Turn 107
You return to the temple, leaving Keldar, Reggie, and Vincas at the
tavern. As you enter, you find Cole seated in the parlor thumbing
through several books. An accolyte stands nearby and heads in your
direction. Cole looks up when you walk in, and puts the books away in
his backpack. The accolyte leads you into the head priests office. It's
a 15' by 15' room dominated by a large desk. Shelves filled with books
and scrolls line the walls and statues of Callus stare down at you.
Behind the desk are 2 elderly menm one standing and one seated. The
sitting man is on the heavy side, with thinning white hair and a polite
smile. The other is taller and thin, with a leathery complexion that
reminds you of the cover of an old book.
Kay is quite during her stay at the temple. She's just curious about this
whole evil book thing..
Stepping forward Wulfgar smiles at the men at the desk. "Good day to
you good sirs I am Wulfgar of Heron and servant of Callus! I am here
to ask your advice regarding an evil book which has come into the
possession of our group. We wish to know how best to deal with the
book and if we could leave it with you here in a safe place?"
Gareth speaks up. "I am Sir Gareth Arr, a servant of Pikahl. I know of a
ritual to dispel this evil work, but am lacking in both materials [the
paladin quickly lists the missing components] and possibly ineffective ...
but hopefully not. Have you any aid that can further this noble goal?"
"Hello, good Sirs. I am Arilyn." She steps beside Wulfgar and Gareth.
"May Callus' blessing be upon you" the heavier priest says. "Welcome to
the temple of Callus. I am temporarily head priest Brother Anselm and
this is the chief scribe Brother Bernadino." Bernadino nods. "We are
simple folk and have little but all we have is yours. Brother Bernadino
will show you to the research lab to locate your herbs. It sounds as
though the rite you have outlined will work. You are also invited to
spend the night here as well as join us for dinner."
Arilyn whispers to Wulfgar. "Do you think that invitation for dinner
applies to me as well?"
Cole steps forward and announces himself to the brothers " Gentlemen I am
Cole Lennox thank you for your offer but I have already eaten
more than enough for the day" patting his stomach for emphasis. Turning to
Gareth " I would like to watch this excorcising ritual if it is alright
it sounds very interesting".
Kay finally steps forward, "I am Kay Wanderwit Of Fawn, formally of the
Menagerie. I'll have to pass on the dinner, since I've already had a large
meal, and I'm quite stuffed, but I really do appreciate the offer. I just
came along to watch, I can't stand the idea of such a book existing and I
hope we are able to get rid of it right away. Evil objects like that tend to
attract evil persons, and I'd hate to see it fall into those hands.".
Gareth nods in thanks at the offer. "Your generousity is appreciated, but
I would dine better knowing this evil to be banished, and I have arranged
for accommodations elsewhere. If you would be so kind as to guide us to the
research room you mentioned, I would like to gather the components and
return to the chandler's shop to have the proper tools formed." The knight
also nods Cole's direction. "Indeed you may do so, good Cole, but under
certain restrictions. The first is a promise to cast no magic or use any
item without my permission; the second is to speak no word or make no action
from the time I commence the ritual until I complete it. I have had little
experience performing this section of holy work, and it is a dangerous task
in itself. I have the further handiscap of my recent troubles and am
uncertain if it will work even in perfect measures; a distraction could be
mortal. If such you can abide by, then so do I invite thee to observe;
tests against evil are not to be pretended as not existing, but bravely and
openly challenged."
Arilyn nods graciously to Brother Anselm. "Your offer is so very kind. I
would like to spend the night here and you offer for dinner is most
gracious. Would you please direct me to my room...and at what time is
dinner served?"
You are taken to the room where you find a quantity of herbs and
scrolls, beakers, and other alchemists equipment. The room also is apparently
reinforced with solid steel mayhaps to prevent experimental accidents from
affecting the rest of the temple. You tell the priest what you need, and he gets
the herbs for you.
Cole looks about the room with a great fascination, but somewhat
reluctantly he secludes himself to a corner and quietly observes the
ritual and suprisingly without a sound.
The paladin quickly sorts and compiles the list of ingredients, placing each
of them into small bags, then stowing the lot of them in his backpack. "I
will take these to be merged into candles for best effect. While they are
being done so, I will need to meditate, so messages will not be quick in
returning. Further, friend Wulfgar, it might be prudent for you, or one of
the brethren here, to speak with your diety and inquire if my performing
such a ceremony on her grounds would be allowable. Temples to Pikahl are
few... we consider the world our temple and our works to be our services,
and as such, I will perform the ceremony just outside the gates unless
Pikahl and Callus dictate otherwise." Gareth departs with an "Until then
brothers, ladies, and fellows," his swift strides quickly eating up the
distance betwixt him and Emperor.
When Cole realzes that the ritual will not be taking place in the
room he quickly follows Gareth and acts like he knew all along.
Wulfgar looks at Gareth "I cannot contact Callus at the moment however
as I am with you I do not think that she will mind at all." He smiles
and follows Gareths lead.
"Geez, I hope they know what they're doing.", Kay semi-whispers to Cole,
"Although I wonder why ripping the pages to bits, burning the bits and
spreading 'em about wouldn't work just as well as all this mumbo-jumbo?",
She sighs and quickly follows the others.
Still following Gareth Cole shrugs his shoulders and tries
not to laugh at the idea.
Wulfgar looks at Gareth as the knight selects his equipment. "Do you
require my services Gareth I would like to leave you to it and go
outside I have a small task I would like to perform?"
The knight effortlessly vaults into the saddle of his mare. "It will take a
stretch of time before candles are prepared and the ritual is set to begin.
I would be much appreciative if you could ask for a tub of water to be ready
upon my arrival back; I expect I will need to cleanse myself afterwards.
Other than that, please attend to your tasks; I will send word before I
begin the attempt." Gareth steers Wulfgar and Barbaxle a few steps away
from the rest of the group, speaks to them for a moment, then rides off into
town.
Gareth steers Wulfgar and Barbaxle a few steps away from the rest of the
group, and speaks to them for a moment. "The ritual I am about to perform
is not without significant risk. Most who attempt this have both experience
and divine aid behind them, but I lack both. It may be that through the
course of the ceremony I will lose my life, or circumstances will arise that
will necessitate that I lose my life; I trust the two of you to remain at my
back to end my thread if such circumstance arises. If my life is lost, I
ask that you please place my journal in Emperor's saddlebags and free her to
return it. Pikahl watch over you and shelter you." The paladin then rides
off into town.
As Gareth rides away Wulfgar walks to the statue and draws his sword
placing the tip into the ground in front of the statue and kneels
placing his forehead against the handle. He remains there for almost
an hour in motionless prayer to Callus.
After the hour he will rise and replace his sword in it's sheath before
heading back to clean up the house.
Everyone else returns to join their comrades at the tavern for a late meal, leaving Caohimin and Arylin
at the temple, and Gareth shopping.
Cole starts to follow Gareth then sighs and reluctantly retreats to the
tavern to find Keldar and Vincas and bring them up to speed on things.
As Cole begins to walk away he turns to the others and invites them to join him at the tavern.(he's buying).
Cole enters the tavern and orders an ale he then goes over to Keldar
"Sir Keldar, Gareth is prepareing for his ritual to remove the evil
from your book are you going to watch it?". He sits down to
wait for his reply and offers to help him up if he is still too
intoxicated to stand on his own.
Arriving at the tavern once again, Jahl orders an ale for himself and
begins idly tossing darts at the dartboard.
"So, 'es gunna burn it after all. No checkin' ta see if there be sump'in
usefull in it... hot heads... I gues I'd better go. Knowin them, they'll
just goin' call sum greater demon ta eat 'em all. Gotta be there ta laugh
as it eats 'em."
Keldar sways his way towards the door to watch the sacreligious burning of
information.
Since the Ritual is being postponed, Cole decides to have
another ale and then head off to Wulfgars house. He chooses
to sleep outside of the house though if this is acceptable with the
others.
Arilyn remains at the temple, as Wulfgar returns to his house and cleans
it up for guests. Gareth is told he may pick up his purchases the next
day. Everyone returns to the tavern to regroup and finds Wulfgar,
Caohmin, and Arilyn not present. Jahl informs the group that Wulfgar
went to the temple in search of Arilyn, and Cole reminds everyone the
Cao is still being healed.
It's getting late, everyone has eaten except Gareth, Keldar is noticably
drunk, and plans need to be made for sleeping arrangements.
Cole offers to help Keldar back to Wulfgars home.
Cole will then head to the temple and either stay there
or outside it, waiting for any word on Cao.
Getting bored of constantly hitting the bullseye on the dart board, Jahl
yawns and declares, "I think it is time for me to get some rest. Wulfgar
has invited us to stay in, or near, his home if we wish. I'll be walking
over there shortly in case anyone would like to know where to go."
Jahl returns to his ale that he has been nursing most of the evening. He
takes his time as he finishes it off and then leaves for Wulfgar's home.
Keldar accepts the arm, and follows with a really wide smile on his face.
"Wow! Jahl," barbaxle says "I didn't know that you were that good at this game. I've
only seen it played a couple of times, but you are the best that I've seen
so far....I think that it is time to turn in also, I will follow you guys to
Wulfgar's place...Cole, I don't think that you should go to the temple I
think it would be better if you come with us so that we don't lose you. We
already have a couple of members of the Kadray out, we don't need to be
looking for everyone when its time to do the Ceremony"
Cole quietly if not reluctantly takes the advice and
stays at Wulfgars for the night.
Vincas will follow wherever Keldar is being led. He says nothing, but he
looks a little queasy.
Everyone arrives at Wulfgars house and begins looking for places to sleep.
Jahl subtly supervises as those here find places to sleep. Rolling out
his bedroll in the space available, Jahl sits and idly plays with one of
his dirks as he begins first watch.
"I'll take the first watch, does anyone wish to volunteer for the second
or third watch?" Jahl asks quickly before everyone falls asleep.
When Keldar is lead to a clear spot on the floor, he passes out. He is in
no condition to consider taking a watch.
Wulfgar returns to his house and retires for the evening to sip a pint of
wine then retire to his bed.
Barbaxle, Reggie, Wulfgar, Cole, Kay, Vincas, and Keldar sleep while Jahl keeps first watch.
Not too much time passes before everyone awakens to the sound of a bell ringing.
Wulfgar curses and jumps up grabbing his gear he runs out of the door of the
house "Come on something has happened he shouts!" As he goes.
Kay grabs what she can and heads after Wulfgar, "Don't tell me there's
another fire? "
Keldar mumbles something incoherant, and appears as though he will not be
moving anywhere without the aid of someone else.
Cole jumps up and heads for the door, but decides not to leave
Keldar, he helps him up(carries him if he has to )to the temple
fearfull that something has happened to Cao.
Turn 108