Kisaiya puts her feet together and manages a very formal bow.  "On behalf of my Lady of Beauty, I bid you good will and thanks for your welcome of us to this, your temple."

She smiles.  "Dear Lady Trickfoot, I bid you welcome.  I am Priestess Kisaiya Loranain, servant of Shelyn, The Eternal Rose.  And may I say what a wonderful place you have for worship.  I do hope you can assist us."

Brokk gives the Gnome a wave and puts his hands back in his pocket.  "I'm Brokk here with Isaac.  And don't worry, I won't touch nuthin'!"

Bucko finds himself staring at nothing but the ladies feet, trying to figure out which one is fake or misleading or maybe she trips people with...

"Which foot cans be trusted?"

The gnome gives the goblin a odd look as she can't figure out why Bucko is staring at her feet. She shakes her head "Disease? Nothing out of the ordinary. Why do you ask? Is something wrong?" She seems concerned.

Xander pulls out a picture and holds it out to Pike "Have you seen this person around?" Right to the point.

Pike leans forwards "Nope, can't say I have. Isaac? You seem to be well unarmored."

"Rust bugs eats thems....."

Bucko busrts out with a bit of a snort a bit on the loud side....

He slaps both hands over his mouth looking around remembering how most places like it quiet...

With a sigh, he answers her "We encountered a few rust monsters in the streets recently and they decided to munch on my plate. The creatures were not terribly difficult to dispatch, and it turns out they were not natural creatures but constructs able to mimic the special chemicals that destroy metals. While it's not my priority, if the Goddess or the Temple sees fit to provide me with something suitable, I'd be thankful."
" Other than that, there was a rumour of a plague of sorts spreading through the lower quarters. I'd have expected our Temple would be up to our elbows in curing such a thing so that is the main reason we came here. If you've not heard anything, then I'm not sure where the rumour originated."

"These creatures came of the earth, but were summoned.  Someone wants to spread their disease.  Some are rust monsters, attacking those in armor.  Some may carry disease.  But they are not a growth, they are summoned.  Some evil spirit wants them to attack the people, to cause fear and death.  And we need to stop them."

The young woman looked at the Priestess, then at Issac.  "I know I sound crazy, but this is not a fluke.  Someone, something, wants to kill.  And we need to stop it."

Brokk continues to keep his hands in his pockets as the other converse.  "Somethings really wrong around here.  Not right here but, here in the city.  This is the second time me and Bucko have been attacked by these machines and my bosses store was also attacked.  He's not happy about it either."

The gnome listens to all the tales and seems rather surprised "Rust monsters? Here? If you didn't see them I would say it never happened. I will see if I can find out more of this plague and constructs but it may take time." Pike crosses her chest and seems somewhat worried "Anyone injured? And for the armor let me see. We may have some." She moves out of the room and after a few moments she walks back in carrying what looks like a breastplate "I bet this will help! Here try it on." She holds it out to the paladin "Is it possible some constructs went awry? Or not likely? I know the ones who use them keep them in tip top condition but having them attack without warning, that is indeed troublesome."

The mage goes to say something when Brokk mentioned himself and the goblin got attacked but he stops. And the cleric picks up on it "You weren't the only people that got attacked, Brokk. I'm standing right here and I don't like to be ignored."

Pike blinks at the mages 'retaliation' and she walks up to him and goes to put her hand on his shoulder "Relax. I can see if anyone has seen your friend. It is the least I can do. And if you feel the plague is real, the people here can do something about it."

Taking a deep breath, the mage sighs and sits down nodding his head to Pike.

Rubbing her chin, she looks at each of them "Wait how can they be summoned from the earth all the way up here? They are constructs so they must be made I think. Sorry I know little of constructs. And maybe none has reached the temple with the plague. And is your boss in trouble? Or safe for now? Goodness." She seems young for a gnome but wants to help.

Xander draws up something and holds it out to Pike. She looks at it "Marked with a R? That seems odd." Pike retreats back and leans on the alter "Well where do you work? I can go there and check it out and I can send word to the others here what to look for. If something is endangering this city, we should find out. Oh! Servant of Shelyn? Maybe  her temple can help out. More the merrier. And I am sure my friends can help out."

Xander looks at the picture of his friend and tucks it away as well as the picture of the 'R'. He looks at Bucko and motions for the goblin to sit with him above the ground. He looks at Pike "I'd appreciate it and all you are doing." Obviously something is bothering him and when something bothers a elf its not good.

In reply to Gamemaster (msg # 17):
A look of anger washes across Brokk's face at the comment about forgetting Xander.  He goes to snap at him, his finger pointed at the mage.  He stops, takes a step back taking a breath.  "Look, I didn't mean to exclude you.  Nothing personal man.  You've been trying to help us and I forgot.  Sorry."

Bucko Joins Xander on the float....

"Xander put Bucko up out reach o rust bugs, an they got blasted tah tha smithereenees"

Isaac immediately dons the armour, sighing as he once again is encased in his metal. "Much obliged Pike. A bit lighter but that should help if I meet some more of these creations. If you do intend to check out any location other than a temple, allow us to accompany you. We may bring unwanted attention upon you."

"So as noted, who could be doing this?  There must be someone doing it, and I think walking the streets is the best idea.  We certainly won't find them lurking here, will we?" She waits.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:51, Tue 07 Feb 2023.

Bucko scratches his head as he thinks and thinks and thinks....

"Bucko not thinks he knows anyone who does this, Bucko knows lots of people who fish and buy fish, but no one Bucko think of is good suspects."

"No need to worry about me, Isaac. I will be fine alright? Stay as long as you wish." Pike smiles and pets the warrior's arm "I will see what information I can gather up. If they are looking for you is it not wise for me to travel alone?"

The mage is trying to figure out what the 'float' is. He's sitting on a pew. Even for the mage, trying to know what Bucko is saying is rather hard. He sighs. The elf watches the goblin for a moment "Yes I made you float really high. And Brokk? Trying to help you?" He shakes his head, gripping the picture and then putting it into his cloak "I agree with Kisaiya."

"Nah, kissya's right.  We won't find anyone here," Brokk says in agreement.

Bucko takes the pause in the conversation to mean it is time for something to happen, he first thinks time to leave and then thinks of food.....
"Time to leave?  Do they has foods here?"

Nodding to Pike, Isaac says "Very well, we'll proceed with Kisaiya's idea, for lack of anything better. Thanks again for the aid, my friend!"

"So you are going to leave and see where it brings you? I'm not a detective but I'd saY check out the slums. No one here has heard of the plaque but doesn't mean it isn't there. As for the constructs could check out the junkyard. Oh and there's several places that sell parts for them. I'll talk to your boss, Brokk soon. And Isaac? You came here asking for armor and then you want to immediatly leave? This isn't a armory." Pike crosses her arms and stares up at the man trying to look tough. But she ends up smiling.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:08, Mon 06 Mar 2023.

Kisaiya watched the interplay, and while enjoying the support, it made her think.

"You know, she is right, in many ways.  As in staying here is not going to solve our difficulties, then running around the city willy-nilly will not help us either.  Yes, the slums are a great place to do nastiness and hide it.  And our Priestess is correct, you cannot build automatons from dirt, you must have materials.  And I add a third idea, where you must find those who know how to do this, and I suspect wizardry.  Is there a guild here?  Or a place where they do things together?  All of this speaks of wizardry. alchemy, mechanical manipulation, and a hint of necromancy.  Make a map, go place to place, eliminate what does not work."

She winked at Sir Isaac.  "And no man or woman leaves a temple without some form of thanks for gifts.  Am I not right?"

In reply to Pike Trickfoot (msg # 27):

"It can't helped, Pike," He says sadly, "People are being hurt from both the constructs and this plague. I can't sit still to chat while there are lives in danger. Once I've settle some of these things, I'll be back and we'll have time to relax." To Kisaiya he adds, "We have to focus on a single task at a time. Too many distractions and we'll be weakened and lose all of them. I've say slums for our first goal, and try to resolve their illness or whatever it is, since they are hurting more immediately."
This message was last updated by the player at 16:27, Wed 15 Feb 2023.

Kisaiya nodded.  "Good thinnking, Isaac.  I too would want to help those most effected first.  So, we should get started."

She gave a bow.  "Thank you, Priestess Pike.  Your blessed assistance is appreciated."

With that, she secured her glaive and adjusted her armor to show herself at her best so they could leave.

Brokk nods, "Isaac is a smart guy.  I'm with you."

Brokk reaches into his pouch belt and looks for a donation plate and drops (4) GP into it

Bucko munches on a bit of hard crusty biscuit of some sort as the others brandish many many  words....He looks back and forth as  they speak in turn, as he understands it they are trying to figure out what the right thing is to do.

Bucko holds up two fingers....
"Bucko say all we need to knows it what now and what next."

"Apparently I mentioned it yet Isaac gets the credit. Shall we all bow to the mighty paladin for telling you where you should go? Is this how it works? Someone gets the credit when someone else has the idea leaving the person behind. I don't think that's how leadership works." Oh Pike is mad. She crosses her arms, staring at the group "And I do not know how constructs are formed. But most I have seen were metal. There's wizards guild throughout the city but finding the right one if they are even behind it could be hard." She taps her chin "You may have to take out several things at once, Isaac. Because when a task is done, the others will be pushing ahead." For a young cleric, she is pretty intelligence.

Xander stares at the group, look like he's studying it which is odd. He stands up, bows to Pike and glances at the others "Well there are several wizard guilds but they keep it a secret on what they focus on if anything at all. It would take time even if it is possible. It liks like what humans call it 'Men time? Or rather woman time?' I could be wrong but most of what occurs remains with people involved." He takes a deep breath.