Greetings Jirro,
You notice in the streets of Phillippi, the people, mostly the poor and artisans seem particularly jubilant and gather on corners to hear fiery rhetoric decrying a decadent devil worshiping elite. Also apparent is an emblem of an eye with a seven-pointed star making up the Iris is popping up in fresh graffiti, particularly in the poor sectors mostly in red or black. Recalling darker days under the Sons of the Son, they had a similar symbol that was more like a mouth with seven tentacles called the 'Jaws of the Master.
The three story temple of Hecate on the Edge of Free Town, is surrounded by a walled garden of about 12 feet high, topped with curling iron sculptures of a spiky rose vine, complete sculpted rose quartz flowers, this extends the wall another three feet. The wall you think is about 100 feet to the building. There is a single gate made of heavy thick oak boards, cross banded with ornate iron fittings, It has not guards, in fact there is a lot of graffiti in Balarian and many Star eyes painted on it, and you guess by the smell that several of the local tavern's customers regularly piss, throw up and defecate on the walls. You don't think they are popular with the locals.
How would you like to attempt to scout out the Temple of Hecate:
- Talk or just listen to the Free men of the Local Taverns
- Scale the wall in a secluded spot
- Use the High City Wall, which is on a 100 foot cliff and covers the back third of the Temple compound, as a perch to observe inside or even infiltrate
- Locate a sewer and an attempt entrance through that
- Monitor the temple for comings and goings
- Something of entirely your own design :)
You know from what you can see the building has multiple towers, some square, some round, with multiple colored stones, elaborate stained glass windows of abstract design, and many gargoyles in the shape of Vrock, Harpies, and Ghost-like women. The eyes of which are set with pearls.
The tavern is crowded and very upbeat, with a mix of Huskarls and Philippi Muldanes, so large fair skinned men, with red, blond and sandy brown hair predominant, and definitely a different look then the aristocracy who are smaller olive skinned with black hair. They do however mostly speak Ballarian and a little bit of Huskarla, and some other language you're not sure of that is local to the Danaka, you think. Talk in the Tavern is general joy that the arrival of the Messiah of Cove, will be arriving with Hir Polito, and they are very excited to welcome him. They universally despise the Pagan Gods of the Aristocrats, and welcome a new age of Arkhen to the city. "Let his eye be upon you" Is a common greeting. They are pleased that 'Demonstrations' are already taking place.
They are welcoming to foreigners and you're soon invited to jam with other musicians, one of which is very good with his lyre and his friend on the pipes. They appreciate the strange tones you make, and you are poured many drinks.
You learn from the musicians that people particularly hate the Witches of Hecate, but fear them, few who break into their house ever get out, and those that do, tend not to live long, many go mad and are consumed by their dreams. It is a wicked place. They hope a Demonstration is made soon of them, and are hopeful; after all there have been three in the city just this past month.
"Demonstration?" You ask, saying you have heard this term often, but are unsure of what it means.
Tosh, the Lyre player, a large Huskarl Wood Cutter "That is when the wicked are presented with an Angle 3 nights before a trio of Demons will arrive to Drag them to Hell. Beating them first to demonstrate God's wroth to an extreme extent, they die nearly mutilated, when the demons burn them and little is left but a husk. This is what the wicked deserve. It happened a Whore Mistress who allower her client to abuse children for their pleasure. A money pinching Brass guild master who would beat his journey men for making mistakes in their craft. But also killed a notorious gangster on the warf who exploited the small folk fishermen. The Day of Righteousness are coming... " And they break into song around that theme, singing about the crusade is coming to free all of the North and burn all the false gods down.
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