5. Temple District

Koveras leads the way through the streets with back straight. It takes some time pressing through the crowds of the Lower City, but eventually they pass into the Upper City.

It's a marked difference in atmosphere. On these streets there are fewer crowds, and more small groups of finely-dressed men and women. The guards here have armor that's polished and blemish-free. There are no hawkers or beggars, and the place smells considerably better.

Before long they come to a wide plaza with temples on every side. They're not equal in size, however. Most of the houses of worship are small, with Tymora and Ilmater among the smallest. Oghma and Deneir are reasonably-sized, both filled with libraries of respectable size and content. Helm and Lathander of course have monumental edifices here, but the largest belongs to Gond, the Gearsmith. The enormous building, big enough to dwarf a large warehouse, is divided into two: the High House of Wonders being the temple proper, and the other being the Hall of Wonders, a museum of invention and ingenuity.

Koveras turns to the group, beefy arms folded tight across his chest. "Well, we're here."

The Temple of Ilmater is made up of a single circular room of white marble. In the center, between a pair of columns painted crimson red, a white-robed priestess stands at a lectern.

The priestess looks up and smiles. The aged wrinkles around her eyes remind Stella of her great-grandmother Saki. "Welcome to the House of Our Martyred Father. Please, how may I be of service today?"

(Religion: Stella has heard at some point that Umberlee is worshiped by a fair number of Baldurians. Though known by some names that don't seem particularly polite, it's customary for sailors and other sea-goers to give offerings to the Wavemother before embarking on an important voyage. Umberlee's doctrine isn't particularly pleasant, and the goddess seems rather petty, if not outright evil. Still, if she has a place of worship, it doesn't seem to be in this part of the city. Actually, it seems fitting that her temple would be found in the Docks District.)

The party explains Tenya's plight.

The Ilmatari priestess kneels down in front of the little girl and takes a deep breath, eyes full of empathy. "Don't worry, Tenya. We'll find a good home for you."

The priestess looks up at the group. "From what you've told me and as far as I can determine, I think she might be an aasimar of Umberlee."

(Insight: While her expression is serene, her voice carries concern. This faithful follower of a goodly and merciful deity is conflicted. Does Tenya belong with the Wavesisters of Umberlee? Or would she have a better life as far from adherents of the evil Sea Queen as possible?)

One of the questioned passersby is a well-dressed gnomish fellow with a fashionable cane. He turns about quickly to answer Stella's inquiry, poking her leg with the tip of his cane. "Tiax cares nothing for such false idols! You'd do best to change your foolish ways and worship the One and True Ruler of the Universe: Tiax!"

"Have you not just been enlightened?" the gnome's face reddens in anger. "Tiax the Grand will never reward such shameful ignorance! Tiax will place a mark of shame upon your forehead!"

The gnome takes his cane in both hands in a dramatic windup that might be comical if not for the mad gleam in his eye...

"Out of Tiax's way, you half-tusked heathen!"

The gnome swings the cane at Aiwe with all his might - and then is puzzled as his hands leave the makeshift weapon behind, secure in Dieter's grasp.

Emptyhanded, the furious little fellow yells a stream of nonsensical syllables at the trio of adventurers. "YarbydeGOOsifulSNAPPLEGOB!"

The words echo round and round in their minds, growing and fading and interrupting themselves in a maddening fashion. Aiwe resists the strange effect easily, and Dieter clears it up himself with a blink and a headshake. But Stella finds herself overwhelmed by the cacophony.

Given the gnome's commotion, it doesn't take long for guards to arrive. "Again, Tiax? We might just lock you up for good this time..."

"No!" Tiax cries. "There is no cell that can hold Great Tiax! Tiax will rule all! 'Tis destined to be so!"

As the guards hoist the crazed gnome away, Stella feels the nefarious magic affecting her fade, and within a minute or so she feels normal again. Whatever magic this 'Tiax' brought to bear, it doesn't seem to pose any danger.

With that situation handled, Stella and the rest easily locate the Temple of Oghma. The place seems much more akin to a library than a proper temple, and the smell of hundreds of old books and papers is reminiscent of Candlekeep. Several scribe-priests immediately offer assistance.

The scholar-priests of Oghma indeed have rotating pilgrimages to Candlekeep in search of knowledge, and assure Stella that her letters will be included in the next such visit - for a reasonable donation to the temple's coffers, of course (at least 20 gp).With business here sorted, the group heads towards the Silvershield estate.