R. Pope Gregory's page

Pope Gregory gazes into the crest of the ring with a sad smile.

"I took it upon myself to look out for the lad after his parents' passing. He was only fifteen. He's been something like a son to me."

He lets his hand close around the ring.

"As Pope I am Father to many. However, I suppose a few individuals touch our hearts more deeply than most. John Hawkthorne had one of the most generous spirits I have ever known. His absence will be felt by all of Resplendent."

When the Pope returns to the sitting room, he seems more composed, although the skin around his eyes looks more reddish. He carries two scrolls sealed with a prominent golden wax sun stamp, which he hands to you. He gives you precise directions to the Hall of Justice and the Command Center, including which doors to knock on and exactly what to say to obtain entrance and audience with the Lord Mayor and the General. He also describes another specific door on the side of the Cathedral Complex, letting you know that if you knock there at any hour of the day or night, and say, "The light clearly shows us that..." then you can get a message to the Pope.

"After you deliver my letters, if your group should decide to spend the night here at the Cathedral Complex, then knock on that specific door and let the guard know you have accepted my offer of lodging. I will leave word that this might occur, and you would have simple rooms made ready for you at that time."

The Pope looks at Sister Azmaria, Arabeth, Eli, and Shyness seriously.

"I know not what further threat this secret enemy brings, but irreparable harm has already been done. Whether you choose to lodge here tonight or not, I hope we may continue to share information as we bring this hidden evil to light. May the grace of God guide your steps."

The Pope nods.

"Then please excuse me while I go write two letters for you to deliver. You may wait here or in the Cathedral. Although, if it would at all be possible for you to obtain Lord Hawkthorne's ring from your ally that currently holds it, presuming he or she is nearby, I would like to bring the ring to the Queen tonight. Thank you."

The Pope, shaking slightly, slips out the door and closes it behind him.

Eli, Arabeth, Sister Azmaria, and Shyness are left alone in the sitting room.

"If you wish to speak to Lord Mayor and the General yourselves, then perhaps I should send you as my messengers. This would accomplish my purpose and give you more of a chance of actually meeting with them. And, if you have nowhere else to stay, I could have four rooms prepared for you here at the Cathedral Complex. Would this be to your liking?"

The Pope's jaw is firmly set again. He looks angry. Furious, even, although he keeps a tight control over himself. He stands, rigid, and nods slowly at your group.

"So, it is a manhunt, then, to bring justice to whoever has such little regard for human life. I see. I thank you for your role in combating the fiends thus far, for your words of warning, and for your desire to help. I would caution you against spreading this news too widely just yet ... and yet, this enemy must be discovered... I ... I will see what magical investigation and prayer can uncover ... In the meantime, if you make any new discoveries yourselves ... I hope you will consider me an ally in your investigation."

Pope Gregory nods firmly.

"I will, indeed, call upon our Orders of Protection to assume a high alert against invisible fiends and to begin an investigation into possible fiendish summoning activities here in the Capital. I will send messages warning The Lord Mayor and the General to be on alert for possible fiendish activity, and I will also ask for an audience with the Queen in order to share this ... news with her in person. Where can your group be reached? Where are you staying?"

The Pope deflates even further.

"Yes. Yes, those were his."

Gregory's eyes gaze at one of the Sun tapestries on the wall.

"Young Lord Hawkthorne was a parishioner here. A good man, and a friend. I've long been trying to persuade him to become one of our Fathers of Charity. He certainly has the disposition for it... had... "

The Pope briefly closes his eyes, but then looks at you again with determination, despite his glistening gaze.

"So, you believe an entire town was destroyed in order to kill John Hawkthorne ... in order to ... prevent his being named heir to the throne of Theramark?"

"May I see it?"

"Do you still have his ring?"

The Pope looks intently at Eli as he begins to respond, raising his eyebrow at the mention of potential invisible spies. When Eli gives his name, the Pope nods formally in greeting. Gregory maintains a firm stare at Eli, until Eli begins to describe his theory for the motive behind the destruction of the village. As he does so, the Pope at first looks somewhat confused, then his eyes, although open, seem to glaze over, and he appears to be lost in thought, so much so that, by the time Eli removes his mask to show his face, it's doubtful Pope Gregory really sees Eli at all. The Pope takes a step backward and sinks down into a chair, his eyes still unfocused.

"When his sister married that commoner and they ran off together to that Western border village ... I suppose that was Endurant ... So, of course, that's where he goes for his summers ... and if everyone there died, of course that would include John, too..."

The Pope, who had previously carried himself with strength and authority, looks suddenly frail and lost. He tries to pull his gaze back to your group, but struggles to focus his eyes.

"You say you found his family ring in the rubble ... on the deceased ...? Heir to the Kingdom, you called him ... I wouldn't have presumed that much, although Victoriana certainly favors him ... Good Lord above, does she know?"

He looks at you with questions in his eyes.

The Pope's mouth draws into a firmer line at Eli's words, and his jaw sets more squarely.

"You have asked for honesty and you shall have it. It seems odd to me that a man who refuses to reveal either his face or his name demands forthrightness of one whose entire life is a matter of public record."

"I have risen to my current position through either the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the election of my fellow Fathers, or both, depending on your perspective."

"I can understand how the history between the Allied Kingdoms and the Embishiu could leave a bitter taste toward politics in your mouth ... at least, that is my best educated guess as to your heritage, since you have failed to reveal such yourself ... but I would hope you would have the wisdom to recognize the potential for difference between a man and his ancestors. If you are as long-lived as you claim, then you must know that persons and societies can change, and, even though the hearts of many remain evil, many devote their lives to the cause of good."

"Although caution is wise, if you truly seek assistance against a fiendish force, then I believe you have come to the right place, and I hope you will be able to trust me, as I doubt there is much we can accomplish without some measure of trust. Although I, personally, have followed the Discipline of Knowledge throughout my life, not the Discipline of Protection, as Pope it is my business to learn and supervise all the Orders, and guide them toward the will of God."

"I cannot help you if you will not share with me what you know."

The Pope looks surprised at the question, but then nods.

"Fair enough. I am Gregory, Servant of God, Shepherd of Many, Father of Knowledge, and Follower of the Holy Path of St. Pelor. I am a pastor, a scholar, and a petitioner. I seek the will of God in the World, and hope that my life brings light in the darkness. And you are...?"

The Pope's head cocks slightly to the side.

"And this sinister motive you've uncovered...?"

Pope Gregory looks at the masked man before him with curiosity.

"How does one who lacks magic, funds, or training prepare to deal with the invisible?
And just what did the fiends testify before they were killed? You must realize their words are not likely trustworthy."

Pope Gregory nods graciously as Arabeth rises.

"I would be curious to know which Order you follow, Sister. Yes, the mass murder of an entire village is heinous indeed. However, I fail to see what possible political gain could be won with the destruction of such a remote community. What knowledge am I missing to better understand this motivation?"

His piercing blue eyes sweep over the lot of you.

"If there is indeed some force of fiends ready to attack Resplendent, then the Queen herself should be made aware, in addition to The Lord Mayor and the General. I can send messages to them informing them of what you have told me. However, our own Fathers of Protection, Brothers of Protection, and Sisters of Protection here at this Cathedral Complex are the local experts on defense from fiends, and the ones who would likely take the vanguard in such an attack. Although, I admit, they have not had actual fiends to fight for some time. I must say, I prefer it that way."

The Pope looks grim.

"You seem to indicate that there is something the common folk of the city could do to be better prepared for a fiendish attack. What do you suggest? Whether there is indeed a force of fiends or not, we do not want to induce a panic."

When Shyness softly questions her allies, Pope Gregory smiles slightly and responds.

"Church Chief, yes."

Pope Gregory smiles and nods when Sister Azmaria indicates her holy symbol. He grimaces but then leans forward to examine the imp corpse when Eli shows it, nodding grimly. He brushes aside Eli's concerns about cleanliness with a dismissive gesture.

"Do not let that trouble you. You bring more urgent concerns."

When Sister Azmaria mentions the necklace of fireballs, his eyebrow raises.

"A single fiend with such firepower could be fearsome indeed, much less a force of them. I will warn our Orders of Protection of your findings and encourage them to be on high alert. This is troubling news, indeed."

"Now, what brings you to Resplendent? Do you have reason to believe this demon cult of which you speak is based here in the Capital? I appreciate you bringing us this warning. Are there any other leads for investigation of which I should be made aware? And, is there a place here in the city where your group can be reached if further questions or developments arise?"

The Pope's eyes sweep not only Sister Azmaria, but also Eli, Arabeth, and Shyness as he awaits more answers to his questions.

The Pope seems impressed at Sister Azmaria's address. Clearly he was not expecting this particular meeting to be so 'proper' ... but he is not displeased. (He does not, however, offer his hand.) He nods graciously in response, his piercing eyes now fixing on Sister Azmaria.

"Welcome, Sister. I know of your Order. Your presence and assistance is appreciated. You remind me of our own Sisters of Protection ... except it seems you go unarmed."

"Now, from Father Peter's letter, it sounds like the small village of Endurant burned down completely and there will not be any refugees to assist, since the sole survivor now resides in Vigilant. Is that correct?"

"If so, that means our focus must be on preventing such a thing from occurring elsewhere. Father Peter mentioned that your group engaged several of the small fiends called imps in combat, and that only one managed to escape. Do you have any idea who summoned those imps or why they would desire the destruction of that particular village? And, what makes you suspect that there is a much larger fiendish force afoot ready to target Resplendent?"

After waiting for a while, the door to the sitting room opens again, and in steps a man with a white beard and piercing blue eyes, which look troubled. He wears an elegant, embroidered white robe with gold trim, and holds a familiar-looking letter.

"Greetings. I am Gregory, servant of God. You are the adventurers praised by Father Peter of Vigilant, yes? Fiends caused the destruction of a village here in Theramark, and you slew these foes? Please explain the situation to me. What happened, how did you become involved, and how might I be of assistance?"