"I read it as less in direct conflict, and more jockeying for pride/position - Atraxus?  Fair?"  the gnome looked to his colleague, then returned to the conversation as they walked.  "Not to say that there could NOT be such issue behind the scenes, but the Legionnaires expressed their view as state agents, squads and companies regarding state concerns, and viewed the paladins as helping cats up trees, if that reliable.  From reading through their lines, and from speaking with the one paladin in the market, the paladins appear more focused on individual needs, communities facing evils, or, arguably, issues that affect more than one nations.  So a very micro and super-macro view, where the Legionnaires would be concentrated strictly on their middle-social strata unit action.  Interestingly for a group that prides themselves on warfare and dedication to the patron nation, they still maintain training and fellowship back here, and will take effort to diplomatically resolve issues that would put Legionnaire forces against other Legionnaire forces."

They don't have far to go this time.

The Order of Paladins is a distinctive building on the Orders' Plaza, within site of the Green Arches Inn, which marks the point where the Harbor Plaza becomes the Orders' Plaza.  It's a fortified white stone building that looks like a small castle, with a Winged Sword emblem above the entrance.

You certainly get a friendly enough greeting.  There's no harsh "state your business" nor is there a bored "do you have an appointment?"  Instead you are ushered in by a young woman, perhaps in her elder teens, to a well furnished lounge area, where you are treated to tea while she summons elders.  It's a very pleasant floral look, all soft colors and silky fabrics... maybe its the sort of thing you might expect from Paladins, maybe not.

An old man arrives, white beard, bald head... though still quite healthy and firm looking.  No cane needed, though a teenaged boy, an attendant of some sort, is at his side.  The young woman is back as well.

"They have come beseeching our aid," she say to the elder.  "Tea, Master Orrifred?"

"Yes, please," he says before turning to the party.  He has a look of pride, as if he is quite pleased that the party is here.

"I am Orrifred the Light Seeker," he says.  "I am a trainer and mentor here.  Please tell, what has brought you to us?"

Along the way, Atraxus offers Alison and Qui-Ling a quarter of the coins he got each. "A bit of spending money should you need it," he explains, "courtesy of one of the bottles Daladain snatched on the airship."

Atraxus nods as Abadon explains what the pair learned during their shopping trip. "I think that's a fair summary. It's all a bit strange to me, though. I've always focused more on actions than association, but I suppose that is just another way this land is vexingly confusing."

Atraxus makes a note of the new order symbol at this group of paladin's headquarters. He also glances from the members' dress to Qui-Lin's, wondering if they had any similarities.

"I think we've perhaps come to help you, Light Seeker Orrifred," Atraxus says while bowing to the elderly man. "We've come from Deluzion Break on the Wizard Arcto's behalf to aid in the search of a missing paladin."

OOC:

110gp/4 should be 27gp 5sp, so each of us would get that from the sale of the bottle.

There are a few moments of bewilderment.  Orrifred the Light Seeker takes his tea and sits in a large armchair, thinking.

"Missing..." he muses.  "Arcto goes way back, but honestly he's been out of the game longer than I've been.  If this was twenty years ago he'd be the type I'd contact but these days... who would... I haven't sent any message about a missing paladin to him.  Who would..."

And then his face changes.

"Dimeste!  This is Jorian Dimeste!"

The young woman says quietly, "or his son Thaller.  Thaller is the one who came here.  Repeatedly.  And still does, nearly daily."

"This may call for stronger tea," Orrifred says.  "Jorian Dimeste, father of Thaller Dimeste, son of Thaller Dimeste the Elder, may his spirit be remembered fondly.  The elder Thaller was a paladin, and a fine one, when I was a young buck myself.  He was lost, sadly.  But to honor him, his son Jorian... Jorian could not follow him.  He had not the calling, nor the gifts.  But for his father, House Dimeste became a sort of sponsor for our order."

With a gesture, Orrifred indicates the high quality furniture all around the party.  And the silver tea service.

"And that gift he apparently passed on, at least to his son Thaller.  Thaller, like his father, is not made to be a Paladin, but he is very attached to us.  And he has a particular interest in Derne Goldfire.  Derne recently completed his noviceship, and has been very eager for a first task.  As you might surmise, finding things for a Paladin to do around here is not easy.  But apparently he found one, and set off on it... honestly, he never mentioned it to me, and as far as I know, not the other elders either... I don't know what it is.  But it's hardly unusual for a Paladin to find a sudden, urgent quest and vanish.  It's what we do.  But after two weeks, Thaller began coming by, and day by day, increasingly worried."

"Are you following so far?  Well, partly to humor Thaller we went to the Temple of Bahamut.. the one we generally use for these things.. and we asked for an Augury concerning whether we should take up a search for Derne.  And they said no, we should not.  We took that to mean he was in no danger, and Thaller, likely just panicking for no good reason."

Alison, having remained silent as she had noting important to say, now seemed to have something important. She spoke quietly but firmly, a practiced speaker getting the room's attention. "Arcto said that there were many such requests but that a Paladin missing was unusual enough to send some to investigate. Augury, yes this is a magic I am familiar with but one I do not use myself. It is notoriously dependent on the question asked, the wording actually of the question. In any event we are not you. Perhaps you were not meant to search for him because we are - meant to search I mean. We few here are beholden to no one and I at least am eager to find new things to do to keep my mind off old failures." She took a sip, "Lovely tea, by the way, is that cinnamon I taste?"

She continued, "This is what we came here for, and if you wish we will take this upon ourselves." She looked at her comrades for reassurance that they were willing to stay the course. "I mean if the group still wishes to do so."

“As Alison noted, that manner of spell is ambiguous, and the way the question was formed even more so.  Surely the senior of your Order are wise to this issue?  Is this simply a blind confidence in your people?  Ill comes to your folk, especially in facing down great evils.  If the issues are important enough for a paladin to self-dispatch, or broad enough that a call comes in directly, surely there is some manner of ensuring the evil has been dispatched or the trouble resolved?”

Abadon pursed his lips as the paladin leadership outlined a continued pattern of chaotic behaviour for such a bastion of order and control in a town reknowned for order and control.

”So it is an established practice to not notify the Order leadership about accepting any task or quest, or even in departing the city or not?  And there is no followup or monitoring of your fellowship working out in the city, and certainly nothing beyond the city walls.

“It would seem then we must track down where he was last seen.  It would seem appropriate to speak to:
-whomever was last on door duty the days immediately before he left, to see if they know who came in, what was requested, and in case Derne became involved.
-the more observant from outside, in the common area for these various Orders
-the quartermaster of your Order, to determine what, if any, resources he took with him, as that may provide information as to time away and needs anticipated.
-the gate guards and harbourmaster’s office, to check logs of travelers departing, to see if we can determine ship destination or direction of travel from the city, or if he presumably was working within the city walls.
-Thaller and Jorian Dimeste, as they seem the most knowledgeable and interested about Derne.
-any friends or family of Derne residing within the city.
-Derne’s residence – his room within chapter walls if you have, or his personal home without, if that is the custom.

“Is there some manner of marker used to show folk such as the authorities, or Thaller and Jorian Dimeste, to confirm that we are acting on behalf of the order to assist in response to the query about aid?”  The gnome listed a series of possible places to start looking – he spoke not with recrimination in his voice, but in a rational exploration of where to start on something that might be nothing, and was treated as both very concerning and very unconcerning.

"I am no investigator, but I am still dedicated to this," Qui-Lin said quietly.  "And I do know the ins and outs of how cities work.  Perhaps I can find out more in the streets than I did meditating on my navel in my room. Or, alternately, assist those who are more skilled at investigation.  In either case, some letter or mark would be an aid, so we don't waste time persuading each and every interview that we're really the good guys."

"It is not that we don't care to," Orrifred says.  "It is that... it is 2800 miles from the Ice River to Cape Fortune.  We get a handful of novices each year.  We are far and thinly spread.  Paladins often send in reports and journals of their deeds, so that others might learn from them, but the truth is we are far flung and thinly spread, and each responsible for their own deeds.  We never had a requirement for Paladins to report, ask permission... we always worked on the idea that if you teach someone to do what is right, and cultivate an honest desire to help people, there is no need to give orders.  It would take too long, in any case."

He looks around, and upwards, and takes a sip of tea.

"Although in this case... it's not unusual for a Paladin, once past the novice stage, to stay here for a while, until he or she has a pretty good idea of where to go.  That was what Derne was doing."

He looks to the young woman.  "Mae, you have a better knowledge than I of the social lives of young Paladins.  Can you shed some light?"

The young woman nods, and speaks.  "Thaller did not want Derne to leave.  But staying here can be stifling to a Paladin.  There is so little to actually do.  Derne wanted something to do close to home, so he could have his quest, sort things out in his head, but not actually leave.  He exchanged correspondence with someone in Veritas. Twice I gave him letters that had come from Veritas. Maybe he found something to do there."

Now, even Orrifred looks curious.  "What could possibly be an issue in Veritas?  They say the water is so infused with good it is practically holy.  Gold Dragons guard the hills."

"Well there have been Goblins," Mae says.

"Yes, that's true.  No doubt, creatures of evil drawn to light just because where there is light, the are filled with desire to destroy it.  Nihilistic vermin.  But then, if it was something like that, and it was more than the defenders of Veritas could handle, would they not have sent word to all of us?  It seems odd to me that they call upon one novice Paladin."

"Perhaps Derne has relatives there?  Or maybe Thaller does?"  Mae asks.

"Derne is from Pomera and never mentioned local family.  It is possible the Dimestes are connected up with this strangeness.  Mae, it is strange, now.  I still believe that it is most likely nothing more than a Paladin's friend being excessively worried.  Nonetheless, it is unseemly that a wizard in another land be called upon and yet we do nothing.  You must accompany Arcto's adventurers and learn what can be learned.  If only for our peace of mind."

"Then it seems we are to:
-Deane's quarters here regarding any clues left,
-the quartermaster here regarding any supplies requisitioned,
-then to Thaller and his kin to determine what they know of the request and quest,
-then to the gate guards and harbourmaster regarding traveller logs if Deane left the city, to determine his destination/direction.
-and Vertias, to speak with someone -whom?- there about possible correspondence questing.  I'm hoping that Deane would have left such missives in his quarters, but then the question also remains why he wouldn't have alerted the order here about such a task."

Abadon looked about to the others for confirmation on a plan, or clarification/modification of it to other suggestions, but submitting something decisive for immediate action, rather than silence or wandering thoughts.

Alison nodded, "An excellent plan Crystalfist." She stressed the correct pronunciation of his last name. She seemed to be offering an olive branch.

Derne's quarters are the closest, and although there is a little reluctance on the part of Orrifred, it does seem like the party is motivated by good- they've sought no reward from this- and they have dropped a key name, Arcto, and if Arcto was brought into this by Thaller Dimeste...

"It might ease the Dimeste household if you saw what you need to see," Orrifred says.  "But for now I must draw the line at reading his personal mail.  Maybe if we were certain he was in danger... but I cannot violate the privacy of a young Paladin based on what we've heard today.  Mae... accompany them, show them around.  You will be the one assigned to this."

The young woman nods.

"Derne has a room upstairs," she says.  "That's where Paladins stay when they're here.  Not with the novices anymore."

Upstairs means up several flights of stairs.  The "lodging" floor features small rooms, with minimalist furnishings.  Not so minimalist that one would think "monk" but close.  The Paladins don't want to appear to be lavish spenders.

Derne's room has a chest, a desk, a bed, and a large armoire.  There are papers on the desk, some bundled together with twine. The desk also has a large candle holder. The curtains are a touch of elegance, not simple like most other things.

There's also a large silver pitcher on the desk. It features an intricate Dragon design- Dragons appear in rings around the pitcher.

"I wouldn't say that is an official Paladin's Order Pitcher," Mae says, "But the dragon is a common symbol for us.  The Good Dragons are associated with our history.  Derne wouldn't have bought that, that looks very expensive."

The gnome gestured for the others to help search, and he set to his work as well, trying to find any clues of the missing paladin's departure.  Beneath the bed, pillows and blankets checked, testing the straw of the mattress... were there any secret or hidden compartments, anything over here or there, anything in or behind the chest or desk or armoire?  Hmm....
Abadon puttered here and there, asking the taller folk for assistance in checking the high locations, or in helping lift and hold other things. He lifted the notes to check beneath, them, then set them back.  He lifted the vase, looking inside and out, and marking down any details of interest.

"Clearly a strong tie with money, as was noted below.  Hmm.  Let us see if I have anything in my pack that will help.  Oh, please excuse my privacy," he apologized without apologizing.  On cue, a large, and clearly magical crate appeared around him, hiding him from sight by the desk; the wooden crate appeared stamped in red with 'PLEASE DO NOT DISTURB.'  The gnome's pack appeared briefly through the box, still in hand, then disappeared back into the privacy box.  "Good quality pack this, but no privacy flaps or screens when or for looking inside.  Should be standard, in my opinion.  Hmm.  Ah!  Here you are."

He emerged with a small magnifying glass, and continued his search.

~
A few moments later, he politely inquired, "Might I make use of your privvy room, the guest washroom for a few moments while you continue here?  I really don't recall the last time I cleared myself - feels positively like weeks."  Presuming the directions and permission were provided, off he trundled, returning in a few minutes.

---

OOC:
08:45, Today: Abadon Crystalfist rolled 10 using 1d20+3.  Investigation .
08:45, Today: Abadon Crystalfist rolled 15 using 1d20+3.  if advantage.
search10, or search 15 if anyone helps with advantage.

08:45, Today: Secret Roll: Abadon Crystalfist rolled 16 using 1d20+4.  Insight.
Does Abadon have impression that Mae is as she presents, or does he think she knows more?

"Gnomes can be so.. interesting," Mae says as Abadon goes about his business.  "Have you traveled with him long?" she asks Alison in particular.  "And how is it you are bound up in this search for Derne?"

The gnome returned in short order, thanking everyone for their courtesy, and checking the status of what had been discovered in his absence.

"It doesn't seem like much in the way here, but perhaps ... can you lift the bed?  No, it's okay, don't worry about it.  I'll put away my looking glass, and then we can go visit the patrons - certainly that pitcher suggests there is definitely a strong tie as we believed."  The gnome raised his privacy box, then dropped it again moments later, and he closed the claspe on the upper part of his backsack before returning it to his shoulder.

"Do you know where we might find them this time of day, Mae?  I expect they are likely enough to have some background information, if not the exact travel paths.  Something tells me that Veritas seems the best fit, from what you've said.  Close enough to be around home, but something happening with the area, indeed."

Abadon looked at the stack of letters on the desk, taking care to not touch them.  "We can try to speak to the person or persons that sent these, if we can take a calculated consideration that they were at least in part from out there.

"So... to the Thaller family?"

~When there was a moment when Mae was not around, Abadon quietly notified the rest of the party about what he had discovered.  "Very minimal findings in the room, as we anticipated.  Mae seems on the level, and certainly views herself as a helper, less a planted observer.  Too much trickery I've seen, so good to check that out first.

"I suspect we are going to find that Derne left for the Veritas region, seeking  a holy place in the hills that he and a Bors Cordwind of Veritas believe to be drawing the evil by being so pure the evil feels callled to destroy it.  So if we cannot find it, we can try following the goblin parties searching for it - or the dragons that apparently know where it is, but don't talk about its location - so finding the goblins seems a more likely route to find the paladin.  Just a hunch."

Alison did not accompany the investigation team. She stayed and chatted, "It seems interminable, but really only a few days. I find Gnomes in general lack discipline, but Abadon seems to have that. So long as he stays focused."

Atraxus lets the more investigative and talkative members take the lead. He nods politely as he looks about, and listens as Abadon reveals the fruits of his investigation.

"Tracking goblins," he says with a grin, "that is something I might be able to help with."

The Half-Orc looks over at Mae. "Will you be accompanying us? I'm not familiar with what the Light Seeker meant when he said you were 'assigned' to this."

Mae has been "assigned" to this issue by Orrifred.  She has to stick it through, after all, how would it look if word got out that the Order of Paladins did not aid someone in search of a missing Paladin?

So she sticks with Abadon and Atraxus, who have a plan.

Mae also proves a useful guide in locating Thaller Dimeste... currently at the Dimeste store, among the finer shops of Fidelis.

Thaller is a young man, maybe late 20's.  Not out of shape, but by his complexion and appearance, certainly not used to any hard labor.  Well dressed, wearing jewelry- the sort of man whose either says "easy mark for thieves" or "knows that he looks like an easy mark for thieves, and takes precautions."

He instantly recognizes Mae.  They know each other.  (In fact, along the way, Mae explains that Thaller is a sort of Paladin Groupie.  He's their fan and supporter, he knows ALL of them.  If Paladins appeared on merchandise, he'd have a collection- mint condition.)

Thaller gives Mae a happy welcome hug at the store, even before she has a chance to introduce the others.

"Thaller, these are... mmmpphhhmmmf" Mae says.  "Abadon Crystalfist and Atraxus Wildheart, who have come from Artco..."

"From Arcto!" Thaller says exhuberantly.  "You see, he hasn't forgotten!"

Very soon, Thaller is explaining his side of things.  His very good friend Derne truly wanted something to prove himself, now that he was no longer a novice, but Thaller had expressed regret that it would likely take him far from Fidelis... even though that was perfectly normal.    Derne got the idea from a few other that the water in Veritas Lake had some of the properties of Holy Water.  Thaller gave him a silver pitcher to collect some...

"It wouldn't be fitting to carry all that Holy Water around in an ordinary jug, you see!  I mean, it might insult whatever Power consecrated it!"

He made a trip there, and brought back water- Thaller still had some.  They found that it did have "Holy Water Properties", but weak.  Together, they theorized that this must be caused by some lost temple, artifact, ancient spell or something affecting the lake...

"Because how could a lake itself be holy?  No one's ever reported anything odd from the lake!"

Thaller says that Derne mentioned this to the elders... and was a little put off when they were weren't so interested.  At that, Mae seems surprised.

"Given its rarity, an artifact creating Holy Water ought to be something they are very interested in," she says.

Thaller shakes his head.  "I know, I know, it sounds strange.  I think it made Derne determined to find out.  My theory is that they acted unconcerned, because letting Derne do this would fill his need to do something big and important.  Or something like that.  There is no way Thaller wouldn't tell them of this, and no way they wouldn't care!"

Mae seems puzzled.  "Then why would Orrifred seem so indifferent?  Surely Derne went to Veritas, and surely Orrifred knew?"

"Surely they all know," Thaller says.  "That is why I sent the letter to Arcto."
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:49, Thu 21 Jan 2021.

Abadon rubbed the bridge of his nose and sighed silently, as only a deep gnome could.

"The best case scenario is that the head of the paladin order is concealing a venture of a missing paladin, and that sends one of his flock out to monitor without alerting of the danger.  And pretending he knows nothing about efforts to recover a lost holy relic, and frustrating the efforts to find both.

"That is not much of a best case.

"Worse, the possibility that the paladin order here is at odds with the purer order in Veritas.

"Worse, that the head of the holy order here is actively trying to prevent locating a valuable holy relic, and obstructing efforts thereto, and willing to hide efforts, and tarnish the reputation for no gain.  Which then suggests significant corruption.  Even if he felt the holy item or place needed to remain hidden, the way in which this has been arranged and drawn out, that is a storm being blown of all wrong winds.

"Or even worse, that evil is puppeting the head of holy orders here, and doing everything to have concerted defence forces away from being able to act.

"Either way - the answers are at the relic.  The lakewater doesn't generally have the characteristic, which suggests either something at the bottom, or more helpfully, a cave or tributary.  With the holy and evil presences in the area, anything less than the bottom of the lake or a hidden vale seems unlikely.  But, findable, if Derne found it."

Alison followed along keeping her teeth together.

"We should go to Veritas, then and find Derne!" Thaller says bravely.

"We?" Mae asks.

"Was it not I who summoned help from Arcto and started this?  It is only right that I should help finish," Thaller explains.  "And we can take the family coach.  It's quite nice.  Though heaven help me if something should happen to it.  We can be there in... ah.."

"Two days," Mae says.  "Veritas is two days from Fidelis.  Our western frontier."

"Delightfully rustic," Thaller says.  "No one ever has an unkind word for Veritas."

"Except the creatures of darkness, angered by the very existence of such an enlightened place.  Paladins have found work to do in Veritas before."  Mae says.

"Well have there been any recent calls for assistance?" Thaller asks.

"No," Mae replies after a hesitant moment.

"Then I should have nothing to fear," Thaller says.

"If Derne did not have special equipment, as I take from your words, then it would seem we should take advantage of the transportation and depart.  Extra food and especially extra water strapped aboard, or in a following wagon, or both for safety.

"Do we need special containers for the holy water, should we find it?  One might expect that it will be needed if it can be found."  The gnome nodded simply, and gestured his readiness to depart.

"Supplies would be wise," Atraxus replies. "I can usually fend for myself and forage enough for others, but this land is...odd. I wouldn't want to make promises I cannot keep."

"Veritas is frontier but still civilized," Thaller says.  "There's a fine inn on the lake, we'll stay there... I am no hero, but I can pay, that will be my heroic deed!  Thaller DiMeste, who fed his heroes and kept them in finery, against all odds!"

"Odds?" Mae asks.

"I'm being dramatic," Thaller says.  "Let me have my moment.  I'll get us some things here... and containers for Holy Water I suppose, we should have a few, even though getting the Holy Water isn't the main goal, finding Derne is.  Although if you could bring the pitcher I gave him... that's the sort of thing Holy Water likes."

As Mae is able to explain later, Holy Water appears to have an attitude, compared to ordinary water.  Not that it ever says anything.  But it seems to insist on being kept in a special container, one suitable for the carrying of holy water.  On the other hand, exactly what this container has to be seems very flexible.  It doesn't have to be magic, just... well, special.  Nice.  Presentable.  There isn't that much theory as to why this is so.  For most Paladins and Clerics, ie, those who normally create the stuff, the beginning and end of the story is "Well of course it needs a special container, it's HOLY."  For most wizards and others who ask a lot of questions about the world, it's Divine Stuff, so asking questions is of no use- gods have their divine ways and the rules of Holy don't have to make sense.

But on the third hand, some speculate that it's not really the container that matters, it's the symbolism of the container in the mind of the person who puts the holy water there.  One does not merely empty an old pottery jug and fill it up.  One must have the right amount of respect for what one is doing.  This would explain why "suitable container" will vary with person and circumstance.  For goodly and pious person who lives under a vow of poverty, almost anything will do.  But for the Royal Chaplain of a wealthy monarch, anything less than an artfully done container made of precious metals would just be an insult to the whole concept, and the Holy Water will lose its powers.

Thaller knows his part in this:  he rounds up supplies, a few containers, food, even some newly bought bedrolls "in case we must sleep in the field, as I fear might occur" and some extra arrows for Atraxus.  Everyone is here on his request, even Mae, indirectly, so the least he can do is supply the party.

When all is ready, they pick up the other party members, Alison and Qui-Lin Xiang, and they are on their way to Veritas.

Atraxus and Abadon, who have done the heavy lifting to get things underway, are each awarded an Inspiration.  An Inspiration can be used to Gain Advantage on a future roll.

Once out into the countryside, they have a very comfortable ride in a deluxe coach, although... it's clear that this thing was meant for roads, or at least trails, and if they must continue past Veritas, where the road ends, they might have to leave it behind.

The countryside of Fidelis has an interesting look about it.  It gives the impression that it wanted to be settled. Farmland is flat but pitched just enough for good drainage.  There aren't any rock walls at the field limits because the fields were all conveniently short of rocks to be removed.  The trees grow without bends or knots that would cause wood to be wasted when they are cut up for lumber.  The road doesn't seem to have had to avoid natural obstacles, and looks like it took a minimum amount of effort- the ground was just fine the way it was for road building.

For a while, the road parallels the shore- off to your left, in the distance, is the ocean, and here and there you see stretches of wide, sandy beach.

Alison nodded at the horses. "I'd be more comfortable driving a cart, but you know what they say, 'When in Fidelas, do as the Fidalians do.' They do say that you know."

They journey to Veritas, which they find in another thread.