CHAPTER TWO: TEMPLE OF THE ETERNAL SUN
The Prophet al-Sutah was wrong... all too wrong. He dared to confront the Lord of the Desert himself. Despite the numerous forces assembled at his side, and the fact that al-Sutah controlled every speck of desert sand in the known world, every rocky foothill within sight of great Majoor, the very waters of the Cerulean... it was all naught to the Lord of the Desert, whose reprisal of al-Sutah's ignorant affront was at the same time inexorable and ineffable. Satisfied, the Lord of the Desert left the Mad Prophet's evacuated husk at Majoor's doorstep, a sign for those who would dare to deny his place as master of all that remains.
The events at the bazaar now concluded, the heroes must discover what secret the strange beggar hides...
***
YeOldeAlbatross said:
"Lead on then, priest." Droban follows the beggar, carrying Isphet's body after him with Asad's help.
As they leave, he calls over to T'Shara, "Don't go anywhere, our business has yet to be concluded." The dwarf's steely glare betrays his anger that the woman would stand idly by while folk are murdered in the streets.
T'Shara shrinks away from the bloody dwarf, pretending to ignore his remarks.
OOC: I assume everyone is following along. If anyone is NOT following the beggar, please state what you are doing.
"Yes, yes, what an incident," the beggar continues.
"I never expected all this trouble. I suppose it's all my fault. I'm not a beggar, you see... not entirely..."
He starts out of the bazaar.
"Not entirely blind either, as you may have noticed," he adds as the group leaves the marketplace. The beggar skirts the edge of the market, along dirty streets, lined with poor souls about to leave this world, passing a large building.
"The curse, they call it. The scarlet fever," the beggar comments as the group passes the structure. Inside are dozens of bodies, some alive, some not, draped with painted cloths and death dressings, waiting for the end.
"No one knows how to save them. I hope none of you are cursed... you may well find yourself cursed if you stay here long enough. That's rather how I got into this mess. Let's continue."
In the distance, you see a great temple, a step pyramid, with a fixed symbol of the
Temple of the Eternal Sun, indicates its obvious purpose. You notice that none of the frail, accursed bodies are found within eyesight of the great temple.
"Yes, yes, come along, heroes, there is much to discuss. It is time. Well past time." The priest trundles along a stone path that points directly to the temple entrance at the base of the great pyramid. At the entrance to the complex (a courtyard exists between the entrance and the pyramid itself) is a stone archway. Guarding the archway are two armed men. Their eyes narrow at the priest's approach.
"Na'al al-Hasen," one of them barks out.
"Stop there. You have been dismissed from the Temple. What business have you here, and who are these men with you?"
The priest straightens up, as much as he can.
"How dare you speak to a Priest of the Temple in such a manner, guardsman? Who are you to address me by proper name?"
The guardsman partially draws a sword at his side.
"I ask you again, with all due respect. Why are you here, Na'al al-Hasen? You have been dismissed from the Temple and are not to return under pain of death."
The priest backs off a few steps, then looks to Droban and the others, then back to the guards.
"I am here with great news, guardsman, an answer to the prayers of the faithful, an answer for the Great Oracle himself. Fetch hither your master, and I shall relay what I know."
The guardsman grumbles, re-sheathes his weapon, speaks a word to his fellow guard, and enters the complex.
OOC: You have a few moments if you wish to ask al-Hasan any questions, or take care of any other business. In other words, feel free to chat a bit amongst yourselves.
