Bryon may at times lack sense, but...

No, there are no buts.  It's clear, and as straightforward as that.  There is a "however", though.

However, she is able to realize that fact.  The world has always been full of people able to piece things together and "see the big picture" when all she can see are a jumble of colors.  She knows this.  And, fortunately, in this case, she knows where to find some of them.

The Princess.  SHE is one of those people.

Bryon realizes that that kind of brain would be useful here.  It's a school, after all.  Who else?

So the entire group- priestess included, but not elderly priestess- regroups at the Cabreus House, where word is sent to Gondioque, and by way of her to Titus, that something needs investigation regarding the old, sealed off School of Minerva.

Diantha admits, perhaps in their eagerness they were proceeding hastily.  After all, this kind of opportunity does not arise often.   Best to be analytical about it.  Prepare fully, rather than run off with the first group of brave souls that appeared.  Minerva would approve.


The proprietors of Cabreus House, on the other hand, begin to suspect that something slightly irregular is going to be discussed.  They remind their guests:  the Visigoths are very, very intolerant about certain things, and one of those things is going places they clearly have forbidden.

They ask if they can please keep things... subtle.  "Let's not do anything that would bring Visigoth retribution down upon poor Cabreus House, please".

Bryon was willing to go along with them, especially since Scrumff approved. He made a somewhat rare appearance these days, he was getting older. He slept more and ate less, and there was grey starting to show in his fur.

He spoke to her in his chittering way, "Mistress, I should be about finding a she-ferret. I am older now and you will require a younger servant. I will return with a 15th, but it may be some time. I will train him as I was trained. Fret not, you can handle this. You have marvelous friends."

Bryon nodded, brushing aside a tear. "I will await your return." He scampered off, out, and towards the wild places. He vanished. Bryon felt very sad.

But then the Princess was with them. She felt better immediately. She curtsied as was polite, then hugged her friend. "Scrumff has gone to make another little one because he feels old. I am alone now I think. I wish I had someone to cry with me. But, there is no time. We have an adventure! Come and help won't you? You are so very smart."

Gondioque blinks. A wise pet. Pray that he succeeds. The Ambassador's tone become level, serious. Bryon, even among comrades, stay silent about having a pet that can communicate with you. Your life may depend on keeping that secret.

Now, what's this about an adventure? One at a time, please.

Titus had accompanied the Ambassador to Cabreaus House and having greeted his hosts he attentively awaited explanation of matters.

Belenus returns to Cabreus house.

Diantha eventually realizes that the others are not really up to the task of filling in Titus and Gondioque on what's going on.  She's beginning to wonder if she has the right group.

Still, years have passed while she's waited for an opportunity.  If this is what the gods have sent her... perhaps Minerva means it as a test of her faith and wits.

She reiterates what she told the others already:

“I am Diantha of the Temple of Minerva, goddess of Wisdom, patron of teachers and scholars.  We were one of the first temples in Massilia,” Diantha says.  “A thousand years.  No one knows the exact date, but a thousand years is close enough.  There have been fifty seven High Priestesses since.  The school was built on the early crypt, and I think the spirits of the some of them may be helping to protect it from the Goths.  The current high priestess… well, in a way it is me.  It’s really Majamri, but she had retired and passed the title to Zerrin, but the Orcs killed Zerrin so Majamri was reinstated.  But she’s very, very old now and stays home.  She is the high priestess in title, because I am not ready.  Soon, I hope, not yet.”

"We still have use of our temple, though it's not much of a temple.  Minerva does not see fit to invest in vanities.  Of far greater value to us was the school.  So important was it that through the years, our high priestesses invested it with the best of their defensive blessings, and invoked powers to protect it.  Not even the Goths with the help of their infernal masters could bring it down, though they still try, and every year they grow stronger.  Instead, they have sealed it up, and placed their own cursed guardians to patrol it.  I believe important secrets are guarded within.  I cannot say what, because the high priestesses always guarded the secret and did not pass it to me.  But I know, important.  I was hoping that these few would help me solve the puzzle of entry, and then explore it.  We went to see the last High Priestess, but the years have weighed upon her, and her mind is no longer sharp.  I cannot seem to communicate with her... and so Bryon suggested you."

Gondioque's listens intently, but then her eyes seem to try to look through the northern wall. Then she speaks unexpected words:

"Minerva, this mortal asks that you wake up. Your wisdom and protection are needed, and I doubt You want Your Name only to be a memory. I come from the north, but You may well be One Whom these people need so the bonds among good people and noble deities once more grows strong.

"I call out to Oestgre, Whom I love, to attend this chance for a new beginning. Among All Who wish well for the people, I plead for aid. In particular, Freya for the struggle, Frigg, for the goal of peace and plenty, Father Odin for wisdom, and Brunnhilde, Who knows much of our struggle for life for ourselves and our children."

She turns to Diantha. "What can you tell us of these guardians? Are there any Visigoths or others patrolling the area? As for Majamri, could magic have clouded her mind? Please tell me more of how you tried to communicate with her."

Bryon beamed proudly, ”See, I told you she was very smart. She knows all the right names and everything. I am glad you are here Princess.”

When they arrived Titus thought he recognized Diantha from his earlier years in Massalia, but it has been a long time. Before he was sent north by the Mercators he had worshiped at the temple and even met Majamri and thought he recognized Diantha from those days. Indeed, on his left forefinger he wears a ruby set gold ring inscribed with Minerva's Owls. Still, it has been a long time and given what he knows the priests of Arras and throughout Northern Europa experienced before the Emperor was brought down he can certainly understand how the reign of the Goths might have such horrible impact.

When Gondiogue finishes he speaks, "It may well be that the demons supporting the Goths have enabled the clouding of the mind of the Summus Sacerdos Minervae, but this is just as likely to be old age. I recall Majamri well from my younger days and perhaps it was my youthful eyes, but she was as wizened before I went North as she was wise. If she has retired and Zerrin had risen in her stead then that was for that reason."

He pauses, "Of course, I may well be wrong in this... If I am not, then perhaps the Ambassador's first question is more to the point. Aside from the challenge that the holy protections placed upon the school, what sort of 'accursed guardians' should we expect to confront, because I am quite happy to assist and accompany this quest in any way I may."
This message was last edited by the player at 15:53, Mon 10 June 2019.

Diantha looks suprised at the names Gondioque calls on.  They are gods of a faraway people about which she knows little.  But on the subject of guardians...

"Not mere Orcs patrolling around.  None of those, in fact.  Such a visible would signal that the school is a haven for powers the Infernals have not defeated.  People would see the Orcs on guard duty and rumors would fly about what it is they are guarding.  No, the powers that we are up against are supernatural.  Demonic forces, shadowy and sly.  Those who tempt fate and try to enter the school... well, as far as I know it has been unsuccessful.  That is why I have been waiting.  Massilia has no one with the skill, and the will to defeat agents of the Infernals.  Vile magic... I wish it was just Orcs."

Titus takes another look around the room and while he does not know everyone he has at least met or has heard of several of them in passing. Indeed, realizing that his old comrade Bulwyf is present makes him feel further emboldened.

"It seems then we have a rather interesting excursion ahead of us! I am prepared to set forth immediately. Does anyone need supplies or any sort I am happy to make whatever arrangements I may."

Gondioque starts to consider and plan. This may be a way forward, but I have to be careful. I don't want to start a war between the Visigoths and Burgundy. Fortunate, in a way, that there are no Orcs around. But the Infernals.... They well may seek to trick us or have us betray ourselves or each other. As for me, self-pride may be a danger...a danger that can be minimized by paying attention to others' words. I'm guessing that we need some means of having light. So...I might as well tell you: I have inherent magical powers including the ability to make an object shine like a torch. Further, if magic e set before us, I can dispel it. Please, none of you betray me in this.

Titus takes in the Princess's words, "I appreciate your careful concern here, Ambassador. Your magical abilities will be quite helpful to us. In my past confrontations with demons things were not as subtle as you fear they might be, if that eases your mind.

"That is, the greater demons may, indeed, be subtle, but aside from whatever traps and/or seals they have set for us the creatures they have left to guard the school are more likely to be there to rip whomever gets near the place to pieces. And it is also unlikely that there will be enough intelligence amongst them to relay any useful analysis of our party to their masters.

"Regardless, those of us present here must know that our group and individual actions and decisions are sealed between us."

Bryon skipped along happily, ”I’m ready when you guys are. I have all sorts of wonderful magic I can use and such.”

Gondioque asks For instance?

Bryon became down right giggly, “All sorts of things. I can make lights that dance, noises, I can turn invisible, make slippery stuff, blind people with rainbows, burn them with sun beams, oh I can make the most wonderful horsy named Peanutbutter...”

Titus looks from Byron to Gondioque to the Priestess, "Right. Well, we are certainly prepared to face the, erm, challenges before us."

His face carefully exposing no emotion or anything else he continues, "Shall we set off tomorrow morning?"

Bryon got her pouty face, which is just her normal face but add a poked out bottom lip. ”Tomorrow? But...why? I thought we were starting an adventure. Adventures begin in the now not in the tomorrow.”

Gondioque ponders. Assuming what we're about is not noticed, this evening, I think. We nap, eat if necessary, go to someplace near the temple we have a legitimate reason to go to, and sneak off. Diantha, is there a way you can be disguised so you're not noticed? I'm guessing that seeing you near the temple will rouse suspicion.

"And I, for one, have not brought appropriate gear for such a mission," adds Titus.

OOC: Do we know where the school is actually located. From my first reading I presumed that it was located in the area, but not within the temple. Indeed, for some reason I thought it must be well outside the city; however, going back and rereading previous posts I don't know why I thought that!

Since Titus is from the city am I wrong to think he would know of it or has it been hidden by the Goths for so long that this is all news to him?

The School is located near the temple.  Same ridge, and in fact in the same compound, surrounded by the same hedge, a mere stone's throw from the temple.

But that stone's throw is a severe one.

"Merely breaking in like thieves is going to get us killed," Diantha says.  "I cannot merely walk us up to the door and start knocking it down.  The first part of the puzzle is getting in safely.  And that is why I had brought the others to Majamri."

"I have been thinking about this for some time, hoping that a day like this would come.  The priestesses then... they must have planned for this.  We always plan.  Minerva would be ashamed of us if we didn't.  They must have planned for another way in, if we ever had to enter or leave the school in secrecy.  And I believe Majamri would know.  If she still remembers. She is old and feeble now but she must remember, somehow.  She always hinted that there was something, but she always.. you know... old clerics always say things like 'When the time is right'.  The time was never right.  Whatever secrets she has, she never passed to me."

"If I ever have the chance to renew the sect of Minerva I will set a new rule:  we shall not speak in oracular cliches.  If we have something to say we will say it straightly."

Bryon said offhandedly, "Well I can use Dimension Door once per day and take like 2 people with me, but that is the max. How would we get back out?"

Good to know, Bryon. Seems to me one or more should talk with Majamri.

"Yes, it is good to know we have your spell as an option... Perhaps an escape route once we are there.

"But I agree with you, Gondioque. Priestess, do you recall any of the hints she gave about this? Perhaps you might introduce us to Majamri?"

"We can try speaking to her again," Diantha says.  "In fact, that was my first plan, but as I found to my regret, I do not seem to communication well with her.  She just does not understand me... it is my fault, I am sure, I should be able to reach through, but I don't seem to be able to.  It was Bryon's suggestion that we seek you out, and perhaps you can succeed where I am not able to."