Diantha stares at Bryon, the person she had least expected to steer them correctly.

"The Temple of Venus," she says quietly.  "And the temple of Bacchus.  They share one small terrace on the east end of Temple Ridge.  Fitting, some say.  But... with both of them, the Orcs don't seem to pay much attention to them.  But nor have they offered even the slightest hint that they might oppose the Orcs.  They are quite content to be quiet and keep to themselves.  Unlikely allies if that is what is being suggested."

As the the High Priestess speaks a thought occurs to Titus. Anyone who has been around him for any period of time comes to expect him to speak his mind assertively. Indeed, sometimes aggressively, but always with a certain verbal grace. However, for the first time in a long time he begins awkwardly, "Forgive me, but... I... If what I say here seem prurient or disrespectful, please pardon me and understand as I do not mean to be impertinent...

"But from what I recall of the area around the Temples, which is now called the Pandemonicum there have been new statues put up including the latest, which may not yet be complete... “Rape of Minerva”."

Bryon had no idea what they were talking about when it came to temples and such, but the new statue was something she had spotted. ”Oh, I’ve seen the artist who is sculpting that. He’s asked me model for him but if his statue is about rape I think maybe I will say ‘no’ now. I don’t want to be a rape statue.”

Seems stupid of them. Minerva will be most displeased; in fact, many will. Apart from that, it draws attention to Minerva. If the Goths were wiser, they'd let memories of Minerva fade and not draw attention to her.

"Very displeased", Diantha says bitterly.  "But also... to call out a god so blatantly is a challenge.  If it is completed, and Minerva does nothing... what little faith there is left here may shrivel away.  On the other hand, if there is some clear consequence for this horrible thing,  it would be a sign.  That is exactly why I have been searching more vigorously for allies lately.  The time is at hand, the statue is proof of it. It is why we need to act quickly."

Bryon nodded along understanding none of it. “So...ahhh...what do we do?”

Titus had hoped his recollection of the Temple ridge and environs would result in a useful clue... Maybe the statue actually

Titus tries to take everything that has been said into consideration and Byron's question brings the importance of this into focus, "Quite so, Byron. Perhaps it would help to bring together what seem to me to be the highlights of what we have learned so far:

1. The Temple of Minerva's secrets are hidden

2. The High Priestess was afraid that even she would reveal those secrets if tortured, so made a point of not learning them, yet reminded us of Athena's owls and notes that the "Owls are on their way"

3. Upon the Temple Ridge the Goths have destroyed or repurposed various temples and created the Pandemonicum from the former Temple of Jupiter within which they have destroyed the holy statues once there and are replacing them with perversions such as 'The Rape of Minerva'... While it may be that this is simply a matter of timing, we can not dismiss the symbolical significance of that particular 'work' at this particular time.

"Assuming that your earlier mention of 'the Owls' was not metaphorical, High Priestess, perhaps the clue to summoning the Owls, which  seems to be our purpose? Perhaps it is that the key to opening the lock is related to that horrific statue and will release the Owls or permitting the Owls to arrive will deliver that which we are seeking?"

He pauses uncertainly, but continues, "Whatever the case, it seems likely that if we speak to the High Priests of Venus and Bacchus we might learn something useful... Though, now that I am thinking about it Venus seems the likeliest given the nature of how the Orcs would perceive her contrary to Minerva combined with the fact of the latest statue I mentioned.... Assuming that its creation and our mission is just an accident and it has no actual relation to anything we are investigating."

“There are no accidents,” Diantha says.  “Not when Minerva is involved.  Just strategies, which we hope to be successful.  I don’t believe any of the timing is coincidence, and this is the time in which we must act.”

“It’s always the time in which we must act,” the old High Priestess says.  “It’s just the action that changes.  It’s never time to do nothing.”

“But… they know me, at the other temples,” Diantha realizes.  “We are the ones the Goths are suspicious of.  It would be best if I did not go.  I do not want that suspicion to spread to Bacchus and Venus.  The Orcs do not care about them at all… so far.”

She turns to the characters.  “I ask you to take the lead here, and do this part of our quest without me.  You are much less likely to arouse suspicion than I am.  They watch us.  That is why I have been… careful… about revealing myself.”

Bryon smiled and nodded in the way she normally did when unable to understand what was happening. She would do what was asked of her, as long as she understood the thing being asked.

Gondioque ponders While I feel pretty much at sea here, a question occurs to me: Where around here are there owls?

Bryon nodded, ”Yes owls. I am looking for a new animal friend. Scruff left to make more little ferrets before he is too old. I must prepare to call a new friend.”

Not sure there is anyplace for Druk here yet. So he’s just doing his own thing off camera. If he sees the group going anywhere or doing anything he may join then, or help by providing a distraction for Orcs or follow them or both. He may also, with his knowledge of the city know where to find stinky owls or other things and people of interest.

Titus is also curious about the owls that he has now brought up twice, but have been ignored by the clerics. Perhaps this is because she was speaking metaphorically or in some sort of code? I may be causing a  bit of a lacunae here.

Having taken a sip from his cup he clears his voice, "Yes, perhaps I made too much of the, erm, owls. Regardless of their meaning it seems the first step of our mission is clear.

"That is, we visit the temples of Venus and Bacchus and see if the priests there might be helpful.

"Are there any specific priests at each temple to whom we should address our questions?"

Druk thinks about owls, those odd birds that come out at night and pounce on rodents.  Not many Humans in Masillia see them because owls are nocturnal and Humans don't see that well in the dark.


Neither Majamri nor Diantha know which specific clerics, at either the temples of Bacchus or Venus, would be the ones to talk to.

"We don't know all that much about them," Diantha admits.  "I mean, we know them, we know names and we've met casually and at festivals... but we don't generally socialize."

"There should have been more socializing," Majamri says quietly.  "Something overlooked."

Diantha continues:  "One might say we have cross purposes.  Minerva is Knowledge and Wisdom, after all.  Venus and Bacchus are associated with a profound lack thereof.  Either causing it, or enjoying it.  But there has always been mutual professional courtesy.  The spiritual agendas might be opposite, on the one hand, but certainly mutual prosperity, even survival, has always bound us together.  So certainly, if we entrusted secrets to them, they would be loyal and do what was necessary.  That's assuming..."

She glances at Majamri before continuing.  "Assuming they remember.  You might have covered the tracks rather well."

"But not too well," the old High Priestess says.  "The trail may be concealed but not erased."

"But who would they go to?"

Majamri shuts her eyes, and it looks for a few moments like she is deep in concentration.

"Always the enemy, always the Goths, must take them into account," she says.  "Even though these temples are not thought to be threats by them, the Goths would watch. They'd watch the leaders.  If I were me... and I was... I would have arranged it not with a leader, but with someone young and reliable and smart.  Of course, that was some years ago, that person may be higher up the ladder now.  Maybe even leader now.  So that doesn't help, does it?"

"Well, I hope we find the answer there," Diantha says.  "But again, it is best that I do not go myself.  I am someone the Orcs are already suspicious of."

Somehow Druk was here long enough - he was allowed into the house when he came after dealing with his own business and has been unexpectedly allowed out to the discussions where he came quietly as a laborer in the garden practically unnoticed.

I have seens owls if you want to find them, I will show you. They hunt at night near the old school. They kill rats, once an owl took a rat from my hand. I wanted to punch it but it was faster than me, I had to get work.  I am richer now, I don’t need rats.

Bryon looked at Titus, ”Mr. Titus should throw a big party. Venus and Bacchius are always invited to parties. Have their fancy holy people come to the party and then we can get them to talk to us. Invite the Orcs too, they won’t come. They don’t like human parties, but being polite you invite them so that they won’t come see?  Then when Venus and Bacchius show up...or their holy people anyway...to bless the party the Goths won’t even be suspicious.” She clapped her hands, ”Oh yes a party. We shall have wine and beer, and and all sorts of fancy rich people and then music and dancing...” She began humming to herself, dancing with an imaginary partner. She spun and glided around the room, she has been taught how to dance, that much is clear, for it is easy to imagine someone holding her and leading her. After a few moments she opened her eyes and looked around, ”I’m sorry what were we discussing?”



Bryon nodded and clapped again. ”Oh yes, would you please? I think an owl would be just the perfect companion. He would sit on my shoulder and give me sage and wise advice. Like how many licks it takes to get to the center!”
This message was last edited by the player at 17:06, Fri 23 Aug 2019.

Titus was still uncertain the relevance of the owls and given that neither cleric had actually responded to his initial questions about them he was... Uncertain.

He was also uncertain about Druk, who he does not recall meeting, but at least Bryon knew him and he had been permitted entry, so... That made him less-uncertain about the half-orc, at least.

When Bryon suggests he throw a party he nods, "Well... Yes, I certainly could. It could be a sort of Home Coming affair.

"I could invite all of our peers and given that in my time away I 'have' become such the hedonist, I would, of course, invite the entirety of the priests of hedonism! Drink, love, and, of course, gambling. (Mercury should be invited regardless, you see.)"

Turning back to Majamri and Diantha, "Having such a debauch would distance all of us present, who be invited, of course, from yourselves. In fact, depending upon whether you think this wise, if we play up the hedonism angle you might even say publicly discouraging things about me and 'my friends', who have been 'clearly turned to sinful ways by our exposure to the Hunnish North', or something like that."

Bryon clapped and squealed, even hopping up and down on her toes. ”What a marvelous idea! A party, I do so adore parties. What will I wear? On Princess, did you hear? Mr. Titus is throwing a party. I am sure he will invite you. Can I come with you? Oh you know we could have so much fun, we could dress each other and I could help with your make up. This is so very splendid. You are a very smart man, Mr. Titus. I like smart men, but not ... ahhh ... you know. For that I like men like Mr. Druk. Look at all his marvelous muscles. I am so excited, dancing and drinking and men. What a wonderful marvelous idea you’ve had Mr. Titus.” She grinned and nodded and she is completely serious as her dancing and daydreaming made her completely forget even having had the idea at all.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:45, Fri 23 Aug 2019.

Druk’s face darkens when he is praised by Bryon. He shuffles a little and makes his way back from the gaze of the others.

I will show you, if you wish. Tonight. He says to Bryon.

If you want to attract priests that were given special information by the old lady, you might know if you have a celebration of the old lady. When she dies maybe, or her birthday. Or to celebrate her lifetime work before she is too senile to accept the accolades.

Druk almost mumbles unsure if his opinion has any value among these rich humans.

A party, yes...so we've the beginning of a plan. Bryon, yes, an owl; but, be careful, Goths are most suspicious of magic. And Titus, you are adept at such things. I may, as you would, have some thoughts about ways to converse with leaders. She turns to the others. Titus has been a diplomat; parties often are a cover for information exchanges, negotiations...carefully conducted.

She looks at Diantha. How may we aid you living your days in peace or maybe bring you some happiness? Please consider and let us know.

But an immediate matter. She walks to Druk and slowly puts a hand on each shoulder (assuming allowed). She gazes directly into his eyes. Honor to you, Druk. I know your worth; I shall remember. She drops her hands and looks around.

Druk stands still as stone. You don’t honor an Ook. Ooks are not even noticed. He doesn’t know what to do with his feelings.
He nods to the great woman, daughter of kings and when she lets go he remains in the area but all he can think of is the time he freed some slaves when he had to pretend to be his dead master, others he doomed to keep the charade.

These people would have freed all of them he knows it.

If he must hurt someone, or stand and be seen to help this ... party these people who are good. He thinks he would do it. But if he can help as an Ook and stay hidden, that is easier.

As he thinks about being himself, staying out of the light he feels better and he backs away to the safer edge of the people so they can talk and make their good plans. He will show Bryon the owls, yes a simple thing an Ook who knows how to find things can do.

"Just to be clear," the priestess says carefully, "hosting a party, inviting the priests of Bacchus and Venus... who would never miss an opportunity for a party... and using the opportunity to approach them about Majamri's lost information..."

"Concealed."

"Concealed information about our temple.  And the Orcs, of course being Orcs, rarely if ever accept an opportunity for a party, so we can be assured that you will be able to talk to them in peace.  It sounds... logical.  We should have considered this before.?"

"It's not the sort of thing we consider," the elder high priestess says with slightly remorseful tone.

"But you will arrange things?  I should not be there," Diantha says.

Too bad, in a way. Often at parties, some people...after some wine...want a sympathetic listener for all their hopes and troubles...one who will speak wisely and keep confidences.

Titus smiles appreciating the exchange and feeling a twinge of excitement that he had not felt for a while, but a thought crosses his mind that focuses him, "Please understand that what I intend to create will be a proper Bacchanalia. It will be a fantastic event for some, but quite beyond what might be appropriate for others."

Turning to Gondioque he continues, "Forgive me, but it seems to me that you do not understand what our clerics of Athena mean to say.... And if you do not understand this you are going to have a good deal of trouble here. Everyone knows that a few cups of wine might enable one to convey things previously uncomfortable. But that is not what we are talking about here.

"A 'Bacchanalia' is more than something more.... In it everyone releases themselves and this might lead to dread as well as deep reflection. Among most Romans this is not a party that is related to wisdom and understanding. Rather it is emotion and from such comes things that are utterly unrelated to Lady Athena as they have little to do with intelligence and rationality, which is why our host and Diantha would not willingly attend."

Titus takes a breath, he was not used to being angry and found himself so unexpectedly. Somehow the Burgundian's words crossed a line in his mind. He puts his hand out and caresses the neck of the golden sight-hound at his side, "So, I agree that you should not be present, Lady Diantha. And if you wish all further planning outside of this house to avoid contamination.

"Everyone else might know that one week from this day they are invited to an affair at House Mercator. You shall receive invitations, but do not fear -- if you are among us today you shall be welcome then."

He pauses, "Otherwise, please do inform me if there are those not present that ought to be invited and let us plan to meet in three days to confirm plans, but please do be careful with your visits to House Mercator properties, because I fear as of now we are all moving against the Powers That Be and must be quite aware of our actions and how they might affect everyone else."

Thank you, Titus Gondioque replies. I shall have to consider carefully my conduct at this party.