Griswald takes a good sniff when any cultist comes nearby to get their smell.
"Their masks won't stop my nose."
So its this their game? Nivel thinks to himself as he witnesses the crime. Or is someone else profiting from the situation? Nivel will secure his own coin and be on the watch for more of the thieves.
Morg offers 3 silver.
The one holding the speech is wearing a black robe. He continues to talk about the importance of donations: "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."
The two cultists in gray robes carefully choose their targets among those who are most focused on the speech. They seem to avoid you for now.
The others continue collecting money. They silently accept the donation from Kyra and Morg. A few of the bystanders have left the crowd, possibly because they don't feel good about this cult.
When they arrive at Firyin and Griswald, who don't seem eager to donate anything right away, they say: "You don't care about the Living God? He may well be watching you at this very moment!"
He confuses who has the ill-gotten wealth. "I simply have nothing to give." He shows his very simple armor and weapons. He's halfway through opening his mouth when he shuts it. Not the time.
You have your arm, lad... Offer your strength to fight the good fight for the Living God.
Firyin is about to open his mouth again to say something, but checks himself. He nods, slowly drawing his sword and going to a knee, offering the blade up in both hands. "I offer my sword arm to Him, if you would have me."
Griswald sighs, "As will I"
The acolyte in white robe motions towards the one in black robe, who delivered the speech and now approaches Firyin and Griswald. "So.. you have come here to share in the power and glory of Razmir?! .. Razmir will be proud of you! (he addresses the crowd) 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."
He nods to the acolyte who tells you to go to the Ranger's Lament tomorrow evening at 7 pm to receive your initiation into the cult.
Well, that wasn't so hard. Nivel now wishes he had kept his gold piece.
The figure in black robe ends his speech: "Those who give little, shall receive little.. those who give much, shall receive much.. but those who offer their lives in service of the Living God, shall live in wealth and glory forever, because Razmir is the god above all other gods! To which the other cultists shout: “All praise the Living God!”
The gate to the temple is now raised and the group returns inside.
Some of the bystanders look at Firyin and Griswald with curiosity and you see them whispering to each other.
One middle aged woman steps up to you and asks: "Hi.. are you perhaps new around here?"
"Yes." Firyin answers shortly.
"Yes... I ah, want to live in glory, what's wrong with that?" Griswald stumbling over his words
The woman replies: "Oh I see.. nothing wrong with that, of course! I am sure they will welcome you with open arms! So next time maybe we will see you wearing a mask.. hehe.. "
She's not insisting on having a long conversation, but she doesn't walk away yet either.
I didn't catch you name? Nivel will say, assuming that he is in the area.
The woman answers Nivel with a smile: "Oh hi.. are you part of the same team somehow? I am Selene, I work at the bakery just around the corner there.. I was just curious.. the only people I know who joined the cult here are originally from Tamran.. so yeah.. I guess they must be quite famous already so that people would travel all the way here!"
Grumbling, A bakery sounds nice...
Kyra responds, "My parents were once bakers....I was once....was going to be a baker." Her voice begins to trail off as she begins to think of her murdered parent. "Now...I just wander looking for purpose."
These people from Tamran... could you tell us about them? I know people in Tamran.
To Kyra Selene simply replies: "oh really.." and it looks like she's thinking about her search for purpose, but then instead replies to Nivel: "Sure.. there's Jack, who was just living his life on the streets and then there's Max, a son of one of the wealthy families here, and then.. hmm I am not sure if I should say this, but there's a half-orc who grew tired of fighting in the war.. actually I think often it's people that were, like you say miss, looking for a purpose in their lives.."
At that moment, a slightly older man gets closer and says: "I don't trust them.. they have all been brainwashed.. besides.. they take in far more money from the people here than they need.." Selene says, as if apologizing: "Well.. not everybody thinks the same.. hehe"
Kyra listens to the older man and asks, "What makes you think they have been brainwashed?"
The man replies: "It's in their masks.. they are all the same.. once you put on that mask, your personality will become suppressed and you will all start to think the same thing.. it's magical!"
Selene looks embarassed: "I.. I think I will leave you talking to each other.. good luck, with whatever you want to do!" and she slowly starts to walk away.
If pressured for evidence the man says, getting slightly irritated: "It's obvious! The way they talk all the time! I tell you.. it's not natural!"
"Sounds like sorcery..." Griswald says with distain, falling out of character.
Girl. I will walk with you to this bakery. Good bread is fortifying. If you would allow for my shorter... stride.
Selene replies to Morg: "Ok. Well no worries. It's not very far.. haha!"
The older man nods in reply to Griswald: "Better watch out!" He doesn't seem like the type who's fond of long conversations, as he starts turning and looking around for something else to catch his attention.
Kyra responds ever so lightly, "We have means to 'detect magic'... Morg and I. Next time we come across the cultists we will find out."
Kyra turns and says "We should not be alone. Stay with a pair, no one goes solo." The cleric then follows Selena and Morg to the bakery.
"I don't like this place already." Griswald stays close to Firyin.
Nivel doesn't seem to know what to make of any of it. Masks of sorcery? Really? After shrugging his shoulders the half-elf will stay with his old friends Firyin and Griswald, following them wherever they decide to go. Should we follow them or go to the Ranger's Lament?
To Kyra, the man simply replies: "good" and then he just walks away, saying: "all right, I will be going now".
Morg and Kyra start following Selene to the bakery while the others are still discussing about what to do..
"I suppose lets go to the Ranger's Lament."
Made from solid wood timbers, the Ranger's Lament is a one-story building comprised primarily of a large common room, with a bar and a kitchen off to one side.
The taproom contains a number of tables, including one long table, a bar with stools, provisions with a good variety of local ales and wines, and a raised platform for performers. Other than the doors leading into the establishment, the only other way out is through the kitchen.
Currently the tavern is almost half full with more or less 15 customers. The barkeep is a short bearded human male, looking around 30 years old.
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To Morg and Kyra, Selene explains that the bakery where she works is called the Harvest Hearth and it supplies fresh bread and rolls to most of the inns and taverns in the area. She says that it is owned by her cousin and she only recently started working there to help him after his assistant left.
Nivel will find a table that he and his companions can observe the room from easily, if possible. He'll scan the patrons for anyone that could be either a cultist or otherwise "out of place".
Morg looks over the baked goods, selecting something salty and something sweet... and a loaf of dense bread for his pack.
Kyra closes her eyes and inhales deeply, taking in the aroma of the bakery which brings the cleric back to the time of her innocent youth. A time where she would watch her parents making breads and pastries while she sat in the corner kneading the dough. The task at hand and the thought of the cultists brainwashing people brings back to the present.
"Dear Selena, you spoke of an assistant that left. Did the previous assistant join the cultists?"
Selene, Morg and Kyra arrive at the bakery and are greeted by the owner, Selene's cousin, a human male of around 40 years old, wearing a leather apron and a hat.
He gladly serves Morg for a total of 4 cp including bread, cake and a salty piece of pie.
Selene replies to Kyra: "No, I don't think she joined the cult."
---------------
Nivel takes a seat and observes the patrons. There's nobody wearing the typical mask and robe of the cult and the only ones who seem 'out of place' are three city guards having a drink at one of the tables. There's quite a lot of noise from all the talking.
The barkeep arrives at your table and says: "Good day gentlemen, how can I help you?"
--------------
Captain Walren has returned to his ship and will stay in town at least a few more days to arrange his next transport and until it's safe to leave.
An ale, please. Nivel says, watching the guards a little more. He then gets the attention of the barkeep and asks, A saw you have interesting neighbors across the way. They cause you any trouble?
The barkeep replies to Nivel: "You mean the temple?" (he smiles broadly)"Not at all.. not at all.."(then turning serious)"Do you think they could be trouble?"(he then laughs as if pretending his question is not so serious at all)
"We are new in town, don't really trust people who feel they have to be masked all the time." the half orc speaks up in a hushed voice. He looks around suspiciously.
I'm not cut out for this information finding. Times like these when I wish I was still a treecutter...
I'm not sure what to think. Please, have a seat and join us for a moment.
In reply to Griswald, the barkeep says, slightly unfriendly: "The cult of Razmir feeds the hungry and protects the week"
To Nivel he laughs and says: "Don't think too much. Just enjoy your stay in our beautiful town. I would love to talk, but it's lunch time now and we have quite a few customers. Perhaps later.. So it's one ale and for you sir?" (he will take the order from Griswald, Firyin and Merkava)
"I can get behind protecting the weak." Griswald says attempting to save the conversation. "I'll have a water and whatever non-fish meat you have on hand. I'm not a sailor and have been on a boat for longer than I liked"
Kyra says to the baker,"We are new in town. We don't know much. Can you offer any advice that would keep us .... unharmed?"
To Griswald, the barkeep replies: "Sure. We have roasted chicken, pig, deer.. Meals are 4 sp each. Drinks are 1 sp."
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The baker, a bit surprised by the question, replies to Kyra: "Well.. the town is relatively safe. There's no actual neighborhoud in town that I wouldn't recommend."
Selene jumps in and says: "Actually they came here with two of their friends who will join the cult of Razmir!"
The baker replies: "I see.. well.. good luck to them." (he doesn't look very enthusiast to continue the conversation)
Griswald drops down 5 sp. "I would like some deer. Thank you for your hospitality."
Well, the one ale and some salted pork if you have it. Nivel decides not to press the man further. Thank you. Nivel will pay the proper cost of the meal and throws in an extra silver for the man's trouble.
The barkeep smiles and simply replies: "Thank you. I hope you enjoy your stay!"
A few minutes later he delivers your meal and returns to serving other customers.
Morg munches, tearing a piece of party and chewing heartily. Seems not everyone is a fan of the followers of Razmir. Have they done anything unsavory?
Overtly appreciating the morsel in his mouth, This hear, this is savory!