Danbal agrees to meet with the Lunar Preceptor to hear what he has to say about the attacks. Their meeting takes place at the bridge at the top of the ravine.  Afterward, word spreads of their meeting, and the preceptor, a middle-aged man with black hair, aquiline nose, and an intricate red robe.

The Preceptor said that from the surface of the Moon he could see the town of Jelmine as a bright spot in the world, but one surrounded by darkness.  Three lines came toward Jelmine, and as they came together a storm swirled around the town.  He could see a darkness rising from the hollow to oppose this brightness.  In essence, the coming of the new Lunar Forces, the Uz, and those from Boldhome was not a coincidence, but "...something woven into the fabric of this moment."

He asked if he could speak with the Shaman Sadein, but was told it would have to wait until after the ceremonies on Windday.

---

All of the patrols have returned.  They have given their reports, and guard duties have been planned for the day of the festival.  The guard details are only in two-hour shifts so that everyone can partake of the festival.

The Lunar Forces have agreed to guard the outside of the wall, and are available if another attack occurs.

---

Windday, Mobility Week, Storm Season
[Private to Garik Johnton; Henetha Hofaktsdottir: Both Garik and Henetha know this day to be Orlanth's birthday, and thus High Holy Day.  During the occupation, this holiday was diminished due to the Lunar occupation and suppression of Orlanth.  Those who openly participated were subject to harsh penalties, even death.  It was also a time that the Lunars hunted for any of the remaining Rune Masters of Orlanth.  You know that in Boldhome this was going to be an especially grand festival this year.]

The inhabitants of Jelmine have called this Wife's Day since you arrived, though you have come to realize that it is important for the Durten Family, as this is a high holy day for Durten the Householder.

While both men and women are preparing the feast for this evening, you can tell that most of the work has fallen to the men.  By midday most of the women have gone to the Loom house, save for the widow women and young girls.
[Private to Henetha Hofaktsdottir: I assume you will join the women in the Loom House.  There they talk about the basic precepts of Ernalda, but they also talk about the duties of wife, mother, and leader.  This is very unlike festivals you have been to as they reference the Husband-Protectors.  Orlanth is listed as the first among these, but that is all.]
[Private to Garik Johnton: The Garlin will trade with you for the wine you are carrying.  It is a fair trade, and you are sure you can earn a profit.]

Before Sunrise, the men of Durten went up the hill to the rock spire.  You could hear chanting and drumming coming from there throughout the morning.  By midafternoon all but Danbal and one of his sons had returned from the spire.  When asked, they say that Danbal had ascended the spire.

---

As the day continues, the wind begins to howl as it looks another storm is approaching.  The men have errected bonefires in the temple courtyard.  Each of the families have brought food and drink to the Durten compound, and it seems that most of the festivities will be there.  A tent has been errected to try to keep out any snow or rain; the buildings themselves should provide a windbreak.

As dusk approaches, a group of tenet farmers comes up to the gate (this was expected).  They lead a man who is bound with a leash around his neck.  When asked, the people will tell you that the bound man is Jarulf, one chosen by Eurmal.  Desola said that the rite of the scapegoat was to be performed, and he is here to fulfill the role that Eurmal played in one of Ernalda's stories.  They make their way up to the temple.

The women chosen to serve as handmaidens (think honor guard) leave the loom house dressed in brown cloaks.  The other women go back to their family compounds.  Soon, the families, all carrying torches, ascend up to the temple.  The Uz, though not carrying torches, ascend the to the temple.
[Private to Henetha Hofaktsdottir: Henetha, they will let you serve as a handmaiden if you want.  The women were also eager to here how your people practice this holiday.  They are shocked if you tell them that the day is more focused on Orlanth.]

---

OOC:  I'm going to pause here to see if anyone has comments, questions, or anything else.  I will progress the scene tomorrow.  As a note, it is during this scene that you will get your first mission, so bear with this last set up scene.

While most of the Lunar forces are outside the wall standing guard, a few are at the temple courtyard.  Desola extended an invitation to witness the public aspects of this rite, as she has done since the Lunar forces first came to Jelmine.  This is the first time any have come.  They stand far in the back, as they stand to witness, not participate in these rites.  Included among these are the Red robed preceptor, a few civilians, and a few soldiers.

There is much talking as the people wait for the ceremony to begin, as well as some shuffling to stay warm.  The people are excited that the rite of the scapegoat is to be performed, as it is a rare rite.  The Uz also seem interested in this, and Preceptor Idovanus learning what he can of the rite.

Most of the towns people are unarmed, as are the Lunar civilians.  The Uz are armed as are a number of weapon thanes.  Danbal, Anrin, and Varinton are all dressed in ceremonial garb, so they must have some role to play in this evenings affairs.  Danbal in particular seems to radiate confidence and power.

The tenant farmers who brought Jarulf to the town lead him up the steps to the temple.  [Private to Sanuzi Asar-Girru; Tamarkorda: Both Sanuzi and Tamarkorda are standing with Sandein toward the middle of the courtyard.  As the tenant farmers move up the steps, you can see Danbal look concerned.  He starts to go up to the steps.]
Inkarne stands before the door to the temple.
[Private to Oligur Jaffez; Saberak; Sanuzi Asar-Girru; Tamarkorda: As the tenant farms move up the stair, you can see that Inkarne seems confused.]  As the get to the top, she holds out her hand and says, "STOP! You are ..."

One of the tenant farmers moves to her.  Inkarne screams.  The other tenant farmers begin to rush the temple door.

Initiative!
The following had some indication that something was happening:  Oligur Jaffez, Saberak, Sanuzi, and Tamarkorda.  They have no SR penalty.

Everyone else is delayed 6 SR.

Remember:  Give me the SRs that you act (either drawing weapons, casting spells, etc...) and the pertinent rolls.

Tamarkorda pulls a face and starts chanting something in his own language.
[Private to GM: Intent: impede the 'tennant farmers' access to the temple. Save locals from dying - especially important ones.
Cast befuddle backed by a MP on a 'tennant farmer' preferably not the leading one.

DEX SR 2+1 for the added MP,
Then chase after them without readying a weapon. (Visually check if Inkarne looks seriously wounded if I get near enough)"

I'm visiting a locked down site tomorrow and I'll be off line all day]

In reply to Narrator (msg # 2):

Sanuzi moves as quickly as he can to Inkarne, trying for a closer look and to see if she is in need of first aid or stronger healing.

Saberak casts her eyes to the air, where Silvereye glides in the dusky gloom and calls out in New Pelorian.

[Private to Narrator; Oligur Jaffez: "Quickly, shield me and then go to the walls and summon the garrison!"]

Turning her attention back to the temple steps, she raises her hand, Moon rune charms twinkling in the torchlight and speaks an incantation to the spirits around her.

[Private to GM: Silvereye should be using his Shield 3 on Saberak. Saberak is casting Befuddle at one of the interlopers. If she has time (I believe her first would go off on SR 2 and the second SR 9 due to her DEX SR of 1 and Befuddle being worth 2 MP, for a total SR of 2 for the spell and 5 to prepare a second spell), she'll throw it at as many of them as she can reach, as she doesn't have her weapons or armor with her beyond a belt knife.]

In reply to Narrator (msg # 2):


Bingling (DEX SR 3) attempts to cast Strength using his 2 pt Strength Spell Matrix (SR 2) in his mace.  He has a 60% chance (POW 12). (Narrator, might I ask that you roll for me?)

[Private to GM: ((OOC: Not sure where the handmaidens are, but Henetha would love to be one.))]

Henetha (DEX SR 3) moves to block the temple door, drawing her axe.

Sr1 Oligur moves between Saberak and the fray, cries out toward the Lunar troops-"Treachery, men! The farmers are attacking the temple!"

(OOC: does that cost a SR? If so Narrator please add)

SR 2-6 starts readying Befuddle (3 DEX + 2 point spell)
SR 7 casts Befuddle on tenant farmer nearest/most threatening to Inkarne


09:54, Today: Oligur Jaffez rolled 52 using 1d100.  Befuddle spell on farmer.

I think that should get him if his POW is 12 or worse (?)

SR 8 to end ready kopis and shield

Round 1
Clarification:  Spirit Magic Strike Rank = Dex SR + Spell MP + Boosting MP
There are 6 Tenant Farmers, one of whom has struck Inkarne, and Jarulf.

OOC:  I have not heard from everyone, so I'm going to hold this open and add any additional actions.
People were stunned at this change of events, so most are slow to act.  Those that do act are either moving to support or readying weapons.

---

SR 1 - Oligur moves to stand in front of Saberak, then yells in New Pelorian.
[Private to Tamarkorda: He yells something about treachery.]
---Jarulf, his leash dropped, moves to the temple door.  As his hand touches the door, an intense keening can be heard from the temple.  Jarulf is thrown back.  It looks as if his left hand has been incinerated.
---Tenant Farmer #2 unleashes a spell.  The keening sound wavers for a moment but does not end (it is obvious that they attempted a Dismiss Magic, but failed to dismiss the ward).
SR 2 - Sanuzi moves up to Inkarne.  [Private to Sanuzi Asar-Girru: Inkarne is wounded and is currently focusing on a spell.  Tenant Farmer #1 holds a wicked looking knife that glows black.]
SR 3 - Saberak focuses her power on one of the Tenant Farmers (#6).  A soft red glow surrounds him, and his demeanor changes.
SR 4 - Silvereyes (Saberak's Owl) glows softly as power builds, but fails to cast the spell.
SR 5 - Tamarkorda focuses his power; his body surrounded by a heat shimmer.  He points to one of the Tenant Farmers (#5), unleashing the building power.  The heat shimmer moves to Tenant Farmer, then disappears.  The Farmer's demeanor changes.
---Tenant Farmer #1 seems to be preparing another attack.
---Tenant Farmer #3 turns to defend #2, pulling a large knife.
---Danbal, whose movement is hindered by the ceremonial robes, stops before the stairs and screams a challenge at the tratiors.
SR 6 - No actions.
SR 7 Oligur pulls power, focusing on the Lunar Runes on his vambrace.  The magic easily flows from him toward one of the Tenant Farmers (#4), who seems to resist the charm.
---Tenant Farmer #4 raises his hands, but fails to cast the spell.  He howls in rage.
---Inkarne begins to shimmer, her form becoming indistinct.
SR 8 Garik Johnton focuses his mind and his eyes begin to glow. [Private to Garik Johnton: Garik recognizes the six tenant farmers and Jarulf as enemies.  You also recognize that there are another six enemies interspersed in the crowd that has not acted yet.]
---Tenant Farmer #1 strikes Inkarne, slashing the blade across her face.  Blood of the healer flows.[Private to Henetha Hofaktsdottir: The blood of a God Speaker spilled at this time would be horrible.  You can't stop that, but you may be able to stop it from falling to the ground.]
SR 9 Henetha, shaking off the shock of the attack, moves up the stairs to block the door.  Other handmaidens join her to form a physical obstruction.
SR 10 - No actions [Private to Garik Johnton: Now that you are alerted to the other enemies, you notice that one of them has pulled something from a pouch.  You can't see what it is, but they are preparing to do something, maybe throw it.]
SR 11 Bingling gathers the darkness around himself.  The darkness seems to flow into his body, making him stronger.
---Saberak again calls on her magics, directing them toward Tenant Farmer (#3), but is unable to channel her power.
<b>SR 12 - The wyrter of Jelmine, a majestic bronze cow, manifests.  All defenders have a +20% to their defense actions.

Having closed the distance to Inkarne somewhat Tamarkorda stops and chants something else at her assailant before readying his broadsword.
[Private to GM: Intent defend Inkarne and Sanuzi, defend self, disarm / maim attackers though trying to avoid killing them.

SR 3 Cast Distraction at 'tennant farmer 1' DEXSR2 +1ptDistraction (this can be targeted at corporeal enemies as well as spirits)
-then ready the broadsword (takes until SR8)
-then move closer unless already in melee]

Bingling wants to eliminate any threat to Inkarne (and, if they were at risk, Megora and Varinton). He moves to interpose himself.

Intended decision tree:
A. If a tenant farmer (or Jarulf) appears to still be hostile, Bingling will strike at them (or, if they block his way, try to pick them up and toss them aside).

If not, then
B. Bingling will say "I have minor healings" and try to cast Healing-1 on Inkarne.

Narrator, I trust your judgment in adjudicating how this actually plays out.

Garmin closes with the one pulling something from sack and strikes with his battleaxe

Henetha sprints to Inkarne the God-Talker and uses the cloth of her and Inkarne's dress to stop any blood from falling on the ground.

To give everyone a better visual, here is a rough map:  https://drive.google.com/file/...g58/view?usp=sharing

The courtyard that most of the people are on is level ground.  The temple is embedded in the hill.  Around the exposed walls of the temple is an earth and stone rampart 15 feet high.   There is a long, gentle sloped stair 15 feet wide.

I've put the people that said they were going up to the temple on the map, and Danbal.

The red square around the courtyard altar is clear of people save Danbal.  The altar is heavy stone, and seems to have been there since before time began.  Everyone kept this area clear as it was needed for the ceremony to come.

The six tenant farmers are on the stairs near the top.

If you are not listed on the map, I'm assuming that you were with the populace outside of the red square.

If you are lunar, you are at the far end of the map from the temple, in one of the corners.  It will take you at least a full turn to close.  As you were only witnesses, not participants, you stayed as far back as possible.  The trolls, who are also witnesses, are on the opposite side of the courtyard.

OOC:  I want to give people time to look at the map and ask questions, so I'll progress the scene tomorrow.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:38, Thu 07 Feb 2019.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 14):

Not really expecting trouble at the temple service, Sanuzi has only his sling readily available to work with as much of a weapon, not even stones for it. With no other choice before him, Sanuzi attempts to grapple with tenant farmer #1 (with the black knife (that is probably the weapon that wounded Inkarne?)), using his sling to try to garrote the hand holding the blade and keeping it as immobile as possible. If he is also able to get a sense from his bound spirit (snake) if there's anything sinister going on in the other realm.

[ooc: I don't really see a grapple attack, at least none I have more than basic skill in.]