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Message: <blockquote data-quote="peteyfrogboy" data-source="post: 1108728" data-attributes="member: 5677">InterludesRachel poked her head in the door. "Still in bed, eh?""Yup," replied Parika, rubbing her temples. "Remind me never to read strange books that I find in evil temples again.""It's a deal." Rachel deposited a large rucksack on the other bed. "Well, we went to see that sage that Delthic told us about.""What was his name? Derwood? Damien?""Darius," said Rachel as she laid out the items they had found. "Darius the Wise. Lived up to his name, too." The magical items from the Brotherhood temple included Milos's protective ring, the ash shafted spear, some curative elixirs, and the steel shield Rachel took from the treasure room. Rachel picked up the shield. "This one is interesting. throw something at me." Parika tossed a shoe toward Rachel. The symbol on the face of the shield flickered with dark red light, and the shoe suddenly changed its trajectory away from Rachel."Nice," agreed Parika. She kicked the chest at the foot of her bed, causing the gold candlesticks and other loot within to rattle. "I may go try to sell some of this today." As it turned out, the address Delthic had given her earlier was that of a pawn broker by the name of Snick Coincatcher. If he was a contact for the local underworld, he would no doubt deal in such trinkets without asking questions.***Nevroth stood in the temple library, idly examining the statue that dominated its center. St. Uller was depicted in his traditional pose: gazing upward with arms lifted, hands cradling a sunburst as it descended from heaven. According to church tradition, St. Uller was a pagan priest who was granted an epiphany directly from the Bright Lord Tavion. He went on to spread the word of the new faith among his people, which grew into the modern Church. It seemed an unlikely story, but Nevroth had never taken religious doctrine too literally."Sir?" A monk had appeared behind the Manhunter. "Monsignor Thuron will see you now." Nevroth followed the man back through the narrow halls of the temple to Thuron's office. This time Milos was not there to stop him.The monsignor's office was small and neatly kept, though every available inch of wall space was filled with shelves of books and scrolls. Thuron sat behind his desk wearing the blue robe of his office. The Ulleran vow of poverty seemed to be observed even at this level, as Thuron's robe was simple woad dyed wool embellished with white embroidery.The white haired priest looked up from a stack of papers on his desk, rubbing the bridge of his nose with one long fingered hand. "Brother Edwin tells me that you were instrumental in finding Lucius and unmasking Milos. For that, I thank you. I have also looked into the books you were sent to find. They were in fact among the volumes Lucius donated to the temple. I have arranged to have them returned to their proper place." He pushed a sealed scroll tube across his desk. "This message will convey as much to the temple in Crevia."Nevroth thanked the monsignor and made his way back out to the Temple District. Considering the fact that nearly every building in sight was dedicated to the Bright Lord, the architectural variety was surprising. The Ulleran temple had wide doors leading to a vast public atrium, while the dark and narrow entrance to the temple of St. Fargoth made it clear that no one was welcome without serious business. Nevroth passed under the stern visage of the saint, making his way through the small chapel. The pews were nearly deserted; the faithful came to St. Fargoth to pray for justice, and few in Freeport expected to find any.The red robed priest at the altar raised an eyebrow as Nevroth approached. "Can I help you, my son?" Nevroth held up the scroll tube. "I have a message I need to have delivered."For a moment the priest simply looked back blankly, but then realization dawned on him. "Ah, another manhunter." He took the scroll and examined it. "This is related to an investigation, I take it?" The Guild of Manhunters had a close relationship with the Fargothan Order, including access to a broad range of magical services."It is," replied Nevroth. "The Ulleran temple in Crevia hired me.""Interesting." The priest set the scroll down on the altar. "Where can I contact you with a reply?""I'm staying at the Goodhearth Inn.""A fine place. Are you planning on remaining in the city long?"Nevroth nodded. "I have no reason to leave anytime soon.""That's good to hear."***Snick was a gaunt man with a trim black beard and a raspy voice. He examined a waxy cube of incense, rubbing it with his thumb. "Hmm, not sure what this might go for. I'll give you five for it."Parika nodded. She was happy enough with the haggling she'd done on the larger items that a few crowns weren't going to concern her at this point. "Sounds good." She glanced around the small shop; no one else was there. She lowered her voice anyway. "Delthic told me you're the man to talk to about getting employment.""Ah, I thought that might be you." He scratched his beard as he shuffled through the papers on his desk. He extracted a small piece of parchment from under a teetering pile. "There's an antique dealer named Gurik that moved in up on Hudson Street a few months back. He thinks he doesn't need insurance for his business. He's hired some private security, but I don't have any specifics." He handed Parika the parchment, on which was a Hudson Street address.She pocketed the address. "So what do you need me to do?""Show him the error of his ways. Rumor has it that he has a coin collection, but anything valuable that goes missing should send the right message. If you can't get your hands on anything, bring back information on what security he has in place. If you get caught, you're on your own, but that's the risk you take."</blockquote>

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