Upgrade your account to a Community Supporter account and remove most of the site ads.

Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="Carlo-One" data-source="post: 8239813" data-attributes="member: 7015827">Searching for AlliesClose upon dusk, when the company was expected back at the Temple of Lathander, Darrow rejoined the others in front of it, arriving just as Aerikoth was finishing cleaning the group with his prestidigitation spell. The dwarf surmised where they had been and wondered why he couldn’t smell them. Shanni grinned and said that the wizard should use that spell on Darrow more often.As they entered Morningstar Haven, Dermot and Shanni briefly explained that they had found the Shore Patrol, now converted into restless dead. The priest on duty immediately spotted them and escorted them to Lady Tylanna’s private chamber. After knocking three times and opening the door, he formally ushered them into the room and the regal-looking high priestess curtsied gracefully in response. They were asked to present themselves, which they did somewhat bluntly, mentioning that they were known as Helm’s Shadows. Lady Tylanna welcomed them and then dismissed the priest to tend to their flock in the temple space, noting somewhat ruefully that she wished they had more priests available.Dermot somewhat awkwardly started to explain why they were there, but was quickly interrupted and assured by the high priestess that her priest had related their tale to her earlier. She indicated that she would have more questions regarding it, but first needed to salve her curiosity about the company itself, saying that they did not appear like a band of Helmites. Darrow chuckled and cracked a joke at this, while Dermot admitted that she had them there, explaining that he thought there were two founding members who were Helmites and named it, but had died. Aerikoth clarified that the name for some reason had remained; previously, there had been a converted priest of that god, but he was now deceased. Lady Tylanna was satisfied with this, saying that she had nothing against the followers of Helm, in any event.They then turned to more serious topics of conversation, with Darrow and Dermot reviewing the prophecy being pursued by the monk of Kelemvor about vampires returning to rule Westgate. Shanni and Dermot mentioned the necromantic incidents at the Shore and confirmed they had seen the undead menace firsthand. The ranger said they had heard it was the Lathanderites who had dealt with the mess the first time round, so felt it was worth asking for help or advice.Lady Tylanna observed that they were referring to the original cleansing of Westgate, by the Dawnknight Gen Soleilon. She stated that it was he who drove the original Night King from his throne, with his companions, and then built much of the city we know today, including the sewers below. It was said that the vampire threat had been eradicated, but the Night King's fabled items of power were never recovered. During the Night King's rule, as the legend went, he had catacombs beneath the city where the vampire lords ruled. She understood they were supposedly destroyed to make way for the new underground tunnels, yet it happened over a millenium ago, so who could say. Dermot inquired if there were any records, maps, or accounts surviving from that time, with Shanni pointing out that “new buggers” had moved in, as she put it.The high priestess at this point mentioned that they were not the first ones to have expressed fears of vampires and an undead menace to Westgate to her. Dermot expressed his surprise at this, while Shanni more crudely asked why Lady Tylanna wasn’t helping them more, if that were the case. The high priestess appeared shocked at the mouthy rogue’s words, as Shanni continued to complain about doing all the work and then having to beg for help, while being kept waiting by the priest.Seeing the high priestess’s uncomprehension and then growing ire, Dermot attempted to smooth things over, saying that it had been a trying day, with them still unsettled from facing walking dead in the sewer. Lady Tylanna pointedly replied that perhaps his companions needed some time along to recover, noting their impatience. The ranger in return emphasized the importance of their business, which the high priestess acknowledged, suggesting that they seek out the Ascetic of the Broken Ones, who lived in the southwest corner of the West Gate district. She said she was also going to suggest they look into the crowd at the Purple Lady, which was a well known conversational salon in the city. However, she did not believe they would fit in with them, given that patience and a certain skill at conversation would be required to gain information from the patrons there, pointedly looking at Shanni.Darrow cheerily thanked the high priestess as Dermot tried to extricate the group politely, asking if they should bring her any further proof they might dig up. Ignoring further barbed comments from Shanni, Lady Tylanna said she would welcome further word of their deeds and what they came across, acknowledging that they were the first group to have obtained direct evidence of an undead threat. Perhaps the Morninglord would be able to render some more direct assistance in the future, she said, as Dermot awkwardly thanked her and moved to usher Shanni out of the room. The petite rogue instead tossed out a last comment and flounced out on her own. The ranger gave an apologetic look on the way out and Darrow shrugged, smiling amiably as he ambled through the doorway. (I must admit, should the rogue have behaved in such a fashion with the head of our Order, she would have been summarily tossed out. The fact that in response Lady Tylanna chose to ignore rather than punish indicates to me that she perhaps believes she may also need the company as allies. She had alluded to her lack of priests earlier, a forthright admission that the faith of Lathander was not particularly rich or powerful in Westgate. --C)Aerikoth remained behind for a moment, as Shanni grumbled and complained to the others outside the chamber. The wizard warned the high priestess she should be aware that House Vhammos were deeply involved in nefarious actions, slavery and what he believed was something darker and worse. In response, she thanked Aerikoth for his words, only wishing that they had come as a surprise, and said that as a knowledgeable person he was welcome any time, curtsying to him to end the audience.</blockquote>

Verification