Strife in Sokara - A solo game for Brother Shatterstone

Marlock City is a place of turmoil. Even now, four years after the revolt, Protector-General Marlock's men still patrol the streets in large groups. Due to the Protector-General's growing fear of a counter-revolt, gatherings of more than ten have been banned, unless for matters of state or trade. The theaters have been closed (with the exception of those in the Lyceums of Aymara) and troubadours now pick their repertoire carefully, as songs that may be construed as royalist have a tendance to be 'unpopular' with the men of the New Sokaran Army.

Yet many hold Grieve Marlock's rule to be an improvement on the old king, Corin VII. Under his corrupt rule, the streets of Sokar (as the city was know during his reign) were dangerous, with a thieves' guild allowed the run of the city. Merchants were subjected to 'new taxes' by the city guard, and protection rackets run by the thieves. Telling one from the other became difficult towards the end...

Or so Brystasia's been told. Having lived in the city for less than a year, she's seen little and noticed less of the changes in Marlock City itself. In truth, the far more marked change between the quiet serenity of Forest of Larun and the smelly, noisy bustle of the city have taken most of her attention. And the city has had to get used to Brystasia. Within days of arriving at Aymara's lyceum, she had suitors ranging from the beggar's boy to Marloes Marlock's nephew. All were politely turned away by the temple's gatekeeper, but her more persistent admirers had to be thrown out of the temple complex by some of Brystasia's fellow acolytes.

She's caused quite a stir within the temple itself. Mutterings of 'destiny' and 'prophecy' have been whispered around the Lyceum ever since Brystasia's arrival, and at least three times she's been introduced to Celebrants who are treated with great reverence, a rare distinction in Aymara's near hierarchy -free church.

With her training now at an end, Brystasia is free to travel as she chooses. However, after this morning's prayers, she was asked by Mariele (the Celebrant nominally in charge of Marlock City's Lyceum) to meet her in the gardens at noon.

The sun is high in the sky this warm autumn morning, and Brystasia is sat on one of the exquisitely carved stone benches at decorate the Lyceum's garden. Mariele must be a few minutes late by now, but given that the temple's business often delays her, there seems no call for concern.

Bryastasia Purelove: Half-Nymph/Female (Gestalt:Holy Warrior/Rogue)

Delicate fingers reach down unable to deny the desire of picking the beautiful violet flower anymore. The fingers lead to a slender hand, which in turns leads to a graceful arm… The graceful arm brings the flower up to a refined nose as two perfectly spaced turquoise blue eyes close as Brystasia deeply breathes in the scent of the flower and a fresh reminder of home.

The reminder of home was a mix blessing as while she did not regret coming to the strange and alien city she did indeed my her forest home and to a lesser extent her mother. The last surprised her as her and her mother did not always see eye to eye and her leaving for the city was one of these cases.

She again breathed deeply, a small content smile formed on her graceful face, as happier thoughts of home invaded her mind and she decided to lay upon her back and look skyward.

As she laid upon the cool stone bench, as the warm autumn sun had still not quite warmed its cold heart, she looked skyward and imagined with the help of the sweet smell of the garden that she was home. It was a fun game she liked to play while in the garden, as it was one of few places in the city that allowed her to pretend she was home.

Brystasia smiles as the warm autumn sunlight fills her lithe body, covered in a simple dress that was a recent gift, in a warmth that was both soothing and pleasurable. Her mind drifted over the last year as she silently listened for the telltale noises of Mariele approach. As she reflected she realize just how quickly the last year had gone and how she still felt unprepared for the civilized world around her but she quickly stifled the thought as she hear the sound of someone approach.

She quickly sat up and brushed the dirt from her dress and as she smiled and turned to face the noise she quickly wrapped the violet flower in her hair, as she didn’t want its beautiful to go wasted.

The sound of footsteps on the granite paving stones of the path leading from the Lyceums' main building alerts Brystasia to Mariele's approach.

While not a great beauty like Brystasia, Mariele has a quiet presence that draws every eye to her, and can bring rowdy taverns to silence when she speaks. The Celebrant is dressed in the long crimson and white robes common to all of her order, and has her light brown hair trimmed in a short style uncommon in a Sokaran woman. She smiles as she approaches the bench, taking a seat beside Brystasia.

"Hello sister, I'm sorry I'm late. Agmar's new production is taking longer to rehearse than we expected, and the heavens only know how many more craftsmen we're going to have to hire to have the refitting of the stage finished in time." She folds her robes more comfortably across her legs as she speaks, settling herself comfortably on the bench.

"Anyway, I didn't ask to speak with you so I could tell you about all that. The Morwynites have a problem, and they feel that one of Aymara's own should be present to assist them. Since you've only recently finished your training, I was hoping that you might be able to help them. Assuming you have no other matter than requires your attention?"

Bryastasia Purelove: Half-Nymph/Female (Gestalt:Holy Warrior/Rogue)

Brystasia listening understandingly as Mariele tells her of her day and her smiles show pure gratitude at being selected as Mariele tells her the news, “No, fairest sister, I have nothing pending at all and I would consider it an honor to help out Morwynites. If you don’t mind me asking do we know how we can assist them?

"I have been told that they are troubled by two recent deaths. Both bodies were found close to the Compass... that's one of the old theaters, but it's been closed for nearly three years... and both had been partially eaten." A look of disgust crosses Mariele's face as she says this.

"They fear that some fell creature has taken up residence in the Compass, and the... marks found on the bodies lead them to believe it to be undead. They wish to root it out and destroy it, but would have one of Aymara's faithful join them. I think they perceive the theaters as our territory to some degree, and want our approval in their venture.

"I know this may be a less than pleasant task I have presented to you, but I believe that you are well skilled to overcome whatever challenges may confront you. All those who trained you, or trained with you have spoken that you have talents of one who has served our Lady for several times your single year of tutelage. I have no doubt you will be a valued addition to the Morwynite group, if you still wish to accept their request."

Bryastasia Purelove: Half-Nymph/Female (Gestalt:Holy Warrior/Rogue)

With a saddened look but a voice of resolve Brystasia replies, “Fairest sister, there is no need to be concern over the possible unpleasantness of the task. The task must simply be done before tragedy can strike again and I graciously accept their request.”

The decision made Brystasia gives a small smile, “I thank you for your vote confidence and I promises I will not let you down, fairest sister.”

"Brystasia, I have nothing but confidence in you." Mariele matches Brystasia's smile with one of her own.

"Now, I'd better introduce you to the Morwynites who brought this news to me. I told them to wait in the auditorium while I discussed this with you." She stands and starts back towards the Lyceum's main building as she talks. "They are the two who are making this investigation, and seem like a capable pair. I know the Faithful Brother who accompanies the Matriarch a little, and he's a dependable sort, if a little too literal at times. You know how the Faithful Brothers can be." She shakes her head in mild amusement.

Stepping into the Lyceum's bright, airy halls is still a small pleasure, even given the year Brystasia's had to familiarise herself with it's interior. The delicately carved pillars that line the main hall look far too slim to support the great arches of the painted ceiling, but given that the Lyceum is one of Marlock City's older buildings, obviously do their job well. The main hall and the Grand Theater are thronging with actors and craftsmen, all busy preparing for Agmar Farman's new production. Mariele leads the way through the crowds with the grace of someone well used to just this environment, making her way up to the mostly empty auditorium.

Sat out of the way of the main throughways of the theater are a young man and woman. The girl has dark hair and eyes that contrast markedly with the pure white of her priest's robes. Brystasia guesses the girl to be close to her own age, and notes that her looks would not be out of place among Aymara's clergy. The young man is a strapping lad, clad in a chain mail shirt covered by a pale blue surcoat, an embroidered wreath of white blossoms prominent at its center. Unlike his companion, he is blond haired and blue eyed, a look of quiet confidence on his face.

Both rise from their seats as Mariele approaches. Turning back to Brystasia, Mariele introduces the pair.

"Brystasia, this is Sister of Beneficence Hestia, a matriarch of the healing halls of Morwyn." The girl curtsies as she is introduced. "And this is Brother Ged, one of Morwyn's faithful sons." The blonde man bows swiftly, his chain shirt rustling as he bends.

"Brother, sister, this is fair dame Brystasia, Aesthete of Aymara." Mariele finishes the introductions simply.

Bryastasia Purelove: Half-Nymph/Female (Gestalt:Holy Warrior/Rogue)

Brystasia fights the urge to spin around and to catch the splendor that is Lyceum's Hall as they pass through and if it weren’t for the fact that her mind was distracted with the details of the mission she proudly would have. She studies the Morwynites as they approach them and she realizes that she agrees with Mariele’s assessment of them.

Brystasia gracefully returns the greetings with a curtsy of her own and a serious but subtle smile as she speaks softly to them, “Beneficence sister, faithful son, I thank you both for contacting us and telling us of the situation at hand. I have volunteered and been given the honor of helping in this noble causes in anyway that I can. All I’ve been told is that the undead are believed to be involved in this tragic tale… Do we know anything more than this?”

"Um... ah, yes, undead." Ged says quickly, blushing a faint red as he realises he is staring at Brystasia. "We've found two dock workers dead, close to the Compass, and I have been informed by the Matriarchs that there are traces of the bodies having been partially consumed by some form of undead creature."

"Our superiors believe that a ghoul may have taken up residence in the theater building or its cellars. We thought it best to have one of Aymara's clergy with us before we started breaking down stage doors to look for it." Hestia adds with a grin, raising an eyebrow at Ged's embarrassment.

"Yes, as Matriarch Hestia says, we felt it only courteous to ask for your assistance in this matter." Ged nods. "And indeed, we will be most grateful for your help. The larger our company, the quicker we may dispatch this creature and free its soul."

Bryastasia Purelove: Half-Nymph/Female (Gestalt:Holy Warrior/Rogue)

Brystasia didn’t even realize that Geb had been staring at her as she had long grown accustomed to such things after a years worth of training. She blushed slightly at his own embarrassment and as she concentrated on his words her ever-present smile had an understanding and forgiven quality to it. Even though the subject they are discussing is of a serious nature Brystasia is unable to stifle a small giggle as she breaks into an enormous grin at Hestia’s actions.

Embarrassed by her own reaction she gives an apologetic look before she turns serious again, “A ghoul you say? This is indeed serious and I am honored to be of service.” She looks quickly in the direction of the living quarters before pulling on the hem of her dress to draw attention to it, “I need to grab my gear as I obviously wouldn’t be much help in this.”

She gives a subtle but charming smile, “I can see no reason why you couldn’t go with me, but if you would rather wait I can be back in only a few minutes.”