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.]