Iskander reads the script to see what it says, but doesn't speak the words, for that would start the incantation.

Chye continues tailing Tanaka, who is tailing the other group.

In reply to Iskander (msg # 146):

Chye needs to roll for shadowing, or he will be made.

Iskander recognizes the characters, but cannot read the language.

17:44, Today: Chye Isuel rolled 9 using 3d6.  shadowing ( defaulting ffrom stealth, -4. 11 or less ). Chye strolls along casually, keeping a safe distance.

Iskander puts it away, and waits quietly, trying to catch the end of the sermon, or hymn, whichever it may be.

Out of respect for the service in progress, Chou-Zhen waits quietly beside Iskander.

In reply to Iskander (msg # 150):

The priest finishes the benediction, and the goblins rise, most of them shuffling out of the nave, although a few step off to one of the small shrines to pray, in particular at the shrine of Saint Becquillart, who appears to have been a goblin.

[5 blank lines suppressed]

Meanwhile the assorted ashigaru are clear of the crowd, and turning into an alley...

As the congregation leaves the nave, Chou-Zhen whispers to Iskander.

"May I look at the scroll?  Or were you able to make sense of it already?"

"Can you read latin? Here's what we'll do. They have a small library I'm sure, and with the services in latin and greek, I can ask to use some of their translation material, and that will allow us to read what it says.."

"Your plan is a good one.  Latin?  Why would someone write in Latin?"

"Because Latin and Greek are in the languages the faith was brought to our world, in. These Romans and Greeks were champions of the faith, Senyor."

"I understand these worshippers of the Tripartite God writing their texts in Latin or Greek to keep the common folk from being able to read what's being preached to them, but why would a scroll left in a demon-summoning trap book be written in this religion's languages?  To keep someone who got the book from reading the scroll?"

"It wasn't to prevent people from reading what they were preached...Indeed, reading for one's self is encouraged, everyday. "Mystery Plays" are more popular, among the illiterate common folk. But, these are the languages of a scholar. It is enough that people can get a basic education, and learn to read in their own scripts. In Valdassya, I grew up learning Arabic, alongside our native tongue. Latin and Greek texts are easily found transcribed into Arabic, as well."
This message was last edited by the player at 16:18, Fri 22 June 2018.

Ales studies the books in Sakemoko's Library.  Quite a few of them deal with demons and demonology.  He settles in and gets to researching.

(OOC: Research roll fails. Roll 12 on skill 9.)

"That 'language of scholars' still sounds like a way to hide the writings from the common folk.  If they want everyone to read their holy writings, shouldn't they write them in the common tongue?  Alalaise, here, or Shevnian; Valdassyan in your homeland?  Isn't that likely to be the first, possibly only language most people can read, if they read at all?"

"Monks labor long hours, translating, transcribing, and illuminating old texts, and the missionaries undertake dangerous journeys in foreign lands, to bring The Word to them."

"And then more hours, explaining the meaning of a text the people can't read, even if they can read at all.  Seems like a method of control, to me.

"Then again, Sahudese has that kind of control built in -- very few people indeed learn enough of the symbols to read anything beyond a simple letter from family."

Iskander remained in the narthex, waiting for the father.
"In times of upheaval, the church has been a repository of learnedness, as most others must go back to the salt of the earth."
This message was last edited by the player at 13:08, Mon 25 June 2018.

In reply to Iskander (msg # 163):

Latin characters are used to write Aralaise, and many of the basic rules of pronunciation are derivative. Some of the words resembled some of those used in the services of the tripartate god, perhaps in mockery of the formal prayers.

Pie Jesu domine, dona eis requiem.
Pie Jesu domine, dona eis requiem. Pie Jesu domine, dona eis requiem. Pie Jesu domine, dona eis requiem. *chants*
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9WoNSJwKXg
This message was last edited by the player at 07:07, Tue 26 June 2018.

In reply to Iskander (msg # 165):

Your chanting has attracted the attention of the priest, who ambles over.
"Amen. Salve. How may I assist you?" He eyes Chou-Zen  with suspicion.

Chou-Zhen gives a respectful Sahudese bow, then replies in his most careful, but still accented, Aralaise.

"Iskander, here, received this book as a bonus in a trade.  It appears to contain subtly flawed instructions for summoning a demon.  I believe I could make those instructions relatively safe, from my own knowledge, but my friend here would be more comfortable if the book were destroyed.  Can you help with that, without undue risk to yourself or your congregation?"

"This scroll was included with the book, but it is in latin, which we cannot read, Father. Perhaps you can make sense of it? Take care Father, not to read it aloud." Iskander hands the scroll to the diminutive priest.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:46, Thu 28 June 2018.

In reply to Iskander (msg # 168):

The priest gingerly takes the document, and you can see his eyes widen as his lips move silently.
"This is an abomination! This blasphemous incantation would summon a demon directly, and I can feel the evil energies in the writing- it is as though the spell were already cast, and is waiting to be unbound. This must be destroyed!

"Fortunate, then, that most do not read Latin.  As you say, such a thing must be destroyed.  I offer my power and knowledge in aid of that goal."