Chp. 5: WTF?!

[doughx99]

Niles I am thirsty as well,and of course I will pitch in whatever is needed to bring our friend back

[Grognardsw]

At the Chapel of St. Cuthbert...

Father Jerome answers Boddin the hobbit, Wulfhart the fighter, and Fingal the thief. "The public service is assisting in church business, which is helping those in need. There is no violence in such things. Some upcoming projects are chopping trees and wood for the upcoming winter; digging ditches in the graveyard for future bodies; and gathering herbs and plants for medicinal unctions and tinctures."

"Conversion is asked of those who request the service upon Albertus, which would mean all of you here," continues Father Jerome. "Albertus himself was a priest of St Cuthbert."

"St. Cuthbert is a lawful god who does not prohibit alcohol or tobacco," says the head priest. "Though one should always practice moderation, regardless of religion."

Father Jerome starts the ritual. Albertus' body is laid out. A light cream is applied to the body; the mouth is filled with holy wafers; the eyes covered with rune stones. Incense burns, scrolls are laid out, and Father Jerome commences a holy chant. It is quite lengthy. The adventurers watch with curiosity the first hour, mild interest the second hour, and boredom the third hour. The fourth hour a miracle happens.

Albertus glows pearly white, his hair blows from a spiritual wind no one feels, a fluttering of an unseen bird is heard. His pallor turns a healthy pink. Fingers twitch, a smile forms on Albertus' lips. He rises again, in fulfillment of the scrolls.

"Praise be to Cuthbert!" exclaims the resurrected Albertus.

[AleBelly]

"Holy SHIT!" exclaims Wulfhart, roused from his daydreams of cavorting with damsels. Realizing he's in a holy place and in front of two holy men, he blushes profusely at his language.

Wulfhart considers his religious affiliation. It occurs to him that Porevit has never done anything nearly so amazing for him, and certainly wasn't much help with his wooden penis. A simple woodsman, he really has no idea what the implications of a conversion are, and he lacks the wisdom to care.

"I pledge my fealty to St. Cuthbert" and rapping the hilt of his sword with his open palm, "I rechristen thee 'Fang of Cuthbert.' "

"Now, Father Jerome, what is St. Cuthbert's stance on fornication?"

[OGRE MAGE]

DesertFox, Tribal Fighter

The painted warrior remembers seeing Fingal before he disappeared and motions him over while holding the smoke in, then smoothly blows it out. "This is my old friend, Vorkath Tsaridian. It's been a few years since I last saw him. Come join us. We will smoke the peace pipe together and be one with the Great Spirit."

Fingal also takes a long pull off the pipe. He holds the smoke in like an old pro and blows it out without a hint of a cough. After a bit he speaks. Being a farmer most of my life has taught me the importance of living off the land like you do DesertFox. I respect your traditional ways and would like to hear more about you while we go adventuring together. We could use a couple more strong fighting types if we take another trek back to them caves.

He then turns to the Paladin So, what's yer story there pretty boy? I must admit, I've never had much of a place in my life fer religion, but you sir are an impressive sight to behold. Why, you look like you could beat up the devil hisself. You joinin up with us too?

[MrHemlocks]

Rubbing his eyes as if waking from a long restful sleep, Albertus sits up on the cold slab and looks around at his surroundings. Noticing Boddin , Wulfhart , and Fingal standing next to the Father Jerome, he smiles and struggles to form words in his parched mouth."Nice to see you all here. Last I remember was being in the divine presence of St Cuthbert and he was teaching me the ways of the 'correct path', but my studies were cut short for I was told that I have more to accomplish, in the material plane, and was sent back into this body."

Standing up he stretches and than tries to walk off the stiffness that has settled in all his joints. Albertus, walks over to Father Jerome and places his hand upon his shoulder. "Be at peace Father, for your good works and faithful service are well know in the heavens and St. Cuthbert has a place for your soul when you pass on."

Turning to the rest of the party. "What the hell we standing around for! I am sure those cave need cleaning out. Now tell me, what has happened since my departing?"

[Grognardsw]

In the tavern...


"You can teeter on the brink of a precipice
Over an infinitely deep abyss
And somehow not even notice this
When you're young and in love

You can grow a little older every day
Watch your stupid life wasting away
Somehow everything is okay
When you're young and in love

You can whirl and twirl on the world's carousel
Hurdle round and round, and feel quite well
Never even knowing you're in hell
When you're young and in love

But when you're not,
The poisoned fangs of time
Become quite plain
When you're not,
It almost seems a crime
Not to go insane"



Selandra the bard talks with Easia. "Friends and colleagues have been lost over the years in different places. It seems the fate of adventurers. I remember Thenan the paladin, Alna the cleric, Dredd the ranger Bobbus the bard, and others. There is no plot I know of in the Keep. Why, do you know of such?"

At the other end of the table...

"I would enjoy vanquishing evil again with you Desertfox," proclaims Vorkath the paladin. "The lands hereabout seem rife with godless heathens. If I can capture or kill Tayne before you embark on your adventure, I will surely join you."

Vorkath sits with the adventurers and buys another round of drinks for everyone. When the cups arrive, he stands. "I will recite that most blessed of graces, the beer prayer:

"Our Lager,
Which art in barrels
Hallowed be thy drink.
Thy will be drunk,
I will be drunk,
At home as in the tavern.
Give us this day our foamy head
and forgive us our spillages
as we forgive those that spill against us
and lead us not into incarceration.
But deliver us from hang-overs,
for thine is the beer,
The bitter and the lager
forever and ever
Barmen!"

In response to Fingal, Vorkath tells his story, strangely in the third person...

It is a strange story mine, and my path to Paladinhood. Indeed, some outside the monasteries of the True God are skeptical of the tale. Vorkath, of the blacksmith family of Tsaridian, was a young lad of 11 when a missionary group of the Order of the True God visited his village in the Mountains of the Iron Tribes. Seeking to convert the barbarian tribesmen while rekindling an old agreement, the missionaries stayed for several weeks. Aseus, cleric leader of the missionary group, found young Vorkath particularly receptive to the words of the True God.

Unbeknownst to Vorkath, his long-deceased grandfather had an agreement with the Order of the True God to forge the finest weapons, including several swords that were imbued with enchantments by True God followers to create Holy Swords. This relationship had faded into obscurity, only to be resurface more recently. It was part of the missionaries’ goal to strike a new agreement.

Raiders attacked the village while the missionary group was there. Vorkath's family and most of village died. With luck and plumb, young Vorkath managed to save the priest Aseus and escape into the mountains with the unconscious cleric. They hid in a cave known only to the young barbarian. Wounded, perhaps delirious, Vorkath experienced a vision. He saw a bright flash of light and a grey, hairless, sexless human with a large head and large black saucer eyes. Vorkath was held motionless as the being proclaimed itself an emissary of the True God, and pronounced Vorkath a servant of the True Faith who should spread the Holy Word.

The vision passed and Vorkath fell unconscious. He awoke with Aseus bending over him tending to his wounds. The cleric used his magic of faith to heal the young barbarian. Vorkath was awe-struck at such power; surely a validation of his vision, of the power and rightness of the True God! At that moment Vorkath swore himself to the True God. He related his holy vision to Aseus. The priest was uncertain of the vision, but was grateful to the boy for saving his life and agreed to take him back to the monastery.

Thus it was that Vorkath Tsaridian - savage young barbarian, orphan, believer in the faith - was educated and trained in the monastery of the True God. Vorkath diligently prayed and studied under the initially skeptical clerics of the Order. His determination and persistence won his priests over, and they were happy to have such a devout acolyte in their midst. The young former apprentice blacksmith also helped forge weapons for the Order. Vorkath learned the words of wisdom, the acts of mercy, the kind thoughts and role of forgiveness in the holy ways of the True God.

Though a willing student and devout of spirit, Vorkath's barbarian heritage made him restless. Alas, the priestly path did not seem a good fit. At the encouragement of Aseus and the Order, Vorkath shifted from cleric studies to the holy martial path of the paladin. He left the regional monastery for the fabled city of Tarantia and its imposing Church of the True God. There Vorkath rose quickly in martial service for the Order. Among his positions were, chronologically: Holy Grave guard, Holy Concubine guard, Temple guard, traveling priest bodyguard, Enforcer of the Faith and Soldier of the Faith.

Ten years to the day since his holy vision in the cave, Vorkath experienced another holy visitation. He was traveling a remote road at night when the light and strange emissary appeared. Its message: Vorkath must leave Tarantia and go out in the world to defend the Words and Ways of the True God.

Vorkath's passions were deep, his faith zealous, his determination indomitable. Thus it came to pass that the Order anointed him with a holy mission: To travel to every True God monastery and temple in the lands (and there are many) and serve for one season of the calendar in whatever martial missions they choose. The order prepared him for this difficult path ahead by giving him a holy sword his grandfather forged and enchanted armor.

Vorkath has had some harrowing adventures since then...r

[jakegreenxxxx44]

i am not sure she tells Selandra, but too many seem to be dying. if there is something going on, I would sure like to find out. she gives her a few gold coins for her songs and says thank you and returns to the group and has a mug of Ale with everyone

[Grognardsw]

In the Chapel of St. Cuthbert...

"Now, Father Jerome, what is St. Cuthbert's stance on fornication?" asks Wulfhart the northern fighter.

Father Jerome ponders for a moment. "Well, if fornication is...done with good heart and sincere intentions, then such acts of... mutual kindness may be understood as necessary and... important in creating new souls to serve Cuthbert."

The adventurers bring Albertus the cleric up-to-date on happenings since his passing.

Father Jerome collects the donation money and tells the adventurers to come back tomorrow for their public service work. "And don't forget, Mass is at 9:00 am tomorrow. I'm sure I'll see you there."

In the tavern...

After his long-winded life story, Vorkath drinks and shares in DesertFox's peace pipe. He talks of Tayne. "My cousin is often called Tayne the Touched, for he is not right in the head. He is possessed of crazed physical abilities and a psychotic, cruel intelligence. He holds a dilettante interest in divine and arcane magics, and a bloodthirsty interest in martial skills. It’s not known how Tayne became mad, some say it was his claimed encounter with god in the woods, or his syphilis, or his head injury in a scribe shop, or that time he fell off a horse. Whatever the cause, Tayne goes through periods of personality shifts that can be extreme. In a different land, Tayne is a cousin of a Queen, and was a presence in her court until the queen banned him for harassing her Ladies-in-Waiting, eating the royal falcons, and pissing in the Fountains of Contemplation."

Vorkath responds to Desertfox. "Yes, Tayne was far abroad but somehow was thrust through the astral realm into these lands. I shall catch the scoundrel yet!"

The adventurers enjoy their riches that evening and retire late. They agree to attend to their public service vow then return to the Caves of Chaos. Tomorrow is the trial of Gus, Clement, Idonea and Florence.

As the party goes to their room, Foracor the elf asks, "Where has Brother Bayard gone too? I haven't seen him all night."

[AleBelly]

Wulfhart breathes a sigh of relief at Father Jerome's answer and marks the 9am mass in his lizard man skin-bound day planner. He then ambles on over to the tavern. Raising friends from the dead is thirsty work.

He catches the end of Vorkath's story, and after a couple of ales wonders aloud "Vorkath, this sounds like a worthy undertaking. Pissing in the Fountains of Constipation sounds like a terrible act. Not necessarily offering, but are you looking for help in capturing Tayne?" He rubs his fingers together. "Is there any profit in it?"

[Rhonon]

Eledhon
In the Tavern

The gaunt half-elf raises from a table near to the bard and amazonian talking. He steps to the side of the bard, into the visual field of Eesia a clay mug with a steaming fluid in it in his left hand.
A gesture of recognizenment on his face he lifts two fingers of his right hand to his lips, the elven gesture of greeting. Then his hand finds its way back to the mug. In a rather canorous voice, which sounds a bit dark for someone his age he says:

Asia. Long time no see. Last time I saw you, tried to teach a hobgoblin the story of your ancestors... A slightly mischievous smile on his face he continues:
with your Hammer...

[Hotgoblin]

Groyn Shortbeard

Groyn's in his cups, barely makes it to his room and passes out on his bed. He falls into a wondrous drunken sleep, apparently snoring so loud that he wakes himself up! Falls back asleep into an Orc smashing dream...wielding his Battle-axe with frenzied fury, disemboweling everything in sight!!! He can't wait for the Caves of Chaos he truly misses the smell and feel of the raw Earth in that extreme environment.

[jakegreenxxxx44]

Eledhon
In the Tavern

The gaunt half-elf raises from a table near to the bard and amazonian talking. He steps to the side of the bard, into the visual field of Eesia a clay mug with a steaming fluid in it in his left hand.
A gesture of recognizenment on his face he lifts two fingers of his right hand to his lips, the elven gesture of greeting. Then his hand finds its way back to the mug. In a rather canorous voice, which sounds a bit dark for someone his age he says:

Asia. Long time no see. Last time I saw you, tried to teach a hobgoblin the story of your ancestors... A slightly mischievous smile on his face he continues:
with your Hammer...

Greetings Eledhon, long time no see smiling as she runs up to him, her twin war hammers giving him a huge embrace. how the heck are thee? tell me of your travels. Laughing yes that hobgoblin deserved my other war-hammer for sure haha.

[SlyFox]

DesertFox, Tribal Fighter

He notices the new elf appear and finds himself amused. "She has herself another admirer, I see." He looks back over to Vorkath, puffing on his peace pipe again. He says nothing at first, holding the smoke in for several long seconds before finally letting it out. "You speak of astral travel. Is this common practice with Tayne, or did he accidentally stumble across the ability? My people often try to travel into the astral realm, or realm of dreams and visions. A man can wait his entire life for a vision."

[Grognardsw]

In Brother Bayard’s Room

Foracor the elf and Niles the fighter check in on Brother Bayard in his room. The cleric is not there. The door is ajar. Inside the room is a shambles. His backpack and staff are missing. There is a piece of parchment on the small wooden table. It reads: “Leave the Borderlands or suffer the same fate.” The ink looks disturbingly like blood.

In the Tavern

Vorkath the paladin, called by some the Guardian of the Truth, answers DesertFox: “I’m not sure how Tayne traveled the Astral Realm. I hope it was by accident or singular occurrence, for it is a powerful skill.”

To Wulfhart the paladin says, "I would invite help in capturing or killing Tayne. At the moment I'm not sure where he is, but I believe in the Keep or nearby. I'm afraid it wouldn't be that profitable, unless he has acquired treasure."

Eledhon the druid reacquaints himself with Easia the cleric and the other adventurers. He agrees to join the party in their explorations of the Caves of Chaos.

The Next Day


The sun rises to a glorious autumn day. There is a crispness in the morning air as the adventurers attend to their business – some to a Mass at St. Cuthbert’s and public service, others to provisioning for the expedition into the Caves of Chaos, and a little later that day the trial of Razmus’ accomplices.

The religious mass is not as bad as expected. Attendance is low. Perhaps Father Jerome really does need more parishioners. Albertus testifies to the power of his god. The public service is chopping wood, rebuilding a fountain wall, cleaning leaves out of the courtyard, and pulling weeds out back in the chapel graveyard.

The Trial


The trial arrives. Gus the thief, his brother Clement the cleric, Idonea the fighter and Florence the magic-user stand on a wooden stage before a crowd of Keep dwellers, guards, adventurers and passing visitors. Trials always garner a crowd.

“You stand accused of banditry and murder!” announces a stern looking bearded man, apparently the judge. Behind him is Metzner the Advisor and a few other men the adventurers have not seen before. Castellan is nowhere to be seen. “Testimony has been heard from the victims and witnesses. This Keep represents justice in the rough borderlands to these great Realms. It is our duty to uphold and spread the morals and virtues of our fine civilization. These crimes cannot be tolerated. They make Man as base and evil as the humanoid scum we are clearing from these borders.”

“Our sentence will be harsh but merciful. To those who raise sword against fellow man, thy offending hand shall be struck! To those who give voice to the magick arts, thy offending tongue shall be struck! You will be branded criminals. You are banished forever from this Keep. To return means death! So says Lord Gygax!”

The man strikes a hammer upon the table. Gus, Clement and Idonea are kneeled down, their right arm extended on a chopping block. A masked axe man chops off their right hands. They scream.

The head of Florence the magic-user is locked in a vice and his tongue is severed. He cries.

The criminals are then branded with a hot iron on their foreheads. One word: Sceleratus

The trial is over. It is 2:00. The adventurers meet at the tavern, ready to embark to the Caves of Chaos.

If anyone would like to play out any aspects of the above go ahead. It seems like the group wants to get to the Caves.

[Zhym]

Boddin was surprised to find he enjoyed church. The sacramental wine was palatable—he was relieved to find that St. Cuthbert didn't serve unfermented grape juice—and the service activities were quite rewarding.

After the trial, he shudders at the justice dispensed to the miscreants. "Oh dear," he mutters to himself. "Killing them might have been more merciful."

[jakegreenxxxx44]

wonders aloud to herself, I wonder where Brother Bayard has gone or has been taken to, does anyone want to help look for him?

[OGRE MAGE]

Fingal the Thief

As soon as he hears about Brother Bayards situation, Fingal goes to his room to see if his thieving skills will allow him to find any clues that the others might have missed.

He says to the group this is exactly what I was talking about with this Mentzer guy. It sure don't seem like he is going to leave us alone so I think we have to come up with a plan before he has each of us taken out.

[Dizlexus]

Foracor, PI

Foracor goes back to Bayard's room and looks for clues. Lost or misplaced items, signs of a struggle, hair, blood, semen.

He tries to have Bene sniff something of Bayard's to see if the dog will track.

He questions every person he meets and asks if they saw anything.

[Hotgoblin]

Groyn Shortbeard

Groyn heads to Bayard's room to watch Fingal's back as he searches for clues. Foracor has emerged and is helping Fing's too. Me thinks I should keep watch, whiles yous search. Might he have left a clue behind? What's your thieving eyes telling you?. He's really enjoying Bene's company the most

[SlyFox]

DesertFox, Tribal Warrior

The painted fighter isn't the least disturbed by the proceedings at the trial, for justice is much the same in his own lands. He is moved by the name of Lord Gygax, however, having heard so much about this great man - his legacy having gone far and wide. He answers Easia with a quiet voice. "Something appeared in the smoke last night. It was like a black cloud with a face of fire. It told me a betrayal had happened and that this Mentzer has Brother Bayard, either locked away somewhere... or dead. If we want to find him, we may have to find of some secret place known only to Mentzer, but the face in the smoke tells me that he met with foul play."