After asking around a bit, you discover that the temple of Gakoraki is also located in third district. You make your way to the structure, which appears to have been a large storefront at one point, but now is covered in vines. There are several small tables and seats arranged outside, but no one is currently seated. There also is not a door; instead, a curtain of vines completely covers the opening, although there is enough of the wall showing that you can make out the doorway.
From inside, you hear the sounds of a variety of animals.
Lysimachos walks in through the doorway, casting his eyes about for someone to ask questions of. And danger.
"They keep animals in here?" says Laz with an obvious face of disgust. He peeks around a bit with Lysimachos, careful enough not to touch anything which might be accidentaly sacred to the Gakoraki priesthood. "I wouldn't like a stranger to come in and start touching everything at my temple, either."
After some seconds, he decides to let themselves be noticed. "Hello?!"
When Lyismachos starts to move the curtain of vines aside, they the vines move of their own accord and reveal a dooway with no door. Inside, there are half a dozen...people, who are sitting in a circle in the middle of a large open room.
People is sort of a stretch, however, because most of them are in the process of changing their bodies into an assortment of animal forms. The leader, a rangy, powerfully built older man who finishes becoming a dire bear before your eyes and then changes back to greet you, has clearly recently been in a battle of some sort: he is sporting freshly healed claw marks across his face, one of which is deep enough to have taken his eye. He also has a set of rather vicious looking bite marks on his torso.
Returning to his Human form, the man smiles warmly and says "How can I help you today?"
"Greetings, Priest of Gakoraki. Do you know of an Intorian boy called Parcan - or a rogue styling himself Terminus?"
You have found your way to the city of Sartorique, the nation-state of trade, where all are welcome, as long as they follow the rules.
Both of you have been looking for something more fulfilling to do than just finding a way to support yourself while you try to accomplish your goals. That is when a letter was delivered to each of you by a mute man who delivers the letter and then leaves.
Each of your letters read:
Dearest Sir,
I am writing you out of dire straights, as I have nowhere else to turn to, and an endeavor I care a great deal about is in danger of failing. Please report to the Intorian embassy as soon as possible to at least allow me a chance to sway your heart.
-Sincerely,
Senator Gaius Polemius
Intor Republic
Standing behind his desk after revealing his true identity, the Senator asks that you be willing to keep what you have seen hidden, then he explains the purpose of your visit:
"Gentlemen, I have asked you here today to aid in the investigation of the disappearance of my son. I had hired some investigators to search for him, but I have been informed that one of their number has been forced to abandon the search due to reasons that I can't get into, and thusly I am turning to you both in the hopes that you will be willing to meet with my investigators as they are working in the field and join in their efforts. I am willing to offer you each the pay that shall be awarded to them."
Pausing, he then adds: "I fear that time is of the essence, so I would ask for your response now."
------------------------------------------------
As Lysimachos and Lazverinus enter the temple, they see that there are no animals present: instead, you can see that all of the dozen people assembled here are in some state of transformation between the Human form and the form of one or more animals.
Looking through the faces, Lazverinus sees someone that he recognizes: a local young man who has partially shifted the lower half of his body into something canine-esque.
After sweeping the room, you can see that there is quite a young man leading the proceedings in front of you. As Lysimachos asks his question, two things happen: at the mention of Parcan, someone begins to speak, but when Terminus' name is mentioned, the atmosphere in the room completely changes, as if someone removed all the air, and the noise along with it: indeed, it grows unsettlingly quiet even outside, although there does not appear to be any magic about.
The young man leading this group stands and simply asks "Why do you seek Terminus?"
Lysimachos faces the young man, impressed by his demeanour.
My own change is far more brutish.
"We seek Parcan to rescue him. It appears that Terminus has lured him - or captured him. Terminus has already hired thugs in an attempt against our lives."
Panning his gaze around the gathered figures, he continues.
"So we would hear what you know of both."
Wolfgang nods a little. "This is agreeable. Where are these other investigators? Or should we act separately?"
To Wolfgang, he says "I believe that pooling your efforts would be best. As for where they are, I believe they may headed towards a flower shop in Third Ward, run by a local woman. I was told this by the man who had to leave."
In response to Miles' question, he adds "I can offer you the same information that I offered the original group, but I can't allow you to leave with it or take notes, as I can't afford to have this information be shared. I believe, however, that it may be faster to just speak with the others, as they have already had a chance to read the material I have and based on what the other man said, they have at least one lead to follow."
Laz notices one of the younglings there, and knows he rings a bell. It takes a few moments to realise he's one of the vagabond children that use to beg for food at the several temples of the city. This one in particular was asked by one of Lazverinus's brethren about his predilect deity, and his answer was one to remember. "The one who doesn't let children starve. Which one is that, Father?"
Lazverinus had to agree, and gave the young one and his fellows all the food he has at the moment. "The ways of the gods are weird, indeed. I wonder whether he'd found what he was looking for here. And if he'd remember me."
The conversation between Lysimachos and the apparent leader of the congregation takes Lazverinus out of his thoughts.
The young man leading the congregation returns to his Human form, but it's clear that he is still quite injured.
"Terminus was once part of our order, but he has sworn an allegiance with all that we oppose. After our battle, Parcan said that he was going to attempt to talk some sense into Terminus, but he has not returned. As he has tried to take your life, should you take is in return we will not attempt to stop you: in fact, as Nature is rarely fair, we would do our best you aid you. What say you?"
As the young man talks, you put two and two together, and realize that this is clearly the high priest of Gakoraki, even though he only looks to be about 15 years old.
Lysimachos considers the words of the youth.
Then a feral grin emerges on his face.
"That is a fine offer and I would accept. Lazverinus, your thoughts?"
"I do not believe it has a name, but it is in the third ward, and run by an attractive young woman." He then proceeds to give you some instructions on how to find it.
at Miles' question, the Senator says "I have prepared a letter that has been sealed with my senatorial seal. Please use that to identify yourselves to them." He finishes by adding a description of the remaining two men who are working on the investigation, as well as their names: Lysimachos and Lazverinus.
Laz scratches his head for a bit. "Well, I'm not really into killing Terminus. I think I'm happy with rescuing Parcan, that's of he's in need of a rescue. I would appreciate help in doing that, though I'm not sure why would you do it."
"Lazverinus, do you believe that Terminus will simply forget us? If he lives, he could decide to hunt us. And I would take vengeance upon him for trying to have us killed."
Lazverinus shrugs. "That might be" he says. "But I'd rather address that afterwards, if it needs to be addressed. Retrieving Parcan should be prioritary. Unless Terminus has Parcan, of course, in which case we would kill two birds in one shot" he says while gripping his bow.
"I do agree that retrieving Parcan should be the priority. But I doubt we will be able to separate the two tasks even if we wish it."
He turns to the temple.
"What assistance do you offer?"
"I would offer you your choice of boon or coin. The boon would be the blessing of my god, which should help you deal with the situation; with that being said, I do know that people in your profession often find money to be a more useful...I do believe that we have some more visitors." the young man then turns to his acolytes and says "return to your birth forms and we shall continue later."
Finally, he speaks aloud for the obvious benefit of the people outside "Please, enter. Let us not stand on formalities."
Making your way to Third Ward, a bit of asking around lands you in front of a flower shop run by a rather attractive young woman who has a string of admirers. The two of you approach and ask about the senator's son, and she says "You are the second group of people that I spoke to about Parcan today. Someone must really be looking for him!" she laughs, with a sound reminiscent of tinkling bells, then adds "I shall tell you what I told them: Parcan has been staying with his friends at the church of Gakoraki, which isn't all that far from here. If you hurry, you can catch the first couple of people, as they left not too long ago."
Asking around a bit, you find directions to what appears to have once been a warehouse, but has since been overrun with plants, including some that cover the area where you can just make out a door frame. As you are deciding what to do, you hear a voice from within that says "Please, enter. Let us not stand on formalities."
After a moment, the curtain draws back and...
Lysimachos had begun to reply.
"I would seek a boon. But I'd prefer healing, as I still bear wounds."
He turns to face the newcomers.
Lysimachos is a very tall, superbly muscled man, and yet graceful on his feet. Some would call him an exemplar of Intori martial nobility - if they did not look too closely. His dark brown eyes are surrounded with tension lines and his brown hair is thick and wild. His body covered in scars, newer ones more numerous and ragged, and the newest large but well-tended. His hide shirt is well-crafted, and clearly of the style of the Benthali wildrunners. A silver dagger on his belt, a longbow and great hammer of ancient make on his back.
Wolfgang opens the door slowly, stepping into and blocking the doorframe as he assesses those inside. After a moment, he steps all the way in, clearing the way for Miles.
What Wolfgang is or is not is difficult to discern beneath all of the armor. A humanoid, to be sure, and likely male by the shape of the armor: tall and broad, but some of that could just be the armor. The armor itself is metal plate, polished and well maintained, but otherwise plain in design and unmistakably iron in composition. In his right hand he grips a warhammer by the head, resting the haft on the ground like one might hold a cane; like the armor, the warhammer is well cared for, but of simple manufacture. A thick leather strap is visible, over his right shoulder and running under his left arm, which seems to secure a massive shield to his back.
Once Miles has followed, Wolfgang introduces himself, "I am called Wolfgang. I and my fellow here are looking for Lysimachos or Lazverinus."
Lysimachos visibly tenses at the sight, then asserts control over himself.
In a respectful tone, he replies in noble Intori, with inflections of the Benthali.
"Greetings. I am Lysimachos and this is Lazverinus. I would know who you both are, and what you want of us."
Miles stops outside the building and invokes a cantrip and his clothing and possessions are all sparkling clean. He enters the room, blonde hair flowing behind him and his flashing blue eyes drawing the attention of all. His clothing is immaculate; his brimmed hat cocked just so. You see a gleaming chain shirt and well made weapons: rapier, dagger and longbow. He takes a striking pose and announces "I am Miles Right, and we have been sent by your and our employer to join you. You will be wanting proof of this and he has sent this letter with us." That said he hands a letter of introduction bearing the seal of a certain senator to Lysimachos.
Lazverinus is trying to decide what to choose and autodebating the implications of accepting the boons of a different god than his, when he hears his name and turns around, surprised. There you can find a man perfectly shaved and clean, with ordinary but well attended clothing and a bow hanging on his back.
"Uh, eh... sorry?"
Mile's letter is affixed with a seal that both Lazverinus and Lysimachos recognize as at least a facimile of the seal the Senator bore. Inside, the letter reads as follows:
Mssrs. Lysimachos and Lazverinus,
I have secured some additional assistance for your investigation. Please cooperate with the gentlemen bearing this letter, who's names are Miles and Wolfgang, in your endeavors. Thank you,
Senator Gaius Polemius
The young man Lysimachos and Lazverinus had been speaking says "I can indeed provide you with healing, although it will likely be different than the sort that you are used to, should you wish that to be your boon." As he speaks, he looks to the newcomers then back to Lysimachos as if to say are these your pack as well?
Lysimachos cracks open the seal, reads the letter, then looks at the newcomers.
"Wolfgang. Miles. So we will work together then."
He turns to the youth and nods.
"I would still gladly accept healing. I have wounds, and soon will have battle."
Wolfgang nods. "A pleasure to work with you. You will need to fill us in, then. Should we..." His head turns to consider the others here. "...talk elsewhere? This is a sensitive topic."
After deciding, Laz communicates his choice. "I will gladly accept a boon from you, thank you." Then he adresses the newcomers. "Lazverinus. A pleasure. We might need to update you."
"Very well then. I can offer you and your pack mates either the boon of health, the boon of strength, or the boon of rebirth; as you have requested healing. Please let me know which one each of your pack mates prefers."
Lazverinus thinks for a second before decidinig. He appreciates rebirth, but he doesn't need it now.
"I'll choose the Boon of Strength."
The young man then looks and the two newcomers and says "What say you?"
Miles looks at his two newest teammates and smiles in welcome. He then turns to the priest and says "I will choose the boon of rebirth, Master."
"I choose the boon of strength, then."
"A meeting in private then, after this is concluded.", replies Lysimachos to Wolfgang.
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The young man approaches Lysimachos first, and then without preamble shoves his hand into Lysimacho's chest. He then repeats the process with each of you.
As he withdraws his hand, you can see that it is covered in a black, oily substance. With it removed, you feel much better.
When he removes his hand from each of your chests, you find that he is holding what appear to be festering lumps of flesh. With this rot removed, you fee invigorated.
As he removes his fist from your chest, you can see that it is wrapped in a fine red thread.
"Now, go forth and return the balance!"
Lysimachos grins, the rawer edges of his wounds starting to visibly improve slowly but steadily.
"My thanks. This will be most helpful."
He awaits the others.
Wolfgang nods his appreciation to the priest, and then turns to Lysimachos, ready to follow.
Miles smiles at the priest and says "Thank you and may your magic be ever powerful. Does anyone know where this man we see resides?"
Lysimachos replies to Miles:
"The information broker, Mokwi, claimed to know the location of Terminus, but he was asking for 100 gp in order to share that information."
He then turns to the priests.
"Unless his foes would care to enlighten us?"
"I know not where he has gone to ground. He has hidden his tracks as any prey should."
"Alright..." Lazverinus moves his fingers in a particular way when he considers possibilities. "I think it's time we go to see Mokwi. Maybe we can talk about the price, but this info is now vital to us."
"By coin or toilt, we must track him down. Let us try coin first."
At this stage, Lysimachos' wounds are clearly and visibly nearly healed.
The group, with new members in tow, return to recent stomping ground: the Tea room. In the streets are still signs of the previous battle, in the main form of several large rust-brown splotches that anyone experienced with combat can identify as large bloodstains.
Even in midday, the Tea Room is still open, although the crowd that was here the last time some of you came here are nowhere to be seen. Instead, there is still a bouncer at the door, but he lets your group in without issue. Inside is still the same, but there are only a couple of people standing at the bar drinking.
The elderly Wildrunner is still sitting at his table talking to a pair of young women. As your group approaches, he nods his head and says "How can Mowki be of assistance to such mighty people as yourselves?"
Lazverinus observes the place with caution, leaving the talking to any other. Last time he tried, he ended up quite embarrassed.