Usopi smiled in greeting at the red haired woman. It seemed odd that she would have rooms reserved for the party, though the large knight shrugged it off, assuming it had something to do with the Brannon’s benefactor.

For a moment Usopi appeared as if he was about to cry. He’d expected a city this far north to function similar to Hallowhall, where a few believers met in a home. To find out instead that the city had previously held an actual chapel with an actual priest, only to have it burn down before his arrival, it was as if fate was slapping him across the cheek. He shook off the thought as Brannon laid out a short itinerary.

”Very well,” he agreed, turning to Rachel, ”Lady Rachel, we appreciate your hospitality. Once we are quartered I would appreciate your guidance to the ruins. I am curious though, do the parishioners meet elsewhere now that they are without a chapel?”

Rachel smiles at all present.  "Are the Albish coming with us Hearth Warden?  We have stabling for the pony and cart, and room for all.  I have instruction to make you reasonably comfortable, and keep you safe.  Please follow me, and don't talk to anyone!"  Rachel leads to group through the Docks into the Warehouse District.

After a short walk you arrive at a large oak built warehouse.  It is of a similar construction to others at the docks, being about 8 yards wide and 16 yards long.  These warehouses have steeply sloped roofs, the base is 4 yard high, rising to a steep peak of 8 yards.  There are large 4 yard high double doors at each end, fastened with a heavy padlock and chain.  Rachel stops outside the warehouse, takes a large key from her tunic and unlocks the padlock.  Removing the chain, Rachel pulls open one of the doors.  "Someone open the other door with yer?"  Rachel leads you all inside, closing the double doors after.  "Close the doors behind us, and I'll lock up." There is a wooden bar inside to secure the doors, which she drops across the doors.

https://i.pinimg.com/originals...ec94ed5289e14712.jpg

There are no windows inside and little light penetrates through to the floor of the building.  Light is provided by torches in sconces fixed to the supporting vertical beams every 2 yards along the long walls.  These divide the wings of the warehouse into 16 bays, 8 on each side.  The floor is covered in straw and sawdust.
The 4 bays nearest the double doors have been converted to stabling, with some hay, water butt, a bucket and shovel, enough for several horses and a cart.
The next bay have been converted to general storage, with an empty weapons rack, a large bottle of linseed oil, whetstone and some tools.
The next bay contains an old barrel filled with dirt, a sheaf of arrows, some rimless shields, and a makeshift quintain for sparing.
The next 6 bays contain straw mattresses, blankets and blanket wall dividers, enough for 2 people per bay, 12 people in total.
Another bay contains a chair, table, writing slope and writing instruments.  The next bay has several stools, a table, a brazier, firewood and more blankets piled in it.
The remaining 4 bays are empty. except for the far end bay, which has extra buckets, some empty, and one filled with sand...

"The Boss told me to furnish and equip this place as cheaply as I could to reasonably meet your needs.  It can be very dangerous to walk around the streets at night, so I'd stay here after dark.  I'll have everything you need brought to you.  Don't worry, you'll only be here a few days.  The Boss has a hike planned after the Festival.  Until then, hiding in plain sight is a canny idea.  If yer went to a tavern, half the city would know about yer be morning, names business, the lot.  As it is, yer would have been spied at the docks, but no one knows who yer are or why yer here." winks Rachel.  "Settle in.  The Boss will be here shortly.  When yer done talking, I'll take you to the Chapel."  Rachel helps to unload the cart, unharness the horse and help anyone who needs it, especially Usopi of course.

Sir Turren settles in, humming an old Albish ditty as he makes himself comfortable. He begins polishing up his weapons to avoid being too idle.

"Yes, the Albish are with us." Brannon smiles. "It is their first time in our brave city, I believe - they will want to see the sights."

He follows Rachel to the Warehouse, and assists with the other door, then listens to her suggestions. "Thank you, these will do. Discretion is the order of the day. A hike, eh? I'll be interested in seeing what he has planned."

He turns to the others. "I must see the Hearthfather, and I should make my presence known at the Temple as well. Enjoy your sightseeing: I shall see you back here this evening."

With that, Brannon heads off in search of Kores' Apothecary.

Caith, her face hidden in the shadows her hood, a new homespun dark grey woolen cloak covering her nondescript clothing, the locks of hair hanging over her face greyed with ashes, leans on her birch staff as if weighted down by more years than she truly carries.

She replies in a quiet voice,the huskiness sounding more like a crone's whisper "Ye have somewhere in mind then?" as she looks at the crowd on the docks, swollen by festival goers likely to also be seeking lodgings for the event.

The hedgewitch falls silent as the red haired woman in armour approaches, remaining silent when she identifies herself as Rachel, all the better to study her as carefully as she has been studying the rest of the folk abroad about in Glissom City.

Caith's knuckles around the staff she holds grow tighten when she hears of the destruction of the local house of the hanged god, but she stays silent, simply nods in agreement with the Hearthwarden's instructions and follows.

The lodgings get another nod, this one of approval, as does the suggestion that at least surveying the ruin of the chapel is possible. She is happy to put down the basket of apples she carries, surprisingly heavy for fruit.

"Golden delicious..." Caith murmurs to herself in jest, then looks to her comrades still remaining as she asks "So, what will we see first then?"

Turren's hum trails off as he beams, beginning to sheath his freshly polished blade.

'I'd like to go and see what we can see at the church ruins,' there's something primal in his eyes that makes his smile seem forced as he rams his sword home the rest of the way. 'That's what I'd like to see.'

"You can 'lady' me anytime handsome!"  grinned Rachel, slapping Usopi on the back and winking. "For now, Rachel will do.  The Chapel ruins are not far away.  Don't know what happened to the worshippers though?  Come along then Sirs and Lady, for the guided tour.  We can stop by the market on the way back for some food."

The assembly of 'the Clan' at the Festival of Brigantia in Glissom City was the culmination of a few months work by Rachel, and her Boss of course.  Hearth Warden Darrow had left the city all that time ago with several mercenaries, and they were expected to return.  Rachel had not met them before, so was unaware that of all the warband that left the city, only Darrow had returned.  She had been told by the Boss to expect a dozen warriors, and to convert the warehouse into a barracks for their arrival.  All that was missing was fresh food and drink, which she would have to collect later.

Having left the group at the dockside, Deise heads initially for a tavern (perhaps The Foreigners?). His plan is to spend the day traversing the city trying to pick up news about the monarch, the steward and the upcoming festival. As he moves around he will seek out those who seem talkative and open (traders, happy drunks) and try and steer the conversation toward:
(1) the festival
(2) general climate/how people feel
(3) the King - a just man?


Deise's backstory is that he seeks the son he has never seen. A decade ago he met a girl in the kitchens at the castle - he was passing through with a trade delegation from Cornumbria. One thing led to another and he has heard he has a son and wants to see if he can get to the castle kitchens to pick up the trail.

His first task is cider and food in that order.

As Deise travels throughout the city he he continually assess around him for potential threats/being followed/people tonspeak with.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:58, Mon 23 Dec 2019.

Usopi smiled back at the red headed woman, ”Very well then, Rachel it is.” he agreed as he placed the last of the children’s toys down in the storage area, ”These lodgings are wonderful. My thanks for your careful consideration.”

As everyone else was prepared to leave, Usopi gathered his own equipment. He turned to Rachel, ”I should also like to see the poorest parts of the city. Perhaps I might acquire some idea of the specific needs and troubles of the common folk. It would also allow me to introduce myself to the least fortunate citizens.”

They would only be in town a few days, so it was unlikely that he could make much headway on his planned facilities, but it would do good to put faces to his ideas of the people of Gliss.

Rachel 'helps' Usopi with his kit, where there might be some tactile contact just short of pawing.  "You're easy to please. That's good to know.  I was worried when I saw you lot were lords and ladies, you would turn yer nose up to kipping in a shed!

The poor?  Sure luv, the docks from the Crown to East Gate.  Just about where we are now. Are you one of those Missionary types?""

Usopi scratched his chin a moment as he considered the question, regarding any physical contact as accidental, ”I suppose, in a sense, I am. Though it has become clear to me that missionaries of my faith have been too strict in their behaviors in the past. I seek only to provide aid to people in need as the my God would wish. If they see selflessness and inquire about the deity in whose name It is done I shall be happy to inform them. A person’s religious beliefs make them no more or less worthy of kindness and respect.”

Mhe glanced around at the quarters, ”As for the accommodations, I for one have been on the road for some time, and am troubled little by affordable accommodations. Indeed, few places I have staid recently afforded a sparring ring.”

Kores Apothecary on the Hill:

Colm was worried.  He had expected Brannon to be back by now, and no word had been received either.  Colm was getting sick of the City too and had planned to take Giles to celebrate the Festival of Brigantia at his favourite rural Stone Circle.  Brannon had not returned yet, and as Colm had agreed to meet Brannon at Kores Apothecary on the Hill, he decided to stay in the City and wait for his old friend.

Kores was out the back of the shoppe, reading an ancient tome about the Selentines talking to his imaginary friend.  Giles was around somewhere, as he couldn't go to the Temple Library anymore, having already been kicked out.  Then the urchin crept into the ship, breathing heavily.

"Message for yer Boss.  I was watching the Ferry and the Docks and Eastgate for new comers when I saw them.  A ship landed at dawn and a dozen or so folks got off, men in armour, fighters and a beautiful lady, looked like an army so it did!  I runs and tells Rachel right away, then she tells me to tells yer me-self right away.  A Hearth Warden was with them, pretty sure it was Hearth Warden Darrow"

"Very good lad." replies Colm, flipping the boy a Copper coin. "Keep an eye on the Scorchers and tell Rachel if they go near the Warehouse!"
The boy takes the coin and runs off.  "Kores! Have you seen the Monk this morning?"

In reply to Colm Cernach (msg # 23):

Giles has been spending a lot of time around Kores over the past weeks and has overcome most of his trust issues. Kores for his part seems to tolerate his presence if he doesn’t annoy him with too many questions. As such he is sharing the room with Kores and occasionally engaging him in conversation about his favourite topic - the Selentines. He is genuinely intrigued by Kores and his keen to report back to the Abbey what he has learned from him on ruin and salvation and dealings with dark powers.
He deeply regrets his overeagerness at the Temple Library and with this avenue closed to him has spent more time amongst the wanderers of the city keen to pick up any news
This message was last edited by the GM at 10:11, Tue 24 Dec 2019.

Brannon heads immediately for Kores' apothecary, rehearsing in his mind the news he has for the Hearth Father. He has made no explicit notes on this, for fear of being found with anything incriminating, but among his many notes on the Selentines and architecture, he has encoded reminders to himself of what has happened since last he was in the City.

Reaching the shop, he opens the door, and glances around cautiously, looking for signs of unwelcome listeners. Seeing no one in the front room, he pulls the notes from his pack, and heads into the back, calling: "Kores, you old dog! It's Brannon! You missed quite a trip. It turns out Ereworn is quite a trove of Selentine ruins..."

As he steps through into the back room, he sees Kores and Colm... and then his eyes light on Giles. "Ah. My apologies. I did not realise you had company."

His eyes shoot questioningly to Colm.

OOC: Not wanting to puppet anyone, but I thought it seemed easiest for us all to be together! I'm heading off for Christmas today, so posting might be a bit slow for the next week, but I'll try my best!

This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 08:54, Tue 24 Dec 2019.

"I am grieved to hear of the Chapel, but I am relieved you're here to give us some direction."

She then turns to Deise,



Leofwyn smiles and nods slightly, "the pleasure is all mine, sir." and she turns away from him, allowing him to leave un-suspiciously.

As they walked through the town, Leofwyn made her way to walk with Brannon, and quietly asked, "I am not meaning to be rude or nosey... But are you acquainted with this Rachel? How is it she knows we are here?"



Leofwyn is not sure if she trusts Rachel, but is not showing it. She knows that Brannon may know her, and so if they're trying to keep that a secret, she doesn't want to yell it out. She is keeping any sensitive information to herself and trying to subtly keep to their pre-agreed story whenever Rachel is in earshot.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:26, Tue 24 Dec 2019.

"I nay like to see needless destruction..." Caith answers in an old woman's quavering tone of complaint, belying the steel under it's whine "...But I would look upon it, to know it's wrongness for myself, if I ever see it's like again."

She adds in glum jest to her stomach's insistent growl at Rachel's mention of food "At least one woman's hunger is easier to remedy than an entire city's worth of poverty."

Colm rushed Brannon to give him a firm hug, then carries out the introductions.  "Brannon my old friend, I'm so pleased to see you, and just in time for the Festival aswell!  Kores you know.  The young Albish monk is Brother Giles, a Librarian, on a mission of research from his monastery.  You can spend all night talking about the Bronze Chests with him.  First you must tell me your tales of adventure after your long journey?  Perhaps we can talk upstairs?"
Colm makes an excuse to get Brannon alone for a private chat.

In reply to Caith Cernach (msg # 27):

Turren nods to Caith, and his eyes soften. 'After my friends are properly fed. Apologies, I almost lost measure of myself. The priest just left as well? I'm no great wit, but that seems somewhat odd.'

Aphail rests a pallet beds.  Responding to Turren's open question, he replies.  "The Hearth Warden has gone to see the Hearth Father, as he said.  The Hearth Father is the reason we are here.  Take your ease, clean your harness, spar, as you wish.  When the Hearth Father arrives, I'm sure everything will become clear."

Caith inclines her head in silent acceptance of the apology, and forestalls the answer on her lips as to the matter of 'the priest' when Alphail speaks...



The hedgewitch give the hunter a grateful look for the reassurance, then turns back to the knight and politely offers "I was nay sure which priest ye meant afore, the Hearthwarden or the one that left..." then stops as she struggles to find a tactful phrasing. She concludes "...After the fire."

Caith looks to Rachel, and suggests "I nay have the answers to the second one's whereabouts, and nay doubt the good Lady Rachel has told ye what little she knows of the matter."

She shrugs and sits down cross legged on another pallet, slowly as befits an old woman, and tries to clear her mind of the pack of doubts chasing about in it like dogs after a rabbit.

Brannon claps Colm on the back, and then nods to Giles.. "Well met, Brother Giles. I hope your research is going well. I am well-acquainted with the Temple Library, so if I can be of any assistance at all, just let me know. But you know me well, Hearth Father." He grins at Colm. "Once Kores and I get started on history, we will speak of nothing else for the rest of the night. Indeed, let us speak upstairs..."

He heads immediately for the stairs, as one familiar with the shop, and ascends to the next floor, then turns to see if the Albish monk follows, or only Colm.

In reply to Brannon Darrow (msg # 32):

Giles nods back to Brannon’s greeting from his seat and his eyes light up at the mention of the Temple Library. He lets out a swift “I will look forward to it!” As he watches Colm and Brandon take the stairs - watching Colm closely for any sign- he knows his place after all

The Shop

Kores comes clomping towards the stairs and puts a hand on Giles back guiding him up to join the conversation.

Kores eyes narrow as he looks at Brannon on the stairs ahead, " Hurry up, Tobias."


The Warehouse

Rachael fixed Turren with a look, " No one was going to attend a sermon in a burned out temple, and no one wanted to risk getting the Scorchers annoyed at them after seeing what happened."
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:20, Sun 29 Dec 2019.

Usopi turned swiftly back to Rachael, "You mean to say that the church did not simply burn down, but that it was set alight as a statement by these 'Scorchers'?" he scowled, "Perhaps I aught to speak with these fellows and determine why they would do such a thing. My gut tells me that setting a chapel alight is inexcusable, but perhaps the priest was cruel, Or maybe there was some other logic to it."

He drummed his fingers against the side of his leg as he considered the possibilities, "Though since we are leaving in only a few days, I suppose for now we can forestall that meeting till a later date. If it has been some time since the chapel burned, then there is no dire need to see to the cause of it." He sighed a little, "I would like to see the remains before we leave though, and say a prayer over the ashes."

Caith follows the conversation silently, fitting the few known facts together, and coming up with an answer of sorts, but at best only a partial one.

She looks to Usopi and says quietly "Ye are wise to let anger cool before looking on a site to anger ye. If the priest escaped the attack on the shrine, then they will nay be easy to track down, and for good reason. Good luck to them too."

The hedgewitch puts a curiously stern tone to a plea as she asks the knight "I am ashamed that ye have been made sorrowful by folk in Glissom. I beg of ye to nay judge an entire folk on the actions of but a few."

Her look to Rachel is a measuring one, then a nod as Caith says to her "And I thank ye, Lady Rachel, for knowing more than is wise to speak of, but speaking anyway."

She smiles a twisted smile in gratitude as she adds "Someone must speak for those who are silenced, and I am most glad ye are one who kens when to speak."


Her stomach chooses this precise moment to growl loudly again...