Episode 3 - Civic Temple

[SilverBen]

Episode 3 - The Civic Temple

The heroes escort an injured boy, Ganavette, who attempted to steal a backpack and escape their pursuit to the Civic Temple in the Slums District. The boy suffered serious injuries during the chase but Vatn was able to partially heal him with a deeper understanding that the Civic Temple could prevent any overlooked injuries that pose additional risks to the boy's health.

Thorily took possession of the stolen backpack, which the party intends to dutifully return to (NPC) Arkade Broder, a marine engineer working in the Guild Hall district. Broder offered a handsome reward if the party could return it to him immediately.

As the party headed out through the Slums to the Civic Temple, the nature of the boy's injuries began to worsen. The boy complained of headaches, dizziness, and showed signs of confusion. Vatn worries that without more advanced attention, Ganavette's life may be at risk. Mudlark attempts to calm and soothe Ganavette but also begins to become concerned for his welfare.

While walking towards the Civic Temple, Thrainel towers over the others and sights a large crowd of what appears to be two factions in tense argument ready to escalate. (At a distance 50 yards/meters, at the red star on the map posted for Episode 3 in the Players Handouts thread.) A group of more than ten (exactly how many is unsure from this distance) sailors, marines, menial workers are protesting against the clergy outside the Civic Temple. Noden, Vatn's companion, halts cautiously and notes the atmosphere from afar, perhaps alerted by the scent of aggression on the wind.

"What should we do next then? That was our tribute!" angrily asks one of the protesters who appears to be the leader in a loud voice in a challenge to the clergy. Vatn identifies them immediately as clerics of Njord.

Objectives:

• Enter the Civic Temple
• Heal Ganavette
• Discover the map
• Learn history/rumors of the map

[Rex]

Vatn

"This doesn't look good. Any ideas on getting around this mess? I may have to get involved, if so we should at least have a plan for someone else to get Ganavette into the temple while I deal with or at least distract the crowd."

[Urson]

Mudlark
Despite her earlier doubts, Mudlark is beginning to believe that Ganavette isn't faking. She keeps an eye on the boy- after all, he has some native talent, and may become an outstanding cat burglar.
When the group sees the potential scuffle, Mudlark quietly moves up behind the tradesmen, sailors, etc. She keeps her ears open, trying to gather more information about the cause of the disagreement.

[redwarrior]

Thrainel watches the protesting group and the shouting and says quietly to his companions I... hate to admit it, but I can often get my way by being loud and imposing, especially when I'm in my armor like now and with my sword in hand. Should we try the "make a hole!" approach? he asks with a small grin.

[sastaz]

Thorily considers that last suggestion.

"That's actually both a lousy and a great idea. Tell you what. Go ahead with that plan you and Vatn, only do it from this side." She points to the western part of the crowd. "Try to make as much ruckus as humanly possible. I the meantime, me, Nesta and Mudlark will sneak in with the kid from the other side." She points at the eastern part of the star. "The more you can get everyone's attention, the easier it will be for us to just walk right in. How does that sound? Angry men tends to scream and fight when someone tells them to move aside, in my experience."

[SilverBen]

DM posted, standing in for Ogre Mage

Nesta peers down the distance between the party and studies the increasingly tense scene outside the Civic Temple with his enhanced visual abilities. The call starts with one voice emitted by one of lower ranking Clerics of Njord, which soon echoes among the others, "Disruptors are not welcomed! "

Nesta explains to the party, "It seems as if the disruptors are being escorted out," he hesitates before finding a polite description, "... in a most unceremonious manner."

From a distance, it is clear to see the contempt and confrontation each side has for each other beneath the thin layer of civility.

[Rex]

Vatn

"I think you are correct Nesta, and I fear I am likely to set the crowd off as another member of the clergy. But if me drawing their attention allows Thorily and Mudlark to sneak around with Ganavette it should be worth it. Go ahead and get ready, then I will get their attention."

Once they are set Vatn moves over where Thorily suggested and start yelling at the crowd. "Disperse now, you are disrupting important temple business." He makes himself as imposing as possible and had Norden standing next to him with his hand resting on his collar.

15 Chr

[Darithe]

Tove

She remains silent beside Vatn, trying to appear intimidating should any prove to be threatening to the priest.

[OGRE MAGE]

Nesta looks over the layout of the buildings, keeping one eye open for an escape route, just in case things go badly.

“There is no reason for us to get involved in this fight. We are only looking out for the well-being of the boy. Let’s attempt the plan, but also try not to attract any more attention to ourselves than necessary. We can try to get inside during the diversion, but if things go south, we could always just leave the boy here. The clergy will look after him, no doubt.”

[Urson]

Mudlark
Mudlark's fingers itch at the wasted opportunity- all these common citizens with coin purses waiting to be harvested like apples in an orchard! But she grits her teeth and puts a hand on Ganny's shoulder. Come along, lad- we'll get the priest to look at you, make sure you haven't sprung anything serious.
Her intent is to just slip past the scene and into the church.

[SilverBen]

Round 2

The two factions engage in a struggle that ends quickly in favor of the Clerics of Njord, who manage to secure their courtyard entrance by driving the disruptors away. After a few unsettling moments of silence and uncertainty, the Clerics of Njord regain their composure and resume their daily tasks with one notable exception: the entrance to their shrine at the Civic Temple is now guarded by three clerics.

The street scene settles back to a more normal atmosphere, with visitors seeking money changing, sacrificial offerings, lining up to enter the various archways for the different deities patronized at the Civic Temple.

Round 3
Ganavette stands nearby Mudlark and Vatn, staring upwards watching a small flock of seagulls encircling the Civic Temple courtyard. He sways and then unexpectedly collapses to the dirt road.

Rex, if you wish, you can use one of Vatn's known NPCs as a connection inside the Civic Temple, or wait to use this as a resource in a later episode.

[Rex]

Vatn

I will use a contact for a priest of Njord. His name will be Mundi.

Seeing Ganavette collapse and the temple way guarded Vatn springs into action. He lifts Ganavette carefully over his shoulder and moves as quickly as possible to the temple entrance.

As he approaches the entrance, "I am Vatn, priest of Njord. I know Mundi who is a priest here and he can vouch for me. But the boy is injured badly and needs more help then I can give, and quickly."

[Urson]

Mudlark
Mudlark looks stricken when the boy goes down. She will insist on going with Vatn.

[sastaz]

Thorily does her best "panicked mom" performance, holding the boy's head in her hands screaming

"Someone help, my boy is dying here, pleeeeeease"

[redwarrior]

Thorily does her best "panicked mom" performance, holding the boy's head in her hands screaming

"Someone help, my boy is dying here, pleeeeeease"

Thrainel strides over to her, and in a loud voice says Ma'am, Follow me and we will get this boy of yours to healers! , and he sets off in front of Vatn saying Sick child coming through! while walking in a straight line for the priests guarding the courtyard.

[SilverBen]

Vatn
Seeing Ganavette collapse and the temple way guarded Vatn springs into action. He lifts Ganavette carefully over his shoulder and moves as quickly as possible to the temple entrance.

As he approaches the entrance, "I am Vatn, priest of Njord. I know Mundi who is a priest here and he can vouch for me. But the boy is injured badly and needs more help then I can give, and quickly."

Round 4

Lifting the limp boy, Vatn, Thrainel, and Thorily lead the way into the Civic Temple and are directed through the complex. Mudlark, Nesta, and Tove follow them through several small rooms set up with simple furniture and equipment to serve a variety of functions.

Each room is decorated with different masterworks of engravings depicting Njord in clothing and wirh the trappings of each function such as money changing, apothecary, food distribution, etc until they reach the hospice, where Njord is depicted as a priest with outspread hands over a figure laying in supine position.

Upon reaching the hospice, a nearly bare room except for a hay filled mattress and a wooden table upon which stands several tall silver carafes and cups, one of the guards directs Vatn, "Place the boy upon the mattress, alongside these receptacles, and remove his clothes until the last modest article..."

Peeling off the articles of clothing quickly reveals the more serious nature of Gavanette's internal injuries by the swelling now visible to all...

In the urgent clamor, another one of the guards replies to the more senior, "I'll summon Brother Mundi here to Brother Vatn..." and departs from the hospice room

Two other guards hang their weapons on their belts and begin administering medical care with an examination. They quickly identify the issue and join hands while chanting in prayer over the boys limp and swollen body.

"Brother Vatn, make your devotions hastily but in chorus with us..." he urges while reaching out his splayed hand towards Thorily...

[Rex]

Vatn

Vatn kneels next to the boy and joins the guards in prayer. Trying to match his prayers to the brothers and placing his hands on the boy.

[SilverBen]

Civic Temple - Hospice.
Round 4
Mudlark, Thrainel, and Tove see nothing remarkable in the silver carafes but water. Each one is filled nearly to their rims with clear water, which ripples and reflects from within to the frenzy of activity in placing Gavanette upon the mattress and removing his clothing to reveal the swelling that now threatens his life.

[sastaz]

Thorily, initially seeing this as more of a heist thing, now suddenly feels...something. A fragment of genuine empathy for the boy perhaps? No, better to put that aside and keep her eyes on the price. It's a rough world out there, *** happens. Her internal dialogue goes.

However, her concern shows through somehow and she plays along with it.

"Brother, will he be alright?" she looks at Mundi with a worried face.

[SilverBen]

The unnamed cleric of Njord merely turns his face from the Ganavette to Thorily and reaches his hand out towards her inviting her to grasp it.

Thorily watches his mouth move quickly, but hears no voice. Instead. his whispered prayers continue uninterrupted as if the boys life hangs in the balance by his unbroken concentration.

The cleric dips each of his hands into the silver bowl and then lays them atop the boy's chest, opposite his heart. Vatn kneels beside the boy with his hands upon him as well.