Unlike his stance with the other incidents, this one seems to bother Tomas deeply
six of our most precious icons - representations of Darlen himself! This blasphemy must not be allowed to stand
and this fool tells us and the suspects at dinner.
Gold and silver icons? How did this place come by such treasures?
Upon hearing of the stolen icons, Achlys waited briefly for Felixus to finish his question so she could enquire further, "Have any other items or articles ever been stolen from the priory before these recent thefts? Were these valuable icons secured in a vault and taken from within or were they left out in the open for any to see and take? Were there disciples of Darlen cloistered within the priory walls over the months the icons were taken?"
Jal doesn't seem interested in the mysteries and thefts.
Tomas seems angered at Felixus words but the aged curate answer first
Those are reliquiae of a time past, of a time when Darlen's worship was as it zenith, when pilgrims came in masse to pray at the Justicar's hall and brought much wealth with them
Tomas then reply to Achlys
No member of the clergy is involved lady!, you would know that if you had faith in Darlen. No, this is the work of local villagers, they want us out of here!
Jal looks surprised.
"Why would they want you out of here?"
What size are these icons? Are they identical, part of a set or separate?
They have turned away from Darlen's worship - Thomas reply To Jal.
In response to Felixus
They were the smallest ones right Ythel? - The priest noods in agreement
THen, a bit less that a foot long
I have searched the priory, but there are so many places such things could be hidden
"They did? Why?"
Tomas is exaggerating, but its true that the Worship of Darlen in the region have waned compared to what once was... - He stops to think his next words - without a particular reason, the interest of the local just get diminished with the years and decades
"We need to do something about it. Reach out to them. Bring them back."
I'm afraid that is easy to say but not easy to do young man - the aged curate reply with a low voice
Serving Darlen is an honor, but for some the duty becomes a load...but the times will make them change their mind, when the visions of Cymer comes true.
"And what vision are those?"
It's an old story. Cymer, the founder of this priory... - The old man start coughing -Ythel can you finish the story for me?
Cymer came to this place after following a vision in which Darlen
warned him of a terrible darkness that would one day manifest
itself in the area. Believing this would be the source of the great evil,
Cymer founded his priory above it gathering a small group of
clerics dedicated to defeating the evil should it appear. Local
people aided in the priory’s construction and many attended the
services to hear the message of eternal vigilance against the
gathering darkness... - He stops for a moment to thinks his next words
but the foretold darkness have never happened
"That is the problem with evil, always strikes when you less expect it."
if they were the smallet of a set perhaps it would help us go see the larger ones. Besides they sound like a deep treasure the viewing of which would enhance our faith
Felixus says as he thinks hypocrites, sitting up here accumulating gold and silver whilst not helping the poor. No wonder all the followers dispersed. Also why would a thief with access only take the smaller icons?
I'm afraid that will not be possible at the moment, we have secured the rest of the holy Icons and they will remain locked until the situation is solved
"So what you are saying is that none of them were underneath lock and key when the smaller icons went missing? And that this philandering reprobate made off with some, but not all of the icons? At least there is this small mercy "
Basically, yes. Though not all the icons were taken at the same time, it is possible that the thief could have taken more icons but didn't.
"Maybe we could set up a trap for the thief, leave an icon in a place that's not often occupied, so they feel like they could get away with it, but have people hiding there to catch them in the act."
She mainly ignored Tomas' huff over her comment for the man had misunderstood her meaning and she could not be bothered correcting him.
Upon Malvenos' last comment, she simply added,
"Perhaps the thief could only carry the smaller icons. Whether for ease of travel, ease of hiding the items or due to the size of culprit/s."
Ythel's story of Cymer and the darkness lingered in Achly's thoughts as the others continued speaking.
She nodded at Jal's words regarding evil and simply remarked, "Best be prepared for any event. Sooner or later it will show itself."
When the Half-Elven Paladin, Tamarie, spoke of setting up a trap, it drew Achlys' attention, "Such a plan could work. But we must be smarter and more shrewd than the thief or else the priory will find itself with one less small icon."
"Am I thought to say here over the winter could become boring!"
I don't like the possibility of losing yet another icon, but it could be a way to solve this mystery...it's getting later, we'll have an evening service in the justicar hall, perhaps you could join us before retiring for the night
The one who go with the clergy witness a sober ceremony where Ruan, helped by Ythel, recite some verses and remember fractions of the stories of the heroes of old. Tomas invites everyone there to participate by reading fragment of the collected wisdom, a collection of essays and sermons given by famous high priests of the past.
After that every member of the clergy go to sleep, and the silence in the hallways of the priory is only disrupted by the howl of the storm outside. You are on your own in the guest chambers, though it seems you could roam the priory if you wish. What do you guys do?
Jal will accompany Tamarie, and go to sleep when she does.
Achlys, with Agramayne in tow, made her way to the justicar hall and listened to the service as the wind outside howled in almost an attempt to block the sombre words.
She took her turn to read what she was handed, as did Agramayne, and then once the brothers had retired to their beds, Achlys walked with her stalwart companion back to their sleeping chambers. In quiet voice, she spoke her thoughts aloud, "The girl in the infirmary did not show herself at dinner. I do not trust that one. We will check on her again come morning, after prayers."
Her minor wound was aching as the storm circled the priory. She wondered if she should heal herself with magic or just go to bed and simply rest her injury. It was cold in her room, as she supposed it would be in each of their rooms for they were threadbare of any soft furnishings that would keep the chill at bay. Achlys removed the winter blanket from her pack and set it atop the small, relatively clean bed. That would keep her warm enough during the course of the night.
To Agramayne and any other companion lingering in the hallway she bid a "Good night" and closed her door, doing what she could to ensure she would not be interrupted by any intruder during the course of the night.
She laid her hand on her wound and gently spoke the familiar words of the healing spell; feeling the warm, white light move, enter and knit the cut closed.
She moved her body to ensure there was no pain remaining and there wasn't. Then she crawled beneath the winter blanket and closed her eyes -- her sword very close to her cot in case of trouble.
She listened for a while, past the howling wind, checking for any sounds of coming trouble before she would drift off into sleep. It had been a long, taxing day and tomorrow would bring other challenges.
...Oh, there is also another guest, she came wounded yesterday and is now recovering in the infirmary
Felixus would like to retire, and muse on the situation. He will talk if needed. My instinctive approach would be to pray and see what happens but I'm easily persuaded if anyone else's character wants to plan something.
Jal goes to sleep, waiting for the next day, dedicated to prayer and contemplation, and maybe help catch a thief...
Tamarie will sleep and be willing to help catch the thief however the group decides, but her vote goes to planting an icon as bait.
The storm rages almost all night, but it seems to ease and hour before sunrise.
early in the morning
You are suddenly awakened by Rosenn's cries nearby. She is claiming to her companions to go and see what she have just found.
Felixus is going to head in the opposite direction heading for someones cell taking advantage of the distraction.
Malvenos or Ythel would be ideal, but Ruan if his cell is convenient.
Now that we have a distraction let's go looking for an icon. Somewhere someone might have left a clue.
Looking around and seeing none of the monks right where they are he will try to covertly signal Tamarie with a deft nod, wink and jerk of the head as a coded message to take the opportunity.
If time or able he will grab his backpack however given the restriction on weapons he will leave his where he slept.
She had risen early and repacked her bag - prepared for any event this day. As was her usual practice, Achlys sat, sword across her thighs and offered her prayer to Iomedae.
Achlys had just concluded her morning prayers when she heard the scream. She rushed out of her chamber, sword in hand (knowing she was going against the order of Ruan regarding her drawn weapon yet not caring in the moment), and moved with a swift alertness to Roseann; the inquisitor's eyes scanning the corridor and interior of the priory for sign of trouble or threat.
"What is the matter, Roseann?"
Jal wakes up startled, he didn't expect this kind of waking up in the monastery.
Without hi sarmor or weapons he goes towards the source of the commotion, and seeing Achlys he stands next to her.
Not sure what Felixus is winking about, Tamarie sees him run in the opposite direction of everyone else. She's confused as to why he's doing this and runs after him to see what the deal is.
Ruan is slow to answer Rosenn call, but the others are ther.
@ Jal and Achlyss
Rosenn is in the Garth. When you comes there Malvenos is already there. She seems upset and disturbed and when Achlys approachs, Sword in hand, Rosenn jumps back and moves herself behind Malvenos.
She doesn't like weapons
"Fear not, sister, are you ok?"
Rosenn points to tiny, frozen crumpled corpses of four birds atop of the freshly fallen snow. From your current position, it appears that the birds simply froze to death.
"Poor animals, winter is harsh for all creatures. But don't feel bad, or scared. Such are the toils of life. Let me take them away."
He advances to take the birds and dispose of them.
Tomas arrives
You cried like that for...this? - TOmas seems annoyed -they are just birds
" I thought we could use the distraction to start an investigation by ourselves. " Felixus hisses as the two make their way to Malvenos's quarters. "I'm deeply concerned that Ruan asked for help probably in front of the others, particularly as one of them probably stole the icons." Felixus continues. " So I thought if he's asking us in that we he really is clueless and hasn't conducted a search, or there is some bigger game afoot and I'm far too curious "