(Just for the record, historical items that should be common knowledge are linked to the Wiki. Otherwise, if you don't know it, neither does your character.)
"Before the Hergoth came to Lyranell, this was the site of an Old Sarkon monastery. We're not sure which cult it was for because it was already destroyed by the time we got here. We do know that this whole mountain was declared off limits during the Great Purge, and the Old Sarkon town that stood just across the river was abandoned. That's something of a mystery, too; this area is perfect for settlement, yet the Old Sarkons never developed it beyond that one, small town. Mul'ein already extends far beyond its borders."
Dabid yawns.
"Anyway," continues Bina, "this complex, the Yanda Branch Temple, was established about two thousand years ago, and the temple building is the oldest surviving construction on Lyranell."
"Even older than Eribandai or the Main Temple?" asks Lirassa.
"That's right," replies Bina. "Both of those were badly damaged during the occupation and had to be rebuilt. Only this one was untouched."
"Not that they didn't try," mutters Dabid.
Ignoring him, Bina gestures toward the dorm building. "This is the second oldest building. It's one of very few of the original buildings left. It was also built almost two thousand years ago, but it has been renovated a number of times. Its main purpose has always been to house the acolytes. During the Occupation the Yangae used it as a prison, mainly to keep those of the faithful that weren't killed or exiled."
"And that's why it wasn't destroyed?" asks Pru, drawing laughter from Dabid. "What?" she moans.
"It was partly destroyed," replies Bina, glaring at Dabid. "The Occupation used both of the neighboring buildings for target practice." She gestures at the resort building and Seminary. "Both of them were leveled. The dorm took more than a few hits, which is why there are now only two wings. There were dozens inside at the time."
"Subversives," mutters Pru darkly.
"Speaking of the Seminary," continues Bina, gesturing at the impressive, glittering structure, "as most of you probably know, it's the newest building here. It was finished only about five years ago. It was built on the site of the old ceremony hall that was blasted to pieces. This is a much more useful building. It has conference rooms, an auditorium, and accommodations which are used not only by the Temple, but also by the general public. All of its facilities combine Ergothei and Foldorian technology, and its all very state of the art."
"Yes, I know," retorts Lirassa, "and to be honest, this is where I start having a problem with all of this. I mean, look at that thing! So much of this colony is still being rebuilt after Ganneth's little romantic tragedy, not to mention the fact that there's a war going on, and the government still dishes out the taxpayers' money to pay for this?"
Bina gestures negative Hergoth style. "The government paid very little. Most of the money came from private donations."
"But aren't the Ergotheia ruled basically by mind-control instead of law?" counters Lirassa. "And if so, can you really say that the people gave all that money of their own, free will?"
"Exactly," says Pru. "Exactly! That's what I mean! The people are slaves! That's what we tried to save them from! "
"But we didn't understand a damned thing!" comes Mey'Luskar's emotion-packed voice from behind.
"What?" hisses Pru, her brows furrowing her eyes almost fully shut as she whirls around. "Lady, are your plugs in right?"
Bina clears her throat. When she has everyone's attention, she says, "The biggest donation by far came directly from His Civilized Eminence, Emperor Ty'Klemmo of the Foldorian Empire, may His wisdom guide us all! I might also add that he sent Foldorian and Crygan workers to help build it. We owe him our thanks and our honor as our very lives!"*
"Wow," says Lirassa.
Pru looks like she has been shot.
(*Bina's last statement is filled with traditional Yangae expressions.)
29 comments:
Nekshi bites her lower lip at the mention of Ty'Klemmo. To Zeton...
"The Emperor funded some of the rebuilding but never advertised the fact to the local Yangae populace, or Pru would have known. Strange. Politicians never miss an opportunity to send a signal, but this is more subtle. Perhaps an apology?"
She stands still for a few seconds and slaps her prodigious forehead.
"Apology! Damn my thickheaded skull. We've got to warn that Fasion in the bar...Betchmat. He's in considerable danger thanks to us!"
She wastes no time in dialing Constable Betcham.
"Constable Betham," he announces before his face appears in the screen. When it does, his expression abruptly changes to something a bit less favorable.
"Ah, Nekshi. What do you want? Are you still where they took you last night?"
Pru's eyes go wide. Then she looks at Mon'Fargret and mouths "Betham" with a sour look on her face.
Zeton at first is confused and doesn't quite understand what is happening. He still isn't accustomed to Nikshi's ability to put pieces of seemingly unrelated information together. It is only after a few moments that he remembers the Fasion at Wirg's and why Nekshi is so concerned.
Seeing Pru's expression, Zeton quietly asks her,(in Yangae), so as not to disturb Nekshi's call, "Are you all right? I take it you aren't very fond of Constable Betham."
"It's not just him," she whispers in reply. "Well, maybe it is, but...it's those Peace Forcers, period! You think we get along?"
To emphasize her point, she tugs at the Night Guard emblem on her jacket.
"Thank you for taking my call, Constable. Yes, we are in the location previously discussed."
"I suddenly remembered a fact about the incident in Wirg's bar yesterday; a Fasion named Betchmat was discussing theories which may bring him to harm. Considering recent events, I wonder if it is possible for you and your staff to contact him and warn him."
Granite coughs, making a sound that very much sounds like "Betchmat". Completely unintentional, however.
"Betchmat...Betchmat...," says Betham thoughtfully. He can be seen to lean down, apparently focusing his attention on a console or monitor. "No, nothing here. If anyone gave him any hassle, there's no word of it. I'll look into it, though. Actually, since that hit on your apartment last night things have been nice and quiet here...with one exception."
He leans closer to the screen and glares.
"It seems there was another shootout in the middle of the night," he says intently. "A team of Night Guard had it out with the Blues and got their butts splattered. They say it happened in the main Farbett tunnel connecting Ekr'in with Erweina under the river. I find that very interesting, but what's even better is the fact that the Blues say they were escorting somebody at the time. They wouldn't tell me who, but it wasn't hard to read it."
He sighs.
"If you see her again, Nekshi, tell her that they really want the item back. They're on our throats about it now, doing it legit, and they mean business. Oh, and tell Pru she's gonna have some serious explaining to do, probably with her legs in steel. Out."
The monitor goes blank.
Nekshi looks at Mey and the others.
"Well, you heard him. It sounds like our adversaries have smartened up enough to use the law to their advantage. We won't have much time to do whatever it is we're supposed to do."
She turns to Bina, "My apologies acolyte, please continue."
As an aside to Granite, "Your vocalizations are improving. Soon you'll speak as well as a Besteeng."
Bina's quiet protest, "I am not an acolyte," is all but drowned out by Pru's, "You got your chips in the hole with that one, lobes!" The buxom, little vigilante then swaggers over to Mey'Luskar and says, "Lady, I still don't know what it is you swiped from the Big Guy, but you're sticking your hands in..."
"I didn't swipe anything from the Big Guy!" retorts Mey'Luskar. "Busker got it! I think Mek sold it to him...or gave it. Or he lost it in one of those card games. I don't know."
Pru taps a foot impatiently. "So why do you have it?"
Mey'Luskar only stares at her intently.
Pru sighs. "Will you at least tell me what it is?"
"The Second Chancer video," replies Mey'Luskar. "The one that's coming out in a few weeks. It's...not what you think. It's horrible...and there's something about it. It does something to people that watch it!"
"You mean like Fel?" asks Pru softly. She nods. "The 'poison'! So that's what that Herg fighter dude in the tunnel was singing about! You think the Big Guy's pulling a black one with this?"
"I don't know," replies Mey'Luskar quietly. "But I had to do something!"
Zeton watches the exchange between Pru and Mey with interest, but turns his attention back to Bina,
"Bina, I'm curious, is there anyway we could apply for sanctuary here in the temple? It's only a matter of time before the Big Guy's team learns where we are and attempts to get what they want, legally or not. It seems if the Big Guy is going to attempt to play by the rules, the least we can do is the same."
And then, without waiting, Zeton follows up with one last question, "So, what rank have you attained here?"
"What?" says Bina, caught off guard while trying to follow several different lines of thought at once. "Oh." She fingers her brooch. "I'm red rank. That's the lowest rank of the Priesthood. That means I have authority over the lay priests, deacons, and acolytes, and I minister to the people, but I'm still on the bottom rung as far as the real priests are concerned. I won't have any real responsibility until I get a temple name, and that comes at orange rank. Wait a minute, did you ask for sanctuary? Of course we can give it to you! If necessary, there are apartments available in the priest quarters."
Ignoring Zeton and Bina, Pru says, "Still, crossing the Big Guy...even if he's going black, it's not our place to question...well, I guess maybe it is yours. Lady. But still...this isn't you!"
"Do you even know what I am, Pru?" asks Mey'Luskar. "I don't even know what I am anymore!"
"Um, lady," says Pru, "you should call me 'thou', not 'you', remember?"
"Thou, you, lady, that one, whatever," sighs Mey'Luskar. "It's all out of my hands now. All of it. Even the video." She nods toward the Temple. "I gave it to the Kr'embol'."
Suddenly Kuluf makes a strange noise and goes bounding (more like "flopping") up the slope toward the Temple.
Nekshi looks at Zeton and Granite, "I think we should follow him, how fast can you hop, Zeton?"
As all eyes turn toward the awkwardly-bounding N'gaina, Mey'Luskar gasps.
[I studied the Kr'embol on the planet Pulmon. I think Pulmonary Kr'embolism is a fascinating subject.]
"I believe we should deal with the facts as we find them and avoid drawing premature conclusions. We know the effects of what we are dealing with, but the who, how, and why are more mysterious. If we are successful, Pru's friends will not have died in vain."
"Following Kuluf is a good plan. We need counsel that those in the temple may help us with. I am going to walk myself, but those who wish to hop may do so."
Mon'Fargret nods acknowledgment to Nekshi and begins to proceed in Kuluf's direction.
[Oops, I was typing while Moody was posting...GM override could be in effect.]
[Knowing GM override is in effect...] Zeton tries to determine what has caused Mey to gasp while quickly replying to Nekshi, "My ankle should be up to following Kuluf."
Unless GM determines otherwise, Zeton will try to catch up to and then follow Kuluf.
Hmmmm, Mon'Fargret doesn't look like a big fan of hip-hop to me.
"Okay Zeton, go quickly, I'll stay here in case the meeting starts."
She looks around at the rest of the party, "Any other volunteers? It might be more interesting than a tour."
"No, wait!" cries Bina, moving quickly toward Mey'Luskar. "Quick! Everyone, get inside!"
Everyone starts to feel an odd, prickly sensation like static electricity just before a faint, low hum can be heard (or felt) from all around.
On the top of the peak, the temple building seems to have a faint, glowing aura.
Shouts from startled tourists start to ring out.
The acolytes start to whimper with fear.
"Into the Seminary!" cries Bina. "All of you! Quickly! Go!" With that, she seizes Mey'Luskar and practically throws her toward the building over Pru's protests.
Halfway up the slope, next to the grove that serves as a sort of divider between the inner and outer circles, Kuluf has stopped and just seems to be looking around.
Zeton's first inclination is to ignore Bina and go to Kuluf, but he quickly remembers that Kuluf has the uncanny ability to take care of himself under any circumstance. Zeton decides to follow Bina and the rest of the group into the Seminary.
A traditional Hergoth greeting chime rings out, apparently over a PA system, and a voice speaking Her-Galad says, "Your attention please! Everyone please move inside the nearest structure! Repeat, for your own safety, please move inside the nearest structure and await further instructions!"
The announcement is then repeated in Yangae.
As the party (sans Kuluf) follows Bina into the Seminary at a brisk pace, most if not everyone notices that everything is eerily silent. Normally the sounds of the city below can be heard, as can various animal cries from the forest. No longer. All that is audible is the sound of the frightened visitors and staff running into the various buildings.
Even the footsteps on the pavement seem to have a strangely brittle sound that reverberates unnaturally, as if everyone were running through a cement-lined hallway.
Once the party is inside the building, Bina orders the acolytes to shut the doors.
Cursing to herself, Pru raises her wrister and starts pecking away at it with increasing frustration. Then she lowers it with a snarl and cries, "I'm cut off! What the sodding swamp is going on?"
Bina, who has already started trying to calm and reassure the frightened acolytes and guests inside, glances at Pru and says, "We're in lockdown. Deal with it!"
"Wait a minute," says Mey'Luskar quietly. Holding out a slightly cupped hand, she says, "Show!"
A point of light appears in the air over her hand.
She looks at Mon'Fargret with a wry grin and says, "Foldorian technology!" Then she says, "Display temple status!"
The point of light grows into a holographic display of the temple complex.
It is surrounded by a sphere.
A flashing purple text display says "Defensive lockdown".
"How often does this happen?" asks Lirassa incredulously.
"Bina, if there is anything I can do to help, let me know".
Zeton then reaches for his pocket computer to gather information about what is happening when he suddenly realizes he left it behind in his room when he went to breakfast.
Cursing himself in Lybolt, Zeton asks Nekshi, "So, do you have anything like Mey's resources to help us?"
Mon'Fargret follows the others in looking over his shoulder.
He responds to Mey'Luskar, "We Foldorians have our uses. Let us look at this map with an eye towards physical and psi defense. Ham, I believe you are well suited towards our physical defense. Our hosts", he nods towards Bina, "may need to assist in assuring our spiritual well-being. For this, we thank you."
After about a minute, in the image hovering in front of Mey'Luskar, the enclosing sphere can be seen to fade and vanish just before the text warning changes to, "All clear."
"Oh, good," says Bina with a sigh, looking around.
The chime sounds on the PA again, followed by a voice saying, "Your attention, please. The alert has been cancelled. The situation is under control. Repeat, the situation is under control. All staff, return to normal operation. We apologize for the inconvenience." The announcement repeats again in Yangae and then goes through the full cycle again.
Just as the party starts to relax, however, there is a hissing sound from nearby, and the tech-priestess, accompanied by an apparently high-ranked priestess, suddenly comes stomping into their midst as if from nowhere.
She does NOT look happy.
"Follow me!" she barks in Yangae as she passes through.
Nekshi looks thoughtful as she follows the angry tech-priestess and her friend.
"I'm afraid my equipment isn't up to Foldorian standards, Zeton. I doubt I would have been able to access any outside meson 'conduits' with that lockdown in effect."
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