Evervigilant 44

Vigilant_GM> IT IS THE 41ST MILLENNIUM...
<Vigilant_GM> The dark figure of an inquisitorial aquila exits the Oath Unspoken's launch bays at speed. By now, the Divine Intercession has disappeared in the void. Utilizing a clearance for Anzaforr shuttles, Karpath reaches the localizers with the assistance of Jace Gant, an old comrade of his from his days in service to Lord-Captain Astrid. In an enclosed compartment on the aft of the lander,
<Vigilant_GM> by the storage lockers, the similarly-requisitioned astropath Mordecai eerily mouths a prayer to himself, endeavoring to remain as far from the witch-hunter with the exotic crossbow in hand.
<Vigilant_GM> ++Shuttle-designate Beta-Mu-122, proceed along localizer vectors, cleared for standard approach to Port Restful.++
<Karpath> ++Understood and proceeding as requesting.++ he replies as he guides the Aquila along the path provided for the approach to Port Restful.
<Tony> "Hey Uh... Boss should we use other names this time around or nah?"
<Vigilant_GM> As the surface comes into view, the dense forests of Thaur become overwhelmingly clear. Virtually every square kilometer of the planet is covered in ancient trees, Port Restful the only apparent clearing.
<Vigilant_GM> Miniscule compared to Port Gyre, Restful consists of a clearing some three kilometers across. A four-meter high wall of human bones held together with mortar surrounds the port, its appearance shockingly primitive: A handful of levels, with basic yet functional landing platforms or cracked and blackened plascrete dark with centuries of neglect.
<Vigilant_GM> ++Shuttle-designate Beta-Mu-122, we see your approach. Cleared to land, platform 18R++
* Karpath begins to direct the Aquilla towards the indicated landing platform ++Copy that.++
<Vigilant_GM> The Aquila slows, flaring upward slightly with its final descent, gracefully landing perfectly centered on the platform.
<Karpath> ++Shuttle Beta-Mu-122 has landed, powering down now.++ "Okay everyone, we are here."
<Vigilant_GM> Port menials begin to surround the shuttle, basic equipment in hand, from fuel-umbilicals to mag-lock clasps.
* Baird unstraps and readies his gear. Holsters and ammo secured he pulls a lho stick from his pocket, lighting it, and takes a long draw. Exhaling, Baird drops the lho stick on the floor of the shuttle and grinds it out with the heel of his boot and settles his hat on his head. "Everyone ready?"
* Karpath makes his way down for the pilot seat and goes to put on his Enforcer Light Carapace and gather his needed equipment
* Nitrous get's ready
<Vigilant_GM> "Interrogator," the disturbing, feeble voice of Mordecai pipes up.
<Baird> "What is it Sarvus?"
* Tony puts away his fancy Crossbow in his Backpack
<Vigilant_GM> "A moment to commune," he says approaching, his hollowed eyes dry and wrinkled.
<Baird> "With?"
<Vigilant_GM> "Lest your mind be assailed when I first attempt to link with your mind, of course," he says raising his arms in front.
<Baird> "So you're wanting to touch my mind so when you touch my mind in the future I don't react badly?"
<Vigilant_GM> "I presume the Interrogator would rather future links to be... discrete," he says with a nod.
<Tony> "So how did the your training go, Nitrous?"
<Baird> "Correct. And presumably I'll be able to tell the difference between an attempt for you to communicate and something else trying to do the same?
<Nitrous> "Got a new gun."
<Nitrous> "Gave the armor to the sister."
<Vigilant_GM> "The Interrogator presumes correctly," he says placing the palms of his hands on Baird's shoulders.
<Thesse> "Thank you for the armor, Timor. It will serve me well in the future."
* Karpath looks to Jace, "Meant to talk to you earlier, how have you been doing?"
* Baird grimaces and tenses visibly. "Alright let's get this over with Sarvus."
<Vigilant_GM> He nods once more before tilting his head back.
* Nitrous nods towards the Sister
<Tony> "Ah yeah the Armour that screams who we are."
<Thesse> "The agents of his Holy Will."
<Vigilant_GM> And now you know my mind, Interrogator, as I am able to know yours.
<Tony> "Well of course Sister, but time and place for it all you know."
<Vigilant_GM> "Life hadn't been too exciting until... you returned," Jace replies.
* Baird nods and thinks at the astropath. Good to know Sarvus.
<Karpath> "Well glad to see that it has now. Should be like old time."
<Nitrous> "Trouble seems to follow us."
<Vigilant_GM> The astropath's head lowers once more, slowly lifting his hands off Baird.
<Vigilant_GM> "I apologize, Interrogator, for the initial experience. Yours is a mind wholly unwilling to link. These effects may linger going forward."
* Baird shakes himself vigorously as if he was dunked in a icy pond. "Yeah I'm none to fond of things or people being in my brain aside from me."
<Vigilant_GM> "Perhaps," he adds, turning to Tony. "Perhaps it would be best to maintain a considerably greater distance with the soulless in future."
<Baird> "Something to keep in mind Sarvus."
* Baird shakes himself once more and glances around at everyone. "Alright, now that that business is out of the way, everyone prepared?"
<Karpath> "Yep, got all my stuff ready now."
* Baird nods and walks toward the ramp hammering his fist into the panel to open the rear hatch.
* Karpath gives Jace instruction as he then heads out of the Aquila after Baird.
<Vigilant_GM> As you emerge from the lander's access ramp, you see a tightly packed group of some dozen men in dark, sombre tunics approach.
<Vigilant_GM> As they close, the emblazoned skull and rose on their tunics becomes visible. They are clearly armed, with bulges of armor beneath their robes; they brandish unusual crossbow-like weapons. Their look is unmistakable. From the planetary dossier made available aboard the Divine Intercession, you know without a doubt these are the Mournful Guard.
* Baird steps forward unthreateningly to greet them. "Warden, good that you are here to meet us. We are on business from the Rogue Trader, investigating smugglers. We'd appreciate it if you'd take us to The Lord of the Wake."
<Vigilant_GM> He holds up a fist at shoulder level, his men stopping in place as he takes a few further steps forward.
<Baird> Still not lowering his hands Baird nods towards the Warden. "My papers from the Lord-Captain are in my front breast pocket on my coat here if you'd like me to retrieve them. Or you can do so yourself if that makes you more comfortable."
<Vigilant_GM> "You may reach in yourself. Slowly."
* Baird nods once more and moves his hand slowly towards the pocket and produces the letter of authority from Anzaforr, holding it out towards the Warden.
<Vigilant_GM> He reaches forward with his gloved hand, taking the documents.
<Vigilant_GM> He carefuly scrutinizes the seal before even looking at the contents of the documentation.
<Vigilant_GM> As he scans the pages, the warden occasionally looks up to Baird.
<Vigilant_GM> Having finished inspecting these, he refolds and passes them back.
* Baird takes them and slowly replaces them in the pocket they came from.
<Vigilant_GM> "Very well. I will take you to Lord Pyre. Please instruct your men to surrender their weapons and submit to search, as per protocol."
<Vigilant_GM> As he finishes this sentence, several of his men step forward out of formation.
<Baird> "Of course." Baird turns towards the others. "Surrender your weapons and we'll need to let them perform their routine search as well. Don't hinder them."
* Nitrous follows orders
* Karpath hands over his weapons to the guard.
* Thesse puts her weapons into her backpack and hands her backpack to the guard.
* Tony disarms fully and hand off his weapons to them
<Vigilant_GM> The warden nods in approval, triggering the search as his men step towards the Throne Agents and begin searching and seizing all weapons and ammunition.
<Vigilant_GM> The warden extends his hand forward. "You may surrender yours directly to me."
<Baird> Baird nods and unbuckles his holsters and combat vest, burdening the warden with the numerous weapons he carries.
<Vigilant_GM> Once these are passed down the line to the Thaurian troopers in the back, the weapons are placed in one of two heavy, black wooden carriage pulled by four heavily muscled equines.
<Vigilant_GM> You are led into the second of these.
<Vigilant_GM> The majority of the Warden's men stay with the seized weapons, and lead the train towards the Palace of the Wake.
<Vigilant_GM> One of Thaur's moons rises high above. Its light penetrating the thick canopy of the forest at random intervals until at last, a single clearing reveals the solemn cathedral that houses the Lord of the Wake, Jeronius Pyre. It is decorated with macabre statues inlaid with human bone and local rough hewn stone.
<Vigilant_GM> Where time has been less gentle with the ancient structure, the edifice is held with rockrete and even ceramite. As you close, the presence entire skeletons into the architecture strikes you, but most drawing of all is the inclusion of a strange, black stone that interacts with the moonlight with an oily sheen.
<Vigilant_GM> The thumping of hooves slows, and comes to a stop by a large structure made of the local thick-wood trees, its vast roof over your heads. Here, simple-robed aids tend to the horses and open the carriage doors for you.
<Vigilant_GM> The crisp night air flows gently, the smell of farmyard animals barely hidden.
<Vigilant_GM> The warden dismounts, and instructs you to follow him.
* Baird dismounts and follows the warden.
* Karpath makes his way down as well and follows.
* Tony hops off and follows the Warden with Baird and the others
<Vigilant_GM> You are escorted into the palace proper, and are allowed to await Lord Pyre's attention in a chamber made of stone, lit by the torches along the walls. The flames' light dances off the chairs made of local wood, and on the decanters brought out as refreshment.
<Vigilant_GM> Several of the Mounrnful Guard remain in the room with you, by the entry doors.
* Baird approaches one of the decanters and lifts it, inspecting it's contents.
<Thesse> "I have never visited the Lord of Wake's cathedral before. This is so exciting."
<Vigilant_GM> Imported liquor, Novabella Rye, fills most of the decanters. Lord Pyre has narrow tastes.
* Baird makes a face before quickly smoothing his face and takes a seat in one of the chairs.
* Nitrous takes a seat
* Karpath grabs one of the drinks as well and takes a seat.
* Thesse takes a seat and waits.
* Tony takes a seat and grabs one of the drinks.
Vigilant_GM> A door closes at the opposite end of the receiving chamber. A figure covered in thick robes emerges.
<Vigilant_GM> As he closes, his gaunt, almost sickly features become apparent. Lord Pyre's advanced age is betrayed by his sickly pale skin, blue with discoloration in places, the hand gripping his bone cane shaking as he advances further into the room.
<Vigilant_GM> Yet, as he nears, you realize how tall he stands.
<Vigilant_GM> A heavy necklace, the Censer of Mourning, comes into view, a symbol only Sister Thesse truly understands. This, above all else, is his true symbol of power, a veritable relic of Thaurian history.
* Thesse gets off her seat and bows down to the Lord of the Wake.
<Vigilant_GM> Thaur's ruler and spiritual leader quietly observes, eyelids blinking with an incredible aura of tranquility.
<Vigilant_GM> "Rise, Sister," he motions with his almost claw-like aged hand in an upward motion. His voice would sound feeble if not for the power with which is leaves his body, echoing through the chamber.
* Thesse slowly gets from the floor and makes the signs of the Aquila.
<Thesse> "Thank you, Lord of the Wake, Keeper of the Graves, Speaker of the Undying Emperor."
<Vigilant_GM> He raises a hand. "Tending to matters of the living takes away from our sacred duty to the dead," he begins. "And Anzaforr at last arrives with more restless souls yearning for a place on Holy Thaur."
<Baird> "We're sure he does Lord Pyre. Though as I'm sure your man has told you that isn't why we are here."
<Vigilant_GM> "Indeed, the reason you are here is the very reason for your detention. From across the Sector, our pilgrims arrive in coffins, seeking eternal peace on hallowed ground. Yet vermin roam Thaur's surface, taking from our sacred dead. Defiling their tombs. We thought you to be such creatures."
<Vigilant_GM> A chandelier in the corner of the chamber begins to flicker as the candles near their end.
<Baird> "On the contrary, we are here to root out these vermin. Not only do they desecrate your hallowed ground but they also murder and corrupt amongst the stars. Most recently Lord-Captain Anzaforr and the crew of the ship fell afoul of these desecrators."
<Vigilant_GM> Like clockwork, a servant enters the chamber with a canvas pouch full of fresh candlesticks, and begins replacing and relighting them.
<Baird> "We are here to settle things. Which would help you as well if I'm not mistaken. It would allow for more focus on your sacred duty to the dead."
<Vigilant_GM> "Creating a most regrettable delay. The Feast of Saint Merusaad's Martyrdom is nearly upon us."
<Baird> "Well Lord Pyre, if you would indulge us some questions and then return our affects we will do our level best to prevent any disruption of The Feast."
<Vigilant_GM> "To the contrary. Your arrival is the answer of prayers to His Deathly Form. I will trust that a Sister of the Undying Light's presence among you marks you as His instruments. I insist you undertake your duties at once, and where able, I shall provide assistance."
<Vigilant_GM> "Now, my son. What answers do you seek?"
<Baird> "That is excellent news. Then in effort to get underway as quick as possible let's get the questions out of the way so you may return to more important matters."
<Baird> "Firstly we have discovered that the smugglers were contracted by a cult based here on Thaur. Known as the Inheritors. Do you have any information about them? Known whereabouts, known members, anything really that will point us towards them.
<Vigilant_GM> Lord Pyre's eyes go wide.
<Vigilant_GM> "Take care not to blaspheme."
<Baird> "I assure you that is not the intent, merely what the investigation into the smugglers has revealed thus far."
<Baird> "Pointing us towards them is an excellent way for the truth to come to light."
<Vigilant_GM> "My Order, it is true, is prone to factionalism, differences in theology. But to suggest that heresy harbors on Holy Thaur is... obscene."
<Baird> "Moving from that line of questioning then, so as to not offend."
<Baird> "The next question is about a name that has come up in conjunction with these events. Izumat. Izumat Arisen. Does this name call anything to mind?"
<Tony> "I know that may come as a shock Lord Pyre, but we would not of been sent if it were true."
* Baird raises an eyebrow at Tony.
<Vigilant_GM> "I know not of this... Izumat, no. Why does Anzaforr take such detailed interest? Has he gone back to his ways? Does he seek to embarrass my Order?"
<Baird> "I assure you that isn't the case. He just seeks retribution against the smugglers. As I had said previously it has become personal since the murder of many of his crew by these vermin."
<Vigilant_GM> "If what you say is true... if Holy Thaur be the home of heresy... by His Deathless Form, think of the thousands who have come to celebrate Saint Merusaad," at this Lord Pyre finds a chair and takes a seat.
<Vigilant_GM> "I... I require more evidence, if I am to condemn my brethren, my fellow Thaurians whose holy work will be interrupted, or worse."
<Baird> "Give us leave to find it and, if necessary, to mete out justice so rightly deserved."
<Vigilant_GM> "Where do you need to be?"
<Baird> "Where these Inheritors work if we are to find evidence of their supposed misdeeds. Or any known smuggler camps. Both would be a good place to start I think. It would also behoove us to have a symbol of your authority. This keeps the investigation low-key as at that point we would reveal the symbol only when needed. As opposed to you having to inform the entire order we have your permission to be in the place of their works."
Vigilant_GM> "I will have a warden arrange transport. You must hurry. Arch-Rector Renthear delivers his sermon in two sunsets, the mobs have mobilized to Saint Merusaad's tomb for the gathering," he unwraps a pendant tied around his wrist. "Faith ties this world together. Word of my suspicions against the Eulogus could be catastrophic. Utilize it only where the souls of the faithful may be in
<Vigilant_GM> danger," he says passing the pendant.
<Baird> "Understood Lord Pyre."
<Vigilant_GM> "Death itself be on your side."
<Baird> "And also at yours."
<Baird> "Arch-Rector..why does that name sound familiar.." Baird's eyebrows shoot up and his head snaps up towards Lord Pyre. "Arch-Rector you said?!"
<Vigilant_GM> "Yes. Renthear," he nods.
<Baird> "Damn! Now I remember. We decoded a communique amongst the vermin. It was directed to the Arch-Rector."
<Vigilant_GM> "My second... a First-Officer, if you will," he tries to translate the title.
<Baird> "It seems that needs to be our destination. If he is behind all of this then he must be stopped before his sermon."
<Vigilant_GM> "This must be a mistake. Renthear has withdrawn, it is true, after I was chosen as Lord of the Wake over him. But he is a pillar of Thaur's faithful. You must reassess your information."
<Vigilant_GM> Lord Pyre rises from his seat.
<Vigilant_GM> The hand on his cane shakes noticeably.
<Baird> "That is why we will investigate. You make no accusations yet. But the title 'Arch-Rector' was used."
<Baird> "We can produce the recording if you wish."
<Vigilant_GM> "A... ruse, perhaps. An attempt to destabilize the Order!" Pyre for once raises his voice; a bark of frustration and pain.
<Vigilant_GM> The Thaurian troopers standing by open the doors as a Warden marches in.
<Vigilant_GM> "I... I am fine, I am fine," he waves at the warden.
<Baird> "I do not mean to upset you Lord Pyre. I assure you we will investigate before taking any action."
<Vigilant_GM> "Before you go," he taps his cane to gain the warden's attention. "Allow them access to their belongings... there are matters of grave concern that require my review."
<Vigilant_GM> "By your command, Lord Pyre."
<Vigilant_GM> "And prepare transport for them. For the tomb of Saint Merusaad."
<Vigilant_GM> "Your will, my Lord," the warden says disappearing through the doors at a hurried pace.
<Vigilant_GM> "Can you copy this... blasphemous evidence?" he inquires, trying to steady his nerves.
<Baird> "That should be able to be accomplished. Send a man to our lander. We will send word that a copy is to be made for you."
<Vigilant_GM> "I will do so," he nods. "If I am to convince the Eulogus Askelline, I will require all you can provide. Please, do not delay..." his voice suddenly weak, defeated.
<Baird> "Or send transportation and we can have them arrive here. Evidence copied in front of you to assure there won't be tampering."