PM

[Private to GM: Goran will look around, again assessing the area for danger and threat most of all.  If nothing appears after a moment, he will go back through the portal.]

In reply to Goran the Marked (msg # 276):

There appear to be more than one visitor outside...

[Private to Goran the Marked: you can hear birdsong, and the drone of bees, and some faint high pitched laughter]

Goran steps back through the portal.

"Nothing to report there, besides the birds, the bees, and some nice soft grass.  Nothing hostile that I saw.  Definitely seems like spring there, which I would have expected from the columns."

In reply to Goran the Marked (msg # 278):

With Goran's safe return, Hograth gets everyone together.

"We seem to have visitors. Lets hope these are our backup..."

With that, he checks the next room.

In reply to Hograth Podkarmen (msg # 279):

Melchizedek will lead his group through to the romm he hears voices in. Seeing the three there with at least one symbol of the Haderaum, he will introduce the team as a group of demon hunters sent as backup...and ask the situation.

Goran will move the statue so it points at none of the columns, and then walk out to meet the visitors.

In reply to Melchizidek (msg # 280):

Seeing the holy symbol of Helios, Hograth relaxes a little and introduced himself.

"We seem to have a portal for each season that needs to be investigated for corruption. I suspect a druid may help a little there. And we have the rest of this hill that needs to be searched..."

"People call me Goran the marked, because of the burn on my cheek.  I guided the people in the hills of Shevnia until we were overrun.  Now I am here in town to support the Sun god, Hors."

Goran states this like everyone should know who Hors is, and is a bit taken aback when they do not immediately respond with the proper reverence.  Internally, he scoffs at them and their lack of respect.  Obviously they were heathens, like Hograth and Urrun.  However, if they were not enemies, perhaps he could work with them, even if they were not friends.

[Private to GM: I suppose I could look at the description here...  Never thought to do that before.

Goran is a Shevnian hill-priest. He wears armour and has a morningstar inlaid with silver strapped to his back, and has a prominent burn scar on his right cheek in the shape of a sunburst. He bears a holy symbol to the minor sun-god Hors around his neck.

Goran is a priest from the hills of Shevnia, where monster attacks are frequent. His worship is more primitive than that practiced in cities. The grace of the gods was necessary to heal the sick and drive the attackers back. But his village was overrun, and with nowhere to go Goran has come to Northport in the hopes of finding work, and furthering his god's name.]

"I'm Stenet Fjall.  Holy slayer, at your service gentleman.  This is Razael," he indicates Razael, "a demon slayer.  Just off a mission killing demons and undead out in the vinelands and gettin bored drinkin ale."

He sizes them up and gives them a nod.

"I suspect we should fully search this hill 'fore poking into portals that lead, umm, you say to different seasons?  I don't know much about portals, but I'd hate to come back and find a hilltop full of imps waiting to catch us stumbling back out."

In reply to Goran the Marked (msg # 283):

"You serve the sun god Hors, I serve the sun god Helios...I wonder if they be different names for the same being?"

In reply to Melchizidek (msg # 285):

"Please to have you all along. I agree, the hill needs to be cleansed, but we also need to set up a gaurd here, or we could be trying to cleanse the place of all the demons in hell. I have not yet worked out if the portals can be opened from the other side..."

Goran greets the others politely, although he is somewhat reserved.  That is, until Melchizadek speaks up.  When he mentions his own worship of a sun god, Goran's face brightens noticeably, and he starts asking questions.

"I thought I might be the last after my community was overrun by wild creatures and monstrosities.  It is so good to hear of someone who may share my faith.

How does Helios appear and speak to you?

What are the guidelines and requirements that Helios has required of you?

What sorts of rituals and prayers do you use to understand the deeper mysteries of his faith?

What abilities has he bestowed up on you, as a messenger of his goodness?"

Then, somewhat abashedly, Goran realizes that perhaps this wasn't the time or the place for a religious discussion.  However, this was the most important thing in his life, so it came with a lot of enthusiasm and engagement from his side.

Absently he touches the scar on his cheek, which looks remarkably like a sun when looked at directly.

In reply to Goran the Marked (msg # 287):

Melchizadek is glad to answer any questions about Helios...though I (the player) may need the GMs help with that!

Stenet steps over to Hograth to give the Sun worshipers space to talk 'god shop', but he does keep checking the surrounding area while they talk.

"Can the portals be closed from this side?  If so, can we spare a lookout to watch them and give a shout if one opens while we're clearing the area?"
This message was last edited by the player at 01:16, Fri 31 Jan 2020.

In reply to Stenet Fjall (msg # 289):

"We can. The Portals seem to be controlled by this statue. Point it at the portal, and it opens. But I do not know if it works from the other side. That is why I thought we could set up a guard and then clear the rest of the area before checking out the portals."

In reply to Melchizidek (msg # 288):

Melchizidec, who wears blue and white robes over a suit of red chased brigandine armor, carries an orichalcum staff with a sunburst at the tip. he glows as if a golden ray of sunlight was ever falling upon him, and his voice is melodious..

After a brief interaction, Goran realizes that Helios is the god of the summer sun in its splendor, not the dying and rebirthing sun of the winter solstice. Helios is young, carefree, and musically gifted, just what you would expect of the young summer sun, one that plays during midsommer rather than fights the darkness on its own ground. That said, Melchizadek has fought with many kinds of undead, elder things and human brigands beside. He is not as concerned with the important business of setting pyres, but can fire burning bolts of sunlight at his enemies.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 291):

"I would sing for you, but maybe later. Who is your canine friend? They usually like a good song, don't they?"

Stenet nods as Hograth lays out his ideas, "Sound plan."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:39, Fri 31 Jan 2020.

In reply to Stenet Fjall (msg # 293):

"We just need a few more bodies...reliable ones!"

In discussion with Goran, Melchizadek will recognize a more primitive version of himself.

OOC As they talk, Melchizadek will discover that Goran comes from the country, and tends to be close-minded towards those who do not share his theological approach.  As a hill priest, he has only been exposed to Hors, and his accompanying religious principles.  Goran thus lacks the broader perspective which comes with a religious community, and tends to relate badly to other priestly types.  He only reacts well to Melchizadek because they are kindred spirits in a sense, and Goran can see they might be worshiping different aspects of the same god.

He wears mail and a pot helm with a habit over the top.  His morning star has silver inlays, and he carries a shield.  Goran has a prominent burn scar on his right cheek in the shape of a sunburst, which was given to him when he joined the priesthood. He bears a holy symbol to the minor sun-god Hors around his neck.

Because the town where he resided was often attacked by monsters and raiding parties, Goran's gifts are more primitive than more well-developed religions.  He can heal, and create food and water.  Hors has given him the ability to affect spirits, and protect his fellow adventurers.  His only real offensive ability is to imbue his morningstar with the flames of Hors.

In reply to Goran the Marked (msg # 295):

Melchizadek will take an immediate liking to the other Sun priest. Like him, his main strengths are in healing and creation of food and water, and of course light. While he can use the power of the sun offensively, he is more skilled in manipulating minds and emotions, though with demons, that is rarely a factor.

So for now, while the thought of investigating the summer gate beckons, Melchizadek will pause to ask what the current plan is. Perhaps he and Goran can wait here to guard the gates while the rest of you go Demon hunting?

In reply to Melchizidek (msg # 296):

Hograth is happy with that plan. He looks around at everyone else...

Goran needs no encouragement to accept that plan.

"Melchizadek and I can stand guard out here while you investigate the portals.  We want to talk religion anyway, and there will be no better time for us to do it while still performing an important function.

My only caution...  We are both skilled healers.  If you get in trouble send for us immediately, so we can assist."

OOC Goran will gladly talk shop with Melchizadek for as long as he wants.  He has many theological questions which the other man can answer.  And, Goran probably would not accept the answers from many.  Melchizadek is one of the few he respects...

"Agreed.  Pretty sure we can handle a few demons or cultists that may be lurking about, but if it gets too deadly, we'll fall back this position."

In reply to Stenet Fjall (msg # 299):

Hograth turns the statues to face away from all openings.

"In that case, we can close these off for now, and if any groups come to investigate the gates, you guys can be gate-keepers. And healers if any need to fall back here. The resto of you guys good to hunt some demons without going through the gates? Urrun?"