Mists over the Musarde, Chapter Two

[Brock Marsh Runoff]

Dorgio listens with his forehead resting on his palm, thumb and middle finger pressing on either temple.

"Perhaps Benn and I," he says at last, "Can serve to distract the priests. Between you and I Benn, it would be easy, as you said, to find some subject to discuss with them. Plus, there is a old prayer, The Tutor's Petition, that may bind their attention to my words. If we can do that, then Norzak, Alain, perhaps you can slip past and find records, yes?"

[Lord Skybolt]

"Yes, perhaps it would be best if me and Norzak were the ones sneaking around looking for these records . While Benn and Dorgio are distracting any would be guards that are keeping them secure . "
Also making sure each other are staying out of sight,and being silent in the pursuit of these records .

[Adam]

Bennedict looks somewhat dissapointed at this plan. "If it were a matter of finding a large jewel or some other clearly recognizable object, that would be one thing. You would presumably be looking for the proverbial needle in the haystack. Worse than that, actually, since we are not even certain if the needle we are looking for exists. I have to think you would need someone to comb through the records quickly to find what we were searching for." He purses his lips, tapping his walking stick softly against the floor in thought. "Still, you have a point. Sneaking about quietly is not one of my forte's."

[Lord Skybolt]

" Maybe the best use of the scholarly members of our group would be to find the general or specific title to the records we are looking for . So when we have that information me and Norzak can search for those records ." Also we could get some clothes to blend in there in are search for said records . Since various scholars I've met aren't always that into personal hygiene either .

[Brock Marsh Runoff]

"Hmm. It is possible we could do that. But as Benn said, it might not be unwise to visit the temple first. Benn, perhaps we can schedule a...diplomatic visit. That way, maybe we catch a glimpse of something. Or, if not, at least narrow things down a little."

[Adam]

"Yes, I can't be sure what any of the exact titles are. As I said, I'm not even certain that these records exist at all. We're going on hearsay and conjecture at this point." He scratches the mustache thoughtfully, taking another sip of tea. "I think a prior visit is in order as well, if only to see what gets a reaction out of them and get a look at their security."

[ewancummins]

Two days later, Pont-a-Museau....

It's a fine morning, sunny and warm with the comfortable heat of a fading summer. The leaves on the trees have begun to take on their autumnal coloration. The wind is gusty, so keeping your hand on your cap would be a good notion!

The Plaza of Roses is a broad square of paved stone that takes its name from the rose bushes that grow within its bounds. Some of these plants are very old, old enough that they have grown so large as to resemble small trees. Their roots twist through the pavement, displacing cobbles to seek the earth below. The air here is heavy with the scent of roses, and petals flutter past on the breeze, to be deposited in little drifts against loose stones and the bases of shrubs.

At the north end of the Plaza stands the Cathedral of Ezra, Our Lady of the Mists. It is built in the newer Borcan style, tall and ornate with stone gargoyles and climbing arches. Drawing closer, one may notice that , while the building is new, many of the stones from which it is built are old and weathered. The builders did an excellent job, so that it does not appear patchwork. Rather, it blends in better with the surrounding city, harmonized by the antiquity of its materials.

In the front of the building is a broad dais of stone steps. At the top of the steps is an open doorway, the oak double doors propped open with loose paving stones. Within can be seen a long hallway.


Near the bases of the steps are three men in workers' clothing. They are busy rooting out weeds that encroach on the verges of the property.

[Adam]

Bennedict walks briskly across the square, walking stick rapping against the flagstones as he makes his way to the doors. Without waiting for the others, he puts his hand to the door and pushes it open, stepping inside the magnificent cathedral.

[ewancummins]

Bennedict walks briskly across the square, walking stick rapping against the flagstones as he makes his way to the doors. Without waiting for the others, he puts his hand to the door and pushes it open, stepping inside the magnificent cathedral.

It really is magnificent! The Ezrans must have good taste. They've decorated the entry hall with rows of tapestries hung along the walls. Here and there, you spot small statues set into little alcoves between the hanging cloth. All of this art is well made, and some of the pieces must be very valuable. The entire hallway is lit from above, with a series of small skylights cut into the ceiling and paneled in tinted glass.

As Benn enters, a young woman in unadorned off-white robes approaches him.

''How may I help you, monsieur?''

[Adam]

He flashes his most winning smile, turning to face the greeter. "Guten tag, Frau. I am Bennedict Gehrman, a professor from far Lamordia. You have heard of Lamodia, ja? I am appointed with the University of Nufrechtenberg, but I am currently on sabbatical. I am on a research trip, you see. You might call it a fact-finding mission, looking to study notable religious buildings throughout the Core, perhaps to feature them in a later publication about the magnificent serenity and glory such buildings personify." He begins walking towards the main cathedral, looking around at all the decorations and allowing his voice to echo behind, acting very much the pompous aristocrat, used to being followed and obeyed.

"I had thought to begin my studies in the main cathedral of the Eternal Order, in far off Darkon. However, a colleague of mine insisted that this place, the great église du Ezra in Pont-a-Museau, was a far finer achievement of worship." He pauses a moment, studying the room with a calculating eye, before giving a disdainful sniff.

"Personally, I am not so impressed. The architectural work is quite nice, of course, but it lacks a certain..." he drifts off, staring off into space, leaving the assemblage hanging for a moment before continuing.

"Is there someone here with whom I could speak on this matter at greater length? Surely a building of this stature has a more history to it than is immediately apparent upon viewing. Either that, or my friend has played a very unkind joke on me. Yes, I should like to speak with someone of authority straight away." He turns looking at the no doubt bewildered lay priest. "Well, go on. What are you waiting for?" He makes a shooing motion with his walking stick, before turning and heading towards the altar, acting every bit as if he owned the place.

[Brock Marsh Runoff]

Dorgio walks down the flagstones towards the Cathedral, trying his best to gape as long and hard as possible at the surrounding architecture, forcing his eyes wide in mock-wonder.

His customary attire, the elaborate cloak over undyed wool, has been replaced by more traditional Barovian attire. Billowing pants, a sash, the customarily-woven sheepskin vest. His symbol of the Morninglord is nowhere in sight, but a symbol of Ezra, ostentatious and age-worn, hangs from his neck.

He steps into the Cathedral and sees Benn engaging a woman in conversation. He chokes back a grin, and instead stands near the back of the church, as if taking it all in.

"Lady of Mists, is more beautiful than I could be imagining!" he says in a low voice.

Think how many people they could feed if they didn't put so much gold into this place, he thinks.

[ewancummins]

The woman in robes seems a bit taken aback by Benn's speech.

''Oh, well..euh, yes, of course.''


She walks off swiftly, presumably in search of someone higher ranking than herself...


As Benn walks deeper into the building, he passes through the hallway and into the heart of the cathedral. The central chamber is quite large, big enough for a farmer's barn to stand inside without so much as scraping the walls or the vaulted ceilling. Along the walls are a series of friezes and reliefs depicting various sequences from Ezran mythology. Rows of long wooden benches, the outer panels of which are decorated with intricate carvings, stand in the midst of the room, facing the altar.

The altar is a broad marble table with four enormous silver candlesticks mounted in each corner. In each holder is a burning candle the size of a man's forearm. An incense-filled brazier smolders within a bowl-shaped depression set in the middle of the table, its sweet fumes filling the air with the scent of apples. Against the wall behind the altar stands six foot tall painted wooden statue of a woman in old fashioned plate & mail armor. Her left hand holds a kite shield across her body, and her right hand holds a longsword on high. Atop the statue's head, someone has placed a wreath woven from the vines of a green plant with red berries.

[steveflam]

Norzak waits until the two enter before entering. Looking at Alain, he nods. Mouthing "Me first". Hopefully their careful planning would work out. He is clothed like a scholar and looks around, not very immpressed by human architecture. It all seemed so elaborate and fancy. And for what? Coulda used tha gold fer somethin else. Bah! "umans! They'll ne'er learn nuthin'!

He moseys along, away from Benn, Dorgio and the woman. Once they've distracted her he hides in the shadows and attempts to move in to his destination, quiet as the night.

[Adam]

Bennedict looks around the cathedral, eyes scanning the frescoes and carvings, looking for something, anything, that is out of place. Think, old man, think. The plan depends on it. He looks around, noting Dorgio standing in slack-jawed wonder, staring at the church, and Norzak and Alain slipping through the entrance. He nods to himself, before turning back to the ostentatious decorations.

Of all the churches, he thinks, this is the one I would most expect to interract well with. After all, their matriarch is the epitomy of the triumph of human will over the forces of darkness and ignorance. Ezra is a human, risen to power. But then they insist on draping it beneath all this supernatural religious mumbo-jumbo. The day when rational people can dispose of this religious crutch can not come soon enough.

He shakes his head to dismiss the random derailing of his train of thought, resuming his observation of the surroundings.

[ewancummins]

elsewhere in the building.....

Norzak sneaks off down a side passage, swiftly and without drawing unwanted attention to himself. Wending his way through a series of cramped side halls and closets, the dwarf ''scholar'' comes to a descending flight of stairs, down which he spies a wooden door, slightly ajar.

Surely this must be the way into the cellars?