The temple of Kelemvor, despite the grim duty of its deity, is not a cold and dark place.
The entrance to the church grounds are framed by a gate upon which crows often rest, picking at the blackberry bushes that curl and grow around the stone frame. The gate is set in a high stone wall that surrounds the church grounds against which on both sides grow more blackberry bushes. Beyond the stone walls is a large plot of grassland intended for burials, though it is currently devoid of graves. Before one reaches the church there is a stone platform to the left with a wood stack readied for those dead who specified cremation. The church is a gothic building with tall spires and a single tall tower in the back. The doorframe has stone-carved artwork depicting a central skull atop and the souls of the dead climbing towards the skull.
Indoors the church is lit with black candles. 6 rows of 5 wooden chairs on each side provide room for 60 guests and a three step stone stairs leads up to an altar decorated with stone-carved skulls which can be hidden behind dark red curtains. Behind the church is a small rectory with four beds and a kitchen.

Korbin announced himself loudly to the crows at the gate as Eithan approached amid a brief cacophany of corvid cawing. Their avian cheer would have been welcome in any other setting, but somehow, here, it just underscored the gothic atmosphere of the church grounds.

The wizard lingered on his approach to the church, taking in the architecture and art with a brief shiver of dread. Despite his not being a follower of Kelemvor per se, Eithan believed himself to be on good terms with the Judge of the Dammned. Yet even so, the skull motifs in cold stone didn't lend themselves to a feeling of warm invitation.

Eithan hesitated for a moment at the door. He took a breath. Then stepped inside.

Finding the church arranged with chairs, Eithan made his way to a chair at the very back corner of the church in one corner - casting a professional eye of appreciation at the candles throughout the temple.

As Eithan set aside his backpack and various equipment and personal effects, a now-irritated Korbin took flight up into the rafters, cawing melodramatically over the scene. Eithan suppressed a smile. It still felt good to have Korbin back.

Eithan took a seat in the corner-most chair at the back of the church, and set his shoulders back into a meditative, mindful posture. He took out the incense he had picked up from Jessop just this afternoon, and with a gesture and a clicking of his fingers, he set the tip of the stick alight.

The fledgling wizard sat quietly, breathing deeply, his eyes lidded half closed as the smoke of the stick of incense wafted up and hung in ribbons on the still air of the church around him.

To anyone who looks closely, they may notice an amulet to Deneir hanging from a leather cord around his neck.

OOC: Presuming he's not interrupted, Eithan's taking a short rest.

Is there an alms box visible anywhere? If there is one, Eithan will leave a small donation on his way out.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:08, Sat 20 Feb 2021.

A raven in human clothes walked in. Having some time in between missions to the great outdoors Boneclaw had slept in the priory after spending time cleaning up and dusting the place. He relit some of the candles that had gone out. Apparently from time to time someone in town came to the church to light the candles in his absence but it was a soothing ritual. He didn't disturb the wizard's rest but laid his hand on the man's shoulder briefly when he noticed the amulet and with the voice of his mentor said with a mellow tone:"In the end all are judged by the lord of death. There's no rush" before continuing to refresh the church.

(There is one at the entrance.)
This message was last edited by the player at 18:24, Sat 20 Feb 2021.

The temple and the graveyard are about as quiet as expected. A great place for a small, frightened animal to hide.

Irsoneic kept his eyes and ears open for signs of the cat and was careful to move slowly so as to not spook it if the thing were still hiding here. If he saw it, he would point the creature out to the others so they would all have an easier time tracking it if it were to flee.

01:28, Today: Irsoneic rolled 14 using 1d20+5.  Stealth.

01:28, Today: Irsoneic rolled 19 using 1d20+2.  Perception.

Approaching the temple itself, Irsoneic hears a faint noise coming from inside the temple, and notices something with small paws tracked some snow inside.

The dog also, notices, and barks  as he strains against his leash.

The altar wobbles as a small white shape streaks for the far corner. A goblin who was dusting nearby steadies the altar, and turns to the cat. [Language unknown: "Asttedure,"] the goblin says in something approximating a soothing voice, [Language unknown: "Hano inwa. Ca eravirsta she oswit. All ce Notenope illane. Ev thu] Kelemvor!"

The cat hisses.

Divok follows, boy in tow. He takes one look at the goblin, but doesn't discriminate. For all he knows, this could be the goblin that the whole settlement is talking about, some void drinker or something. Instead, he calls out to the cat in his best, soothing voice to see if he can persuade the cat to come with them.

"Little cat, I have a dog in hand ready to do great things for me. Come now, walk with me for a while." he suggests.

15:03, Today: Divok Gezaha rolled 4 using 1d20+1.  Persuasion. – [roll=1619939029.71934.356698]

The cat arches its back, and its fur stands on end as it screeches

The dog growls and barks

As the others arrive Myre follows along as the lizardman and Divok entered the temple.

At the commotion caused by the dog and the screech of a cat, a white cat, Myre moved to Divok.

As Divok failed the calm the cat Myre kneeled down, casting softly as she speaks to the cat.

"Lady Duchess, your master is so very worried about you." She reached out her hand towards the cat, "Please, come with me and I can return you safely. We can discuss the reason for you fleeing on the way. I'm sure the kind Lord Caldessar would be very interested as to why you left."

Casting Speak with Animals
21:21, Today: Myre rolled 22 using 1d20+3.  animal handling.

Tiria nods along as Myre speaks to the cat, seemingly in approval. She does subtly move just slightly to one side so that she is in a good position to try to snatch up the creature should it try to bolt past them.

As he follows the others into the church, Tusk notes that Myre probably has this situation under better control than anyone else. He pauses to wait by the door, in case Duchess gets the idea into her fuzzy, little head to spring for the exit.

Duchess sniffs Myre's hand, headbutts it, and meows at Myre,

Boneclaw came running through the door, holding a broomstick he swung fearlessly at Dutchess to spook her. He'd seen the pet go into the church, gone to grab the broomstick and thusly missed its pursuers.
"Git oot!", the dwarf he'd remembered that line from shouted it at a drunk orc at the time but it seemed to work for the occasion.

The last time a cat had slipped into the church it had pooped in an open casket.
Thank god there was no corpse in it at the time but the smell never quite went away.
Boneclaw was taking no chances.

He only then noticed the visitors and settled down.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:48, Sun 02 May 2021.

Irsoneic, seeing someone actively try to harm the very creature he'd been sent here to save, moved toward the stupid bird with rows of sharp teeth exposed and ready to crunch the stupid creature's hollow bones between his jaws.

Upon seeing the broom-wielding birdman, Tusk is no longer concerned about being perceived as rude.

He quickly and efficiently shuts the door, hopefully preventing Duchess's escape.

Duchess leaps into Myre's arms, nearly knocking the young druid off balance. She hissed, spit and screeched

Myre was surprised by the cat leaping into her arms and gave a small laugh as it hissed and spat at the birdman, "Nevermind the creature, we will be out of it's feathers shortly. Then you can chase all the birds you like."

With a triumphant smile she turned to Tiria she said, "We did it Tears!"

Although she did give Divok a teasing smirk, "You do know we were looking for a cat yes?" She pointedly looked down to the dog accompanying him and raised an eyebrow.

When the lizardman approached the birdman she gathered her courage and placed a hand on his arm, "Let him be. You have amazing senses. Your help was invaluable. I am Myre, shall we return?" She nodded her head slightly in thanks then slowly moved away trying to draw the lizardman out of a potential confrontation.

Walking to the door she smiled to the rough, older man and lowered her eyes even though she stood taller than the man. He looked a seasoned warrior and even just by his age he was due her respect. "Thank you for your help Sir. My name is Myre." She again introduced herself, ensuring she had everyone's name and had offered hers.

She stood at the door, petting Duchess as she cradled the cat in her arms. "Perhaps it is best if we avoid the young Lord on our way back?" She suggested. "Any other ideas before we depart?"

Looking down to Duchess Myre continued petting her, "We shall have you back shortly, once my companions and I are organised."

With the cat secured, Irsoneic narrowed his eyes at the bird a moment longer before turning to leave with the others.

"Do not presume to threaten me in the house of my Lord!". Boneclaw used his teacher's voice, different situation, fitting nonetheless.

"Git oot!", he barked at them as the group left.
He would have to talk to Erret Smith about this. This was not acceptable behaviour. He would not stand for dogs hunting cats in his church and being threatened by some idiot lizard who'd outgrown its brain.

Shrugging his shoulders, Divok deflects the comment by Myre. "I'm sure he would have been useful if the cat was further away. We were fortunate to have picked up the tracks again so soon."

He turns to the dog and thanks him. "You did well boy. We found the target, and no harm came to anything. You should return to your master before he starts to miss you." he suggests.

With Duchess secured, it seemed that the only part remaining was to return her to her rightful master. And he agreed wholeheartedly with not giving her up to the young Lord. "We should go now. Before Chief Pheasant Plucker turns his ire upon us."

Irsoneic left with the others, thinking of other ways he could put hollow bones to use besides blowguns.

The cat settled into Myres arms, meowing,

Divok grinned at the level of trouble that he expected this young lord would be in once they told the tale of the missing bell and near drowning...

Myre whispers to the cat, "I know, that was my suspicion. Cornelia and Mr. Glassbottle were very helpful in your rescue and detailed the reason for your escape."

As Myre continues petting the cat she sighed, "I am sorry to request this, and for the indignation, but could you possibly hide in my backpack until we return you to your, umm.. servant Lord Caldessar." She gave a hopeful smile to the cat, "I would hate for the thief and attempted murderer young Marcus to find you again."

If Irsoneic had possessed eyebrows, they would have just risen.

Duchess purrs

Those involved in the quest, please return to the "Lost Cat" thread.

Tusk opens the door for the group as they leave with Duchess.

He shoots the mushroom-girl, Myre, a lop-sided grin, and a respectful half-bow.

"Tusk, not 'Sir'. Nice to meet you."

Without looking back, he leaves return the others.