Trouble in Temple Square

Tolð 22-25, 652 DR: Dinners with the Pryr Roð. Jak learns some history about his father’s spear “Punishment”. An altercation within Temple Square leaves one man dead, and Kaithah one step closer to an inescapable past. Mishara and Kaithah meet and punish a vanishing assassin below South Temple Arch.

Continued from The Iron Fortress.

Roydor, 22 Tolð 652

A deep ringing resonated through the temple. An acolyte appeared at each room explaining that “dinner is served above, please follow me.” The group was escorted to a wide low dinner hall and seated at one of the front tables. After the priests had arrived, another bell sounded and all stood until the Great High Priest Barran was seated. Servants brought forth platters of venison and vegetables for the night’s feast. The group talked at length with two High Priests seated to either side, Charul and Utelig. After dinner Barran introduced the group to the assembly and told of recent omens of changing times. Afterwards, most of the room dispersed except for those that wished to question the group.

Sūdìdor, 23 Tolð 652

The next morning, Jak was visited by a priest named Anjon, with whom he browsed though two tomes for most the morning. Together they tried to identify the maker and purpose of Jak’s Attràki spear. Eventually they found a story of twelve such spears called Protectors followed by a passage of Roðic prayer. Once uttered, the disembodied sounds of holy chanting rose in the room, startling both of them.

Meanwhile, Alcèrra and Mishara ventured into the Temple Square with two gray robed Temple apprentices. Alcèrra purchased a silver necklace to offer to the hosting Temple. Mishara noticed a flutist on a distant stage, that looked and sounded familiar. Drawing closer they found Kaithah performing in the square for a small and stingy crowd. After some discussion, Mishara returned to Alcèrra and the bardess was attacked by a knife-man, wielding a poisoned blade. Mishara released arrows into the combat, hitting an assailant with at least one shaft disappearing into the circling crowds. The poisoner was eventually killed, and given last rites by the Death priestess before a circle of onlookers. Before finalizing the rite, Alcèrra summoned voice from the corpse and learned that the attacker had been directed toward Kaithah by someone named Nelgin, who had identified her as an escaped prisoner of the Poisoners. Another suspicious figure that Kaithah reported as having seen from the stage was nowhere to be found.

After a brief encounter with the Merchant Guard the group returned to the Temple. Pushing back through the crowds toward the Iron Colonnade a small boy ran up to Mishara with a message. After paying one silver and allowing the exhausted boy to gain his breath, the boy explained that “the Eylfāe” was in danger and that a safe-house might be provided for his protection. He explained further that if he was looking for work while in town, there was a Merchant Guard official named Ōlànda Aldar who had fallen into the Fat Man’s “disfavor”. A “solution” to that problem would be worth 300 talas. The group returned to the Temple and rejoined with Jak to find the Eylfāe. Alcèrra stayed behind. Searching inn by inn, they found a bar brawl and a good dinner, but no Eylfāe.

Talídor, 24 Tolð 652

After nightsdeep, they walked to the South Temple Arch to meet Worron, a contact the messenger had mentioned. After looking around in the dark for a half-a-watch, a man with spiderweb markings on his face approached Mishara. He explained the reward had risen to 500 talas and gave Mishara a crude map to the woman’s home. The next morning, Mishara spoke with Ichmel concerning his encounter with the messenger and Worron. The priest was little help, but did remember hearing about an underground figure named the Fat Man nearly a decade before. At the time, reward posters had been pasted around the City for his capture. It was the general belief at the time that the Derékaln and Merchants’ Guild wanted him dead.

The rest of the 24th was spent in the Temple Square and around the Perimeter looking for an Eylfāe. None were found. After night fall, Mishara and Kaithah wandered out from the Temple and back to South Temple Arch. There, Mishara was attacked by a figure that materialized from still air. After receiving a substantial beating at the sword points of Mishara and Kaithah the figure vanished, and could not be found further.

Padídor, 25 Tolð 652

Kaithah and Mishara returned to the Temple that night, looking over their shoulders.

Continued in The Hunted.

Characters

  • Alcèrra Nàdrelan
  • Jak of Cænden
  • Kaithah Argentale
  • Mishara Mythdaras
  • Anjon
  • Arren: killed
  • Barran
  • Charul
  • The Fat Man
  • Nelgin
  • Ichmel Sucorun
  • Utelig
  • Worron: killed

Played: 02 May 1997