Grisht - Friends and Altheans

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The term 'marble temple' only holds up insofar as the temple's outer edifice is concerned. Twin statues of Althea, each of them bearing gently glowing blue staves, provide welcome either side of the entrance, a door which has never been closed in recent memory. A place of community and warmth, a sense of warmth and welcome quickly overtakes most visitors upon entry.

Serrielite and Angorite devotees guard the outside entrances, while blue star-robed Hearthguard wander just inside, performing and guiding various charitable tasks. One can even see a smaller, more discrete entrance if one looks, from whence comes and go the Mourners of Vardama, carrying their somber burdens.

Designed to be open and welcoming, the place is a bustle of family and community-centered activity. A great, central oven serves the double duties of fireplace and food preparation on a grand scale that makes the temple a favorite for gatherings. Althean worshippers and Hearthguards alike tirelessly bake and cook for the less fortunate, while younger Hearthguards sit on comfortably cushioned divans with worshippers and petitioners, dispensing advice and Althea's kind words. Wreaths of herbs hang from the ceilings, giving a pleasant scent, while a pool fed by a small artificial waterfall provides fresh water for bathing wounds or blessing of children and worshippers. A procession of doors and halls lead off to various rooms. While many lead to places such as rooms, offices, and libraries for the Hearthguard, there is also a well-known hospice, as well as the transient bunks, and even counseling rooms for when a family member nears their end. This last area is overseen by Hearthguard and Mourner alike, in respectful accordance with local customs.

EXTRAS: +view 

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Beaglefinder A bumbly, four-legged beagle. 0s 23h

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Out <O> 

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Beaglefinder summons Arisha.

Arisha has arrived.

Beaglefinder summons Boshter.

Boshter has arrived.

Beaglefinder summons Silmeria.

Silmeria has arrived.

So off you go, Boshter in tow. The Altheans keep a door open, even this late. The temple itself is basked in the evening light of the stars. And, once you step across the threshhold--it's never, ever cold.

Though, there is the roaring Hearth to thank for that.

The arrival of so many graycloaks though, is cause for stir. A few of the guards give themselves a shake. One of them, bill in hand, comes forward to meet you at the door. "...well," he says. He's expecting that someone died.

Altheans. Vardamen. On the opposite end of the spectrum, at times.

"...hello! I a here for help! They are making me come because I have been POISONED!" Boshter sounds excited by this.

The guard stumbles back, surprised. Footsteps sound as another comes running their way.

Arisha walks on in alongside of Boshter. 'yeah, he's been poisoned. We've identified the poison, but we need experts to save him." She then looks to SIlmeria. "Sister?"

You paged Silmeria with 'Thieves' Tickle. It's a carrier, yus.'

"Thieves' Tickle," Silmeria says, smoothly picking up the thread. "And we've reason to believe there's a spell of some sort riding along with the poison. We're rather fond of our Chord," she says to the approaching cleric, "we *really* would appreciate if he remains able to serve the Lady on this side of the veil, if you please."

By now, you have one! two! ...five! guards there, at the temple front. Some scowl, some look bewildered. One rubs at her jaw. Another looks sympathetic, and it's this one who says, "Poison, is it? I'll see you inside. Back to duty, hey?" he says.

After a moment, the guards disperse, returning to close by posts, and the doors open.

Inside--that warmth. Hinted at from the front, it suffuses the air as soon as you step inside.

"Is something the matter?" comes a voice. A Hearthguard on late night duty speaks up. He begins making his way towards your party.

"Spelled poison, ser," the guard speaks up.

It brings a frown.

"I will be okay with proper Altehan hugs!" Boshter says this cheerfully. Happy.

He;s i the best mood for someone whose death could be coming.

"Before you ask," Silmeria sighs, "no, none ofthe symptoms that I'm aware of include dementia. Bear this in mind while he's being treated."

Arisha GLARES at Boshter. "Boshter.....you will behave for these people that are about to help you. And youwill follow their orders while you are here." She then sighs...and holds up her left hand. "if you don't...I will crack one of your teeth." She then lowers her left arm....and looks to Silmeria. "Do you ahve a sample of the poison?"

"Sansur, go wake Hearthguard Linna," the Hearthguard standing there says. He looks up at you with a warm smile. It's a priest's smile, intended to be reassuring. ...but you're in grays, and here in the middle of the night.

Not an omen, surely?

"We'll keep it in mind, and see what Linna says. If you have a sample of it...in the meantime, Chord, please come with me."

"Not on me, I'm afraid," says the Inquisitor, "but if you could also take notes on how the poison interacts with his system, Hearthguard? It'd be *very* handy for our investigations, I'm afraid the only other victims we've found were... rather at the end of the toxin's cycle."

The Hearthguard nods, and leads Boshter away. Boshter, who's looking increasingly tired.

Arisha goes, in the meantime, to get the sample of the poison....and makes sure to keep it in a vial.....

You paged Boshter with 'In the meantime, those other effects I'd @mailed you about become more prominent.'

You paged Boshter with 'Not only is the taste in his mouth, he begins to smell like that to other people, as well.'

Mail sent to Boshter:

You're losing sleep, and there's that faint itch. It begins at the back of the shoulder, and works upwards. The Mourners have taken Boshter off of tomb watch for the moment. They've brewed a tea for him to drink at night. When he wakes up in the morning, his mouth tastes of lemon and rosemary.