" It's dangerous to move directly against them, there seems to be so many of them now. " Reginar looks about the Forest Bounty, then continues. " I did ask around at the docks but no one would even tell me the name of the ship let alone where it was headed and not even I can follow spor across the waves. "
" Members of the cult go out frequently to aid the poor and proselytize. that is how they've fooled the gullible here but I know this is just a cover for more illegal activities. I've seen priests beat a man to within an inch of his life while the guards stood by. They claimed the humble cobbler had stolen from the temple. "
" A way inside? They don't hold any open services and the temple is heavily guarded day and night. The only real way in would be to pretend to join them. "
"That's what I was afraid of. If we get caught, we won't live to get our pay, but it seems like the best way to find out where that ship went." Markus takes another bite and ponders the situation. He looks over to Cora, "What all do you know about this Razmir and his followers? See if you can find a library to get as much info on them as you can."
He then looks over to Quinn, "If we're going to do this right, we'll need to get our hands on the proper materials. Masks for everyone and robes should do it, the two of us along with Faunra could handle that."
Markus shifts toward Brayken, "You get your rest. We are going to need you at your best once we actually go in. If anything gets out of hand, you're the most capable without a weapon, and we will need you to get us out of there."
" Getting masks and robes and sneaking in might work but there might be a better way. They hold meetings every so often to take in new members. If they continue with the schedule I've observed for the meetings, the next one should be tomorrow. The last two meetings were held at The Ranger's Lament, the tavern across the road from their temple. If you get in that way and play along with their initiation you'd be able to get a lot more information on what goes on in there. "
"Hmm, that sounds a little dangerous. But I think it might be the only way to get in. What does everybody else think?"
"I think joining the group might be our best option. It sounds like they would be very tight-lipped with strangers, so let's not make ourselves strangers then..."
"That sounds much safer. I still think we should all brush up on their views and history in case we get questioned."
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" I'd like to know more about them, a good count of thier number, what thier plans for the future are. Any hard evidence that could discredit them in the eyes of the town something that would force the guard to act. I'd be very grateful if you could meet back with me here after a week to go over any information you've found on the inside. "
He chews a few mouthfuls of deer and then wipes his mouth.
" Well good luck! "
Cora stands, finishing her drink. "Well, we should get moving than. I think Markus has the right idea of getting ourselves educated first."
Reginar gets up to leave.
" There are libraries at the temples to Erastul and Iomedae. I suppose they might have something there on other faiths. Remember meet me back here in one week. "
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The Temple of Erastul turns out to be a bit of a waste of time. You're greeted by a plump middle aged man wearing plain brown robes with thinning brown hair. Brother Grant. He shows you to the library but their section on other faiths is quite small and you're quickly able to search through and find nothing on the faith of Razmir.
At the Temple of Iomedae Cleric Kiana greets you. A young lady dressed in white vestments. Her blond hair is cropped short. She shows you to the temple library which is much bigger and after lighting some lanterns leaves you to your research.
There is a small paragraph about The Living God Razmir that is very vague. Talking about how he ascended to god hood by completing a test through the Starstone around 50 years ago.
Then there is a list of some of the faiths tenets:
Razmir is the god above all other gods.
Those who follow the steps of the Living God will be rewarded with glory and riches.
Razmiran, the realm of the Living God on this world, is sacred ground, and it is the duty of every believer to protect and enrich this sacred place. Every temple to Razmir is an extension of this sacred realm.
Those who have ascended the steps speak with the authority of the Living God. Failing to obey them is akin to disobeying the will of Razmir Himself.
Tithing to the faith is a holy responsibility.
Those who do not believe must be converted to the faith of Razmir by showing them the glory and wealth that awaits them in His service.
The mask of the Living God is a divine vessel. Behind its protective embrace, His followers can speak the will of Razmir without fear of rebuke. His followers must wear the mask whenever they deal with nonbelievers.
The followers of Razmir act as one. Through anonymity comes solidarity, with each part working together to further His glory.
Quinn looks back at his companions and, knowing more subterfuge lies ahead, decides to not risk trouble yet. He seems tense and fidgety for the rest of the night and does not sleep well.
"Ha! Look at this, I have a nose for such finds."
Quinn relates the contents of the scroll to his friends, then mutters to himself about an opportunity missed for collecting coin for the tithe.
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"Nice find Quinn! Come on everybody, lets indoctrinate ourselves hehe."
Markus looks over the scroll several times, carving the words into his memory. "Very good find there, brother. I'm not sure how everyone is doing financially, but I am sure we could figure out a way to obtain such resources for a tithe," he says, giving Quinn a wink. "What do you say? I've been eager to see what you're capable of. Should we go find some investors?"
With Quinn's sense of the streets and Markus's negotiating skills you manage to find what your looking for and not pay and exorbitant price.
You find a man who fashions special equipment usually employed by pick pockets.
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That evening the party approaches the Rangers 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.
" Welcome! " The barkeep booms. " Seems to be a slow night... Take any seat in the house as doesn't buck you off. Can I get you any drinks? "
The barkeep is a middle aged man, bald with a black goatee and a big beer gut.
Shortly after you're seated another young man arrives. His slightly pointed ears give him away as a half-elf. He has short blond hair and a little downy fluff resides on his chin. He's frowning as he enters and takes a seat in a corner ordering an ale.
"Thanks! Have any local specialties or special ales?" She cheerily orders a drink while keeping an ear open for the half-elf.
" Oh, I brew my own ale and I've got some imported wines and some Dwarven spirits. There's a dark ale that I tapped just this afternoon, gave it a try and I think it's particularly good. "
You find the young Half-elf a little hard to read. He sat down in the corner furthest from the bar and has just been looking about and tapping his fingers on the table occasionally.
"Dark ale; you've just revealed my weakness. Please bring me one of those, good-barkeep."
Quinn invites the half-elf in a friendly manner.
"Why don't you join us, good-sir? We're new in town. Come share some tales with us."
Markus, now in the appearance of a dark-purple skinned drow, sits down at the bar and introduces himself to the keep. "Hey, the name is Jovil. My friends and I heard that there was going to be a meeting of sorts here tonight and we're hoping to be a part of it. I guess I'm just a little confused as to where everyone else is."
The barkeep looks a little wary of having a Drow in his establishment but he pours an ale for Quinn and responds to 'Jovil' " Here to see the Razmirans huh, don't worry you're in the right place. These nights can sometimes be a bit quiet, sometimes they are not. The Priests will be along shortly. "
The half-elf looks at Quinn, and after a moment shrugs and walks over. " Are you here for the meeting too? "
"Yes I am." He replies enthusiastically. "It's about time a religion jumped straight to the thrust of what we want; and that sure ain't hell-fire and brimestone, you know what I'm saying?"
" Mm, the priests seem very powerful here and all those tithes have to go somewhere, right? That would be nice. I'm Elvar " The half elf replies.
Cora starts working on her drink, unable to pierce the man's poker face.
"I'm Quinn, it's nice to meet someone with similar values. Back home it was all about giving to the churches but never seeing that money again. Here, wow, you get to see the money, right."
" Once your in the priesthood... Or so I've heard. " Elvar orders an ale and takes a sip.
Cora gives a smile at Elvar, arcing one brow up and sipping her drink, but remains silent.
Overhearing the conversation going on with the only other person in the bar, Markus goes over to introduce himself. "Hey, name's Jovil. So I take it you're here for the same thing we are. Why did you choose to join in the worship of the Living God, Razmir?"
Elvar looks a little jittery at being approached by the drow, his frown turning into a grimace.
" Oh I just... Well... "
" I'm in it for the money like your friend Quinn there. " he says and then he moves back of to the corner and sits avoiding your gaze.
Over the next five or so minutes a few more people drift in quietly taking seats.
Soon after, a group of six masked cultists arrive, three dressed in white robes, two in gray robes, and one in black robes. They look about the room and move toward a small 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 looks about the taproom waiting for an answer.
Markus quickly stands up and is the first to answer the call. "I will," he shouts enthusiastically. "I will follow Razmir to the ends of the earth!"
Cora quickly follows him. "I will follow the Living God, for he walks among us and shows us his power and rewards the faithful!"
Elvar stands up from his seat in the corner, " Me too, I'd like to join. "
" Excellent, you've all made a wise decision! " The black robed priest says. " Join us in a celebration, have some wine, some food. Barkeep?! Some food and drink for these people on the temple! " He indicates the large table at the back of the room. Another priest moves to the table and evicts a softly snoring drunk who seemed to have slumped under the table.
Elvar moves to take a seat as do the grey and white robed priests. The Barkeeper comes around and takes orders from everybody and platters of roast meats and vegetables are quickly brought out along with ales, wines and spirits depending on what each individual orders. The atmosphere is somewhat merry and the priests talk of the many blessings that await you all.
Elvar orders another ale and starts tucking in to some roast lamb and baked potatoes. He eats a little greedily like he hasn't had a good meal in a while.
Cora sniffs the food a little before going into it.
Markus accepts a drink and some potatoes, thinking to himself, that's all it takes to get into such a powerful evil group? He smiles and celebrates with the others. Lifting his drink, he makes a toast, "to Razmir, the true god whom lives among us."
Faunra takes a potato and slices it up into dainty little pieces before taking a bite.
Quinn is more than happy to follow this line of infiltration. He eats and drinks heartily, "To Razmir, the true god."
You don't smell or notice anything wrong with the food.
Faunra
Markus
Quinn
The priests and Elvar raise thier cups to Jovil's (Markus's) toast.
Elvar swigs his ale back and takes a few more mouthfuls of lamb. As he chews his food his eyes glaze over and his eyelids droop and slowly as you all feel a wave of nausea and fatigue.
Just after Elvar slumps off his seat. Jovil (Markus) slumps forward onto the table unconscious.
Cora gets up for a brief moment with glassy eyes, but remains silent.
Oh dear, so this is their plan. Well, best to go with it.
Quinn whispers to Faunra, "When in Absalom... you could probably fake it though. See you on the other side."
Quinn stands and makes another toast, "To Razmir, the One True God, the One that I will follow." He guzzles his ale.
Jovil takes a drink and it hits him almost immediately. "I guess I'm a bit of a lightweight."
One by one you slump over slipping into blackness.
The next thing you know is the feeling of cold hard flagstones as you come to and the sound of footsteps approaching. You have been stripped of armour, weapons and anything else you were carrying. Cora still can feel the comforting weight of her holy symbol inside its concealed pouch.
You find yourselves in separate cells as you wake having slept off the poison. The footsteps get louder and then a black robed priest and a grey robed priest walk down the hall of cells.
The masked, black-robed priest paces down the narrow stone hallway, looking in each of the cells. “I must apologize for the way that you were brought here,” he begins with a calm, even tone. “We must be sure that you are pure and properly prepared to join the faith. Today you shall fast and meditate on the glory of Razmir. On the morrow you shall be sworn in and given your masks, made one with the body of Razmir; one piece of the greater whole. You shall become acolytes, and be allowed upon the first step of enlightenment. Rejoice! The path of glory and fortune shall be open to you.”
They present you each with a set of white robes and a bowl of water. Then they leave.
Some time later, your not sure how long a black robed priest comes in and offers everyone another bowl of water. You hear Elvar's voice: " How long are we gonna be stuck in here! " followed by the slosh of water on stone as the priest empties Elvar's bowl onto the floor.
Any one else who speaks up or asks questions gets a similar treatment.
Another long wait and another bowl of water, then another span of time and another bowl.
Finally hours after the last bowl of water a group of priests (one black robe, and five grey robed priests) walk down the hall of cells.
" The time has come for each of you to ascend to the first step. Follow me to the hall of worship. "
Each of your cells is unlocked by a grey robed person and you are led down a hall at a t intersection you are taken left then through a door down another hall to the right and up some stairs. You find yourselves in a room 20 feet by 15. Two plain wooden bench seats are the only furniture.
" Wait here until you are summoned. " The black robed man says and then the priests leave you and Elvar to sit on the benches.
Quinn sits on the benches.
"Praise be to Razmir. Praise be to Razmir. Praise be to Razmir."
He is trying to look patient.
Cora wakes with a start and listens silently. Once she feels the pouch on her thigh she relaxes somewhat. At least we kept some of our dignity. Despite how the situation may look, this is what they wanted. She keeps quiet when water is brought besides a quiet "Praise be to Razmir." each time.
Cora obediently follows along. An opportunity will come. She need only be patient.
If he still has it, Markus will use his Hat of disguise to look like the white robe he was given. If not, he will put on the robe and wait patiently with the others.