Joined: Sept 2008 Gender: Male Posts: 1,216 Location: Melbourne, Australia Karma: 195
(040) Vestal Visitors « Thread Started on Jun 23, 2012, 7:53am »
The afternoon has long waned, and the tea and cakes long vanished before there finally comes a sharp rap at the door.
Footsteps echo in the passage outside, followed by the mutter of voices which soon approach the Great Hall, before Bennug discretely enters and announces:
"You have visitors, Masters," with an efficient bow. "The Mother Superior and her entourage have arrived from the Cloister," and almost before he can sweep his hand the great doors are pushed wide, and Bennug almost has to leap out the way as a great flock of Sisters pour into the space.
There must be at least a dozen of them, and with the hammering patter of their soft soled feet the "Great Hall" is soon packed to capacity and is made to seem modest and cramped.
When the scores (it seems) of nuns in their white habits have tacitly entered with their incense burners, rosary beads and holy symbols abounding, they part a passage between them so that their Mother Most Holy can enter unhindered.
There are a few baited breathes before The Mother Superior appears in the doorway and hobbles awkwardly in, leaning heavily upon a the walking cane she carries in her left hand. Each step she takes seems an effort as she rasps and wheezes her way into the room, chewing absently on her gums as her crystal blue eyes dart to and fro, capturing every face and every detail of the place.
When she at last comes to a stop between the hearth and the table, two of the Sisters immediately unfold a simple chair and hastily place it (and a cushion) beneath her, allowing the Mother Most Holy to unceremoniously plonk herself down without even checking whether the chair is there or not.
She wheezes a few moments longer to catch her breath before leaning forward on her cane to better eye the company members arrayed before her.
Re: (040) Vestal Visitors « Reply #2 on Jun 23, 2012, 2:15pm »
Josiane is washed and scrubbed and is as presentable as her humble circumstances allow.
She steps forward, drops to one knee and bows her head to the venerable holy woman.
"I bid you welcome, Mother Most Holy," she intones, her eyes dropped to the floor, her voice hushed with awe; "I am Josiane, a humble knight in the service of Saint Tamaræ, praise unto her and unto Almighty Thuul. My deepest thanks for gracing us with your blessed presence in our hour of need."
She has been wracking her brain all afternoon to recall the proper formalities for occasions such as this, and is scrupulous in seeking to follow them.
Re: (040) Vestal Visitors « Reply #4 on Jun 23, 2012, 6:44pm »
Gustave wonders absently what this crumbly old crone can do for the lad, wishing he had another of those St Basil Special cigars that the Duchess of Knutt always kept in her bedside drawer.
Ignoring the hobbit clinging to his leg, he concentrates his efforts - as casually as possible - on the somewhat younger members of the entourage, wishing not for the first time that habits were not such horribly concealing garments.
Re: (040) Vestal Visitors « Reply #5 on Jun 23, 2012, 8:44pm »
Ulric watches the roving eyes of the Mother Surperior. Her frail body clearly held great power; she was certainly not to be trifled with that was certain. But she was a creature of the church and could perhaps be convinced to help them with the right words.
"Greeting Mother Superior. I am Ulric, a scholar from the north. Our comrade was wounded in combat against a most foul and unholy creature below this city. We slew a few of them, but their blades delivered a terrible curse. We seek his restoration so that we may return to their lair and avenge those that fell and cleanse this city of their evil. One of your Sisters informed us that you may be able to help us."
Joined: Jul 2011 Gender: Male Posts: 60 Location: Boston, MA, USA Karma: 8
Re: (040) Vestal Visitors « Reply #6 on Jun 23, 2012, 10:24pm »
Dorgan will watch the proceedings with interest from the sidelines.
Should Guntrum make an appearance, the dwarf will slide over to him and whisper, "Mebbe now's a good time to show the Mother the sword you got, and see if'n she's got any ideas on what ta do wit' it."
Re: (040) Vestal Visitors « Reply #9 on Jun 24, 2012, 4:52pm »
Olaf stirs in his chair and with a grunt rises as the Mother Superior enters. He will make an attempt at a bow, but will keep it short if he thinks he's about to topple over.
"Welcome to our home your grace." Olaf says, "I am a bit indisposed. May I have your permission to sit?"
Kelmult Dwarven Fgt-2 Olaf, the very lucky...so far! Human Fgt-2 Yusuf Kamal(Chainmail & Shield: AC 4, MV 6, HD 1, XP: 0, hp 6. #AT 1. 1d8 Sword, 1d6 Bow, 1d4 dagger x 2. Lucky Amulet, rations, waterskin x 2. GP: 0. [gold necklace & jewelry case with a few silver rings & bracelets...est. 70 gp])
Joined: Sept 2008 Gender: Male Posts: 1,216 Location: Melbourne, Australia Karma: 195
Re: (040) Vestal Visitors « Reply #10 on Jun 24, 2012, 6:30pm »
"Some of you at least have your manners about you," grumbles the Mother.
[2d6]
"Sit yourself before me, young man, so that I might see this wound that ails you," she instructs Olaf, and then to several of her Sisters, "Prepare him for examination,"
Meanwhile Dieter looks about for any "enforcer" among the Sisters, but they all appear to be meek little women. None are more than shoulder high on him, and none carry anything remotely weapon-like.
Should Guntrum make an appearance, the dwarf will slide over to him and whisper, "Mebbe now's a good time to show the Mother the sword you got, and see if'n she's got any ideas on what ta do wit' it."
[The Sisters are against weaponry of all sorts, and are not especially likely to know anything about the blade...]
Joined: Sept 2008 Gender: Male Posts: 1,216 Location: Melbourne, Australia Karma: 195
Re: (040) Vestal Visitors « Reply #12 on Jun 24, 2012, 6:42pm »
[Assuming Olaf complies...]
Half a dozen Sisters move swiftly (and tacitly) into action at their Mother's command. Several roll out a thin mattress and cover it in white sheets. Another pair gently but firmly have Olaf out of his attire and into a sheer white robe, and laid down upon the mattress before the Mother. Others are preparing incense burners, breaking out stores of herbs and balms, stoking the fireplace, preparing hot water at the hearth, and uttering a quiet Holy mantra in unison, and so on.
Olaf find himself lulled into a state of calmness by all this, and even the Mother prodding at the foul hurts does not distress him overly...
The Mother makes several wincing noises and mutters to herself as be applies various ointments and salves, and tests herbs on Olaf's scars. Then she announces, "It is as Sister Margarette reported; these wounds are unnaturally evil and only our most Holy benediction can hope to cure them."
She sighs a deep sigh, and appears very old and tired...
Kelmult Dwarven Fgt-2 Olaf, the very lucky...so far! Human Fgt-2 Yusuf Kamal(Chainmail & Shield: AC 4, MV 6, HD 1, XP: 0, hp 6. #AT 1. 1d8 Sword, 1d6 Bow, 1d4 dagger x 2. Lucky Amulet, rations, waterskin x 2. GP: 0. [gold necklace & jewelry case with a few silver rings & bracelets...est. 70 gp])
Joined: Sept 2008 Gender: Male Posts: 1,216 Location: Melbourne, Australia Karma: 195
Re: (040) Vestal Visitors « Reply #14 on Jun 24, 2012, 10:39pm »
"It is no small thing you ask of me," replies the Mother gravely.
"The weight of many years drag heavily at me, and the Holy Absolution is not without its toll. I would take on this burden in exchange for your bequeath of one thousand silver shillings to the good works of the Cloister. I see here that you are energetic and enterprising sorts who can spare as much."
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