As the others left, uncle and nephew remained behind. One on orders to do so and the other to find out more.

Marcus smiles in welcome to his nephew. "Who was it told you to speak with me?" he asks. He then explains everything that has been happening, starting with his mission from the King and ending at the point where the group ran into Regan.

"It was a strange gnome who I came to town to speak with about another matter.  Halthorne the Wise was his name and he suggested that I seek out my kin to find the quest I am looking for, or some such portent."

The druid screwed up his face in thought before adding, "If I didn't know better, I would say that when he spoke to me of this, it was as if someone else was talking through his body!  That aside, Halthorne seemed to speak the truth given my finding of you but do you have any idea what this quest is of which he spoke?"

Marcus looks intrigued at Regan's revelation. "I believe that one of the Gods of Good, most likely Lord Paladine himself, is acting to drive us towards an unknown goal. All we can do is to follow where we are driven, and have faith that we serve the greater good," he says contemplatively. "I don't know for certain what this quest is, but it must be related to the Key that we uncovered. We need to find the elven priestess that I found in my dream. I am certain that she holds the answers. It is frustrating though that my movements are restrained by my Lord's command. I feel that this mystery must be resolved here, but I am not permitted to leave until it is time to return to the Keep," he says in quiet frustration.

"Would your lord mind if you prayed in the temple," Dove asked flashing her white teeth in a smile as she entered the room.

Marcus offers Dove an inquisitive look and says, "That would probably be acceptable, but I am unsure if it is a wise move. Our mission is supposed to be secretive and low key. It would draw attention to us if I go into a Temple of Paladine. The Knights of Takhisis will certainly be watching those who enter the temple. Is there any reason you suggest praying in the temple rather than here?" he asks, noting her expression.

"Of course there is," Dove said. "But it's not a temple to Paladine. It is a temple to all the gods. Even if the knights were keeping an eye on the temple, they wouldn't know who you go there to worship."

Marcus thinks back to the wording and intent of his orders, and decides that this will not break Lord Brightblade's command. He nods slightly in agreement, and with one eyebrow raised asks Dove, "Will you be joining me in prayer?" He gestures for Regan to come along too. "I am forced to remain at prayer today, though the wording of my orders only covers the day, so unless I receive other orders then I will be free to act tonight. It may be worthwhile for you to accompany my companions. You will be able to offer them wisdom that most of them otherwise lack. If there is an emergency then send for me. Even His Lordship coul dnot fault me for going to save the lives of members of our expedition, especially as Lady Gina is among them." As he leaves his room he takes his weapons and necessary equipment with him. Although spending the day in prayer, he is still in enemy territory and must be ready for action at all times. As he passes the innkeeper he tells the man, "When my Master returns, inform him that I have retired to the Temple for the day, where I will remain unless he summons me." He is careful not to identify His Lordship by name, in case the man spies for the Knights of Takhisis. He will not identify himself as a Solamnic in this place.

"I will do as you ask," Dove said. She then showed Marcus and Regan where the temple was. Before leaving them to rejoin the others.

It was one of the most ancient buildings in Pashin, clearly predating the Cataclysm. And like a proud warrior carried his scars, the temple bore the cracks in its white washed facade.

It was equally clear that the temple had been rebuilt many times from the varied architectural styles used in the structure. Two wings flanked the corner of the square across the street from the Five Dragon Inn, while a third and larger wing extended away from both of them and the square itself.

The front of the temple was decorated with mosaic tiles in azures, ambers, and amethysts forming geometric patterns. Some of them are chipped, others missing, but the design remains with quiet dignity and peaceful order, the temple remains oddly beautiful. But there is a sense of unease below the surface.

Sandstone steps lead upward between two columns, the steps worn smooth by the passage of many feet and by time itself. The pale polished alabaster column was carved to resemble a beautiful woman, while the dark rough alabaster was carved into the form of a massive, powerful, and brooding man. Both of them stretched their arms towards the sky and held up a lintel decorated with a frieze of sculpted images of the Khur gods.

The massive wooden doors were open, inviting all to enter.

Marcus looks on the building with reverence and respect. Its great age lends it a holiness that the more recently built churches seems to lack. Although he feels no need to ask forgiveness for a wrong that he did not commit, he feels that it would be wise and just to ask Paladine for guidance in how to perform this mission that his deity appears to have tasked him with. He also has a faint hope that perhaps the elven cleric from his dream could be guided by fate to make an appearance in this very temple. Although he could not act until nightfall, meeting the cleric now could allow him a clearer sense of what he should do this evening. He feels the great weight of both his restrictive orders and a divinely inspired mission that has a tight time limit on its completion due to the expedition's departure the following day. He examines the mosaics and designs with great interest, before making his way inside the building.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:25, Sat 12 Apr 2008.

As they entered the temple, they stepped into a hallway lined with four torches, each burning with a bright green flame that did not consume the torch. At the end of the hallway was a closed double door and standing beside it was a young Khurish priest. And on the left, behind a counter and in the next room, an older priest waited.

Marcus is curious as to the purpose of the greeting priest. He approaches the young man and says, "Good morning, my friend. I seek permission to enter and offer my devotion to the gods." As he waits for a reply, he keeps an eye on the older priest to try to figure out what he is doing. It seems odd that two priests would stand in greeting to the faithful.

"Of course," the young priest said. "Will you please leave your weapons and your pack for safekeeping." The young priest pointed at the older priest as he gave his instructions.

Marcus looks a little uncomfortable at the idea of giving up his weapons. "I have no concern with leaving my pack and lesser weapons, Brother, but my sword is a focus for my prayers. I am a holy warrior, and it would not do to pray unarmed."

"Paladins rarely visit this temple," the older priest said. "You may bring your sword with you. But the other things you have to leave behind."

Marcus nods slightly in appreciation and gratitude, though he keeps his relief hidden. He hands over his pack and other weapons, and makes his way past the two priests. He enters the main part of the temple, and looks around carefully for any other worshippers that may be sharing the chapel.

As Marcus approached the door again, the young priest spoke to him again.

"Who do you worship?"

Marcus looks carefully at the man, examining him carefully for any sign as to who he worships. He also shifts his vision into his soulvision, and he inspects the man's aura for signs of evil and corruption. He would have preferred to say that he worships all of the gods, but he has already identified himself as a holy warrior in order to keep hold of his blade, and they are always devoted to a single deity.

[Private to GM: Uses his Detect Evil ability on the two priests.]

It was a strange thing to Regan for a man to pray inside a building.  The druid had, of course, performed all his training, meditation and prayer out of doors although that being said, Regan found himself intrigued at the inside of the temple, it's trappings and people.

Regan himself had very little in the way of equipment and even less in the form of weaponry.  He was happy to leave his meagre belongings at the door and follow his uncle inside the building.  As he waited to enter the temple proper and Marcus spoke with the priests, the druids' thoughts turned to his friend Bisa.  The wolf had left the confines of the town the previous evening and into the wild for safety.  He was waiting of course for Regan to collect him but for now, Regan assumed that Bisa would be happy away from civilisation and was mostly likely chasing a rabbit or somesuch.  He would collect him later as for now, Regan waited for Marcus to enter the temple where Regan would follow.

Marcus looked at the two priests.

[Private to Marcus Valarian: Marcus detects no evil from them.]

"I serve Lord Paladine," Marcus says quietly enough that only the priest who asked can hear him. He watches carefully in case the man reacts badly to this, and also waits for further questions or instructions from the young priest. "This will be a long day of prayer, cousin," he says to Regan. "I will be deep in communion with my god. I know you dislike the indoors, and you may find more of interest with Dove and my companions. They could do with a wiser head to calm their more foolish tendencies."

"I understand Marcus," replied Regan with a short smile.  "Do you know where I might find them?"

“The Skyfather,” the priest said in a slight whisper, but loud enough for both the other priest and Regan to hear. “It is the corridor to your left and the second door to your left.” But he waited to open the door until Marcus was ready to enter as well as looking at Regan to determine if he had changed his mind or if he still wanted to enter the temple.

Marcus is curious about the unusual protocol, and wonders if there is some significance to it, perhaps a magical ward to allow entrance only to the proper area for a particular worshipper. He looks at Regan and says, "After getting my orders I didn't bother to ask where the others were going. I simply assumed that if they need me then they will come for me. But I suspect from our progress so far that they won't be difficult to find. They tend to get involved in a lot of fights, especially bar brawls. I would recommend trying the markets first though. At least a few of them were headed there to buy clothes." Marcus waits for a response before heading into the shrine.

"I will try there first then.  I will see you later Marcus.  Enjoy your time in prayer."

With a nod and a smile, Regan left his kin to his worship and headed for the marketplace hoping to find Marcus' colleagues and friends.

"I will. You be careful out there, Regan. And try to keep the others from doing anything foolish. Send for me if there is an emergency," Marcus says as he enters the main part of the temple.

In the center of the room was a spiral staircase. And coming around the staircase Marcus heard the familiar “one, two, three, four. One, two, three, four.” One number for each step. And as Peter MarKenin saw Marcus, he stopped and smiled. He wore his tan leather armor, but was unarmed.

“It’s good to see you again old friend,” he said. “But I hadn’t expected to see you here.”

Marcus listens to the counting, and memories sweep over him. He looks at Peter in astonishment as he appears. "Peter! What in the names of the Gods are you doing in this part of the world? I am here with Lord Brightblade on a mission for the Order. Have they Squired you yet, or are you still trying?" he adds in an amused tone, as he always does when thinking of an arcane caster trying to join the Order. Although perhaps not impossible in these enlightened times, it still strikes Marcus as being a slightly absurd idea.

“I have just become a squire,” the golden eyed Peter said. “My father was so proud. And I’m here on my first mission. And to their continued chagrin I still pursue the arcane arts too. But being the grandson of both a High Clerist and the Master of Past and Present, what else can I do?”

“What about yourself, have they made you a squire yet?”

"Congratulations, my friend. I just became a squire as well. I haven't had time to send word to my parents yet though. We left the morning after my promotion. What brings you to this godsforsaken part of Krynn?" Marcus asks.

"Congratulations to you too," Peter said. "Horses bring us here. My master has been sent here on a mission by the High Warrior to purchase horses. What about yourself?"

Marcus looks slightly curious. "The High Clerist sent us for the same purpose. I am one of his personal squires now, but he sent me with Lord Brightblade to gain experience. We are leaving tomorrow, though. Catching up on your devotions, are you?"

"Interesting," Peter said. "And yes I am. As a squire I can't really pass on this opportunity. And you are doing the same I gather?"

Marcus blushes slightly, not bothering to keep up his mask in front of his cousin. "I am here out as punishment. I have been commanded to spend the day in prayer by Lord Brightblade. There was a misunderstanding over a young lady. I am here rather than at the inn so I can be found easily if my other companions need my help. I am sworn to protect the High Clerist's grand daughter, who is among their number. But I have not told Lord Brightblade of my secondary mission, so I am restricted by his edicts." He smiles slightly and adds, "But it is good to spend a day in contemplation and prayer. I have been so busy in my training that I never have this much time to pray."

"I wouldn't mind spending the day in here," Peter said. "Better than being out there. But as a squire I don't really have much of a choice."

"So who did you get squired to? And what are your plans for the day, if you aren't staying in here?"

"I am a squire to His Majesty Vinas DiCaela of Heartlund," Peter said. "A good friend of the High Warrior. Though Lord Errol Horn has been assigned as my mentor. And the whispers at court say that I am his punishment. Much like how your master was punished when he was younger, though that was on a much larger scale. And I'm not sure what exactly I am to do today. But I suppose it has something to do with horses."

Marcus draws his blade to focus on as he prays. Before he kneels he says, "I have to stay here. But if you are travelling around the town please keep your eyes open. You may see others you recognise, members of my mission. Many of them are descendants of the Godsbringers, so you may recognise even those you haven't met before. If you see them then please keep a watchful eye on them for me. They have a marked tendency to get themselves into trouble. We even seem to have Knights of Takhisis interfering in some side business we were investigating, though they shouldn't have anything to do with it."

"I'll keep my eyes open," Peter said. "And perhaps I'll see you again soon."

Peter started walking towards the door again, "One, two, three, four. One, two, three, four." one number said with each step and he making sure that he reached the door on four. He opened it and left the room, counting his steps as he went.

Marcus watches with a raised eyebrow as his friend leaves. he then sweeps the room with cautious eyes, ensuring there are no surprises or spies in the room. Seeing nothing of interest, he kneels down and starts to pray, using his blade as a focus of his devotions.


[Private to GM: Uses Detect Evil to scan the room carefully, just in case.]

As Marcus was about to kneel, a priest that he hadn't been aware of earlier approached.

"Who do you worship," she asked.

Marcus hesitates briefly before replying. He examines the woman carefully for signs of who she serves, and asks, "Is this temple not open to the worship of all of the gods? Of what concern is it which god I pray to?'

[Private to GM: Lucius uses Detect Evil on the woman and also looks to find a holy medallion showing her deity.]

"Of course it is," she said. "But this is not the place for worship. This is a nexus. And I need to know which room to direct you to."

[Private to Marcus Valarian: He senses no evil.]

"My apologies. This is the first time i have been in a temple such as this one. I am a servant of Paladine," Marcus offers with a slight awkward bow. He rises and waits to be directed to the proper room.


[Private to GM: I was asked this before, I think. I thought I was already in the right room. Sorry about that.]

"I'll show you," the woman said. She led him down the left corridor, not the corridor Peter had come from, and to the door the priest on the other side of the door had indicated.

[Private to Marcus Valarian: He gave directions of where Marcus should go, but he has only opened one door at this point, he has not gone down any corridors as he had been instructed. But time clouds memories and we all make mistakes. And if nothing else, it points out that things are different here, which was the point of the exercise. Or one point at least.]

As she opened the door and let Marcus into the place of worship, he was on more familiar grounds.

Marcus heads down the corridor. He looks in some curiosity at the corridor that Peter came down. "Which god is the temple down that way devoted to?" Marcus asks, gesturing at that corridor. He then enters the room he has been shown to, and immediately starts to examine the room, to ensure there are no surprises.

"Each of the three corridors serves six gods,” the priestess said. “With three smaller rooms on one side, two larger rooms on the other, and the biggest room at the end of the corridor.”

“In that corridor we have Gilean at the head, followed by Shinare and Zivilyn, as well as Branchala, Habbakuk, and Majere.”

On the inside a priest and a priestess waited near the door. Both of them were dressed in white and the man wore a holy symbol of Paladine.

Only one other person was in the room, kneeling in apparent communion with Paladine. As she turned her head towards you, you saw that her face was your mother's face. Identical in every facet, as if they had been twins.

Marcus nods in relief. For a horrifying moment he was concerned that his old friend may have turned to a dark god. But the gods in the corridor were those of the light and the more harmless deities of neutrality, and nothing to be worried about. As he enters the room, he nods slightly to the two priests by the door. He then looks at the woman kneeling in prayer. His heart catches in his throat. He watches her for a long moment, then sheathes his blade so as not to frighten her. He carefully approaches the woman and kneels beside her. In a gentle and quiet voice he says, Excuse me, Milady. I know that it is rude of me to ask this of you, and for that I apologise. But I need to know your name. You are the exact image of my mother, yet she has never said anything to me of her having a sister."

The woman looked at Marcus again and replied in whispers.

“My name is Hope. And as far as I know, I don’t have a sister either.”

Marcus frowns slightly. The name is not familiar to him. "Do you know of a woman by the name of Kaylan?" he asks quietly. He looks embarassed and adds, "Incidentally, it is a pleasure to meet you, Lady Hope."

"It is a pleasure to meet you too sir knight," Hope said and looked towards the priests at the door and then a quick glance around the room. "But as you may have noted there are not many elves around here."
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:38, Wed 21 May 2008.

Marcus nods slightly, "My mother is of the elven people. It is unusual to see elves away from the homelands, which is part of the reason why I thought you may be related."

"The elves doesn't have much of a homeland right now," Hope said. "With the knights of Takhisis in control of Qualinesti and the minotaurs in control of Silvanesti, most elves live in exile. Though I, myself, have never been there."

Marcus offers an intrigued look. In a thoughtful voice he says, "My friends and I have been trying to find a group of elves in this area. I had a vision from Paladine which leads me to them. We found a key, a sort of music box. Do you have any knowledge of such an item?"

"This is not much of a place for elves," Hope said. "At least that's what I've heard. I'm only passing through myself. But if Paladine is leading you here to find elves and a music box, I'm certain that there will be a way to do so. And if you have elven heritage, you probably should keep that to yourself."

"I had a music box as a child, but I don't know how they work nor how such a thing could be a key."

"Yes, I noticed that elves are not very welcome. We saw one murdered yesterday by the Knights of Takhisis. They were trying to find out where the other elves are. If you don't mind my asking, what brings you to such a hostile place when our kind are so hated here?"

"I was just passing through," Hope said. "What about yourself, stranger?"

"Just buying some horses. WHere are you headed, if you don't mind my asking?"

"Do you expect me to share my comings and goings with a stranger," Hope asked.

Marcus bows slightly. "Of course not. Please pardon my curiosity if I have given offense. I am merely curious as to why a member of a hunted people would come here if it could be avoided. And even more so since you look so much like my mother. I will leave you to your devotions, Milady."

Marcus moves away, giving the woman some space. He kneels down and starts to offer his own devotions.

"You have not given offence," Hope said. "And sometimes things cannot be avoided. As your own presence here is the first evidence."

As Marcus left for his devotions, Hope returned to her own.

Marcus smiles slightly at the woman, before immersing himself in prayer. He hopes to get some small sense of how his comrades are doing, and offers Paladine a prayer asking that he protect them.

Some time later Hope rose and left the temple. Marcus continued in his prayers for the rest of the day.

[OOC: If there is anything else you'd want to talk to her about, you have the opportunity to do so when she leaves. And unless there is anything else you want to do before nightfall, we can skip ahead until that time.]

Marcus notes Hope's leaving, but doesn't allow it to interupt his prayers. He remains at his devotions until nightfall, when he finally rises, stretching sore muscles, and prepares to return to the Inn. He hopes that the rest of the party are doing okay.

Having spent the day in prayer had not given Marcus any further dreams or visions of how to pursue, but he felt at peace.

He left the room he had prayed in, walked down the corridor and out the door to the lobby where his things were returned to him.

[If there is nothing else, I can return you to the main thread.]

Marcus puts on all of his equipment before leaving. He thanks the priests who run the temple, and makes his way back out into the street. He heads back to the inn at once, not hesitating at all. He wants to know how the day progressed.

As Marcus exited the temple, he noted his friends just arriving in the square. Though Regan wasn't with them.

[You can now rejoin the main thread.]