Perrato awoke early in the morning, glancing out the window of his little room to see that the dawn mists were already being burned away by the newly-risen sun.  The day promised to be hot.

Perrato cast his mind back to last night's dinner.  He had been delighted that he had encountered his cousin Dominique--another devotee of Vagrani and one of his fellow acolytes back at the Vedian monastery.  Over a simple dinner of roasted quail, spring greens, and a bottle of warm Vedian red, the two clerics had spoken of their travels and experiences in the service of Vagrani.  Dominique had indicated that his path lay westward, where he had felt a divine calling to lend his skills and devotion to the folk of the Leaflock forest.  Cousin Dom had been traveling with a group of adventurers, but their paths were diverging.  Thus, he had elected to return west in the company of a ranger and a bard.

Perrato had then told his own story--a story involving his passing through the hamlet of Gorse on a mission of healing.  Apparently, the orcish activity in the hilly regions along Paldor's marches had been virtually unprecedented this spring--only a few greybeards could recall such virulent raiding and pillaging within the past forty or fifty years.  Perrato had been engaged in healing some of the ravages that had been visited upon the villages and farmers in the region, as well as helping the ragtag units of Paldorian militia take down some of the orcish raiding parties.  During his stay in Gorse, however, the Palonish cleric had been tapped to travel to the Fortress of the Sword, where he was to meet with one of the former commander of the Fortress--a Captain Garlings.  Garlings was to travel to Borderton to reinforce that town, and needed a cleric to deal with some issue involving an escaped prisoner and the potential for arson.  Upon arriving in town with Garlings and his men, however, it seemed that the arsonist had been apprehended and that, with the exception of the loss of the Pilgrims' Rest, no real damage to the town had occurred.  Thus, Garlings had withdrawn his claim on Perrato's Vagranian oath to travel and offer succor to others--essentially leaving Perrato at liberty to do what he chose.

After hearing this story, Dominique poured more wine for both men.  Dinner had been taken in the little room in the rectory that Perrato had been accorded as a Mithran cleric, and the setting sun slanted through the room's windows, spilling its rich ruby light across the simple wooden table that held the plates and glasses.  Dominique smiled, and then requested that his cousin consider traveling with a certain group of adventurers.  "Consider, my cousin.  You are free to wander for now, and I feel a strong pull back to the forests--trees and water figure prominently in my dreams, and I awake with the familiar pull to the west that tells me Mithras and Vagrani desire my presence there.  But you...you have been called eastward, and I think it no coincidence that we have met here, kith and kin to one another, at a crossroads of sort.  I urge you...join with these friends of mine.  They are in need of some guidance, but they are valiant and brave.  They seek the whereabouts of a caravan that has apparently been waylaid.  While much of their motivation stems from the desire for gold, there is a core of honor amongst them."

Perrato had indicated that he would consider this possibility, and the talk turned to friends and family far away in Vedia--memories and stories kindled by another bottle of wine.  Thus the evening had grown into night, and Perrato said goodbye--not without a tinge of sadness--to his cousin.

The Palonish priest now sits, watching the long shadows of morning shorten almost imperceptibly, and considers his decision.

Perrato considers the threats posed by increasing strife and disorder on the eastern reaches of the empire to free flow of travel and trade among the peoples of Arret and lowers his gaze contemplatively to the holy symbol on his pendant.

"I can trust my cousin's judgement perhaps even farther than my own. If Dominique believes they are honorable souls, there is little objection I can make to their company. The path that they are likely to take coincides with that which I'd have to take to serve the interests of our sect. There is nought left but to meet these hardy souls."

After a ritual prayer for safe passage and good judgement Perrato prepares for his journey with determination and a spring in his step.

"Though rumored to be fond of wealth and treasure, I imagine that these men must possess great judgement of their own. I only hope that I have enough mettle to offer them valuable assistance. I go where Vagrani carries me..."

As Perrato ruminates on Dominique's words and continues to gaze out the window after his prayers, a strange entourage meanders into view.  Six mounts, variously ridden by a rather colorful cast, are framed in the windows of Perrato's second-story room.  Dominique's words come back to the priest, as he looks at the new arrivals.

"The human rogue has more honor than most I have met...in a different path, he could well have become a man of the Church.  His is a voice of reason."

"The halfling is fiercely loyal to his family--and now, I believe--to my comrades...although he is a devotee of the old goddess Danu, and is somewhat mistrustful of our faith."

"The sorcerer is often reckless with his safety, but is remarkably adept at extricating himself from harm.  He usually speaks for the party, and is quite persuasive."

"There is a man from the monasteries to the East--Asher is his name.  He seems both very, very competent--he managed to save two lives in a burning building--and, along with the rogue, the most apt to listen to measured reason and discourse."

"A recent, chance-met acquaintance has fallen in with my comrades...to his chagrin, perhaps.  He is a bit brooding, but seems to act with honor and restraint.  He rescued a guardsman in town, and lent his efforts to the defeat of the madman I spoke of earlier.  I believe he is trustworthy, and of a good nature."

A long pause had intervened between the previous comment and Dominique's next.

"The big one...with the orcish blood.  I believe he has little tolerance for our faith, and is quick to ridicule it.  I cannot say that I ever placed trust in him, although I would have given my last Mithran blessing to him and fought next to him until the last."  Dominique had paused, and then smiled.  "But such is the way with our faith and teachings, eh, my cousin?  We are tasked to do and act in accordance with our own conscience and the Mithran faith, even if such efforts draw scorn or opposition."  Dominique had clapped a hand on Perrato's shoulder, and the two had returned to fresh glasses of wine and reminiscences of family.

Perrato considered the group that was congregating in the open area below the rectory, startling a brother who had been tending the medicinal garden.  They fit Dominique's descriptions, and appeared to be the selfsame party that Dominique had urged him to join.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:01, Wed 06 Apr 2005.

Garryn dismounts carefully and then addresses himself to the startled monk "Pardon me, er, brother, we didn't mean to startle you. I was hoping I could speak with one of your order, his name is Perrato, I believe. Would you happen to know if he is about? Or could you direct me as to how I might locate him?"" Garryn asks repectfully though he is unsure if the man should indead be called 'brother' or 'priest' or any other name for that matter.

The brown-robed acolyte straightens up, brushing some earth and leaves from his knees as he does so.  He bows his head in acknowledgement to Garryn's questions, and mutely points to the upper story of the rectory.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:52, Wed 06 Apr 2005.

Totmacher dismounts as well, relieving the strained horse in the process.

Looking upward in the direction the Brother is pointing, "Is that also the way to the trough, priest?  Totmacher needs to be topped off.  Totmacher presumes you had a bountiful harvest this past year and plenty of well fed cattle."

"Vil, you better get that brother of yours under control!" Garryn calls to the mischievious half-elf and continues muttering inaudibly as he rushes to meet Perrato before Totmacher is discovered. I should have come alone and brought him back to the inn, Garryn thinks with regret. If only we didn't need his axe so badly.

Chuckling quietly to himself, Vil dismounts his horse.  Releasing Mal'ach into her standard overwatch position, Vil then moves into the rectory with the rest of the Party..
This message was last edited by the player at 01:00, Thu 07 Apr 2005.

The brown-robed acolyte shakes his head at Totmacher's queries, clearly puzzled as to the half-orc's meaning.  Another, older man emerges from a small shed nearby, bearing a hoe and little spade and dressed in the same brown robes as the other man.  The older man, thin-framed and with wispy gray hair, bows to the new-comers and hands the hoe to the younger acolyte, smiling at the half-orc in the process, and nodding familiarly to Asher.  Both men maintain silence.

As the rest of the party enters the Rectory, Villhalas pauses momentarily. Feeling the eyes of the Acolyte upon him, Vil allows a brief smile to cross his face before turning to address the man..  After a moment, Vil turns on his heal - offers a slight bow and addresses the Elder Acolyte.

"Good Morning to you Sir.  Please - let me introduce myself.  My name is Villhalas of Cameron"  (if no recognition at the name,  Vil will make a brief reference to their successful capture of the Crazed Thin Man)  "Our party is soon to be departing Borderton - looking to provide aid to those who have been waylaid on the Road in from Deuxchay.  As you may have heard, many of the caravans coming West have been met with brigands - and worse, the Undead - so it sounds.  I seek your aid."  At this, Vil produces a handful of empty vials.  "Could you find it in your grace to offer some Blessed Water - in support of this Mission?"

20:21, Today: Villhalas of Cameron rolled 26 using 1d20+13. Diplomacy check - Acolyte.

Hopefully, this roll should bring the Acolyte to a "Friendly" or better status (given our reputation...)  ???

Jas

PS - please note - this is the abbreviated, to-the-point version of Vil's speech.  In reality, he would take some time to small chat w/the man probably before going into his request...
This message was last edited by the player at 02:20, Thu 07 Apr 2005.

Garryn continues past the older acolyte after speaking to the first and instead moves into the building and up the stairs in the direction he was pointed. He turns briefly to see the rest of the party gathering for a discussion with the monks that seem to be under vows of silence, he shakes his head in wonder and presses onward to find Perrato.

Totmacher will allow his older brother an opportunity to do this his way.  If unsuccessful, Totmacher may use Intimidate to receive the blessing.  For now he waits.

In response to Vil's request, the older man merely shakes his head in the negative, still smiling, and makes an open-handed, shrugging gesture.  The younger acolyte, hoe in hand, turns his attentions back to the medicinal garden, weeding and working around the cultivated plants.

Asher hops down from his mount and offers a deep bow to the elder acolyte and addresses Vil, "These men are devoted to the service of Mairya-Canha, and are thereby sworn to silence."

Asher smiles, again to the elder, in an attempt to break the awkwardness of the situation. Recognizing Totmachers posture behind his half-brother, Asher adds for Tot's benefit, "Mairya-Canha is the Mithran Amentos Spanta of Death. It is with this man that I have trained these past days." Hoping that Tot will understand the statement for what it is, a warning that Tot is probably out-gunned here.

"Pehaps we should join Garryn in inviting Dom's cousin to join us."
This message was last edited by the player at 04:44, Thu 07 Apr 2005.

OOC:  LOL - Whoops.  I'm claiming the haze of pain here (pinched a nerve in my back).  I should have recognized that for what it was before going into my [wasted] ploy at diplomacy..

Vil nods in response to Asher's explanation.

"Ah hah.  I see - a Mute..  Very well.  Let's attend to the original meeting then."   Vil offers a brief nod to the Acolytes "Good Day to you Gentlemen..."

Vil then looks to Tot w/a brief shrug of his shoulders as if to say - "Ceist La Vie"

V
This message was last edited by the player at 09:32, Thu 07 Apr 2005.

Totmacher addresses Asher, "Just show Totmacher the way to the kitchen, Monk.  Totmacher is not selective--provisions can be either dead or alive, as long as it is enough to fill the gut."
This message was last edited by the player at 17:48, Thu 07 Apr 2005.

Asher replies, "I believe you would be more comfortable in the stable. And I am not the stable boy."

With this he turns on his heel and follows Garryn into the rectory.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:59, Thu 07 Apr 2005.

"Come on guys - let's head inside.  Tot - Once we're done here, I'll buy you, well - I would say 'breakfast'.  However, considering we just had breakfast less than an hour ago, I guess we'll have to settle for a mid-morning snack..  Fair Enough??"

"Besides - I'll want your take on this new Recruit of ours..."

V

Placing the last of his worldly belongings in the saddlebags he has been preparing for his mount, Perrato shakes the cobwebs out of his absent-minded head and heads down the stairs to meet with the group congregated outside the rectory.

The rectory is not a large structure, and Garryn is faced with a small, flag-stoned kitchen as he enters through what is clearly the back door of the building.  Dried herbs hang in abundance from the heavy rafters of the kitchen, and the savory smell of a broth or stew emanates from a large, covered cauldron sitting upon the kitchen's hearth, as it simmers upon a banked but active fire.  Although the windows are open to allow the morning air in to cool the room, it is still quite warm due to the fire.

A doorway opens from the kitchen into a hallway, and a narrow wooden staircase climbs steeply upwards from the kitchen, as well.  Footsteps are heard descending the stairs--sounding a bit burdened--and a man emerges, carrying some traveling gear and a set saddlebags slung over his shoulder.  He has a certain familial resemblence, in Garryn's eyes, to Dominique.

Villhalas and the others are arriving at the outer door to the kitchen.  Caylin remains outside, and contents himself with reloading his pipe, lighting it, and watching the older man and acolyte work the garden.

Perrato looks up beneath the burden of his travel gear and approaches to meet the rogue with the serious mien. "Hola, amigo. You seem to be the man described to me as Garryn, no?" The cleric glances at the rear entrance to the kitchen, observing the other assembled members of the party on the threshold. "Ah, si, and the others whom my cousin mentioned. Dominique has spoken...," speaks Perrato as he audibly gulps and pauses to catch his breath at the sight of the hulking half-orc,"...ah, has spoken...well...ah, of you. Sino...quiero decir, ah, rather he has spoken well of you. Indeed, quite so, quite so." With a half-stumble he sets his gear noisily to the floor, and steps forward with his head slightly lowered and hands folded. "I am Perrato Viatomagne...Dominique's cousin, yes? Perhaps there is some way I can be of service to such intrepid travelers as yourselves...," stammers the priest as he extends his hand to greet the group.

"I am  Garryn, for a fact, and you have a sharp eye. Dominique, has spoken very highly of you, Perrato. Dom's departure has left a void and we would be very pleased if you would join us on our path. We are seeking the whereabouts of a caravan due some days ago that we believe was waylaid by bandits. We offer you an equal share of all booty acquired during our travels together and perhaps in finding and retrieving the caravan we will be aiding Bordertown with its bandit problem," Garryn introduces himself to the cleric and reaches to help him with his gear. "Our horses are right out back and we plan to depart immediately if that is amenable to you? Come let us step outside and I will introduce you to the other members of our intrepid band."

Eyeing the Kitchen, Totmacher addresses Perrato.

"Dominique, Totmacher will require fuel before we begin our journey.  We have strength in numbers, that is, the number that equates to the diameter of Totmacher's arms."

The cleric opens his mouth to speak, blinks, and pauses to wonder how the barbarian is unable to distinguish him from his cousin and yet still able to make complex, self-aggrandizing witticisms involving geometrical terms. "Ah, si, if you are in need of nourishment, it can be found here. It is the pleasure and duty of those who adhere to the sect of Vagrani to provide for the well-being of travelers."

Perrato then turns to Garryn and says, "I am pleased to meet you, sir, and I look forward to meeting your comrades. Please, if you will, number me among them, as well. As Dominique advised, I wish to join your band."
This message was last edited by the player at 19:11, Fri 08 Apr 2005.

"Perrato.."  Villhalas states with some enunciation - while giving Totmacher a sideways look  "Dominique has spoken very highly of you.  I trust he has also provided you some background on our Party..  I am Villhalas - and this" Vil nods in the way of the white, small-eared owl taking perch on his shoulder "is Mal'ach.  Pleasure to make your acquaintance.."

V
This message was last edited by the player at 19:32, Fri 08 Apr 2005.

Asher nods respectfully to the priest and addresses him, "You are prepared to travel," in an open ended tone that leaves some question as to whether the utterance was a inquiry or a declaration.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:26, Fri 08 Apr 2005.