The thoughts of Brielle….
ENTRY 1:
A most unwelcome, welcome.
If it had not been for Elminster I would not be on this
path. The Archwizard Astalon a highly trusted individual has brought me to
this place. Unremarkable just another village inn, the same as almost any other
inn, in any other village. Yet again the path given, was not of my choosing, I cannot
see how this journey will assist me in
my quest and again no explanation from Elminster of Astalon.
We sit in the corner. Astalon quiet, a slight smile on his
face, one of recognition. I follow his gaze. I watch, I see, I listen.
Nothing remarkable in anything or it appears anyone. So why this group the
focus of his attention. ‘Follow me’ his only words as Astalon rises,
ever so gracefully, and approaches the group.
A group? A collective of individuals more like. A mixed bag
if ever there was one. Astalon a conversation held. Within an instant he is
gone.
So here I sit. I understand trust is earnt not given. But a
more unwelcome welcome I could not believe possible. I am an outsider of this
mixed bag of individuals, of that I am fully aware. Not invited to join them
but delivered unto them by Astalon. A human they clearly recognised.
The most the group could do was to greet me well the names no clue as to their
abilities. ‘Hugh’ or was that pugh, no not pugh, or Barney Mc grew…I know not.
One thing is for sure he likes the sound of his own voice. I studied the group, saying nothing and asked nothing in return. I countenance my own discretion. Silence is golden. Despite his human posturing it is instantly clear he is not the leader, or at least the ‘brains’ within this group, he leads because others follow. From my initial considerations, two individuals stand out, one potentially impressive one an obvious danger. The first Thia or is that Elyssa?… A High Elf, well to do, an air of supremacy cleverly displayed not arrogant. Indeed, most certainly not the way of a High Elf. She is well to do, it would appear she is funded but for some reason as yet unclear our lodgings and food are paid for, and indeed this evening drinks ‘on the house’. I keep my still, for me never alcohol. Unless at Holy ritual and then only the slightest sip. Some within the group seem to liberally partake. There are such in every group. These are spoils of which I have not earned. The latter an individual of grave concern. If I am not extremely careful around this one called Kyrrha I can see my grave awaits. A drow, and of that it appears a ruthless, a selfish individual. Out for only herself. She is by far the most withdrawn. The others have a cold distance toward her. Why I know not, but I feel relieved that my initial thoughts on this individual do not seem adrift. She is the internal danger within this group, watch her with upmost caution.
Discretion and discreet, these shall be my watch words
within this mixed bag of a group.
They ask not of me. They tell me not of what they seek, accepted only because
of Astalon. So be it. Time will tell.
As Brielle approached the entrance she noted the two large pillars one each side of the entrance doors standing open. Stop the pillars a triangular porch way in the middle of the triangle a small engraved eight pointed star made of silver or so she thought.
She would later learn it was made of platinum.
Brielle climbed the eight steps, entering the temple she stepped in no more than half a dozen paces, knelt bowed head and prayed. It was not to the deity worshipped here but to her own, ‘The Oak Mother’ …. Brielle just felt it was the right thing to do .
As she raised her head, her prayers at an end she noticed the expanse of light falling into the temple
from the enormous glass dome below which suspended on wires a sizeable eight pointed silver star. The only decoration in the whole temple, other than eight more pillars evenly distributed around the temple, there obvious use to support the roof structure of the temple. The few areas not illuminated by natural light were illuminated by candles. The point at which the star hung was a cross over between the main isle leading down the temple and another isle leading all the way across the temple from left to right. At the far end from the entrance where Brielle knelt some kind of simple ornate. Almost the only colour other than the star being the blue full length drape over the alter.
“welcome to the temple of Endor, what brings you here’? Brielle looked to her left, stood up and for a reason she knew not politely bowed her head. It just seemed the right thing to do. The half Elf Half Human worshiper or priestess nodded, smiled and gestures to a pew
‘Shall we’? She offered.
Brielle thanked her, followed and sat beside her.
The priestess dressed simply in a full length brown sackcloth robe, thin rope tied around her waist and simple leather open toed sandals had only one item of possible status a simple eight pointed star attached as a necklace around her mech hanging down midway on her chest.
‘Greetings and welcome to the Temple of Endor, my name is Aurelia how may we be of help to you child’?
Brielle remained cautious
Aurelia sensed this,
‘I notice your commendable entrance to our temple, let us pray together shall we’?
She continued, ‘I see you are not of our Deity but that matters not, pray to your god, for your prayers will be accepted where ever you offer them’
By the time Brielle had finished her short prayer asking for guidance Aurelia was sat up, smiling. ‘Now of how may we be of assistance to you’?
Brielle explained that she sought knowledge and help about the poppy seeds and sweet berries she had gathered and how they me of use in healing and potions.
Aurelia smiled, ‘ I am sure that is not the only knowledge and answers of which you seek’ she paused, ‘If you seek surety and confidence to ask of me more then take your time’ allow me to find Brother Bendalin for he is our most knowledgeable herbalist, I am sure he will be able to help you’
She rose saying ‘Be still a while and seek the assurances you need with your hid once more’
Brielle prayed, having completed this she studied her surroundings. All the priests or worshipers she saw were all clothed exactly as Aurelia, how ever most of the clergy were High Elf, only a handful of human and even fewer half elf half human.
She was surprised no ornate statues, no coloured glass windows
The temple so very plain.
It was now that Brielle had two flash backs…in her hours under the influence of the potion she had taken and her transportation to the world she now lived in she recalled the glass dome atop the temple. As she closed her eyes she could see the inner lay out and simplicity of the temple…
Brielle sensed others beside her. Opening her eyes stood a little way away from her as if respecting her space, perhaps with her eyes closed they had thought she was still in prayer…?
‘Brielle allow me to introduce Brother Bendalin
I have explained your questions to him, he will be delighted to assist you further’, She paused, ‘when you have completed your time with Brother Bendalin should you wish to ask further questions I will be happy to continue our discussions’…’Brother Bendalin’….’Thank you, the Mother Superior has explained your desire for knowledge, please allow me to assist where I may be able, do please follow me’
Brielle was surprised, mother superior, she would never have guessed.
Brielle followed out through one of the side knaves…..
She followed Brendalin.
‘Here we are the pharmacy’
They entered the room,
On three walls book shelves and shelves full of glass bottles, pestles and mortars and all manner of pharmaceutical type holders and the like.
Bottled leaves, berries, seeds the likes and volumes of which Brielle had never seen before.
‘Two clothes on the table
Place your rich pickings on each’ said Bendalin.
The following three hours passed in a whirl of information and notes made in Brielle’s book.
Recipes, volumes, ingredients, mixing process and fermentation.
Along with types of cures and what they were used for. Areas of antidotes for poison and pulses for healing the topics.
‘My word is that the time? Lunch shall we’….
The meal was sumptuous, not ornate or fancy but very pleasant and fulfilling.
‘Oh good lord no, a donation of what ever you feel so disposed to donate, the where? in the centre of the main temple hangs our star, below in an alter collection piece if you wish. It will be gratefully received and thankfully applied’.
They returned to the pharmacy. Eight vials of anti poison. ‘
‘Remember only one per administration, and no more than one in every twelve hours. And no more than three in consecutive administrations.
The sweet berries made into pulses, good for healing deep cuts or wounds, but not damage to organs’
Brielle nodded, collected the eight vials and twelve pulses and was escorted back to the main temple.
Having made her charitable offering of thanks and donation she saw Aurelia sat in the end pew in conversation with another clergy.
The clergy stood up with the humblest of bows of the head and moved away. ‘Are we all done my child or do you wish to have further discussions’?
Brielle nodded, ‘if I may she asked’? ‘Then do sit a while’ Brielle was not certain but despite how uneasy her feeling was she felt not to would be a mistake. For she knew she would regret not taking the opportunity later.
Brielle became more relaxed, more confident as she progressed through her story, a potted explanation of her home, her sister, and then she struggled to explain her quest… should she show Aurelia her small piece of parchment?
Aurelia assured her in a very different manner’ I am sure your Oak Mother’ will guide you”
That was just the assurance Brielle needed.
Though she was surprised at how a half human half high elf could know of her deity.
Carefully as if handling a new born child Brielle removed the small five inch tattered edged piece of parchment and laid it out on one of the kneeling cushions.
Aurelia did not touch the parchment, but studied it for a while. Brielle sat in nervous silence.
This is some thing I know not of’ ….Brielle’s heart sank, ‘but I am sure there are of three who could possibly help you further’.
Brielle explained what little she desired of the group, that one among them knew of the Castle and Tower.
They prayed again and Brielle left the temple. She needed time to think. As she wandered lost in her thoughts it was only when a distant bell chimed did she become again aware of her surroundings.
She was in a grave yard by the side of the temple.
As she studied the head stones they all appeared the same… a name two dates she figured birth and death dates and carved above the name a simple eight pointed star….
As Brielle was passing the last row she noticed one grave stone set away from the others…Brielle knew not why, drawn by curiosity walked over to the grave stone.
What…? She couldn’t believe her eyes.
She knelt down and read.
Callisandra, the dates faded but the emblem clear as anything. An oak leaf wrapped around a sickle, the emblem for The Oak Mother, Felosial….
Why had Aurelia not spoken of Callisandra?
Brielle gave prayers.
She sat and ran through the information she had.
Three professors to visit at the Grey Tower.
Divination,
philosophy and Religion and lastly
professor of Herbal lore and poisons.
That was tomorrow’s tasks she thought.
What Brielle did not see nor sense was a single pair of eyes watching her ever so discretely. Not small eyes, not human or elven
eyes, but watching her ever so intently they were…..
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