As everyone follows Jessica to the temple that she studied in, you all begin to take in the scene of Ordellia, as you see just as much hard work and perseverance as you see despair an sorrow in many different forms. The switching from cobblestone to turn, while often enough, still proves slightly tricky. Although it's obvious that this portion of the city seems to differ much from the rest of Magnimar, there's something about it that doesn't quite match up.
Arriving at the temple, all seems quiet with the only exception of light music being played from a room that seems to echo through the rest of the temple. Walking in, a half elven woman looks up from the book she has in her hand and develops a small smile across her face once seeing everyone enter. "Well my my, look who it is! My Lovely Jessica! I had hear rumors about you being back home under unfortunate circumstances, but I did not want to fall prey to simple gossip." she says as she walks up, her arms open for an embrace with Jessica. "Tell me it isn't true, about your family?"
You instantly recognize this as Priestess Glissande.
Jessica had been holding it together but the question was enough to bring the tears back. She have Glissande a tremulous smile and hugged her just as the tears came back. She managed to get out, "Yes, I'm afraid it is true, they're...they're...." She simply couldn't bring herself to say it. It took her a minute or two to collect herself before she could speak more. When she could she said, "Priestess Glissande, these are my friends, Delendir, Wicked Grace, Elisai, Sunday, Kiley," she pointed to each in turn and then stepped back to take Tal's hand and finished by saying, "and this is my boyfriend Tal. They brought me here in hopes it would," her lip trembled a bit but she kept it together and pushed through it, "help me cheer up some."
Sunday awkwardly waves from a few feet away.
Not really knowledgeable of ecclesiastic hierarchy and greetings Delendir nods when his name is pronounced adding "Your excellency"
Once Jessica is finished he comments "We all hope you can help Jessica and aid us to look for the source of the darkness that surrounds our lives and community."
The woman smiles in the embrace, and gives Jessica an empathetic look of sorrow, nodding only in silence before hearing the girl speak once more. "Well you are always welcome here dear Jessica, you will always have a home should you need it. And I'm delighted to meet your friends, it warms me that you have companions in your dark times..." as she smiles towards the rest of the group, but shooting a slight glare towards Tal. "Please, all of you, come in and sit. Make yourselves comfortable. I know everyone will be glad to see you, especially the twins. How long will you be back for if I may ask?"
"My. My. My. My. My." Grace says as she steps forward to take Glissande's arm. "Why is it all of your fellowship are so utterly delicious."
She glances over her shoulder and winks at Tal and Jessica. Grace, ever the student of the human psyche, recognized the disapproval of the elder half-elvish priestess.
Jessica smiled slightly and said, "Thank you priestess Glissande. I'm, not sure how long we'll be here, it depends on what we can find about what has happened these last few days. I'll let the others tell you about it, I'm not sure I'm up to recounting the tale just now."
Delendir waits for a time, looking worried to his companions and the temple folk. He hesitates to rise his voice when no one speaks up, not fully understanding why should the group explain everything to the temple people. But after seconds of silence he steps to the front.
"With all my respects your Excellency" the stout ranger looks to the floor when saying this "After all what happened I fear we should move on without further delay and not involving you in this chain of assassinations. But perhaps you might have information to help us" he looks at Jessica then "Jessica seems to trust you" he looks around to check no one else is overhearing the group.
"Since we arrived to Magnimar yesterday afternoon, we have been attacked twice. The most horrible thing... upon arrival to the DuMorne house some kind of... shapeshifters had taken the shape of Jessica's family..." he makes a pause looking at the cleric again "Fortunately she understood that was not her family and we dropped the vile creatures with the help of our cunning wizard, Tal" he looks to the elf before continuing "Unfortunately... they had already taken the life of Jessica's family, which has been a terrible heartbreaking event for us all, and as you will understand has left Jessica dully affected. When we were trying to process the shock taking us, both Jessica and Kiley were kidnapped in their beds at night. Daud and me attempted to follow them, while all the others made their best to find clues and locate where our friends were to be taken."
"I do not know much of what Jessica and Killey discovered that night, but fortunately they found a way to escape by their own feet. Please Glissande, in all your kindness, help us discover whom has been attacking us and our loved ones since we arrived Magnimar." he whispers the next words "We think an order called themselves the Seven Brothers and leaded by a woman called Xanesha is behind all this and the attacks at our village, Sandpoint."
"If you have no clues about this, perhaps you can at least give us healing and other supplies support. We would like to explore the Foxglove manor here in Magnimar. From what we uncovered about a local noble named Aldern back in Sandpoint, we think we can find clues in that building of what has happened" finishes the half-elf, looking back to the floor and stepping to mingle again between the group.
Glissande offers a warm smile to Grace at her comment and lets her take her arm as they move through the temple. "Well thank you Ms. Grace, beauty does come in all sorts of its various forms. And the doors of this temple will always be open to those who are in need of Sheyln's grace Mr. Delendir, so you have no need to ask for that. I must admit, I cannot say for certainty that I know of this group you speak of, The Seven Brothers, nor this woman Xanesha. I can tell you however that the untimely unfortunate acts of Jessica's family are not the first to occur here. Magnimar is not always the depiction of culture that it tries to portray, and we have been seeing some more non ordinary deaths as of late. If you would seem to believe that some sort of cult is behind this, then that would prove to be troublesome indeed. Though I feel as it may be a stretch to include the fallen Foxglove name to be a part of that, there are many "noble" families here that are not always who they seem to be. Normally, I would have no issue in letting you know that this should be something that our local authorities take into their matter, but our lack of their support seems to show otherwise. While I cannot condone of you taking such matters into your own hands, I will still offer you any support that you may need as long as you stay safe. We have already lost so many recently, it would be a shame to hear that we lost more due to the inaction being taken by the authorities."
Jessica followed and replied, "I don't think they'll remain inactive, I just don't think they're prepared to deal with what they'll come up against. When they took Kiley and eye from my bedroom we ended up in a warehouse. After a bit of torture they stashed us in some strange other space. The only reason we got free was the intervention of one of Shelyn's angels who found a way in through a spell I cast on the dark creatures attacking us. He pulled us out of there and put our feet back on the road to Magnimar." Her voice was shaky as she said all of this, "I don't know that the police are ready to deal with that level of magic."
As Jessica retells what happened to her and Kiley Sunday can only cringe. Balling his fists up until his fingers started to dig into his palms he kept his gaze on the floor, trying to force old nightmares from coming back.
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"Of course, this beggars any number of questions..." Grace says as she moves to wrap an arm around Jessica and kiss her cheek.
"First, did what happened in Sandpoint truly merit all this attention? I can't imagine replacing your family and kidnapping you is just something these fiends would do if minorly inconvenienced."
"And second, what are THEY doing that merits the direct attention of Shelyn's angels? I love you and Kiley to bits, Jessica, and hope someday TO love you to bits but... is angelic intervention normal for kidnapped priestesses?"
Glissande raises a brow at Jessica's words of angelic beings, and waits until Grace finishes her thought. "To be honest, I thought what happened further up north was just goblin raids, that is really all that we hear when it comes to things like that. Are you trying to say those attacks and why you are here are connected?"
With a slightly stern voice, she turns her head to Grace. "Fate does not always work out the way you would expect it to. If you feel that these events are connected, then it may be a way of the divines trying to tell you that you are a part of something bigger. It is certainly not unheard of for the angelic servants to come to those in need, even if those in need feel they don't deserve it."
Turning her head to Jessica with a warmer voice, she takes her hands into hers. "Dear sweet Jessica. If you were truly visited by the hands of Sheyln, then you know that you have nothing to fear. You will be guided by her grace. She will show you your path and where you must go. The Eternal Rose will keep you all in her beauty and protect you from those who wish to seek that beauty be destroyed."
"It wasn't just goblin raids. There were a few murders where an undead Foxglove carved a seven-pointed star into the chests of his victims. The person leading the goblin raids also had a medallion of the same symbol."
"It is difficult to be certain if a relation exists" says Delendir "But as Kiley explains a few bodies were found assassinated in Sandpoint, nothing to do with goblin style, they appeared with an ancient symbol engraved Tal identified as a Shiedron"
The half-elf looks for something in the group backpack and retrieves a letter "Upon inspection of one noble manor in Sandpoint we found someone in Magnimar had converted the nobleman into an undead, a ghast. This Xanesha says in the letter to come to Magnimar to Aldern townhouse. That's all we know"
"I know nothing about angels but perhaps we can investigate some of those assassinations in Magnimar Glissande, and look for any relationship with the Sandpoint ones." he places his hand over his dagger hilt before ending "And if there is nothing else, we can track down that warehouse Jessica and Kiley have been"
Glissande frown slightly. "I must admit that I know nothing of this 'Shiedron' you speak of. And if there is to be any such evidence linking our deaths to those of the surrounding area, then you shall be hard pressed to find any. Almost all the evidence is kept hidden from the general public."
"Angels never came to my service when I was in need" Elisai grumbles, but only in an undertone as she listens to the others.
"Delendir is right however, there is a connection, however slim, here, which means that its possible evidence could be found if it thought it through carefully. Perhaps divination magic might share some light?" Elisai idly remarks, trying to think of any opportunities they might have missed.
Jessica pulled a cloth wrapped object from her pack and opened it up, a metallic feather was contained within which she held out to Glissande to see, "I've definitely been visited, he even left a feather behind, a feather I will treasure always." She carefully re-wrapped the feather and put it in her pack again once Glissande was done examining it, "You're right, that feather will be a reminder of the fact I have nothing to fear, I pray that it will be enough to help me when I confront such things again."
As Delendir spoke of tracking down the warehouse and was backed by Elisai Jessica replied, "I doubt they'd leave anything behind at that warehouse. They've hidden this long without being discovered so they must be good at covering their tracks." As they entered the temple propper Jessica gave a sigh and relaxed, it was a truly great comfort to be within these walls once again.
Delendir looks attentive and impressed to Jessica's feather.
The half-elf nods in acceptance when the young woman expresses her doubt about finding any clue in the warehouse "I understand. Still, it gets increasingly frustrating to fight against this phantom menace, there is sure something we can try to do."
"It seems you are coming to some idea, what is there you have in your mind? Perhaps some divination?" he asks Jessica.
"I didn't have any plan in mind really, other than checking out the estate. If that turns nothing up divinations might be needed."
"Let's check that estate then!" exclaims Delendir "Glissande can perhaps prepare the divinations while we are out. So we can hopefully know more on our return"
Something seems to strike then the half-elf and he looks back dully at Glissande after a glance at Jessica "There is yet something else before we leave... with all the investigation around, Jessica's parents have not received yet a proper ceremony to reach the afterlife. I was not able to know them, but I am sure a small funerary rite might help them embrace the light and beauty of Shelyn, and help the sorrow in our hearts"
"We have met in terrible times. I hope we have the opportunity for happier ceremonies in the future" adds the ranger while he pats Kiley and Daud's shoulders.
Delendir waits with the rest of the party during the brief prayers of the clerics.
While Jessica interchanges her last words with Glissande, the half-elf looks back at his companions pushed to sombre thoughts after the recent events Sadly, we need to keep moving... trying to find some help on the highest spirited members.
"We have to go. Thanks for all Glissande. If you can, prepare those divination spells and... I am sure Jessica wants to talk more with you and the other people here from her past, I hope that can happen the next time we see you" with that the ranger says goodbye slightly vowing.
Once back to the street, he waits for the group to sort out where Aldern's estate is located and follows the lead of the more knowledgeable of the city.
The time flies as the party walks through the streets and alleys of Magnimar. The city colossal ruins acting as landmarks guide them from one road to another while they try to avoid the people observing out of curiosity at the foreigner group. They walk to the base of the Irespan which seems the extreme of a giant bridge now crumbled into the sea. They walk then next to a three-hundred-foot tall cliff which cuts the city in two and the locals call the Seacleft, until they get into the dense network of streets once again.
Finally, within other rich houses, emerges in the distance the manor that saw Aldern's life during his Magnanimar's past. The half-elf covers with the rest of the party around a corner from were everybody can observe the current situation.
"Here we are... let's see what can we find out here now..." ends the ranger looking determined at the house entry.
After a small talk, Delendir decides to advance to the main doors with the others, and checks the door to find out how to open it safely. He does so trying not to be noticed by anyone.
If the door is locked, Delendir brings one of the keys found in Aldern's manor back in Sandpoint and tries to open the door with them. If that is not enough also, he takes his tools and attempts to carefully pick the door.
"Del, I don't think trying to break in is a good idea, especially if you're doing it through the front door," Kiley tells the ranger.
Jessica gave Glissande a sad smile and said, "I'd best get going, if I stay right now I don't think I'll be able to bring myself to leave again. Tell the twins I'll be back to see them soon," she swallowed and took a deep breath, "and please, prepare my family for burial, I'll...I'll be back to help with the details." Though tears stood in her eyes Jessica dashed them aside and gave Glissande a hug before turning and following Delendir out.
"I don't know that it's considered breaking in if we have the key, still, you have a point Kiley. Maybe we should try a different entrance if we can find one."
At Jessica' suggestion Sunday will begin scouting out the rest of the manor grounds.
As everyone approaches the estate, it's clear to see that no one has seemingly taken care of the property as the windows are all boarded up, showing signs that there has been no one living in the place for quite sometime now. As Delendir fiddles around with the keys, one of them unlocks the door, revealing inside a rug with some simple decorations on the walls, and a staircase that leads further up into the 3 story building.
After the doors are open, Kiley walks in and to the door to the left. After taking a moment to listen, she opens it.
Delendir goes into the hall inviting everyone else after Kiley. He follows the girl trying to be stealthy as to not be noticed even the house is clearly abandoned "Seems Aldern was not sharing home with anyone else after all..."
The half-elf inspects carefully the north-western door in the hall while Kiley does the same with the western one.
When the girl opens the door, he follows swift readying his bow just in case an enemy is found in the room.
If the room results to be empty he helps Kiley to check the next room.
If the western room seems empty, Delendir will open the door he has been just checking and search in that new room.
Elisai follows close behind the others and uses her own Perception skill to help out her friends scouting abilities.
Jessica followed behind Delendir and said, "Not with anything living anyway." As they explored the place Jessica kept her eyes open for trouble or anything of interest as they went. She kept her glaive out and ready to deal with any threats they might come across.
As Kiley and Delendir open both of the doors, they find the Kiely's door opens up to an empty room, while Delendir's door opens up to a room with nothing but a table and a book shelf.
"Interesting... It might be someone is around..." whispers Delendir as he searches the room.
Stealthily he moves out and then to the northern double doors, he open after a watchful inspection.
Once at the other side he takes all the time needed for a careful search of the room in the help of his companions.
Kiley seeing nothing of interest looks into teh room that Delendir was looking at. Seeing a door on the other side, she moves to it and opens it.
Jessica continued to remain at the ready each time a new door was opened, with all that had happened lately she didn't trust this place one bit.
Pushing through the house, you once again find nothing of importance as the rooms seem to be empty of anything. All Kiley finds is a washtub and Delendir finds a boarded up door that would signify it could lead to the back of the house out side.
"It seems there is nothing here either, let's check this other door to the right" Delendir checks and opens the door to the right.
The half-elf looks to the back before going into the next room and checking it out.
Seeing nothing of note, Kiley decides that she would better spend her time if she went upstairs to look.
"Kiley's headed upstairs Delendir, I'm going with her, no one should explore alone." with that she kept her weapon ready and followed her friend up the stairs.
Warily Sunday saunters upstairs with the others.
As you find nothing out of the ordinary, you open the door to find yourself in a small study with just the one bookshelf.
As the two of you go upstairs, you find a doors on the left with a hallway off to the right and stairs on the opposite end. Something doesn't seem right however as it seems like this second floor has been used much more often than the first floor as the light traces of dust around seem to indicate.
Delendir checks the bookshelf carefully for any hint on whom Aldern was in business with.
When he realizes others are going upstairs, the half-elf moves back and covering the area follows the others up in group.