Today I woke early and made my way to the church to visit with Deater and Tarol. We had a lengthy discussion on several topics in chambers. Of course the topic of my heritage and origin came up, several times, try as I might to avoid it. With both of them pressing, I had to give up at least a few details of my ancestry, and fully acknowledge whom my parents were. It's made easier by the fact that his likeness is clearly depicted in several texts I'd seen while doing my research on Lambach.
Deater seemed at first amazed, and then doubtful about my statements. I was happy to use that to escape discussing further topics, like where precisely I was from, where I grew up, etc. Instead we spent time playing cat and mouse, as Deater tried to trip me up on details about scripture and stories involving Dad. Ironically, I found I knew some details quite well, from the story telling my father did whenever someone would pay him notice. There were some stories I knew nothing of, however, and will have to research a bit more now that I know of their existence. Deater saw my lack of knowledge in some places as a clear indicator I was being untruthful, until I pointed out that he likely didn't know everything about what his father had done before him. After all, children often are not fascinated by their parents trades. And even if they are, the mundane and rote aspects of any job are not paid much attention to by any child, based on their attention span if nothing else.
Having completed breakfast, and quite a long walk, I noted I had to get to the arena. Both were perplexed by the concept until I noted I went there to heal the injured, not to spectate. Bidding them farewell, and Deater safe journey back to his temple (a trip I hope he makes today), I headed off to the arena.
I have no idea what the girls were thinking, but by time I'd arrived at the arena, Anu, Fiona, and Mica had signed up to participate in the arena today. Of course, they drew one of the largest, meanest, as yet undefeated combatants available. Dove at least had the common sense to not join them. Alaric, of course, felt this would be a good opportunity for them, and leverage to try to convert Mica away from Pelor, of course. Given the rules, there was little I could to to aid them, short of joining them, which I had no intention of doing. The best I could hope for would be to be available to heal them, assuming they weren't instantly smashed or impaled in some way.
Much to my surprise (and against the odds) they managed to best their opponent before any of them was killed or maimed. Fiona did most of the distracting, preventing the other two from being killed out right, but all did a fair job. They received minor healing and rested while the other bouts took place, enjoying their victory in the stands after the fight.
As the last battle was happening, a competitor got a nasty cut, as happens at times. Alaric ran to his aid, and I followed behind, being distracted by speaking with Dove about some men she was worried were following her. As I headed out to the field, I could see the injured man being helped up by Alaric. As Alaric turned to return to the pit, a dazzling bolt of lightning struck him, knocking him prone. Even without my vision, I could tell that the bolt was infused with celestial energy. I've seen it before, a vafūš from a higher power, usually Anhur, Marthammor Duin, or even Valkur.
I rushed to him and found him in good condition, but in a trace like state. His eyes were still glowing with what almost looked to be cracking strands of lighting, reflecting inside his eyes. He started, sat upright, and said he had been given a vision by Kord of a brick house, not far from here, which had evil pouring out from it. I'd not expected Kord to use lightning as a vafūš, but I guess he does fit the part occasionally... In any case, this was clearly a divine quest, even if given in a rather unorthodox manor. (Why would Kord use this method? Is he trying to hide his hand? What is in play that one as tactless as He would move to playing politics?)
We quickly assembled and scouted to find the house in Alaric's vision. Minutes later we were there, and engaged in a struggle against a group of cultists who were in the midst of summonsing a kəhrpəm of shadow. While I did not fully recognize it's exact origin, I could tell you it's home was not of this plane. The cultists were quickly dispatched, but the creature and the leader of their cult were by far harder to fight. After catching the place on fire, and giving chase to the creature as it attempted to flee the house and run amok in the city, we finally finished both off. As the creature died, it let out a xraosəntąm that shook the soul of those about the place. Dove quickly ran in to salvage the book they were casting from, for possible clues on who the group was and what they were trying to accomplish.
As we were finishing the fight, a group of the city guard arrived and questioned our purpose. We did a proper introduction, and explained our presence. Happily, a few witnesses on the street corroborated our story of the shadow monster, and between that and the fact that we'd put down a Succubus just the previous day, we were told to file a proper report with the garrison and allowed to go on our way. We stayed for a bit to watch the building burn, like a barəsmana made to cleanse the area of the evil that had been. I the stopped at the danks to file the report request, seeing as how we were returning home for supper anyway.
The rest of the night was spend drinking at the Skull and Gibbet, where we were joined by several of the arena fighters, along with the competitor the girls had beat earlier in the day. The bar is got a little rowdy, but nothing so far out of the ordinary that it drew much attention. Hedra was in full command of the scene, and felt free to call on any of us as needed to do everything from escort someone out to deliver plates of food to waiting customers.
All in all a good start to the new tide.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 09/01/2016 08:47PM by woody.
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