I am Father Malachai Chambet, a neophyte priest in the Great Church. I have spent the last three years of my life at the Cathedral in Holliston, learning the history, dogma, and rituals of our order which venerates all the gods. On this day, I was assigned my first task outside church grounds by the Revered Mother herself. She asked me to visit the shrine to Saint Vestiz in Dullum and perform the annual cleaning. Not a glorious assignment, certainly, but I know my duty.
I left for Dullum, a four day ride, with my childhood friend Paksennarion. She was visiting me at the Cathedral, having fled an arranged marriage in our home village. Our trip was uneventful and we arrived at the small temple of the church in Dullum. Father Thomas, the aged caretaker, welcomed us warmly and allowed us to stay the night. The following morning Paks and I set off for the shrine, a ride of several hours.
We entered a wooded area near the shrine, and almost immediately a sense of....wrongness assailed us. Soon, the horses refused to go any farther and Paks and I were forced to traverse the final half-mile on foot.
As the low stone structure of the shrine came into view, the sense of wrongness peaked, joined by a palpable sense of evil. The reason was obvious: the shrine to Saint Vestiz was covered with a scabrous film made up of every vile substance imaginable. Someone had magically desecrated the holy site.
Clearly overmatched, Paks and I hastened back to Dullum to seek the aid of Father Thomas. Unfortunately, when we returned, Father Thomas was nowhere to be found. We briefly inquired around town if anyone knew where the elder priest went, but the townsfolk proved less than helpful. Paks and I returned to the temple to search for clues as to Father Thomas’ whereabouts, or perhaps something to aid us.
The gods were smiling upon us, and I found an obviously ancient scroll hidden in an alcove beneath the altar. I was able to determine this scroll would sanctify an unhallowed place. With this weapon in hand, Paks and I proceeded with all due haste back to the shrine that very evening.
I left for Dullum, a four day ride, with my childhood friend Paksennarion. She was visiting me at the Cathedral, having fled an arranged marriage in our home village. Our trip was uneventful and we arrived at the small temple of the church in Dullum. Father Thomas, the aged caretaker, welcomed us warmly and allowed us to stay the night. The following morning Paks and I set off for the shrine, a ride of several hours.
We entered a wooded area near the shrine, and almost immediately a sense of....wrongness assailed us. Soon, the horses refused to go any farther and Paks and I were forced to traverse the final half-mile on foot.
As the low stone structure of the shrine came into view, the sense of wrongness peaked, joined by a palpable sense of evil. The reason was obvious: the shrine to Saint Vestiz was covered with a scabrous film made up of every vile substance imaginable. Someone had magically desecrated the holy site.
Clearly overmatched, Paks and I hastened back to Dullum to seek the aid of Father Thomas. Unfortunately, when we returned, Father Thomas was nowhere to be found. We briefly inquired around town if anyone knew where the elder priest went, but the townsfolk proved less than helpful. Paks and I returned to the temple to search for clues as to Father Thomas’ whereabouts, or perhaps something to aid us.
The gods were smiling upon us, and I found an obviously ancient scroll hidden in an alcove beneath the altar. I was able to determine this scroll would sanctify an unhallowed place. With this weapon in hand, Paks and I proceeded with all due haste back to the shrine that very evening.