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<blockquote data-quote="Hairy Minotaur" data-source="post: 3444690" data-attributes="member: 11574"><p><strong>Your last cup of sorrow</strong></p><p></p><p>While Xanthos was being interviewed by the city guard at the party site, events were unfolding back in town.</p><p></p><p>At dawn the marbled steps of the Court of Maal are emblazoned with the golden rays of the day's first light. Golden flecks within the marble create a scintillating effect across the plaza in front of the court. Most days people gather to watch the light show. Today however a crowd of worshippers not of Maal stood at the foot of the court and impeded the light show, much to the dismay of those gathered.</p><p></p><p>The Church of Kador had sent a contingent to the courts, and once the light fell upon the glittering steps the cloistered of Kador ascended the twelve steps to the court, one step for each doctrine Maal gave to the very first leaders of the church. Only one of the doctrines is currently known*, and the Maalites believe the second doctrine will only become known after all the mortal races adhere to the first one. </p><p></p><p>The Kadorians reached the gilded great doors of the court just as the justicars were opening them to the day's hearings. Most of the justicar's duties were to preside over ownership rights and mete out justice of petty crimes, so strict was the overlord's laws, that it was a rare day that the justicars were able to hear arguments over greater evils. Today would be such a day.</p><p></p><p>The justicar called to order the day's proceedings and the Kadorians stepped forward to plead for sanctions against the Church of Tinel for the creation of magics that infringed upon the sacred realm of their deity Kador. The Kadorians produced witnesses that testified to the veracity of the claim, describing the disintegration of a nobleman named Kalen De' Lite through the use of a vial of liquid fire. </p><p></p><p>As is custom, most of the temples and churches in Highcastle send representatives to the court everyday as a means to garner more followers, a man about to be levied a fine against or maybe a public flogging is more inclined to accept the protection of the church if they can deliver him from whatever fate is deemed to be given in exchange for lifelong service within a temple. And as it so happened today was like any other day, and upon hearing the Kadorian's argument the representative from the Church of Tinel immediately called for a hearing on the matter.</p><p></p><p>The Kadorian's pressed that no hearing was needed the facts spoke for themselves and it was within the right of the justicar to mete out justice in the name of Kador against the Tinel interlopers. The Tinelites countered that the object in question be brought forth for study and proof of the Kadorian's claims. The Kadorians discounted the offer stating it was a stalling tactic made to delay the inevitable for the Tinelites. </p><p></p><p>The justicar asked if the receptacle of the liquid was retained to which the Kadorian's answered "no", but that the loss of the glass ball should in no way diminish the punishment required by law for the obvious misuse of the fire domain by another church. The Tinelites had used the brief stalling of judgment to call forth their churches' Armarius** who had arrived in a flurry of discord amid a din of obscenities directed at the Kador camp. </p><p></p><p>The Armarius addressed the justicar of the Court of Maal by stating that the item in question was not based of fire as the Kadors erroneously claim, but in fact was based upon sunlight, and since the sun is the domain of Urian and his church has not stepped forward to claim any injustice, the Kadorian case should be dismissed and a chastisement by leveled against the Church of Kador for wasting the Court's time on a matter not contested with the church whose domain is really in question.</p><p></p><p>The Kadorian's pointed out that the Temple of Urian could not and would not appear before the court on this matter***. The Armarius of Tinel pointed out that it was not the fault of the Tinelites if another deity failed to declare their objections. This infuriated the Kadorians as they pointed out the loophole the Armarius was using to have the proceedings ended. With the hearing appearing to be close to ending with a judgment for the Temple of Tinel, the Kadorians played the last card they held and declared a cult for being a branch of the School of Ancient Knowledge and not an actual faith.</p><p></p><p>This brought the ire of the Armarius to a boiling point as he publicly denounced the Kador faith as an avenue for demonic possession. At that statement, weapons were drawn and spells were readied. The justicar ordered the two faiths to stand down and evacuate the court, the justicar ordered that Lord Palmere be brought forth for questioning with regard to events of the previous night. The Kadorian's responded by announcing that the Tinelites had secreted Lord Palmere away and he would not be produced to answer the justicar's call. </p><p></p><p>Incensed at another Kadorian lie, the Armarius called for the arrest of the Kadorian contingent. This announcement spurred the representatives of the Church of Canarak to offer their services to the justicar and slaughter both groups as punishment for contempt of court. The justicar ordered the Kadorians jailed on attempting to incite a riot. The Armarius was ordered to return to the Temple of Tinel while the original present Tinelites were ordered held on suspicion of harboring a fugitive of the court (Lord Palmere). The Canaraks were remanded to the jail for attempted murder of a high priest. </p><p></p><p>A sending was sent to Helle at the Kador church relaying this morning's failure. Helle dispatched a pyromancer to the Eyrie of Urian, where the pyromancer was to beseech an Eagle Rider to argue on behalf of the church of Kador against the practices of the Tinelites. However as was has been remained so, and the Eagle Riders refused to speak on Alimus'**** behalf. </p><p></p><p>Dejected the pyromancer returned to his church where he received his final command, he left the church shortly before noon and at a quarter past noon he had completed his final task as half the jail burned in divine flames as the visiting pyromancer immolated himself and the disgraced Kadorians.</p><p></p><p>Statinistor walked Menthos along a vast hallway lined with basalt busts of past high priests and risen pyromancers. Helle called him away for a moment and Menthos was left to admire the lifelike feel of the cleavage on the female pyromancers. He was rather enjoying himself when Statinistor returned a half hour later. The high priest's demeanor had changed from a caring father figure to a one with a hint of vexatious imprint on his smile.</p><p></p><p>"Menthos, it appears that we have failed in our attempt to rid you of the heavy load you and your compatriots have been saddled with." Statinistor spoke</p><p></p><p>"What are you talking about? You couldn't fix Haimish? No biggie, I think he makes a better urinal anyway." Menthos replied</p><p></p><p>"No, this weight is unseen and comes from an old source." Statinistor responded</p><p></p><p>"Oohhh, so it's not Haimish? Is it the Lord Hairy Palm guy?" Menthos asked</p><p></p><p>"I fear all the trouble you went through last night is doomed to be repeated, but that is for another day. There is nothing any of us can do for that problem right now. I do however have a proposition for you." Statinistor states</p><p></p><p>"You're really not my type." Menthos objects</p><p></p><p>"Beneath this church lies a vast network of causeways, hallways, tunnels, and sewers. It is possible to reach most if not all of the other churches within Highcastle by using this network. We learned of an impending attack by a rival church that was going to use these hidden tunnels. We sent forth two passels of initiates to find the passage the attack was going to come from and report back so that we could properly greet these guest with a contingent of pyromancers and lots of fireworks in celebration of their sacrifice to their wretched faith. However we have not heard from them in two days and we fear the worst. I would be willing to restore your friend there for free and pay you handsomely for your valued service in the employ of this humble church."</p><p></p><p>"Will the payment include the addition of a small physicality nature?" Menthos inquired</p><p></p><p>"I will send Fyrhe to your quarters this evening for you, she's spoken of your since your return from the ruins, I quite think she's taken a liking towards you." Statinistor responds</p><p></p><p>"Well, can't say I really blame her. I mean look at what you get for the whole package. Best deal this side of Carnage if I say so myself." Menthos praises himself</p><p></p><p>"Yes, so you have a habit of informing me." Statinistor says</p><p></p><p>Turgar happened to wonder by the Court of Maal and noticed the public posting for the presence of Lord Palmere by two PM today to answer for the crime of treason. The ogre quickly returned to the Church of Kador and reported the notice to the party and a returning Xanthos.</p><p></p><p>"I think we should take Lord Palmere in, maybe they can undo the stone effect and we can get some answers out of him." Xanthos argues</p><p></p><p>"Why? We're not going to get the chance to talk with him, they're going to dress him down and send him packing to the guillotine." Kessen states</p><p></p><p>"I think our first order of business needs to be fixing Haimish, I think it only fair since he was the one who was supposed to kill the vampire." Turgar argues</p><p></p><p>"I already took care of that, he'll cease to be a urinal for avians in short order." Menthos announces</p><p></p><p>"And how much of my money did you promise to pay, and that I'll have to take out of your ass to do this?" Kessen threatens</p><p></p><p>"None, I got a coupon for one free de-stoning, so since I reckoned I would be unable to ever use it, should I be stoned, I thought it better to cash it in and get some use out of it as it really didn't have any cash value and was due to expire next month anyway." Menthos replies</p><p></p><p>"Hooray for Menthos!" Doopa cheered </p><p></p><p>"What are the strings?" Kesson asked</p><p></p><p>"Whatever do you mean?" Menthos replied coyly</p><p></p><p>"What did you promise to get Haimish brought back to life?" Kesson demanded</p><p></p><p>"I have to do this search and rescue mission for Statinistor along with Haimish, that's all. You guys don't even need to come." Menthos replied</p><p></p><p>"Well, I'm glad. I just learned the were demons pouring out of Lord Palmere's estate, there was no sign of the gnome assassin, and there were people from the Church of Canarak at the party slaughtering people left and right." Xanthos explains</p><p></p><p>"Well, that is what they do. What did you expect, they would be handing out flowers and fliers for a fish fry?" Menthos countered</p><p></p><p>"Nevertheless, I want to find out what was so important at the party, that dozens of people had to die and why their were so many assassins there." Xanthos commented</p><p></p><p>"I'd like to know what a medusa was doing there." Haimish's voice spoke up as he entered the great hall</p><p></p><p>"A medusa? That explains things, yes." Xanthos remarked </p><p></p><p>"Well, that seals it for me, I don't want to know anymore." Turgar announces</p><p></p><p>"This adds a level of covertness that I hadn't accounted for. Intriguing, I shall have to add this to my growing list of suspects." Xanthos speaks</p><p></p><p>"How Haimish feel?" Doopa asks</p><p></p><p>"I'm a little stiff. Hey!" Haimish replies jokingly</p><p></p><p>"Doopa, give you rub down. Doopa know what it like to sleep on rocks." The ogre replies, missing the joke completely</p><p></p><p>"It's a good thing you have a spell to induce laughter, because that stiff joke belongs in the bedroom. Which reminds me, I'll see you guys later I've got a date with a fiery little tramp." Menthos broadcasts and exits up the stairs to the clergy's quarters.</p><p></p><p><em>* That being that vengeance is wrong</em> </p><p><em>** Armarius - High Priest of the Temple of Tinel, akin to a Mystic Theurge Prc</em> </p><p><em>*** Urian while he does possess the sun domain, has granted a demi-god the position of sun caretaker</em> </p><p><em>**** Alimus is only a demi-god and thusly not very powerful, and certainly would not want to get between two enraged greater dieties</em></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Hairy Minotaur, post: 3444690, member: 11574"] [b]Your last cup of sorrow[/b] While Xanthos was being interviewed by the city guard at the party site, events were unfolding back in town. At dawn the marbled steps of the Court of Maal are emblazoned with the golden rays of the day's first light. Golden flecks within the marble create a scintillating effect across the plaza in front of the court. Most days people gather to watch the light show. Today however a crowd of worshippers not of Maal stood at the foot of the court and impeded the light show, much to the dismay of those gathered. The Church of Kador had sent a contingent to the courts, and once the light fell upon the glittering steps the cloistered of Kador ascended the twelve steps to the court, one step for each doctrine Maal gave to the very first leaders of the church. Only one of the doctrines is currently known*, and the Maalites believe the second doctrine will only become known after all the mortal races adhere to the first one. The Kadorians reached the gilded great doors of the court just as the justicars were opening them to the day's hearings. Most of the justicar's duties were to preside over ownership rights and mete out justice of petty crimes, so strict was the overlord's laws, that it was a rare day that the justicars were able to hear arguments over greater evils. Today would be such a day. The justicar called to order the day's proceedings and the Kadorians stepped forward to plead for sanctions against the Church of Tinel for the creation of magics that infringed upon the sacred realm of their deity Kador. The Kadorians produced witnesses that testified to the veracity of the claim, describing the disintegration of a nobleman named Kalen De' Lite through the use of a vial of liquid fire. As is custom, most of the temples and churches in Highcastle send representatives to the court everyday as a means to garner more followers, a man about to be levied a fine against or maybe a public flogging is more inclined to accept the protection of the church if they can deliver him from whatever fate is deemed to be given in exchange for lifelong service within a temple. And as it so happened today was like any other day, and upon hearing the Kadorian's argument the representative from the Church of Tinel immediately called for a hearing on the matter. The Kadorian's pressed that no hearing was needed the facts spoke for themselves and it was within the right of the justicar to mete out justice in the name of Kador against the Tinel interlopers. The Tinelites countered that the object in question be brought forth for study and proof of the Kadorian's claims. The Kadorians discounted the offer stating it was a stalling tactic made to delay the inevitable for the Tinelites. The justicar asked if the receptacle of the liquid was retained to which the Kadorian's answered "no", but that the loss of the glass ball should in no way diminish the punishment required by law for the obvious misuse of the fire domain by another church. The Tinelites had used the brief stalling of judgment to call forth their churches' Armarius** who had arrived in a flurry of discord amid a din of obscenities directed at the Kador camp. The Armarius addressed the justicar of the Court of Maal by stating that the item in question was not based of fire as the Kadors erroneously claim, but in fact was based upon sunlight, and since the sun is the domain of Urian and his church has not stepped forward to claim any injustice, the Kadorian case should be dismissed and a chastisement by leveled against the Church of Kador for wasting the Court's time on a matter not contested with the church whose domain is really in question. The Kadorian's pointed out that the Temple of Urian could not and would not appear before the court on this matter***. The Armarius of Tinel pointed out that it was not the fault of the Tinelites if another deity failed to declare their objections. This infuriated the Kadorians as they pointed out the loophole the Armarius was using to have the proceedings ended. With the hearing appearing to be close to ending with a judgment for the Temple of Tinel, the Kadorians played the last card they held and declared a cult for being a branch of the School of Ancient Knowledge and not an actual faith. This brought the ire of the Armarius to a boiling point as he publicly denounced the Kador faith as an avenue for demonic possession. At that statement, weapons were drawn and spells were readied. The justicar ordered the two faiths to stand down and evacuate the court, the justicar ordered that Lord Palmere be brought forth for questioning with regard to events of the previous night. The Kadorian's responded by announcing that the Tinelites had secreted Lord Palmere away and he would not be produced to answer the justicar's call. Incensed at another Kadorian lie, the Armarius called for the arrest of the Kadorian contingent. This announcement spurred the representatives of the Church of Canarak to offer their services to the justicar and slaughter both groups as punishment for contempt of court. The justicar ordered the Kadorians jailed on attempting to incite a riot. The Armarius was ordered to return to the Temple of Tinel while the original present Tinelites were ordered held on suspicion of harboring a fugitive of the court (Lord Palmere). The Canaraks were remanded to the jail for attempted murder of a high priest. A sending was sent to Helle at the Kador church relaying this morning's failure. Helle dispatched a pyromancer to the Eyrie of Urian, where the pyromancer was to beseech an Eagle Rider to argue on behalf of the church of Kador against the practices of the Tinelites. However as was has been remained so, and the Eagle Riders refused to speak on Alimus'**** behalf. Dejected the pyromancer returned to his church where he received his final command, he left the church shortly before noon and at a quarter past noon he had completed his final task as half the jail burned in divine flames as the visiting pyromancer immolated himself and the disgraced Kadorians. Statinistor walked Menthos along a vast hallway lined with basalt busts of past high priests and risen pyromancers. Helle called him away for a moment and Menthos was left to admire the lifelike feel of the cleavage on the female pyromancers. He was rather enjoying himself when Statinistor returned a half hour later. The high priest's demeanor had changed from a caring father figure to a one with a hint of vexatious imprint on his smile. "Menthos, it appears that we have failed in our attempt to rid you of the heavy load you and your compatriots have been saddled with." Statinistor spoke "What are you talking about? You couldn't fix Haimish? No biggie, I think he makes a better urinal anyway." Menthos replied "No, this weight is unseen and comes from an old source." Statinistor responded "Oohhh, so it's not Haimish? Is it the Lord Hairy Palm guy?" Menthos asked "I fear all the trouble you went through last night is doomed to be repeated, but that is for another day. There is nothing any of us can do for that problem right now. I do however have a proposition for you." Statinistor states "You're really not my type." Menthos objects "Beneath this church lies a vast network of causeways, hallways, tunnels, and sewers. It is possible to reach most if not all of the other churches within Highcastle by using this network. We learned of an impending attack by a rival church that was going to use these hidden tunnels. We sent forth two passels of initiates to find the passage the attack was going to come from and report back so that we could properly greet these guest with a contingent of pyromancers and lots of fireworks in celebration of their sacrifice to their wretched faith. However we have not heard from them in two days and we fear the worst. I would be willing to restore your friend there for free and pay you handsomely for your valued service in the employ of this humble church." "Will the payment include the addition of a small physicality nature?" Menthos inquired "I will send Fyrhe to your quarters this evening for you, she's spoken of your since your return from the ruins, I quite think she's taken a liking towards you." Statinistor responds "Well, can't say I really blame her. I mean look at what you get for the whole package. Best deal this side of Carnage if I say so myself." Menthos praises himself "Yes, so you have a habit of informing me." Statinistor says Turgar happened to wonder by the Court of Maal and noticed the public posting for the presence of Lord Palmere by two PM today to answer for the crime of treason. The ogre quickly returned to the Church of Kador and reported the notice to the party and a returning Xanthos. "I think we should take Lord Palmere in, maybe they can undo the stone effect and we can get some answers out of him." Xanthos argues "Why? We're not going to get the chance to talk with him, they're going to dress him down and send him packing to the guillotine." Kessen states "I think our first order of business needs to be fixing Haimish, I think it only fair since he was the one who was supposed to kill the vampire." Turgar argues "I already took care of that, he'll cease to be a urinal for avians in short order." Menthos announces "And how much of my money did you promise to pay, and that I'll have to take out of your ass to do this?" Kessen threatens "None, I got a coupon for one free de-stoning, so since I reckoned I would be unable to ever use it, should I be stoned, I thought it better to cash it in and get some use out of it as it really didn't have any cash value and was due to expire next month anyway." Menthos replies "Hooray for Menthos!" Doopa cheered "What are the strings?" Kesson asked "Whatever do you mean?" Menthos replied coyly "What did you promise to get Haimish brought back to life?" Kesson demanded "I have to do this search and rescue mission for Statinistor along with Haimish, that's all. You guys don't even need to come." Menthos replied "Well, I'm glad. I just learned the were demons pouring out of Lord Palmere's estate, there was no sign of the gnome assassin, and there were people from the Church of Canarak at the party slaughtering people left and right." Xanthos explains "Well, that is what they do. What did you expect, they would be handing out flowers and fliers for a fish fry?" Menthos countered "Nevertheless, I want to find out what was so important at the party, that dozens of people had to die and why their were so many assassins there." Xanthos commented "I'd like to know what a medusa was doing there." Haimish's voice spoke up as he entered the great hall "A medusa? That explains things, yes." Xanthos remarked "Well, that seals it for me, I don't want to know anymore." Turgar announces "This adds a level of covertness that I hadn't accounted for. Intriguing, I shall have to add this to my growing list of suspects." Xanthos speaks "How Haimish feel?" Doopa asks "I'm a little stiff. Hey!" Haimish replies jokingly "Doopa, give you rub down. Doopa know what it like to sleep on rocks." The ogre replies, missing the joke completely "It's a good thing you have a spell to induce laughter, because that stiff joke belongs in the bedroom. Which reminds me, I'll see you guys later I've got a date with a fiery little tramp." Menthos broadcasts and exits up the stairs to the clergy's quarters. [I]* That being that vengeance is wrong[/I] [I]** Armarius - High Priest of the Temple of Tinel, akin to a Mystic Theurge Prc[/I] [I]*** Urian while he does possess the sun domain, has granted a demi-god the position of sun caretaker[/I] [I]**** Alimus is only a demi-god and thusly not very powerful, and certainly would not want to get between two enraged greater dieties[/I] [/QUOTE]
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