Immersive Ink

doctorx wrote:
Josiane joins the general withdrawal thankfully, keeping her shield toward the door the 'Prioress' disappeared through. Though almost certain something here is amiss the misgivings of the experienced Ulric have given the young Templar maid pause for thought. Could she be mistaken? Is all this a horrible mistake? To bring death and violence to a hallowed ground of healing... she shudders inwardly at the thought of the blasphemy that would be.

She compares the so-called Sisters she has met here with those she encountered at the Cloister. How similar in dress, manner and custom are they to each other? She also wracks her brain all the while for any scrap of knowledge she may possess regarding Saint Madelaine the Healer and the rituals and customs of the Sisters in her service - and in particular if they are known for such scandalous heresies as ankle-flashing... [img]images/smiley/shocked.png[/img]

waysoftheearth wrote:

danhem wrote:"Fear not my good Sister. My friends are merely confused. Why would the Prioress not answer the knight's question? Do I have anything to fear within these walls? My friend still requires aid after all; just look at him."

Old sister Meena looks momentarily confused -- hurt even.

"You have nothing to fear from me my boy, you should know that!" she says fondly. And then leans up to whisper in Ulric's ear "But I urge you to treat with these others most cautiously -- I can't says I trust them in the least!"

waysoftheearth wrote:

danhem wrote: "Sister Meena, do not fear, I am your friend. Are you a member of the Sisters of Mercy? Are you a follower of Thuul or another god?"

As the group hustles back toward the front gate (hardly having gone very far from it) Sister Meena continues to explain...

"I thought you knew, my boy," she whispers conspiratorially (for Ulric's ears only). "We once counted ourselves Sisters of Mercy... but that was long ago; before Saint Carrie saved us."

waysoftheearth wrote:

mushgnome wrote: Does Highbough think there's a watchman up in the bell tower? Or is it rung by a rope from below? Any sign that the rooftops are being watched, snipers and so forth?

What material is the tower's construction? Is the bell within range of the Torrefaction? [img]images/smiley/grin.png[/img]

There is no sign of any activity on the roofs, nor in the bell tower. Indeed, the bell tower is almost too narrow to fit a person inside; the bell is likely rung by pulling a rope from below.

The tower is constructed from whitewashed stone, but alas it is out of reach of Highbough's sorcery while he remains in the orchard.

waysoftheearth wrote:

sulldawga wrote: OOC: At least I assume he can hear the bell, I don't think we went that far inside...

The tolling bell is plainly audible to all.

eris wrote:

mgtremaine wrote:OOC: You're suppose to say that AFTER we've killed most them [img]images/smiley/wink.png[/img]

OOC: LOL!!! I almost choked when I read that...an exalt to you Sir!

waysoftheearth wrote:
The abbey group gather once more inside the front gate, still held ajar by Torban.

Sister Meena grows increasingly agitated by the tolling bell, and at last explains "I am summoned, my boy. I must go to the chapel." and makes to head off.

Meanwhile, Josiane reconciles all she knows of the Sisters of Mercy with what she has seen of Meena, and the Prioress.

The Sisters of Mercy are private, meek, urban caregivers. They dress in dark blue and dark brown habits. They are pacifists and sticklers for hygiene, and not known for exposing their ankles in the least.

These Sisters apparently dwell in the wilderness. They wear grey habits, which upon close inspection appear quite worn; even threadbare. Perhaps they can't afford shoes? Or perhaps it's been a long while since they visited a tailor?

mgtremaine wrote:
Wen would react when he hears the bell. First he would cast The Eerie Lambent, smiling to himself when the candles are conjured. "This will be interesting."

Wen would then move towards the gate with his candles clustered a good 20' in front of him. He would whistle at those behind to move up. Once at the gate he would send his candles darting around the inside of the keep a good 50' in front of him to all sides. "Here to help and confuse" he would say to Ulric and the others.

tonneau wrote:

waysoftheearth wrote:The abbey group gather once more inside the front gate, still held ajar by Torban.

Sister Meena grows increasingly agitated by the tolling bell, and at last explains "I am summoned, my boy. I must go to the chapel." and makes to head off.

Gustave nods to Torben as he arrives at the gate, then steps outside to wave a summoning arm at the 'reserves' mustered at the camp. This done, he bobs back inside to see 'sister' Meena doing a runner as the bell tolls.

"The chapel she says? Perhaps here presents an opportunity? If we can box them in, it may play to our advantage...and give us time to determine their true nature without the need for things to get messy first" he adds, with a nod to Josiane.

"What thinks you my good dwarf?"

danhem wrote:
Ulric lets Sister Meena slip away; it was easier that way.

He turns to the others to report his discovery.

"Sister Meena said that they were once among the Sisters of Mercy; but that was until Saint Carrie arrived. My enchantment should have prevented her from lying to me."

Ulric pauses to consider the situation.

"It is possible that these Sisters are under the spell of someone else. They may be acting against their wills."