Week of Remembrance

The city is a bustle just after first light. The second day of the week of remembrance looks to be quite busy. Guardsmen shoo off urchins from main fairways. Vendors prep their stalls to peddle the goods they have brought. Quite a few people are happily sharing spirits with strangers on the cobblestone roads. During the week of remembrance the city celebrates the great cleric Makalic that died to save the holy empire. Chanters march in the street reciting the tale as an entourage of young maidens follow along bestowing gifts to onlookers, usually floral wreaths and even a kiss if you're lucky.

Nornin you wake up with a gruff dwarven sailor not too gently shaking you. Oi, wake up yeh can get off our bloody ship now. The dwarves were obviously not thrilled with your odd, albeit innocent antics. The "bed", more like a metal sheet, you slept on did not give you a restful experience. Many of the merchant dwarves are hustling about to get their wares to market. You have arrived in the city of Thanos.

Ink you were given the name of a gnome Tixhin Stabrix from a fellow artist in Zigan. He is a scholar who has been trying to study lost arts from Masriedor. Your information has led you to Thanos where he is partaking in the festivities of the week of remembrance.

Marcus your position with the Preceptor Grand Paladin Cetus you have been granted the honor to bear witness to the ancient prayer involving the three divine relics that helped found the holy empire. This ritual is performed during the week of remembrance. Lysander, your longtime friend and paladin guard has come to escort both you and the relics. You have known this tall blond haired man to be the most devout and honorable paladin and friend. As with all of his order he has a drake, Preta, that follows him around. She only stands about shoulder high with small wings. She has yet to mature fully and be able to carry her companion, though is still a formidable force. During the ritual both you and Lysander will stand in the great hall in Thanos's cathedral. You have just arrived in the city with your entourage, a day late due to some unforeseeable troubles, and should make all haste to the cathedral.

Marcus - I know just the thing. Lysander looks back at the gharry and gives it a short but sharp whistle. Preta, who was napping on the crate carrying your precious cargo, leaps to the ground her deep blue scales glittering in the morning light. With the appearance of the drake the street quickly opens for you to pass. Preta prancing to the front of the group, she is obviously showing off to the crowd. Lysander gives a warm smile and a wave to several ladies on the side of the road whom are giving both of you favorable looks. It is amazing, my friend, all the things the All Father has given us. Now let us make all haste. With that he marches off plate armor clanking with each step from the quickened pace.
(Perception check)

Ink many of them talk about the empire's relics that they saw on the first day. The relics seem to be located in the city square just in front of the cathedral. You eventually stumble on a conversation that draws your attention. I heard it from a holy cleric emself. If you complete the challenge of faith ya get a free trip to Damae, would ya really want to pass up meetin the Archprelate himself?

Nornin only one of the dwarves even takes the time to give you a curt scoff as you skip away. It doesn't take you long to find a man pedaling hare furs. Overhearing him barter with his current customer. Five copper, I assure you sir you will find no better this side of the empire. The man handling one of the pelts Eh, these aint worth more than two copper each.

Nornin you begin counting pelts. The peddler quickly eyes you and your patched robes, as you can see my good fellow these pelts are of the utmost quality. This good man here is back to purchase more pelts for his mistress. Sold half my stock yestereve at one silver a pelt to her. with a sigh of resignation the customer gives in. The All Father is with you this day three pelts at 5 copper each. The peddler smiles, Take your pick good sir. Down the street a chanter and his entourage turn the corner quickly drawing a crowd. The peddler looking flustered ducks back into his shabby stall. Soon he returns with a small pouch and a dozen floral wreaths. Dumping them into your arms he gives you a worried look. yer mistress did say first light, though who am I to second guess her if she be changen her mind. he lowers his voice to a whisper, As agreed the flowers for the girls and some greasing money should ya need it. He nods to the chanters procession.
The bag has 10 gold pieces and 12 floral wreaths.
(Arcana check)

Ink- Tixhin looks up from a simple device he has been tinkering with and casually speaks loquaciously, oh, it would be quite an experience, I would surmise that they are from the Thessalonians' doctrine. Most likely to recount verses from memory. One would assume that at the end all the versus would paint an overall picture. The contestant would then have to interpret the message and deliver an adequate response as the final challenge. He lowers his voice, though not being the most devout I fear I would miss the connotations. Tixhin's eyes widen at the mention of the ink pieces. the problem with that my inquisitive friend is solving the mystery on runic tattoos would most likely involve my death. I failed to find evidence of a single expedition to Masriedor that didn't end in disaster. Tis a shame though that the dwarves have lost so much of their ancestral knowledge. sighing with regret his shoulders slump under the weight of his task. Moments later his eyes light up obviously his mind switching to a new topic, I would much like to see these "artifacts" that they have for viewing. Would you care to join me?

Marcus after you utter those ambivalent words you get an unsettling feeling in your back. Curious enough, from your years of combat, you have only felt this way when someone was shadowing you usually with ill intent. When you quickly survey the crowd you don't notice anyone out of the ordinary, or even remotely threatening. Lysander turns to you with his usual smile, As many of my order would find those words bordering on heresy. I feel as it is evidence that we each must walk our own path to find the All Father's light. his smile wanes slightly, though, as the Archprelate is the only one who can directly hear his words we are left to utilize the words we are deemed privileged enough to hear.

i'm not noe to say no to a good deal, ill take three of them, that was 15 copper if my math is correct. Normin counts out the coins and rolls up the leather.

(GM edit) arcana check - (1D20+5)
[20]+5 = 25

Marcus - Just ahead of you the west archway to the city square is a welcome sight. Lysander breaths a sigh of relief, and we must have faith that he will guide even the most fallible of us to our destined paths. he pauses glancing back at the cart for a moment then lowers his voice, I have not, only Venetores are usually permitted to observe these proceedings. lucky for me you were selected to be a special case. Giving you friendly smile and a gentle nudge with his elbow. We can expect a score of clerics and a few clergymen. As for what happens, all I have heard is that the experience is humbling.

Venetores are elite Paladins with matured dragons as companions.

Ink - Tixhin begins to make his way east toward the city square. oh, this? A dwarf was in possession of an ancient blueprint for it. From what I could translate of the old tongue it's called a drone. I was able to recreate it. Jiggling it, the three legs flop around lifelessly, though, I have not figured out the power source, or even where it could possibly go. He pokes at it a few more times. You can see the archway for the city square looming over you. A large crowd, tents, and stalls lie in the space just beyond.

Nornin - you feel the floral wreaths have a simple detection spell on them
The peddler happily makes the trade. When the chanter's entourage is behind you the man glances between the flowers your holding and the girls bestowing gifts near you. One luscious maiden glides up to you. Her blue eyes sparkle with joy, and her shoulder high blond hair hugs her face gently. Bright red lips give you a waned smile, may the all father watch over you. She hesitates for a moment then gives you a gentle kiss on the cheek.

Marcus - Lysander with a serine look recites church rhetoric, All will know the truth of his light in the end. Seeing your hurried pace Lysander gives two sharp whistles and Preta starts to trot. You notice she is having a difficult time getting through the crowd, and begins to nudge her way through. The reason for the loss of interest in Preta soon becomes apparent. On a stage near the center of all the tents two venetores stand watch behind several clerics. Just off stage behind their riders the fifteen foot high dragons draw eyes from all around the square in awe. Even with the crowd you are able to reach the cathedral shortly. A nun rushes you three through the twists and turns of the building. Four monks in tow carry the precious crate from your cart. Reaching the main hall three venetores without a word reverently open the crate and haul out an ornate chest. The nun turns to you with a wrinkled nose from your stench, this will not do. Please, the sisters have robes prepared for you. her hand points to two nuns standing near a door to an antechamber. Take your time it will be a little while till we are ready to proceed.

Ink - Tixhin grins at your request. yes, yes he begins to reassemble the construct as you walk. Generally, you are aware of normal folk around you to avoid being caught underfoot, but the two cloaked figures walking right beside you draw your attention. Even on this warm sunny day both have their cloaks wrapped tight and hoods shadowing their faces. The shorter figure walks with a smooth gate, but the second figure should be drawing attention standing near seven feet tall with shoulders broad enough to match. Being taller in stature than you they soon outpace you and your companion. Ah finished, here you are. I will be right back. Tixhin drops the metal construct in your hands and shuffles off to the nearby stage. The drone is made of iron and just larger than your fist. Three segments for each leg. From appearance the legs would be able to rotate, flip, and reach any location on or around the drone. You notice that each piece has a ruin etched into it they appear dwarven, but you can't make any of them out.

Nornin - The Girl accepts the wreaths. While your packing away your furs another girl runs up to your assistant. After a few words they both giggle and skip off.

Bacta - Fortunately, all of the festivities have covered your movements through the city. From the crowd two girls slip out toward you. One has bright blue eyes, full red lips, shoulder length blond hair, and an arm full of floral wreaths. The other has brownish hair, green eyes that twinkle of innocence, and red lips as bright as her companion. They both give you an alluring look and recite in unison, may the all father bless you. the blond places a wreath over your hooded head, and they both give you a overtly long kiss on each side of your face. Giggling to themselves they both turn to find their next victim.

Thinking to himself "Another time ladies". Bacta removes the wreath as swiftly as it was placed on him and places it on a passerby and continues on his way. Attempting to draw as little attention as possible.

"What am I doing here?" He continues to think to himself, giving the bone dagger under his cloak a firm squeeze. Bacta looks around, searching, attempting to find some clue or lead as to why he has taken himself out of the Forest jungles of Arbelladon's and the peaceful seclusion that it provided to bring himself into the middle of this...celebration.