that I think about it an ale will hit the spot."
"You might know, what can you tell us about your neighbors down the way at the temple of the living god?" "Do the priests come here for ale?"
Eyeing the Halfling suspiciously, he replies quite simply "I'm compensated for my time. As for the proprietor? That is not I. I'm simply an employee of this wonderful local."
Quickly retrieving an ale for each and some breaded fish and chips. He sets them down before you on the table and heads back to the bar. "I've got fish, chips, and a little pork. Never heard of cali..calima...whatever."
A minute or two later, a scrawny, dirty half-elf walks into the tavern. With a nod to the bartender, he finds a corner in the back. Downing the first ale, he begins nibbling the food supplied.
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Purnel finishes his fish and chips, heavy on the chips and light on the fish.
"I guess I thought it would be easier to join. Just ask to and they hand you a robe and mask. Now I guess we just keep attending the sermons and hope for an offer to join again each day?"
Purnel looks over at the half elf, "Should we be social and invite the only other person here over to be polite. I know I hate eating alone."
If no one seems to object, Purnel will wander over, "Hello there stranger. You are welcome to join us to eat in company. We could share news and stories to pass the time." "My name is Purnel and the others are Lorqinor, Syllyn, Ser Lauranna, and Dylph." "We are new in Tamran." "Are you a regular here?
He will wait for a response and allow the half elf his old seat and get another for himself.
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Syllyn was hoping for something more exotic than fish and chips. He glares at his dish and nibbles for a bit.
Well, I suppose I could be eating trail rations right now. I may not be experiencing anything new, but it is food.
Then looks thoughtfully at the food and starts eating normally.
"Yes, do join us. Tell us your tales and there's a free meal in it for you."
I hope that doesn't scare him away :)
The half-elf looks up as you call out to him and growls. "I am of this town. My father....well that bastard can rot in the Abyss for all I care! This Living God of there's promises power? Promises wealth? I'll show him!" he replies, taking another tug on his ale.
"You here to join, I take it?" he asks, still scowling.
"Huh? Oh, don't worry. I'm not angry with you...My father and I disagree on the state of things. Parents...can't live with them...can't kill them...least not yet..." remarks the half-elf.
"Names Evlar Thilisson. I'm here to show my father how wrong he is...and to piss him off at the same time."
The half-elf continues to chat with you as you eat. Even in this short time, it's no secret he's quite jaded about this town and the world as a whole. A few more minutes pass as a couple more people stagger in. Suddenly, 6 masked cultists walk into the tavern. Three wear white, two are in gray, and one is adorn in black robes. Scanning the room, they move towards 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.
Without missing a beat, the half-elf leaps to his feat and screams,