"Yes it is but this is my personal home and I suggest you show it the correct manner. It is a simple task is it not? A drider, interesting. Few have been seen in all the years I have taken up the mantle of High Pristess. I will see to it. As for where you saw it, I would like to know Forge. It is of high importance. Telling me of this creature but not providing where you saw it other then perhaps a improper buriel area doesn't tell me much my friend. So shall we go to the dining area and have some tea and scones? And you are concerned? Tell me what it is that bothers you." The priestess watches each of them.

Faolan stands up, leaning on the pew. Still he remains quiet as if the two of them are judging one another oddly. He goes to the center asle, resting a hand on the gnomes shoulder for a moment before placing both of his hands over his chest. Strange man.

Father Reynold coughs a few times as he watches this odd ensamble before going back to his book in a chair near the door. He snaps his fingers and two more of the flames bursted out providing much more needed light.

"A young woman asked for help with large spiders in a local small crypt, it is near the docks and where we encountered the drider....Perhaps we could inquire of any local drow or the iron watch?"


Forge scratches his chin...
"I can show you the place if it would help."

Krite looks up at Faolan. "I thank ye," he says to the druid even though he has NO idea why he did that. He follows the others, his slender, graceful fingers stroking his long red braid as he thinks. Does he know the crypts Forge is referring to?

As the conversation lags Forge spends some time thinking about the true scope of the place that he lives and how much of it he is unaware of....perhaps some local exploration is a good thing, his loop to the temple, helping the poor and the area of the docks was all he really knew....perhaps the cleric and wizard knew places to go....

With every visible intent of being polite yet insistent, Curmarinda again addressed High Priestess Valora,
“We have presented different problems before you, Priestess. With Pelor's grace, I ask that you tell us
which you'd rather we relate to you first. Please?”

After a short curtsy she added, "Please forgive my rudeness, High Priestess, I have seen many people come
and go from around me in a parade of greetings and loss. I meet new people, begin to make friends, then they seem
to vanish before I get to know them well.

It has been taxing on my patience and my manners. In the name of our Holy God Pelor, humbly I ask for your
forgiveness and understanding." She concluded her request with a bow.

Just as the priestess was about to speak, a halfling comes waltzing in with a scone and a coffee covering his face. He stops dead in his tracks. The priestess stares at him "Riceak! Thoses were for the guests not you. Their better be more in the dining hall." She scolds him impatiently and turns towards the newcomers "I believe you are hiding something. All of this for a drider yet something plagues you. What is it? I will sent word to this buriel chamber to find out more about it."

"I assure you that there are more in there. I was merely taste testing them for freshness. Wouldn't want anyone to have a stomach ache, now would we?" Looking between the priestess and the group of newcomers, he ponders what to do in this moment to ease the tension. "So what is a drider if no one minds me asking?"

Forge notes the new comer....interestingly he was always aware of not slamming into people and now all the people seem to be getting smaller as it were...he is caught in some thoughts until he blurts out....


"Top part drow, bottom part spider, drider!"

"And all of it twisted and evil, is my guess," Krite says as he nods a polite greeting at the halfling. "What it's doing in a tomb inside the city limits is a matter that I find quite concerning. Where there are driders, there may be demon-worshipping dark elves, after all.

"Of course," he adds with a smile, "such problems may lead to adventures, and I'll make a lot more taking a treasure share than loaning my alchemy skills to the temple!"

Giving a nod of thanks to the warforged for the explanation, Riceak was not looking particularly happy at the notion of something running around that could potentially lead to far worse things. "It could also lead to death and despair instead of a stable and safe income."

Forge considers the back and forth of the two small ones, he is not sure of the correct designation of them, he knows they can tell and the others can tell, but for the two he sees or thinks could be....

"Easy to have stable income, you cleans out what the outcome of horses and they pays you, not good income but is income and at the stables...or you could own a stables and rent stalls for horses and hire someone to do that job."

"Stable as in consistently gained. Not the location. Though, those would be examples of safe and stable income, so good on you for that. I certainly wouldn't want to have such a job though. The smell would stay with my clothes," responded Riceak as he scratched his head at the warforged's comment.

Cumarinda smiled softly then cleared her throat somewhat loudly. When eyes turned her way she blushed slightly before
quickly speaking again to the High Priestess. "I... Please forgive my insistence, but current circumstances force me to seek
guidance and council from you High Priestess. The issue I seek your guidance on is very, very personal, not to be shared
with everyone. Also, I have journeyed towards Radiance* and I need to receive final investiture to fully begin upon that path."
With a small smile she looked into the High Priestess' face looking for the understanding and compassion she'd always felt
from her sisters and brothers in service to Pelor.

OOC
*as in Radiant Servant of Pelor
This message was last edited by the player at 06:36, Tue 20 Sept 2022.

Forge scratches his chin, he had done innumerable tasks around the area, but got the idea of that one for sure, barnacles had kept him busy, as he had no need to hold his breath or take rest breaks....

"I see stable like holding a bow to ensure the arrow hits its mark...I might have known this before, but I was unaware for a long time and recently awakened."

"From what I believe of those who choose the path, you do not need my word to continue along with it. But if it makes you feel better with yourself, by the Pelorian light you have my blessing. Privacy? I could easily summon someone to guide your friends to the dining hall. Or simply ask Ric. Everyone seems at edge, it is not wise to show it here. For everyone here shall be at peace." The priestess hold out her hands towards the cleric and smiles.

Faolan doesn't seem too happy but he remains where he is and holds back any retort. After a moment he steps behind the cleric watching the priestess like a bodyguard without weapons. Odd. But perhaps he has other skills....
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:28, Thu 22 Sept 2022.

"We can follow the indomitable Mr. Riceak easily enough, priestess," Krite says with a bow. The gnome gestures at the crumbs at the halfling's feet. "He clearly knows the way!" This was an interesting group, although he didn't know what the cleric meant by "journeying toward Radiance." Some religious thing, no doubt.

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 63):

Looking into the High Priestess' eyes with an openly desperate expression, Cumarinda grasped at her robes and added,
"High Priestess, I need to speak with you privately on a matter of life. I seek your wisdom and guidance as I am young
and sometimes still foolish. But this matter involves life beyond my own."

Forge nods his head....

"I have never had cause to visit the dining hall, so yes I will go with you there!"

"Yep, just follow me and I shall lead you to food, drink or a place to sit to replenish whatever energy you may have spent today," stated the halfling as he turned and began walking back the way he had come from. Riceak wasn't sure what was going on with the cleric, but it wasn't his business anyway so he didn't dwell on it.

"Did I not state that I will meet with you once the others are away? You do not listen child. It is pointless for ones to speak if no one will listen or if they do listen, they act like they did not am I correct? Life beyond your own? Oh I see clearly." The woman motions for the others to follow Ric so they are given privacy. But Faolan stands next to the cleric, crossing his arms. Silent.

Staring match. Course the priestess doesn't stare. She smiles. Two different worlds.

Forge finds himself not in motion yet again, since he does not want to bump into anyone, one group seems to be going to the eating  room, and yet  the clerics are still talking to each other and neither has moved in that direction....

He knows that clerics have more to say and he had  not really been listening, he recalled how one man had referred to the place as the "mess hall" he tried to sort out how "mess" was not a reference to food for humans, but "slop" was a form of food for pigs...if pigs were fed in a room would that be a "slop hall".....

He rubs his chin waiting for everyone to go....

Krite ponders the halfling's statement while he follows Riceak through the passageway. "My day was just getting started, actually," the gnome wizard says, "and my only expenditure of power was some dancing lights. Trivial when compared to my overall abilities.

"So, my young friend, what brings you to be dwelling at the House of the Sun? You don't seem to be a very priestly sort of halfling." The red-haired gnome is enjoying not to have to crane his neck to talk to someone. Very civilized!

"Far from being priestly. Just a resident of sorts. You see, I was wandering in search of some people for quite some time before my travels brought me here, and the individuals in this temple took me in and allowed me to regain my bearings," responded Riceak as he continued walking onward.

"Though, I hardly know that much about the ins and outs of this place. Don't want to step on any toes while they are allowing me sanctuary here, you know?"

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 68):

Cumarinda seems to briefly fall into a daze. With a body shaking wriggle, she regains full awareness and nods to the High Priestess.

Noting the presence of Faolan she says to the High Priestess, "Faolan has a part with my issue and if you would permit, I would like for him to join us."

DINING HALL: Forge, Krite, Riceak
Ric goes with the warforged and gnome and enters the dining hall. Its a rather cozy area with a kitchn about thirty feet away. Several tables and chairs line the area. Sitting near the kitchen are four priests, quietly talking. Forge does recognize them but they all go by the name 'Father'.  The cook pops up and pulls out some scones, bread and apple cider. She motions for them to enter and waits by a table "Welcome! Come sit and drink! We have plenty! Oh? Forge someone left something for you in the blacksmith. Would you mind fetching it? Not sure where it was left. They can eat while you go, its alright!"

MAIN AREA: Cumarinda, Faolan
The druid stares at the priestess, not really wanting to go with the others and he has permission to remain. The priestess pauses and sits down, motion for them to sit on the next pew "What troubles you? It seems you have a protector, am I correct and one that is not one of us? Yes I can tell. We welcome everyone here if they are of good intents."

Faolan sits down if Cumarinda does. He just nods his head remaining silent for a moment "Yes I am her protector. And no, I do not believe in your god. Nothing against what you stand for."

The priestess nods her head, finally getting him to speak.