Dark Hope - Chapter 1 - Pan Town

[Thonunian]

Thonunian eyes widen at this last exchange.

I may have no idea what they just said, but that was the same language that she prayed in earlier! That was a much better test of his knowledge than I could do.

...It seems he really does know all languages...

"All right, Arael. You may not believe me, but you have just talked in 4 languages without realizing the change. I can't think of any reason why this should be. Even in the unlikely event of us meeting an angel, I don't think they would know all of these languages!"

[Mephiston]

"did i ? I can't believe... i think i should do more practice during our journey... You could be a good teacher, since you seems to know a lot of languages. I think... I think i only have to recognize them..."
Arael replys

[Mephiston]

The church is quite. You can hear only your voices.
The interior of the building is made with stones. It is not well worked, but the structure seems solid and many candles enlighten the place, but some rays of the new sun come from small stained-glass windows.
You can hear that someone is moaning in pain... maybe a farmer that was wounded during the attack to the farms.

In the middle of the church you can see a lot of wood benches.

From the left side of the church come a priest. He dresses a white robe and wear a metallic holy symbol of Solaris (the rising sun), it's hanging down his neck.

He seems to notice you, and he get close.
"May the Shining one bless you all, strangers"
He says with a deep bow.
He seems to take a careful look to the group.

"You must be the strangers that helped against the dead animal! Solaris is the one that sent you here to save us!"

He bows again
"How can i help you, my friends?"
He says smiling.

[ooc]updated the cave map to show you where the entrance to the dark passage is[/ooc]

[Tänya]

[ooc]updated the cave map to show you where the entrance to the dark passage is[/ooc]

[ooc]Wow.
That is so totally not where I pictured it...

I'm off to pick up Beorn at school and take him to a doctor's appointment. So, carry on without us for awhile... [/ooc]

[Thonunian]

Thonunian looks up at the priest.

"Ah, hello there. The main reason we came was for healing, but I belive we can wait until the man I hear is helped first."

[ooc]Listen, Search, and Spot checks to see if anything is amiss, and Sense Motive on his reply. I won't be caught off-guard again!

Also, a Spot check to see if the church is made of regular stone, or more expensive stuff, such as marble.[/ooc]

[Renard]

Stepping from the shadows that Ahkash inhabited, Renard strides confidently towards the priest of Solaris, stops at a respectful distance, and bows. <from this point, please note that Renard will be using all his Diplomacy skill to be as kindly, understanding and convincing as possible>
”’Tis true, good priest, these goodly people did help save Pan Town from the horrific attack of the undead animals and the one who created them. And the Light of Solaris has indeed blessed us, good priest of the Shining One.” He takes a second to wink at Tänya. ”For a devotee of Solaris is amongst us”—gesturing to Tänya—”and the blessings of Solaris have flown through her.” Gesturing to the others, Renard continues, ”And present with her is the skilled warrior, Atrus, the noble spirit of Thonunian, and a skilled companion named Ahkash.”
(If Ahkash did not emerge from the shadows, Renard would add something like, “who is likely keeping an eye out for further danger.”….)
”And perhaps you recognize Arael, one of your town’s own. He has discovered in himself a strength that perhaps is also a blessing of Solaris. And finally, but not leastly, is Balpur, a goblin of unique insight and kindness.”

Back to the priest, Renard continues, ”No doubt you are beset by the needs of Pan’s inhabitants during the recent attack you mentioned. But we too have need of you if we are to secure the safety of this peaceful town from future attacks. We are not without our own gifts, and hope you an share yours.”
To Tänya Renard politely asks, ”Cherished one, can you possibly see to comforting the one who cries for succor in yonder pews?” He adds his most charming smile.

Then returning to the priest, ”Firstly, allow me to introduce myself. I am Renard. And you are---?” (Should he receive a reply in this regard or not, he continues without missing a beat…)
”Within the bowels of the ruins north of the town we have encountered a make-shift alter with a particular symbol upon it,” (Renard describes in detail the ‘upside-down’ tree symbol) ”Would you be so kind as to tell us who this may belong to?”

[Mephiston]

[ooc]AAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRGGGGGGGGGGG TO MANY QUESTION AT A TIME![/ooc]

The priest seems trustworthy to all of you.

The church is made by common stone.

"I'm honoured to meet you all"
He bows again.

"My name is Alan, brother healer of the peaceful order of the candles of Solaris"

You can see that he doesen't wear armor nor he has weapons.

"I'm not alone here, my brothers are down, in the ground floor of the church. If you want to follow me i will guide you down in the cells we have to offer cure and hospitality to the pilgrims and suffering person."

He seems to think about the description of the black roots.
"No, i never heard about it. I'm sorry. Maybe our chaplain Rell could know more about it."
He turns to the end of the church.
"He's with the other brothers. Follow me please"

[Renard]

<Also at this point, Renard will gage the responses he receives with ‘Sense Motive’>

"Excellent. Thank you for your kindness. May I ask: How long has Rell been chaplain here?"

Renard allows the priest to guide them to the besement, but keeps and eue and an ear out for anything wierd.
As we move through the church do we see who ever is moaning in pain? --- Has Tänya gone to look for the individual?....

[Thonunian]

[ooc]Listen, Search, and Spot checks to see if anything is amiss, and Sense Motive on his reply.

This is going to be standard procedure whilst in the church.[/ooc]

[Tänya]

You can hear that someone is moaning in pain... maybe a farmer that was wounded during the attack to the farms.

...

From the left side of the church come a priest. He dresses a white robe and wear a metallic holy symbol of Solaris (the rising sun), it's hanging down his neck.

"Ah, hello there. The main reason we came was for healing, but I belive we can wait until the man I hear is helped first."

”No doubt you are beset by the needs of Pan’s inhabitants during the recent attack you mentioned. But we too have need of you if we are to secure the safety of this peaceful town from future attacks. We are not without our own gifts, and hope you an share yours.”

To Tänya Renard politely asks, ”Cherished one, can you possibly see to comforting the one who cries for succor in yonder pews?” He adds his most charming smile.

"I'm not alone here, my brothers are down, in the ground floor of the church. If you want to follow me i will guide you down in the cells we have to offer cure and hospitality to the pilgrims and suffering person."

Bringing herself back from her waking dreams, Tänya snaps to awareness of her surroundings, as visions and scents of wooded glades retreats from her senses. She shakes her head to clear it, and attempts to stifle a yawn, failing miserably. Looks like I need to drill myself to stay awake longer than 24 hours at a time, she thinks.

"I'm sorry, what?" she asks. Another moan fills the sanctuary, and Tänya's eyes widen at the sound as she turns to Brother Alan, "I am weary, but wonder if somehow I can be of assistance to you. I have a small skill in healing, although nothing compared to the renown of the Brothers of the Peaceful Order of the Candles of Solaris. Is the one we hear not responding well to treatment? May I see if there is anything I can do to help with your efforts?

"Like the rest of my companions, I too would benefit from your skill. But I may yet have a little strength to help where I can."

[ooc]I can't believe I didn't think to ask before in all this waiting...Spot, Listen, and Search checks please. Especially to try and find the man who is moaning, should the brothers desire my assistance. My own small Diplomacy check as well, for the offer of aid.[/ooc]

”Within the bowels of the ruins north of the town we have encountered a make-shift alter with a particular symbol upon it,” (Renard describes in detail the ‘upside-down’ tree symbol) ”Would you be so kind as to tell us who this may belong to?”

He seems to think about the description of the black roots.
"No, i never heard about it. I'm sorry. Maybe our chaplain Rell could know more about it."
He turns to the end of the church.
"He's with the other brothers. Follow me please"

Tänya's lips purse at this. Perhaps Brother Rell will know. We can do naught but ask, she muses to herself. Leaving the handling of the cleric in Renard's capable hands, Tänya decides to accompany Balpur as they go deeper into the cellars of the church.

[Sense motive and Diplomacy on whatever Brother Rell has to say, as well as continuing Search, Spot, and Listen checks as we head downstairs]

[Atrus]

Hanging near the back of the group, Atrus stands near a small wooden corner-table. A homemade ceramic lamp on top lit up his uncomfortable manner. He shifted from foot to foot and kept his eyes moving around, as if expecting someone he didn't want to see step from around a corner. At the mention of moving further into the temple, he began to rub the back of his head.

"I don't know about the rest of you all, but I could use a few hours of sleep. Fighting off a giant bear isn't exactly a standard evening for me anyway. And I'm fine with my blanket and a soft pile of hay in the stables, if it's all the same to you Robes. Someone else could use the bed." Atrus smiles.

[Ahkash]

Although he shared it to a degree, the half-elf grinned to himself nonetheless on seeing the Fighter's obvious discomfort. Solaris was not a deity known for his fondness for those who walked the more crooked paths in life, and the more crooked the path, the less Solaris liked it.

He too could feel the pressure of the god's frown, or so it felt.

As the Druid, Bard and Goblin turned to head deeper into the temple, and the Fighter shifted from foot to foot, deciding what he would do, the dark Rogue faded further back into the shadows beneath the stairs on the left of the entrance.

[Thonunian]

Oh, Whatever.

Thonunian shrugs his shoulders and follows after the Cleric.

[Renard]

With a chuckle, Renard comments to Atrus over his shoulder, "Well then, please order a bottle for me as well, my friend! And don't get too far ahead of me!"

And continues to follow the priest's lead to the basement to meet chaplain Rell...

[Tänya]

"I don't know about the rest of you all, but I could use a few hours of sleep. Fighting off a giant bear isn't exactly a standard evening for me anyway. And I'm fine with my blanket and a soft pile of hay in the stables, if it's all the same to you Robes. Someone else could use the bed." Atrus smiles.

Having seen the amount of injury he had taken in both battles, Tänya casts a pleading look at the fighter. "Are you sure? Will you at least allow the brothers to see to your wounds before heading back to the tavern to a warm meal and bed, courtesy of the villagers for our help at the farm?"

The half-elf concerned her as well, and she had a feeling convincing him to accept the benevolence of Mother Light was not going to be pretty. Addressing herself to Brother Alan she says, "Good brother, I was in the middle of my own prayers when you came in, and would appreciate the opportunity to stay here for awhile yet." A quick glance to confirm the rogue was still skulking in the shadows. "Is it possible to do so, and then head down to the cells for my own healing? If you would tell me the way, and it is allowable for me to make my way down there on my own, I think I would like to finish here first."

The moaning of the villager from the cells down below was heard yet again, causing her to wince in empathy. "If my help is welcome, I will attempt to make my prayers as brief as possible, after a short..." once more glancing in the direction of the half-blood... "discussion I foresee about to take place. Then, I would appreciate the healing attentions of your Order myself, and will perchance finally have a chance to get some rest of my own."

She relaxes her features into her first truly unguarded expression she had shown the party yet, transforming her countenance into the natural beauty of her race, and turns a radiant smile on to Renard. "I hope you are willing to wait for me to join you in some relaxation at the tavern, kind sir. I do need some pure rest, and I suspect the tavern may not be the most...conducive location for that."

Laying a gentle touch on his wrist, she looks up at him. "If this chaplain knows anything of the symbol or Graveris, I beg thee, relate all to me later, please..."

[Renard]

Tänya:

and turns a radiant smile on to Renard. "I hope you are willing to wait for me to join you in some relaxation at the tavern, kind sir. I do need some pure rest, and I suspect the tavern may not be the most...conducive location for that."

Despite the pain that wracked his body, Renard manages to hide the discomfort, made all the more easy by the elf's radiant smile. In a mock stage whisper, the bard replies with a smile of his own, "Agreed. However we scant know one another and the 'rest' of some good food, drink, and words to know one another better by, may lead to a better 'knowing' of one another in due time." <wink> "But until that moment, la elvin lumière de mon coeur, words are the promise, time is the enemy, and hope is my trust to you."

[Ahkash]

Seeing the elf try to catch his eye, Ahkash grimaced, and shook his head slightly.

[Renard]

[Tänya]

"Agreed. However we scant know one another and the 'rest' of some good food, drink, and words to know one another better by, may lead to a better 'knowing' of one another in due time." <wink> "But until that moment, la elvin lumière de mon coeur, words are the promise, time is the enemy, and hope is my trust to you."

Whispered back, "Cormlle naa tanya tel'raa. Gorg'il-nat il-alca.
...Cormamin lindua ele lle."

Turning back towards the entrance of the temple, the druid seeks out the rogue to see to his hurts. Seeing his grimace, she hesitates. It is my duty to convince him to come in, she thinks. He needs the healing, if nothing else here. So be it for now. I will focus on my prayers, and attempt to make contact yet again. I have so many questions I need answered!

But should the half-blood still hesitate by the time I am finished, I must convince him otherwise. Even should he follow a g-d of Darkness, whether Argothoth or Belugoth, the brothers of Mother Solaris would not withold healing from him. She is the creator of all the g-ds, both Good and Evil, Lawful and Chaotic. He must come to understand that!

Returning to where she had felt the breeze before, Tänya slips back into her waking dreams and returns her thoughts to the winds.

"Beliant..."

[Renard]

Whispered back, "Cormlle naa tanya tel'raa. Gorg'il-nat il-alca.
...Cormamin lindua ele lle."

With an impish smile he replies in kind, "Ah, my dear, it is my hope to learn many languages in my years to come. And where better to start than the pleasure of getting to know your tongue."



[ooc]DM, you better get us moving along here in the narrative or we may seriously digress! [/ooc]