Where'd They Go?

The four of you, seasoend veterans all, spend some time searching through the Taaran house. There's no shortage of secrets here, that's for sure, and you spend a little bit of time working through them. Secret compartments, for example, where gold is kept by individual priests who no no doubt worshipped here. Loose stones in a bedroom to hide things behind, for example. No shortage of secrets, but the very faact that they['re *all* here, every last one of them, and totally undisturbed is probably more worrying than anything else you've found so far. Had something happened, surely these people would have reached into their secret supplies to cushion themselves or find a way through.

No, what seems to have happened, underscoring what you've found so far in fact, is that none of them even had the chance to do so. They're just ... gone.

Just vanished into the ether.

What you don't find are ways to identify who lived here, or perhaps who those priest and priestesses were. No one kept a convenient journal for you to read that you've found, for example, but you do find indicators that show that they did bring people here and who they might've had contact with or who worshipped at the altar. For example, Aryia finds a gildedn figurine, clearly made by a skilled goldsmith, and given to one of the priests, as it was located in a false bottom in their dresser. Honestly, here, even the false bottoms have false bottoms, where Seldan finds a careflly rolled up painting of the Goddess cloaked in shadows, a needle and thread in her hands. Blindfolded, yet her fingers unblemished and the weaving exquisite, threads of shadow being made into something barely visible, both monstrous and beautiful.

Schara finds narcotics. A *lot* of narcotics. Hallucinogenics, you're able to discern, before long. No doubt thought to bring one closer to the Goddess in some way, or to terrorize enemies with maddened visions.

...but again, value, that was left behind. More and more, just from the state of the place, it isn't like they even walked out the door.

... they were just ...vanished, from whatever it was they must have been doing. The most disturbance you find here is a spilled cup of wine, dropped on the ground in one of the bedrooms.

GAME: Aryia rolls spellcraft: (8)+3: 11
GAME: Seldan rolls spellcraft: (16)+18: 34
GAME: Schara rolls spellcraft: (5)+10: 15
GAME: Seldan rolls knowledge/religion: (10)+15: 25

Seldan's steps are slow as he wanders through the house, returning with a gently rolled-up painting in one hand, his entire mien stone sober, serious, and reserved. "It is in my mind that they were taken against their will, swiftly and without warning, and all at once. A mighty foe indeed, to be able to do this. I am uncertain if this be the work of the Griever, or nay." He turns to pan the area, slowly. "It may yet be a greater force still." On the nearest table, he lays out the painting he'd found and studies it. "A weaver of shadows," he begins in a murmur. Surely they have not been taken by the deity Herself."

Aryia returns to a gathering space with the others, her holding onto a gold figurine of Taara with a cloth, grimacing at even touching something. It's set down on an end table, letting it rest there as she stretches her fingers. "Turned my sections upside down. Barring any stashes of gold in hideaways, it's all the same everywhere. It's like they just- She snaps her fingers. "Gone. All I've found is this tiny statuette. No identifying shit on it."

She looks to Seldan, listening while rubbing her face. "I hope not, we're already dealing with some tough shit." His murmurings get her to look over at the painting, the mute staring at it distantly. "... maybe she took them? Or... maybe she's cloaking them in the Shadowplane? Bordering reality, none that far away..." she muses. <Handspeech/Tongues>

From one of the many rooms, a bit slower than the others, eventually Schara returns to the main area, holding a few ampoules and parcels in one hand. "It is an odd setup, but I believe I found their medical offices, perhaps for other worshippers in need of aid?" The artificer reports. "I do not know why they would need so many hallucinogenics, but perhaps they have other beneficial properties that I am not aware of for care."

"But I have not seen anyone, either. what would cause people to vanish instantly?"

Seldan, in his turn, watches and listens to the others, looking up from his perusal of the painting. "It is in my mind that you have the right of it, Mistress Aryia, or are at the least near to it," he remarks. "Even a Gate would have left more residue than this. _Her Call weakens._ Perhaps they have been called, as you have said. Such is well within the power of a deity."

He turns to Schara, regarding her evenly. "It is unlikely that most things present in this place are present with benign intent, my lady. Not idly is the worship of the Temptress banned in the lands of Light."

Aryia turns to see what Schara finds. Tilts her head to the side. And blinks.

Blinks again.

Now she's peering at payload. "... those look fun," she idly comments with a gesture. There's a glance up at Schara, a brow raised. "It's to get closer to Taara. Different state of awareness. Pretty sure I did that before, I don't remember. But like Seldan says, it's not for any medicinal. Pain maybe, pleasure probably."

She flits a light smile towards Seldan at the remark. "That's the best working theory that we have. If Her call is weakening, then maybe She sequestered Her most faithful? To... shield them maybe? I know She doesn't give a fuck most of the time, but she has some skin in the game with keeping her disciples safe..." <Handspeech/Tongues>

"Oh, well, right, they're supposed to be a specifically bad deity, right." Schara nods, setting aside everything for the time being. "They don't look particularly fun, but some of them are useful, I guess."

"But why would they call them all back somewhere? What purpose would that serve? It doesn't make sense to just take them all away from here for no reason." They wonder aloud. "But it doesn't look like anyone other than Akorinil had any plans in motion in regards to these events, even among what I'm assuming are other priests."

"Lady Belvade knew something that most did not, of that am I certain." Seldan nods his agreement with Schara, then turns to study the painting he had unrolled. "I know not the reason why, but perhaps that very thing is what we have been led to discover. For were we not led to the key to this place? Lady Belvade wished us to find this, and that is no small thing. Well is she aware of my nature. She is prepared to cast this place aside to serve her purpose."

"Perhaps," he continues, this time looking over at Aryia. "The _why_ of it may be the secret we were sent to discover."

Aryia gestures towards Seldan's explanation for Schara's questions. "I'm in agreement with Seldan. She's a pretty important priestess, and, as much as I am loathe to admit it, is pretty fucking smart."

She shares a look with Seldan, inclining her head in a deep, thoughtful manner. "That makes perfect sense. We're searching for the why. And perhaps that why can explain the state of this place. Let's keep turning this place over. Let me know if any of you need something smashed, picked, or torn open." <Handspeech/Tongues>

"Well, it seems even if she knew something, she wasn't immune to what happened, or disappeared willingly. But I doubt it was willingly, if they decided to leave clues to find out what happened. Why would she want this to be discovered, in that case?" Schara wonders. "I guess you are both right, there is more to be found here that hasn't been considered, perhaps something will help us understand it better. I will remember if I need anything broken, but I hope that will not be necessary."

More searching it is, then.

In addition to the altar and secret compartments in various places, you are finally able to locate at least one holy Taaran script. It is, unfortunately, deeply ciphered. It's going to take a little time to uncover it, especially without a key, but it's clearly reverentially handled and placed, and given the manuscript's ... art ... *definitely* Taaran.

There remain other sites to investigate, now, and business here in Myrddion to conduct as a result of this one, but it seems you've found evertyhing you can for now. The key, at least, no longer vibrates until you shut and relock the doorway to the altar.

When all is said and done, Seldan regards the holy Taaran script with a curl of his lip, but in the end lets out a breath and nods. "All must be deciphered," he agrees, "if we are to learn their fate, and the why of this. Perhaps other sites hold pieces to the puzzle, as well."

Rolling up the painting again and placing it in a scroll case, which is then tucked into his pack, he turns once they are out to survey the door from the outside. "I am bound by Myrrish law to report the presence of a temple to the Temptress," he explains, "and that shall I do. I shall undertake this myself, do you desire to return. I shall not linger."

Aryia can't help but snort at seeing the art after she finishes up her end of the search and joins up with the others. "Agreed. Maybe another place has the cipher for whatever this is. Maybe it's more Crimson Pen?" she light heartedly jokes as she picks up the small Taaran statuette. She inspects it, giving it a little shrug and shoves it into her bag. Maybe it'll be important for later.

Stepping outside, she answers Schara. "She wants it discovered because it serves her to be, well, alive and part of the realm. And she is one for wild chases," she sighs before turning to Seldan. There's one last glance to the drugs, a twist of the lip. "Shame. Oh well. Do what needs to be done Seldan, get this temple destroyed. I... might linger around Myrridon. See what's around, meet back up with you on the return? Know any interesting spots?" <Handspeech/Tongues>

"Well, I don't recognize the script, but I am not surprised at that fact." The artificer offers as she makes to leave the building. "I guess, but I really can't think like they do at all. I can't say I really care if the temple is destroyed, or reported, that is of little importance if there is nothing left there, assuming that the myrrish government won't claim all the valuables that were in there."

The artificer shrugs. "Well, I don't know how reliable teleporting is at the moment, it may be best to just stay here for the time being. It's a chance to visit a much less hostile place, at least, and it would be worth the time spent waiting I guess."

... the good news!

r The good news is that Seldan is able to report the temple without much incident. The first guards he's able to approach don't take it all that seriously. A secret temple of Taara, you say? Sure, sure. We'll get to that.

Then they find out who he is.

...after that, detatchment of armed guards storm the buildijng and secure the site, and higher ranking officials make painfully clear that they are taking it all VERY SERIOUSLY and oh gods Daeus please don't be mad at us.

If anything, Seldan appears to be mildly embarrassed, but regards the guards sternly. "It should not need a man of power to drive those charged with the safety of others to do the right thing," he tells them, his tone its usual steady and even self. "Its residents remain at large, but it is safe enough. You have my thanks for the assistance in this matter."

With the barest and briefest of smiles for the officials on duty, he turns and takes himself out of the guard post without further comment.

Once out of the guard post, Aryia slips out silently with her cheeks sucked in. The door clicks shut. Then a silent, raspy, coughing fit of the mute's laughter crops up. "-h f-ck m- th-t's r-ch," she hisses between breaths.

She wipes a few flecks of crimson off her lips before gesturing slowly, "Well, at least it will get dealt with now for sure. Nice place though. Hopefully gets turned over into something good." <Handspeech/Tongues>

The artificer watches everyone going by, and the artificer tilts their head once, before turning away as the guard house is seen to. "I did not expect them to be so aggressive about it, but I guess it's a good thing it will be handled." Schara notes. "In time, maybe, but I would not want people using the space until we know for sure what happened. There is no guarantee more people would not disappear after all, in fact, I should make sure they all are accounted for, later."

Indeed, it's like minutes after you leave you can see a large detatchment of guards getting sent off in that direcrion. NOPE NO MISTAKES WERE MADE HERE, YOU GUYS, WE'RE DEFINITELY SERIOUS ABOUT THIS.

They definitely acknowledged his statements, got them written down, and are now ON THE WAY.

Apparently, high ranking paladins of eluna can generate a show of force when they need to akmongst the local guards.

Shocking, if true.

Now, you've still got more footwork to do. There are oth4er indicators on the map, like the Taaran retreat that Schara identified, for example, and others yet unidentified, to say nothing of other leads.

"They are less concerned than they would have me believe," Seldan replies to the both of them, still stone-faced and serious as he walks away. He does not seem to share Aryia's amusement, though. "I do not doubt that the valuables would have spurred them to action, even did I say naught of myself, and yet was I unwilling to speak falsely when asked."

He looks back at the guard house, then continues. "Let us be about our search. I would seek the retreat that you identified."

Aryia cools her amusement, her calming down and slapping her cheeks a few times. "Yes, I think they care more about their reputation than-" her hands slow as she watches the detachment march out, "-anything else, unfortunately. It's problems like this that makes me want to do things my way."

She shakes her head and shrugs. "Regardless, that is dealt with and done. We got what we came for. I agree, that retreat should be next. Even though I'd like to retreat here," she signs, taking in the rustic area. <Handspeech/Tongues>

"Oh, so they don't care, but are just pretending to? Well that's odd, and pointless, but at least it's being done." Schara notes with a small sigh. "I guess we did find everything we could, but nothing concrete yet. If we are to head to the retreat, then I will be ready to go whenever."

Seldan lowers his eyes at the mention of retreating here, and, unaccountably, the stone-facedness melts into unease. "I do not wish to remain here," he replies, despite the fact that his accent sounds _exactly like_ that of everyone at the guard post, if a touch softened by Alexandrian patois. "It is best, do I leave, lest we be delayed."

He inclines his head at Schara, a gesture of agreement. "If there is nothing more, then we should replenish our supplies and begone."

Aryia shrugs at Schara. "Many shirk their duties, it's not surprising to me at this point," she signs, tearing her attention away from the guardhouse before looking up to Seldan.

There's a moment of reading him before the mute pugilist gives a simple thumbs up. "Very well. Let's get out of here." <Handspeech/Tongues>

...this time, the teleport goes as smoothly as expected. Perhaps it was just a weird moment? Multiple teleports to Charn later, you are now in the vicinity of the retreat, deep in the desolate Charnish countryside... fields full of undead farm laborers are all about you.

And here you are, ready to find a place where Taara's own go for respite.

-End Scene-