After about ten minutes or so a white robe opens the door and waves you through into a hallway to double door immediately to your left. The white robe opens the doors and leads you into the temple proper.
A large crowd of masked priests waits in the temple. While white robes shroud most of them, some wear gray, and a few wear black. In the center of the chamber rises a gigantic staircase, atop of which glitters a porcelain and gold mask, the holy symbol of Razmir. On the eighth step of the stairs stands a black-robed priest, who says gravely,
“Come forward.”
Priests part to form an aisle towards the stairs.
"Ascend to the first stair! " The black robe continues pointing at Elvar first.
Elvar steps up shakily,
" All Hail Razmir! " The entire congregation chants as a priest hands him an iron mask. Indicating that he should don it and step down.
The black robe on the eighth stair now points to you each in turn.
On the outside Cora is calm and feigns excitement, but on the inside she's furious. I will bring down this cult. She steps forward when her turn comes.
" All Hail Razmir! " the congregation chants as a grey robe presents Cora with a halfling sized mask.
"All hail Razmir." Quinn does his best to sound enthusiastic though he really just wants a steak or stew or a dozen roast potatoes. And a pouch full of silver.
"Hail Razmir." Faunra chants without as much apparent conviction as the others, but at least she tried. She eagerly puts on whatever they give her.
Markus steps forward with a smile and chants along, "All hail Razmir."
" All Hail Razmir! " the crowd chants.
The black robe on the stairs holds up his hands and the rest of the priests fall silent.
" Welcome into Razmir's fold new initiates! " He says. " Krant? " A large, wide set, grey robed priest steps forward from the crowd. " You will be in charge of these new initiates and teach them the tenets of Razmir! " The grey robe bows.
With that, the ceremony comes to a close and the other cultists file out of the room. Krant waits for everyone to leave before explaining all of the rules that an acolyte must follow in a deep grating voice.
" • Razmir is the god above all other gods. Those who would claim otherwise are jealous of His glory and spread lies in an attempt to tarnish his mask.
• Those who follow the steps of the Living God will be rewarded with glory and riches. Those who turn from His path shall have neither.
• 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. The faith of Razmir must have the resources to fight against His enemies, who use their vast sums of ill-gotten wealth to spread lies and deceit.
• 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. Those who refuse are corrupted by the unfaithful and should be denied such luxuries.
• Only those who believe in the Living God deserve a life of plenty and pleasure. Others must suffer and toil until they see the light of Razmir.
• 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, so that they might come to fear His image. (You must wear your masks and robes whenever you are on the first floor or outside the temple.)
• The followers of Razmir act as one. Through anonymity comes solidarity, with each part working together to further His glory. "
After this, Krant leads you out into the yard for a series of exercises, drills, and other relatively boring manual labor.
" Tomorrow I will show you your chores teach you your prayers Anderson you further in the ways of the Living God. Follow me and I'll show you your quarters. "
Krant leads you back down the stairs into the basement but instead of back to the cells he leads you to a large room 15ft by 40ft.
Eight wooden double bunks rest in this room, each outfitted with simple straw mattresses and a thin blanket. A communal table sits in the center of the room, flanked by four chairs. Two chests lie open between the bunks, each one loaded up with fresh white robes. Pegs are mounted to the walls above the chests for the acolytes to hang their masks on when they are not wearing them. An everburning torch rests in a cloth-draped frame hanging from the ceiling above the table.
" Pick a bunk, I'll be back for you in the morning " then he marches out of the room leaving you to settle in. Several other acolytes watch you from their places around the room.
After the ceremony, Markus will try to find a grey robe and ask them a few questions.
Quinn takes a casual look around his new dorm before choosing a vacant bed as his own. He is hoping to surreptitiously spy a spare mask to claim for future mischief and to claim it without being noticed. [
dice=Perception]1d20+8[/dice]
Quinn takes two white robes and folds them neatly before placing them one atop the other on the end of his bed. He then gets ready for bed and climbs in, trying to will himself to sleep and to wake himself an hour after midnight.
Cora uses her cleric training to make the transition look real, praying and reciting words from Razmir's doctrine. Inside the room she looks around at all the new people.
There are a few masks hanging on hooks or sitting on beds but every time you go to make your move and whisk one away you find one of the other acolytes watching you or at least looking in your general direction.
As you look about you see that most of the other acolytes are keeping to themselves. Two men stand beside a bunk in the corner having a whispered conversation.
Elvar lets out a loud sigh and plonks down on a bed rubbing at the dark circles under his eyes.
Quinn forces himself awake in the early hours of the morning. He goes to a latrine, not making the any effort to be silent, but not being noisy either. Rather, he is trying to establish the routine that Quinn goes to the latrine in the middle of the night.
Back up to the temple proper, that's where I'd assume most people would be.
You make your way back up to the temple climbing the same stairs you took before on the way to the ceremony. As you reach the top of the stairs coming out into the waiting room you see two grey robes standing between the benches talking. They stop as they notice you approaching and look you over.
" Your one of the new ones right? " One of them says pointing at your hands. " What do you want? " he asks his voice a little aggressive.
He speaks in a raspy voice to the grey robe, "I'm sorry to bother you, I was just curious about what sort of things I'll be getting to do out in the field, you know missionary work."
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" Ha! Look who's all high and mighty! Been in Razmir's fold 5 minutes... You won't have to worry about leaving for days. All you have to worry about right now is doing as Krant says. You'll get to the fun stuff later. Now scram. "
Getting the hint, Markus returns to the sleeping quarters for the night.
Early in the morning as the sunlight filters in through a grate near the roof, Krant, the large grey robed priest comes through the door. " Get up! And Get ready! " he yells at anyone still in bed.
Elvar scrambles to shove on his white robes and don his mask. Krant stands with his arms folded grumbling under his breath. " Hurry up! " he exclaims.
Krant then leads you into the dining hall across from the acolyte rooms (T9) for a simple breakfast of bread, water, and old fruit.
This chamber contains two long, wooden tables, with chairs arrayed on either side. Scraps of the morning meal litter the floor and the smell of stale wine hangs heavy in the room. A green everburning torch provides light.
After about half an hour Krant takes you all up stairs and out into the courtyard. (T1)
Crenellated walls surround this broad courtyard on three sides, with a stout barbican set in the south wall, its doors and gate closed to the outside world. On the east side lies the imposing face of the temple itself, with a grand staircase leading into the structure, ending in a pair of gigantic gilded doors, each one emblazoned with the mask of Razmir. A pair of statues flanks the stairs, each carved in the likeness of the Living God.
Here he assigns each of you simple chores to complete. Cleaning the stables, splitting timber, and unloading deliveries for the kitchen. Krant stands close by the whole time threatening to backhand anyone that's shirking. He takes great pleasure in assigning Cora and Markus to move the heavy crates from a wagon to the kitchens laughing as you awkwardly carry them between you.
After these tiring chores are completed Krant takes you into the main temple room.
"Take a seat. It's time for morning prayer. " you're joined here by some of the other acolytes and a black robed priest depends from the ceremonial stairs. Egathis's deep voice booms out and for an hour he instructs you and the other acolytes in the power and glory of Razmir, telling about his mighty deeds, his generous gifts, and his incredible power.
After that you at given a short break for lunch, half a loaf of bread, some fatty meat, a thin slice of cheese, and potato stew.
Krant then presents you each with a bucket and a hand sized scrubbing brush. " New acolytes are on cleaning duty after lunch. You lot have to clean the entire first floor! Get to it! "
Next is afternoon prayer. Half of the congregation attends this session in the main hall, all acolytes must attend. One of the black robed heralds leads the prayer, which includes a number of rather pompous litanies and psalms to the Living God. It is long and dull and after all the hard work you've been doing it's tough to keep your eyes open.
Cora sleeps soundly through the night.
Cora may be trained in the general activities of the pious, but waking up early in the morning was a particular weakness for her chosen deity. She rolls up after being pushed by the others, grumbling and weary-eyed and grumpy. At the breakfast she just quietly seethes. This is the cruelest part of the whole process, this isn't even a real breakfast!
Once assigned to the heavy labor, Cora truly starts to hate the members here. No good reason, just cruel and unusual punishment. Not even effective use of labor. Senseless. She memorizes the face of her victimizer for future reference.
At the praying Cora does much better. The Laughing God may not be the lecturing sort, but there's enough of it that she knows how to memorize a lot of facts quickly.
When lunch comes around Cora just stares at it. That's it. No mercy will be shown. She hungrily rips through the food and sits unsatisfied.
Cora inwardly groans at the cleaning, but at least it's not more hard labor. She may not be particularly strong but she's pretty tough.
Markus also sleeps well. Despite the sound sleep he received, he was not accustomed to waking up so early. He is a bit slower than most at this hour and in a bit of a sour mood for the rest of the day, though he is very good at hiding it. He manages to keep himself from falling asleep during the tedious praying.
Quinn is accustomed to waking at unsociable hours as needed, though he will be looking for a nap sometime soon. He is happy with food being served to him even though it is poor quality.
The work on the other hand... Quinn can only pretend to not hate the work for so long before it becomes obvious in his sluggish movements, drooping stance and deep-furrowed brow.
The rogue tries to listen to the oration for hints and clues on how to further penetrate the cult. During lunch he daydreams about taking a nap and is the last to leave the table.
Scrubbing the floor upstairs brings him dangerously close to horizontal. He cunningly cleans himself towards a dark, out of the way corner for a nap...
Through the afternoon prays Quinn again attempts to listen and learn so that he may better infiltrate the cult.
Nap time!
After the afternoon prayer Krant leads you all back out into the courtyard.
" Right, the next two and a half bells are set aside to train you how to interact with the public. How you'll be expected to walk in a group, how to properly conceal your identity and so forth, but first... " he turns his masked face to look at you each in turn. " A little lessen in what happens when someone skips chores! " He snaps his fingers and one of the older acolytes quickly hands him a large cudgel. Then he points at Quinn. " Step forward you! " a little glee evident in his deep voice.
Cora listens to the briefing on their next learning session. Public interaction is always useful. Group walking is just pretentious though. She gives a confused and concerned look, turning to Quinn.
Quinn steps forward saying, "Sir?" as innocently as possible.
" Don't stand there and sir me all innocent like! I know you snuck off for a little nap. To good for cleaning are you? A cut above the other acolytes hmm? " He circle around you as he talks clearly enjoying singling you out. Then he addresses the rest of the group. " Sometimes the city folk here in Tamran need a little convincing that it's right and proper to give the correct tithe to Razmir. Now it's important that you don't convince them to hard or they won't be able to tithe next time, if you get my drift... So, " He swings his massive cudgel at Quinns left thigh.
" Rrggh! "
Cora's eyes go wide in anger as Quinn is struck; not even non-lethally. That's a blow meant to main and kill. She's almost shaking, but she holds her composure.
Quinn almost buckles over with the blow. He tries to remain silent but moans involuntarily. He tries to remain still but his throbbing leg won't take his weight properly and is shaking on its own.
He sticks his chin out in defiance, glad that the mask is hiding his red cheeks and watering eyes.
Markus remains silent in order to maintain his disguise, but if he goes to strike him again, he will ready a ghost sound spell to make it sound like something broke loudly in a different room.
Krant rests the end of his club on the ground pausing for a few beats watching your reactions. After a moment his pose relaxes a little more.
" No one shirks their chores, clear? If I catch anyone else trying to sneak of for a little nap the punishment will be worse than today. "
For the next two hours you're drilled on walking as a group, correct posture, lines to say to elevate Razmir above the other gods, and how to encourage towns people to 'donate'.
After that you return to the dining hall for dinner, a simple vegetable stew, some unidentifiable meat, coarse bread and a cup of ale or wine.
After dinner you are escorted back to the temple proper for evening prayer. The other half of the congregation attends this session. Evening prayer resembles the afternoon prayer, except Egarthis usually leads the procession, and those in attendance must participate. Those who try to fake it or pay little attention are swiftly punished afterward.
After the prayer, Krant leads you into a small room near the temple (area T4). Plush, gilded chairs, a fine table made from highly polished Andoren darkwood, and a painting on each wall—each depicting the Living God as he battles all manner of foul beasts and bends them to his will—adorn this well-appointed room. The staircase in this chamber is covered with a simple silk curtain.
" I need to get a little shut eye, but I'll leave you with Donovan here. " he says gesturing to another grey robed priest. " You'll be making copies of Razmir's holy texts. We've got a certain quota that needs to be filled before you can turn in, enjoy. " he says, the last word dripping with sarcasm. Then he leave you to it.
Donovan hands out texts, parchment, ink and quills and motions for you each to take a seat.
" Well get writing. I'll be checking all your work and if it's not right you'll need to do it again. Everyone stays till I have enough copies, got it? "
With his tongue sticking out just a little Quinn makes good his task of copying. Can't fake this one.
Markus fails miserably and is rather flustered with how difficult this task is for him.
After another hour Markus manages to copy out his sections to Donovans satisfaction. He dismisses you all telling you to head down to the acolyte quarters.
It's late, about 9pm, as you walk out of the small room that Donovan had you scribing in. The halls are quiet and empty.
Quinn is keen to sneak off to look about as everyone heads for the dorm.
Markus anticipates another long day tomorrow and an early wake up, so he will go to sleep immediately.
Quinn, deciding to do a little exploring you head towards the area to the northeast of the basement level. Only to find the door that leads from the main hall into the stone passageways is locked. The lock on this Iron door looks like a pretty good one.
Without his tools Quinn isn't going to get through he door.
Is there somewhere to sneak into?
Markus will cast mage armor on Quinn for protection in case he gets caught.
Without his tools Quinn isn't going to get through he door.
Is there somewhere to sneak into?
Quinn, as you creep up the stairs you notice two priests standing in alcoves on the landing. They're obviously on guard duty of some type, you've seen that pose plenty before but they haven't noticed you yet. It would take a good distraction to slip past them or an invisibility spell. Directly ahead of you at the top of the stairs a large golden mask rests upon a marble pedestal, with a green gemstone set into the mask’s forehead, and smaller gems set around it. A stained glass window in the wall behind the pedestal depicts a similar mask.
Not feeling particularly lucky in this place, Quinn heads back to subtly talk about what he has learned about the place with his friends.
"There's a locked room down here in the basement that I want to check out, but I can't get in without some tools. Any ideas?
"I tried sneaking up to the second floor but they have guards posted. I think we will need a distraction to get past them."