The sun was just rising when the broken and battered ship, the Lessthansix, finally made it to the docks and was tied up. It was unclear what would become of the ship and her remaining crew, but what was clear was that most of its occupants felt it was best if the adventuring team disembarked at this port and never came back aboard.

The dimly lit city was chilly at this hour of the morning. There was a thin fog hanging low over the water, and the brisk sea air was thick with an earthy scent. No doubt from the towering cliffs that surrounded the narrow bay on three sides. The city itself was quite a marvel of craftsmanship in its own right. Narrow streets switchbacked precariously up the cliffs, passing by the buildings that were constructed directly into the stone face of the cliffs. At the rear of the bay, the towering statues of the twin moon goddesses could be seen, with Cliffport's famous divine lighthouse lantern suspended between them on an impossibly thick chain. Behind the lantern, the elaborate masonry of the goddess's temple itself could also be spotted, and was nearly as impressive.

"I can already tell that this is going to be a nice addition to my checklist of places I have adventured!" Westley exclaimed with excessive enthusiasm as the adventuring party took a moment to absorb the scenery. He bounded out excitedly, looking at what was just up the street before returning excitedly. "There is a bakery just up ahead! A donkey too!" His mannerisms were almost akin to those one might expect from an excited dog. He soon ran up the street again.

"Are you sure we still need his help, deary?" Lady Mirrorsheen asked as she sat upon Eryn's shoulder. She fairy was still a little rough around the edges, but was looking much better than the previous day. "With the fire incident yesterday, I think it is clear you still have need of my guidance, but Westley's? Are his contributions... worth it?"

Opal let out a yip in reply from its perch on Marcus's shoulder. It was unclear though if the tiny gargoyle's yip was one of agreement or protest. Silas's opinion was less ambiguous though. "He may be a liability in many cases," the muscular man admitted. His various snakes still wound around his body, obscuring many of his recently acquired scars. "Still, he has his talents." The strongman pointed in Westley's direction.

"Look! The baker gave me a free sample!" Westley was busy chomping down on his newly acquired lemon danish pastry. Lady Mirrorsheen scoffed haughtily, but did not comment further.

Now that you have made it to Cliffport, what do you do?

---

Marcus, Eryn, and Ilura have made it off of the ship and into Cliffport. Westley, Opal, Mirrorsheen, and Silas are present too, and look to be in ok condition, all things considered. If you wanted to part with any of them, let me know. Also, you do have custody of Frost's body, (unless you would rather leave her with the ship after all) and it is with you in the magical preservation bag. How are you dealing with that while in town?

Ilura struggled a bit walking along the pier.  Her inexperience at sea - perhaps combined with a lack of sleep, made her a bit slow to acquire her land legs.  That said, she was happy to be on land again.  Her first sea voyage hadn't left her super-enthused about trying again.  Unfortunately, she had no clue how to achieve her mission without doing so.

She scanned the cliffs, looking for any sign of a temple to the silver lady.  It was going to be hard going to trot the captain's body everywhere they went - and a temple to her Goddess was the safest place she could think to leave one.

She winced a bit at Lady Mirrorsheen's assessment of Westley, but couldn't really fault her assessment.  The young man was an accident waiting to happen (likely multiple times per day).  She wasn't super clear on how to get rid of him though - at least not until they had a route out of town.

Moving closer to Marcus, she queried quietly: "Have you communicated to your pen pal and indicated our need to travel?"

quote:

20:56, Today: Ilura rolled 9 using 2d6+3.  Discern realities.

What here is useful or valuable to me? - specifically looking for a temple to Luciny

The temple described with the twin goddesses suspending the huge lantern is actually a temple of both Lusiny and Cherka. It was described in better detail in Eryn's post, which I pasted below. Ilura may not have known this immediately, but no need to Discern that with a roll. You may ask a different question if you wish.

Eryn:

As the ship floated into Cliffport, Eryn made note of the many alcoves and buildings set into the sides of the tall cliffs overlooking the port. In the center of the rearmost cliff side, there was the famed monument of the two warring goddesses. They were facing each other, with a great big lantern between them. At night the polished back of the lantern would reflect light from a divinely lit fire out over the ocean, thereby guiding ships to shore. Behind the statue was the entrance to an equally famous great temple carved into the rock. From this Temple of Balance, the fire was kept lit by the Communion of Twins. Eryn knew little more of this order than tales of trouble - each member worked with another in their task, and being paired based on a ritual rather than by choice, these "divine twins" did not always agree with each other.

Ah.  My brain didn't pick that up.

"Perhaps we should leave the captain at the temple.  It will be difficult to carry her and I'd trust them to keep her as careful as it's possible to."

Which of the two temples was clear...

"I'm glad to see you are recovering, milady. My hasty action is still gnawing on me."

Eryn was overjoyed to finally be back on land, though due to the danger they had just survived she decided not to express it as enthusiastically as Westley did. Those who knew the warrior would notice a change in her demeanor, however, from vague tension and battle-readiness to a more relaxed posture. So far she had used her strong arms to help carry Captain Frost's body off the ship. Like Ilura, Eryn assumed the party would be getting the attention of many prying eyes unless they headed straight for the temple with grim expressions on their faces. Westley was currently being all too cheerful to keep up appearances.

She considered her allies' words for a moment before replying. "Westley may be likely to stumble into danger, but he also survived the battle with the pirates as well as the rest of us. I think he'll be fine. We could use his cheer in trying times, too. Right now, however, we should deliver the body for safekeeping before drawing any attention to ourselves."

"Hey, Westley," she asked him once he was done eating his tasty treat, "would you mind running an errand for me? We need some supplies such as food for the road, but my hands are tied up in this task. I will join you later."

Eryn moved her grip on the body bag enough to fish out her coin pouch with one hand. It was quite heavy after receiving their payment for the job. She had spent some time this morning meticulously counting out their money to ensure nothing had been nicked by the pirates. She slipped some money to Westley to cover the costs.

---

Now that we are safely back on shore, I am handing off 100 coins each to Marcus and Ilura.
Let's see if we can't find some supplies and perhaps a blacksmith's place around here.

I like the fairy, and Silas has been very useful so far as an extra pair of arms. I don't have any attachment to the gargoyle. Westley is 50/50 for me, but I'd like to give him something to do (stay in town and keep a look out, perhaps?) instead of dumping him entirely, if it comes to that.

Marcus was as glad to leave the ship as he was distraught by the difficult journey they undertook. If he could only understand how things went so wrong, he'd do his best to prevent such disasters from recurring. The frown on his face made it clear he was worried with the situation.

When Ilura reminded him of the journal, he shook his head "Nothing since I asked about handling Frost's bargin." he followed her gaze to the temple "We'll leave her in the temple and I'll write to them then."

Paladin stored the money with a grump before gripping the bag and preparing to haul it to the distant temple. "He will learn to handle himself." he offered regarding the excited Westley "And we're not in a position to turn down any aid." He looked at the remaining three hirelings "But if any of you find our path too difficult, we will understand."

Glad that Eryn had taken on the job of carrying the body, Ilura took on her natural role of scouting ahead.  It was always harder in the confines and chaos of a city - especially one that was unknown.  But the principles were the same.

[Help me keep an eye out for trouble.  We're heading to the big building at the end of the chain up above.]

quote:

20:11, Today: Ilura rolled 9 using 2d6+5.  Discern realities w/ Thomas.

What should I be on the lookout for?

When given his task, Westley gave Eryn a salute and headed off to do his duty. "I'll get everything you need!" he assured her as he hurried off around a corner.

In response to Marcus's comment the other hirelings looked among themselves and seemed to share similar views on his offer. Silas spoke up first. "We knew the path would be difficult when you hired us. That is actually why I offered my services in the first place. Keep giving me opportunities to prove myself in combat and I will be happy."

"And if you continue to uncover and share magical knowledge with me, like how you can postpone a Devil's Bargain," Lady Mirrorsheen added, pointing to the bag that contained Frost, "Then I will be happy to face whatever dangers come our way."

Opal, as always, was difficult to read. But the little gargoyle remained on Marcus's shoulder, vigilant as ever.

As Ilura scouted out ahead of the group, it became apparent that the city was typical in most ways. It was cramped, smelly, and there were always people around. Although fewer at this hour of the morning. The main thing that set it apart from other locations was its nearly vertical construction, and the large temple to the two moon goddesses. A few people gave them scrutinizing looks as they passed by with Captain Frost in tow, but it wasn't such an odd sight that anyone confronted them about it.

When the group climbed the stairs of the cliffside behind the enormous suspended temple lantern, Ilura was surprised to find that there was only a single temple dedicated to both Lusiny and Cherka simultaneously. The murals set into the stone leading up to the temple depicted scenes of Cherka's minions riling up Lusiny's quiet nights, then depictions of Lusiny's forces quelling the chaos. The pattern continued endlessly in the artwork, making it clear that neither goddess held all the power here.

What do you do?

---

The group has made it to the temple and can seek aid there, if that is still what they would like to do. But while this is definitly a temple dedicated to Lusiny, it is simultaneously a temple dedicated to her sister and rival, Cherka.

Eryn
You can have Westley collect any basic gear for you and apply his discount. You will have access to it when the two of you meet up again.

Ilura
What should I be on the lookout for?
You should look out for Cherka's influence in this temple. Lusiny is not the only one worshiped here.

Marcus
What is your reaction to seeing a mixed temple like this? Is it blasphemous, or merely outside the norm?

"Hopefully we won't have combat here in the city, but I'm sure there will be more than enough going forward.

As for magic, I have a few things I'd like you to look at as well"

She turned to Marcus.  "Perhaps one of us should check the workings of this temple before we make our request?"

"I am cautiously optimistic that the priests of this temple will not object when we tell them of the Devil's Bargain. If we are lucky, in their twin faith they may even have more knowledge of it," she said in response to the fairy. Even so, the warrior frowned a little at the sight of the murals. She wondered if the devoted would be entirely trustworthy, if they worshiped a goddess of strife and chaos.

Stuck with carrying the late Captain's body, Eryn kept taking in the sights, studying the artwork and trying to listen to the people they passed. It was a lot to take in at once, however.

---

07:56, Today: Eryn rolled 6 using 2d6+1.  Discern Realities: Current events in the temple.
Marked XP. Questions I was going to ask: What is about to happen? Who’s really in control here? What here is not what it appears to be?

I'd like Westley to get me 2 x Rations, 2 x Bandages, and 1 x Healing potion. 66 coins total. I believe I missed the discount you refer to. What would it be?

"I would be happy to look at whatever items you may have found, my dear Ilura," Lady Mirrorsheen said to the ranger. "I will impart whatever knowledge I possess, but keep in mind I am far from all-knowing." She gave Ilura a playful little wink as she fluttered near Ilura's shoulder, much to Thomas's annoyance.

While that was going on, Eryn made an effort to get a better sense of the temple's current social state. There were not many people around at this time of day, so there was not much to overhear. Alternatively though, the entire city was still rather quiet, so the words that were spoken tended to travel further before being lost in all the background noise. As the party neared the top of the stairway to the temple, Eryn could make out a conversation happening just inside the entrance to the temple.

"I'm telling you, I can smell a dead elemental approaching!" a young female voice said.

"Preposterous. Elementals disintegrate when they die. And there hasn't been one in these parts since the great typhoon three decades ago," an older female voice replied.

"There is a gaggle of live people approaching too. I can hear their hearts pounding from the efforts to climb the slopes."

"Now that I believe. Even I can hear their footsteps. Shall we step out and take a peek?"

"I would really rather not. Not with the sun so high in the sky..."

"You big baby."

"Har, har, har," the younger voice said with sarcasm. "Get ready to greet them. They are quite the odd group. I can taste a hint of fey in the air. And I hear the unmistakable sound of coiling serpents. A ruffle of feathers... Yes, quite the odd group indeed."

The accuracy of the unseen person's observations was quite unnerving. And the sight that met Eryn's eyes as the group crested the top of the steps was even more so. Inside the front entrance to the grand temple to the twin goddesses was a small chamber lined with stone columns. At the far end of the chamber was a stone throne-like chair. And atop the throne sat a person (people) with two heads. One head was that of a woman with long white hair and the wrinkles that suggested she had seen many seasons. The second head was that of a youthful woman with long black hair. Her skin was much paler, her eyes a predatory red, and her canine teeth came to long points. She had a distinct vampiric nature about her. They wore an intricately woven silk robe of black and red, embroidered with silvery patterns.

"Welcome to the temple of the twin goddesses," older-looking of the two said. "I am High Priestess Lenora, and this is my twin sister, High Priestess Urella."

"What brings you here this... bright, morning?"

What do you do?

---

Ilura
Lady Mirrorsheen would be happy to look over whichever items you might have. Just let me know which ones you want to show her.

Eryn
Westley is a Hireling with the Minstrel 3 skill (and Protector 1). You can subtract a Minstrel's skill level from all prices in town if he is present for the purchase. He is buying five items, so subtract 3x5 from the total. It only costs him 51 coins to procure your items for you.

Add XP for your roll if you haven't already.

Ilura nodded her thanks to the fairy.  "Perhaps later when we have a bit more privacy"

Ilura's eyes flicked between the twin faces.  So much for requesting a meeting with just someone from her own order...

She continued to look around a bit, trying to discern some hint as to whether this would actually be a 'safe' place for the captain's body.

quote:

14:12, Today: Ilura rolled 7 using 2d6+3.  Discern realities.

What here is not what it appears to be?

Eryn was taken aback at the sight of the two-headed... she hesitated to call it a monstrosity, though only out of politeness in case the supernatural creature could read minds as well. Regardless of if they could, there was no time left to confer with her party in private.

"We are travelers from Markhain, your... honors," she spoke, trying to seem properly respectful inside the temple despite being laden with the weight of the dead - and apparently smelly - Captain Frost. "Our ship was attacked and the captain slain. Due to the circumstances we find ourselves in, we were hoping someone at your temple could help us."

---

I have subtracted the coin and marked XP. The items were added to Westley's profile for now, since he's the one carrying them.