(045) Crags and Foothills

[waysoftheearth]

danhem wrote:
Ulric decides to add some sorcerous fuel to Josiane's subterfuge.

Stepping forward Ulric adds, "Our friend consumed some kind of cursed fruit. We seek the knowledge that your Sisters may possess to aid him. Our brave knight has told us that places such as this abbey are bastions of wisdom and knowledge, thus we seek your help."

As he speaks Ulric once again calls upon the power of the Lyre of Inveiglement to enthrall the person within.

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
The Front Gate
(Torban, Dieter, Desmond/Mondes, Dorgan, Ulric, Josiane and Gustave)

"The Hinterlands are wild, that's true enough..." says the gate keeper skeptically, "and we're hardly accustomed to receiving trustworthy visitors, if you'll forgive me."

At which points Ulric interjects, allowing his sorcerous charm to lean upon the will of the gate lady, and she gives a barely audible start.

"Well why didn't you say so sooner?" she almost gasps, suddenly and inexplicably more concerned with Desmond's condition.

There is a clatter as she throws back no fewer than three heavy bolts and flings the door open most hastily.

"Quickly now, be inside a haste! We can't have the door open a moment longer than is necessary, for you never know who'll come runnin' an' bargin' in. There's some nasty sorts about, I can vouch fer that!"

She seems somewhat less eager that those other than Ulric and Desmond enter, but if that's what it should take to get the door shut quickly she'll tolerate them too...

[waysoftheearth]

doctorx wrote:
"My thanks to you, Sister," says Josiane with a smile. Then to the others; "Onward!"

Once inside (and assuming no immediate threat is visible) she takes a close look at this 'Sister.' She studies clothing, mannerisms, general appearance, presence or otherwise of appropriate religious trappings.

Is there anything to make her think this woman is other than she claims to be?

And is there any sign within the abbey walls of a struggle having taken place?

(O.O.C: Nice one, danhem! [img]images/smiley/wink.png[/img])

[waysoftheearth]

sulldawga wrote:
Dorgan will let Josiane do the examination of this woman and concentrate on the courtyard. Does the ground show signs of traffic? How much? How big are any visible footprints, or wheel tracks?

Any signs of a struggle?

Any signs of guards? Anyone trying to observe them unseen (aside from the other members of the party, ha)?

How thick was the door? What was its composition? How secure were all of those bolts locking it up?

[waysoftheearth]

mushgnome wrote:
Can Highbough see or hear any of this from his perch?

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
The Apple Orchard
(Olaf and Highbough)

From their vantage the pair see that the company disappear behind the main building... presumably the have gained entry; though by what means is unclear from their position.

Olaf notes a couple of paw prints in the loose dirt between rocks beneath the trees... perhaps the wolves weren't so far off last night after all?

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
The Lobby
(Torban, Dieter, Desmond/Mondes, Dorgan, Ulric, Josiane and Gustave)

Josiane, Ulric, Desmond/Mondes, Torban, Dieter, Dorgan, and Gustave all enter and the Sister hastily draws the great door shut behind them all. Dorgan notes that it is 4in thick timber reinforced by long steel arms on both sides.

Inside is a small, austere lobby. It is surprisingly cool and dim in contrast to the bright, warming day outside, and it takes a moment for your eyes to adjust. There are passages leaving the lobby to the left and to the right; running along the inside of the outer wall. These are low, and perhaps wide enough for two robed sistsers to stroll abreast, but only one armed and armoured fighter with a bulky traveling pack would go at a time.

There is scarcely room for everyone in the lobby, but the Sister ensures she slides the three thick bolts back into place; one at head height, one at chest height, and one at knee height. The Sisters clearly take their security seriously, and Dorgon reckons the door would withstand a serious battering.

There is nothing to indicate any kind of struggle here. It is clean, cool, and quiet. Very much like a monastery ought to be. The sister wears a long brown robe with white trimmed habit. It is basic attire, but clean, and exactly what would be expected of a nun. She also wears a long necklace of wooden rosary beads about her neck. Her feet, when occasionally visible, are bare on the cool stone floor.

When she turns about, the sister seems bemused a moment.

"We don't normally allow Men inside the walls, and nor do we permit weapons of any kind," she explains, attempting to reconcile her recent actions with a preceding lifetime of rigour.

"If you will leave your armaments here," indicating the lobby, "we shall proceed to the infirmary."

[waysoftheearth]

tonneau wrote:
"Well, maybe there is a cure for your spare noggin" whispers Gustave with a grin from behind Desmond/Mondes.

He is loath to discard his weapon given the circumstances.
"Perhaps", he suggests to Josiane quietly, "that now would be an appropriate moment to reveal our true mission. We are here after all at the Mother Superiors request."

[waysoftheearth]

danhem wrote:
"We of course understand," Ulric says to the sisters request. "But do you think it wise? As you say there are undesirables about. Wouldn't it be best if we stayed armed and ready to protect you and your sisters?"

[waysoftheearth]

doctorx wrote:
Is it customary for a Sister of the Faith to walk around barefoot? Josiane's old Mother Superior would have most defnitely raised an eyebrow at the thought of bare ankles being flashed by the Sisterhood at the impure-minded among the congregation. (Why is The Gustave suddenly looming large in her thoughts..?)

She pauses to let Ulric's enchantment work its wiles...