Astarael42

Rites Of Passage (a High Fantasy/Forgotten Realms Adventure)

I'll be home in 2 days and posting. Anyone wishing to post off orcpunx do so before then cause when I post there shall be chaos and danger. :-)

Rites Of Passage (a High Fantasy/Forgotten Realms Adventure)

go for it orcpunx! I have to be out of town starting now till next monday...I don't think there will be any problems, feel free to continue, orcpunx can answer any questions etc.

Rites Of Passage (a High Fantasy/Forgotten Realms Adventure)

Brisa was as startled as Aiden was. The elf boy had popped out of the crowd without her noticing, then again she hadn't been looking at the kids in the crowd. That was stupid of her. She wanted to smack herself but she didn't. That was the obvious solution, find a local kid and ask them what was going on. They would know, be less afraid to talk to her, and she would be less nervous about talking to them.

“Come on Aiden” she whispered. “Lets go, better than trying to talk to the priestess,” which had been her plan if she couldn't get an adult to talk to them. She didn't wait, just tucked her shoulder bag closer to her, and tried to follow Jatan as best she could. The kid was fast, and he was able to weave through the people with an ease she envied. Of course he knew where he was going, she only knew she had to follow him.

She hooked a hand around Aiden's arm, fearing they would get seperated. She had already lost Argurios, well not lost him but they were separated and she didn't want to be alone. Not really. For all her attempted bravado she was afraid. This was much easier.

“Hey” she said softly when she finally caught up to the kid “my friend is...shopping...right now.” She hoped Argurios was being careful. With everyone in the town square it would be a good time to...acquire some things they might need. She didn't approve of stealing, but in some cases it was unavoidable and they really needed supplies to go onward. “I'm supposed to meet him and I don't want him to worry. Can we, I don't know, talk near the merchant row so we can watch for him? Is it safe?”

***

As the crowd thinned the priestess returned to her shrine and her assistants returned to theirs. For such a small town there were a dozen shrines to Eshowdow, and now, with this demonstration, they would take the time to convert and erect a few more. Too much unrest in the town, the god was not pleased.

The enforcers, supposedly bound to the priestess, walked the streets herding the locals back to their jobs and whatever they were doing before the gong sounded. Of course they had another use, a use known only to them and their god. Their presence kept the town in line, they enforce the order, and when the time came they would either convert, or “handle” anyone who needed it. For now though, they marched through the town keeping “order.” Looking for anyone who might be causing trouble or breaking the law. Hangings were always a good tool to help keep order, they loved an excuse to arrange one.

Rites Of Passage (a High Fantasy/Forgotten Realms Adventure)

hey no worries! life happens to us all. Just glad to see you're still around.

Rites Of Passage (a High Fantasy/Forgotten Realms Adventure)

@Shadowefil...I left a pretty obvious opening for your character in my last post...if you are still playing I'm hoping you will take it.

@Jollan & Orcpunx...I want to wait till Sunday to see if Shadowefil posts. If not I will be editing more onto my post...Brisa's further actions to find answers. Additionally if we hear nothing from anyone but us through the weekend come monday I will create and post a new Interest Check thread to see if we can get further players as we leave town here.

Rites Of Passage (a High Fantasy/Forgotten Realms Adventure)

A hush fell on the crowd as they watched the deaths. It could have been any one of them but while most folk felt sympathy, they didn't dare voice it or show it in their actions. Eyes were cold, expressions stony as they watched and as the priestess ranted on the stage they all nodded as was expected. After the spectacle was over they turned, and en masse shuffled on their way, morose and silent as before. They stood no chance, and most knew, in their heart of hearts, that one by one the whole village would be killed off in the name of this new god.

Brisa had watched it all, right up until the point when the people were hung. That, at that point she closed her eyes. She shuddered and tried not to even listen, but her reluctance went unnoticed by the priest. Children were worthless to her, and her god. They had no value, and they were no threat. It was by this virtue alone that they had survived as they did, and by this virtue that the enforcers paid them no mind.

Another set of eyes was not so indifferent though. She saw how the girl, showing obvious distress and disgust at the slaughter, was ignored. Ignored because she was nothing more than a child. It was something to ponder. As she faded back into town with the rest of the townsfolk she was already wondering how she could use this new knowledge.

When Aiden spoke up Brisa shook her head vehemently.

“I have to know more, I think there's something important in what is happening here” she said firmly, though she didn't whisper she did keep her voice down. Still anyone near her could have overheard her. She normally wouldn't have spoken up like this, but she felt very strongly. “We can meet at the other end of town, hide there and wait for me. I'm really sorry but I have questions that these people can answer. If I can get anyone to talk to me.”

She looked around without much hope. Everyone seemed so wrapped up in their own worlds, who would talk to a kid? What was happening here was too important to ignore. She couldn't stop it, but if she had some answers...maybe she could find someone else who could.

Rites Of Passage (a High Fantasy/Forgotten Realms Adventure)

Will try and make it tonight. My schedule currently is work, put supper in to cook, nap, free time. :-) I'll work on being ambitious in the free time.

Rites Of Passage (a High Fantasy/Forgotten Realms Adventure)

happens to all of us. past two weeks I've barely had time to breath with family stuff. I get online around 2 am (and then fall asleep while trying to accomplish stuff).

Rites Of Passage (a High Fantasy/Forgotten Realms Adventure)

I moved us to the advanced section for that very reason. quality over quantity is appreciated (and required) here. no worries about long posts from any of us gathered here, no one will be bothered by them.

Rites Of Passage (a High Fantasy/Forgotten Realms Adventure)

thanks for bearing with me all!!

Jollan books are ok...as long as you have stuff to say writing it down is good!

locals feel free to recognize/be attached to anyone about to be hung. Fulgros...ETA?