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06:37, 29th March 2024 (GMT+0)

Seekers of the Flame.

Posted by NarratorFor group archive 0
Camilla
player, 88 posts
Guild Broker
Tue 11 Feb 2020
at 03:45
  • msg #6

Seekers of the Flame

In reply to Christine Bjorn (msg # 4):

"I can get them into my conference room for you to interview. Let us go there, and I will have Bellarius send for them."



You head up to the large conference room and get settled.

A few minutes later, there is a knock on the door.
Christine Bjorn
player, 1807 posts
Blue Haired Elf
Not from Wastrels Hope.
Tue 11 Feb 2020
at 04:00
  • msg #7

Seekers of the Flame

In reply to Camilla (msg # 6):

"Please, come in..."
Alice Abernathy
NPC, 1 post
Acolyte of Vejovis
Tue 11 Feb 2020
at 17:53
  • msg #8

Seekers of the Flame

In reply to Christine Bjorn (msg # 7):

A woman in black robes and a goat medallion and carrying a staff steps in.
"Good afternoon, and blessings from below."
This message was last edited by the player at 17:53, Tue 11 Feb 2020.
Mcnealy
NPC, 1 post
Gnomic artificer
Tue 11 Feb 2020
at 17:59
  • msg #9

Seekers of the Flame

In reply to Alice Abernathy (msg # 8):

Behind the woman in black, and lower to the ground, is a gnome with a sharp beard and goggles.

"Greetings and Salutations! I am Hugh McNealy, travelling alchemist at large."
This message was last edited by the player at 18:33, Tue 11 Feb 2020.
Masugatan
player, 323 posts
street thug
Tue 11 Feb 2020
at 19:00
  • msg #10

Seekers of the Flame

Masugatan suddenly realizes he really, really likes Alice's goat medallion.  He seems fixated on it.  In fact, if there was a Quest for Alice's Medallion, he'd probably be first in line, even if he had to go in with no equipment other than boxers and a torch.

He tries to express his appreciation of Alice's taste in jewelry, but somehow the words just come out wrong.  His tongue is caught in a trap!

At long last, he manages, "Whoa."
This message was last edited by the player at 19:03, Tue 11 Feb 2020.
Christine Bjorn
player, 1808 posts
Blue Haired Elf
Not from Wastrels Hope.
Tue 11 Feb 2020
at 19:19
  • msg #11

Seekers of the Flame

In reply to Alice Abernathy (msg # 8):

"Good Afternoon Alice and Hugh.

Basically the situation is this: I am seeking the eternal flame in order to learn how to divine. A cult has been going around killing diviners, and there are many folk who are investigating this, but the cult remains hidden. However, I figure I can get them to come to me if I learn how to divine.

In order to do that, I need to go to the eternal flame. The road is dangerous, and many creatures on the way have killed many a traveler. Whilst I cannot offer any reward up front, I am looking for companions skilled in healing us to come with myself and my few friends for an equal share in what is found. Is this what you are looking for also?
"
Alice Abernathy
NPC, 2 posts
Acolyte of Vejovis
Wed 12 Feb 2020
at 20:29
  • msg #12

Seekers of the Flame

In reply to Alice Abernathy (msg # 8):

"I might need to be staked out for supplies, as Vejovis offers healing and justice for the downtrodden, but usually leaves it to the bakers to bring them bread."
Mcnealy
NPC, 2 posts
Gnomic artificer
Wed 12 Feb 2020
at 20:40
  • msg #13

Seekers of the Flame

In reply to Mcnealy (msg # 9):

"I can acquire my own provisions, and transport them along with my portable laboratory and smithy with the aid of Belasco, my trusty steed.  If we are to face the guardians of the temple of flame, some fire resistance potions would be in order. As luck would have it, I recently  came into possession of some essential salts from a flame lord that I got from.... you, wasn't it?
Masugatan
player, 324 posts
street thug
Wed 12 Feb 2020
at 21:49
  • msg #14

Seekers of the Flame

Do any of us have a high merchant skill?  Maybe we could do a batch haggle, if so.
Jednesa
player, 403 posts
Naked Barbarian Ogress
HP:29/36 FP:13/13
Wed 12 Feb 2020
at 22:26
  • msg #15

Seekers of the Flame

Jednesa just sits waiting semi-patiently as they negotiate.  She occasionally mutters, "dragon" cracks her knuckles, and smiles broadly.
This message was undeleted by the player at 22:31, Wed 12 Feb 2020.
Christine Bjorn
player, 1810 posts
Blue Haired Elf
Not from Wastrels Hope.
Wed 12 Feb 2020
at 22:57
  • msg #16

Seekers of the Flame

In reply to Jednesa (msg # 15):

"Yes, it was me with the flame lord salts. I am happy to create food."
Evelina Grattan
player, 1 post
Queen of Frog God Cult
And don't you forget it!
Fri 14 Feb 2020
at 00:42
  • msg #17

Seekers of the Flame

Two tallish human women enter the large conference room with Bellarius, who passes
documents to Camilla,  who nods.
The two women are clad in leather, carrying coiled whips and small shields, as well as large backpacks.  Their features are strikingly similar; the most visible difference is that one is barely shorter and a little younger than the other.

The taller, older woman scans the room.  Her gaze quickly settles on blue hair, and she strides over to the table, the younger one on her heels.  She hauls her helmet off her short, curly blonde hair, revealing her pale complexion and violet eyes.

"You must be Christine.  Eamon said I might find you here.

"I'm Evelina Grattan, Queen of the Frog God Cult.  This is Holy Sister Elaina Grattan, my acolyte and little sister."

This message was last edited by the GM at 02:00, Sat 15 Feb 2020.
Elaina Grattan
player, 1 post
Holy Sister of the
Frog God Cult
Fri 14 Feb 2020
at 00:45
  • msg #18

Seekers of the Flame

The younger woman also removes her helmet and smiles broadly, revealing that, if they weren't obviously of different age, they might be taken for twins.

"We've been traveling for years, and we're hoping Northport can become a permanent home for us, and our god."
Evelina Grattan
player, 3 posts
Queen of Frog God Cult
And don't you forget it!
Fri 14 Feb 2020
at 00:52
  • msg #19

Seekers of the Flame

"Is that very large one with you?  And did she say something about a dragon?"
Christine Bjorn
player, 1811 posts
Blue Haired Elf
Not from Wastrels Hope.
Fri 14 Feb 2020
at 01:30
  • msg #20

Seekers of the Flame

In reply to Evelina Grattan (msg # 19):

"Jednessa? Yes, she is a good friend."

She will go on to introduce those in the room, and repeat the offer of conditions, highlighting what she expects to meet and how much treasure they are likely to have, before continuing.

"There are several ways to our destination. One involved a dragon. The other involved many powerful beasts. I think I would prefer to fight beasts, because they are likely to be more profitable. But what do all of you ladies, and of course Hugh, seek? I already know what Masugatan seeks!" she smiles, knowingly.
Jednesa
player, 404 posts
Naked Barbarian Ogress
HP:29/36 FP:13/13
Fri 14 Feb 2020
at 02:35
  • msg #21

Seekers of the Flame

Hearing her name she smiles, turns her head to take in the growing group, and jubilantly replies, "Yes, Jednesa want wrestle dragon.  Dragon very strong, good fight!"

She punctuates the last with a smack of one fist into the palm of the other.
Evelina Grattan
player, 4 posts
Queen of Frog God Cult
And don't you forget it!
Fri 14 Feb 2020
at 09:52
  • msg #22

Seekers of the Flame

"Well, Jednesa, I have to say, I hope you're disappointed.  I think wrestling a dragon might be the end of you.  Perhaps you should start with a slorn, and work your way up?"

She turns back to Christine. "My sister and I, and our Frog God, can be of help.  We are both healers, experienced in the outdoors.  We would welcome the opportunity to enrich our Cult."

Christine Bjorn
player, 1814 posts
Blue Haired Elf
Not from Wastrels Hope.
Fri 14 Feb 2020
at 10:05
  • msg #23

Seekers of the Flame

In reply to Evelina Grattan (msg # 22):

"Glad to have ou then. Tell me about your god, and your cult."
Evelina Grattan
player, 6 posts
Queen of Frog God Cult
And don't you forget it!
Sat 15 Feb 2020
at 00:37
  • msg #24

Seekers of the Flame

"Oh, it's a strange tale indeed.  When we were little -- well, Holy Sister was really little, I was, oh, maybe eight? -- I used to tell Holy Sister stories, because daddy was busy in the fields and mama had all she could do in the orchard.

"Anyway, I'd tell these stories, and the ones she liked best, even then, were always the ones about the Frog God.  Back then, I thought he was just a story, a frog who lived in a swamp and was really a god, and he'd be clever enough to keep from being eaten by the egrets and otters and big fish, and he'd have a harem of girl frogs and all the eggs would belong to him and things like that.  And Holy Sister believed every single word, didn't you?"

She looks at Elaina, who nods, eyes wide and grinning.

"I did this for years, and I told the stories to all my friends, too, and I told them all I was the Queen of the Frog God Cult and they could join if they promised to do whatever I told them to.

And then, one day, when I was oh, about fourteen -- right, Holy Sister?  You were ten?"
  Another nod.  "One day, I did something, and it wasn't just me talking about the Frog God, it was the Frog God, talking through me!  Holy Sister was ecstatic, she though it was the greatest thing ever, and asked the Frog God all kinds of questions, and all I could do was sit there under the pear tree -- we'd been picking, but it was too hot to stay up on the ladder until the sun got lower -- and listen to everything.  It would have been scary, but Holy Sister was right there, and she wasn't afraid, so I decided it was okay.

"I was too tired to climb back up the ladder afterward, and we got a whipping from mama for goofing off -- but Holy Sister kept pestering me to do it again, so I tried to remember exactly what I'd done before -- and a couple days later, I managed it again.

"After that, we talked to the Frog God that way every couple days.  He's got a name, but neither of us can say it.  I don't think anyone human could.  We just call him the Frog God, and he says he's okay with that.  He told us everything we ever needed to know about how to worship him, and he gave us powers and taught us to use them."


Evelina pauses, then says a couple words and gestures, and a tiny light, like a candle flame, appears in the air before her face, then flies around the room for a moment before returning and winking out.

"That was the very first thing he taught us to do.  To make that little light.

"When I started being able to do things like that, I was seventeen, and we'd been worshiping the Frog God, for real, for three years.  When mama and daddy found out, they made me sit down and have a really serious talk with them.  They said God -- they're Triunists, they only believe in one -- didn't approve of people playing with spirits, and I needed to stop.  I had to tell them the whole thing, that it wasn't just a spirit, it was the Frog God.

"They yelled a bit, tried their hardest to make me admit I was making it all up.  Eventually, they calmed down, and I let them talk to the Frog God.  They asked lots of questions, and the Frog God answered them all.  I thought for sure they'd understand after that, but they kept it up so long, I fell asleep before they stopped.

"When I woke up, they told me I needed to leave home.  I needed to stop deceiving and misleading my sister, and using this black spirit magic to convince her I was a prophet and a priestess.  They said there were good, honest ways to use magic, even if I was a spirit talker -- but I needed to stop this nonsense first."


Evelina's voice is choked by now, and a tear runs down her cheek.

"The next morning, I packed up what I owned, some clothes and a comb and a little mirror grandmama gave me when I was little, my knife, a bowl and a spoon.  Mama gave me a water bottle, some bread and cheese and a few pears, and a sack to carry it all in.  I kissed Holy Sister goodbye, but mama and daddy wouldn't kiss me.

"I started walking.  I didn't know where to go; I'd never been farther from the farm than the village market, but there was the road, and it had to go somewhere.  When it forked, I took the left, always the left.  I think I knew it would bring me back home, eventually.

"And two days later, it did -- and there was Holy Sister, standing at the corner of the orchard fence, with a sack just like mine.  We started turning whichever way after that.  We never went back again."


She looks at her sister, notices and wipes away the tear, now fallen to the corner of her mouth.

"We've been wandering for five years, now.  It's always the same.  Find a new village, show them a miracle or two, and they get all excited.  Start telling them everything about the Frog God, and they start to look worried.  Ask them to help support us if we'll help clear away the bugs that eat their crops and clean up their wells so they don't get sick, and they start frowning and suggest we might want to move on.

"Just a few weeks ago, we cured a duke's daughter.  She was coughing all the time, and burning up.  They said she'd been getting sicker, slowly, for months.  They didn't have a healer, I guess, or the one they had didn't know how to help her.

"We cured her, and then started telling the duke and his chamberlain about the Frog God -- and he ordered us out of the house, even though he'd agreed to pay us a purse full of gold if we could save her life.  We were used to that, of course -- but the girl's mother, the duchess, caught up to us before we got to the road and slipped us a purse.  It wasn't what the duke had offered, but it was enough to buy all new equipment, and there's still enough to keep us eating for a while."


She looks at Elaina's shiny new leathers and shield, and smiles.

"So, you see, there really isn't much of a cult.  I think one of my old friends believed me, back when we were kids, before we even started doing miracles, but I haven't seen her since we left home.  We had one convert, a couple years ago, a stable boy who left home to follow us, but I still think he mostly wanted to get into Holy Sisters sleeping fur, more than he wanted to follow the Frog God.  Doesn't matter, turns out he couldn't swim.  At all.  And by the time Holy Sister and I could find him in the river, he was dead, not just drowned, but really, genuinely dead."

"So, here we are.  Queen of the Frog God cult, and her Holy Sister."

Alice Abernathy
NPC, 3 posts
Acolyte of Vejovis
Sat 15 Feb 2020
at 04:18
  • msg #25

Seekers of the Flame

The woman in black gives the sisters a quizzical look "Really, the frog god? And establishes less than a generation  ago? Vejovis has been worshipped for well over a thousand years. And existed long before that. Your gos is a newborn."
Christine Bjorn
player, 1815 posts
Blue Haired Elf
Not from Wastrels Hope.
Sat 15 Feb 2020
at 06:03
  • msg #26

Seekers of the Flame

In reply to Alice Abernathy (msg # 25):

Christine was a little disappointment when they talked about how they were forced to leave home, but found the concept of the Frog god amusing.

"So, this frog god, he gives you powers to heal. He is not limited geographically, is he? What powers do you have then? I should check, what upsets him? I do trust that you and Alice can get along, too. We don't want to start a religious war now."
Masugatan
player, 325 posts
street thug
Sat 15 Feb 2020
at 07:57
  • msg #27

Seekers of the Flame

Masugatan tries hard to follow Evelina’s story, but he’s distracted by unholy musings about what these leather-clad sisters could do to him with their whips.
Evelina Grattan
player, 8 posts
Queen of Frog God Cult
And don't you forget it!
Sat 15 Feb 2020
at 14:04
  • msg #28

Seekers of the Flame

"Yes, Alice.  A newborn god.  A miracle.  An opportunity."  She turns to Christine.

"For myself, by the power of the Frog God I can call on the god, find and talk to animals of all kinds, make water, earth, and food pure and wholesome, detect and neutralize poison, heal wounds and fight disease, and find my way, if I know where I'm going.  I also have skills in healing without magic."
Elaina Grattan
player, 2 posts
Holy Sister of the
Frog God Cult
Sat 15 Feb 2020
at 14:13
  • msg #29

Seekers of the Flame

"And the Frog God permits me to heal wounds and fight disease, create and purify water, and, at some cost, lay the dead so they will not walk.  Further, the Frog God sometimes shows me signs, and has granted me the ability to repel those dead who were not properly laid to rest."
Evelina Grattan
player, 9 posts
Queen of Frog God Cult
And don't you forget it!
Sat 15 Feb 2020
at 14:21
  • msg #30

Seekers of the Flame

"In return, we must perform certain rituals, some daily, some less frequently, but these are in worship of the Frog God; we do them gladly.  Of those we help, all that is required is that you seek the good of the world, rather than destruction and death, do not harm the land or waters beyond need or their ability to heal, and do not actively persecute the followers of the Frog God."
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