Navero 26

From: dparsons@jarthur.claremont.edu (Daniel Parsons)
Newsgroups: rec.games.frp
Subject: Navero XXVI
Distribution: world
Organization: Harvey Mudd College, Claremont, CA 91711
Keywords: Navero, of the Correct and Unalterable Way

And now, that part none of you have been waiting for...

• Navero, male human cleric, 4th level
• Dania, female 1/2-elf MU, 4th level
• Kortul, male human fighter, 3rd level
• Razuli, male human fighter, 3rd level
• Arlor, male dwarf thief, 3rd level
• Kory, male elf bard, 2nd level
• Topash, male elf druid, 3rd level

The trek back through the swamp was very disagreeable. We were walking down unexplored paths, and the sun decided to come out and warm everything up, so all the bugs came out. We managed to find paths on the banks of the runs, and the occasional larger path, and we only hit quicksand once. There were alligators and boars and giant leeches and Morkandian Death Snails, and we all had lots of nice heavy gold in our packs. The place didn't do much for our mood, already poor due to the inconvenience of an unwanted divinely inspired mission. We were able to agree on one thing, however: we had better go get this Orb of Spheres thing, and that meant finding somebody who knew where it was. Propyla, the nearest large population center, seemed the most likely place to start looking.

We did NOT go back into Propyla. They would probably have people at the gates, watching for us. Instead, we elected to look through the smaller buildings clustered around the walled city. The treasure had already been effectively divided, so the group split up and we each went to take care of our own business.

Part of this "low town" was an Avenue of Unacceptable Religions, temples of religions not considered kosher by the government of Propyla. Some of them were poorly off politically; others were kept out of the main city due to their inherent unsavoriness. One of the latter was a very interesting group of people who worshiped the god Gothard. They were not destructive, or murderous, or fanatic; they were unusual in other ways.

The Priesthood of Gothard is one of the fastest-growing new religions in the world today. This is because every week, every priest of Gothard has the sacred duty to go out into the world and impregnate at least one woman of human or elven blood. Male children, when born, are taken in to be raised as a new priest. To accomplish this herculean task, the priests study very diligently, both by reading and physical exercises. Of course, exceptional efforts are rewarded in proportion.

Every priest of Gothard has a permanent charm ability; it works only on elven or human females, save at -4, and the normal elven charm resistance does not function (apparently because the charm does not work on the mind at all, but on another part of the anatomy.) Priests of Gothard have minimum Charisma and Comeliness of 15, and Constitution of 16. A high wisdom also helps, but that isn't nearly as important in this religion.

(Priestly-type person walks up to Dania.)

Priest: "Hello. I am a Priest of Gothard."

Dania: (Seems confused for a moment. Then, eyes widen. Whole body quivers slightly, like a small tree being struck repeatedly by a very large axe. Grips staff tightly to hold herself upright.) "Uh,... uhrrr... uhhrrrrrrrRRRRRRRRR....."

Priest: "Would you like to step inside here?"

Dania: "Oh, yes..."

(Dania is not seen again for several hours.)

Meanwhile, other business was being taken care of as well.

Razuli: "Put the shield on. C'mon, that's upside down."

Navero: "I'm sorry, I don't know. Do I have to go around with this? It's heavy, and my arm's getting tired already."

Kory: "Nav, c'mere a second. Lemme EXPLAIN the situation to you: You are an adventuring priest. Right?"

Navero: "Um... I guess so."

Kory: "Adventuring priests risk life and limb in the struggle to stave back the forces of chaos and they can't do that if they're dead! Right?"

Navero: "Right... Do you mean that I am obligated to take whatever means are necessary to protect my own life?"

Kory: "RIGHT! Now, put this helmet on like a good little choir boy."

Navero: "But that stands against the teachings of the Lords! 'Live in the way of goodness every moment; let your mind and soul and body be free of violent intent, and peace be in your eyes.' I will not have peace in my eyes if I am looking at people from under a helmet, a blatant tool of war!"

Kory: "I don't think I'm getting through to him."

Razuli: "Kid?"

Navero: "Yes?"

(Clobbers Navero on top of the noggin with a hunk of wood.)

Razuli: "Now WEAR THE GODDAMNED HELMET!" (Clangs it down onto Navero's curly locks.)

Kory: "Well put! And soundly thought out too! My congratulations."

Razuli: "What can I say?"

Kory: "Don't say anything; you'll seem much more intelligent."

Navero: "owww...."

Kortul: (At counter of weapons shop) "How much?" (Puts Lizard Sword onto counter.)

ShopKeeper: "Hmmm... Very good blade... Well made... 200 gp."

Kortul: "Magical."

Keeper: "I know. 200."

Kortul: "1000."

Keeper: "Ha! 300."

Kortul: "800."

Keeper: "400."

Kortul: "700."

Keeper: "500."

Kortul: "...600."

Keeper: "Done. You must be great fun at parties."

Arlor wasn't there that day (again) and so didn't do anything. We stayed in the town area for several days, resting, recuperating, and other things adventurers do when not out getting themselves beat up. Navero couldn't find a temple of his religion in low town; instead, he braved the city gates and passed in unrecognized; maybe the helmet helped. There, he spent much of the afternoon in thoughtful reflection on the many things he had seen and done since he left his monastery about 2 months before. He also sought out one of the higher-order priests; he felt he could use some advice on how to better fulfill his duties to the Lords in the outside world. He could see he wasn't doing very well on his own.

(This conversation did not take place in the game. I thought it up while listening to everyone else at the tavern, which is later.)

Priest: "....Yes. I see. Well, sounds like you've had quite a few little adventures, dear acolyte! I do hope you remember your holy day rituals - they don't get lost in all the excitement!"

Navero: "Well, I did forget St. Kilgurian's day. But I remembered all the others! And went through the full rituals too, to try and make up for my disrespectfulness."

Priest: "Yes, very good. I must say, I am a little surprised at you for running away from the guardsmen of Swamp Keep like that. They were assigned to uphold the law, and you prevented them from doing so. That was not a good thing you did; I suppose you were caught up in all the action, and simply followed after your friends."

Navero: "Umm... yes, father. I am afraid I did not act out of obedience to the Lords. I went... contrary to their desires. And at the gate, too. I lied about how much money I had to deceive the officials! And I lied to get in this time, and told them my name was George! And..."

Priest: "Yes, yes, I understand, my son. You see how one transgression leads inevitably to others?"

Navero: "Yes, father."

Priest: "Yes. Your sins seem minor, caused entirely by your stressed state. It is quite possible that your unwashed companions may also have had something to do with your downfall... The money you say you did not pay the entrance tax on - did you use it for some greedy purpose, buying of material goods?"

Navero: "No, never, your grace! I mean, father! I donated it to the Order."

Priest: "Well, then! Nothing selfish or sinful was done with it; although your actions were dubious, your intentions were good, and I have no doubt that the Lords have forgiven you. How much was it?"

Navero: "(Some amount of gp's, in the thousands)"

Priest: "No, no doubt at all! Now young man, about your penance. Have you made any effort to bring any of your companions into the fold?"

Navero: "No..."

Priest: "Well, it strikes me that their attitude is one of the major threats to your standing in the faith. They are worldly, and competent in the ways of adventuring, and this can no doubt have an effect on how you relate to them. I see they have convinced you to wear arms. How much more have they convinced you to do and think? This cannot continue, acolyte. WE are supposed to spread the truth and light of the Unalterable way throughout the world; WE are to appeal to OTHERS to give up their corrupt ways; WE must not be turned from our path, or distracted by worldly cares and influences. We are a mote of light in a great darkness. You are a fragment of that light, sent out alone, but you must not allow the darkness it's way with you. Everything would be lost."

Navero: "Yes, father. I have failed in so many ways."

Priest: "Why are you all armed? Our message is peaceful."

Navero: "Everyone insisted strenuously that I get armor and a shield and a helmet after I was killed by a Dragon."

Priest: "The resurrection was performed outside of the faith?"

Navero: "Yes, both of them were."

Priest: "Both.... hmm. Well, perhaps then wearing armor would be a good idea for you. We each must adapt to our own, er... limitations. But this dying business; I hope you don't intend to make a habit out of it."

Navero: "No! I didn't want to any of those times! Death hurts, and may displease the Lords too! It just... it just... I mean it just... happened. These things just happen to me, I don't know why. Do you think the Lords are displeased?"

Priest: "It could very well be, but I do not believe so. I met Master Luminot once, the head of your cloister, and he mentioned you, I believe. He said something about 'misfortune follows the child everywhere. He is not especially clumsy, but many accidents I would not have thought possible seem to happen to him.' This was a few years ago, of course. Talking to you, I can begin to see what Master Luminot meant. But enough of that for now; it is nearly time for the sunset prayers. Will you join me in the garden?"

Navero: "Yes, father. Thank you for your instruction. I'll try to do better."

Meanwhile, back in the low town, a few other party members found themselves in the same tavern. Kory had lined up a job for the night as the entertainment.

Dania: (Sitting at table staring dreamily into space.)

Razuli: "Dania! My, you're looking spacy. I'll have what she's having!"

Kory: (Joins them) "Ah, my adoring public. They just can't get enough of me."

Razuli: "That stein didn't hit you THAT hard, did it?"

Dania: (giggles)

Kory & Razuli: (Stare)

Dania: "Actually, it was kinda nice."

Razuli: "Cancel that order! I don't want any!"

Kory: "Dania, are you alright, little magic-userish person?"

Dania: "Oh, great, fine... just fine..." (Resumes staring)

Razuli: (Looks Kory in the eye) "What's wrong with her?"

Kory: "You got me. Dania! You're... relaxed! casual! mellow! Did someone cut out your ovaries, or did you just finally realize that you're madly in love with me?"

Dania: "Sure. Right. Yea. Fine."

Razuli: "I don't like this, kids. Better get her to a cleric."

Dania: (Starts giggling again)

Kory: "Did you have a wet dream about Navero, perchance?"

Razuli: "C'mon!"

Kory: "Ok, did you have a wet dream about Razuli?"

Dania: (Breaks out into howls of laughter.)

Kory: (Looks Razuli in the eye)

Dania: "You guys are funny..." (resumes laughing)

Razuli: "You're right. Something's very wrong here. Hey! Little elf-bitch! Kory just got in your pack and stole all your underwear! He nailed it all to the message post in the square!"

Dania: "Aw, c'mon! I don't wear underwear!"

Kory: "She'd never admit that if she were normal."

Razuli: "Who says she's normal?"

Kory: "Good point. Is she drunk?"

Razuli: "I know drunk DAMN well, and that ain't it."

Dania: (still giggling faintly)

Kory: "SO... It appeareth to me that we got us a little challenge here."

Dania: "Don't strain yourselves, guys. I gotta get going. I found a nice place to spend the night. Bye." (She gives a sultry glance over her shoulder as she slinks out the door.)

Razuli: "Oh, so that's it... Bard, have you heard of the Priests of Gothard? I almost became one myself, once."

Dan Parsons

"Of course, there's the SLIGHT chance of pregnancy."

"No! C'mon, Jeff! Lemme have a little fun!"