>"House Palantus is not so much involved, so much as this is my personal project to deal with a certain surplus in need of a deserving cause.  My intention was not to change or manage you in any way; just to provide a safe space and funding for something you are already inclined to do, and leave the rest in your hands."  The faun considered the otherdiscussion in play.

"If the temple does not have any guards posted, and you can tell me exactly where to locate whatever I might be looking for, I should be able to slip in and out without notice."  Florian shifted uncomfortably, still uncomfortable with discussing clandestine plans in the presence of an orc.  "I'm, uh, good at being overlooked."

Bulwyf shook his head, "I cannot read and write, not very well at least. It's not a skill I've needed up this point. If you can teach, I will learn though. Best I can anyway. If you would like some help, Florian, I am quite adept at remaining unseen and moving quietly."

Bryon's attention is drawn to Bulwyf and she slinks over to him. She pressed herself against his arm, "I can teach you to read..."

Diantha is surprised by the extent of Bryon's prior learning.  Bryon just doesn't seem like the type.

"Well that is of use," she says.  "Clearly you belong with the more advanced students."

She is startled by Druk's suggestion that they get "things" from the Temple.

"Oh no... it's not the temple, actually, it's the attached school.  We can use the temple.  But the Goths.. they could not destroy or plunder the school, so they did what they could.  They set guards, some of which, I understand, are supernatural.  It is far, far too dangerous for anyone to go in.  If it was possible, I'm sure the Clerics of Minerva would have managed it by now.  But since they haven't, we must conclude that it simply isn't practical."

"It is on Temple Ridge, next door to our temple... the doors have been sealed with bricks, long ago.  We could take a look at it, if you like, you will see what I am talking about.  Going in is just too dangerous."

Does Druk know Florian?
He’s got +14 Gather info and 5 ranks of knowledge local so I suspect he would already know about the only faun in town. Druk is local

Druk nods to the teacher. I will go when you’re ready. Many things are not practical. I learn best while moving.

Bulwyf smiled at Bryon, "Thank you lady, I appreciate that." he then whispered.


Addressing the teacher, "I have killed many supernatural enemies, if that is a worry, I can fight."

Bryon pouted a little at Bulwyf’s answer but respected it. She couldn’t help celbrating the Teacher’s adulation, ”I’m advanced, did you hear that? Mum and Da will be so pleased!” Then there was all sorts of talk about sneaking into the Minerva School, ”Oh I can help, let me help. I have all sorts of wonderful magic that can help.”
This message was lightly edited by the player at 19:07, Tue 12 Mar 2019.

Many people have speculated as to why the leaders of the Orc kingdoms, whose patrons are the Infernal Powers, tolerate the continued existence of clerics of the gods in their domains.  After all, the infernals are the enemies of the gods, and want nothing more than to overthrow them.  Sure, there are economic benefits.   The gods seem to be much better at providing prosperity.  Even the most scholarly Orc shamans would have a hard time telling you which of the Infernals could be asked to secure a good harvest.  Humans have plenty of gods to look after such things.

But there is another factor.  Conquest in itself is not enough.  If conquest is going to be truly rewarding, there must be a conquered.  For this, the Orcs have long been content to allow human cults to continue under their rule... provided there is no threat from them.

Diantha is exactly that:  from the Orc point of view, not a threat.  She knows that breaking into Minerva's School, even if successful, would change that.  The long, tense balance of Orcs ruling and Diantha surviving would be over.

"I cannot even say what you would be up against," she says.  "Nor where to begin.. or even if that is a wise choice.  Nothing like that should be entered lightly.  There should be auguries, at least.  I have not done an augurie since... it's been a while.  They are not appreciated by the Goths.  We should go to the temple, that is the right place.  Let us see if Minerva herself has anything to say about this."

Bryon got a really bad face, like she had eaten something sour and did not expect it to be sour. ”I don’t do gods, or temples, or prayers, or anything like that. I know these gods are out there and everything, but I don’t worship them. At all...ever. So I’m going to say pass on going to temple. I’ll jut wait outside. When you guys decide what you want to do you can come and get me.”

Ooks do not mind gods and temples but I have not been inside before. Maybe I go in secret?

Bulwyf nodded, "It cannot hurt to ask for her assistance, if she's willing to grant you knowledge of our possible adventure into the temple."

Bryon shook her head slowly. "No you don't understand, I head this story about a pretty girl like me who went into a temple.  Some goddess got jealous made her ugly. Gave her snakes for hair!" To emphasize she made wiggly fingers above her head and hissed.

Diantha gives an "I've heard this before" sigh before addressing Bryon.

"Stories are stories," she says.  "The gods bestow gifts, in accordance with their essences, because each rules over an essential and good part of our world.  For Minerva, it is Wisdom.  She is the mistress of knowledge and learning, patron of scholars.  She is a warrior, but her ways are those of strategists, not mere heroic brawling.  Since we are going to enter into a school- which is a place just as important to Minerva as a temple, if not more so, it would make sense to seek Minerva's favor.  One does not venture out to sea without at least a silent plea to Poseidon, after all.  We are entering into Minerva's domain and it would be best if we did so as allies."

Bryon nodded but really did not listen to most of what the woman said, except the ending part. ”Well I am your ally, but not your goddess. I’ll wait outside. Just tell me what you want me to do and I will, except go into the temple. Sorry, my hair is too pretty to be snakes.”

Bulwyf nodded, "I will do as asked, and follow Minerva's customs. Just don't let me overstep any boundaries."

The temples on Temple Ridge fall into two categories, mostly:  there are the still intact temples in regular use, more or less.  And there are the abandoned temples, broken, plundered and desecrated, and slowly crumbling, though in the warm dry climate it could take many years.

The Temple of Minerva is something of a middle ground.  It's there, and working, but obviously the need for care has exceeded resources for a long time, and the building needs a lot of help.

Right next to it is the school.  From the point of view of the Goddess, a building as sacred as the temple if not more so.  It looks much shabbier and more worn than the temple, but still strong and solid.  Maybe more solid than it was before- masonry has been built over every door and window, effectively sealing the building in!

The temple looks less elaborate than its peers- fewer carvings, less ornate carvings on the outside.  Minerva's clerics had put their funds into the school.  There are white columns of stone, some with stone owls perched on the capitals.  The door is wood with copper fittings, the pale green patina looking fairly recent.

"We used to have silver," Diantha explains as they reach the temple doors.  "They took the silver.  We were able to afford replacements, from the coppersmiths."

She looks around.  She has led them here in the middle of the day, with the sun at its highest in the sky.  Though most Humans would associate stealth with the middle of the night, experience has taught her that mid day is the best time to escape the notice of Orcs.

There are no Orcs nearby.

"They do not like the mid day sun.  And there are so many people, out and around."

Filorn would know this as well.  The sheer numbers of humans going about their business in the middle of the day makes the Orcs lose track.

"Well, in we go, then," she says, opening the heavy door.

Bulwyf will wait his turn to enter, last likely, ensuring they escape special notice.

Bryon will find a shady spot and hang out while you guys have your super secret meeting.

Druk feels immediately figity and nervous and also uncomfortable in the light he moves into the temple immediately and pauses awe-struck as he looks around inside, even for an Ook this is a strange opportunity.

The temple…

As temple’s go it’s an unusual place.  There aren’t that many “sacred” looking things.  It’s lacking in statues and artwork, though the altar is still there.  Nothing of gold or silver, or any other precious material.  Not that it would have lasted long, unprotected.

Owls are the only obvious symbols.  They are painted on walls, painted on the ceiling as if flying overhead, and there are Owl statues- wood, marble, and two in bronze, brightly polished.  No depictions of Minerva, just the owls.

Seating is arranged in concentric semi circles rather than straight rows, focused on the altar.

“We were one of the first temples in Massilia,” Diantha says.  “A thousand years.  No one knows the exact date, but a thousand years is close enough.  There have been fifty seven High Priestesses since.  The school was built on the early crypt, and I think the spirits of the some of them may be helping to protect it from the Goths.  The current high priestess… well, in a way it is me.  It’s really Majamri, but she had retired and passed the title to Zerrin, but the Orcs killed Zerrin so Majamri was reinstated.  But she’s very, very old now and stays home.  She is the high priestess in title, because I am not ready.  Soon, I hope, not yet.”

“I presume we are here about seeing the school, and not learning of the math of the Greeks, is that correct?”

She looks at Druk with evident curiosity.

"You are the first Orc ever here who did not come in hostility, did you know that?  A thousand years, and you are the first and only."

Bryon, meanwhile, misses this, waiting outside.  She sees some pigeons, and some of Massilia’s residents coming and going, to the other temples.  An Important Orc passes by with a small flock of guards.  Probably one of the Goth Shaman.  They took over the most important temple a long time ago, and now use it to honor their Infernal Lord.

I am Druk I am an Ook. I do not hurt. Orcs love to hurt they don’t even know another way. They do know what I am , unless I pretend I will always be seen as Ook.

Bulwyf waited quietly, looking over the room they were in, listening as they spoke to Drunk. When the question was posed, he added, "I would learn, or at least try to learn, whatever it is you would teach me, all of us."

Diantha talks about the status of the other temples, thinking that the gang might want to learn about "current events" more than how to read Greek.

But with an Ook in the room.. it is a bit odd, for her.

"I have never heard of such a thing.  But I suppose it is possible.  If a Human can be corrupted and serve darkness, can an Orc be raised to the light?  I would think the other Orcs, especially those serving their Infernal Lords directly, would not like that.  But... what I have to say might reflect poorly on Orcs.  I mean you no offense, but as you say, most Orcs hurt others."

The Orcs follow the orders of their overlord.  The Overlord obeys the Infernal Lord, a powerful Demon Prince whom Diantha refuses to name.  It is something she cannot bring herself to say, but refers to him as Patron of Subversion and Corruption.  The Orcs may be crude, but the Demon is sly, and so has carefully chosen which temples remain to the Humans, and which were overthrown.

The Temple of Neptune, closest to the sea, still has a few clerics who bless the ships and make offerings to the King of the Sea, because Massilia depends on the sea.  Even the Visigoth’s Infernal patrons understand that banning Neptune would be to their own misery, plunging the city into poverty.  The Temple of Mercury, right behind it, and for the same reason:  as god of commerce, Mercury is to essential to be lost.  On the east side of Temple Ridge, facing the Temple Gardens, the Temples of Bacchus and Venus, both considered silly and harmless by the Infernal powers.  They see no threat in a god of wine and a goddess of love, and the clerics here bow to the overlords above them.

"And of course us, though publicly we are subdued and forced to acknowledge the superiority of the Goths.  Though... they have not penetrated the school."

The Temple of Apollo has it worse- it is a ruin.  No clerics of Apollo are left.
But perhaps the worst off is the Great Temple of Jupiter, Juno, and Artemis.  This is the largest temple on the hill, and has been repurposed to serve the infernal powers.  This is the Pandemonicum, and it is under the control of a corrupted Human, the Bishop  Proculus, who serves the Infernals.

  The old statues are gone or broken.  The new ones, still being added, are grotesque designs celebrating the triumph of the Infernal powers.  Some show the old Roman gods being tortured or humiliated.

"They are currently working on one depicting a humiliation of Minerva," Diantha says.  "Such works have power... I fear that when they complete the statue, the power of Minerva here will sharply diminish.  Perhaps then they will be able to conquer the school.  I have seen signs that the defenses are slowly weakening."

Bulwyf paused at the mention of Apollo, then the change of Jupiters temple, this was not good. "The sword I carry is consecrated by the Sun God himself. It has served me well, I would see his temple repaired or freed at the least. If we can do something to cease the control the Orcs have over the city, we should. I wouldn't think direct action to be wise, but I am a fighter, a ranger... not a great planner."

Druk frowns that he is making people uncomfortable and drawing so much attention. He backs up a little.

Ooks are usually killed. Some are slaves. I was a slave but my master ... is dead. Many slaves got free. I survived by pretending and hiding. Now I work finding men and Orcs for men and sometimes for Orcs - then I must pretend sometimes . I run from Orc Gods. I will not hurt my new friends or their Gods. 

Druk then listens to the warrior and is amazed. A god sword? He looks on it in awe.