RPGWW

by **InquisitorChris** » Wed Nov 03, 2010 1:54 pm

The church door is open and beckoning. The rain is starting to pick up again.

You are struck again at the rough resemblance between the statue of Saint Altheria and the little statuette you saw the pict of.

by **Jak Snide** » Thu Nov 04, 2010 6:21 am

"C'mon, let's get inside." Jim said, moving away from the downpour and into the shelter of the house of worship.

by **ChristianC** » Thu Nov 04, 2010 10:52 am

Chani paid the oglers enough attention to remain wary of attacks or other possible threats, but otherwise kept her eyes on the steadily encroaching cathedral, her branch of the faith making her revere the saints more as great actors in the Imperial play, and thus they held her deepest respect, but she did not humble herself before the statues.

Instead she smirked slightly at Kara's little joke and folded her arms, "We might need to seek them, it is likely that they are conducting clerical business of a more... practical kind."

by **helvorn** » Thu Nov 04, 2010 2:23 pm

ChristianC wrote:Instead she smirked slightly at Kara's little joke and folded her arms, "We might need to seek them, it is likely that they are conducting clerical business of a more... practical kind."

Kara shared a brief laugh with Chani and moved beside her into the cathedral. She whispered to the woman; "See the blasphemy with the likeness of the objects to the saint?"

by **gsteelwraith** » Fri Nov 05, 2010 2:27 pm

You are struck again at the rough resemblance between the statue of Saint Altheria and the little statuette you saw the pict of.

Kara shared a brief laugh with Chani and moved beside her into the cathedral. She whispered to the woman; "See the blasphemy with the likeness of the objects to the saint?"

Brother Leveticus reflexively makes the sign of the Aquila, and breathes the Psalm 'Emperor Abjure Thee' to calm himself as he steps out of the rain and into the shelter of the Cathedral. As he falls into step behind the women, he begins singing softly the Psalm 'This is the Day the Emperor Hath Made'.

by **helvorn** » Fri Nov 05, 2010 2:44 pm

<ooc> I can almost see a song like "A Mighty Fortress is our God" </ooc>

by **InquisitorChris** » Fri Nov 05, 2010 9:32 pm

The interior of the cathedral is high and imposing. At the opposite end from you, directly ahead between the pews, stands the altar.

The three walls before you are dominated by stained glass windows deaturing scenes.

On the left: a blasted, almost-desert landscape. A few trees stand dying, bereft of leaves. In the sky a huge, bloated sun shines down blazing red. Emaciated people lie on the ground, motionless, dead or near-dead.

On the right: a stylized Imperial aquilla transport has landed on the same scene. On its landing ramp stands a young blond-haired woman in an Ecclesiarchal robe. Her head is surrounded by a halo, and her hands are stretched out in offering or supplication. The people on the ground look up with hope in their eyes.

Over the altar: it appears to be a feast hall. A crowd gathers around a table, knives in their hands and hopeful, ecstatic expressions on their faces. Upon the table are plates piled high with meat. At one end of the table, on a platter, lies the severed head of the woman in the second window. Her eyes are open, and she looks serenely down at the ongoing. At the opposite end rest two severed hand crossed together, also on a platter.

There is a thick smell of burnt meat in the hall.

The cathedral seems to be empty except for a elderly-looking man in Ecclesiarchal robes and two younger ones in the robes of neophytes by the altar. They appear to be cleaning up and in the process of leaving.

by **helvorn** » Sat Nov 06, 2010 11:54 am

Kara steps into the cathedral, does a deep curtsy to the altar and removes the wet coat. As she does this her eyes are caught by the sight of the three windows. She whispers; "Ahhh... It seems like the local rituals involved food. That's not too surprising."

Walking forward with a feral grace as though she were hunting in the swamps back home Kara approaches the altar.

by **ChristianC** » Sat Nov 06, 2010 4:37 pm

Chani was not a little horrified by the depictions in the windows. By a universal standard, her homeplanet had remained somewhat... civilized... in their own way, and this was just... were they eating her? Did the meat represent her sacrifices? Such crude... tasteless depictions and dedications, she shuddered at the image.

by **InquisitorChris** » Sat Nov 06, 2010 7:56 pm

(OOC: did Kara want a light flack coat or a flak vest? You can't really wear the former under civilian clothing -- although you could under your rain slicker. Assuming you never take it off.)

As Kara approaches the altar, the Ecclesiarch and the two neophytes -- a boy and a girl of about 11 or 12 -- look over at you. He is a tall elderly man with not a trace of hair, at least 70 assuming no rejuve treatments. His eyes are piercing and shine with intelligence.

"I am sorry," he says. "The last service for the day is over."

Then his eyes take in Leveticus' robes. "Novice," he says. "I have not seen you here before."

He glances a moment at Leveticus' hammer. Jim's maul, and Chani's sword and frowns, but says nothing.

The two neophytes shrink into the bankground, scared but curious. One of them is pushing a tray with some bits of some kind of food on it.

Spoiler for Chani:

Spoiler:

Spoiler for Jim:

Spoiler:

Spoiler for Leveticus:

Spoiler:

by **helvorn** » Sun Nov 07, 2010 12:03 am

InquisitorChris wrote:(OOC: did Kara want a light flack coat or a flak vest? You can't really wear the former under civilian clothing -- although you could under your rain slicker. Assuming you never take it off.)

<ooc> Kara would get a flak vest so that it could be worn somewhat under civilian clothes. A flak vest is not her style unless she could get something tailored to flatter her figure :)

</ooc>

by **helvorn** » Sun Nov 07, 2010 12:06 am

Kara curtsies to the priest. "We have come a long way to do honor to the saint and her good works. Perhaps you can honor us with your blessing father?"

by **gsteelwraith** » Sun Nov 07, 2010 4:56 pm

ooc> I can almost see a song like "A Mighty Fortress is our God" </ooc>

OOC: The first psalm was taken from one mentioned on a poster issued when the last Tyranid codex was put out. The second is an adaptation of an actual Psalm from the Bible. Do recall, those passages are actual songs. I used to actually sing that particular one when I belonged to an evangelical church at one point.

by **gsteelwraith** » Sun Nov 07, 2010 5:09 pm

As Kara approaches the altar, the Ecclesiarch and the two neophytes -- a boy and a girl of about 11 or 12 -- look over at you. He is a tall elderly man with not a trace of hair, at least 70 assuming no rejuve treatments. His eyes are piercing and shine with intelligence.

"I am sorry," he says. "The last service for the day is over."

Then his eyes take in Leveticus' robes. "Novice," he says. "I have not seen you here before."

He glances a moment at Leveticus' hammer. Jim's maul, and Chani's sword and frowns, but says nothing.

Brother Leveticus, noting the old man's gaze lingering upon the weapons, will bow low (OOC: bowing to superior, as it were. The player is unsure of the correct procedures when dealing with superiors in the Ecclesiarchy, but I assume a display of respect is proper) before the old man, and say, "Please, be at peace, sub-prelate, we do not come as jackals in the night. Blessings of the Emperor, be with you. I am Brother-Noviate Leveticus, my associates and I have only just arrived upon this world."

by **helvorn** » Sun Nov 07, 2010 8:08 pm

gsteelwraith wrote:
OOC: The first psalm was taken from one mentioned on a poster issued when the last Tyranid codex was put out. The second is an adaptation of an actual Psalm from the Bible. Do recall, those passages are actual songs. I used to actually sing that particular one when I belonged to an evangelical church at one point.

<ooc> Yea, the titles seemed familiar. I think I've sung "This is the day the Lord hath made" also... </ooc>

by **Jak Snide** » Mon Nov 08, 2010 7:47 am

Jim felt a little less reverence towards this place once he'd taken in the stained glass windows. The whole thing creeped him out, though he wasn't going to admit it. Instead he reminded himself that the Emperor moved in mysterious ways and kept his eyes firmly fixed at ground level.

When the priest approached he made the complete sign of the aquila, the unabbreviated and two-handed gesture feeling as unfamiliar to him as this whole planet.

by **InquisitorChris** » Mon Nov 08, 2010 8:12 am

The man nods at you all in turn and makes the sign of the Aquilla.

Speaking to Leveticus, he says "I am Subprelate Ambrose Scipio. The good Bishop is not on the cathedral grounds at present."

"You are from offworld I see from your way of speaking and looks. We get few visitors here. Are you here in some kind of official capacity? I have heard nothing about an upcoming Ecclesiarchal visit."

You notice that he speaks in an accent somewhat different (slightly more lilting, with more precisely-defined consonants) than those of the other people you have encountered here.

Spoiler for Jim:

Spoiler:

The children huddle in the background, staring at you with big eyes.

by **Jak Snide** » Mon Nov 08, 2010 12:43 pm

Jim kept quiet and let Leveticus do the talking for now. He'd bide his time and pay attention to this Scipio. It might be nothing, but that one detail struck him as odd.

by **helvorn** » Mon Nov 08, 2010 8:28 pm

Kara also glanced about the cathedral letting Leveticus do the talking for the moment.

by **InquisitorChris** » Mon Nov 08, 2010 9:40 pm

helvorn wrote:Kara also glanced about the cathedral letting Leveticus do the talking for the moment.

You (and everybody else) see that there are words engraven on the wall above and in back of the altar, large enough to be read at least halfway back down the rather large hall. However, they are in High Gothic, a language you cannot understand. Everybody else can though.

Spoiler for everybody who is not the psyker:

Spoiler:

A couple of cherubim are squatting up in the rafters, thinking whatever cherubim think when their spirits are idle.

by **ChristianC** » Tue Nov 09, 2010 2:53 pm

Chani observed the children for a while, only casually listening to the subprelate before she stepped over to the huddled youngsters, bending down on her knees and smiling.

"Hello, how are you?" she kept her hands on her knees as she sat on her haunches, "There's nothing to be afraid of, children."

by **gsteelwraith** » Tue Nov 09, 2010 4:32 pm

Speaking to Leveticus, he says "I am Subprelate Ambrose Scipio. The good Bishop is not on the cathedral grounds at present."

"You are from offworld I see from your way of speaking and looks. We get few visitors here. Are you here in some kind of official capacity? I have heard nothing about an upcoming Ecclesiarchal visit."

Leveticus will return the gesture of fealty, and answer, "This is true, all of us are a long way from where we came from, though so long as we walk in the Light of the Emperor we are never so far from home. As to your questions, we are not the vanguard of an official Ecclesiarchal visitation, though I am certain they would be pleased with the good work being done here. Beyond this, I would suggest we discuss the meat of our presence here away from the tenders ears of those whom sup upon the milk of His teachings."

OOC: For some reason I was reminded of a passage in the Book of Galatians that seemed appropriate.

by **InquisitorChris** » Tue Nov 09, 2010 10:12 pm

ChristianC wrote:Chani observed the children for a while, only casually listening to the subprelate before she stepped over to the huddled youngsters, bending down on her knees and smiling.

"Hello, how are you?" she kept her hands on her knees as she sat on her haunches, "There's nothing to be afraid of, children."

They look at each other with uncertain expressions. "Are you really from another planet?" the boy says, fidgeting. You notice the tray they were carrying off has a few scraps of meat on it.

gsteelwraith wrote:
Leveticus will return the gesture of fealty, and answer, "This is true, all of us are a long way from where we came from, though so long as we walk in the Light of the Emperor we are never so far from home. As to your questions, we are not the vanguard of an official Ecclesiarchal visitation, though I am certain they would be pleased with the good work being done here. Beyond this, I would suggest we discuss the meat of our presence here away from the tenders ears of those whom sup upon the milk of His teachings."

Scipio says, "hmmm. This is unusual. I have a lot of work to do this evening, but given the circumstances we can discuss matters in my office. Follow me."

He turns around and starts walking off into a dark corner of the cathedral.

by **helvorn** » Tue Nov 09, 2010 11:39 pm

Kara watches Chani talk to the children. Even when she was a child her fey gifts had separated her from the other children; she grew old before her time with the whisperings from the Warp. Still, she was bound to the Emperor now and as she hummed the sacred rites of protection from evil she felt the beast waiting for her in the darkness slink away for now.

Kara shook her head and made the sign of the Aquila as the shadow passed from her eyes. She smiled down at the children with a genuine friendliness and then nodded toward the back of the cathedral where the priests were headed. "It is time for us to follow Chani."

by **Jak Snide** » Wed Nov 10, 2010 6:05 am

Jim was all too quick to follow after the priests and out of the mail hall of the church. Hopefully the subprelate's office would be less unsettling.

by **ChristianC** » Wed Nov 10, 2010 2:52 pm

Chani nodded, grinning a little. "Yes, I am from a far away place, can you tell?" She looked up as Kara called for her and sighed, digging out a throne each for the children, "Here you go, don't get into trouble now."

And with that she was following the others.

by **InquisitorChris** » Fri Nov 12, 2010 10:26 pm

The children take Chani's gift with enthusiasm. This is a huge amount of money for them, and they have a story to tell for years to come. They look ecstatic.

"Clean up, children," Scipio calls back over his shoulder. "Great job you did today in the service."

They look even happier.

He leads you down a short carpeted corridor, the walls of which are lined with paintings and icons of various Imperial saints well-known in the Calixis sector, as well as Altheria. One of the cherubim follows from a short distance, threatening to get under your feet as it flitters about.

He leads you into an unwindowed office containing a sumptuous desk. The walls are lined with bookshelves. Behind the desk on the wall are an Imperial Aquila, as well as portraits of another elderly man in Ecclesiarchal robes and a middle-aged woman in formal attire. She looks very austere.

On the desk is a little figurine of Saint Altheria in gold, hands outstretched.

"Well," he says, "can you tell me what's going on? We are glad to have visitors. And perhaps," he grins at you good-naturedly, "you could share some news of what is going on offworld. I have not been off Famine since the Ecclesiarchy sent me here many decades ago."

by **helvorn** » Fri Nov 12, 2010 11:11 pm

Kara avoids the cherubim with a sense of almost dread. When they enter the room she looks about, her eyes lingering on the two portraits and some of the titles of the books. She stays quiet, letting the others speak first rather than risk her status as a psyker disturb things.

by **InquisitorChris** » Wed Nov 17, 2010 4:35 am

(Bueller? Bueller?)

by **helvorn** » Wed Nov 17, 2010 12:25 pm

(Kara is waiting for Leveticus)

by **gsteelwraith** » Wed Nov 17, 2010 6:42 pm

"Well," he says, "can you tell me what's going on? We are glad to have visitors. And perhaps," he grins at you good-naturedly, "you could share some news of what is going on offworld. I have not been off Famine since the Ecclesiarchy sent me here many decades ago."

Leveticus will smile good-naturedly himself, and say, "I regret that our visit is of a rather unpleasant nature, I would much prefer it were otherwise. We were despatched here to look into some rather disturbing artefacts which have been placed in the Ecclesiarchy's safekeeping." He will present his rosette at this point, along with the writ provided by the Inquisitor. His smile is now tinged with a bit of sadness, and he'll add quietly, "I think now, you'll appreciate why I did not wish to say anything in front of the children. They should still be allowed the chance to be innocent, and to think their world a place of wonderment."

OOC: Sorry for the delay. For some unknown reason I was expecting others to post their turns before me, that and a visit from the minions of Father Nurgle.

by **Jak Snide** » Thu Nov 18, 2010 6:13 am

Jim watched the subprelate's reaction carefully. He wanted to get a measure of the man and his reaction to the appearance Inquisitorial authority would hopefully be telling.

(Scrutiny check primed, untrained though it may be.)

by **helvorn** » Thu Nov 18, 2010 3:04 pm

Kara amplified what Leveticus said; "We are traveling under the guise of pilgrims as that would explain the presence of off worlders and cover questions we may need to ask about the artifacts and things of a religious nature." As she spoke she too watched the sub-prelate carefully. Hopefully with his off world background he would be more accepting of investigators.

by **gsteelwraith** » Thu Nov 18, 2010 7:10 pm

OOC: Leveticus is also studying the man's reaction (and he does have Scrutiny)

by **ChristianC** » Fri Nov 19, 2010 3:24 am

Chione stood at attention a little bit behind the others, keeping her eyes on the rest of the room. After all, if you stare yourself blindly at the man, you are bound to not notice the pict-corders or hidden vox-transmitters. So that's what she was looking for.

by **InquisitorChris** » Fri Nov 19, 2010 5:29 am

(OOC: finishing work deadline -- post will be coming later today)

by **InquisitorChris** » Sun Nov 21, 2010 9:52 am

(Or later today)

by **InquisitorChris** » Thu Nov 25, 2010 8:45 pm

(And... we're back. Sorry about the delay.)

Chani sees nothing.

Kara sees lots of books with theological-sounding titles that don't mean much to her, especially since many are in High Gothic.

Leveticus shows over the writ.

The subprelate looks at it and goes silent. His somewhat jovial earlier tone is replaced by tight-lipped serousness.

"The Holy Ordos," he says. "You have arrived. Praise be to the Emperor and His servants. And to think I called you a novice." He wryly smiles.

"We were not forwarned of your visit to this backwater. The artifacts resting below in the catacombs. I am at your service."

He makes the sign of the aquilla.

Spoiler for Jim:

Spoiler:

by **helvorn** » Thu Nov 25, 2010 9:04 pm

InquisitorChris wrote:(And... we're back. Sorry about the delay.)

Kara sees lots of books with theological-sounding titles that don't mean much to her, especially since many are in High Gothic.

"The Holy Ordos," he says. "You have arrived. Praise be to the Emperor and His servants. And to think I called you a novice." He wryly smiles.

"We were not forwarned of your visit to this backwater. The artifacts resting below in the catacombs. I am at your service."

He makes the sign of the aquilla.

Bored, Kara turns back from the books and watches the conversation. "It might be best to learn what you know of the artifacts honored father and then perhaps we may view them directly. We have already spoken to the Arbites and as our cover is as pilgrims your cooperation would aid in our movements planetside."

by **gsteelwraith** » Sat Nov 27, 2010 5:48 pm

"The Holy Ordos," he says. "You have arrived. Praise be to the Emperor and His servants. And to think I called you a novice." He wryly smiles.

Leveticus will smile and reply, "In the eyes of the Emperor, are we all not mere noviates? I apologize you were not forewarned of our impending arrival, our masters felt speed was of importance."

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