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The band of acloytes decided thier path for the night and head along their own, alone.

Walking around the Warehouses, Chazzick felt almost at home. Hearing the Generator hum reminded him of the hum of his mothership's engines as they purred in the darkness. Although, Chazzick was very disappointed when he saw their vehicles. They were in absolute terrible condition. Chazzick thought back at how his people would never let machines with engines as these get to such terrible condition. They would have made sure that any vehicle, although they were ships and these were land vehicles, would get the best repairs and leave the area in perfect condition. Finally, checking the time, he began to head to the meeting point.

Jansen was the first to arrive back at the rooms. When the others came in, before going to bed they discussed what they had found out. "The people here are loyal to the Abbot, that much is clear. A few are here because it gives protection, and the strange events don't seem to be as widespread as we thought. It's tense though, as I said before. Call it an Arbites instincts or what you will, but I feel like i'm in a pressure tank that's full to bursting point. Something will happen soon I think. What did you two find out?"

"Well" Chazzick Began, "They don't very well keep their vehicles in very good condition. Foolish if you ask me, especially way out here. If anything were to happen taking a vehicle would be have to be on my list as the second to last option. But the poor condition of the vehciles could be that they just aren't truly skilled mechanics, I'm not sure, but over all the vehicles here are just not the best."

"What do ya' think I learned? Do I look like a detective to you? No. I had business to attend to."

"I know." Said Jansen Solemnly. "It does not concern us. We should sleep now. We have a long few days ahead of us."

You all go to sleep for the night.

The next morning after the group’s arrival, Aristarchus gathers the Acolytes together in his room at the Crying Clota and talks matters through as he sees them so far.

"So how do you all feel?" Aristarchus. says to them all.. "Is there anything you feel needs to be said" He sweeps his worn out looking eyes accross the room. He stands, slowly grimincing as he does so. And moves to the window.




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Jansen: "I think the whole place is tense. The people here seem to be happy, but it's like a pressure tank. Something is wrong, but I can't see any further than that. I would like your opinion on the matter though."

Aristachus muses this over then sighes. "I think I know what you mean, some of the inhabitants do seem a little on edge"

Jansen: "I think the experience on the hilltop yesterday was a warning, or a sign of some sort, but I can't see anything to do but rush into it and take things as they come. Our meeting with the Abbot may reveal much, but I can't be sure"

Aristachus: "Agreed. The abbot is an important man here"

Jansen: "and influential, too. The inhabitants of this place revere him. What do you think we should do?"

Aristachus: "We should talk to him today as planned, then perhaps gain some info on the goings on. Jansen I know you've already started this but we need to get measure of the situation"

Jansen:"Yes, I was only having a look round yesterday. I knew I wasn't going to find out a lot."

Aristachus: "Mmm. Indeed. Well you tried."

Jansen: "well, If there's nothing else?"

Aristachus: "Right then, if you lot don't have anything else to say then please accompany me to see the abbot"

The other two members were strangely silent
The acoyltes accompany him





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On their arrival at the priory they will be warmly greeted by Brother Lamark who, before ushering them inside, will tell them the good news that the young child that the abbot was standing vigil over will live, as she opened her eyes this morning. Their meeting with the abbot will take place in the priory’s meeting hall, a large square room with a lectern in one corner and furnished with numerous rather crudely fashioned pews and benches. The walls of the hall are decorated with hand-painted scenes of the life of Saint Drusus. In the room waiting for them are Abbot Skae and Brother Severus:

“Good morning, I am Prelate Orland Skae. I have the honour to be Missionary-Abbot of Stern Hope. Good Brother Lamark greeted you last night in my stead, and this tall and dangerous-looking fellow you may remember from the gate is Brother Severus, our Intercessor here. My apologies for not meeting you when you arrived but my duties kept me from it. Thank you all for coming to us in our hour of need. When I first issued my request for assistance I could not have hoped for more prompt attention.

“Let me first tell you of ourselves and our place here, by way of context. I know what you all must be thinking—how did this worn out old man talk the Ecclesiarchy into building such a magnificent cathedral on this forsaken rock? It wasn’t that difficult, really. In another life, ages ago, I was of a noble family and not without a few connections. I let my family know that an old man’s memory is far more apt to slip when he has nothing to occupy his time. That, coupled with the wonderful story of a “lifetime of service”, and working many hours with the locals, has given birth to this place. ‘The Throne helps those who plan well’, as the saying goes, and thanks to the diligent toil and faith of the good people of our congregation we have brought forth a miracle in the barren land, and not one I will see endangered.

“In recent times we have been plagued by signs and portents, visions and phantoms that may indicate that some foul evil has come to my congregation. There have also been disappearances, deaths and other portents. I am a priest of the Imperial faith and I have seen much in my years and do not take such things lightly, and so I called on those who you serve to aid us. I ask you, I implore you, get to the bottom of this. If it is nothing—so much the better, but if there truly is…a moral threat… find it, destroy it, purge it! Tomorrow on the feast of Saint Drusus we shall consecrate our cathedral to his glory. Nothing must stop that, nothing. You will have our full support. Now I imagine you have some questions?”

"Thank you good Abbot. First of all, I would like you to tell us exactly when these incidents started, along with any events that coincided, no matter how small or menial. Secondly, I would like to know your thoughts on the matter. What do you think is going on, and why?"

"I know not when they started. Other events is that there have been a few unexplaned sicknesses and disappearances. I realy have no idea why this is going on"

"I'm afraid there is very little info we can go on here. If anyone knows anything about what's going on we must here it. For now, we would like to be shown around the cathedral - particularly places that have been affected by the disturbances."

"There has also been strange lights in the hills
surrounding the settlement, phantom noises
which include a strange hammering, insane
laughter and wing beats. Also, up in the heights
above the settlement, several bodies were found,
possibly bandits judging by their scattered gear.
All recently dead, their bones were virtually
picked clean—this however, could have a wide
variety of causes on Iocanthos."

"You say phantom noises and wing beats, this could be due to those strange bird creatures that we say on the ride here. Wouldn't that explain that, plus I'm sure they've killed a few people. Maybe you just now found the bird-creatures victims.

"Yes, I guess you could be right"
Skae looks relived at this.


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"Well if that's all. I bid you The Emperor's Blessing." He makes the sign of the Aquila "And wish you luck, Brother Lanmark will be your guide for today. Now I must go to prepare for tommorrow's ceremony."


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Shortly after the meeting, Aristarchus seems to grow increasingly distracted, muttering to himself.

"I think you should conduct your investigations without me. I am going to retire to the Cloyta and...compile the current evidence we have."

He leaves, heading for the Crying Cloyta.

"So, what now? We gunna split up again, or stay togetha'?"

Chazzick looked at Zek,"Yes we are going to split up, as an Assassin I can track and move much faster on my own that with an entire group. I can move through the shadows and be less detectable than if I was to travel with a group of Inquisitorial Acolytes.".

"I want him followed then Chazzic. We don't have any other leads in this so he's our prime target. Don't let him see you."

Jansen turned to Zek, "meanwhile, we'll search the cathedral for signs of taint, particularly the basement, as if there's one thing I learnt in my years as a freedom fighter and an arbite, it's that evil always hides in the basement. Let's go."

You aproach the entrance to the cathedral only to have to stop there.
2 Guards stand watching. "No ones except the clegy go inside the cathedral, it's being prepared for tommorrows ceremony."

"we are here on the authority of Abbot Orland Skae. We are investigating the disturbances. I am also a member of the Adeptus Arbites - I am sure you know who they are." Jansen pulled out his old badge as proof. "now let us pass."

"We are also on the authority of Abbot Orland Skae. And he said to let him and the rest of the clegy prepare."


Automatically Appended Next Post:
"And what are this "Adeptus Arbites"?"

"You kno', we 'eard a lot o' bad things bin' 'appenin' 'ere. Lots o' strange occurrences. We're 'ere to sort it. You don' want no strange ghoulies messin' up your plans. I'm sure the Abbot wouldn' be best pleased to here you stopped the guys who were here to save your bloody souls, and those of the community you're 'ere to protect! Eh?"

The guards take a look at each other. One nods and the other goes in.
"He'll quickly go ask someone." The remaining guard says.

10mins later the Guard returns, "The higher preists still say that they are not to be disturbed.

You have now wasted some of your available day trying to get in.

At the gates to Stern hope a flatbed truck not to different to yours (but not yours) enters.

Zek looks to Jansen, then back at the truck. He then walks off towards where its stopped.

"Oi, driver! What'sya business 'ere?" He yells.

He looks you up and down.
"I'm a merchant. I travel to the little camps all ova' this wastelan' plying ma' wares"

"Let's see what'ya got, eh trader?"

"Wadda ya' want?"
He looks at your criticcly
"Weapons? Gear? Equipment? I got lots."

"I've been lookin' at a sabre 'n a punch dagger. You got's the likes a' that?"

"I gots me a few sabres, take a look"

"got a better one mister"

"You like you could use it well" He uncovers a good quality sabre. "25 Thrones."

"I'll take it, Wha' 'bout the punch dagger?"

"I gots a couple of dem." The trader replies. He opens a bag and lays a few out.

Zek picks one up, tries it on. "I'll take it"

"You got anything else, ya know, anything for a "prefered custermer"?"

"He looks shiftily side to side before saying "I got some of these laspistols, and Autopistols too!" A few more weapons if your interested?"

"You got anything small, easy to hide?"

"I got a handbow, Thats quite compact and easy to hide. That'll be expensive though"

"What you got in the way of autoguns?"

The trader wistle to himself. "What I got is pretty shoddy mister. But I like ya, you remind me of me, so i's give ya a small discount. Don't ya tell nobodys though!"

Zek shakes his head "nah, not these, I'll takes a look at them pistols though"

The trader pulls out a couple of Autopistols.

"Hmm. A bit to big for what I was plannin'. Sorry, mate. I can't take these."

"That's fair, that's fair, I got a couple of stubs.Is that more to your taste?"

Zek shakes his head "In a miniute. But while I remember, I need some spark rocks."

"Ohh I got me a set of them! I have only the pair that I use though"

"Come off it, mate, thats basic survival gear. Your tellin' me you don' stock it?"

"Oh yeah I do, last ashleen tribe cleared me out of it though. They had the bright Idea to put them in they're blunderbuss thingies to set whatever they shoot at on fire!"

"Feth me runnin', them crazy ! Well, anyway I can take 'em off your hands?"

He rubs his face, "Well I'm gonna need to light fires...maybe I could trade something for them?"

"Well, I gots me 'an 'ammer I don' need no more. Tha's worth at leas' ten times those stones."

"maybe... and I could crack 'eads with it! An probably start a fire with 'im! Go on then stranger a trade it be"

"Good on you, mate, good on you. I like the way you think."

"About them stubs you mentioned?"

"Yeah? You want to take a looky see?"

You see two stub revolvers, both are poor, however you think that there is enough peices between them for a single good one.

"'Ow much for the both of 'em?"

He rubs his chin, " 'undred"

"You can do better than tha'."

"I gotta make livin', and these ain't exactly common roun' 'ere"

"Maybe you need summin' done round 'ere"

"Like wha' mister?"

"I dunno'. What could ya' need doin'?"

"Well you could go say to them there tribal types that there be a merchant in town. I'd appreciate that, but I can't go much lower."

"I can go do tha'"

Zek walks off towards the warriors camp, intent on informing them of trader.

Zek steps into the camp, looking around at the collection of warriors
Warriors look back at the outsider.

They are looking with wonder. Is this one of those throne agents sort of look

"Oi, listen up, you maggots! I 'eard you wanna' be good at fightin'! Well, do ya'? You wanna' fight like a man? Well your gonna' need the right equipment! Theres a trader, down by the town entrance. I checked out 'is wares, an' 'e's got the real stuff! Look what I picked up, only 25 gelt! *Hold up his sabre* Anyone of you can pick up some real gear down there! Go on! You wanna upset the throne?"

One man stands "Maggots? We are already good at fighting. You come in here and insult us then expect us to buy from some trader who supports you's wares?"

"Oh, I ne'er said your BAD at fightin'. 'Course, all depends who your fightin', eh, dunnit! Sure, you look tough enough to hold off a few bandits. But your lookin' at guard material! I seen it all! Come on! I'm lookin' out for my fellow warriors 'ere! You want more honour? You want the respect o' the ladies? I know you do! Come on! You want your families to be killed in the night? You want to think one day 'I wish I had bought a new sword when I could have!'. I see the look in your eyes. You know why we're here. You wanna' be ready. You've heard all about the disturbances in the night. You don' wanna' be caught with your pants down. If you think your hard enough to fight daemons with our weapons, go ahead. But I don' think you ready. Trust me. I bin there."

"Hmph. Guardsman? What is this?"

"Hah! You ain't heard of the IMPERIAL GUARD? Defending the throne? Fightin' for OUR Emperor? Thats right! I fought daemons, fought xenos, fought heretics, all in the name of our glorious god! 'Ow many of you can claim honour like that?"

The one who spook before stands up. "I am skeptical. You burst in here and start to tell tales of Daemons, that seems like someone who can't handle their drink"

"I don't know whats with you boys. I try to 'elp you, you just throw it back at me. But I'll give it one last chance with you. I'm sure you 'eard of the strange 'appenin's around 'ere, eh? Well, 'ave you?"

A few nod to each other and murmer.
The greater part stay silent either looking at the floor or looking uneasy. The stood up man keeps his gaze

"Yeah, I thought you might 'ave. Well, I know some of you try to hide from it. Try to lose you'self in the drink, or what 'ave you. But its still out there."

A blind old man at the back stands with the aid of a staff.
He leans on it, staring in your direction
(I'm going to throw you a bone here)
"The crows lad, the crows. Their father is the true culprit."
The ashleen look worriedly around
A few try to shush the man
An ashleen stood near the back steps forward "I am going to go see what this trader has."
He leaves
The blind man smiles, one of you has sense then. The rest look to him, you think he is an elder of the group and thus respected. A couple more walk off following the first man to leave
The 1st to speak still stands facing you.

"Well, buddy? Your old friend there is wise enough to follow my advice. I gave you as much help as I can. I can't do any more. Your fates in your hands now. I hope you make the right choice."

"He acted on the Elder's advice not yours."
He stands thier defaint

"And you don't? Are you sure thats the wisest choice?"

"I follow my own path". 3/4 still remain.

"Tell me. Have you ever seen a las weapon fire?" This is said in a non threatening voice.

"Yes I have".

"You now how powerful they are then. Fine. I tried my best. You guys CLEARLY know what you are doing." He turns to leave.
A few more ashleen leave heading towards the merchant

Zek wait for the warriors to leave the merchants, before heading back to talk to him.







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Zek says: "That enough people for you?"

"That a pretty number o' people you sent alon'. But like I said I can't reduce the price on them there guns by much"

"Well, gimme' your best offer."

The Trader rubs his chin, "you did help me make a sale an all...I could offer you 75 for both?"

Zek goes through his pockets for any last items for trade. "Well, I got 46 gelt, and on top of that a weeks worth o' rations. Thats tha' best I can do."

"I'm sorry I can't do that. I tell ya what, I'll take the working good bits outa both guns and put them into one gun. How's that soun'? "

"Tha' sounds grea'."

It'll cost ya 45 of your thrones though."
Zek Hands over the money "I can do tha'"

"I' was nice doin' business with ya'."

The trader waves slightly "Emperor protect an' all"

Zek makes the sign of the aquila, then raises his hand in goodbye as he walks away

As Zek walks away, he turns back towards the cathedral, eager to meet back with Jansen. He turns up next to him. "Any luck?"