"Oh well. I guess he will turn up sooner or later." Aldous sighs and gives the "thumbs up" sign covertly.
Liz will also tell Aldous and Garuneh about seeing the priests pick pocketing during the show. So it seems they like to pad their pockets besides hitting new recruits over the head. Don't forget we need to find out why they went to the crypt we were in. she whispers.
"I didn't expect anything more of them," says Garuneh. He mutters something in Vudrani that sounds like a curse.
Liz will just turn in after dinner.
Bria will follow Liz's lead.
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The following days continue to be filled with harsh chores and droning prayers. Once, during Master Egarthis prayer session, Garuneh falls asleep. When discovered, Garuneh is placed in the mask of shame, rendering him deaf, dumb and blind. Having to stand in the middle of the temple for hours in the mask, Garuneh was knocked about, tripped and pissed on by all passers-by.
Another day, Eizabeth becomes so exhausted from the daily scrubbing from after being unable to recuperate from the previous night's transcribing. For her punishment, Liz is tied to a pillar and whipped by a different grey robed priest until she passed out.
After a day without event, Krant separates the party from the main group.
"You have been doing well. You have been learning all the lessons that Razmir has set before you, even the hard ones. And for that you should be rewarded."
Krant takes the party into the Meeting Room. There upon the table, is all of the party's items.
"Gather your belongings and follow me."
Notably absent is Dragon. Krant gives no time for study of any spells as he motions for the party to follow him, and the escort of 2 other acolytes insist. Krant takes the party to a bakery just three blocks away from the temple. The sweet smells of fresh bread and rolls emanates from within. A sign above the door is labeled Harvest Hearth.
"Here we have Welton, a local baker. Welton makes all of the breads for the temple. So we know he makes good money. Sadly, he is late paying his protection money to the temple. You would think all the money he is making off of us, he could give a little back.
"Anyways, you need to go in there and get our money, 100 pieces of gold. You should also wreck his place to teach ol' Welly a lesson for missing his payment. We'll wait outside to make sure no one interferes. Now get in there."
"Yes, master. "
"Perhaps a little psychological manipulation prior to physical violence, team?"
Bria's face falls at the caster's words.
I don't do psychowhazzical manipulation. I really need to hit someone, preferably a masked dude, but I really need to hit someone
"Words before fists, Bria. Not instead of, just before."
Liz whispers to the others as they head in. I agree, we should try to convince him to pay first.
Although we really need to think about how to accomplish our mission.
Garuneh rubs welts from his shaming, still feeling fouled though he has bathed and has clean robes. "Let's just do it," he growls uncharacteristically. "Ask for the money and then--we'll take care of it from there."
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As a group of four masked and robed priests of Razmir, the party enters after all current customers have left. Inside, is a rolly-polly of a man with a baker's cap and bushy mustache behind a butcher's block rolling out some dough. He has a leather apron and flour dust all over. He looks up with a smile, which quickly turns to a grimace. Welton forces back the smile and greets the Razmiran priests that have entered his shop.
"Welcome, welcome. What can I do for the blessed church of Razmir this day."
Greetings Welton, we of Ramzir must speak with you of a delicate matter.
Liz closes the door quietly.
The church appreciates he bread that you bake for us. However you have been lacking in providing your 'tithe' as all faithful are 'urged' to do. We are not here to judge, but give a gentle reminder and will be happy to deliver the tithe to the church for you.
We are here for the tithe that was not delivered. To ensure that the hand of Ramazir protects instead of punishes
Liz feels dirty.
Garuneh casts Create Water over the warmers, drenching the bread and Welton. His anger is clear through the mask.
"We are here for the money NOW."
Oh shiiii!
Liz throws her arm out, across Garuneh's chest. Brother! There is no need for such actions, Welton knows his responsibilities.
"Be glad our sister seeks to stay our hands, Welton the Baker. The church WILL have its due tithe, post haste."
Bria nods in agreement with Liz. She looks as burly as possible.
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Welton weals back, slipping on the floor and tossing basket half filled with soaked bread. The baker catches himself on the block, hitting the edge of the rolling pin causing it to clatter to the floor. While his fall is broken, Welton still goes to his knees before the white robed priests, groveling for their sympathy.
"Masters please. The tithe that is asked is too great. Baking is a job of passion not riches. I beg you, please, give me more time. The harvest is ending and I need to pay for the last of the wheat so that I can bake through the winter. Otherwise I'll be finished and my family will starve. Please, masters, just some more time."
Liz whispers to the others. The priests are not going to let this pass, they will want their gold. How much does everyone have? We can put that together and give it to the priests and just rough him up.
Garuneh ignores Liz. "Show us your coffers, baker." He looks around the place for obvious stores of wealth.
Garuneh, have you gone native on me?
Garuneh, that is nowhere near enough. We are here to help stop this sort of thing not encourage it. I know we have to give the priests money but lets not lose our souls.
Bria does a quick search of the place as well.
"Welton the Baker, you have proven your inability to meet the needs of the church. Tell me honestly: what was the amount due?"
Assuming Welton tells us, Aldous gives the "pay attention" sign to Liz.
"And you know you will receive physical education to improve your understanding of the needs of the church, correct? "
To Bria: "Precise blows, Sister. Educate, but do not incapacitate."
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Welton responds in between pleads. "They want fifty gold pieces. But how is a baker supposed to pay that much for coppers a loaf?"
At Aldous's instruction to Bria, Welton takes up his rolling pin and holds it like a club, arm cocked back.
"I'm tired of you thugs coming in here and bossing me around. Now get out, all of you!"
He is lying about how much is owed. But he is serious about defending himself.
"Fighting will only result in you paying the money and hurting more. Why not do this the easy way, pay and then be about your business?"
Bria does not look happy about doing this.
I have no (censored) idea what to do. I didn't sign up with anyone to beat down poor bakers.
Liz is really mad, looks like her alignment is now a problem to both the Pathfinder's,Ramzir's and the groups plans.
"That was an unfortunate choice, Welton the Baker. Behold the results of your perfidy:"
Aldous casts silent image, forming a glowing, smoking pentacle to form on the wall. He waves his hands and mumbles some gibberish in draconic, adding to the melodrama.
Can we just take what he has? We'll be telling the truth if we sya he doesn't have any more.
Need to get back to the inn, get the rets of our equipment and stab the crap out of the Ramzirians
"He lies. He does have more." Garuneh's glower is all too clear through the mask.
"What shall I drench next, Welton? Or shall I summon flame instead? Your time is up; deliver the money or find your bakery a smoking ruin." He raises his arms as if to prepare a spell.
Liz..Just sulks, she is unwilling to aid in the harassment of the baker [I] I left home to avoid this [I]
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Welton tries to remain strong in the presence of the scorch marks that appear to be burn into his wall.
As Garuneh announces his intentions and starts to raise arms, Welton cries out, "NO!"
The baker charges Garuneh with his rolling pin and tries to bop the druid on the head.
Garuneh takes the shot, but a mixed look of hate and then fear crosses Welton's face. He appears unsure as to what will happen next.
Bria draws her knife.
"Stick to talking. It's safer"
Liz keeps sulking
Garuneh Surges Welton back into his loaves.
"You. [to Bria] Break things. You. [to Liz] Get up. Welton. The money. NOW!"
Damn straight I don't have to do this. Damnit 'G' we could of paid this out of our pocket and whatever Welton could scrape up.
"Yes, we could do that. And bring the ire of the chur h down upon us all. Remember, we are being evaluated and observed at all occasions."
Aldous continues his 'summon' spell, withe the flaming pentacle warping into a swirling vortex of fire, smoke, and flashes of disturbing colored lights.
Liz once again just stands there.
So Liz is standing and sulking, Bria is breaking stuff, Aldous is using an illusion and Garuneh is bossing us around.