[sblock=Strahd]Sorry, I thought it would have been apparent, but yes, this is the priest you were chasing down.[/sblock][sblock=OOC]Strahd and Bohemian, it looks like you are both using the same color for text. It might help if one of you switched.[/sblock]
As Ruphus dusts off his cloak and begins leading the way back to his temple, he explains, "At first I thought they meant to rob me, until it became clear they were trying to intimidate me. As near I can figure, they don't want the Church involved in the investigation of four missing children, but I can't imagine why."
Along the way, Ruphus seems grateful for the company, though he is constantly looking over his shoulder and acts a bit jumpy. He leads you to the north side of town and onto Obsidian Avenue. Soon you come to a majestic two-story edifice with white marble walls suffused with veins of vivid blue. Even on this rainy night it stands in stark contrast to the buildings of bare black stone that flank it on the north end of the street. A pair of white marble statues depicting armored warriors stands on either side of the temple's heavy oaken door. Each of the statues raises a great mace to the sky. Above the door's marble architrave are boldly inscribed the following words: "WITHIN LAW LIVES HOPE."
"Please come inside," Ruphus insists, motioning you within the great marble structure.
"My goodness, Ruphus," says a young acolyte, rushing up to him as you enter. "What in the name of the Cudgel happened? You look like you've been beaten within an inch of your life!"
"It's alright, Delmar," Ruphus says, reassuring the young man. "It is nothing a good night's rest and some prayer won't heal. Is Sister Jenya still awake? I must speak with her." He then turns to your group. "You should meet with her as well. I'm sure she will be interested to hear about your bravery."
"Yes, of course. She's in her study still, I believe. Let me get you a basin and cloth to clean up before you see her though."
"I can handle it, Delmar. If you will excuse me, kind folks, I'm going to meet with my superior now. In the meantime, Delmar, please see that my saviors are comfortable will you?"
Ruphus trots off leaving you with Delmar, who invites each of you to dry off with a warm blanket and some hot tea. Ruphus does not return, but after a while, a woman with premature streaks of gray in her rich brown hair enters the sanctuary. She wears a brown robe with golden trim and the same ruby starburst symbol as Ruphus around her neck. "Welcome to the Church of St. Cuthbert. My name is Jenya Urikas, acting High Priestess. Allow me to express my deepest thanks to you for lending Ruphus aid. He is not very experienced and was terribly frightened by the ordeal, but he tells me you were quite heroic to stand up to those thugs for him. If you wouldn't mind accompanying me, I'd like to speak with you more."
[sblock=OOC]Throughout the campaign you will learn the location of new places throughout town. You may then travel to these locations at your leisure. Learning about new locations may be done in a variety of ways. It may be plot-related, or you may learn about them through Knowledge or Gather Information checks. At the outset of the campaign, you know of the following locations:
-City Gates (four in all, one for each cardinal direction)
-Tipped Tankard Tavern (on Ash Avenue on the northwest part of town)
In addition, Strahd's character, Floch, knows the location of the Lantern Street Orphanage (on a side street off Ash Avenue on the northeast side) because he works there, and Zarust's character, Goran, knows the location of the Temple of Lordly Might (on the far west side on Obsidian Avenue), because he is of the faithful of Kord.
I have a blank map of Cauldron and at some point I will mess around with photoshop to see what I can do about labeling the places you have discovered. For now, it is sufficient that you have a list of places you can visit.
You may now add the Church of St. Cuthbert to your known locations (on Obsidian Avenue on the north side).[/sblock]
