"So let us go in and find a table. I an hungry and thirsty"

Almost the second after Eurenome invokes Hermes' blessing the transformation takes place. Aleta, already attractive and charismatic to begin with, appears even more radiant to others around her. Indeed, she could easily use her silver tongue to wile out information or garner favors.

As planned, the party splits, with Euronomes, Dysis and Arthanos heading towards the temples first to pay their respects, with Itylus and Aleta look for an inn. For a short time the group travels together until Aleta sees a promising looking place with a sign outside identifying it as "Island's Rest." It looks fairly large and by their guesses is probably where most travelers to the island would stay.

Itylus and Aleta enter and they find a variety of individuals already present wearing garb identifying them from the various city-states, as well as some more exotic locations. Some people are drinking and swapping stories, while others are eating dinner. On a staircase to their right, a somewhat drunken sunburnt sailor is flirting and haggling with a prostitute, while a man dressed in entirely in red brushes past the two to exit the building, giving Aleta a double-take before he exits.

In surveying the room, Itylus and Aleta can see a table where there appears to be a small group of local men - perhaps farmers or laborers by the look of them - sit and drink honeyed wine. At another table sits a man who is undoubtedly a noble, though of which city is not readily apparent. He has a full bushy black beard and looks annoyed as he drinks and continues to look towards the door. Finally, and unmistakably, is a Lyricist providing entertainment who sits and is contently playing her lyre in a chair in the center of the room. It is clear that several of the inn's patrons are enjoying her playing.  The tune is unfamiliar to Itylus and Aleta. It seems that she is improvising though.

The proprietor of the Inn approaches the two, a portly older gentlemen with a glass eye. "Welcome, young lords." he says with a bow to the two. "Feel free to take a table if you wish. If you want to stay the evening I have a very fine room perfect for a nice couple such as yourself." he says.

---

Euronomes, Dysis and Arthanos found the mayoress' directions to be accurate. There was no mistaking the town's blacksmith, who to their surprise turned out to be a centaur. As they walked by they could see the smith walk out from his forge, drenched in sweat from the heat as he places a newly forged sword into a display stand.

Past the blacksmiths' was a small temple pavilion. Statues of the Pantheon were present each leading towards their respective 'house'.  Taking prominence was, unsurprisingly, Poseidon, whose statue gazed down with disapproval upon all who approached his temple which was the largest building present. The other Gods were also represented, with Zeus, Hera, Athena, Hermes, Hades, and other Gods gracing the entrances to places where worshipers could make their petition. Outside of the buildings are no priests at present though they might be inside attending to a sacrifice or a prayer.

There are few locals present in the pavilion. A young woman with a bright yellow dress that matches her hair shyly passes on by the three, giving Eurenomes and Arthanos a flirtatious look before she heads into the house of Aphrodite. Standing outside of Zeus' temple is a grim looking warrior who stands with his arms crossed who either has not noticed the three or does not care about their presence.

The town seemed a pleasant one, and if Eurenomes liked the sea (he was Argosean) it was a pleasure to stretch his limbs after the cramped days aboard ship. The priest proudly wore his blue chlamys, identifying his homeland as his Caduceus staff marked him a follower of Hermes.

At the temple pavilion Eurenomes smiled back at the golden haired young woman and only reluctantly turned back to the others. "I suggest we buy two sheep for the sacrifices. I will buy for swift thinking Hermes, will you buy for proud Posideon?"

He glanced again to the house of Aphrodite. He revered Hermes above all, but he had a soft spot for the white armed goddess... and her followers.

Arthanos smiles at the woman, then grins as he watches Eurenomes reaction and his glance towards the house of Aphrodite.

"Are you sure we don't need a third?" he asks slyly with a grin. "And I'm happy to get the offering for Poseidon...I don't want him to have an active excuse to curse a follower of Athena." he says thinking of the rivalry between the two gods. He begins looking around to see if he can spot someone selling animals.

Aleta walks over to a table in between the noble and the locals. She would love to talk to the noble and could maybe separate him from some of his coin but it would not get them what they need, she doubts he knows a lot of what's going on like the locals would. She figures she will see what happens before she approaches anyone. she wants to see what is happening in the inn.

Looking around the temple pavilion, Arthanos does spot a young shepherd not too far from Poseidon's house selling animals, both live and already deceased, that could be used for prayers. Indeed, an old woman has already haggled herself a freshly killed hare which she takes from the shepherd and moves to take to the temple of Artemis.

At the Inn, Aleta moves away from Itylus to position herself at an empty table situated somewhat between the table of local men and the young nobleman. Her table, however, it not empty for long as a young brawny man struts over accompanied by two other men - perhaps lackeys? - they certainly seemed to be betas to this town alpha. A suggestive grin on was on the brawny man's face as he offers Aleta a glass filled with a red wine. "A woman with the beauty of the radiant Aphrodite herself graces us with her presence, my friends.""he says, his voice dripping with suave. "Tell me, oh vision of beauty, are you a champion of the fair Goddess, come down to mortal earth to taunt such mortal men as I?" He sits on an empty chair, perching his head upon both hands. He winks.

Out of her peripheral vision, Aleta can see the local men at the table ignoring - for the most part - this display of masculinity by the young Adonis, while the nobleman at the other table now wears a bemused expression.

The proprietor had watched this as well alongside Itylus before turning back to the hunter, saying "Best be careful with your lady friend hanging about that young lad, m'lord." he warns "Fancies himself a charmer of men and women alike.  Not many say no to him. Not many can, if you catch my drift."
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:04, Sun 29 Mar 2015.

Aleta takes the glass of wine and grins at the man "Good evening sir. I am just a mortal and would never compare myself to any of the goddesses. I am Aleta and I am just passing though town, they are working on my boat. Are you a traveler or are you from the area? It seems to be a fascinating island"

Eurenomes moved towards the animal seller Arthanos had spotted and greeted him in friendly fashion. "Greetings friend, I am looking for a sacrifice for quick Hermes and another for wave touched Posiedon and-" he glanced uncertainly at Dysis who seemed lost in her own world, "perhaps another."

The priest glanced shrewdly and with a practiced eye over the shepard's collection, prepared to haggle - Hermes would not approve of one of his followers being gulled.

She wasn't lost in her own world; but it wasn't in Dysis' nature to make idle chit chat, in most circumstance. (as well, her player hasn't been around the last few days. ;))  Neither the priest nor the nobleman addressed her very frequently, thus she didn't suspect there was any void that needed filling.

Like Eurenomes, she had most recently resided in Argos. But as Arthanos, whom she had known in childhood, she was Thenian by birth.  Her himation and chiton were both light grey, and reflected no tie to those places, nor to any other.

"Yes, another," she nodded to the merchant, confirmation of what Eurenomes had said, without being specific.

The goddess she worshiped wasn't represented here, but she was fairly used to that.  Her shrines were generally less common.

But, her goddess's spouse was represented.  And to him she would give offering.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:21, Mon 30 Mar 2015.

As expected, Aleta had immediately, and almost too easily, entered in action. In the time that took Itylus to explain to the proprietor of the inn that he and Aleta represented a larger party and needed more than a small room for two, she had already attracted the glances of many of the male patrons on the room and had a trio of local young men around her - one of which seemingly in the brink of professing her eternal love.

At the proprietor's last remark Itylus answered with a bemused smile. "Don't worry about it, good master. She isn't the type of woman that will be tamed by that sort of man.... He is like a robin trying to impress a female with his singing only to find out she is in fact a wild cat in disguise." turning to the proprietor he concluded. " And now, if everything with the rooms for our party is settled, I think I'll be sitting too. If you could send for your best steak and bring it to my table I would really appreciate it. It has been too long since I ate something else besides dried fish" he added with a grimace on his face.

Itylus then turned and casually sat on a table next to Aleta's. Even wild cats could need some back up when outnumbered.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:44, Wed 01 Apr 2015.

The proprietor gives Itylus a doubtful look after he makes his statement about Aleta. "As you say, good lord." he says. "I will have the food prepared. If you are staying then a bill will brought to you the next morning with the cost of the room. We will reserve one room for you, and the lady then and hold another two for your companions. I'll provide you the keys later." he says as Itylus moves to an adjacent table close to Aleta.

The brawny man hardly blinks as Aleta responds to him, and instead gives a satisfied smile. "Aleta." he says, testing her name on his tongue. "Aleta. What beautiful name."

He gestures with a hand towards the air, and one of the other men who accompanied him hands him a wine glass, seemingly procured out of nowhere "I am Gastadonis, and this island, well, it is my home. There is so much to see for a traveler such as yourself. I would love to show you the sights. In fact, Aphrodite has blessed our land with one particular spot just outside of town. A beautiful gazebo with rose bushes overlooks a lovely pond. At night the moon shines so radiantly upon the waters. It puts the mind to romance..." His eyes glance from Aleta's down towards her hands and the wine glass she holds which he had offered her. "Why don't you come with me and see it? " his voice is all syrup as he makes his offer and waits for her reply.





Euronomes looks over the selection of animals. Most here are already dead, although the seller has some cages with rabbits inside. The selection doesn't look inappropriate and obviously the man does a fine business given that it looks like a bit of his stock is already gone.

The animal seller looks them over, and hardly misses a beat as he goes into his sales pitch. "Depends on what animal you want, good sir, and lady." He continues "As everybody knows, Mighty Poseidon appreciates the sacrifice of a fine horse, and I have a young white colt raised for such sacrifice I could let go for 12 gold." he states. "Course, that's too expensive for many folks for a sacrifice when they might want to ride it instead or use it for labor, but I tell you that it will certainly will get Poseidon's attention." He continues in his pitch "Most folks around here like to sacrifice rabbits, ducks or geese. Obviously much less expensive, shows respect, but might not get the Gods attention obviously. I can sell you one rabbit for five silver, or five hares for twenty-three silver, not a bad deal..."

He continues, again hardly missing a beat. "'Course, sheep and lamps are by far the most popular. I could sell you a live sheep for fair price of, say, 35 silver." He adds "I do have three for you and your companions, and I'd cut you a deal of 1 gold for those three sheep. Sound good?" he asks.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:48, Fri 03 Apr 2015.

"A sheep will do for me," Eurenomes said, smiling to reveal good teeth. He might lack Aleta's looks (though presumably very few men looked like Aleta) but he was silver tongued.

The priest of Hermes gave the salesman a calculating look. "Shall we say 25 silver then? That seems more than fair. 30 silver... and the name of that golden haired, yellow dressed maiden who strolled into fair Aphrodite's shrine a few minutes by."

Eurenomes did not truly expect the man to go so low but Hermes above all gods approved of bargaining.

"so Gastadonis, you just met me and already want to get romantic? You certainly are a bold one. she says with a smile as she takes his wine and takes a sip. She tries to figure out if she tastes anything odd about it. "So what should we do?" She leans closer to him, looking deep into his eyes.

Dysis stepped forward, and smiled at the vendor. Though her own teeth were likewise good, she used only her lips. Though perhaps not on Aleta's level, her own looks were above the norm, (15 Grace) she had been raised in relative wealth, and was educated and bright enough to comport herself well. As well as being a keen student of human nature.

Dysis rolled 26 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 19. personal charisma roll.

"Sir, I should add to what my amorous associate has said... we are a group led by a Thenian nobleman's son, that includes a priest," she nodded toward Eurnomes, "an intrepid hunter, a charming entertainer, and myself, a humble scholar. Our charitable works, performed in the names of several of the gods, have taken us far and wide, at our own expense.  Funds are a little tight, just now. But, we hope to benefit your community, in other ways.  May we have the price my associate asks?  It would help us a good deal."
This message was last edited by the player at 19:46, Fri 03 Apr 2015.

Arthanos hung back a bit, letting the other two speak. He could cover the cost of the 3 sheep easily enough, but wanted to see if the others could lower the price first.

OOC: 18:33, Today: Maze Master, on behalf of Aleta, rolled 7 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 3. Physical Vigor.


The wine is smooth as it goes down and is quite strong. It has a very odd aftertaste that Aleta can't quite place, though it was somewhat oily.


"You'll find no other as bold as I, fair Aleta." Gastadonis coos, then drinking of his wine glass. "What should we do? We should finish our wine and take a stroll. Just you and me." He gives a sharp nod to his lackeys who nod back and move to exit the inn.





The animal seller was in the middle of shaking his head to respond with his own counteroffer to Eurenomes when Dysis had spoken. "I, well, of course, I see my good lady. I do wish to help." he says, slightly sputtering, charmed as he is by the scholarly elementalist. "We'll say 25 silver a sheep as the gentleman had offered, a total of 75." he gives a nod. Obviously hoping to impress Dysis with his generosity. He looks back to Eurenomes "The name of the lady I shall provide for free, for I am sure that she would wish it to be so as well. She is Kassandra, a lady of Aphrodite." He adds "She is newer to our isle, only a month or two I'd wager."

Eurenomes handed over the 25 silver and mentally promised himself he would have to buy from women in future. Two could play the charm game.

"Thank you. My friends I shall see you later at the inn."

The priest of Hermes led his newly acquired ewe towards the temple.

Eurenomes provides his silver for a sheep and leads his newly acquired ewe to the temple of Hermes.

It is a small, humble temple and certainly pales in comparison to the temples in the great cities and his own home city of Argos. Still, an appropriate marble statue of the traveler, Hermes, graces the hall. The deity's sits on a marble slab, looking towards all those who enter the temple. In the right hand is a marble caduceus.

Few others are present. A silent attendant approaches Eurenomes, taking note of the ewe with a slight nod, and gestures where a sacrificial altar was where the sheep could be consecrated and sacrificed to the God.

Eurenomes led his ewe to the altar, his lips moving in a silent precursor to the prayers he would soon utter. He gently lay his own wooden caduceus aside as a sign of humility before the deity.

"Oh great Hermes, patron of far famed Argos, god of messengers and merchants alike, accept my humble offering and my prayers and guide me in your service..."

"Yes, let us go for a walk" she says standing up. She acts like she is sipping it but wonders what is wrong with it.

Satisfied with that result, Dysis thanked the vendor, and after all monies were paid, led her own acquisition into the temple.

As she walked, she pulled the small, onyx symbol she wore on a delicate chain about her neck, out from within her garments, to rest openly over her bosom.  It was that of the daughter of Demeter, queen of the underworld, Persephone.

But, as she was not represented here, Dysis made her way to the statue of her husband, Lord Hades.

Arthanos handed over the needed money, then took the last lamb towards the temple of Poseidon. He approched doing his best to show all possible respect, knowing how Poseidon and his own patron tended to get along.

Entering, he looked around for a priest or the place to take the lamb.

The animals paid for, Arthanos and Dysis take leave of one another and go to the separate houses of worship to make their offerings.

As Dysis enters the house of Hades, she sees the usual kind of folks who would make pilgrimage here, namely those who make offering and prayers for their own honored dead, as well as those who feared the God of the Underworld.  Even though a bronzed statue of him sitting on a throne awaited any who entered this temple, those who sacrificed averted their faces to him, lest they catch his eye.  Also depicted next to the sitting Hades is a statue of Cerberus, looking as fierce as the three heads each gaze in different directions.

More surprisingly, is a nearby statute of Persephone, also depicted sitting on her throne holding a pomegranate. Both majestic and also dreadful to those unfamiliar with her mysteries. She had a varied cult. Farmers of all kind would appeal to her, but others might find in her an appeal and interest that they would not find in the more reserved and passive Hades, who was usually content to let surface matters be, so long as they didn't interfere with his realm.

Dysis looks around the small house. Save for a few petitioners there are few present. Most here have their own sacrifices of smaller animals. Some leave coin or grain though. The sheep Dysis had purchased makes a noise which pierces the somber atmosphere. A darkly robed attendant approaches her, and gestures towards sacrificial altars where she could make her sacrifice, though she does see a priest present who obviously who would be used to ritually making the sacrifice on the petitioner's behalf. She approaches, though the priest is silent. The man's grey eyes gaze first at the lamb and then at Dysis. "For which soul do you petition for, young woman?" he asks, his voice raspy.

The temple of Poseidon that Arthanos enters is, perhaps unsurprisingly, well maintained and obviously well cared after, given the connection that the islanders would have with the Sea God.  The Earth-Shaker himself is represented in marble, a trident held in his hand as he judges all those who enter into his house. Marble fountains have been built inside the temple, and as Arthanos enters, he sees fish of various species swimming in smaller streams and ponds. There were quite a few people here. Many, of course, were petitioners, though it seemed the the temple itself was a common area into itself as others had gathered inside the temple to talk amongst themselves, conduct meetings, or just enjoy the tranquility of this place.  It has a certainly irony, given the wrath that Poseidon would display to those who traveled the seas without making proper sacrifice.  Arthanos with his lamb is flagged as a petitioner, and two attendants approach him, nodding approvingly, and lead him towards a sacrificial altar where a priest awaited. Even as Arthanos approaches, the priest greets him. "You have come, child of Athena, to give thanks to Poseidon for your voyage, have you not?" He nods. "It is proper, as only fools would dare to offend or ignore him when they ride his waves."

Being a priest himself, Eurenomes obviously needs no assistance in giving prayer and worship to his own patron, Hermes. Like so many times before, he intones his prayer and goes through the ritually begins to prepare the sacrifice. Such devotion could take a long time, of course, and if he wished boons from his God then he was required to spend that time. The communing itself was a blissful act that nobody save priests or perhaps the very few chosen by the Gods themselves could truly understand.

---

Elsewhere, Aleta stands up but Gastadonis stays where he is seated. "There is no rush, Aleta." he says. "Please... sit, finish your wine. Then we shall stroll." he takes a large sip of his own glass and smiles at her.

A maid approaches the table where Itylus sits by himself, and brings him a steak such as he ordered from the proprietor. Both Aleta and Itylus can see Gastadonis' eyes naturally wander towards the woman's behind before he darts them back to Aleta, renewing his charming smile at her. The maid gives a slight nod and smile to Itylus. "Best that we have, good lord." she says. "You look worn out." she adds. "Have you traveled from far away?" she inquires.

Aleta is the not the most trusting person, so if there is an odd taste, she is not going to take anymore after the first sip. As she sits back down, she accidently spills her wine on the floor. "Oh, I am so sorry she says innocently. "Let me get us some more wine." she waves over to the waitress and asks for a craft of wine.

Eurenomes piously prayed for the safety of Argos and her king, for the health of his sister and the good fortune of his comrades. Mostly though he prayed for wisdom and strength to commune with and honour his patron. This sacred time was not for the prying eyes of others and Eurenomes mentally shut out the rest of the world, save for whisper of his own prayers, the sharp tang of insence and the beautiful statue of the god he prostrated himself before.

So he remained as the minutes slowly stretched in hours, content to commune with Hermes.