Legendary Exploits of Three Not Viking Brothers

"As I said, their opinions are as varied as there are species of bird. The Daughters of this city reside at the main monastery."

"Then I will take my leave. Thank you father." As Gwain exists toward the monastery, he puzzles over the priests words. "If all the priests are the voice of Themis, how can they all have a different opinion? Maybe Robillard will know. He always had a talent for understanding the priests' riddles."

As Gwain takes his leave he hears the priest shout after him with a cryptic phrase "Do not fear the moon for it lights the dark the same as the sun. Your own blood will keep you safe in this darkness young one." When Gwain turns around to look back at the priest he sees him walking towards the door he had gestured to Gwain earlier.

"Well that was peculiar," thinks Gwain, "but I have places to see and people to do." Gwain makes his way towards the monastery.

Gwain leaves the staple and begins making his way towards the central monastery in the city (it's really obvious which one it is). Even from where Gwain is, the peak of the enormous structure can be seen and is only second in size to the grand castle at the heart of the city. At its top is a golden hawk that gleans in the day's sunlight and its wingspan is probably the same size as that of Robillards. With a direction in mind, Gwain begins his walk across the city to the Grand Monastery. Cutting through the tournament grounds, Gwain sees all kinds of preparations being done by workers around erecting tents and podiums and other such temporary structures for the event and Gwain can feel his own excitement for the coming events rising as he walks past it all.

Soon enough, Gwain arrives at the front of the monastery which has a circular set of stairs that leads up to its large double wood door entrance and several robed priests can be seen standing outside with some singing praise to the sun (PRAISE THE SUN!!!). Gwain spots three robed women with golden branch crowns about their heads (typical for a Daughter of Themis, imagine Jesus's crown of thorns but no thorns) tending to a series of bushes and flowers in front of the monastery.

Gwain casually saunters to the women working in the garden wearing an inviting smile. "It's a lovely day to be working outside. This is quite a magnificent garden you're tending to. How do you keep it looking so fresh and lively?"

One of the women stands and turns to face you and you are stunned to learn her eyes are completely milky white and is obviously blind. Otherwise the young and attractive women says to you "Hello good sir. Thank you for recognizing our work. We strive to make the world as beautiful as our Mothers golden light."

"A noble pursuit indeed. Especially in these dark and trying times. How can you stay so focused on your duties when such turmoil boils around you?"

The other two women stand up and you see they are also attractive women dressed the same with the same milky white eyes as the first girl. The blonde one smiles and says "Whatever could you mean sir? These are wonderful times. Never before has the golden light of Mother reached so far to her children."

"Have you not heard the news? The crusades have been withdrawn and the old king has fallen. The lichdom marches ever closer to our gateway."

As Gwain says this he can't help but feel as though a large number of eyes are staring at you with malice. The Daughters maintain the same expression and this time a brown haired one with fairer skin says "Crusade? Lich's? What are you talking about sir? Are you feeling quite alright?"

Gwain's eyes dart around in discomfort. "Surely you're aware of what's caused such discord amongst the priests recently."

Before the Daughter can respond a voice comes from Gwain side and says "Are you being bothered, dear Daughters?" Gwain looks over to see a priest walking over to Gwain glaring at him.

The Daughter answers with the same smile "Oh no, I believe that this man is frantic and in need of help. Would you be so kind as to help alleviate his grievances?"

The priest doesn't respond until he reaches Gwain and he continues glaring at him, "I think I can help him. If you would come with me, sir." Gwain realizes every priest who is outside the monastery is also glaring at Gwain.

Gwain furrows his brow in confusion and frustration. "Can anyone in this city really not know about the king's death?"

[15 on Awareness]

You're pretty confident that they don't know shit

"Father, surely you're aware of the turmoil within the clergy. I was talking to a priest not an hour ago who told me the opinions of the priests were as varied as the species of birds."

The priest grabs you by the arm and maintains eye contact with you as he says "Yes dear Daughters I do believe this one is in need of help. I'll take him away from you so as not to further stress you."

Gwain doesn't resist, but continues to question the priest as he is lead away. "I don't understand father, did I say something wrong? I thought Themis encouraged her people to speak the truth."

The priest silently "guides" Gwain away from the Daughters to the side of the monastery. Despite Gwains repeated attempts to get a response the priest doesn't respond and soon Gwain is walking down a long, dark, and moist corridor where he gets the sense he is going underground. Eventually, you two reach a heavy wooden door and the priest gestures for Gwain to get inside what is comparable to a dungeon. The small room is made of solid stone and has nothing within except an unlit oil lamp and a wooden chair.

"Uhh, Father, what is this place? Why does a monastery house a cell like this? I'm not as familiar with Themis' writ as I should be, but I don't think it says anywhere that people who talk to her Daughters should be thrown in a dungeon."

[If the priest attempts to lock Gwain in the cell, Gwain will start combat with a grapple or disengage.]

The priest continues glaring at Gwain and says "You have undermined the innocence of the Daughters. You are to await questioning. Get in the room."

"Clearly there's been a misunderstanding. I didn't know speaking with the Daughters of Themis about current events was against her wishes. As a noble of the ancient House Griswald, you can take my word that I won't make such a mistake again."

"Get. In. The. Room" he says coldly

"Well someone woke up on the wrong side of their cot today. Well if you say so father, I guess I'll--BY THE HEAVENLY LIGHT, WHAT'S THAT THING IN THERE!" Hoping the priest get momentarily distracted by Gwain's oh so clever diversion, Gwain sprints off as fast as his legs will carry him towards the surface.

[10 on Athletics check]

Gwain breaks out from the priest's grip and begins running as fast as he can back down the hall he was taken. Much to Gwain surprise (and worry probably) Gwain does not hear any shouts or the footsteps of the priest behind him and looking over his shoulder Gwain can no longer see the priest. Perhaps due to the darkness or because he went through another door.

Gwain continues to sprint down the corridor and remains alert to any signs of trouble.

As Gwain continues his sprint he soon comes to realise that a pair of footsteps can are echoing down the hall ahead of him. The noise from his own footsteps is no doubt extremely audible to whoever is coming towards him.

As he runs, Gwain looks around for anything that might make a good hiding spot but quickly realizes there is nothing of use in this dark, forsaken hallway. Gwain draws his fencing blade, hoping that he won't have to use it and prepares himself to tumble past the oncoming pursuers.

Leewan wonders to himself what discreet methods Gwain is employing at this very moment to scout out approachable sources of information within the church.

Approachable indeed

The sound of Gwain drawing his blade sends an audible ring down the hallway. Soon Gwain sees two robed figures coming down the hallway towards Gwain. One wears crimson and the other blue and both are looking straight at you as you walk. The one in red is obviously older and says in a warm voice,

"In quite the rush today aren't we child?"

"Got that right!" Gwain quips as he attempts to baseball slide right between the men and continue his sprint.

[16 on agility]

Gwain goes into a slide as he approaches the men and he feels that he has excellently transferred his weight into the slide and will easily convert it into a run once he's past the men. Gwain can feel the exhilaration as his feet extend past the men and can feel freedom from whatever he's gotten himself into but he is suddenly stopped dead in his tracks and suffers a bit of a jolt as he comes to an immediate stop. Gwain soon realizes that the blue robed priest had managed to grab Gwains arm as he went by and both of the men are looking down at him perplexed.

Gwain can hardly believe he has been stopped in his tracks by a couple priests. The only response he can muster is a coy smile and some flailing words. "Heh, well father, I was just on my way out you see. If you'd be so kind as to let me continue on my way..."

The red-robed one says with a callous smile "It would appear, Father Hoes was correct. A shame that such youth could be compromised by filth and evil that they would knowingly compromise a Daughters innocence." He looks up and nods to the individual in blue who subsequently pulls a pair of manacles from his person and makes to clasp Gwain's hands in iron.

Gwain sighs in surrender and allows himself to be shackled (again). "How is a man to know that speaking clerical matters with members of the clergy is forbidden? I've never seen such a restriction where I come from. Excuse me just one moment fathers." Gwain coos the call of the morning thrush, the distress signal for members of Gwain's Guard. The chances are slim, but the sound might carry along the smooth hall to the surface and reach one of the men's ears. "Why is my backup never here when I need it?"

Gwain coos and hears it echo down the halls. The priest in blue shackles Gwain and says to the other priest "Must be a Yesmale if he thinks that'll work. That or a savage someone took pity on."

The red robed priest shakes his head and says "Doubtful, but a Yesmale perhaps. Only they would allow such stupidity as their citizens to question Themis' faithful."

Gwain is dragged off and soon is thrown inside a room much like the one he saw earlier. The red priest looks over you as you lay sprawled on the floor after being thrown in and says "You're obviously guilty, but we'all have you softened up before your questioning. If you really are an idiot, I've never known the Von Griswalds to be kinder to their own than what we'all do."

With that the door closes shut, and Gwain is left alone in total darkness.

Gwain takes a moment to wonder at how he always ends up as a prisoner. For a moment, he considers making more stable life choices. That train of thought doesn't last long. While alone in the cell, Gwain checks to see if he can reach any of his hidden blades from his manacled position. Afterwards he examines the room for any remarkable features.

Gwain find all of his hidden weapons are still on his person as the priests didn't do a thorough pat down of him (though they took your bow and blade). Looking around in the total, pitch, black darkness of the room Gwain finds it is lacking the chair that the previous one had and finds absolutely nothing remarkable at all (except a pebble you can through around and try to find as your only source of entertainment). All Gwain is left to do is wait in the darkness and try not to get in even more trouble.

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Three days go by and Leewan spends them speaking on occasion with Detlef who is busy quite often, going about the city, and glaring outwards on the city at night from a balcony contemplating whatever it is Leewan contemplates. On the morning of three days until the coronation, the ball, and the tournament (in that order) suddenly Leewan finds Robillard bursting in through the manners doors asking where Leewan is frantically. Leewan sees that Robillard looks and smells like crap and has a untrimmed beard that indicates Robillard may have not moved for quite some time since he last spoke to him.

The Eldar brother of the Griswalds turns as if made of stone. He rises in one slow, smooth and efficient motion.

"What is the nature of the emergency brother?"

"Themis has answered my prayers! My hours of meditation and fasting proved me worthy. Guinevere accepted my trembling touch, showing me that I must trust in those closest to me!"

"Very well. Provide proof that Guinevere is a powerful tool in the house arsenal and perhaps a contract for barding can be arranged. Has Gwain reported to you on his mission?"

"His mission? I was not aware he was carrying out a productive task. I assumed he was acting the wastrel as usual. As for Guinevere, how might she prove herself to you, as she has proved herself to me?"

"Through victory in trying combat. There is no other way to measure to worth of a soldier. Before you return to your meditations with your demigryph it would be a boon for the house if you, a trusted kinsman, were to find Gwain. He must resurface from executing his orders so that he may secure prize money from the archery tournament. Unless ... he has accepted my terms for house payment."

"Very well, brother, where was he last seen?" Robillard asks, not showing his annoyance that Gwain is allowed to compete in the tournament, while he is ignored and rejected.

"Off to investigate a matter in the church. Given his penchant for rambunctious and rancorous behavior finding him should not give challenge."

Robillard chuckles at that. "How right you are. I'll find him in no time at all." He then takes some time to freshen up (shave, bathe, clean Guinevere) and then, dressed in nicer clothes, heads to the large cathedral to look for his lost brother.

Robillards leaves Leewan to his breakfast and just after noon he finishes up and heads off into the city in more fine clothes rather than his heavy armor and weapons. Thanks to the size of the monastery it is easy to figure out a path once Robillard reaches one of the main roads. Soon enough, Robillard stands before the enormous structure that stands as a grand reminder of Themis' presence. Out front Robillard can see around eight holy men with some handing food to poor outside and others talking amongst themselves about matters.

Robillard walks up to the holy men with his head bowed in respect. He goes towards the priests speaking amongst themselves and waits to be acknowledged. When they see him, he says, "Fathers, excuse me for interrupting. I am Robillard von Griswald. Have you by chance seen my brother, Gwain? He was recently sent by the head of our house to speak with the church on matters of some importance, but he has not returned from his visit."

The priests look at each other and none of them immediately answer your query. One of them shrugs and says "I'm sorry child, I cannot say any of us have seen your brother. Mayhaps he went to one of the other churches?"

"Certainly possible. Please, send a message to my brother, Leewan von Griswald, if you hear anything. Your actions are most appreciated. Thank you, Fathers. Praise Themis."

Assuming the priests have nothing else to say, Robillard will then go to the next church, and the next one, and the next one (starting at the biggest churches and moving to smallest) looking for anyone who has any information about Gwain. [He may not have the best plan, but he's doggedly persistent.]