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Kikinnin clasps Maxim’s shoulder. ”You’ll find me at St. Cuthbert’s, if you’re dismissing us. If you’re looking for company, and your merchant associates are alright with your bodyguard tagging along, then I’ll accompany you, while we’re in Cauldron. Wouldn’t do to see you ambushed a third time today.”
JJ sighs.
Where do I go? My new digs maybe? I can't call on Sera. I don't dare risk going to the orphanage. I doubt even the town guard wants me to practise with them.
With a shrug and a sigh he follows Kikinnin. "Guess the church is the best place for me too. At least the folks there can defend themselves if a hoard of assassins tries to take me down while I am there."
On the streets he snags a paper, and then suggests. "Can we call past the book printers? I'm hoping there is a new Beafinator out soon. Sometimes losing myself in someone elses problems seems like a good idea."
"Y-Yeah...even if we're not on the h-hook for what happened at the t-temple of Wee Jas, I d-don't feel very safe g-going to too many p-places in the c-city at the moment," Marigold sighs. "Whether for m-my sake or s-someone else's. If we're d-done here for the m-moment then I'll j-just go with the r-rest of you b-but if there's anything else you c-can think of that we sh-should research then I'll st-stay here a while l-longer."
The sky is already darkening when you get out of Bluecrater Academy and the streets see the usual activity of people coming back home from the fields outside, while artisans close their workshops for the night. It is impressive to see the resilience of Cauldron, as most of the damage of the recent riots has been already fixed. Anyway, here and there you spot a business that has closed, a reminder of those ones unable to hold the pressure of taxes and riots and weeks ago decided to leave the city.
As you walk towards the church of St. Curthbert you come across with patrols of half-orcs and guards of the militia. It is then you realize that despite the apparent peace of the city, the tension is still there. Although you receive a stare or two at the sight of your armor and weapons, no one comes up to stop you, despite you feel clearly recognized.
After the walk, Maxim reaches Skie's treasury, where the gnome is eager to share talks about the recent adventures of the blonde dwarf and quickly accepts to buy all his stuff for good coin. Maxim will find out that a considerable proportion of the coin is minted with the face of the Jester behind.
Meanwhile, the others arrive at St. Cuthbert where a couple of armored clerics recognize you and bend at your approach "Hello Watchers! Ryan and Jenya are assembled at her office. In case you are looking for them"
"Y-yes, we should p-probably go ahead and speak to them while we're here and st-still awake," Marigold offers wearily, shifting a little awkwardly as the clerics bow to them. "Is, um, everything else here w-well? Or as w-well as can b-be expected?"
Kikinnin tosses his Cloak to Maxim, taking one of better quality, before the blond beard sells off the rest.
"Hello, Watchers! Ryan and Jenya are assembled at her office. In case you are looking for them."
Kikinnin makes his way first to find Gemma, and gives her a full accounting of the blasphemy uncovered in the Church of Wee Jas. He uses this as a springboard into a deeper conversation with his søster regarding the Cagewrights, the Shackleborn, the prison plane of Carceri, and, lastly, the Soul Pillars. He makes clear his intentions of accompanying the Watchers to Karran Kural, and lets Gemma know that they will try and keep in communication through the Temple of St. Cuthbert. He does his best to honor his family with the truth of the danger mounting.
When he's sure she's satisfied in her questions, Kikinnin leaves Gemma to meet with Jenya and Ryan. He's anxious to learn more of what was Sent to them regarding the investigation of Wee Jas. He holds his tongue, until Jenya's said her peace.
"Good thinking Kikinnin" says JJ, also reaching for an improved cloak. He also eyes up the priests headband.
"That too might help me if I'm going to be facing more magic.."
"This one Ive got at the moment hasn't seemed to help much at all. "
When the team gets to the church, he looks at the heavily armored priests.
"Things getting even more dodgy?" he asks, pointing at the unusually heavy armor and weapons on display.
After some search on the books already read, Marigold finds out a description that matches the mark in her forehead: an eye crossed by an upward arrow. The mark is called the Carcerian Eye and its an unmistakable sign of the demodand culture. According to the book, all demodands have this mark although it is only visible when magic in general or specifically invisibility is suppressed. As such, it is often taken by demodand groups as part of their shield of arms.
As she sees the large mass of coin you have available Skie smiles and gives you access to more expensive wares in her catalog "Your trained eye will soon realize some of these are rarities even at the best shops of Sasserine"
+1 banded mail 1,400 gp
+1 chain mail 1,300 gp
+1 heavy steel shield 1,170 gp
+1 greatsword 2,330 gp
+1 defending light mace 8,305 gp
+1 flaming longsword 8,315 gp
+1 scimitar 2,315 gp
+1 Small dagger 2,302 gp
+1 Small leather armor 1,160 gp
bag of holding (Type I) 2,500 gp
cloak of resistance +2 4,000 gp
cloak of resistance +3 9,000 gp
hat of disguise 1,800 gp
handy haversack 2,000 gp
potion of cure light wounds (8 available) 50 gp each
potion of cure moderate wounds (3 available) 300 gp each
potion of haste 750 gp
potion of owl's wisdom 300 gp
ring of feather falling 2,200 gp
ring of sustenance 2,500 gp
ring of protection +2 8,000 gp
ring of protection +3 18,000 gp
ring of invisibility 20,000 gp
ring of evasion 25,000 gp
rope of climbing 3,000 gp
scroll of lesser restoration 150 gp
scroll of mirror image 150 gp
scroll of dispel magic 375 gp
scroll of fly 375 gp
scroll of ice storm 700 gp
scroll of dimension door 700 gp
scroll of elemental body I 700 gp
scroll of solid fog 700 gp
scroll of wall of fire 700 gp
scroll of secret chest 1,125 gp
scroll of teleport 1,125 gp
scroll of raise dead 6,125 gp
sleep arrows (2 available) 132 gp each
wand of cure moderate wounds (22 charges) 1,980 gp
wand of cure critical wounds (18 charges) 7,560 gp
wand of Melf's acid arrow (10 charges) 900 gp
staff of toxins 12,600 gp
staff of journeys 13,600 gp
staff of shrieking 14,400 gp
staff of stealth 18,400 gp
staff of fire 18,950 gp
staff of bolstering 20,800 gp
staff of size alteration 26,150 gp
staff of healing 29,600 gp
lesser rod of intensified metamagic 3,000 gp
lesser rod of empower metamagic 9,000 gp
lesser rod of maximize metamagic 14,000 gp
lesser rod of quicken metamagic 35,000 gp
rod of extend metamagic 11,000 gp
rod of elemental metamagic 11,000 gp
rod of reach metamagic 11,000 gp
rod of empower metamagic 32,500 gp
Headband of alluring charisma +2 4,000 gp
Headband of alluring charisma +4 16,000 gp
Headband of inspired wisdom +2 4,000 gp
Headband of inspired wisdom +4 16,000 gp
Headband of vast intelligence +2 4,000 gp
Headband of vast intelligence +4 16,000 gp
Belt of giant strength +2 4,000 gp
Belt of giant strength +4 16,000 gp
Belt of incredible dexterity +2 4,000 gp
Belt of incredible dexterity +4 16,000 gp
Belt of mighty constitution +2 4,000 gp
Belt of mighty constitution +4 16,000 gp
Belt of physical might +2 (Str and Con) 10,000 gp
Belt of physical might +2 (Dex and Con) 10,000 gp
Kikinnin loses a little color in his cheeks as Marigold explains a possible association of the Invisible Mark. For all their research, for Carceri and demodand culture to have already come up, this new finding only deepens his concern for the halfling lass. Something's fated for the girl, and I'm not sure we can do anything to prevent it from happening. Like we couldn't, with Zenith...
"I'm confused. Miss Marigold. Does the Mark mean that you are one of them? One of the demodands? Or that you are their possession? Branded? I don't mean to speak ignorantly, but when one is ignorant, that's the only way they can. Speak, I mean." Kikinnin does bow his head a little, awkward for having asked the questions.
Maxim flashes a wry smile at the seasoned trader;
"Heh. That I ain't got no doubt o' Mistress Skie... Much ablidged as always..."
The equally canny gun-mage casts his eye over the catalogue, eyes lighting up at some of the items available;
"Hell's Teeth an' buckets o' fire! Some nice items here... While we pick what's what an' what we can afford, got me a question fir ye Skie. You ever come across a Drago-lich in yir adventures?"
He pauses, waiting for her to mull the question as he begins to collect some items together...
The guards explain Marigold and JJ the situation is as usual in the temple but Jenya ordered to double guarding duties. They give you entry to the building. Soon you met with both Jenya and Ryan at the High Priestess office.
Both are eager to have news and do not lose much time with greetings "What did you find out about this Carceri and the cages?" comments Jenya.
Gemma is enthusiastic to see you back. She seems fully recovered and listens attentively to the dwarf and becomes concerned by the news "I will help brother. If there is anything I can do while you are in your trip at Karran-Kural, you know you can count on me. I have been through danger before. I will not reel back and hide while the city is in danger"
Skie averts her eyes and breaths deep at the question "A terrible beast you talk about... No, I haven't have the pleasure to find such an abomination. But I know that would be my end. For what I know, they are powerful magicians and have a strong acid breath. You better deal with their phylactery once they die Maxim. Take care, I would be concerned to lose such a good client"
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"I...I d-don't know..." Marigold admits, clearly as uneasy and troubled by this new information as he is. "After all th-that with the d-dreams and now th-this...m-maybe my f-family carries the t-taint of the Abyss, from s-somewhere in our distant p-past..."
She shudders, nearly overwhelmed by the sudden crisis of identity that comes crashing down upon her, and digs her fingers into her curly hair, pulling hard enough to make her eyes water.
"B-but I'm n-not a d-demon or d-demodand or anything e-e-else! I'm M-Marigold Montajay of the h-hillfolk!"
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"and My Sister!" states JJ emphatically.
"You may rule a layer of the abyss Marigold, but you are bringing life, love and joy to it. We are more than our circumstances. We choose who we are. "
He seems very determined on the point.
Maxim listens intently to Skie as he thumbs through the catalogue;
"Much ablidged Mistress, ain't plannin' on havin' this well dry up anytime soon! Phylactery ye say? Duly noted. I'll speak to those o' a more divine ken fir some insider into how we target it..."
The dwarf holds up a belt, then taps his own;
"This here Belt o' Physical Might augments dexterity an' constitution both. Trade ye the belt I got that just bolsters the former. 2000 gold suns trade, plus 8,000 in coin?"
"You may rule a layer of the Abyss, Marigold, but you are bringing life, love and joy to it. We are more than our circumstances. We choose who we are."
Kikinnin looks back and forth between the two once-orphans. He can't help but see their shared frustration with the findings as rebelliousness, found only in the youthful.
"She didn't choose to be halfling, and she wasn't given a choice in wearing that Bran... that Mark. She's subject to it. I only wonder if there's a way to free her from it, remove it from her forehead, forever." He thinks on Terrem, then on Zenith.
"We sent Zenith through the Veil, and they still brought him back. That tells us that the Mark didn't fade when he died. Right? I don't rightly know. Maybe the Mark just lets folks know who possesses the quality of a Shackleborn. 'Born of Shackles'. Your blood, then. Maybe we should have drained Zenith of his." Kikinnin shakes his head, the thought of it disturbing him to hold it in his mind's eye.
...
When Kikinnin learns of a Belt which will hale his health, he petitions Maxim to purchase it for him, giving over the required coin.
Skie smiles back at the sight of the belt "You are a tough dealer Garthûn's Gun" the gnome nods finally in agreement "All right let's do that"
The gnome will likely agree to sell the constitution's belt to Maxim so Kikinnin can have it.
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Maxim smiles wryly at the gnome and makes the deal before departing.
Within a few hours he returns to the shoppe bearing coin from his bror and selects the desired belt;
"Back again Mistress. My bror has an inclination fir this here Belt o' Mighty Constitution. By my reckonin' he should be improving his thinkin', head like a bag o' rocks!"
The gun-mage chuckles as he hands her the coin, then mulls some more selections for himself;
"Some scrolls to be scratched into my book o' spells... Ring'll come in handy iffin' I find myself dropped from the top o' the heap! Har!"
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It takes Marigold a little bit of time to calm herself but she's been through much in the last several months and she's nowhere near the same halfling that she used to be. She sighs and wipes at her eyes.
"Th-thanks JJ. And you t-too, Kikinnin. Sup-p-pose there's no use in c-crying over something that c-can't be ch-changed, at least n-not right now," Marigold remarks with a sad smile. "I'm l-lucky...I'm st-stronger now than I ever thought I'd b-be. P-probably stronger than I have any right to b-be. And I h-have all of you as f-friends. So I c-can take care of m-myself."
Her smile shifts to a deep, thoughtful frown.
"B-but T-Terrem and anyone else out there that h-has this m-mark, they c-can't. So...it's up to m-me to do s-something about the d-demodands. M-make it so no one else h-has to fear b-being snatched away in the n-night. It's m-my...responsibility."
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The gnome serves with enthusiasm the scrolls selected by Maxim as well as the belt for Kikinnin and any other item the Watchers are interested in "And there is a client with good eye! I knew you will appreciate my premium stuff"
As you update Jenya and Ryan about your discoveries they share your worrisome about the role the demodands and Carceri might pose "We likely will need to travel to Carceri before all this comes to an end, but we need to understand better what are the Cagewrights trying to do before we go there."
"Investigating this Karran-Kural seems a good way to proceed forward" acknowledges Ryan, and then Jenya adds "The temple resources are passing a tough test after all that is going on in Cauldron, but if there is any help we can deliver you to find out what's all this about and stop it, count with it. Abadar knows well every service to the community must be paid"
Marigold furrows her brow, trying to think of anything that they might need the good people of the temple to do for them.
"Um...I c-can't think of anything r-right off the top of my h-head, but there's a l-lot of things running around in my h-head right now so that's n-not saying much," she shrugs. "Except m-maybe to keep on k-keeping your eyes and ears open for m-more information and r-rumors about what's happening in the c-city?"
"The temple resources are passing a tough test after all that is going on in Cauldron, but if there is any help we can deliver you to find out what's all this about and stop it, count with it. Abadar knows well every service to the community must be paid."
Kikinnin perks up, if only to consider a joint effort in crafting some protections for the Watchers. "You are generous to offer, in trying times. We might be considering some magic to cloak ourselves against acid attacks, possibly other forms of energy attacks. If you have someone who might assist us in portable magics, we'd be much obliged for the shielding."
"We can try to think what we can provide for help" says Jenya, and Ryan nods adding "I can scribe a communal resist energy scroll for you, it shall suffice friends. I will have this job started immediately as I guess you want to leave as soon as possible" the new guardian of Abadar strides to the office exit and leaves through the door to work on the scroll.
Jenya coughs and look at you "Well, it seems you have become Cauldron's only hope to untie all this mess..." but the High Priestess is interrupted by a knock in the door. As it opens Rufus Laro's face appears in front of you "Sorry your Highness... there is a Pharasman priest that insists to talk with you all... I mean, he is also looking to talk with the Cauldron Watchers..."
Jenya looks at you intrigued and makes a sign to Rufus "Let him pass" then looks at you "So after all it seems your last adventure might have attracted some attention..."
A minute later the door opens again and the aforementioned cleric enters the room.
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The human entering the room is tall, 6'4", with long dark hair which spills from the cowl of his hood. His clothes are a mix of blacks and dark greys. Despite his height he appears slight of build and his face is gaunt, pale and clean shaven. Around his robes but underneath his cloak are crossed bandoliers with nearly a dozen daggers between each. At his belt is a dagger of much higher quality based on what you can see of the hilt. His eyes are as dark as his clothing and the look on his face, if it must be described, would be characterized as haunted.
"Jenya Urikas? I am Kythel of Nisroch, humble servant of the Lady of Graves.
I have recently arrived from Sasserine. Dark dreams have plagued me for weeks of some sort of doom..." he trails off as if unable to fully articulate his dreams.
"Now I arrive here in Cauldron and hear tales of riots and dark doings. Despite such rumors, last night is the first night I have had any sleep since my premonitions began.
I do believe that the Lady has guided me here and now to assist in preventing further evils. Perhaps I am mad but perhaps not.
So I have come here to find out whether I can be of assistance. I would call it divine providence that at the time of my arrival, the Cauldron Watchers are here..."
Kikinnin subconsciously steps in front of Jenya, identifying her as the Alpha of the Church of St. Cuthbert. He's heard 'Pharasman', and 'Sasserine', so his hackles are raised when Kythel steps through the door. The black beard looks through the doorway, and beyond, half expecting a contingent of Pharasmans to have accompanied Nisroch in his petition for an audience.
When Kythel appears to be alone, standing before them quite vulnerable, only then does Kikinnin lower his Axe.
"The last priest of Wee Jas that offered me assistance did his best to slaughter my friends, and almost succeeded. Forgive me if I ask you who your superiors are, and if you've come on orders." Kikinnin appears ready to say more, but the kettle hasn't come to a full boil yet...
Kythel shrugs, "I have never been directly affiliated with the Lady's Church. She quite literally, rescued me from death. In return I have sought to serve her the best way I know how.
Question me under the spells of Cuthbert if you question my sincerity".
Kikinnin Looks Kythel over.
"Hva tror du, bror? Ill timing, gitt slakteriet i Wee Jas."
"What do you think, brother? Ill timing, given the slaugtherhouse in Wee Jas."
The black beard turns back to the black haired, noticing his position between Kythel and Jenya. Recognizing that Kythel asked for Jenya first, Kikinnin steps away from his place between the two, allowing the high priestess easy vantage on the newcomer.
"D-Dreams? What s-sort of dreams?"
The voice comes from a young halfling woman who stands about 3'2" - which is on the tall side for her kind. Curly reddish-brown hair falls to just past her shoulders and her one eye that can be seen is a bright green color, while the other is covered by an eye patch. Though her face and frame seem thin, she radiates a surprising aura of vitality.
She stares at the newcomer, wary, but clearly curious.
JJ eyes up the new person suspiciously.
I want to like him...but after Ku... he can't even think the mans name.
"I too was saved from death by the Lady.." he offers.
The speaker is a young man, still in his teens. His eyes have a hard, almost haunted look to them, as if he has seen things that a teenager should not really have seen. Dressed in a fancy cloak, he carries a staff.
Kythel purses his lips at Marigold's question, "No specific dreams really. A sense of foreboding. Shadows flittering across my vision in dreams. I have been praying for spells that assist with creatures from the lower planes since these dreams began in case I ran across such in my travels..."
Kythel gives a nod to JJ's comment and turns to him, "You are a petitioner of hers as well then?"
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Maxim scrutinises the newcomer as he lights a stogie. The blonde bearded dwarf wears functional clothing of high quality over shimmering mail, with a belt and pack laden with scrolls, pouches and items both mundane and arcane.
Most notable of his items sit holstered at his hip and across his chest: black-powder weapons of alchemical legend.
At Kikinnin's words he calmly blows a smoke-ring then answers - all the while taking the measure of the Pharasman;
"Jeg er faktisk tidsbestemt bror. Alligevel var dette useriøse element ikke Pharasma-kirken. Denne levende kadaver er enten en narrig fanatiker eller søger svar på hans troendes fald. Uanset hvad har han sten."
"Ill timed indeed brother. Yet that rogue element were not the kirk of Pharasma. This living cadaver is either a foolhardy fanatic or seeking answers to the fall of his faithful. Either way he's got stones."
The blond beard's words seem to have a calming effect on the black beard. Kikinnin sheathes his Axe, then rubs a black leather gloved hand on the back of his neck. "Han har sten."
Dark bags under his eyes, Kikinnin turns to address Kythel.
"So, I gather the Church itself had nothing to do with sending you here, but perhaps your goddess did." Can't tell if it's an answer to our dwindling numbers, or if you're some form of retribution for the dwindling numbers of Pharasmans, courtesy of our siege...
"What do you know of the fate of Cauldron's Church of Wee Jas?" Despite Kikinnin's stoic face, his plate armor shifts quietly, metal on metal, the squeaks speaking the black beard's uneasy demeanor.
"I s-see..." the halfling's voice trails off as she seems to consider his words and demeanor. She glances at her companions, most pointedly at the two dwarves.
"He's n-not lying. I'm s-sure of it."
Then she turns her gaze back to Kythel and offers a smile that doesn't actually reach her eyes. "S-sorry. We've b-been through t-too much and have had t-too many so-called 'f-friends' try to st-stab us in the b-back. S-sometimes literally. S-so you'll forgive us if we're a bit susp-p-picious, r-right?"
Jenya Urikas observes the new arrival and listens patiently to all the questions and explanations. She finally raises her voice "If your goddess has sent you to find explanation or retaliation for the slaughter recently happening at her Cathedral, you should know these people here are great defenders of the city of Cauldron and that all that happened in her church was only due to a schism in her organization that dared actions anathema to her teachings as raising undead and use them to the plans of their hierarchy. If it serves you I made myself responsible for the acts of this group"
"If instead your goddess is sending you to help and support our struggle against the enemies of Cauldron... you should know that we are facing a cabal of outer planes entities that might well mean the end of all of us is our menace. There are reasons to think the High Priestess of Pharasma in Cauldron, Embril Aloustinai, is among their ranks" Jenya seems to pierce the man with her stare "If still you are here to clean the good name of your goddess at this city... then this Watchers here might have things to call from you"
Kythel does not understand dwarven and so does not respond to the comments made in that language.
Kythel shrugs at Kikinnin, "Perhaps the Goddess did yes but I will not assume that she thinks so highly of me that she would send me here as some sort of agent of her will. That would be arrogant of me to believe and so I could not believe it to be so.
I can say for sure that the Church did not send me. I have no knowledge of the Church of Wee Jas as an organization here in Cauldron or anywhere for that matter. I am not a learned man and so am more of a footsoldier than a general in the Church, for lack of a better analogy. No leadership anywhere has acknowledged me or sought me out for leadership much less for my counsel".
For the first time Kythel smiles as turns to face Marigold and her halting way of speech, his smile lacks true warmth though he tries to fill it with such, "Many judge me based upon my dour appearance alone.
Suspicion of strangers is how I survived my entire youth so no, I do not blame you at all for the nature of your questions".
Kythel turns his attention to the statement of the woman he believed to be "leading" this cause against this "doom". He unconsciously shakes his head in disagreement at Jenya's initial statement, "The latter would be closer to the truth.
I was not aware that the Church of the Lady needed a cleansing. If what you say is true, that the leadership has decided to turn its back upon on the basic tenets of the Church by raising the dead not to life but to undeath then I would be forced to agree that a cleansing would be warranted.
Perhaps these outer planes entities have twisted the minds of my fellow Pharasmans? If so I would wish to turn them away from such a path as would threaten their immortal souls in the eyes of the Lady. If they must die though, well, we all must die some time..."
Maxim nods in agreement, first at his fellow dwarves' comment, then at the impassioned words of Kythel;
"Footsoldier is good. In this shadow war we're fightin' on all fronts we need footsoldiers."
He puffs thoughtfully on his stogie;
"Can't speak fir the others Kythel o' Nisroch, but ye strike me as a man o' his word and adherent o' his faith. Now we ain't short o' either in this here company, but havin' another divine patron likely won't hurt. Although let it be known I ain't one fir pulpitery nor sermons!"
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"M-Maxim represents the spiritually unaffiliated am-m-mong us," the halfling chimes in, now with some genuine warmth in her smile. "Um, I'm M-Marigold. Marigold M-Montajay, lib-b-brarian and faithful of S-Sarenrae ." She's quick to add, "N-not a p-priestess or anything, b-but...well, I think I have a g-good idea of what it's like t-to be c-called t-too."
"No proselytizing from Maxim, I was not converted in such a traditional sense nor did I grow up with Pharasma as a patron. I am a man of my word when warranted but I can be as silver tongued as a snake when needs be
Not a priestess? Then some sort of holy warrior Marigold?"
"I do believe that the Lady has guided me here and now to assist in preventing further evils. Perhaps I am mad but perhaps not."
"Perhaps the Goddess did yes but I will not assume that she thinks so highly of me that she would send me here as some sort of agent of her will. That would be arrogant of me to believe and so I could not believe it to be so."
Kikinnin's eyes draw narrow, as he listens to Kythel answer the Watchers' questions. The Pharasman doesn't radiate of the Shimmer, but he can't help but hear JJ proclaiming such things can be hidden away, or altered.
"I am a man of my word when warranted but I can be as silver tongued as a snake when needs be."
Kikinnin harkens back to Kaurophon, and his inevitable betrayal. The black beard looks to Ryan, then Marigold and JJ, then to Maxim, doing his best to read their own reactions to this potential ally.
"Well, Ryan's staying in Cauldron, and we're departing, Kythel. Are you more interested in remaining in the city, and supporting our Watcher priest, or are you disposed to traveling further?" Kikinnin holds his tongue regarding their next destination, in case the Pharasman chooses to partner with Ryan.
"You are a petitioner of hers as well then?"
"More of an unwilling servant, and after a too-close encounter in her temple.... a too close encounter with your lady. She sent me back here as a thanks for what we did there." explains the youth.
He offers a shrug. "Which makes me think if you are devout, you probably were not sent by her for vengeance. At least against us. You should probably visit her cathedral through, as it will... need cleansing... and not with a rag."
"Travel is no burden for me, where you believe I will be most useful is where I will be".
Kythel nods to JJ, a faraway look in his eye, "Yes, I had a familiar too close encounter as well.
Is it wise for me to enter such a serpents nest? Have they spies that may have seen me come here first?"
"W-well...there were some as-s-sassins that c-came after us earlier, b-but we managed to fight them off and then eventually t-take them down," Marigold admits, figuring that it couldn't hurt to share that particular fact with this new face. "Hopefully it was enough to k-keep them from t-trying again, b-but we can't say for s-s-sure..."
"Right here in the city?
Rather brazen of them!
In that case, I can only assume they have spies and my entering the Church to be a critical mistake, especially after visiting here. I would consult Pharasma about the idea but I wonder how much help she would be if I am seeking to move against fellow Pharasmans..."
Kythel looks thoughtful and a bit hesitant.
Maxim takes another thoughtful puff of his stogie;
"Brazen ain't the word Kythel... consult away tho' - might be your goddess shows ye sumthin' we ain't been privy to..."
The gun-mage's face takes on a harden look;
"Speakin' on assassins and their ilk. Know that iffen' ye stand with us, most likely our enemies will target you too. Best ye know what yer gettin' yerself into throwin' in with us Watchers."
"Well... well... all this you explain about your dreams is most curious. I wonder how that might be related to Cauldron exactly" Jenya taps the table and she seems to take an unspoken decision "It seems you managed to find a new ally Watchers"
"I guess you wish to finish preparations for your trip to Karran-Kural" the High Priestess points to the door of her office "I don't know for how long, but for now I can grant the safety of the temple. As such, if you want to pass the night here and depart at dawn, you are invited to share dinner with us and find a spot in the dormitory"
"Th-thank you Jenya. After everything that's h-happened I think it m-might be safest to st-stay here. N-not so much for our sakes b-but for the sake of our f-friends and family," Marigold replies with a thankful smile. "And it'll g-give us some t-time to, um...c-catch Kythel up on what we're d-doing and why. R-right?"
She looks expectantly at Kikinnin and then at Maxim.
Maxim shrugs his shoulders, then nods to Jenya with a wry smile;
"Makes sense ta' me... Mighty abliged to you High Priestess... Ah'm hopin' dinner will be served with some o' that fine holy water ye must keep fir medicinal an' spiritual purposes?"
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JJ nods to Marigold, her words echoing his own thoughts. The sober mood however is broken by Maxim, and the youth suddenly bursts out laughing.
"Well, at least we know you have not been replaced by a shapeshifting doppleganger. Which is what happened in the latest Beafinator..."
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Jenya looks both at Maxim and JJ stern. At first it seems she is bothered by how lightly they take current dark times. But then you see her chuckle although she makes an effort to recover her composure, likely trying to show she is the authority here "Well, it's done then. You will stay here for the night"
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You are delighted to find the food at the temple is humble but actually far varied than mere holy water.
At some point during your stay Rufus Laro approaches you with Juraan "Your friend just arrived to the temple..." the man has no time to give you explanations as the professor excitedly jumps in to share the results of the results of the cage research "Yes! The legend lore spell worked out in the cage my friends!!! The cage results to be a powerful focus for a ritual to establish a permanent portal between the Material Plane and Carceri!!! This particular soulcage was forged by a fire giant named Dugobras and created by a cleric named Grehlia Cairnis with the aid of three individuals named Triel Eldurast, Skaven Umbermead, and Tarkilar!!!"
The man has to stop to recover a bit of breath, as if he has been running for the past hours "It also revealed the soulcage has ties to something called the Soul Pillars of Karran-Kural, and it provided a short quote from an anonymous source: 'An ancient hate stolen from the souls of the dead, the cage is but the key to a greater evil.'" Juraan smiles proud as he finishes revealing the piece of knowledge he has managed to unveil.
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"Wow.." says JJ
"Talking of keys... there are a bit of familiar names starting to appear. The Fire giant we have met. Skaven... wasn't he the guy we found the journal from..". The youth glances at his cloak, remembering that particular venture. "I think he may have contributed this too.."
He pauses, running the other names through his mind "Karran-Kural.. that is where we are heading... I'm not sure about this Grenhlia, and Tarkilar though.."
He remains silent however at Triel's name, a dark cloud crossing his face as he remembers her. I tried..." he mumbles quietly to himself.
But how could she make a cage? I thought she was just a swordswoman.
"I think a return to Dugobras and securing that last cage may be even more important than we thought.."