Back in Centertown, Alarus heads back to the Old Codex, where he contacts Alina and Otto and updates them on current events.

“That poor woman,” replies Otto. “I wish that I could accompany you on this most intriguing journey, but I have met with some very learned scholars here, and feel that I am close to furthering my understanding of the mysteries awaiting us. I will be praying to the Pancreator for your safe return. Godspeed!”

“Larrane, you say?” replies Alina. “Hmmmm, actually I wouldn't mind going with you. I heard that Perleria is very pretty.” She lowers her voice and whispers into the squawker. “And my friend has turned into the most frightful bore! Celebrities, diets, fashion and more celebrities – yawn! Definitely not as fun as I remember. Let me take my shopping back to the Mendicant, grab my gear, and I’ll come meet you. Where are you now?”

Alarus spends a pleasant hour chatting to Anydi before Alina arrives, once again wearing her Decados leathers, and with a brand-new pack slung on her back. She greets Anydi and smiles at Alarus. “Ready to go?”

Soon, they at the Gilded Vorox and meet up with Valestra. She is very pleased to see Alarus again and bows deferentially to Alina. “It is an honour, my lady. My bags are already packed, and as luck would have it, there is an airship leaving for Larrane later this evening. I have a return ticket and will be happy to arrange for passage for you both as well.”

After a few minutes, Valestra has paid for her lodging and instructed the receptionist to hail an aircar to the airport. Alina gets in the flitter with a slightly amused expression.

The group lands at the airport and heads over to the launching area for the airships. There is a small terminal, where Valestra purchases return tickets for Alina and Alarus. “The ship leaves in two hours, in case you need to purchase anything here. The flight should only take a day or so.”

As the airship slowly descends to hover over the landing platform, the passengers gather in a line to await boarding. An Orthodox priest walks along the line, sprinkling holy water and chanting prayers for a safe trip, which causes Alina to discreetly roll her eyes at Alarus.

“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Skywarden, announces a young woman dressed in a Charioteer uniform. “I will be your captain. Please make your way to the boarding ramp and find a seat. We should arrive in Larrane tomorrow evening, Pancreator willing.”

There is plenty of space for passengers on the Skywarden. A couple of nobles have even brought their mounts, which are tended by some of the crew. After half an hour, the airship powers up its engines and quickly ascends to a cruising altitude, offering spectacular views of the city and the countryside.


This message was last edited by the GM at 11:26, Sun 10 June 2018.

Alarus spends some time writing in his journal as the Skywarden begins its long cruise over Shamal's countryside. He pauses now and then to gaze at the setting sun through the orange and violet-tinted clouds ahead, and listens to the gentle playing of the ship's minstrels. The wind picks up slightly as the vessel gradually draws nearer to the distant Tabaristan Sea, whipping through the Thana's long, colorless hair and loose robes. He draws his bisht cloak and dastmaal scarf closer about himself, and stows his pen and journal back in his knapsack. The day's light is beginning to fade, and the ship's stewards are starting to prepare dinner for the passengers. Alarus looks over at Valestra thoughtfully, wondering what a Perlerian baroness's chamberlain is doing this far east, a whole continent away from her home.
This message was last edited by a game editor at 02:43, Fri 15 June 2018.

The continent of Perleria possesses a varied geography, with coastlines of irregular cliffs while the inland is dominated by forests and the Wyeming Mountains rising majestically to the north. The cultivated areas are primarily agricultural lands, where wheat and the resilient blood-rye grow together with crawling turnips and palm-oat. Apart from the capital of Larrane and cities to the south, Perleria is a backwater place, technologically speaking, when compared to Criticorum as a whole. The continent is ruled by Baroness Prajna Sophia al-Malik from the Eagle Palace in Larrane, a city that also boasts the Cathedral of St. Maya.

The Orthodox Sect of the Universal Church is prominent on Perleria, and almost every little town has its own church or temple. The majority of Perleria’s denizens are strictly devoted to Orthodox beliefs, which is clearly mirrored in their daily life, activities and their way of speech. The Minor Houses of Juandaastas and Torensen have several holdings on Perleria and the two houses are often at odds, with Marquessa Sabine al-Malik Juandaastas (the Juandaastas family matriarch) and Sir Zachery Torenson (the local Torenson leader) being openly hostile to one another.

Alina tries to engage Valestra in light conversation, but the chamberlain seems tense and only replies with short but polite sentences. Her most frequent response is “Please do not ask me questions that it is not my place to answer.”

However, over the pleasant dinner she relaxes a bit more, and explains that Barony of Calhoun lies northwest of Larrane, in the shadow of the Wyeming Mountains. It normally takes three days’ travel on equils (a native Criticorum horse-analogue) through thick conifer woods and crossing various minor hamlets to get there, but it is also possible for wealthier visitors to rent a small airship at Larrane, reducing the journey to half a day.

She adds that Baroness Jeri’ven’s husband, Baron Lucien Juandaastas died about four months ago. Since then, Baroness Jeri’ven has ruled the fief in his stead. There are also two children; Coraline (age five) and Balthazar (age two). Sadly, the Baroness has been suffering from a mysterious illness for a while now. Every local healer, including a wandering Amalthean, had been consulted but none could take care of the problems.

An Engineer called Galen Nestor was hired a few months ago in order to treat Jeri’ven. Galen made some progress researching a remedy, although Valestra did not learn the nature of the disease. She remembers that Galen compared it to a kind of non-contagious flu. About two weeks ago Crafter Galen simply disappeared following a visit to Errysdale, a small village a few hours east of the Barony. Although Galen spent much of his time doing research at Baroness Jeri’ven’s estates, he also enjoyed hunting and exploring the countryside, especially in the northern parts of the barony where the forests are thick and the game plenty.

The skies grow darker, and the deck of the Skywarden is illuminated by the soft glow of paper lanterns as most of the passengers head down to their bunks. Some remain behind, and soon a lively tune is struck up on fiddles and flutes. Alina dances with a handsome nobleman and seem to be enjoying herself immensely. Valestra stands motionless near the prow of the airship, her shawl fluttering in the wind as she gazes westward.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:16, Sun 10 June 2018.

Alarus quietly comes to stand beside Valestra on the ship's bow, gazing out across the vast Nordwood Forest as the wind sweeps through his hair and cloak. The sun's light grows dimmer as it sets behind the distant mountains, yet still glimmers brightly in the jewel-like flecks of the Thana's strange violet eyes. He is silent for a while, watching the landscape gradually darken until the moon's pale glow is all that remains to illuminate the shadowed world below. "It is a long journey to Acheon from Perleria," he says softly. "If I may ask, madam, what brought you to seek help for your lady so far from her barony?"

Something just felt off to Efrem. Was it the lack of birdsong, the absence of the friendly dog that normally greeted him – or the faintest smell of slightly rotted meat?

Willem leaned against the doorframe, blocking entry into the small cabin on the hillside. The old farmer looked gaunt and stressed, but he smiled as he made small-talk with the pathcanon. “Yup, things are going pretty well, thanks for asking, Father. Anna and I are happy as pigs in muck here. Sadly, we had to put ol’ Walker down – he got bitten by something and turned rabid.”

The farmer squints distractedly at the setting sun behind Efrem for a long moment before continuing. “Anyway, there's no need to keep you from your wanderings, Father. I reckon it’s a long ride to the Stack’s farm and these here woods can be tricky at night.”


This message was last edited by the player at 20:54, Fri 15 June 2018.

In reply to Sir Alarus Thana (msg # 6):

Valestra gazes at the glittering stars above for a moment before answering. "I was getting desperate for help. None of the local physicks are familiar with my lady's illness or able to help. With Galen gone missing, her health has deteriorated. I decided to go straight to the capital to find people who could find him. I talked to several chainers, but they wanted more and more money.

Her face darkens with anger. "They could drink and whore for weeks with what I offered them but it was still not enough! So in the end, I went looking for someone with some integrity to assist my noble lady!”

"The Baroness is very fortunate to have such a devoted woman in her service," Alarus replies with gentle admiration, "— just as you were fortunate to arrive in the capital at the most opportune moment to find help for her. It is surely the Pancreator's providence that led me to Acheon in your lady's time of need. I am honored to have been entrusted with such a critical task, and shall strive to do right by the dedication you have shown to your lady. Take heart, for the Pancreator's grace has already blessed our quest, and shall guide us to its fulfillment." He smiles softly at the chamberlain before turning to look back into the starry sky ahead.

In reply to GM (msg # 7):



Efrem begins nodding in response to Old Willem’s comments, slowly fading into his own thoughts. He remembered he was still in front of Willem, though, and shot a smile at him and re-established eye contact.

“Yeah, the Stacks’ll be happy to see me,” Efrem says before sighing.  “I have never met a man so dedicated to making sure all his lifestock get a blessing of some kind.  Of course, a good and godly farmer can’t be too careful these days, but, well, he’s got some urgency.”

“And that’s a shame about Walker.  He was a good dog.  Any idea what bit ‘em?  Not to be too morbid, but his body’s around, I’d be curious to take a look.  Other farmers’ll be wantin’ to know what is on the prowl these days.

Willem wasn't wrong about needing to go soon, but something wasn't quite right.


This message was last updated by the GM at 16:27, Fri 15 June 2018.

Valestra smiles back at Alarus. “Your words bolster my spirit. I’m glad that our paths have met, and I will sleep more easily tonight.”

With that, she bids Alarus a good night and retires to her cabin. The Skywarden proceeds at a stately pace, and as dawn breaks, the vast blue expanse of the Ilaha Ocean can be seen ahead. As the last of the breakfast tables are being cleared away, the airship leaves the coastline behind and glides out over the wine-dark sea.

It is late afternoon as the Skywarden finally approaches Larrane, the capital of Perleria.

Perleria possesses a varied geography, with coastlines of irregular cliffs while the inland is dominated by forests and the Wyeming Mountains rising majestically to the north. The cultivated areas are primarily agricultural lands, where wheat and the resilient blood-rye grow together with crawling turnips and palm-oat. Apart from the capital of Larrane and cities to the south, Perleria is a backwater place, technologically speaking, when compared to Criticorum as a whole. The continent is ruled by Baroness Prajna Sophia al-Malik from the Eagle Palace in Larrane, a city that also boasts the Cathedral of St. Maya.

The Orthodox Sect of the Universal Church is prominent on Perleria, and almost every little town has its own church or temple. The majority of Perleria’s denizens are strictly devoted to Orthodox beliefs, which is clearly mirrored in their daily life, activities and their way of speech.

Alina has gotten bored and restless with the long trip, and scowls as the small city is slowly revealed beneath them, a far cry from the glittering spires of Acheon. “Bohze moi! What a dump!" she exclaims, with her usual tactful diplomacy. "Can we at least stop somewhere for a meal and a drink before we proceed further away from civilization?”

Valestra grudgingly agrees, and after the Skywarden anchors at an airstrip just outside of Larrane, Alina manages to find a small tavern with a surprising selection of good wines and seafood. Returning to the airfield, Valestra arranges for passage on a much smaller airship, the ‘Reluctant Parishioner’ to take them onwards to the Barony of Calhoun.


This message was last edited by the player at 17:38, Fri 15 June 2018.

Willem nods his head slowly. “Aye, surely. I put him near that old tree he loved to lie under. But this happened a while ago, so there’s probably not much left of him now. Dunno what got him, but it sure got ‘im good. Took a big chunk out of his flank. He got so ornery in the end, even tried to bite Anna.”

He points to a nearby shed. “Shovel’s in there if you want to go a-diggin’


This message was last edited by the player at 20:54, Fri 15 June 2018.

In reply to GM (msg # 12):

Efrem frowns.  "The longer shadows touch everything these days, don't they."  He then sighs dramatically as a form of punctuation.

"Welp.  I oughtta be off,"  He then slaps both knees as he leans forward to stand, acting at least 20 years older than he actually is.

"Anna?  It's been a pleasure to see the home you manage to keep, as always," he says loud enough for anyone in the cabin to hear.  He collects his few belongings as he waits for a reply.

There is a short pause and then a wheezing, rattling noise can be heard from inside the cabin. It sounds like somebody is trying to speak, but has forgotten the concept of words.

Willem moves to fill the narrow door frame, a pained expression on his wrinkled face. "My poor Anna did catch a nasty cold, but she's on the mend, thank the Pancritter. Now, we really shouldn't keep you any further, Father..."
This message was last edited by the player at 21:01, Fri 15 June 2018.

In reply to Willem (msg # 14):

Efrem smiles sweetly.  "Aw, now that is a shame.  Losing a loved one can invite all sorts of illness, even if the loss is a pet."  He chuckles.  "Actually, given what passes for kids these days, I suspect pets would be an especially upsetting loss."

Continuing to smile sweetly, he waves to Willem and heads toward the noise.  "I should pop my head in.  Say hi and see what I can do.  A kind word from a pracher can sometimes do the trick."

"That's very kind, thankee. But she needs her rest, poor thing. Now, you really should be going. The night is falling..."

Willem's gnarled but strong hand moves to casually rest on the large felling axe propped against the door.

The wheezing voice from the cabin can be heard again, clearer this time. "Hungry... Willeeem... need fooood.."

In reply to Willem (msg # 16):

Efrem drops the friendly act, and stares coldly into Willem's eyes, looking down to the dark parts of his being where his soul used to be before it was corrupted by the horrors of this world.

"Willem.  I've known you a good long time, and on balance you're a good man.  I'm currently suspecting you're in a horrible situation not of your making.  You're desperate, and trying to keep things together.  You don't know what to do or what to hope for.  I know that.  I've seen that.

"But I'm the Pathcanon here, and it is my work to embrace what is good.  So, you have a chance, you have a hope."

Efrem raises a single finger, never breaking eye contact with Willem.  "I will ask you once, and only once: Tell me what has come to be in this place.  Tell me, and I will know your balance still is to the good."

Efrem's tone has dropped and slowed, and it is clear that along his pleas for explanation, there are dire threats.


While waiting for a response, Efrem tries to remember all exits for the cabin, as well as what could help start a fire.

Willem's voice takes on a pleading tone. "Father, please. We're not harming anyone. I'll look after her, I promise..."

He easily lifts the heavy axe, but then sighs and drops it. Resignedly, he moves away from the door frame.

"Whatever bit ol' Walker, it somehow got to her too. She doesn't talk so well anymore, but she's still my bright treasure. Father, please... I don't know what to do..."

A dark shape slowly comes shuffling into view, the ravaged face of Anna staring at Efrem with naked hunger...

In reply to Willem (msg # 18):

"No, I don't suppose you do," Efrem mutters, half to himself.

He quickly closes the door.

"Oh, Willem... I'm sorry you have to deal with this.  I am sorry the light has faded like this in your lifetime.  You didn't deserve this.  Between the Stars, ANNA didn't deserve this."


Efrem notes where a large blanket is, as well as a wash bucket and wash rag.


Efrem paces the room, clearly troubled.  "Willem, I will not lie to you: there is little I can do for her here, and left on the path she's on, she's just going to get worse.  Within a week, she won't be able to talk, and she will no longer recognize you."

He pauses, thinking for a moment, and then raises a hand as if something came to him.  "I know a place... A place that MIGHT be able to help her and give her the light she deserves.  Unfortunately, it is a long journey, and I need to prepare her.  Unfortunately, doing so is a complicated thing, and the spiritual energies involved are both strong and unpleasant."

Efrem stands before Willem looking as authoritative as he can.  "If you trust me, and for all three of our sakes, I hope you do, I would like to take her from here to help her.  However, to prevent darkness from getting inside you, I must ask you to leave for a while.  Tend your animals, check your fences.  Leave here for an hour or so.  When you return, both me and your treasured Anna will be gone, and I will be taking her somewhere where healing is possible.

I know haven't seen your daughter in a bit, but get word to her.  You'll need the comfort of loved ones.  It will help you get through, and I believe the unified prayer for her wellbeing will help Anna as well."

Willem listens to Efrem’s words with a pained expression. His rheumy eyes wander from the priest to his wife. Then he shakes his head sadly.

“I’m sorry, Father. I know you mean the best, and you have to do right by the Pancritter. But we’ve been living here now for over 50 years, and she’s all I got. If she has to go, I will follow her. But as my da always said, don’t go down without a fight…”

He stoops to pick up the axe and moves to the door, blocking the exit as Anna shambles towards Efrem.

In reply to Willem (msg # 20):

"Your da was also an ass"

And with that, Efrem lunges past Anna, into the bedroom, shutting the door behind him.

Efrem barricades the door with the bed frame before trying to squeeze through the window
This message was last edited by a game editor at 23:33, Fri 15 June 2018.

Efrem manages to break open the window and squeeze through it. Behind him, the head of a large axe tears a splintery hole in the wooden door. Another blow, and Willem sticks his head through the hole and glares at the escaping preacher. “Insult my dear ol' da, willya? I’ll chop you good, so I will!”

The farmer quickly reduces the door to a pile of broken wood and enters the room, with Anna following close behind. Outside the window, Efrem calmly draws his slug thrower and fires at Willem. Several bullets hit, and the farmer goes down. Anna shuffles into the room but stops when she sees Willem. She lets out a strange sobbing gurgle.

"Anna?” shouts Efram from outside. “That is your only meal!”

Anna stares down at Willem for a moment and then grabs his arm, taking a huge bite out of it. He screams for help, trying to crawl away.

Efrem wastes no time sympathizing for the damned. He runs around to the front door, enters, and immediately pulls a burning log from of the fireplace with the intent of burning the cabin down. After setting the fire, he exists, and waits. Anything that escapes the fire will need to deal with him.

The dry wood of the cabin quickly catches fire. Willem stops screaming after a while – and only the crackling and popping of the wood from the burning cabin can be heard...

As sunlight fades, Pathcanon Efrem rides off to the next homestead.  He allows himself to hope that tomorrow will be better.

He offers a silent prayer for Anna.  But none for Willem.

The estate of the Calhoun Barony is a simple, yet well-maintained countryside manor, with an annex of four buildings and a separate stable for livestock and equils. The main building is built of stone while the rest have a stone basement with wooden constructions above – everything surrounded by a sturdy timber palisade five meters high. Many of the surrounding fields look abandoned and the cultivated lands around the manor were obviously larger in the past. The Baroness’ household seems to consists of only a dozen servants, maids, stable boys and other personnel.

Upon arrival, Alarus and Alina notice two men-at-arms in Juandaastas colors, evidently the only guards present. After showing the group their rooms and allowing them to freshen up a bit, Valestra introduces them to the Baroness Jeri’ven Vo’kaari-Juandaastas, who receives the group in bed, evidently too sick to welcome her guests in the main hall.

Jeri’ven is obviously ill and in much pain. Exhaustion marks her pale face and she is buried beneath a mountain of pillows and blankets. Her eyes are pitch black, the distinctive mark of an Ur-Obun.

“My Lady,” announces Valestra. “May I introduce Sir Alarus Thana and Lady Alina Decados. They have come to help us find Galen.”

Alarus, now clad in his dark blue robes and cloak, with the golden House Thana brazier emblazoned on its back, bows humbly to the Juandaastas baroness. "I am honored to have been given the opportunity to aid you, my lady. I have pledged to do all I can to find your missing physick, and Lady Alina has graciously offered to accompany me on this quest. Please tell us anything you believe may help us in our search."

The Baroness' voice is feeble and shaky, but she welcomes Alarus and Alina with as much warmth as she can muster, and promises them her eternal friendship and great rewards if they can locate her physick, Crafter Galen Nestor of the Engineers’ Guild.

“My own staff has so far been unable to locate the missing physick, but as we are a humble rural estate, none of them have much experience with such things. Please, find me my physick, as quickly as you can!”

A wracking cough causes her to fall back in her bed with exhaustion, and Valestra urges you to follow her to the dining hall to discuss the details of the assignment with her. You are given the following information to start your investigation:

An Engineer Crafter called Galen Nestor was hired a few months ago in order to treat Jeri’ven’s illness. Every local healer, including a wandering Amalthean, had been consulted but none could take care of the problems.

Galen made some progress researching a remedy, although Valestra did not learn the nature of the disease. Valestra remembers that Galen compared it to a kind of non-contagious flu that is probably exclusive to Obun.

About two weeks ago Crafter Galen simply disappeared following a visit to Errysdale, a small village a few hours east of here. Although Galen spent much of his time doing research at Baroness Jeri’ven’s estates, he also enjoyed hunting and exploring the countryside especially in the northern parts of the barony where the forests are thick and the game plenty.

Valestra urges you to hurry with your investigation, as she fears for her Lady’s life if Galen is not found quickly. In addition to your reward, you are offered guest rooms at the estate, and you will dine with Valestra and the household, starting with a hot supper within the hour.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:10, Sun 17 June 2018.

After a pleasant dinner, where Alina and Valesta exchange polite small talk, Valestra shows Alarus and Alina to the sleeping chambers assigned to Galen Nestor.

For a supposed physick expert, Galen has little medical equipment in his room. Except for a book on Obun physiology, there is nothing to indicate a physick lived in this room. Although the room has been routinely cleaned, the thick carpet on the floor shows clear signs that dirty boot prints have been unsuccessfully cleaned. A receipt found behind Galen’s bed shows he issued a credit note with a Reeves bank on Acheon, paying for a one-year term of service from 6 Musters Guild members and 3 Scravers Guild members. Valestra seems surprised when shown the receipt and states that this is news to her.

As a couple of stable-hands are preparing the equils that will take Alarus and Alina to Errysdale, a young kitchen maid approaches. She takes in the mantis emblem on Alina’s jacket and her eyes widen. Timidly turning to Alarus, she begs for a moment of his time.

Her name is Karina and she says that her elder brother Ayman was once recruited by Galen Nestor to help out with some manual labor in the northern forest. Ayman did not tell her exactly what the work entailed, but she recalls his clothes were often stained by mud or dirt when he returned. She is very upset because her brother has gone missing too, together with a few other people from Errysdale, and nobody seems to care. She knows that Ayman was in Galen’s service when he disappeared, and begs Alarus to find out more about the missing persons

"I shall inquire in Errysdale about these missing townspeople," Alarus promises the maid, "and seek them out as soon as I am able. I give you my word that I shall not end my search until I have done all within my ability to find your brother." He bows his head gently as he makes his vow.

Alina and Alarus mount their equils and begin the next step of their travel. A badly maintained gravel road leads northeast from Lady Jeri’ven’s estates to the small town of Errysdale. The scenery is gorgeous and Alina happily breathes in the clear, crisp air.

She turns to Alarus as they are riding side by side. "There's a lot more to this story that we've been told so far. We'd better have our wits about us. What do you think happened?"

A nondescript equil the color of dried mud pulls a functional, undecorated wagon rides into Errysdale.

Though he has never been to this town, it is full of familiar forms.  The details, and the flaws, are yet to be found.

As Efrem observes, he mutters the words to an old hymn to himself.

"O
Be my vision
My Pancreator
Beyond you, there is nothing
Be my best thought, evermore
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light."




With a clicking noise, Efrem halts the wagon on front of a general store in town.  He hops off the wagon, ties the horse, and looks around again to see what can be seen.

"I wonder what shadows dance in this little corner a' Creation."
This message was last edited by a game editor at 22:51, Wed 20 June 2018.

Errysdale is a small village with some 150 inhabitants, consisting primarily of solid stone and clay brick houses. Most of the villagers are simple peasants, serfs belonging to the Juandaastas Barony. Some artisans of simple tools, wooden furniture and a few weavers also call Errysdale their home. This is a perfect place to buy sturdy low-tech wares, such as simple winter clothing, basic tools and wooden furniture. There is also a small Orthodox shrine in honor of the Prophet and St. Amalthea, where travelling monks or priests regularly celebrate mass and dispense the sacraments.

Upon entering Errysdale, Efrem is greeted reverently by the local population. Soon after he reaches the old well at the central village plaza, he is addressed by a thin, white-haired man who respectfully bows and spreads his arms in a welcoming gesture, while a small group of curious peasants gathers behind him.

”I bid thee welcome, Father! May the holy Prophet bless you and may merciful St. Amalthea always watch over you. I am Caleb al-Rafat and I speak on behalf of every man, woman and child of Errysdale. May I ask what brings you to our home?”


This message was last edited by the GM at 02:40, Thu 21 June 2018.

"I cannot say for certain," Alarus replies softly as their equils trot through the darkened woods. "But from the kitchen maid's description of her brother's soiled clothes and the mud stains we found in Nestor's room, it seems whatever project the Engineer was working on likely involved a large amount of digging. That he hired a team of Muster and Scraver workers for a full year of service suggests he may have discovered something in the northern forest which requires an excavation crew to unearth. Perhaps some ancient ruins or some other archaeological find."
This message was last edited by a game editor at 00:34, Mon 25 June 2018.

In reply to Sir Alarus Thana (msg # 33):

Efrem smiles gently at Caleb.  "And a good day to you as well, good Elder.  I am Pathcanon Efrem, and it pleases me to see such a handsome town as this.  As for my business, I don't have much," Efrem says with a shrug.  "I am simply passing to another town, though I passed this way as I am looking for the owner of the general store, and his wife, Nora."

Caleb seems pleased with exchanging pleasantries with Efrem and nods as the shopkeeper is mentioned.

"Aye, that'd be Tomas. His shop is just over there. I'm sure he'll give you a good deal on anything you'd need, Father. Begging your pardon, but afterwards would you be so kind as to hold a small service for us? The last priest that visited here left before he could bless us."

"Ancient ruins?" marveled Alina.  Sounds exiting! I would love a chance to go exploring in such a place. Do you think it might be Anunnaki, or perhaps Second Republic? Were there any ancient races on this planet?"

"There are Diasporan ruins in the Ahmar Desert," replies Alarus, "and there are rumored to be Anunnaki ruins in the Disamber Mountains south of Malik Mohafza, so it would seem that anything is possible. I know little of Perleria, but I have heard sailors' legends that tell of a sunken Ur city far beneath the northern ice, called Daztlanshi in the folklore of the northern Shimo people. I know not if the stories are true, but if they are, there may well be other Ur ruins remaining on land — or buried beneath the earth."

Alina nods and rides on in silence. As they approach the village of Errysdale, she reaches into her pack and pulls out an old, faded and dusty cloak that she drapes over her shoulders. The blue cloak covers most of her less than chaste Decados leathers.

"Got to be careful not to shock the poor darlings too much, eh?" she grins at Alarus.

Nodding to Alina, Alarus pulls his cloak's hood over his head, covering his translucent hair and shading his glimmering violet eyes. The two riders' lanterns light the path ahead as their equils walk slowly through the gloom toward the nearby village. Here in primitive Perleria, far from the bustling cities of Salamandra, the night is truly dark and the stars glitter brightly through the trees.

In reply to GM (msg # 35):

Efrem looks a bit shocked.  He fixed his coat and stands upright.

"Did he leave before holding a service due to an emergency or out of sloth?  In either case, I would happily hold one tonight, if you wish."

Efrem looks about.  "If the church is there, then I would like, if it is acceptable to the town, to park my wagon over there so that it is nearby but not in the way.  The Pancreator is Good, but he also likes his lawn to remain intact."

Efrem decides it is best to speak with Tomas and Willem's daughter after the service, as it will give him a better understanding of the town and hopefully buy him some good will.

Still... I should let them know a conversation is to be had... He sighs, and goes to the store.

"Elder Caleb, I shall see you tonight."

“Thank you, Father!” replies Caleb. “I will gather the townsfolk for your sermon. Will seven of the clock at the holy shrine be acceptable? We will tend to your equil and wagon, and of course arrange for lodgings at the inn.”

Efrem heads to the general store, a large sturdy wooden building, and enters. A small bell rings cheerfully, and the merchant bows his head respectfully at Efrem. “Welcome, Father. How may I help you?”

A woman with a friendly smile is stocking some shelves with canned beans at the back of the store.

Efrem smiles and wipes his feet before coming in.

"Good day, good day.  I'm Pathcanon Efrem, and I will be holding a service tonight.  If your work allows, I hope you can attend, and encourage friends to as well.  Your elder mentioned you haven't had a service in a while."

Efrem begins looking around the store.  "Tomorrow, I will likely resupply my wagon before I go.  If you give me some paper, I can make a list..?"

Efrem sighs, then smirks.  "And I apologize.  The roads of this land do many things, but they do not encourage proper manners.  May I inquire after you two?  How long have you lived in town?  And I believe the Elder said you were... Tomas?  And you his wife?"

The shopkeeper nods, as miserly with his words as most people in this region.

Realizing that this is not sufficient, he clears his throat. "Aye, I be Tomas. And this be Nora, m'wife. Been here all our livin' days."

He rummages around in a drawer and produces a torn sheet of paper and a ballpoint pen, handing both to Efrem.

"We'll be at t'service, of course. Father Elias and his men didn't give us blessings, but rather beatings."
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:53, Mon 25 June 2018.

In reply to GM (msg # 43):

"All your days?  My, I envy the stability in that statement."

Efrem chuckles as he begins to write the list.

"Though... not that I am one who can speak ill of the Church, but it sounds like Father Elias has rather distinctive ideas on spiritual formation.  When was he here last?"

Tomas grunts and furrows his brow. "We don't speak ill of the Pancritter's servants either. Perhaps we did all deserve a good thrashin' for our wicked ways. He was 'ere about a month ago. A month, was it?"  He glances at Nora, who holds up three fingers - she is clearly as loquacious as her husband.

"Aye, three weeks ago," states Tomas. "Had a bunch of those stinkin' Quorons with 'im, and some Burners."

[Burners is local slang for Avestites]
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:25, Tue 26 June 2018.

"Huh, that's all sorts of noteworthy.  Does he usually have that entourage, or that a new development?"

Efrem finishes the shopping list and smiles to Nora.

"I'm sure I wouldn't know, Father," replies Nora. "It was the first and only time we saw him and his followers. They came here uninvited and asked questions about the Baroness and her husband. They were rude and threatening, so Elder Caleb didn't tell them very much. We told them we were very happy with the Baroness’ rule, so Father Elias and his companions called us liars and gave several folks a severe beating, including Caleb's daughter."

She frowns at the memory before continuing. "We're thinking of sending people to the Baroness’ estate to lodge a public complaint against the Quorons, and to ask if there are any news about Ayman and Osei, who hasn't returned home since they were hired by Mr. Nestor."

Tomas looks mildly surprised at this lengthy reply from his wife but nods in agreement. "Aye, bad eggs that lot."
This message was last edited by the player at 23:29, Wed 27 June 2018.

Efrem shakes his head twice to get into the appropriate mindset.

"My lights, every corner's got its shadows these days."

"Who is Mr Nestor again?  And what was he hiring people for?"

Nora takes the shopping list from Efrem and starts to retrieve items as she continues.

"Mr. Nestor is one of them there Enjineer types. He's working on some underground site up north, and he sometimes hires men from here. Ayman and Osei were working for him. Some folks say he found buried treasure, but I've heard he found an old spaceship from the times of Heresy"

She makes the sign of the Jumpcross to ward off evil.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:51, Wed 27 June 2018.

Efrem does the jumpcross quickly to keep up with Nora.

"Your village appear to have been through trials of late, and that is never easy," Efrem says with a heavy heart.

"I hope the families of the missing are being supported in their time of need, as with the beaten people as well."

Efrem looks around the store while sighing and shaking his head, looking for a map or atlas of the area,

"A map, is it?" inquires Tomas. "Aye, I do have a few for the occasional traveler. One moment."  He rummages around in the back of the store and eventually appears with a small map of the area.

"We look forward to your preachin', Father," smiles Nora. "It will be good to hear the words of the Pancreator in these troubled times. Why, even the stars are fading..."


This message was last edited by the GM at 02:32, Thu 28 June 2018.

"Indeed, indeed..." Efrem fades for a moment into thought before returning a smile to Nora.  "Well, I should head off and make sure I'm presentable.  Nothing's worse than spreading the Prophet's teaching while smelling like the road."

"Thanks again for the map, and I'll be by for the supplies tomorrow."

Efrem drops the smile as soon as he turns to leave.  What crossfire of darkness did I ride into here?  Husks may prove to be preferable, depending...

Efrem leaves, and takes the long way to his wagon, better a better sense of the town and who is around, and who is taking note of him.

The news of Efrem’s arrival has spread quickly in town, and the villagers nod and smile as he passes them. Buckets of water are drawn from the village well, and people are lining up to wash the worst of the daily grime and dust off in preparation for the sermon.

A large table is being prepared near the shrine, with simple wooden benches to sit on. Bread, fresh fruit and small meat pies are laid out, together with fresh water and dark beer made of spelt wheat. A few of the older men and women spontaneously break out in song, singing hymns praising the Pancreator. Caleb is busy organizing and bows respectfully as Efrem approaches.

Efrem stays out of site and let the villagers prepare for service in their own way.  Each village is a bit different how they do it, but service always involves reminding people of community, and Efrem is not of this community.  As the sun sets, these people have found their own light.

It looks like they needed this, Efrem thinks to himself as he peaks out and watches them.  There is a palpable release in the way they are reconnecting.  Efrem makes a noise somewhere between a grunt and a sigh, and quickly goes back to his liturgical and homiletic notes.




Eventually, Efrem appears from him wagon.  His hair is wet and combed back, and his beard is trimmed and groomed.  His formal robes are billowing and stainless, and in his right hand he carries his box of religious symbols and items.

His face is stoic and authoritative as he strides through the crowd to the church.  "Attention, folk of Errysdale!" he bellows without slowing his pace.  "The Pancreator waits for no man, but the starving rarely hear well.  Those who wish to hear the good news of light may finish their plates and come to Him within your church.  Come and hear and know the peace and wisdom found by Zebulon!"

And with that, Efrem disappears into the church, closing the door behind him audibly but less than slamming it.




In the time it takes for the villagers to recover, eat their food and cautiously enter the church, Efrem quickly uses his travelling altar to substitute for any missing artifacts.  He likes the candles and incense.  His motions are standardized and exacting, a ritual in themselves. When the villagers finally enter, they find the church transformed into a holy space, with Efrem welcoming them in.

The church service is a night service, lit by candles.  The hymns focus on resisting the dark and waiting for dawn.  The scripture reading, meanwhile, focuses on the camaraderie between Zebulon and his Disciples.



And at the end, Efrem offers a short homily.
"Today, this town welcomed me, a stranger, with warm hospitality.  And in return, I have endeavored to remind you of what you already know: the love of the Pancreator.  It is easy to misplace that knowledge, though, in our world of darkness and pain and loss.  And those things, those horrible things are real.  But I tell you the Light, the Holy Flame, is real as well! We are not alone in the dark.  We shall find the light!"

Efrem looks down, frustrated.  "But the suns are fading, and this is not the Empyrean.  Where can we find light in the world as it is?"

Efrem looks up, wide-eyed.  He points out the door.  "You all found it around those tables out there.  I saw you find it!  I am sure the food was pleasant and drink sweet, but that was not the light.  No, you found the light among one another.  You saw one another, and you saw yourself, just as you can see when the sun rises in the morning!



"In these times of trouble, we must all look for the light in others, and look for ways to shine as best we can to illuminate our friends, our loved ones, and even strangers in an odd wagon."  He says the last bit with a smirk, and his tone gradually softened as he spoke.

"Go forth from here, being the light for others and seeing the light in yourselves.  We have prayed for aid from the Pancreator, and he has sent us all as a response.  Let us be the aid we are meant to be."

Efrem extends his arms wide to either side.  "Go forth from here, knowing the light.  Amen."
This message was last edited by a game editor at 20:18, Thu 28 June 2018.

The villagers file out of the small church, thanking Efrem for the service. They seem happier and their spirits lifted by his words. He is shown to the small inn, where the innkeeper has prepared her best room for him.

It is now late in the evening, and only a few old street lamps and an old neon sign illuminate the village. Most people have gone to bed, preparing to rise at dawn for another day of work.

Two figures on equils appear out of the gloom from the southern road. Both are dressed in dark blue cloaks, and those villagers still awake grab farm implements and tools as the two riders slowly approach the main square.

Efrem takes not of the riders before busying himself with helping to clean up the feast, as well as serving himself a generous if ramshackle portion of what is left.

Alarus pauses near the town square and takes a moment to survey the quiet village. "Let us find an inn where we can stay the night," he tells Alina as he scans the empty streets and darkened homes surrounding the square. His gaze soon settles on one of the only buildings whose windows are still lit: a small pub with a sign that reads, "The Monk's Lament." Pointing out the establishment to Alina, he dismounts his equil and leads it to the inn's stables.

A few villagers watch in silence as Alina and Alarus ride towards the inn, but they make no hostile moves. It is clear to them now that both of the new arrivals are well-dressed and of noble bearing. A young man at the stables sketches a bow before taking the reins of the equils.

The village elder has been summoned and arrives quickly, sizing up the duo. "Welcome to our village, good Sir and Dame." he says in a guarded but deferential tone. "You arrive late in the evening. Pray tell, what brings you this way?"

"This, that and the other," replies Alina curtly, her cloak still covering her Decados leathers. "We're here on behalf of your Baroness."

Caleb nods and looks relieved. "I am glad to hear this. Have you come about our disappearing kinsmen?" He gestures towards the inn. "Come, come! The inn is still open. We can talk inside. Perhaps Father Efrem is still up. He also arrived today. My goodness, it has been quite the busy day indeed."


This message was last edited by the GM at 22:12, Sun 01 July 2018.

Efrem, no longer in ceremonial robes, enters.

"Good evening Caleb.  I must compliment your town for being such eager parishioners, and also for helping to clean up afterwards.  It never sits well when I'm left by myself to clean up after the feast by myself."

By the time he finishes speaking, he is at the bar, and is next to Alarus & Alina.  He nods to them both.  "Good evening, strangers.  This town seems to be a popular destination for travelers today.  First me, and now you.  I am Pathcanon Efrem Khenzada, and it is a pleasure to meet..." Efrem pauses.  "People who have clearly been on a journey most substantial?"

Setting his knapsack down on a nearby table, Alarus lowers his hood and bows humbly to the Pathcanon. "Good evening, Father. I am Sir Alarus Thana. We have traveled here at the behest of Baroness Jeri’ven Vo’kaari-Juandaastas in search of her personal physick, Crafter Galen Nestor, as well as other residents from this town who we've been told have gone missing."

"Dobryj vyechyer, Father", replies Alina with some amusement in her voice. She removes her cloak, revealing her black and green skintight leather armour, with the praying mantis symbol of House Decados on her left breast. She smiles at Efrem, showing perfect teeth and small pointed incisors.

"I am Lady Alina Petrovna of House Decados."


This message was last edited by the player at 03:34, Mon 02 July 2018.

Efrem smiles in a complicated way as he re-organizes many of his opinions about the two other travelers.  "...Ah.  Excuse me just one moment.  Caleb?  I require a local spirit in a glass.  I would prefer the spirit is brown and the glass clean, but I accept what the world can offer."

Caleb gives him a bit of an odd look, but nods and goes about his business.  Efrem sighs.

"Now then.  I have not met the good doctor Nestor, but to tell you the superficial information I know, he has been through this town, where he hired some locals to help him on some errand, and the hirelings have since vanished, much to the understandable concern of some in the village."

He says this alternating his look between the faces of Alarus and Alina, calmly and easily.

The shot is placed on the bar, and with a smooth rhythm Efrem drinks it down.  He nods slowly, holding his breath.  "That... is higher quality than the norm."
This message was last edited by a game editor at 03:17, Mon 02 July 2018.

"Oh, I'll have some of that as well!" exclaims Alina, as Efrem downs his drink.

The innkeeper looks warily at Alina, almost hypnotized by the shiny mantis emblem on her jacket, and then over at Caleb. He frowns, but nods curtly. Glasses are placed before Alina and Alarus and filled, and Alina picks hers up. As she holds the glass, an almost invisible thread snakes out from her index finger and dips briefly into the amber liquid, before retracting back again. Alina waits one second and then downs the drink.

"Not bad!" she says appreciatively. "Can we sit down?" Without waiting for an answer, she pulls out a chair at the nearest wooden table and sits, gesturing to Efrem, Caleb and Alarus to join her.




This message was last edited by the player at 18:16, Mon 02 July 2018.

In reply to Lady Alina (msg # 64):

Efrem shrugs, bemused.  "Yes, it appears we can."  He then sits across from Alina.

"So how did you pair come to our corner of Creation?"

"I met the Baroness's chamberlain in Acheon, where she had traveled to seek help for her lady," Alarus explains as he takes a seat beside Alina and places his knapsack on the floor. "She had beseeched some Voavenlohjun priests in the city for their aid, and as I have some friends among their priesthood, one of them requested my assistance. I agreed to journey back to the Baroness's estate with her chamberlain, and Lady Alina, with whom I've traveled for some time, graciously accompanied me. We met with the Baroness, who is quite ill, and pledged to seek out her missing physick. One of her house maids also informed me that others from this village have recently gone missing, and I've promised to search for them as well. Thus we traveled here to inquire about these missing villagers, and gain any leads we can."
This message was last edited by a game editor at 06:33, Wed 04 July 2018.

Efrem's gaze bounces between Alina & Alarus as he listens to the account of how they came to Errysdale.

Eventually he nods.  "I see.  I am little more than a country priest, but being such I have a responsibility for villagers.  I had already heard of the missing villagers, and was planning to look for them as well, though I fear I know even less at the moment than you do."

Efrem hides a smirk beneath a polite smile.  "However, while you may have resources at your disposal, I know the people to some degree.  I may be able to help you find the villagers, and by extension, the good physick."

Alina has called for the bottle of amber liquid to be placed on the table and is merrily working away on emptying it as Alarus sums up events so far.

“Quite a bit of luck that you happen to be here, just as all of this is going down, Father,” she remarks. Is there the slightest hint of suspicion in her voice? Surely not.

“We should compare notes. As my cousin Setor always said, before he tragically cut his throat while shaving; “It is good to know all the facts before you start the killing.”

Caleb volunteers what he knows of events so far, and this is the picture that is eventually put together;

• Lady Jeri’ven has a reputation for being a benevolent, tolerant and generous ruler. Prior to her husband’s death she spent much time wandering through the woods, and she often visited Errysdale and surrounding farms. The villagers haven’t seen her for several months though – not since she fell ill.

• Baron Juandaastas died suddenly of a stroke, only 36 years old. He had a good reputation for caring for his serfs, although it is rumored that he was in much debt, which he had inherited from his father who was more interested in equil racing and gambling than administrating his fief.

• Galen Nestor was working at an excavation site in the woods, and he sometimes hired workers and brought in supplies. He also had some professional diggers (Scraver archeologists) working there, as well as some Engineer assistants and a security detail of Muster soldiers. Crafter Galen was last seen in Errysdale a little over three weeks ago when he came around to purchase food for his team. Two townsmen, Ayman and Osei, who often did labor-work for Crafter Galen, were hired when he last visited, and they haven’t been seen since. Caleb informed Chamberlain Valestra accordingly but never got any reply until Alarus and Alina arrived now.

• Two and a half weeks ago a group of Avestites led by a priest named Father Elias arrived in town. They came uninvited and asked questions concerning Baroness Jeri’ven and Baron Lucien. They were rude and threatening, so Caleb did not tell them very much. The villagers claimed they were content with Baroness Jeri’ven’s rule, to which Father Elias and his companions responded by calling them liars. As a result, some of the villagers, among them Caleb’s daughter, Sheila, received a severe beating.

• Caleb got the impression that Father Elias was angry with Baroness Jeri’ven for some unknown reason.

• Another village lies within the Barony, a somewhat backwater place called Quoron. This town is situated farther to the north and is composed mostly of woodworkers, trappers and charcoal burners. There’s a lot of resentment between the two towns, the Errysdale people regarding the Quoronians as being backwater, religiously conservative and inhospitable. The Quoronians on the other hand accuse the Errysdale inhabitants of being godless liberals and worldly opportunists.

• Father Elias’ band of troublemakers included several armed hunters and villagers from Quoron, and the violence suffered by the Errysdale townsfolk was largely at the hands of the Quoron mob. Still the Avestites did not seem to care about it.

• The Errysdale townsfolk are currently considering traveling to the Baroness’ estate to lodge a public complaint against the Quoron villagers.

• The workers hired by Crafter Galen Nestor reported that the Engineer had discovered the ruins of some kind of underground facility. However, none of them know any details, as they were not allowed to examine the findings or even talk about it to others. Thanks to the town’s gossip this did not work, of course. The following suggestions are the most popular ones among the villagers:

Crafter Galen found the remnants of an ancient starship that crashed on the Perleria continent hundreds of years ago, possibly buried by a mudslide at some point in the past.
Crafter Galen found hints at a buried treasure that was hidden by a notorious band of outlaws that terrorized adjacent baronies during the Emperor Wars.
Crafter Galen discovered a secret alien vault that was built before men settled on Criticorum and which is full of exotic artifacts and dangerous technological devices.

Efrem gives Alina a sidelong glance that becomes a polite, dare one say proper, smile.  "I'm unsure if I would use the word luck with all that implies, my Lady.  However, it does appear that Fate and chance woke this morning a tad more energetic and creative than they usually are around these hills."

Alina knows the tone Efrem is using quite well.  It's that of a peasant who has more than a few opinions, but also knows his place.

"Is there anyone in town who knows the location of this excavation site, and may be able to lead us there?" Alarus asks Caleb, leaving his drink untouched. "And can you tell us how many villagers have been missing besides the two you named? I was told there were a few of them."

“Just those two,” replies Caleb with a glum expression. “But they are missed of course. Ayman’s sister works for the Baroness – a great honour. Osei is a stout young lad, a bit dim but he has a good heart.”

He picks at a hole in his shirt. “Aye, we can get you a guide to the site of course. It’s about one and a half day on equil.” He looks dubiously at Alina. “It will be a somewhat rough trek, m’lady. We are not used to nobility coming to visit, and the roads are unsafe.”

She waves the protest away airily. “I’m Decados. We’re used to getting dirty. You gonna to finish that drink, Alarus?”

“Very well,” replies Caleb. “It is getting late in the day. I will go now to arrange supplies and spare equils, and have them ready in the morning. Are you all three going?”
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:58, Wed 04 July 2018.

Efrem has a neutral expression as he takes in the information about his new noble colleagues, as well as the details Caleb offers.

"I plan to go, yes.  What sort of dangers exist on the roads around here?  This is a bit off my standard circuit.  Also, tomorrow before we go, could you have Nora come talk to me?  I have a message I'm supposed to deliver."

Efrem waits a beat, nods, and taps the table.  "And with that, if it is acceptable to the elder, Lord, and Lady, I shall take my leave and dream of peaceful times."

Caleb tugs his forelock in respect. “Of course, Father. I will attend to things, and send for Nora to come to you in the morning. And as long as you don’t stray from the road, you should be safe.”  He bows deeply to Alarus and Alina. “My lady. Good Sir. I bid you goodnight.”  And with that he leaves.

Alina downs her drink and rubs her hands with glee. “This is the perfect time to try out my toxin filter with some local spirits. Father, will you join me?”

The next morning eventually arrives, and there is a knock on Efrem’s door. Opening it, he finds Caleb outside, along with a puzzled looking Nora. “As you requested, Father,” says Caleb.

Meanwhile, Alarus and Alina are enjoying a hearty breakfast of bacon, eggs and freshly baked bread. Alina is looking a bit worse for the wear. “Still needs some tweaks on that filter. Bozhe moi, my poor head!” She downs another steaming cup of black coffee.

A young man appears in the doorway. “Good morning, gentlefolk. I am Raz, and Caleb has asked me to take you to Crafter Galen’s digging site.”


This message was last edited by the GM at 23:06, Wed 04 July 2018.

Efrem spends the night sleeping, praying for safety and guidance, and trying what to make of Alina and Alarus.  The first was the most successful, and it decreased from there.

The next morning, Efrem met Caleb and Nora with a soft, comforting smile.  "Hello, hello... Caleb, you can go."

As Caleb leaves, Efrem continues to smile warmly at Nora.  Nora, a relatively aware person, becomes instinctively more nervous as Efrem continues to look at her.

Efrem eventually sighs.  "I have horrible news for you.  It's about your parents."
Nora sits down on the bed, growing pale. "What happened? Are they dead?”

"Yes, they are.  I'm sorry.”

She breaks down in tears, sobbing with grief.

Efrem frowns.  He hesitatingly hovers above her, unsure whether to hold her or not.

She composes herself, looking at efrem with a tear- stained face. "what happened? Did they suffer?”

"That's ... complicated, and unpleasant.  You should know, if you wish, but I want you to be ready."  He looks at her expectantly, and nods as a question of whether he should continue.

"I want to know"

EFrem smiles with no joy.

"I am a path canon, travelling on my circuit to help with pastoral concerns with people in the country.  Tragedy fell your parents before I arrived."

"Your mother contracted a spiritual illness, and she was transformed into a... husk. A creature that mocks human life.  She, your mother as you knew her, was gone before I arrived, but," he paused and swallowed.  "But her husk attacked your father.  At that point, the only thing I could do was destroy them.  It ended the mockery of your mother, and your father's suffering.  I am sorry I couldn't do more."

EFrem spat it all out, with genuine sympathy in his voice.  He made eye contact with her as much as Nora wished, no more or less.

Her eyes widen. "A husk. My mom? but how? and you killed my dad?. she raises her hand to strike Efrem but then stops. 'You are a priest and I cannot strike you, for the pancreator would curse my hand. She pauses. "I do not blame you for what happened. but please. I need to go. I must travel to their house and pray. did you bury them at least?

"Something attacked your father's dog, and it spread it to your mother.  And yes, I killed your father, as at that point he was infected and was being attacked by what was once your mother.  As for the burial... there was a fire.  Nothing was left."

"I am sorry, and I took no pleasure in this, but I had no better choice.  And if it would help you to strike me, the Pancreator will allow you that comfort."

She sobs quietly for a long time. then she looks up. “Will you pray with me, father. A prayer for their souls?”

Efrem nods solemnly, and kneels next to her.  He prays, but also stays aware of her, in case she means him harm.

The prayer seems to calm her somewhat as she repeats the ancient words. she is quiet and solemn as she gets up to leave. "thank you for telling me, father. it must have been difficult for you. I will go tell my husband and we will grieve together.

"I can stay a bit with you both if you wish."

If she says nothing, he almost smiles, stands.  Before he goes to prepare for the journey, Efrem says, "I regularly saw your father, and I know he loved you.  I am sorry about this all, and when this new mess is sorted, I will return to see you."

She nods sadly and leaves, almost in a trance.

Efrem breathes deeply, then spits.  "Sordid business."

He looks to the sky.  "Hopefully you let me find these boys.  I'd like that."

Alarus, Alina and Efrem eventually finish their business and load up their equils and the wagon. The villagers have all gathered at the inn, and as the group heads further north on the dusty forest road, the villagers begin a solemn hymn, asking for the Pancreator's blessing to bring back their missing townsfolk. Alina sighs and rolls her eyes.


Raz is riding ahead, scanning the dark forest for trouble. He has taken a look at Efrem's map and marked where the dig site is. He plans to follow the road north as far as possible and then head west into the forest. The trip should take less than two days.

"So," Efrem suddenly announces while driving his wagon.

"Are you the sort of people who wish to be left to their own thoughts on the road, or the sort of people who will talk while traveling as an end in itself?"

Raz shrugs his shoulders and rides on in silence.

"Sure, we can chat." replies Alina. She launches into a long, rambling tale of the events leading up to this moment, with frequent sidetrackings and random observations on people's fashion sense and lack of decent manners.

'That customs officer was wearing the cutest little earrings. I just had to find some that looked like them at the market."

"And then I stepped on his arm and broke it. Hilarious!"

"I think he spiced the potatoes with rosemary!"

"You could tell he didn't appreciate the joke. Sourpuss!"

"So Jonas shot the engine and there was a huuuuge explosion!"

"I mean, purple. Really?"
This message was last edited by the player at 17:22, Sat 07 July 2018.

Efrem just stares.

"Who is Jonas?"

As you head down the dirt road, listening to Alina's tale, you spot a most odd sight further ahead; what appears to be a blue giraffe, moving slowly and clumsily around as if exhausted...

"Have you not been listening? Jonas is our Engineer. Tall, smart guy, doesn't talk much. And what in the seven hells is that?"

Alina pauses and stares at the giraffe.

Alarus halts his equil, narrowing his eyes suspiciously at the giraffe for a moment. But then he scans the surrounding area as if looking for something, and listens carefully.

Efrem brings his wagon to a stop, and he looks at the blue creature.  He watches it carefully, absently biting at the inside of his cheek.
“...hmm.

He notes Alarus looking at the environment.  He then accounts for Alina and Raz, before returning his attention to the blue giraffe,  he slowly rests his hand on his slugthrower, and watches for aggression

"Do not worry, Father," Alarus assures the priest. "It is not real." He then turns to their guide and asks, "Raz, have you seen holographic images like this in this area before?"

Raz nods in reply. "Not this one, but others like him. Always near here."

The exhausted blue giraffe stumbles closer and then produces a cup of steaming hot liquid from behind a tree. “Are you just like me?” the creature asks, “Unable to start the day before having had a cup of hot Joe? Then drink Vollmak Coffee, renowned for its unequaled smoothness and invigorating effect throughout the Republic!”

The blue giraffe takes a long drink from the cup and continues happily, “That’s a damn good cup of coffee! With all-natural ingredients from Sutek’s southern jungles, Vollmak Coffee is the best there is!”

With that the holo-creature sprints off, full of vigor and health, the projection ending as it disappears behind a tree.

"Well, that was weird." remarks Alina.

You ride on for the rest of the day through the forest and decide to camp in a small clearing near the road. Raz begins to set up the small tents and there is quite an altercation as he tries to kiss Alina, but stumbles back clutching his groin from a swift kick. "Try that again and I will gut you!" she snarls.
This message was last updated by the GM at 12:27, Sun 08 July 2018.

Efrem sighs.
And walks over to Raz and helps him to his feet.  "She will gut you, ya know."

Looking at Raz like a disappointed father, he brushes him off and looks him over.  "My wagon, now.  Confessional is in session."
This message was last edited by a game editor at 18:37, Sun 08 July 2018.

Efrem shoots Alarus a look, making it clear that he's handling Raz, and Alarus should make sure Alina is ok.

Raz hangs his head in shame and follows Efrem without a word. He walks slowly and very carefully.

Alina is looking at the still folded tent with a dubious expression, seeming unsure as how to proceed. She looks up as Alarus approaches and smiles.

"Not to worry. I went easy on him because we need a guide. But if it happens again..."

She lets the threat hang in the air and takes a drink from her flask.

Alarus nods and begins setting up Alina's tent for her, seeming quite familiar with the process. "He is fortunate that he did not suffer a harsher punishment. I am sure he will not make that mistake again."

Efrem open the door to the back of his wagon, and motions for Raz to enter.  As Raz disappears into the wagon, Efrem takes out his confessional stole and puts it on.  Unlike that one confession 2 months ago, he leaves the brass knuckles in his pocket.  He then follows Raz into the wagon.

"Judging from how you were walkin', you're not fine right now, but you will be in the morning?"  It wasn't really a question, but it had the tone of one.  Raz shrugs an affirmation that Efrem's assessment is basically correct.  Efrem nods with a disappointed but somewhat sympathetic smile.

"So... here we are.   First, lets deal with the confessional bit.  You look embarassed and small and penitant right now, so recite the Mercy Plea 3 times before you sleep, and seven when you awake.  I'm assuming you're sorry, and given that I can't trust anything you say right now, I'm just going to work off that and go from there.  You heard right: I can't trust anything you say about what happened, so I'm not asking."

In that last sentence, Efrem's tone transformed from a pastor focusing on the soul of a parishioner to something else.  Something more immediate and angry.

"I don't know that Decados very well, but she seems like the sort who I can believe for the general theme of what happened: You tried to kiss her, so she defended herself.  That right there is enough of a sin that you've got some work to do, boy."

"But beyond the sin?  You're an idiot."  There is genuine venom in Efrem's words.

He points to the door.  "That woman is a noble, on an official mission for your Baroness.  And you've just disrespected her.  Do you have any idea what she's allowed to do to you?  Hell, if she or her odd friend know the law, they can torture you to death and ruin your family, and be celebrated by the Court for doing so.  I don't care if she flirted with you, or her clothing revealed something your older brother told you about, or you thought you could do something you get away with behind the barn every dance: your urges are gonna get you killed, and that's no good."

Efrem points a finger in Raz's face, and it is as menacing as any weapon.  "Don't talk to her unless it's an emergency.  Be a professional the rest of this trip.  Assume that both of them have a vindictive older brother who will seek unjustified revenge if either die in any way.  Nobles always have older brothers looking for an excuse to make commoners suffer."


Efrem's face softens slightly now that his anger has been expressed.  He retracts a finger and puts a hand on Raz's shoulder.  "We get through this, you'll be a big man back home, and you can view this all as a good story.  You got worries about what to do or how to do it, ask me.  I'm your priest, and it's my job to worry about your soul and your life, and that's what I'm doing.  ok?"

Efrem stares with cold, expectant eyes at Raz until he gets a confirmation from the young man.
This message was last edited by a game editor at 19:23, Sun 08 July 2018.

"Yes, Father. Sorry, Father. Won't happen again, Father. I understand, Father."

Raz is blushing bright red with embarrassment. He nods and hangs his head in shame. Once the lecture is over, he limps out of the wagon and starts to set up Efrem's tent without a word, carefully avoiding going anywhere near Alina.

He approaches Alarus with great respect and bows. "Begging your pardon, your lordship. I was thinking of setting up the portable campfire to keep us warm and keep the bugs away. Should I do that?"

Efrem stands authoritatively on the step outside his wagon's door, watching Raz behave, as well as making sure nothing is watching them.

I really need to find an opportunity to get blind drunk for a few days, away from all sentient beings.  That would be nice...

Efrem frowns, aware of a reply from High Above.  "Don't worry.  I know I won't have that opportunity right now," he mutters.

Alarus smiles gently at Raz and nods to him. "I will assist you."

When it is his turn to keep watch, Alarus sits down quietly near to the campfire, alert for noises. His senses are finely attuned to his surroundings, so he feels more than hears the creature that is slowly and stealthily approaching the campsite from the forest side. In the tent closest to Alarus, Raz is snoring loudly.

Quietly, Alarus slips into Raz's tent and rouses him, bringing a finger to his lips to signal silence. "Something is approaching us," he whispers, looking in the direction from which he sensed the hidden creature. "It is stalking slowly nearer...and will be upon us very soon. We must wake the others quickly — and silently." Drawing his laser pistol, he signals for Raz to move to the Pathcanon's tent while he creeps over to Alina's.

Raz is difficult to wake, but quickly comprehends the situation. He nods at Alarus and draws a wicked looking dagger. Moving silently over to Efrem' tent, he enters cautiously and wakes the priest. "Sir Alarus heard something in the forest, Father," he says in a low voice.

Alina is already awake as Alarus enters her tent. "I heard whispers," she explains. "What's the problem?" She flicks on her shield and draws her gun as she follows Alarus out of the tent.

Something is briefly illuminated by the flickering campfire, moving in cover among the tall trees. Sleek and long, with powerful muscles and dull silver fur.

"Guernicabeast..." mutters Raz. "Pancritter save us!". He gulps even harden when he catches a glimpse of Alina in her undressed state.


This message was last edited by the GM at 03:01, Wed 11 July 2018.

Efrem's eyes gets wide as he readies his gun.  He tries to find Alina and Alarus while poking his head out from his tent.  He also wonders what his odds would be of being able to get into his wagon without being shredded to pieces.
This message was last edited by a game editor at 13:53, Thu 12 July 2018.

Alarus is about to explain the danger to Alina as he sneaks back out of her tent, but when the beast briefly becomes visible in the firelight, the threat is made clear. "Guernicabeast," he whispers to the Decados, staying low and seeming to remain unnoticed by the silvery predator. "Our best chance against it is climbing up these trees. It can climb after us but it will be an easier target whilst crawling up a trunk than it is on the ground. Try to get up high without being spotted. I'll cover you." He then motions silently across the camp to Efrem and Raz, gesturing upward toward the nearest trees.

Efrem clenches his jaw and nods to Alarus.

You know, there are days, he thinks to himself and to the Pancreator, where I almost think you don't like me.

He makes sure Raz knows the plan, and tries to climb, quickly and quietly.

Alarus and Alina quickly climb the closest tree to bring themselves out of reach of the Guernicabeast.

Efrem selects a tree and starts to climb. His ascent is markedly quicker once he hears the growl of a second beast.

There is a pitiful squeak of terror from below him. Raz has lost his grip and is hanging from one hand, slowly loosing his grasp on the branch. "Father, help me!" he cries.

Below, the first Guernicabeast approaches the tree with Efrem and Raz and looks up at them, its eyes glowing silver in the light from the campfire.

Seeing Raz's predicament, Alina shrugs almost imperceptibly. "Well, that should distract them."
This message was last edited by the player at 18:52, Fri 13 July 2018.

Efrem’s eyes widen and he tries to figure out how to free a limb to aid Raz.

Quick as a flash, Efrem reaches down and grabs hold of Raz's wrist, lifting him high enough so that the boy can scramble to safety.

The prowling Guernicabeast below the tree growls with frustration. Suddenly there is a brilliant flash of light and the smell of burnt flesh. The leonine shape yelps with pain and limps back into the forest.

A pair of golden eyes are illuminated by the campfire, looking up at the tasty prey in the trees. The other Guernicabeast snarls softly and pads after its wounded companion.

Raz whimpers with fear and clings onto the branch for dear life.

[Efrem scored a Minor Victory]



This message was last edited by the GM at 21:17, Sun 15 July 2018.

As the guernicabeasts retreat, Alarus holsters his laser pistol but continues watching the leonine pair from his high vantage in the tree, seeming to track the creatures' whereabouts long after they've disappeared into the darkened woods. "It is safe now, my lady," he tells Alina quietly. "I shall keep watch from here and wake you if any further danger comes."
This message was last edited by a game editor at 21:57, Sun 15 July 2018.

The night passes without further incident, and you travel further north the next day. The woods are getting darker and the undergrowth thicker. Around noon, Raz guides you west into the forest.

You get the feeling you are being followed but despite your best efforts you do not find any solid evidence of this. Raz is convinced that it is the other guernicabeast, thirsting for revenge. He is on his best behaviour with Alina, carefully averting his eyes whenever she is around.

After resting for a second night, you head on in the morning. You start to see signs of other traffic, the ground worn by many boots and hooves, occasionally also coming across a small pile of garbage thrown away behind a tree.

The road leads to a set of craggy hills. At the foot of the hills are tents, toolboxes and other pieces of equipment lying around. Close to a crackling campfire, a group of six peasants sit close to a simple hole dug into the ground, between a pair of huge gray rocks. Three are armed with slug guns, while the rest carry knives or axes.

"Raz?"  Efrem asks in a low voice.  "I'm assuming you have no idea who these people are, but if you do, or if you have any rumours you view as relevant, I would be obliged to know that information."

With that, Efrem hops off the wagon.  "Well, I suppose it is time to find out their opinion of the church."

"Good day to you all, brothers of the earth!"  Efrem bellows in an open tone a welcome common among commoners and only commoners.  His arms extended to show no weapon is drawn.

“Typical Quoron hillbillies,” sneers Raz. “More bark than bite.”

The peasants jump up in surprise as Efrem addresses them loudly. They grab their weapons and huddle together. One of the peasants, a tall bearded man with thick woolen trousers, a plain cotton shirt, and an old leather jerkin, steps forward with a respectful nod. The burning jump-cross of an Avestite gleams on his jerkin.

“Good day to you, Father. I am Antar Helvold of Quoron. We have been entrusted by Father Elias of Pyre with guarding this vile place, so contaminated by sin that none must enter or view it. I must ask you and your companions to leave immediately!”

His hand rests casually on his pistol, but the men behind him look nervous at the sight of the priest and his friends.


This message was last edited by the GM at 01:26, Wed 18 July 2018.

Efrem raises an eyebrow.
"That is a truly disturbing amount of sin, and I am glad someone is taking care of it!"

Efrem continues to walk toward them.
"Pray tell, where is this Father Elias?  May I speak to him?  As a pathcanon of these parts, I believe it would be good for us to speak."

Antar frowns but seems respectful towards Efrem. “Father Elias is back at Quoron. There is nothing to be seen here. Only Sin!"

Behind Efrem’s back, Raz nudges Alarus and discreetly indicates a spot near the opposite forest clearing. There are freshly dug graves and small crosses.

Seeing the freshly dug graves near the opposite clearing, Alarus brings his equil beside Efrem's carriage and calmly addresses the gathered peasants. "We have come at the behest of Baroness Jeri’ven Vo’kaari-Juandaastas in search of her personal physick, Crafter Galen Nestor, who has been missing for some time. The Baroness is gravely ill and urgently needs the Crafter's aid. We are also searching for two villagers from Errysdale by the names of Ayman and Osei, who have not returned since they left with Crafter Galen over three weeks ago. Can any of you tell us where we might find them?"

Antar and his cronies look up at Alarus with puzzlement. “You are not from around here,” says Antar defiantly. “Why would you speak for the Baroness? And who is that girl behind you? Your servant? She looks like a slattern.”

With a smooth motion, Alina dismounts from her equil and approaches Antar, cracking her knuckles. There is a tight smile on her lips…


This message was last edited by the player at 02:21, Mon 23 July 2018.

"My lady, wait, please," Alarus entreats urgently. "Surely this man would not willfully insult a highborn noble of a Royal House once her station was made known to him. Such an act could only provoke hostility between us, which truly would serve no one here." The Thana meets Antar's eyes earnestly in a silent plea to vindicate his faith in the man's decency.

"This noblewoman is Lady Alina Petrovna of House Decados, and I am Sir Alarus of House Thana. It is true that we are foreign to this country, but we have promised to aid the Baroness at the request of her chamberlain, who journeyed all the way to Acheon seeking help for her liege. It was there that she beseeched our aid, and we agreed to travel with her back to Calhoun, where we met the Baroness and pledged our assistance in finding her missing physick. Please, if you know where he is, tell us so that we may return him to the Baroness before her condition grows worse. Her survival depends upon our fulfilling this task."

Alina stops a few feet away from Antar when Alarus addresses her. Her eyes are flashing with anger but she visibly calms herself and gives Alarus a curt nod. She turns back to Antar, who manages to both look defiant and scared at the same time, and gives him a cold hard stare. “You should thank the Stars above that Alarus is here right now. We’ll need to talk to this priest of yours, I think.” With that, she walks back to her equil and takes the reins from Raz.

Antar relaxes his stance slightly and listens to Alarus, as the Thana explains the situation. “Aye, my Lord. No bother. We can show you the way to Quoron if you wish. Father Elias will assist you there.”

He makes the sign of the jump-cross and turns to Efrem. “Beg pardon, Father. If you’re heading to Quoron, we found this down the hole after Father Elias left. He told us not to destroy any devil boxes we came across, but to give them to him. I don’t hold with that, but I cannot refuse the Church. Would you please make sure he gets it?”

He reaches into a bag and holds out a slim think machine to Efrem. It is wrapped in a dirty cloth, so that the sin within does not contaminate Antar.

[Alarus scored a Major Victory for calming Alina]
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:49, Tue 24 July 2018.

Efrem grumbles.  "Yes, well, we live in times where the Light that Guides sometimes flickers in the distance, and moving toward it is not as easy as we would like.  I commend y'all for at least trying to figure out what is right and acting on it."

"Now, as for this..."

Efrem, mostly as a show for the others, carefully puts it on the ground, puts on his gloves, and carefully opens the cloth to peak at what it is.

"Quoron?" Alarus asks in puzzlement. "Is that where the Crafter and his team have gone?" He looks around at the site and the gathered peasants, frowning. "What happened here?"

Efrem looks up at the strangers with expectant eyes, lending some authority to Alarus' question.

The think machine is slim and utilitarian, with many scratches and dents. It seems to have a lid that can be opened.

Antar frowns at the questions. “Aye, the Engineer and some of his people are at Quoron. We came here to investigate the site for sin, but the guards tried to turn us away. We killed many of them in our righteous fury, and the rest were captured and brought home. Such is the will of the Pancreator!”

The peasants behind him mutter in agreement and make the sign of the jump-cross.

Efrem also makes the jumpcross sign, though in his heart he prays for these poor souls who confuse violence for piety.

Efrem stands, re-wrapping the thought machine in its cloth.

"What did the guards say when they tried to turn you away?  Or did they just start firing?  And what did they look like?"

Efrem offers a small smile.  "I know lots of people and communities in this Barony," He says with a shrug.  "I dislike agents of darkness being around, and I have an interest in figuring out what is going on, given I'm a priest of the people and a seventh son."
This message was last edited by a game editor at 16:52, Wed 25 July 2018.

The peasants exclaim with superstitious awe at this. "Seventh Son!" they repeat, wide-eyed.

Antar looks impressed as well. "I will tell you, Father. We arrived in great numbers and demanded access to the site, as is our right - seeing that this land belongs to us! They refused us, and we had words. Our hearts were afire with righteous anger, and even though Father Elias tried to parlay, we smote them."

He nods with grim pride. "Aye! We smote them good!"

Alina laughs quietly with derision in the background.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:16, Wed 25 July 2018.

While Efrem is talking to the zealots, Alarus glances back towards Raz. The young man is looking furious, but Alarus notices that Alina has twisted one of his arms behind his back in a tight grip and is whispering softly into Raz's ear. She catches Alarus looking their way and winks at him

A haunted look comes over Alarus's face as he listens to Antar. "Merciful Pancreator," he whispers mournfully, looking incredulously at the peasants' righteous pride, Efrem's smiling acceptance, and Alina's amusement, before collecting himself. "You spoke truth," he says sadly to Antar, "— a great sin has been committed here, and the Prophet's words have gone unheeded. I pray that the Pancreator's Light will shine upon those whose hearts have filled with darkness, and that they will come to know their wrongs one day." His eyes lift to gaze at the rising sun for a moment, and he makes the sign of the jumpcross over his chest before turning toward his companions. "Come, let us ride for Quoron. There is nothing more we can do here." His tone seems to sink with a melancholy weight.

Efrem stands to his full height and nods to Alarus.

"Before we go, however, let us pray."

Efrem bows his head, waits a beat, and then looks at everyone else to bow their heads as well.  He makes unblinking eye contact with people, one by one, until they all bow their heads.

"Oh, merciful Pancreator, who we know through the Prophet's teachings, thank you for life and hope.  We thank you for the desire to do good and turn away from evil.  Help us see a future free of sin and violence and darkness, and help us move toward that future, one righteous step after another.  We are all on this journey toward more light, and we pray that you help us stay on the path.  Things may try to tempt us, or trick us, but give us the strength to continue to move toward righteousness, peace, and light."

"In Zebulon's name and teachings, we pray, and we are grateful.  Amen."

Efrem breathes deeply and looks to Antar.  "Keep moving on the path, Antar.  I hope to see you again and praise you for your progress."  Efrem then looks to everyone.  "And to you all."

And with that, Efrem turns to walk back to his wagon.  His body language is relaxed but his mind is not.

You leave the dig site with a heavy heart. This may be a glorious new era of progress, led by Emperor Alexius, but humanity is still very capable of dark deeds.

Raz is silent while riding, clearly thinking of the many graves you saw. Even when Alina calls for a halt, so she can bathe in a clear stream, he remains solemn. She returns from a secluded spot downstream, drying her hair, and walks over to Efrem.

“So, did you take a look at the computer that madman gave you? I can probably get it working. Might be interesting.”
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:17, Thu 26 July 2018.

Efrem raises an eyebrow at Alina.  "Can you figure out what it is without turning it on?  No need to unleash a human-killing laser monster or somesuch unless we have to."

With a weak smile, he gives it to her.  "And thank you for your restraint back there, m'lady."


He looks to Raz with a sad face, eventually walking up to him.  "There are a few hymns, good hymns, about how the light of the Pancre'tor is the greatest armor in the Known Worlds... it'd be nice if it worked that way."

"You saw evil there, and you weren't wrong.  The fact you saw that is a good start.  The next thing to work on is trying to figure out what to do.  The thing that is natural to want to do, rage against evil, is more likely to end in your death than any serious blow against the cause of darkness.  You need to add a flicker of light where you can, and live long enough to add another."

Alina of course ignores Efrem's warning about human-killing laser monsters, and busies herself with trying to unravel the secrets of the think machine as you ride towards Quoron. As the shadows grow longer and the sun sets, you stop for the day and set up camp again. Over dinner around the campfire, Alina shows you what she learned.

“So, I was able to get this thing to run. It was nearly out of energy, but I recharged it with a power cell. There is a lot of data corruption, but it seems to be full of Second Republic physick gibberish that I don’t understand, mainly about genetics. I also found some notes on there from our missing Engineer.”

She flips open the screen to show you his journal;

“I have finally received the requested report from the Engineer physick archives and compared those fragments of information with the data I discovered here. My first assumption proved to be correct. This site used to be a clinic and research lab of the “Aurora Medical Foundation”. The current findings indicate that Aurora operated more than a dozen medical research centers and hospitals throughout Republican space before the Fall. Due to the huge amount of historical data in Aurora’s Think Machine, much remains to be analyzed, but I am convinced that Aurora was one of the leading genetic engineering companies of its time.

Their progress of development in the field of cures for hereditary diseases, advanced cloning procedures, and gene therapy is absolutely impressive. But that was not their sole field of interest as Aurora also provided gynecological services such as artificial inseminations. Even though most of the data has been corrupted, the few fragments I could recover might improve our own physick knowledge immensely. In particular, their work on DNA sequencing is a real milestone in research.

As soon as I return I will require at least four or five assistants to help analyze all data. This will surely take at least half a year, but I am looking forward to every single minute of it! Some of the files are so advanced that I cannot hope to understand them at a first glance, and many seem to contain genetic sequences and testing results from different programs and races. However, I will most definitely need more sophisticated equipment to continue my research. Finally, I have come across a very interesting detail: I found reference to a highly prioritized and seemingly secret project named ’Kiss of Dawn’. I believe this was a genetic experiment, but the file now contains mostly corrupt data and I have not been able to extract any useful information so far. However, I am confident that this is only a matter of time.”
This message was last edited by the player at 12:40, Thu 26 July 2018.

Efrem knows what an energy cell is, but clearly expects her to veer into techno-babble at any moment.

As Efrem reads, he breathes deeply.  While not a scientist, "genetics" is one of those buzzwords all priests learn in relation to why many technologies should be proscribed.

"More evil is coming in relation to this."  Efrem frowns.

Alarus looks deeply troubled as he reads the Crafter's journal, and more so after the Pathcanon's comment. His gaze drifts away from the think machine's screen, and he stares off into the darkness beyond the crackling campfire. "This research may be the Baroness's only hope of a cure," he says softly after a long silence. "If it restores her health... If it saves her life...can it truly be a thing of evil?" He turns to Efrem, earnestly searching the priest's eyes for answers.

"Well," Efrem sighs and shrugs.  His tone is less of someone wrestling with a moral dilemma and more someone trying to think of the best way to repair a machine.

"The church has exceptions, especially for the good nobles, regarding what technologies are acceptable.  If it can save the Baroness when nothing else appears to, I suspect the church will waive the proscription for that use."

Efrem shifts his weight.  "My concern, however, is that things such as thinking machines containing the secrets of genetical engineering does not only attract people like youself and your Decados companion, focused primarily in saving the life of a Baroness with a relatively positive reputation.  It tends to attract other people who will kill for knowledge and power.  The desires of those people will lead to evil acts and violence."

Raz looks at the strange squiggles on the screen with puzzlement. "I don't know what any of that means. Or them big fancy words. But I can take you to Quoron. They are a mad lot, though. Fairly warned be thee, says I."

Alina closes the lid of the think machine with a snap and hands it Efrem. "When we hopefully find this Galen fellow, he can enlighten us further. Now, who's for roasted... something?"

"Raz?  Go hunt something.  It'll clear your head.  And later on, I'll explain what in the dark this is about if you want."

Efrem turns back to Alina.  "So, are all Decados trained in the ways of Tech?  Or did you feel a calling?"

“Yes, we all learn to use tech,” replies Alina. “It’s a useful tool for making your way in the world.”

She continues to tell Efrem of her childhood. How her career began the moment she was born on Severus, and how sickly or weak children were often abandoned at birth; a weak infant could only make a weak adult, incapable of serving House Decados. With an dispassionate voice, she tells Efrem of how strong children are taken from their parents and put into the care of a tutor, who raises the children and instructs them in the ways of House Decados. Young nobles learn early the importance of their role in politics, and loyalty to the Mantis banner is deeply ingrained.

She recalls her tutors from the Jakovian Agency, who taught her the arts of war as a young child — from the necessities of self-defense to the basic principles of assassination, from the duel to the arts of the vendetta. She speaks proudly of her time serving on the Decados flagship, the ‘Nicholas and Alexandra’, and how she was also taught the art of passive espionage and the value of information.

“Information is everywhere,” she smiles. “It is waiting to be gleaned from even the simplest conversation. One need only learn to be aware at all times, and fully focused when interacting with people.”

Efrem listens, smiling exactly when he's expected to, and nodding at appropriate comments.

He watches her, listening to her tale.  More important than its truth was her performance of it, and it's clear she knows that as well.  Not that he's let it bubble up his face, but he was bemused how much both she and him had learned similar necessities about how to managed people.

Eventually, a question: "Do your parents know they should be proud of you?"

Raz gathers his equipment and sling and heads confidently into the woods as Alina and Efrem talk.

Alina frowns in puzzlement at the question. “Proud? I am not even a full knight, or boyar, yet. Once I come back from this trip to barbarian space with our findings, I will hopefully be able to bring glory to House Decados.”

She grins at Efrem. ‘You should meet our Father Otto. I have a feeling that would be interesting.”

Just then, there is a blood-curdling scream from the forest! Alina jumps up, drawing her blaster pistol and flicking on her shield instinctively.

Efem groans a bit as he gets up.  By the time he's on his feet, his slugthrower is drawn.

Efrem contemplates his growing envy for Father Antiochim, an older pathcanon in the barony who managed to have a long and uneventful career until a tree fell on him, killing him instantly.

We thank you, O Pancreator, for those with all the luck.

Alarus immediately gets to his feet and draws his laser pistol, hurrying toward the scream. "Pancreator forgive me," he breathes as he leads the way. "I should never have let him go alone..."

Efrem follows Alarus, his jaw clenched with anxiety over what they will find.

Not far into the forest, you spot a splash of blood on the ground. There is no sign on Raz, but his slingshot is lying in the blood.

Alina gingerly dips a booted toe in the blood smear. "Huh," she remarks. "Guess we'll have to find our own way to hicksville."
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:49, Fri 27 July 2018.

EFrem gives Alina quick glare on reflex before looking elsewhere.

He begins trying to look for tracks or marks or any indication of where Raz, Raz's body, or what attacked him went.

Alarus, too, searches the surrounding area for any visible tracks, drag marks or blood trails. He seems to focus intently for a few moments as he studies the ground, his eyes glimmering in the moonlight.
This message was lightly edited by a game editor at 06:22, Sun 29 July 2018.

You soon spot the bloody trail where Raz has been dragged through the undergrowth. Shreds of his tunic cling to branches and it is not difficult to track whatever attacked him.

The trail leads to a small clearing by a creek. You can see a body on the ground. It appears to be Raz, but he is not moving. His clothes are torn and bloody. There is no sign of his attacker.

"RAZ!"

Efrem rushes over to check if Raz is alive.

"...please ... please..."

"Wait!" cries Alina as Efrem rushes towards the body. "It could be a..."

Her warning cry is cut short as a massive shape leaps from the nearby bushes and pounces on Efrem!

Efrem's eyes widen.  "You BASTARD."

With little better to do, he tries to bring his slug thrower to bear.
This message was last edited by a game editor at 20:36, Wed 08 Aug 2018.

"Wait!" Alarus shouts with Alina as the Pathcanon rushes toward Raz's body, aiming his laser pistol at the beast lurking in the bushes. But the predator leaps out before he can fire, and the Thana struggles to line up a shot that won't hit Efrem...

As Alina and Alarus yell wait, Efrem's face contorts into a menacing visage, fueled by self-preservation and indignation.  He gets a shot off, and the bullet tears into the flesh of the beast's left shoulder.

"Bastard!"  Efrem yells again, now standing tall and between the beast and Raz.

"Man should not have made your kind, and you will be ended!!!"

As the guernicabeast reels back and growls in pain from the bullet wound, Alarus manages to fire a shot, and the yellow beam sears through one of the creature's swiping forepaws.

With the flurry of activity, Alina snaps her blaster from its holster and fires off a shot at the creature, already reeling from the effects of Efrem and Alarus' efforts. With its wounded paw raised the blaster hits it square in its chest.

The Guernicabeast yelps with pain as it is hit several times. It glares at you with hatred and cold intelligence before quickly running off into the wilderness.

Efrem rushes over to check on Raz. He has been badly injured and needs urgent attention. "Father," he whispers to Efrem. "Sorry for causing so much trouble..."


[Raz is Dying, so the difficulty is 36. There are two types of healing; mundane (including first aid and elixir) and magical (laying on of hands, church rites etc.). You can only attempt to treat an injury once with each type, unless you have a higher skill than the previous attempt]

Alarus holsters his laser pistol as he rushes over to Raz and kneels down beside him, quickly unslinging his knapsack and pulling out his MedPac. Opening it, he grabs a roll of gauze and begins hurriedly binding the boy's wounds to stop the bleeding.

Alina walks over keeping her blaster drawn for the moment. When she sees the severity of the wound her expression hardens a bit. Watching Raz struggle as Alarus prepare his Elixir and medpac she kneels down closer, while staying out of Alarus' way.

"Doesn't look good Raz. The way I see it, you best relax and hope Alarus really knows his stuff, probably your only chance."

Turning to Alarus she whispers, "If you don't think you can save him, we should consider at least making it quick."

((If this is too cynical for character, let me know..))

With that, she turns her attention to the nearby vegetation, keeping an eye out for any possible return of the beast, or other beasts drawn by the noise and blood.
This message was last edited by a game editor at 20:40, Mon 13 Aug 2018.

"The first part of your penance is staying alive, kid," Efrem says with a mix of emotions.

Efrem looks around, breathing deeply.  He raises his gun for a moment, as if he's about to go after the guernica beast, but then abruptly falls to one knee, bowing and praying.

"Source of eternal light, helps us keep light in this world.  Help your wounded child.  Help the healer saving your child.  Help his family and those who love him.  Help us all by helping save his life.

The Maker of All restores
The Maker of All guides us on the bright course
With him, I fear no darkness.
With His prophet's words, I need not hesitate.

The Maker of All restores..."

Efrem continues to repeat the psalm in a low, meditative drone.
This message was last edited by a game editor at 20:58, Mon 13 Aug 2018.

A haunted look comes over Alarus at Alina's whispered words, but it is quickly replaced by a steely determination. He seems to tune out all distractions as he fills his injector with Elixir serum, and carefully examines Raz's wound. The flecks of his eyes reflect the night's starlight with an eerie brightness, and Efrem's prayer seems to somehow center his focus, calming and emboldening him as he injects the serum into Raz's chest. The boy's wound is too bloody to clearly see a vein, but Alarus seems strangely confident that he has found it.

You all kneel around Raz and concentrate your efforts to heal his terrible wounds. He leans back and focuses on Alina’s voice and Efrem’s prayer in the background. Alarus hunts for a vein and frowns as the target eludes him in the gory cuts. There! Found it! He jabs the injector into the vein and watches as the indicator shows a successful injection. The tissue regenerative serum goes to work and Raz’s wounds start to knit together almost immediately.

The powerful drugs in the Elixir kicks in, and the boy closes his eyes with a blissful smile. His pulse is still weak, but steady.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:03, Wed 15 Aug 2018.

"Amen."

Efrem looks at Raz, suppressing a smile.  "We'll discuss the rest of your penance when you're a bit more rested."


Efrem looks to Alarus.  "Your talents are quite effective, Sir."

He sighs, looking up.  Thank you.  We'll talk more later.

"Thanks be to the Pancreator," Alarus utters softly. He smiles gently at Efrem's words and shakes his head. "In truth, my ability is only basic. It is this miraculous Elixir serum, and the Pancreator's grace, which saved his life. Truly it was the will of the Pancreator that we possessed the means to heal such grievous wounds. I thank you for your prayer, Father."

Efrem nods.  "Good tools used well build the lands the Pacreator wishes to see."

Efrem is using a tone that suggests he's quoting something, but it's unclear what.

Alarus smiles at the unfamiliar passage, and then replies with one he knows. "All things in the universe are but the Pancreator's tools; thy heart must guide their use for good."
This message was last edited by a game editor at 01:58, Thu 16 Aug 2018.

With the danger seemingly passed, Alina holsters her blaster. She listens to the passage and nods. Taking a glance skyward, she speaks up, "We should find a way to transport him and keep moving. Don't want to give that beast a second chance."

Efrem stands. "My wagon will be one of those good tools, assuming we can get him to it without further injuring him.  We can make a litter out of blankets and some branches."

Keeping a wary eye on the surrounding forest, you hurridly build a makeshift stretcher and carefully lower Raz onto it. You gently carry him back to the camp without any incidents.

It is getting quite late but Raz is probably safe for the night, being pumped full of elixir. You should reach Quoron around midday tomorrow.

Alarus sits silently near the campfire, listening to the forest's nighttime sounds as he writes in his journal. Having cleaned and bound Raz's wounds, he now sits in quiet contemplation and pens his thoughts, as he has done each night and morning throughout this arduous journey. Finally he closes his journal and stows it and his pen back in his knapsack. Drawing his cloak closer about himself, he stares into the fire with a weary, solemn look in his eyes. He seems troubled, as if something has been weighing on his mind for a long time.
This message was last edited by a game editor at 04:25, Wed 19 Sept 2018.

Efrem sighs and leans against a tree and looks calmly into fire before looking at Alarus.  After a pause, he speaks.

"I am tempted, good Sir to inquire what you are contemplating, though I am not completely sure I wish to know, or that you wish to tell me."

Alarus turns to the Pathcanon and lowers his eyes, frowning. "It has been long since my last confession, Father," he says softly. "I fear I may have erred in my judgment concerning a matter of life and death...and I question the rightness of the motives behind my decisions. Recently, I was presented with a choice between two paths — both of them quests upon whose success others' lives now rest. But many lives depend on the completion of one mission, while one life rides on fulfilling the other. I have chosen to pursue the quest which may save one life, and have trusted my companions with the quest which may save many — but I feel that protecting those lives was my responsibility, and is not my companions' rightful burden to bear. The Pancreator surely meant this to be a trial of my virtues, and I fear that I have failed it..."

Efrem emits a mirthless but sympathetic chuckle.  "Yeah... errors in judgment is what humans do, being sentient but non-divine."

He sits next to Alarus.  "If you'd like, I could get my vestments, but it'd take ten minutes of rummagin', so I'm fine just talking if you are."

Efrem rubs his beard and looks past the fire into the dark.  "Obligations and finding one's place is always a trick.  So, I guess my two questions... and by the by, let me know if I'm forgettin' my station here... but my two questions are: Why do you think the responsibilities skewed the other way, and why did you choose this path initially?"

Efrem quietly tries to remember the correct prayers and statements to say in proper, "Noble" language.

"In Acheon, I promised a friend that I would help him with a dangerous task he had undertaken," Alarus explains, "— tracking down an escaped outlaw named Jo'vet Siddir, who is known as the Strangler of Aylon. In an effort to gather leads, I visited a prison at the city's Coliseum, where several members of a terrorist group called the Alien Republican Army are being held whilst they await execution for their crimes. Jo'vet is rumored to have close ties to the ARA, so I sought to question their members about his possible whereabouts. I spoke with their leader, an Etyri named Brownbird, who agreed to provide information on Jo'vet in exchange for reducing his and his comrades' sentences. I was able to negotiate an arrangement with the Warden to reduce the terrorists' punishment to life imprisonment if Brownbird's information proved useful in capturing Jo'vet.

The information Brownbird provided led my companions and me to Jo'vet's hideout. But as we arrived, Jo'vet escaped the city on a hoverbike. My companions prepared to pursue him, but I had already promised Baroness Jeri'ven's chamberlain the previous day that I would depart with her by that evening. So I chose to part with my companions, hoping they would be successful in bringing Jo'vet to justice, and in so doing, save the lives of the prisoners whose sentences now depend upon his capture...as well as the lives of his potential future victims...

Protecting those prisoners' lives became my obligation when I negotiated the terms of clemency for them, and Brownbird placed his faith in my honor to do everything I could to save them. Yet, I abandoned that responsibility and left it upon my companions' shoulders...as well as their own safety in their hunt for a dangerous killer. I have betrayed their well-being, and the trust of those I sought to save. And all because I was too proud to tarnish my honor by breaking an oath to a person I did not know..."
This message was last edited by a game editor at 17:53, Wed 22 Aug 2018.

Efrem shifts his weight before making a noncommittal grunt.  Mentally, he's clearly organizing a list.

"Did your companions know you were to leave for your current mission?  And did you talk to them before you parted ways, or did you disappear from the chase?"

Alarus nods. "My friend, Jonas, whom I had agreed to help, accompanied me when I met with the Baroness's chamberlain. After Jo'vet escaped us, I told him I could not risk delaying my assistance for the Baroness any further, lest her condition grow worse. Then we parted."
This message was last edited by a game editor at 02:45, Thu 23 Aug 2018.

Efrem nods.  "And this Jonas... what was his reaction to your decision?"

"He said—" Alarus hesitates and lowers his eyes as he recalls Jonas's farewell a few days ago. "He said he would not want to keep me from following my conscience..." He speaks slowly, as if considering the Engineer's words anew. "And that I had already helped him more than he had hoped or expected... He wished me luck and said he trusted that he would see me again very soon."

Efrem nods listening carefully to both what Alarus says and how he says it.

"Even before the suns began to fade, this universe was darkened and flawed.  Sometimes, we find ourselves in situations where no pure path is possible.  I do not know if you made the least wrong choice or not, but it is clear you worry you have betrayed a friend, and it is worth taking that seriously."

Efrem then leans in and stares into Alarus' eyes.  "I would also point out, my lord, that it is a form of pride to think that you are capable of breaking free of the world and make sinless choices in all moments.  That conviction can lead to dangerous but disguised form of over-confidence.  I would counsel humility on this hidden front.  Sin is often inevitable, as our path is never fully illuminated.  Plan accordingly."

Efrem then leans back.  "Now regarding penance, I recommend the Prayer for the Lighted Road, before you sleep, for the next week.  Additionally, I would suggest you contemplate how you may repay your friend when you see him next, and what humbly accepting a lack of pure choices may look like for you in the future, while also desiring the path and the light and rejecting antinomy."

Alarus considers the priest's words for a drawn moment and then nods. "You speak the truth, Father. I shall take your counsel to heart and do as you suggest. I thank you for your wisdom." He bows his head solemnly.
This message was last edited by a game editor at 04:53, Sat 25 Aug 2018.

Efrem chuckles.
"If it wasn't my job to try and be wise, I would take that as a comment about my age.  But you're welcome."

He then straightens up and looks a bit more somber.  He makes the sign of the jump cross.
"And now, in the name of the Prophet, go forth and be light in this world and all others you may walk upon.  Amen."

The next day, you continue on the road north to Quoron and approach the village in the afternoon.

Quoron is rather isolated and a wild place, confirming some of the Errysdale townsfolk’s prejudices. The village consists of small wooden houses with only a few brick buildings. Compared to Errysdale, Quoron is a bit smaller with about 100 inhabitants. The village is built into the hillside that rises up above the forest, and a 30-minute fatiguing hike up a narrow path is required to reach the settlement.

Due to the heavy rains of this season, the ground is covered with thick black mud and the timber of the villagers’ homes looks wet and dirty. In the center of town stands a large stone and clay house. Behind the large house are the peaks of the ever-snowcapped northern Wyeming Mountains, and the dark entrance to a cave, guarded by four villagers and one man bearing Temple Avestite robes.

Villagers peer out of their houses with trepidation as you arrive. An old man with a long grey beard comes out from the large house to greet you cautiously. He bows his head in respect when he sees Efrem.

“Welcome to Quoron. I am Bevan Helvold, What brings you here?”

EFrem offers a nod as a polite but rushed greeting as he looks around.  "Thank you for the greeting, Mister Holvold.  I am Pathcanon Efrem Khenzada, and the most pressing issue is that one of my group was attacked by a guernicabeast and needs medical attention.  Do you have a physick here?"  He makes sure toa dd a degree of urgency to his voice.

Efrem does not mention any of the other causes for their journey, and with good reason.  He'd much rather watch the town react to an emergency.  Who rushes into action, who watches helplessly, and who doesn't care.  Also, Raz really does need help, so there is no lie in any of this.

“No physicks, Father,” replies Bevan gruffly. “We trust in the Pancreator and his words to heal our wounds and cure our ails. That lad looks pretty bad. Are you sure he’s worth wasting good prayers on?”

“Now, now, Bevan – let’s not be rude to our guests.” The voice belongs to a lean and muscular man who appears in the doorway of the large building. He is of medium size in his early thirties, wearing faded Avestite robes and a hood. His face is scarred from burns and one eye is milky white.

“I am Father Elias. Welcome to Quoron! Bevan, please indulge me and take care of the lad. I will attend to him when I have spoken to these good people.”

At a gesture from Bevan, two burly men appear and carry Raz off to a smaller building nearby.

“Please join me inside,” smiles Father Elias, indicating the large building.


This message was last updated by the player at 15:39, Fri 31 Aug 2018.

Efrem dispassionately watches Raz disappear into a building before turning back to Elias.

"We appreciate your hospitality, Father.  Guernicabeast attacks in this barony are rare, but they sadly still happen, Pancreator show mercy."

He motions for Alarus and Alina to follow him, and then he goes with Elias.

Father Elias offers you a seat in a hall with a fireplace and asks the town elder and his family to leave. First Father Elias insists on hearing your story. Who are you and what do you want? Elias studies you closely, seemingly gazing straight into your hearts.

Efrem makes sure to smile and give a polite nod to the elder as he leaves his own home, and offers similar gestures to the rest of family as they exit.

Then, he emits a reflexive (and possibly genuine) sigh as he eases into a seat.

"In truth, the Pancreator's path for me has been a bit unusual as of late.  To answer your question simply, I am looking for two commoners.  For additional detail, well,
I suppose it all begins with a farmer named Willem..."

Efrem tales the story of Willem and his wife, framing it as a tragedy where love combined with error lead to sin and death.

"...And from there, I had to go to a town called Errysdale, as Willem's daughter lives there.  I arrived, held a service, and the next day I told her the most unfortunate news in the best way I could, which was still bitter news, I am sure."

Efrem shifted in his seat, punctuating the end to one story while beginning another.

"While there, their daughter and her husband, a shopkeeper named Tomas, expressed worry over two of their fellow villagers who had gone missing.  The missing were named Ayman & Osei, and were working for a Guildsman when they disappeared.  So, feeling a pastoral concern, combined with the thought that it may help Nora heal if she had villagers returned to her, I agreed to go looking for them.  We then set out on the roads suggested to us.  Along the way, we met a guernicabeast, and we thought we had successfully escaped it.  A few days later, however, it attacked Raz and then the rest of us."

Efrem ends this second chapter with a small shrug as he looks around.

"Does my tale connect with whatever inquisitional concerns have brought you to this domain?"  Efrem's facial expression is relaxed, friendly, and blank beyond a hint of curiosity.

”I will be honest with you," replies Father Elias. "It sounds as if none of us were aware of the bigger picture when coming to Baroness Jeri’ven’s fief. What I am about to tell you must not leave this room. I am now Father Elias, humble servant of the Temple Avesti, but I was born Marcus, bastard son of the Baron Eduardo Juandaastas who once ruled this land. The late Baron Lucien Juandaastas was my half-brother.

I will spare you the stories of my youth, but when I learned that my brother had suddenly died, I traveled hither to visit his grave and pray for his soul. The Baroness Jeri’ven, however, greeted me in none too friendly a manner and I could sense that she was burdened by a great sin. Her conscience was ready to burst with guilt and she took her frustration out on me, both a priest and her brother-in law. I swear by the name of our holy Prophet - something is amiss about my brother’s untimely death."

Father Elias goes on to explain that he did reveal his identity as Lucien’s half-brother to the Obun Baroness, who received him ill and abed, though she acted very aggressively, dismissing him almost right away. Elias started his investigation, and gathered support from the Quoron villagers, but at first he could not find clues related to his brother’s death. However, he soon heard talk of a secret excavation project about which no one wanted to reveal details. When encountering the Engineers, they were immediately hostile. Something told Father Elias they were hiding some great sin. A fight broke out between his followers and the excavation security guards.

Elias admits he overestimated his control over the Quoron zealots and failed to have them stand down when the mercenaries provoked them. Elias regrets the loss of lives and feels responsible. After the violence, he inspected the underground tunnel and rooms, concluding that it must once have served as a scientific research center, but was unable to further identify its purpose.

Elias’ tale is in itself food for thought, but perhaps even more surprising is his plea to the cadre to join forces with him; ”I have already wasted a lot of time trying to solve this riddle. As you seem to be honorable folk I will ask you to consider aiding my cause. Perhaps together we can finally discover whatever malicious plot has been concocted here and bring the guilty to justice.”

Alarus and Efrem both study Father Elias carefully as he speaks, waiting for the telltale signs of deceit. But the Avestite seems honest and truthful. His regret that things have come to a point is plain to see.

Efrem engages in some light conversation with Father Elias and learns more of his background. Elias was born as Marcus, a bastard son of Baron Eduardo Juandaastas. As a bastard, he was excluded from inheriting any land and titles. Baron Eduardo raised Marcus as his proper son and offered him the opportunity to join the household guard as a non-commissioned officer as soon as he became an adult. However, Marcus never showed great interest in a military career and became aware of his true calling right before his fourteenth birthday when he met a travelling Avestite priest called Dalvarus. Marcus was impressed by the priest’s righteous determination and his high moral views. Without hesitation and despite his good relationship with his father and half-brother, Marcus turned his back on his family and noble life to join the priest on his journey to spread the word of the holy flame and to seek out and destroy sin and depravity.

He travelled under Dalvarus for several months until he was sure of his calling to dedicate his life to the Prophet. Upon initiation into the Sect, Marcus took a new name to symbolize his rebirth into a life of faith and piety. He served with devotion and fervor for more than fifteen years before he was finally rewarded with ordination to the priesthood. Although he is now a devout Avestite, he seems to have found a balance between zeal and common sense, a rare occurrence.

“Here is my suggestion,” says Elias. “We travel back to Baroness Jeri’ven together and tell her truthfully that Crafter Galen and his men are held by me here in Quron. I will agree to release the prisoners as soon as we establish a dialogue, and the full truth about my half-brother’s death and the excavation has been uncovered.”

"Please pardon me, Father," says Alarus, "but why have Crafter Galen and his team been taken as prisoners? What crime have they committed?"

Father Elias' good eye flashes with righteous indignation.

"There is Sin here, I smell it - and Sin will never be tolerated. It is the breeding ground of Darkness!

I will get to the bottom of this and until I do, I cannot allow these heretics and their henchmen to go free."

Efrem sighs and looks at nothing in particular as he stoically contemplates the exciting world that Nobles seem to always provide the commoners to live in, die in, and be held hostage within.

"I'm sure you can appreciate that what you've told us is quite a lot to take in, Father Elias.  Precisely because you seem the honest sort, your words have consequences... grave consequences."

Efrem scratches his head through his mane of hair.
"Well... let me be honest about my concerns.  I am Efrem Khenzada, a pathcanon who tends to the rural flock of this domain, a position I was blessed to achieve in part because I am a seventh son of a commoner, and as such was afforded an education my kith and kin rarely have.  My focus, as a reflex, is the masses of humanity rather than its leaders.  As such, I have a request: I wish to see your prisoners for pastoral reasons.  May I do so?"

Alina follows the conversation with her usual suspicion, but acts as if she is bored. Looking around the room, studying the trappings of the Avestite, and generally trying to gauge him. A few times she will nod at a point in the conversation as appropriate. When Efrem mentions meeting Galen and his team her attention snaps back to the conversation.

“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."