By the time you reach the temple morning is just catching up with you. The sun clearly shows through the buildings walking to the temple itself. The streets are bustling with a number of people who are making their way around town. You can see from what Orin mentioned to be true. The town itself is a huge melting pot.

You notice their are several people passing the template but as you arrive so is another person at about the same time strangely enough.

When you reach the temple the gates are close and a monk stands behind them. He looks at you and smiles, "What brings you to the temple traveler?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:35, Fri 01 Sept 2023.

“I’m looking for answers, friar, and I guess a priest may know more than myself about what I’m searching” Lirian answered, trying to be as respectful as she could. She was not a too pious person, but she respected them.

“Is there any priest of friar I could ask to? Do you have theological schoolars in this temple?”

"Oh why yes! Ezekiel is our head around here. Although he doesn't see visitors that often. Seems more travelers are showing up by the day it seems. So very odd."

The little monk goes over to the gate and rings a bell that is close by but hidden in some shrubs. He then walks back over to the gate and smiles.

As the monk begins to open the gates, a large, thickly built figure of a man approaches.  He keeps a polite distance between himself and the young woman at the gate.  Other than his size, his appearance is a bit odd. His eyes and facial structure clearly mark him as someone not from around here and he is wearing heavy clothing with hide armor and cap.  On his waist he carries a mean, barbed mace and has a small shield over his shoulder.



"I am new to the area and I seek knowledge as well as a temporary place to stay," he spoke but with an undefinable accent.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:04, Fri 01 Sept 2023.

Lirian was confused.

There was no invitation to follow the monk, and he has said this one Ezekiel didn’t use to receive visits… So she waited at the door for an invitation, assuming the monk has gone to ask.

The monk smiles a Lirian before saying, "Oh another guest?".

The monk looked at the man with some confusion on the accent, "This is no tavern but you are welcome to talk to Ezekiel. He sometimes takes in the lost."

A young man not far behind comes running up to the monk at the gate. The man whispers something in his ear and then he smiles again.

"You may enter. Please do not unsheathe any weapons."

As you cross the threshold of the gate you feel a force. It's not strong but more like a pressure, you get the feeling that if you were unwelcome you would be denied entry by some force.

As you walk through the courtyards of the temple the monk says very little taking you to a back area not within the temple itself but out back still connected to the temple. Inside you spot a man sitting in the middle of the circle praying to a giant statue that reaches the roof of the temple.

A rakashan looks up at you, his beautiful white fur gives you a sense of awe as he stands and walks towards the edge of the circle. His robe is white with accents of some symbol on it.

"Welcome. I apologize for my monks. They tend to cautious of visitors of the temple who are not here for prayer. Tell me what brings you here Lirian and Daremo?"

Hearing the monk saying to be welcome to talk with Ezekiel, Lirian followed the monk. The force of the Temple was overwhelming, but it did not seem hostile. She felt strange feelings there.

Then she saw Ezekiel talking to them. “A Rakashan?”she thought, surprised by the fact. “And he seems to know my name. He must be imbued with holy power… How should I address to him? He seems too much to just call him “Priest”, but I’m not sure something as “your Holiness” would be appropriate…” she decided for something in between, hoping not to offend him.

“No need to apologize, Honorable, and first of all forgive me the daring to disturb you. I guess I’m not the first one to ask similar questions, but this infection the rats transmit don’t seem natural, and I was wondering if hellish powers may be involved. I don’t know a dime about hellish powers, and you seemed to me the best to ask.” she finally said. “And forgive me too for being so direct in my question, but I guess you have other duties, and I don’t want to waste your precious time… ”

Upon seeing the individual he was led to, Daremo's eyes widened a little.

He bowed respectfully before speaking.  "I am new to this land and have very little knowledge of its practices, laws, and customs.  My patron sent me forth to learn the ways of the world and to protect the sanctity of nature.  I was hoping you'd be able to grant me insight on a number of matters pertaining to the above.  Part of me longs for the wilderness...but I know I must have knowledge of this land before I can proceed."

He bowed again as he finished speaking.

The white cat looks at both of the guest, "You may call me Ezekiel.".

The Rakashan turns his back towards the visitors and then says, "Please step into the circle."

He puts his hands behind his back as if he is patiently waiting for you to enter before continuing on.

Accepting the invitation, Lirian steps into de circle, and then, as a show of respect, she kneels, siting on her talons (Japanese style), let the staff resting horizontal on her lap and looks to the Rakashan.

“Thank you, Master Ezequiel” she said with respectful low voice, reluctant to call this holy figure just Ezekiel, or to disturb the peace of the temple with a loud voice. “Can you help us? Many people are suffering, and while I’m not sure I can do more than the guards and city authorities are trying, I feel I must try”
This message was last edited by the player at 14:22, Wed 06 Sept 2023.

Daremo watched and listened as the lady moved first into the circle.  He would be polite...even if she acted as if she were alone.

After she knelt, he bowed to Ezekiel, stepped lightly into the circle, and said, "Your wisdom, and help, is appreciated."

As you both enter there is a strange wave of energy that moves through your bodies. It's similar to the gate but this time far more powerful. Ezekiel looks at you both with a smile. You have the strange feeling that if you weren't someone who should enter the circle something bad would have happen to you but you are unsure of what.

"Excellent. Let us begin with the questioning. I had a man come here asking the same thing and I will give him probably the same answers but you may have different questions. You both are the chosen, if you realize it or not. This plague is unnatural by any means and much stronger than I have seen in recent time. Still ask your questions."

The man starts walking towards the statue of a giant god that is in the back of the temple that only gets light from the tiniest sunlight up above.

As a show of respect, Lirian avoided looking Ezekiel to the eyes, just keeping her look a little down of them. She was surprised by his words, and she kept with the low voice, not to disturb the peace of the temple.

“The chosen? ” she asked. “I cannot talk for others, but I’m just a humble street musician, not a heroine. What can I do that the Guards cannot? They’re more, better armed and organized and know about the city…”

Then she decided to turn to the true questions she had come to seek answer.

“You say it’s not natural, and a physician that examined one of the rats agrees. Is then a supernatural plague? Infernal powers? The work of a great sorcerer?

Do you know if the presence of Infernals in the city is related to it? I understand they appeared more or less at the same time, but I wouldn’t dare to accuse anyone without proof… It could be coincidental, or someone following them, or even they could come to help with it, somehow knowing it was starting, for what I know to now.”

Ezekiel walks around Lirian with a smile on his face. His white mane clearly flows freely as he walks.
"This is what confuses me about you and your unknown companions. I can see you and I know you but I can't see why you are here. I just know you are marked, something that only the wise can identify with the right sight.", he says.

"The Internals are part of this plague but once again I am unsure how. It is certainly not a natural plague by any means could be magical but whatever it is, it's very powerful. Here let me show you."

Ezekiel taps Lirian on the forehead with his claw gently.

Instantly you are whisked away to somewhere very unknown but very familiar all at the same time. Your body feels light almost see through as you stand in the middle of a burning city. The streets are filled with bodies and there are a large number of giant rats running around your feet followed by large amount of smaller ones. They ignore you and bypass you completely heading towards the castle itself. You look up and notice the sun being blocked out casting shadow everywhere. The hairs on the back of your neck stand up and you know something is behind you, big. When you turn around their is a hulking figure that towers above you but the figure is black and only it's red pupils can be seen. The creature lifts its giant hands above it's head and smashes down as if to crush you and then you are backed.

"Chosen.", he says, "You saw what happens if you don't stop this I am guessing by your breathing. Something terrible. Something very bad."

“Marked? What do you mean?” Lirian started to ask, but Ezekiel put his hand on her before she could keep asking.

Then she saw the vision as Ezekiel touched her forehead.  She was confused again. She was scared seeing it, while comforted by the somehow still felt power of the temple. Nonetheless. The sight of this wanton destruction, the city on flames and the many death nearly made her cry.

“But how can I fight this?” she implored, some timid tears on her eyes. “That’s very powerful magic, if so it is, and I only know a little about the magic of the songs. I can by no means defeat it.

And how can I fight the Infernals, if they are behind? Neither I am a powerful fighter… I don’t even know the city to guess where to start looking for…”



“I can guess it…” she answered. “And I guess the answer is where the Infernals are, not where the rats… But how can I defeat infernls, if they are so powerful in magic. Can you, Master Ezekiel give me at least a hint on it?”

Ezekiel put his hand on his furry chin. "Alas, I can not see past this moment. Everything goes dark and blurry. But I know there is strength in numbers. Do not stray from this concept. To separate is a means for the enemy to pick you off one by one. The enemy already knows your name and is already hunting you. I do not have the answers you seek but gather and together you shall break this plague of it's hold on this city and possibly even that of our world."

He walks up to Lirian with his hands held out closed. "Fear not my child. There are roles you have yet to play and while you may assume you are but a small piece to the puzzle I will tell you, you are not. Search for knowledge everywhere you can seek and bring this together to make a complete picture."

He turns to Daremo in the same tone, "Your fellow traveler shares the same bond you do. He thinks he is here to learning but what he is really here for, is to save his homeland. If this plague should get out there's a good chance his homeland would fall to the plague and raze most of his lands."

The man walks away from both you, "Sadly, none of this is for me to decide and my role here is to simply point you in the right direction. You will make your own choices of both good and bad."

“But do you know about anything that could work? Holy water or some other holy item, maybe, if they are hellish?” Lirian asked

“Not to fight the rats, I mean, I guess they are not themselves unholy, I guess, but maybe it could avoid the infection? Or at least delay it? I’ve never fought hellish creatures or magic…”

Then the full weight of Ezekiel’s words fell upon her. “They know who I am? And probably the others?”

“So you say I’m in danger now? And the ones who went to the library? And how can I recognize others who are also so marked and chosen?”

He looks at Lirian with a smile, "You can't see the markings and yes, they are coming for you all. Your strength is in numbers rather than trying to solve this puzzle alone. Sadly, the remedies I have do nothing for the disease nor the Infernals, but they are simply a race of people. They have devils blood in them. Do not allow prejudice to blind you. The question is why so many have showed up recently? This even I do not know. They may yet to play a part in this."

“Well, one of them seemed to warn people about the rats…” Lirian said. “I’m now not sure if he tried to warn people or to make them afraid, but things become a mess for reasons unrelated to him…” she remembered the Infernal  Jester incident the day before.

“Thanks for all your advice and guidance, Master Ezequiel. I have much to think about… I guess now I better go find the others, to join forces, as you advised. May I have your blessing before leaving?”

Ezekiel looks at her with a big smile, "Why of course child."

He takes his hand and places it upon your shoulder and as soon as he does you a ripped from your spot and appear back at the gates. For a second you question, was it all a dream?

The monk at the gate says, "Greetings travelers. What brings you to our temple?"

Your not sure but you know it wasn't a dream. Still you feel oddly like you were teleported through time and space to where you are now.

Next to you is the quiet man who during the conversation listened to Ezekiel but made very little waves.

Lirian was even more confused as Ezekiel’s words sank deep on her brain. One thing was for sure though, she shouldn’t remain there, nor go to the promenade, at least not now, without Hunter and Quentin. Ezekiel had insisted in keep all together to gather strength in numbers.

“Nothing thanks” she answered to the monk in the door. Then she looked at the stranger at her side. Another marked chosen, according Ezekiel…

“MY apologies, I don’t remember you name. I’m Lirina” she turned to him. “According Ezekiel we’re on the same ship, and I suggest to go to the Library. Some other investigators are now there, or so I hope, and he insisted in not dispersing our strength…”

Then she turned to the monk. “Would you be kind enough as to tell us how to reach the Library, the fastest way, please?”
This message was last edited by the player at 18:35, Thu 07 Sept 2023.

The monk smiled at Lirian. "Sure. Let me guide you.", the monk shows you with decent instruction where the library is by cutting through some back roads. He mentions that you must make haste.

Lirian thanked the monk and urged Daremo to follow her, heading for the Library along the monk’s indications, while keeping an eye to see if someone trailed them. She kept a quick step, though without running not to call attention on them and keeping her staff ready, just in case.

“We better hurry” she told Daremo. “I don’t know why the monk has told us to have haste, but Master Ezekiel has given uttermost importance to keep us together, and I prefer to hear his advice. ”

OOC: You can continue this thread Chapter 1: Scene 1: Rat Problems.

You are both meeting up with Quentin shortly after Hunter has left.