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.