Chapter Four: The Lost Villages (Rygorh at Church)

Jaramus Artlemay leads Rygorh into the Sanctuary of the Sacred Flame within the shrine to Firinna.

"So, what is it I can do for you, Brother Rygorh?"

"As I told you previously, the high priest from my home temple in the Scarred Lands believed I was chosen of the Goddess for some great purpose." Rygorh goes on to tell the tale of his rescue and shows Jaramus his birthmark. "Of course you are aware of the coming duergar invasion. We now have additional information that the drow are involved. A band of five attacked my companions and me on the road north of Saragost. Those drow no longer draw breath. One of the drow carried a note that indicates a larger force is involved and that there are drow agents in Saragost already working to destroy the city. I am of the opinion that the only place free of drow infiltration is this ground which is holy to Firinna."

Jaramus listens with interest and draws a deep breath, "I admire your loyalty to you brothers here. I can say with some confidence that none of the priests that practice here are beholden to the drow or their foul deity. There have been some strange goings on of late in Saragost which may bear on the matter of this invasion. As you may already know there is a new group in the city that carries these haematite discs you have mentioned. It seems that they are busy with many things. They generally venture out at night and have some interest in several of the warehouses near the docks. I have also heard that there is a plot among some here to surrender the city when the duergar arrive. I will look into these things and get back to you as soon as possible."

Rygorh inclines his head respectfully to the priest, "I thank you ahead of time for any information you can help us with. As we both know the Goddess rarely chooses to fight for any cause on this plane. I beleive that she has made a choice in this matter; I believe that I am living proof of her hand at work on this land. I have fallen in combat and seen the Flaming Coliseum of Eternal War. I was however brought back to walk the earth in life once again as Firinna is not yet finished shaping me as her tool against the spider queen. She has also given me a great weapon with which to do her bidding," tapping the pommel of the longsword, "a weapon that called to me".

"This is a most wondrous and rare thing! To see a sign of the Goddess with my own eyes . . . I am humbled. Should it be that you are in fact one chosen by the Goddess I would consider it a great honor to do your bidding . . . What is this you say about dying? You have seen the Flaming Coliseum?"

"My bidding? I do nothing of my accord only the Will of the Goddess. By helping me you are doing her bidding; by no means is it mine. As for the death: I took an ogre's club to the head attempting to protect my companions, and in a sense I was successful as they both survived. This is not really the time, but at a later date when I have more time I will come and tell you the tale."

Rygorh continues, "We both know that the Goddess is not petty like so many of the other gods, and she cares not for how one serves her: good and evil mean little in service to Her. With this in mind, I would ask that you get word to one of our brothers who serves the Goddess in ways opposed to my chosen side of good. One of my companions recieved a bottle of wine from the Midnight Enclave. It's possible that one of our brothers may have some influence over the Enclave. I wish them to know that my compainions and I are not their enemies; in my personal opinion this city needs the Enclave to battle the terminal lawfulness around here and cause a little chaos," looks up with a michivous smile. "I also have heard these rumors", rolls off information from here. "I would like to know which are off target and which strike home. I have a good idea of some but not all."

Jaramus looks worried. "Ah, yes, the Midnight Enclave; a terrifying bunch. The stories say that Crastic is counted among their numbers. If one among your friends has received their "gift" . . . well, he will likely be dead before sunrise. You have my condolences. As to making peace with them . . . I have no contact with any among the Enclave, but I will see if I can find some who do and learn their intentions with regard to you and your companions."

Rygorh stares into the deep flames of the Sanctuary, "My elven companion is the one who received the wine; his heart is in the right place, though at times he believes not much other than what he finds in his precious books. We assume that he received the wine because of his research in some arcane library in the city, but if possible I would like to know exactly what it was he did to to offend the Enclave. He does get on my nerves at times, but I do not wish to see his death, nor the deaths of any of my companions. I do not find it necessary to kill anyone with the Enclave either. This is why I would like to have a truce between us."

Rygorh continues, "If the Enclave will accept my desire for a truce or maybe just a mutual understanding I know how they can let me know. The damn counsel refuses to allow anyone into the city that they cannot use if you haven't noticed. I am assuming that the Enclave has hidden ways into the city. If they use their hidden tunnels to start bringing people into the city then we can all thumb our noses at the lawful counsel together and create lots of chaos and havoc within the city! I want them to know our only enemy is the drow goddess as should be with all surface races . . . If she wins . . . Human, Orc, or whatever will be slaves. They need to understand she won't care if they helped or not. I don't see this as a fight of good and evil but of the underworld against the surface, and I am sure the Goddess sees this as well and that is why she has chosen to be involved in this!"

"I will try to get word to the Midnight Enclave for you and relay these messages.

"Also, we may want to rouse the followers of Firinna. I know that the priest from Lower Scumsgrove has come to Saragost and brought his followers. It would be most beneficial to have a cadre of Firinna's fiery warriors leading a charge against the duergar."

Jaramus's eyes light up in anticipation of the battle, "Ah, yes, this would be most gratifying."

Rygorh asks, "Also, do you know anything about ancient stones that have the star signs engraved on them in or around Saragost?"

Jaramus shakes his head, "I have heard nothing of such a thing."

Jaramus offers a hearty handshake, "Well, let's just see what we will see then. I look forward to hearing your tale of the ogre's club. I will do what I can to assist you and get word to you as soon as I may." Jaramus escorts Rygorh out of the temple.

Casey spots Rygorh leaving the temple from her hiding place in the nearby alley.

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