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Post by Dungeon Master on Mar 6, 2018 5:20:18 GMT -8
The Temple of Sekhmet is small, even tiny by comparison to the other temples. Its small size is mostly taken up by the public worship area, with two closet sized rooms that act as a dressing and study areas. The two small buildings next to the temple act as sleeping and office areas for the temple itself. Rugs and pillows are spread through the main worship chamber allowing worshippers a cushion to rest against as they pray.
At the front of the altar stands Salkya, head priestess for the temple of Sekhmet in Kokand. She is a older, heavier set but shorter human woman who is praying and offering up the incense to the statue of the cat goddess that gazes down on her people.
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Post by wolsey on Mar 6, 2018 11:44:07 GMT -8
Luke walks up to the temple entrance. He might be a cleric of Sekhmet, but his worship takes him further afield than most in Kokand. He considers the land where the needy are to be his alter, and where his work calls him. It's been a few months since he's been to the temple.
He respectfully climbs the stairs, and makes his way into the main worship room, where he settles next to Salkya. He contents himself to pray next to her, until she is done and ready to speak.
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Post by Dungeon Master on Mar 7, 2018 4:36:18 GMT -8
After a short time Salkya's prayers end and she leans back with a small chuckle at the creak of her older bones. She turns to Luke and a large smile shines brightly and her eyes light up when she sees the young tiefling.
"Luke, my boy. I am overjoyed to see you." She reaches out, her thin fingers touching Luke's arm.
"Is everything well?"
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Post by wolsey on Mar 8, 2018 5:19:43 GMT -8
Luke smiles down warmly at the woman. His smile is genuine.
He cocks his head to the right, then to the left before answering, "I am good, but I ran into some things that were not so good. I was hoping to get some clerical wisdom on it. It's beyond me."
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Post by Dungeon Master on Mar 8, 2018 15:48:21 GMT -8
Salkya watches Luke's face, she must see something as she nods and gives him a smile.
"I don't know so much about wisdom, but I am more than happy to answer any of your question." She motions to the rear door, where the small living quarters can be seen across the even smaller yard.
"Would you like to come over to the kitchen and have some wine? I think there is always time for wine, especially if you are hoping for some wisdom."
With that Salkya winks at the younger tiefling and begins to move towards the door with what seems to be an expectation that he will follow.
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Post by wolsey on Mar 9, 2018 6:13:12 GMT -8
Luke smiles, and says, "Wine is good. I'll trade you the story of the new charity I started for your wisdom on some more godly things." He smiles, and follows her back to the kitchen.
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Post by Dungeon Master on Mar 9, 2018 12:30:46 GMT -8
After Salkya and Luke had retired to the kitchen and she has poured the tiefling a very large glass of wine she continues again.
"How is your new charity? Do you need anything to help with it? I am very proud of you." Salk
Salkya gives the younger tiefling a large smile and sits, waiting to hear her favorite cleric speak.
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Post by wolsey on Mar 9, 2018 13:03:06 GMT -8
Luke smiles broadly, and tips his head saying, "The charity is called Redeemed Tieflings for Noble Rule. Currently it has been funding odds and ends needed in the Warrens. I stood outside the Noble quarter, and they were very very interested in funding this particular charity." He smiles proudly around his glass of wine.
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Post by Dungeon Master on Mar 9, 2018 16:52:21 GMT -8
Salkya gives Luke another smile.
"That is fantastic Luke, see here you are doing actual work when I have to tell Te'tet to quit arranging private prayer sessions and then pocketing the money. If you need anything let me know. I can send Te'tet over there and she can assist you."
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Post by wolsey on Mar 9, 2018 17:09:17 GMT -8
Luke laughs and says, "Having a second Tiefling to help gather funding would definitely help my cause. If I make enough I'd like to get a small school going in the Warrens. It's really where the most need is."
He then turns to a more serious topic and asks, "Have you heard of the temple of Gusi? I was up there on a job recently. It looked like someone had tried to seal whatever was in there, inside. We found an inscription that was worrisome."
Luke trails offing enough to pull out a bit of paper with the transcribed inscription on it.
He continues, "It looks like the temple is the site of a fight for control. Itus the guardian lost his followers due to mysterious circumstances, and Dunatis the mountain god has tried to seal it in while Nephtys is involved somehow, whether to help or to hurt. From my understanding the Devourer and the Mockery are evil gods, but I have never heard of the Infernal Prince. Any thoughts?"
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Post by Dungeon Master on Mar 9, 2018 17:47:41 GMT -8
Salkya gets more serious as she hears Luke talk. Remaining quiet until he is done, she looks troubled.
"I have heard of the Temple, some of the churches in Kokand refer to it at the Fall of Coal. They used to be the chosen of the god Itus, he would talk with them, and through him they controlled the most elite bodyguards. There was one of their annual rituals went bad about a thousand years ago, no one knows what happened, but the temple fell and the family hid out in Castle Shard before they disappeared."
Salkya leans forward.
"I have never heard of that prophecy specifically, but there are mentions of the Devourer and the Mockery. I read about them when I was younger, but the details were cryptic and scattered, I don't recall reading of the Infernal Prince, I am not sure if its the same pantheon."
"Dunatis is a reliable earth god, solid like stone. In fact I know of a branch of dwarves that worship him, he won't be a problem."
Salkya takes a sip, and whispers softly
"Ascend and descend; descend with Nephthys, sink into darkness with the Night-bark. Ascend and descend; ascend with Isis, rise with the Day-bark."
Salkya turns to Luke
"Mother Nephthys is a guardian of the dead. She is a goddess that has been lost for a long time. She was forced to marry the god of the dead from the original gods, but rebelled and slew him. She watches over the grave, and protects against the Master of Jackals. She rides the beast of royalty, the donkey. She defends the living, although the men of New Khemi have knocked her statues over and declared her evil.
She is the sister of Isis, the twin defender. Many of the New Khemi say she is evil, I do not believe it."
There is a defiant look in Salkya's eye that disappears when she realizes that Luke is watching.
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Post by wolsey on Mar 10, 2018 17:27:23 GMT -8
Luke nods, and says, "I think I know what happened to some of them. My travel companion, Glorion, captured one of the many ghouls we fought. They wore the family crest. I have no idea if that is possible, but it does seem probable."
He takes a big gulp of his wine, and his dark eyes look about the room while he thinks, "So I will not worry about the death goddess so much. I trust your instincts on these things. I do need more information on the Devourer, Mockery, and Infernal Prince. Do you know where I might find out more?"
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Post by Dungeon Master on Mar 11, 2018 13:41:32 GMT -8
Salkya thinks about it for a few moments.
"There is no one I can point to in the city at the moment. However, I do think I can send a request to a couple of researchers. They hire out groups to investigate old religious ruins, that plus maybe the Mother in Banha would have some answers. Can I have a few days to get a response to either get you information or direct you?"
Salkya leans forward giving Luke a big smile.
"Do you want me to send Te'tet over to you for your charity?"
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Post by wolsey on Mar 11, 2018 13:55:33 GMT -8
Luke smiles warmly, "I would like more information as long as it doesn't mean anyone goes up to the temple itself to get it. A few days won't matter too much. I am here for a bit until I go back up."
Then his smile becomes broader," Yes. Send over Te'tet. We will go gather funds for my charity. Two of us will make it look more convincing. . . It's always so odd that they never ask what I use the money for. I had an entire line of logic about using it to reach other Teifings. I can use Te-tet to point to the fact that their money worked last time. Plus, if she's pocketing funds, maybe she needs to see how the truly poor live. It'll be a good project for her."
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Post by Dungeon Master on Mar 11, 2018 19:23:06 GMT -8
Salkya smiles broadly
"Consider her sent, I will have her over there this afternoon. She doesn't pocket much, I think its more to be rebellious then to actually steal. She has a good heart, it is just more covered in a rough exterior."
Salkya leans forward giving Luke a big smile.
"If you need any help with the more shady things, even up on the temple, take Te'tet. She is good at that and you can rely on her, no matter how tricky she might act"
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