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Message: <blockquote data-quote="spyscribe" data-source="post: 1961379" data-attributes="member: 5808">Part the Ninetieth: In which, the party becomes acquainted with the beliefs and customs of a strange land.The party rides uneventfully to Seaward, although most of the horses still need a bit of reassurance to travel happily in the company of a large bear.Thatch has made great strides with Bob, and is able to ride him comfortably on the main road.   He is confident that soon his trusty steed will be ready to carry him into combat once again.The party re-supplies at Seaward, picking up a few items Lord Fau Meen was not able to provide.  Lira buys a few flasks of acid and Annika obtains a scroll of rope trick which she uses to copy the spell into her spell-book.Anvil bides his time.  Before leaving Sheesak’s lair, Lord Agasha pulled him aside for a somewhat delicate conversation.   Once they are underway from Seaward, the looming peaks of the Ketkath to port plunging into the vast waters of the Halmae that stretch as far as the eye can see to starboard, Anvil assembles the rest of the group."Lord Agasha has spoken to me about what we can expect as we journey farther into the Sovereignty," Anvil informs them, "and more importantly, what will be expected of us.""What do you mean, expected of us?" Eva wants to know. "Specifically," Anvil replies, "in matters of respect for authority and religion."Lira slouches and lets out a long sigh.  As she does, Anvil has a sudden flash of understanding regarding the sorts of things Lord Agasha had wished to bring to his attention.  Anvil fixes her with a hard stare.  "That would be a bad reaction to have if someone in the Sovereignty broaches the topic."Lira straightens, protesting, but Anvil ignores her."Being on the border, Lord Agasha is more relaxed about such things than people will be where we are going."His lecture boils down to several salient points: <ol> <li data-xf-list-type="ol"> With their equivalent of "visiting dignitary" status, the party has a bit of leeway.  If they forget to bow to a superior, they probably won't be summarily beheaded.  Probably. </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol"> The most feared people in the Sovereignty are known as Inquisitors. The party should avoid interaction with them if at all possible. </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol"> Being a cleric who casts divine spells while invoking a god other than Kettenek is a good way to get in trouble very quickly.  Lucky for the party, their only cleric is Anvil—who might be a heretical worshipper, but at least he's a worshipper. </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol"> For Reyu, the case is a bit ambiguous.  She's not invoking the might of Kettenek, but she's not invoking the might of someone else either. She probably wants to be as discreet as possible with her spellcasting. </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol"> In a contrast to the Darine Confederacy, arcane magic is viewed with little suspicion.  It follows rigid laws, and if it exists, it must be as Kettenek wills it to be. </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol"> Attempting to preach a religion other than Sovereign orthodoxy is punishable by death.  Four members of the party carry contraband in the form of holy symbols of other deities.  (Lira and Annika - Ehkt, Eva - Sedellus, and Benedic - Alirria).  From what Lord Agasha told him, Anvil doesn't think that is enough in and of itself to warrant execution, although it certainly won’t be looked on kindly.</li> </ol>Eva, Annika, and Benedic have already removed their holy symbols and hidden them away in their packs.  Lira, on the theory that someone is more likely to search her luggage than her person, has continued to wear hers under her blouse."So," she asks Anvil, "if my holy symbol falls out of my shirt, how much trouble am I in?"Anvil considers, "It would depend on what you did next.  In any case, more than a little.""So, ripping it off my neck and spitting on it would be a good option, then?"Anvil nods, "Much better than asking the Master Inquisitor if he would like one."Lira snorts.  "Good thing I'm not the one who keeps telling people they should be acolytes at my temple."Thatch begins laughing so hard he almost falls of his chair.  Finally, in between gasped breaths he manages to explain.  "You could claim someone slipped it into your pack in the marketplace.  We've had good luck with that one!"(Yep, you can tell what part of the story was being posted when this game was played!)</blockquote>

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