"I will take one, as well."
"So, where to start? Do we just start asking about these masked guys, or be more discreet? I vote discreet, simply because it seems less likely to get us stabbed."
Liz gives one to Bria,ALdous and Garuneh.
Discrete sounds good. Let us get settled at the inn since it is getting late, we can see about getting a reward for the bandit's charter, identify this token and start investigating the masked cultists.
"Tomorrow we can do a little more shopping and perhaps some selling," says Garuneh. "I can hold on to our dear departed Gunder's ring of swimming, unless someone would like it. I was thinking we could look for another used curative wand to supplement the one I have, and perhaps some other inexpensive items, such as an ioun torch. Darkmantles, you know."
He strolls along with the group towards the inn, humming some sort of song about soggy, boggy lands, half in Vudrani and half in rhyming Taldan doggerel.
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Per Captain Walren’s suggestion, the Gar’s Last Meal is a fine inn if you can get past the smell of fish. It is housed in a sprawling single story wooden building, with a single salvaged stone wall. Upon entering the inn, there is a grizzled looking man with one arm under a giant gar. There are a few patrons finishing the night's meal.
"Well met travelers. My name is Gar and welcome to my inn. Are you here for a meal, rooms or both?"
"Both, but not at the same time. I'd like a beer, a meal, a wash and a room, in that order please."
"Well met, indeed, Gar. We would love to rent a room and enjoy your repast. I would greatly appreciate some red wine, and a hot meal. The bath and room will wait, as my doughty dwarven friend has suggested."
"So, what can you tell me about town? We are new here, capable and willing to work, but know next to nothing about the place. Perhaps you could share some of what you almost certainly have learned in your tenure as innkeeper."
diplomacy to gather information.
hours spent
Once everyone is settled and ready to discuss things in private:
"My first idea: let's work with these Razmirans. They seem willing to spread gold and influence around, so why not take them up on their offers. Maybe do some investigation work or crime-fighting for them, on their copper. Then, we can learn what they're doing, from the inside."
Both a meal and rooms, my good garkeep. Has anyone by the name of Reginar passed through your establishment?
Liz listens to Aldous. That doesn't sound bad. ALthough if they are cultists I wouldn't be surprised if we need to go through whatever hazings' they have set up.
"I would be concerned about getting forcibly converted at swordpoint, Aldous," says Garuneh hesitantly. "I'd prefer to find Reginar first and then proceed."
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Both a meal and rooms, my good garkeep.
"Right, my good masters, right away."
As you are waiting for your meals, Gar is more than happy to answer what questions he can.
"Well, let me be the first to welcome you to Tamran, the capital of Nirmathas. It is a good place for honest folk just trying to do the right thing. But we never back down either. Five times Molthune has “captured” Tamran, but each time it found holding the city too costly and fruitless. Even when the Molthuni burned the city in frustration at the end of their last occupation, the Nirmathi rebuilt it within a year. Joke is on them, I say! We proudly look at our humble city as a symbol of tenacity, cleverness, and resilience.
"But as of late, we've had another invasion, a silent infiltration if you will. This temple of Razmir, with their strange folk from across the lake. I don't trust'em. I swear that the faith barges scare away the fish. I recommend to any captain passing through that they shouldn't tangle with them on the open water if it can be avoided. And they are not any better on land then they are on sea.
"Reginar, you say? I know the man. That ranger makes an appearance in the taproom every once in a while, mostly looking for information about this or that. I have not seen him here in at least a month. But fear not. I hear he also frequents a feast hall called the Forest Bounty. It is located on the northern edge of town.If you need to find him you might want to look for him there."
Your meals are brought out to you. Each dish served has roasted eel and soft cheese. A tankard of beer or glass of red wine is paired with the meal.
Liz quaffs and speaks to her group. So it seems we should put the Forest Bounty on our list to check out in the morning.
"Perhaps we might do other things first and arrange to be there for lunch?" Bria asks.
That sounds fine with me? We can see about that charter for example. Liz will finish her dunner and be ready for sleep once everyone is done planning.
"You'd think we'd want to meet him first...what is more important than that? Wouldn't meeting him inform our purchases afterward?" Garuneh checks to see how much the ladies have been drinking. His eel has been picked clean and resembles a tiny necrophidius, albeit with a piscine skull.
Liz's spellink iz impeared due to aile.
*Thump Snore....
Liz looks up from the table. Okay, so we will meet with him or try to find him in the morning and then do the other tasks such as the charter. If nobody has anything else to say, she will head up to sleep.
"Good plan, Liz. Make sure you have a couple extra glasses of water before you crash."
Garuneh, satisfied, heads to his room to look out the window for a while before sleeping.
Liz trundles down and gets some oatmeal. Okay, so Regninar and depending on what happens after that we can turn in the charter. Liz will leave when the others are ready to go.
Bria sharpens her blades with a whetstone, goes for her morning walk, dresses, arms herself and settles down for first breakfast.
Garuneh searches for pickles and fish, or pickled fish, and nods to Liz. "A sound plan...your head is well. Liz? And your liver?"
I am fine..I just have this strange craving for pickles and ice cream.
"Okay then, let us head out to see if we can speak with the Regimar fellow, and perhaps gather some more information about the Razmirans."
To Gar: "My good fellow, is there any sort of 'job board' or the like hereabouts? Or would you happen to know of anyone needing the sorts of talents our group brings to the table?" Aldous finishes his question with a sly wink and a raising of his eyebrows.
"Adventure-ing type stuff, I mean."
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Gar replies to Aldous, "Nothing that I am aware about currently. Something is bound to come up. If anything does, I will let you know."
The Forest Bounty is a large feast hall located on the northern edge of town. It appears to be a popular place, even at this hour.
Made from enormous timbers, the Forest Bounty is a long hall, open at both the front and back, filled with wooden tables and benches. Dozens of people gather here, eating, drinking, and laughing. One table of patrons even carries on with a bawdy song that seems to have most of the folk smiling. When you arrive, a serving maid near the door points to a nearly empty table in the back.
At the table you are directed to sits a robust man, wearing green and brown leathers and cloaked in a large bearskin. A longbow rests against the table next to him. He looks up and with a hearty laugh says, “Welcome, friends. I hear that you have been looking for me. I am Reginar Lacklan. Please sit—we have much to discuss.”
He sweeps out his arms in an inviting gesture as a serving maid places a tray of roast boar and forest vegetables on the table before him.
"So how can I help you in these neck of the woods?", Reginar asks while cutting himself a large side of pork.
Garuneh looks around at the populated place, scanning the crowd.
"We were sent here by a mutual friend--a societal friend, you could say. You would know him by a scar from scalp to chin. Shall we talk here, or elsewhere?"
Liz sits down and eats a little pork and veggies as she listens to Garuneh take the lead.
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"We are fine. We are near the back, and I have my eye on the whole room from here. The ones we have to be worried about are dressed in robes and wear masks. I'll tell you what I know, but it isn't much. But then again, that is why you are here, isn't it?
Reginar pulls himself closer to the table and begins his speech.
"Let me start at the beginning. The cult of Razmir appeared in Tamran about 2 years ago, first as a small band of missionaries. They soon raised the funds to build a temple, which was constructed over a year ago. Their power and influence in the city have grown ever since, and the local guards seem to give them no heed, even going so far as to dismiss any reports of their foul practices. I suspect that the city guards even help protect the temple, watching out for thieves and intruders.
"On the surface, they don't look so bad. Members of the cult go out frequently to aid the poor and proselytize. But I believe this is just a cover for their more dastardly activities, such as thievery, blackmail, and extortion. I have seen them beat a man to within an inch of his life, claiming the humble cobbler stole from the temple, while the city guards merely watched the event and took no action.
"Otherwise, I don't know much more than that. This is where you come in. We need more information. What motivates them, what their overall goals are. Why all the smoke and mirrors if they are just two bit-thugs in robes. We know too little about the cult to take any overt action right now. They hold no public services, so the only real way in is to join their religion. So I suggest you try to infiltrate the temple as prospective members. They will be interviewing applicants at the Ranger’s Lament, a tavern across the street from the Razmir temple. That will probably be your best way in. The next meeting is scheduled for tomorrow night. If you do get in, don't take any needless risks. Instead, just play along and meet up with me in 1 week to report what you have learned."
Bria listens intently to Raginar's speech.
"Sounds like a plan."
She nods.
"How is the boar here? And what are those green things? Aren't they evil?"
Liz turns to her companions. Just how would we prefer applying as applicants? Going in armed to the teeth seems unwise. Perhaps just keeping our daggers and small weapons would be better.
We should also stay in touch with Aldous's cantrip of messaging just in case one of us gets into trouble.
"Agreed, Liz. We'll look like a threat if we do that. Reginar, we thank you for your information. Does anyone know how information flows to and from the Temple? They must be getting orders from somewhere."
Garuneh graciously explains chlorophyll and photosynthesis to Bria. "...and so you see, they have their own Quest for Sky, as it were..."
Bria looks at the green things suspiciously. They sound too much like mini trees for her comfort. She hails a waitron.
"One small boar please, well roasted. And no green thingies. Oh, and a small glass of ale"
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"Lady Dwarf, the boar is for all. Please. I would hate to spoil such a fine roast. I will make sure the vegetables steer clear of your meat."
Reginar then turns to Garuneh in response to the druid's question.
"I do not know how information comes and goes from the temple. But there was a strange occurrence that happened recently*. A group from the temple left to head up north a few months ago and returned a month later, minus a few of their number. After that group arrived in town, they hurried back to the temple. I have no clue as to what happened while they were away. About a week ago, another group, this one led by a female cultist in blue robes, left the temple and boarded a boat. I think this might be the temple’s leader, but I cannot be sure. They have not been seen since."
The waitress quick swoops by to drop off a mug of ale for Bria. She looks over at Reginar and gives him a wink before dashing back into the main hall.
"So is the elf always this quiet?" says Reginar as he pulls a greasy piece of pork from the roasted boar.
*important
So perhaps they have a base out of town that they travel to to drop off new recruits. If we can get into the temple we might be able to learn more about it. Liz nibbles on some pork.
"I wonder if those losses had to do with our skinny, talkative 'friend' in that last place we visited..."
Aldous sips his wine and appears thoughtful.
"My plan of direct infiltration seems our best approach, I guess. As far as the "heavily armed" aspect...perhaps we simply sell ourselves truthfully: wandering adventurers, in search of wealth and wisdom, new in town and seeking out the powers that be. We may jump the line of new-guys nicely, should we do some 'trouble-shooting' for them. Might even make some extra coin doing it."
"Kassen is indeed to the North, Aldous. And you have a good point--weapons and magic are good selling points if these people are in the habit of acting like thugs. Did you know that Thugs originally came from Vudra? But I digress. If the leader is away, something important is afoot--and the temple is under some regent's sway, with possibly less authority and care. Now would be a good time to infiltrate."
Garuneh suddenly wishes he had a pipe to grip wisely and decisively.
Very well, let us try Aldous's plan.
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"I believe you are onto a sound plan. It sure beats trying to bash down the door and taking on the whole temple on yourselves. Maker knows how many cultists there are in there. I can't keep count since everybody wears masks and robes.
"Remember, the recruitment is tomorrow night at the Ranger’s Lament. I wish you good luck and will meet you back here in a week."
Unless there is anything else, Reginar finishes his meal, gathers his belongins and departs.
What would you like to do?
"I think if we are going to stand a chance of joining this cult of Razzmatazz I had best stay quiet. I do not pretend very well. And Torag has always been a perfectly satisfactory god."
We can get this charter checked out and get the reward. I think we should keep most of our valuables in a safe place before we head in, we should look somewhat hungry and desperate. Plus it keeps them from taking everything if we have to get robed up.
"Fair enough. Fortune favors the cautious, etc. Or so I've heard."
"So, let us look into this charter, and make ready to become cultists!"
Aldous raises his glass in salute, ready to begin the next phase of the mission.
Liz chugs.
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The group is pointed to the center of town as to where they can be rewarded for defeating the Molthuni privateers. The center of Tamran is on higher ground then the rest of the city. The streets are busy with commerce with a variety of shops ranging from coopers to cobblers. The resident manor houses become more refined as well. The closer the party makes their way to the center of town, the presences of the city guard appears to intensify.
The militia headquarters can be identified by its simple but effective military layout. It is next to the city hall and guard station, both which appear to have undergone some resent renovations. The most impressive building is the obvious Temple to Razmir.
Occupying an entire city block, the temple of Razmir is an imposing structure. Built of solid stone walls, the building stands two stories tall, with towers positioned every thirty feet along its circumference. These towers rise above the temple itself, each crowned with statues depicting the Living God. The temple has almost no windows, aside from a tall, stained-glass window on the east end depicting the mask of Razmir. The west end of the structure contains a courtyard, only accessible through a sealed barbican. Masked priests patrol the wall tops surrounding the courtyard, watching those below with a baleful attention. A group of six white robed figures with a gray robed figure walk in unison out from the temple and head in the direction of the more poorer districts. Across the street, the limned sign of The Ranger’s Lament swings gently back and forth in the cool afternoon air.
The transaction at the militia headquarters is pretty straightforward. The party is given 500 gold pieces for the privateer charter and their thanks. "We just want the Lake to be peaceful for everybody to sail."
When the party leaves the headquarters counting their gold, they see a black robed priest out in front of the temple finishing a sermon.
"I exhort you, lastly, who already feel Razmir witnessing your spirit that you are the children of Him. And then, climbing the 31-Steps of Razmir, and not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, but instead grow within of faith toward Him, go on to perfection. Yea, and when ye have attained a measure of perfect love, when Razmir has circumcised your hearts, and enabled you to love him with all your heart and with all your soul, think not of resting there. That is impossible. You cannot stand still; you must either rise or fall; rise higher or fail lower. Therefore the voice of Razmir to the children of Tamran, to the children of the Visionary, is, Go forward! Forget the things that are behind, and reaching forward unto those that are before, press on to the mark, for the prize of your high calling within the Visions of Razmir! See and Believe. See. And. Believe!"
After the speech is done, the white robed priests make their way through the crowd for donations. Some of the crowd appear to be enthralled by the man's words readily give up their coin. Others mutter something under their breath with a disgruntled look on their face. White robed priests gather around some of these disgruntled people in groups of two and three in their persistent request for a donation. The white robed priests then continue to make their rounds once coin has be solicited.
125 gold for everyone after Liz divies the gold.
Let us vamoose for a bit and secure our monies before checking this place out. We should then go about the buisness of joining up.
Wonder if there is a bank we can secure our money in? Can't just leave this under the floorboards.
"Why don't we invest in something...perhaps some curative potions. As these fellows appear to be all about mental control, perhaps a protection potion."
"...did...did he say circumcized our hearts?" Garuneh makes a "o.0" face.
"And hide that bedamned gold, Liz!" Garuneh tries to keep his face a mask after his initial shock, and attempts to radiate poverty at the oncoming priests.
Liz had made sure to divvy the gold before any panhandlers were in sight.