“Seventh son… most auspicious,” nods Father Elias. “I will allow this. Come with me.”

He heads outs of the large house and escorts you up to the dark cave you spotted earlier. The cave sits 50 meters above the village, where the ground is too steep and rocky to build houses. Four villagers and an Avestite novitiate stand guard outside but move aside to let you and Elias in. The cave is some 20 meters deep and houses the prisoners, their legs shackled to the stone wall.

“As you can see, they are well treated,” says Elias and indicates the cold soup and weak beer that is being prepared for the prisoners by a local villager. There are two scravers, three chainers, and two men you assume are the missing Errysdale villagers, Ayman and Osei. Another shackled man eyes you with suspicion. He is tall and haggard, with little hair left on his elongated skull. Dark circles around his black eyes and a pale complexion make him seem unhealthy. You recognize him as Galen Nestor from Valestra's description.

Efrem looks over the prisoners. They seem listless, pale and hungry, but bear no signs of beatings or torture.“Hey!” one of the chainers calls to Efrem. “Have you come to get us out? These people are insane!”

A backhanded blow from the Avestite guard rocks the man’s head back. “Silence, sinner!” snarls the novitiate.

Efrem looks at the chainer and the guard, then frowns.  "Well, that was predictable all around."

Efrem moves into the middle of the area, and stands to his full height.  He inhales both air and authority, and then speaks.

"I am Pathcanon Efrem Khenzada, son of retired Retired Second Thrall Ohran Khenzada.  I am a priest of the roads and trails of this barony.  With the permission of Father Elias, I have come to review your wellbeing, and administer any sacraments you may wish or need.  Given the fact that an Avestite is holding you, I will assume a confession is in order for all of you, individually.  If I am wrong, please inform me when I speak to you, and I will of course apologize as the honourable man of the cloth that I am."

"However, before I can work with your soul, a few things.  May I ask your names, and ask what physical concerns and ailments you have at this time."

He then turns and smiles at the guard before returning his gaze the prisoners.  "I am also aware of the watchful care within which this discussion is occurring, and I encourage you all to be as well."

The prisoners give their names; the Chainers are named Edwin, Tann and Eric, and the two Scravers are Wylo and Antoin. Ayman and Osei hail from Errysdale – and then of course Galen Nestor.

The Chainer that was beaten, Tann, swears and curses at the guards, calling them every name under the suns. “Bloody rednecks have kept us here for Pancreator knows how many days now. Feeding us slop and making us listen to sermons about Sin.” He spits at the novitiate’s feet, emboldened by the presence of Efrem. “Don’t need no confession, Father. Just get us out of here, and I’ll gladly donate half my next wages to your church.”

Not all the prisoners seem to share his views and are eager to give confession. Galen Nestor looks at you with interest but does not speak.

Father Elias nods, seemingly not surprised. “I will release these lost souls to your guardianship once I find out what happened at the manor. If you wish, we can bring a couple of them along, to show my good will.”


Tann

"Mr. Nestor," Alarus addresses the Engineer with a slight bow, "I am Sir Alarus Thana, and this is Lady Alina Petrovna Decados. We are visitors to this barony, and have traveled here at Lady Jeri'ven's request. She asked us to find you and return you to her estate as quickly as possible. As you must know, she is gravely ill and I do not know how long she will survive without your aid. I shall do whatever I can to negotiate your release and the release of your men, but I fear I have little power in this regard."
This message was last edited by a game editor at 05:31, Thu 13 Sept 2018.

In reply to Sir Alarus Thana (msg # 188):

Alina watches the Avestite carefully as Alarus speaks, hoping to see if she can catch his reactions.

Efrem nods in response to Elias.  "Indeed.  I'd assume you'd wish to bring Galen Nestor, to demonstrate he is in good health to the Baroness.  As far as others, I would suggest those two," Efrem says with a gesture to the villagers.  "Peasant stock from the barony are less likely to be the source of the sins you are worried about.  Additionally, as they are of this land, bringing them may be viewed by the Baroness as an act of good faith."

Efrem shrugs, "But then, I will admit to being beyond myself a bit when it comes to negotiations and machinations among my betters of this world.  However, as far as my simple eyes can see, those would be the three I would bring along. Secured, of course."

“Hmmmm…..,” frowns Elias. “I suspect that this Engineer is heavily involved in this mystery. Perhaps it would indeed be best to bring him with us. And I would betray my holy vows if I prevented him from treating his charge. Very well. We will travel to the estate and seek a resolution to all of this. Do you wish to rest before we head back? This people of this village are simple folk, but they are generous and hospitable.”

He turns to the Avestite guard. “Ezekiel, prepare the Engineer and the two Errysdale men for travel. Keep the others here until you hear from me. And do try not to let your temper get away with you. Remember, the Pancreator is always watching!”

Ezekiel scowls, but scurries out of the cave, most likely to arrange equils and travel supplies.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:11, Fri 14 Sept 2018.

Efrem gives a deep nod to Elias in appreciation for the decision.

He then finishes confessions to all who want them, and then goes to the Chainers.  "What I say now is about suffering rather than sin: The less you antagonize the guards, the more likely you are to survive until I return for you."

In reply to Sir Alarus Thana (msg # 188):

Galen Nestor nods as Alarus introduces himself. "Thank you for coming to my aid, good Sir. You are correct in that I'm am urgently needed at the lady's side. With my superior knowledge and skills I can treat her illness. I just pray to the Pancreator that we will arrive in time. Otherwise her blood will be on your hands!"  He scowls at Father Elias as he says this.

"Aye. We will make haste. Let us head out," says Elias.

Elias leads you out of the cave and commands some of the villagers to find provisions for you. In a matter of scant hours, a small caravan is assembled, with the prisoners in a covered wagon, and you begin the arduous trek back to Errysdale and the mansion.

Efrem makes sure to thank the villagers individually, asking them all their names.  Later, he tries to write as many as he can down.

He sighs and looks to the sky before heading out with the caravan.

Well, I have no idea what you've got planned.  I'm sure it is wonderous and glorious in the grand scheme of things, but all in all, I hope I like whatever's coming.  If it's not inconvenient.

Finishing his thought, he abruptly says out loud, "Amen."

Once back at the bottom of the hill, where Efrem left his carriage, Alarus speaks quietly with the Pathcanon. "Father, please forgive my asking, but do you intend to give the Crafter's think machine to Father Elias?"

Efrem frowns.  "Ay, I suppose I should.  The longer I hold onto it, the worse this is going to be."  He sighs and gets up.  "Time to go and trust an Avestite noble bent on revenge."


= = = = = = = =
Addendum Here
= = = = = = = =


The caravan puases, and Efrem takes a moment to approach Elias.  "Father Elias?  May I have a word?"


The two walk a bit off from the rest of the group for privacy.  "Father Elias, I have come to the conclusion you are both reasonable and honourable.  I say this because, if I may be frank for a moment, I was unsure what to expect when I found you.  I'm always curious about newcomers to the Barony, especially when they are moving in the rural lands of the commoners rather than the grand halls of the nobility and guilds."  Efrem shrugs slightly.  "And the more violent events involving some of your men did not help assuage my fears."

Efrem then produces the think machine and presents it to Elias.  "On our travel here, we met a man named Antar, who wished for me to give you this.  He wanted to destroy it, but remembered you gave conflicting orders."

"As for my delay... I promised to give it to a person named Father Elias worthy of being a leader, concerned for people and The Light.  I needed to make sure such a person actually existed."
This message was last edited by a game editor at 22:24, Wed 19 Sept 2018.

= = = = = =

Addendum

Efrem looks at Alarus after talking about trust.  "Any thoughts on how this should occur?"

Alarus lowers his eyes in thought for a moment before looking back at the Pathcanon. "Pardon me, Father, but do you feel it is wise to reveal the information in the Crafter's journals to such a man? Is he not likely to punish the Crafter severely for such research?"
This message was last edited by a game editor at 23:29, Fri 21 Sept 2018.

Efrem's eyes get wide.  "Yes, we can remove that, can't we?"

He grumbles.  "Sometimes, but only sometimes, I wish I knew how all The Stuff works."

Alarus can here the capitalization of That Stuff, those dangerous wonders that both allow humanity to flourish and tempt it to self destruction.

Alarus nods gently. "As I understand it, most portable think machines store their information in small data crystals, which can be removed. Lady Alina likely knows more about such things than I, but I have seen Engineers extract such crystals from similar devices."
This message was last edited by a game editor at 23:27, Fri 21 Sept 2018.

Efrem nods.  "Well, let's go find her then."

As they are traveling back down to the caravan and waiting for Efram and Alarus, Alina looks  an opportunity to talk to Galen alone, even if just for a brief moment to offer some words of support and encouragement, trying to gain a bit of trust with him.

Watching Efram and Alarus approach she smiles, "I really need to get you two in a game of poker. What do you need?"

"M'Lady, Last person who said that to me ended up donating their house to the church."  Efrem's tone is so serious, he's either slightly offended or terribly amused.

"Your fellow nobleman and I agreed that it may be fortuitous if you removed the data crystal from an item before I give it to Elias."

After talking to Father Elias, you head way back to Jeri’ven’s estate to report your findings. You stop in Errysdale along the way, to leave Raz with his family. They are shocked at the sight of his wounds, but thank you profusely for saving his life.

Back at the manor you find the Baroness is still very sick, but she nevertheless wants to talk to you in person, with Valestra present. As before, she remains in bed. She balks at admitting Father Elias into her quarters under any circumstances, fearing his mystical powers, but she allows you to run messages between her and the priest (Father Elias refuses to operate a Squawker).

Baroness Jeri’ven is shocked when she learns that a Temple Avesti priest took Crafter Galen and his men captive. She refuses to discuss matters of the excavation site as she regards this as a private matter of the Calhoun Barony. When she hears of Father Elias offer to release the prisoners in exchange for the Baroness’ cooperation, she hesitates and then asks for a rest break, asking you to remain in her mansion till she can discuss the matter with you again. As you wait in the hallway, Karina, the young servant girl, spots you and asks if you have found her brother, Ayman.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:59, Wed 10 Oct 2018.

    "We did find your brother," Alarus replies solemnly to the young kitchen maid with a gentle nod. "He had been seized from an excavation site along with the rest of Crafter Nestor's team by an Avestite priest named Father Elias, and was being held prisoner by the Father's followers in Quoron. He and the others in Nestor's team are under suspicion of having committed some great sin at the work site, though what they are accused of doing remains unclear to us.
    "Your brother is unharmed, but is unfortunately still Father Elias's prisoner for the time being. We were able to persuade Elias to take him with us, and he is here now, on the manor's grounds with the Father's caravan. Elias has agreed to set him and the others free if the Baroness will cooperate with his investigations. We are presently negotiating with the two of them and seeking a fair resolution.
    "I am deeply sorry that I cannot offer you more certain reassurance at this time. But I give you my word that I shall do everything I can to bargain for your brother's release, and my companions are striving to do the same. In the meantime, perhaps Father Elias will at least permit you to see your brother and speak with him. I shall ask the Baroness to allow me to return to him and make that request."

Meanwhile, Efrem has busied himself with learning what he can about the men in Elias' entourage.  Their names, families, etc.  Who knows if it will be useful.  At the least, some social connection to them may be a resource.

He's been to the Baroness' manor a few times before, but the current situation makes it feel a bit more alien than it did before.
This message was last edited by a game editor at 17:28, Wed 10 Oct 2018.

“Thank you, kind sir!” flusters Karina. “I am so relived! I was even planning on heading into the woods to look for him myself, but then I realized how stupid that would be. I would love to see him if that is allowed.”

She hesitates for a moment. “And the physick? You found him too? I hope he will be able to cure our Lady. With all the tools he has in his hidden room, it should hopefully be enough. Oh!”

She clasps her hand to her mouth and her eyes widen. “Not sure I should have said that…”

"There are worse circumstances for a moment of indiscretion than to say something to a priest and nobles who are faithfully employed by Your Lady," Efrem says in a reassuring tone to Karina.

"So, best think of this as an educational moment to learn from, rather than a folly that will bring darkness upon us all."