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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Carlo-One" data-source="post: 8241110" data-attributes="member: 7015827">Following the high priestess’ directions, they made their way through the West Gate district to the southwest corner, Shanni still occasionally grumbling, until they came to a narrow door near a sewer entrance; the Jolly Warrior inn was also in sight. This matched the description of the house occupied by the Ilmater monk, so they knocked and were greeted by Than, a student of the Ascetic One. Dermot mentioned they had been sent by the Lady of Lathander, ignoring Shanni’s eye roll in response, and the student accompanied them inside.The interior of the house was sparely furnished and contained another student, Millan, who was by the door. Their master had been seated cross-legged in the back of the room, but rose and moved noiselessly over the floorboards as the three adventurers entered his home. The monk stated that he was known as the Ascetic of the Broken Ones, or the Ascetic One, bowing to them in welcome.The companions introduced themselves, Shanni expressing her hope that the monk would see the urgency behind their business more than the last lot, as she put it. This brought a smile to the Ascetic One’s face, as he said he found it curious that they had sought out a monk for fast action. He then dismissed his students to wander the city and return in an hour, instructing them to tell him afterwards what they had learned. (While this was almost certainly a ploy to get his students away from what subsequently might be considered a distressing and private conversation, I have to admire the monk's panache. It has only occasionally been equaled by some of the more senior members of our Order. --R)After they had left, Dermot informed him they had heard rumors of vampires and missing people, it having been suggested that the monk might have a finger on the pulse of the issue, so to speak. The Ascetic One declared that these were weighty words and resume sitting cross-legged on the floor to meditate while they shared their knowledge. Darrow took the lead in explaining about the now-deceased monk of Kelemvor’s research of a prophecy, which hinted that a vampire king might return to rule Westgate. Once Darrow had finished, with Aerikoth and Dermot’s approval, Shanni then interjected that for their group, the business had started about two tendays ago, after encountering a self-animating pile of bones.While acknowledging the existence of the prophecy, the monk observed that they seemed to have more material concerns as well. Dermot explained about the word of missing people on the Shore and the disappearance of the Shore Patrol, whom they had found subsequently as walking dead in the sewer. The monk termed this a grim fate for the gang, but perhaps not undeserved, although he was sure the brother of Kelemvor they mentioned would view it as an abomination. Dermot concluded by mentioning they had been sent to the Ascetic One’s abode after going to the temple of Lathander for assistance.The monk expressed his surprise that they had won the trust of the Lathanderites so readily, saying that he was not known to many. Shanni snorted and said that it sounded more like they were trying to pass the problem on. The Ascetic One countered, asking what they would then have the Lathanderites do to their foes, whom he he had not heard named. Darrow joked that getting an ale at least would be a start, then Shanni agitatedly reiterated their concerns with what was happening with the undead in the city. The monk made the observation that they wished to strike directly, like a sword thrust, but it seemed that they did not even know their enemy yet, seeing no face to their problem.Declaring he needed a moment to meditate upon this, the Ascetic One closed his eyes as Shanni let out an exasperated sigh. The monk folded his hands in his robes and closed his eyes, breathing slowly as he turned his attention inwards. The others stood watching for several breaths, until he opened his eyes, staring ahead calmly as he stated that he might be able to offer them a chance to strike at the unknown enemy. Darrow, Dermot and Shanni showed their eagerness for him to continue, while Aerikoth simply stared back, with an unblinking gaze.</blockquote>

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