In the days following Adjantis' exile from the priesthood a feeling of freedom and vigor began to build within him to the point of intoxication. He fattened himself with aspirations of purging monumental evil in service to Iara. By his zealous reasoning it was divine intervention that an expedition was to take place destined for a plague ridden part of the country surely populous with all manner of wicked and contemptible evils.
Adjantis had lived in the capitol city his entire life and always looked to the castle in awe as it towered over him always. Consumed with religious studies he rarely ventured far from the cathedral, and felt his head pull ever backwards as he made his way to the palace. He gripped his hammer tightly as he approached the cyclopean gate. However, before he was even within shouting distance to the sentries, a guard began to approach him.
"No preaching today friar. Official business only." the guard barked extending portly plate covered hand in his face.
Adjantis scowled at the guard. Not only was this man standing between him and his divine purpose, but he detested being mistaken for a friar solely on the principle that it wasn't his former title.
"I've come to purge, not to preach." he said deeply, gripping his hammer tightly.
The guard stared at him with a confused expression, and began to visually scan Adjantis up and down. When at last it dawned on him that Adjantis was referring to the expedition, the guard lowered his arm.
"Fine, but if I hear preaching!" he barked, stomping his poleaxe on the stone road.
Adjantis responded with silence and stormed past the pudgy guard.
As he approached the gate sentries he watched as they rolled their eyes at the sight of him. 'Faithless heretics' he thought to himself.
Stepping under the colossal walls he entered the castle's gardens. They appeared truly heavenly, all manner of colors and shapes, smells and sounds arranged in such a manner so as to utterly overpower visitors with a sense of peace and tranquility. As he recovered his senses Adjantis caught sight of what he was looking for. Positioned ever so invitingly in the garden were the Emperor and Empress, accompanied by the much less inviting Knight Captain he recognized.
Adjantis recognized the crimson haired woman from an encounter years ago. He had made an attempt in the past to stir the populace with zealous accusations of wickedness and corruption within the city's ruling land barons. His speech produced... mixed results at best which began to synthesize bickering and infighting amongst those who bothered to stop and hear his righteous condemnations. A detachment of guards were soon dispatched to quell the disturbance, led by a young red haired knight, now a knight captain.
Adjantis approached the trio stoically.
"Captain." he nodded facetiously before bowing his head to the Emperor and Empress.
"I come before thy celestial grace to pledge my body and mind to you in pursuit of the divine goal to wipe out the wicked evil that threatens this consecrated land."
The Knight Captain snapped her fingers and motioned towards a group that had gathered in the garden. Adjantis had to fight with almost all the strength he could muster not to frown at the disrespect of the gesture. Respectfully he rose his head and made his way towards the group.
He could see a few adventurers had already gathered for the expedition, though he was certain none possessed the same fervent goals that guided him here.
Scanning the group he noticed a young woman sat playing a guitar and singing. He had to admit the music did help add to the beauty of the garden, but he much preferred the cathedral's choir chants and song. Once Adjantis could block out penetrating tune he noticed the Naga. She looked as if to imitate that of a contorted weed placed to sabotage the astounding beauty of the garden. Reeling in disgust he next noticed a young man with blonde hair tied back in some fashion. Adjantis was never given the opportunity to indulge in the many hairstyles that decorated the people of the world. A bald head symbolized purity and devotion in youth and only in his older age had he been afforded the privilege to grow his hair as a symbol of wisdom in elders, though years of shaving and keeping his crown wrapped in a novice's hood had done him no favors.The boy seemed dressed for adventure though unfamiliar in style and markings. Fit, but at the same time meek. Adjantis was beginning to wonder if these were adventurers or simply spectators aiming to see off the real adventurers.
Spotting another bard Adjantis attempted to convince himself these must simply be employees of the Emperor, meant to liven up the garden. To his dismay the bard's gear mirrored that of the other, dressed for long journeys and visibly armed unlike the bright and colorful attire one would expect from a royal minstrel. Finally he saw a woman accompanied by a wolf. She had a wild look about her eyes as if possessed by the animal companion that stood by her. It was another concept all but foreign to him, that of animal companionship. He wondered how she had such control over it, impressed as he watched it sit obediently by her side.
Having surveyed those who had arrived before him, he took his place where the Knight Captain had instructed. He stood apart from the group, head down and hammer in hand. Waiting patiently for the word of the Emperor.
