For the Greater Good

[Velenne]

Norin smiles brightly, matching the child in sheer joy and wonder of the moment. He actually looks a bit embarrassed,

"I did nothing, dear Brel. Heironeous desires that none but the unrepentant should suffer. You are but an innocent soul and thus his light of healing shines upon you. I wish that I had a small symbol of him to give you as a reminder, but I gave mine away on the road to this city. To a bandit!"

As he speaks, Norin gingerly replaces the shroud in his sackcloth pack and puts it back on, never taking his eyes from Brel's. Then, as if the miracle were nothing more than the setting of the sun, he continues, "Now who is this Beggar King you speak of?"

 

[KaintheSeeker]

Lyssia smiles and sips her own wine. "I confess that your performace was quite enchanting, i am glad the temple's Beauty told me to come and see your performance, I was getting a bit.. " stops and things. "..cabin bound in the temple, that is.. there was a multitude of little things to do but I was feeling more like I was making work than doing something." offers her hand. "I'm Lyssia..pleased to meet you." smiles genuinely to the bard.

 

[Jarval]

*Nessa shifts uncomfortably, Rekash's words causing a conflict between her rationalism and compassion. She stares out at the crowds of people around her in the market place, then returns her gaze to the woman at her side.*

"Thank you, sister, you have given me fresh perspective on this debate. I will consider your words before I further ally my position with those that oppose my own church.

"And I see why the assassin concerns you. If my own skill can be of any use to you in this matter, I am happy to aid you." *She smiles slightly at her own words.* "Although I am sure your order have many better trained in such matters than I. I thank you again Rekash, for giving me pause for thought."

 

[Isida Kep'Tukari]

*Sebastian, the older sister looks at you with a penetrating gaze. It's uncannily like that of a mother that knows exactly what her child has been up to.*

"Tut, tut. Your attempts are neither feeble nor blind. One with such care for the innocent is blessed. You have children of your own, and my goddess watches over them, as she watches over all the innocent. Surely this the reason you followed Drusa," the sister says, sitting the child down by her side. "You seek guidance in matters of the family. Tell me of your wife and children."

*Norin, Brel starts at your comment that you gave a symbol of Heironeous to a bandit, and smiles at the idea.*

"I 'ope 'e didn't give ye no lip, m'Lord Saint," he says, almost giggling. But when you mention the bandit king, his face crumples again and he stares down at the stump of his left leg, his expression tremulous. "'e, 'e... 'e said... Me leg, 'e said... 'e tries to take care uv us all, down the 'ollow. 'e tries to 'elp us." Brel bites his lip, clearly torn. There's something he can't quite seem to say.

*Lyssia, Brightfire smiles and takes your hand briefly.*

"It's always wonderful to meet other of Lady Firehair's service. I'm glad to meet you Lyssia. Tell me, are you a traveler like me? You sound like you've met many Beauties," she asks.

*Darren, you notice Brightfire making the rounds. A couple tables over she's talking to an attractive half-elf, and paying a bit more attention to her than she has to her other admirers.*

*Nessa, Rekash nods sharply as she rises and gathers her robes about her.*

"It is good to think, and for a god such as yours, that prizes intelligence above all things, it would seem to be His will to have you ponder things from all angles. I appreciate your offer of help, sister. Now, I must return to my own temple. The evening services draw nigh," she says, and pulls out the wooden clapper that is used by Talonite clerics to announce their presence. Sounding the clapper, she drifts through the streets towards the Godswalk.

 

[Velenne]

Saint Norin, "Dawnkeeper", Human Ascetic

"Take ease, Brel," Norin says, patting the boy's leg sofly, "I will tell you a parable- do you know what that is? Some stories, like the bards tell, are meant to entertain. Bards also tell scary stories, sad ones, and inspiring ones that send men to war. But we worshippers tell parables: stories that are meant to teach. Lend an ear to me, Brel, and search for the wisdom in my words.

"Beyond these city walls in the many fields surrounding Andeluvay, there are those who farm the land and those who raise animals upon it. One of the animals they raise- by the hundreds and thousands- is sheep. Sheep are gentle creatures who prefer the safety of numbers. So when a lot of sheep are in one place, we call it a flock. But you know that, of course. I apologize.

"These flocks are tended by Shepards. These can be the farmer himself, or his wife, or any of his children or farmhands. But someone must always protect the flock from the many wild creatures like wolves and kobalds who would steal them.

"One day, a Shepard stood over his flock counting them and when he was finished he saw that he was missing a sheep! So he left the flock -the whole thing!- just to find this one, little, sheep. But not just any sheep, one of the young ones. A good one at that, who looked to promise much wool when it was older.

"He found the young sheep lying injured among some rocks and being stalked by kobalds! They were sticking at the little sheep with their cruel spears and tormenting it. As soon as they saw the Shepard with his stick... they fled! And so the Shepard lay the sheep across his shoulders and took it home. He summoned his neighbors and friends and rejoiced with them for he had saved this one little sheep.

"Brel, Heironeous is just as joyous that you are here this day. No longer will the kobalds of the world torment you, as long as you have faith in your Shepard," Norin touches Brel's heart with an outstretched finger, "who will never forsake you to your enemies. You are within his flock even now, in this place. Do not be afraid, for fear is more crippling than a wounded leg could ever be."

[Diplomacy +9 to convince the boy to talk.]

 

[KaintheSeeker]

Lyssia

Lyssia smiles and nods. "I am sort of a travelling troubleshooter for the temples, since they brought me around to the true ways of beauty and love." chuckles. "Trite that might be, I've done my part to help out, though I confess I got out tonight to just kick back and relax. The folk at the temple are nice, but it is nice to get out from time to time." tells a few tales of her exploits as she drinks with her.

Finishing up she smiles. "I am quite sure you've heard of me.. though, I must confess I don't usually take my normal form out in public much." frowns sadly. "I have much to atone for by way of my past and my peoples actions." perks up. "Though it was a pleasure to meet such a beautiful joyous person as yourself this night."

 

[Halivar]

*Sebastian, the older sister looks at you with a penetrating gaze. It's uncannily like that of a mother that knows exactly what her child has been up to.*

"Tut, tut. Your attempts are neither feeble nor blind. One with such care for the innocent is blessed. You have children of your own, and my goddess watches over them, as she watches over all the innocent. Surely this the reason you followed Drusa," the sister says, sitting the child down by her side. "You seek guidance in matters of the family. Tell me of your wife and children."

Sebastian sits. "So you know my name," he says, not altogether surprised, "and you know that I have... had children." Sebastian thinks to himself, she already knows something, but how much? Does she perhaps have information that will lead me to another Brother? If so, Orshallan may find himself without help. I will not give any of my former Brothers get a head start on me. Sebastian decides that he'd best go along with the priestess, and play the conversation to her full satisfaction. Still, the subject matter is hard and uncomfortable. Nevertheless, the thought of having another fallen Brother of the Olive in his clutches staves off the usual feelings of grief and sadness.

"Five years ago, Miranda was, maybe, aged twenty harvests. Beautiful as the rainbow after the spring shower, she was, and more vibrant by far. She was five harvests my junior, and still full of youthful innocence. Our three yearling, Eloise, was a bright sparkle of sunshine. Estefan, our newborn, was remarked by the clerics to have the paladin's call." All of this Sebastian recalls with a faint smile, as if, by mentioning them, he can breathe life into them anew.

"Miranda was raised in the Order of the Rose. It was her favorite plant, and everyday, she would place a great white rose on my coat, right here." Sebastian, still looking down, absentmindedly fingers the black rose in his left lapel. "Even when she left her order to marry me, she couldn't leave her roses behind. They were... they were... her magic, you see."

Sebastian's smile fades, and a look of pallor replaces it. "Things changed when Druvei fell. One day, the whole temple the Order of the Olive worked out of... it disappeared. The building, the grounds, the dirt... all of it, taking Brother Eraithon with it. The other brothers... they changed. They fell with Druvei, I suppose you could say. I tried to save them. I tried to use the Way of the Olive to sway them as I had countless others. They gave me an ultimatum: join them or lose my family."

Sebastian's pallor is replaced by a dark, brooding expression. "I refused. The next time I saw Miranda... she..." Sebastian stops for a moment. "She wasn't the same; they... they did something to her. They changed her. She... she... our children, you see... she..." Sebastian's voice trails off into emptiness. He cannot bring himself to say it. But the images are there, in his mind. Burned into his memory like a brand. Openning the door to his famrhouse, expecting dinner. Instead, he found blood, chaos, and a wife who was dead, but still walked. Sebastian had seen, in his Brothers' handiwork, the true face of real evil, and it was the pitchest-black darkness. His eyes water once more.

"No, I am afraid your goddess does not... cannot... watch over my family. They are surely beyond her, for they are damned." The last word he speaks comes out more as a hoarse whisper.

Orshallan be damned, Sebastian thinks darkly, I just want to find another "brother." I just want a reckoning for what they did. There must be a reckoning!

Sebastian, oblivious to his company, trembles with silent rage.

 

[Isida Kep'Tukari]

*Norin, Brel seems to take some comfort from your words, but still seems very nervous and fearful. Finally he clutches his stump and speaks in a rushed whisper.*

"He said more people would feel sorry for me," he manages to get out, tears in his eyes.

*Lyssia, Brightfire's eyes widen as she puts some things together.*

"The redeemed succubus! Yes, I have heard of you, you've done many good things for Lady Firehair," she says, and listens happily to your tales. She nods from time to time, once fairly enthusiastically. At a pause in the conversation she says, "It's a wondrous tale you've told me... worthy to be put in song and verse. Would you concent to a tale of your trials and tribulations?" Her eyes shine when she says this, she's obviously had a brainstorm of an idea.

*Sebasitan, the older sister places one hand on your arm to get you to look at her.*

"Corruption in body yes, but not entirely in soul. Druvi led you here because she knew you could help some of the Lost Children. You came to Andeluvay purposefully, yes? It seems you have a twofold purpose, both for what you came here for, and to help the souls of some not entirely beyond help yet."

 

[KaintheSeeker]

"Succubus.. not quite." she says with a laugh as she motions for another drink, "Though I suspect that there might be some in my lineage, doubtful that they will like what I've become now since I ran into that one Sainted Beauty." smiles as she recalls the kindly man's gift to her.

"As for them being trials and tribulations, not so much so.. I dare say that I've been a trial and tribulation to others more than suffering that honor myself, I've put more than one noble lord or matron's politcial mechanations to a grand setback in the name of love. Not to mention more than a few bandits and slavers pay a bit more mind to trees and rooftops for my gentle arrows than they did in the past." Lyssia smiles as she relaxes with the bard, talking with her into the night. "I confess the only part of who I am that I regret is having to hide my true form from most, since I don't wish to inflict harm on the hasty and rash for action triggered by fear." smiles. "But perhaps we can retreat to a less public.. or maybe a more.. accepting place and you can see my true form another time. Sometime later tomorrow at the temple perhaps? And to answer your question.. yes I would be.. quite flattered to have you sing of some of my misadventures." The slender elf maid smiles disarmingly, happy to have found a new friend who doesn't judge by her heritage and relaxes to talk into the night as long as the bard can entertained by the conversation, her worries of the coming mission put aside as she relaxes.

 

[Halivar]

Sebastian is confused. Though he does not doubt that the priestess's intentions are good and pure, he feels a flash of anger at her percieved secrecy. Her talk of 'twofold purpose' convinces him she knows of Orhsallan and his upcoming meeting Sebastian. He meets her gaze with a steady one of his own.

His voice is exasperated when he says, "Dear sister, I would have you speak plainly! You obviously know of Orshallan's summons, but I fail to see what it has to do with my family. If you have information, I would beg you to have it!"