Wardens new Site

List your suggested names for the new domain for the wardens.

Top place will earn a 25 plat reward.

Entries are unlimited (but within reason please) and are due by 11pm PDT on Tuesday (6/16).

~Kraggur

Sothavi meets with Khurek

[Temple of Light, Contemplation Garden]
The gravel path winds from the archway to create a perfect circle. Various medicinal herbs line the sides of the path, creating an aromatic border. Inside the circle a low cut hedge, barely knee-high, forms an intricate maze ending at a sundial set in a tiny inner circle. You also see a stone archway.
Also here: Landros, Ascetic Aseron, Translator Katralyn, Commander Jairem, Guildmistress Sothavi.

Khurek bows to Sothavi.

Sothavi says, "Khurek. I'm glad you have found time to see me."

Khurek says, "Guildmistress Sothavi."

Sothavi sweetly says, "Wasn't Tallis going to send you away from the temple ten years ago? Imagine my surprise when I was informed of your appointment."

Sothavi smiles at Khurek.

Khurek stares blankly into the distance.

Khurek says, "I'm afraid your memory must be failing you."
Khurek clenches his fist.

Sothavi asks, "Tell me, how is the hunt progressing?"

Khurek says, "Other than yet another insolent rabble, quite fine. The city appears relatively clean even though they try their best to convince me otherwise."
Khurek glances at Landros.

Landros glares at Khurek.

Sothavi raises an eyebrow.
Sothavi asks, "I heard you had an...altercation with the Commanders?"

Khurek says, "I accepted that death as a divine punishment for my errors, and I forgive them all. I am a humble man."

Sothavi says, "Are you now."

Khurek says, "Fine. I intend to recount the heretic's newest antics to the Holy Mother with the most venom I can muster."

Sothavi asks, "In that case, you are heading back to the high temple to give Tallis your reports, correct? Your attention is needed elsewhere. Rest assured that I will see to the outstanding inquisitorial affairs here. I will do so more...quietly, but I will."

Khurek says, "Not exactly. There are a couple more people I want to question. Like that other Commander... Just to be sure."

Khurek grins coldly, his eyes reflecting no emotion.
Khurek squints at Sothavi, looming over her fragile form.

Khurek says, "Yes, guildmistress."

Khurek bows his head.
Khurek says, "I've gotten what I came here for, at any rate. I'm going to dredge up every scrap of memory from that sentinel's spirit. These other two I questioned may have been incorrupt, but I still acquired a great deal of information from them as well. My brethren will continue to watch Shard."

Khurek says to Jairem, "Commander, my sincere apologies for the misunderstanding."

---- Some other interesting things after Khurek leaves

Landros says, "If the inquisition means torturing good men, count me out."
Landros shifts his weight.

Sothavi says to Landros, "True, but keep in mind that I am one of the inquisitorial leaders. We all decided this."

Sothavi says, "Tallis is not some sort of tyrannous theocrat."

Landros asks Sothavi, "You helped pick Khurek, then?"

Sothavi says, "No, the details were finalized in the high temple."

Landros gives a slight nod.

Sothavi says, "As I mentioned earlier, Khurek is not a popular priest in that temple either. I know Tallis wanted to send him away more than once."

Excerpts from Sothavi's meeting in Ilithi

Sothavi says to Jairem, "Please understand. He is doing what he must. He just needs to be bridled from time to time."

Sothavi says, "I'm afraid his actions are only paving the way to more innocent casualties."

Sothavi says, "The Inquisition is not going away, my children. It really is not."

Sothavi says, "We are besieged from every direction. If you cannot understand the grave need for cleansing from within, at least do not throw yourself into the fire."

Sothavi says, "Yes, Khurek is an unethical zealot. Yes, Khurek is a singleminded hound. We all knew it when the decision was made."

Sothavi says, "An anti-Inquisition riot will not drive out Khurek any more than it did in Forfedhdar. Nor will threat of death. The man has sold his soul to Aldauth, for gods' sake."

Sothavi says, "Regardless, the overall damage is done, and it falls to me to mend it."

Sothavi tilts her head up.

Jairem nods to Sothavi.

Sothavi says, "I will speak to Khurek."

in the shadow of the Arncharn and Journelai

Somewhere in the shadow of the Arncharn and Journelai, alongside the Biiskbowr River…

Screams echo as heavily armored troops charge from the woods towards a small village nestled in a bend of the river. As several villages stream out the far side of the village, a few slender shafts flick from between buildings, finding home in gaps amongst the invaders armor. With sudden ferocity, several figures charge from the buildings, magic flaring from fingers and weapons held high.

The two groups clash and battle ensues with the defenders falling after felling several of their foes. Continuing into the village, the troops proceed to silence the remaining defenders and torch everything in sight. Several soldiers gather in the center of the village where they raise a pole and fly a black banner with a prominent red vulture in the center of it. Writing around the edge reads, “Such is the fate of those who oppose the Truth of the Inquisition.”

A figure wearing more ornate robes than the rest steps forward and gestures, harshly declaring, “Burn the bodies” before turning to stand before the flag, a grim smile visible through his dark beard. As the other groups finish their tasks they gather behind the leader. He then strides to their own wounded, where he proceeds to break their fingers with a hammer before slowly crushing their throats under his heel. “Such is the fate of the weak. Burn their stinking corpses as well.”

Re-gathering the soldiers, they then march in the direction taken by the fleeing villagers, the ashes from the village rising in their path.

Vansiil at Klusarlaik's Funeral

Caelane asks, "Vansiil, you said you had something to offer the Immortals?"
Vansiil nods and stands near a metallic altar.
Vansiil gets a bright green sweet and sour whole pickle from inside his shoulder satchel.

Vansiil exclaims, "Many of you do not know the importance of the pickle!"
Vansiil says, "This pickle represent both the sweetness of victory and the sourness of defeat."

Vansiil reverently places a bright green sweet and sour whole pickle atop the metallic altar.

Vansiil gazes at a bright green sweet and sour whole pickle.
The pickle glows for a moment, then silently disappears in a brief flash of light. You can swear you just heard a hearty chuckle.

You chuckle.

Vansiil says, "Remember also, a pickle a day keeps the Inquisitor away."