TEMPLE OF DALA
[ZONE 5] [TOP]
ACCEPT GRAIN QUEST:
James asked to see the high priestess.
The attendant priest escorting them rattled like a great knight, a broadsword belted at his hip and his head covered in chain link underneath his hood. They passed other priests in the temple who were similarly attired, the whole of the religious order seemingly geared for a great battle.
When at last they entered a small room, the burly priest nodded towards a large paper triptych which stood near the rear wall. "High priestess Risa will see you after she has attended to the sick one. I will return after your business is finished."
A small whimper came from behind the shadowed screen but was quickly shushed by the high priestess. After a few moments, a lightly robed figure moved out from behind the screen, a bowl of gruel clutched between her small hands.
"High priestess?" James ventured.
Seeing James's surprised look, the woman smiled. "Let me guess. I am not as you expected. Many of my faithful think I have talons, eyes of fire and a sword sheathed at my hip." Moving to a small table, she set aside her wooden bowl and spoon, snatching up a towel to wipe broth from her hands. "People misinterpret Dala's role in the balance of things. While she guards those in battle, she also guards travellers as they sleep and looks after those in need. At the moment, I would value far more a bag of grain than I would all the martial skill in the world."
James blinked. "Why is that, high priestess?"
"Our stores are nearly empty," she replied. "What food we haven't given out to the poor has been stolen by thieves who have taken advantage of our generosity. If we cant get any grain to be milled so on, we will have to turn away children who have no other source of food."
"We might be able to bring you rations..."
The high priestess shook her head. "You can't store rations, not for long. We need a bag of grain. In exchange, I think Dala might bestow you a boon, though I can't presume upon the goddess' favor without consultation. I would speak to you more, but I have others I need to see today."
"I understand," James replied. "Thank you for your time."
GRAIN NOT FOUND:
The priest asked them to follow.
Instead of leading them to the small room to which they had been shown on their last visit, he instead admitted them to a private garden in which the high priestess Risa sat waiting next to a reflection pool.
"Have you found the grain we need?" she asked.
Taken off guard by the terseness of the priestess' question, James shook his head. "We haven't found any grain in a form you could use. We were hoping that perhaps you would have some ideas about where we could find what we need."
Accepting this, the priestess pulled her knees up to her chest. "Look for any of the daughters of Flendel Halfgate. He used to live in this area and was considered one of the most loyal of our patrons. I believe the eldest was named Thea, but I am not certain. They might be of further assistance to you in this."
GRAIN FOUND:
James motioned for help.
Seeing that they were burdened with the heavy bag of grain, a burly priest named Vabon hurried to their assistance, taking the weight upon his own shoulders. "The high priestess will be most pleased to see you," the priest grinned. "Do you remember the way to her private garden?"
Nodding, James turned through a small arch, holding up a woven curtain for Owyn and Gorath to pass through. Together they entered Risa's contemplation glade.
Glancing up from where she was trailing a hand through the gentle waves of the pool, she smiled warmly at them. "You've brought the grain."
"How did you know?" James asked, a little startled by the surety in the high priestess' green eyes.
"There are certain advantages to living in the presence of a goddess," she laughed. "I knew this morning when I awoke that I would be seeing you. I also know that she will bestow upon one of you the boon of her blessing."
"Blessing?" James asked, intrigued.
Standing to assume a more priestess-like posture, she folded her hands in front of her stomach. "To the one you choose, she shall, for the rest of his life, watch over him to protect him from harm. This is Dala's Will."
James gaped. "The goddess will make him invincible?"
"Not as such, no," she said regretfully. But her favor will see to it that it is very difficult for him to be injured by those who seek to harm him. Who do you choose to receive this blessing?"
JAMES CHOSEN:
The priestess nodded.
Walking to James, she placed her hands on his head, her eyes flashing a deep green as she intoned the words of prayer to her goddess. As soon as she began to speak, the character of the room seemed to change, as if the walls were fat being rendered in a hot cauldron.
"Dala," she cried out. "Protector Goddess, Shield of the Weak, Watcher at Hearth and Threshold, we seek your touch! This one who stands before your servant has acted with good faith in the name of thy faithful. As high priestess of your order, I ask that you bestow upon him your boon!"
Shuddering, James gasped as a light flashed around him, seemingly emanating from within his flesh. The priestess seemed likewise shocked, though she recovered from its effects far more quickly. Slowly the effects of the flash faded and the room began to resume its more normal appearance.
Standing away from James, Risa rubbed at her eyes with the heels of her hands. "It is done," she said unceremoniously. "You may go now. Dala has blessed you, James. Remember this always."
NO ONE CHOSEN:
They were unable to choose.
For a quarter of an hour, they discussed the issue at length, each indicating someone else as more deserving of the blessing. Amused by the debacle, Risa intervened. "Very well," she said, interposing herself into the good natured argument. "As you seemed to have all come to the conclusion that one man alone is not fit for Dala's blessings, I shall bestow her blessings on you all. Please go now, modest men. The gods love you truly."
SUBSEQUENTLY:
James requested to see the high priestess.
"I am afraid that is impossible," the attendant priest said. "She is away at the behest of Dala and may not return for some time. If you return at a later time, I am sure she would be pleased to see you."
TEMPLE OF GUISWA
[CHAPTER 4] [TOP]
Gorath seethed.
Four times they had asked one of the temple's blood stained priests to send for the high priestess, and four times they had been left waiting in the alcoves of the temple's central courtyard. When at last it became apparent their repeated summons were not going to be answered, Gorath shook his head. "It would seem the Red Jawed Hunter has other hunts to pursue. I am weary of waiting. Let us leave."