"So, you simply assume that when a miracle occurs, it is the culmination of a years-long fraud?  Would you feel the same if a beggar had managed to save his bits over all that time, perhaps getting one or two more a day than it cost him to eat and stay clothed, until he could purchase a spell from a healer to restore his eyesight?"

Ardenas turns to the beggar, his expression softening as he does so.  "Did the healing of your sight perhaps coincide with receiving a coin from a woman?"

"I was checking on your well-being," answers Jolinda truthfully. She looks puzzled then move back a pace or so.

In reply to Ardenas Barehand (msg # 46):

"Now that you say it, I believe it to be so!"

The call to prayer begins from the minaret

"Excuse me, I must pray."
This message was last edited by the player at 17:59, Sun 16 Apr 2023.

In reply to beggar (msg # 48):

"At least he has that right. Salaam."
the man also unfurls his carpet to pray.

Ardenas looks around as many of those in sight lay down their rugs, face in the same direction, and begin their prayers.  As a non-believer, he remains standing, but goes quiet out of respect.

In reply to Ardenas Barehand (msg # 50):

Aoife likewise stays quiet while they pray.

In reply to Aoife (msg # 51):

The prayers continue for a timee, and Kalima politely  stepsback and out of the field of vision of the prostrated worshipers.

Jolinds spends a little time wracking her brains for anything she may have read, been taught or otherwise heard of in relation to demons that fits the pattern of events displayed here.
When others step back she then utters prayers in her own mystical language: a prayer for Mage Sight. She then looks around to see if she can perceive any nearby magic, in particular on or near the begger.

======
OOC: 12:57, Today: Jolinda rolled 7 using 3d6.  Hidden Lore -Demons 14.
Succes, MoS 7

12:58, Today: Jolinda rolled 6 using 3d6.  Mage Sight 15
Success, MoS 9

In reply to Jolinda (msg # 53):

Demons apparently like the suffering and strife caused by acts of chaos, but more than that they like to see piety challenged by doubt.  The healing if this man's disadvantage has put him into a position where he is unskilled and no longer able to beg for sustenance and at the same time caused a number of religious folk to develop doubt or dislike for behaving charitably... none in the area appear possessed or ensorcelled, and whatever magics have affected the beggar are now finished...

When the praying comes to its natural conclusion Jolinda appraoches the begger and says, "I am Jolinda. What is your name, begger, and if I gained you an honest job, one with food and lodging, a job within your capabilities, would you work diligently at it?"

======
OOC: 23:33, Today: Jolinda rolled 10 using 3d6.  Detect Lies 12

Ardenas turns to Aoife and lowers his voice.  "I think the damage has already been done here -- we may be able to help this beggar, but there may be nothing we can do to restore the charitable nature of those who have felt duped by him after his sudden restoration."

In reply to Ardenas Barehand (msg # 56):

"Perhaps, but not entirely. We can publicize what has happened, so at least people will understand that it is a recent event...but those that make the announcement should be religious leaders. We should find someone to speak to the mullahs here..."

"As if you were reading my mind," says Jolinda back over her shoulder.
This message was last edited by the player at 09:18, Fri 21 Apr 2023.

Ya, God heard his prayerz an healed 'im ... dad zhould dwizd da demonz planz again' 'em

In reply to Jolinda (msg # 55):

once the prayers are finished, the beggar responds
"All I know is how to beg. I  cannot read, I know no labor, and I am advanced in age. What work could I have?"

In reply to beggar (msg # 60):

as The fellaheen rise and gather their carpets, you notice several stopping to greet a robed man exiting the mosque.

"Sweeping floors," answers Jolinda. "Or would that be beneath you?"

Or Uzher at de demple

With Jolinda busy, Ardenas approaches the robed man, favoring him with a bow such as he would give a Master of his art.

"Please pardon an unbeliever, but I wish to speak to a leader of these people concerning yon formerly blind beggar."

In reply to Ardenas Barehand (msg # 64):

"Hey, just because the floors are underneath you, that does not mean we should be too proud to keep them clean..."

Mancini has joined Ardenas in speaking with the religious leader.

In reply to Mancini (msg # 66):

"Peace of the One be upon you. I am the Imam of these people, a lowly servant of the blessed one.
What business do you followers of foreign gods have do do with the alms seeker?"

In reply to Aoife (msg # 65):

"That does sound like honest labor."

"We have reason to believe that the recent healing of his blindness was part of a demonic plan.  We would not undo it, for it was a good deed, even if done with evil purpose, but we have heard that it has caused some to doubt the righteousness of giving alms, concerned that this beggar, and indeed others, may be putting on an appearance instead of truly being blind, halt, or maimed.

"We wish to assure your, uh, fellaheen that this man was truly blind and that his restoration was a miracle intended both to deprive him of his living and to deceive your people.  We are in the process of seeking the one who gave him the coin that carried his healing, along with others who had dealt with the same demons, hoping to overset the long term plan of those evil ones."

In reply to Ardenas Barehand (msg # 69):

"Healed by demons? What manner of foolishness is this?
The servants of Al-Shatain do not do good works, although it would seem that much evil has come of this act.
We are a simple people, inlike those in the Cathedral who count demonspawn among their numbers...
and you travel with... this creature!"