The Openning of a chest.

[Minuvas]

*just nods, and watches. Unsure of what's to happen next*

[Daughters of Peralia]

The halfling knows all too well what is to happen next. The invasion of her body and mind so recently committed is to be reenacted once more. She steels her mind and grasps the bars before her. The movement was rapid and seemed to be unexpected by the priest but the elf had obviously known it was coming. Her violent motion that would have ended with her knocking herself out agains the bars was stopped abruptly mere inches before impact.

The elf never smiled, or even acknowledged her apparent struggle, as the enchantment took hold and she bowed before the bars. The bastard nodded to the priest, the indication clear that the elf felt she was under his control, and the halfling's mind felt as though a key had turned in the doorway to the room where all her secrets were kept. The halfling finally knew the meaning of fear. This was something she could not strike out against. Her mind was lost to her.

[Minuvas]

*A very large grin seemed to find itself accross from ear to ear. The sheer agony that seemed to not express itself on the face of the Halfling, but the swirling pupils of her eyes gave Minuvas the first sense of trust with this new and strange man*

"That looked interesting..." he mocked to the Halfling.

"Go than Sir, ask it the questions which I need answering. Who did she work in the Employ of, is it an organization or does she feel the God's have spoken to her? Why does she think she can avoid the judgment of Lochwar.

I want to know it all, associates. I want names. Names I say. Was it that damned Kalem Brotherhood? I'll have a slew of their members captured and executed as a sign of The Church's intolerance of such a practice. Make it speak"

He gestured to the Elf, his once suspicious attitude changed to one of grand inquisitiveness.

[Lochwar's Devout]

"You still have your own doubts where I am concerned which is understandable. I would ask you to ask her yourself so that you may learn what you need more rapidly. Her mind is open for some amount of time but her will is strong. I do not know how long we can keep her in this state. I would recommend you be very specific in your questioning because though her mind is open, she still has the potential to deceive us in the details. She will give only so much truth as is asked of her so dig deeply, Father."

The elf stares at the halfling, obviously maintaining what power he has over her with some amount of strain. The halfling twitches intermittently but still does not speak. She appears to be waiting for something as her eyes waver between utter confusion and pure hatred.

[Minuvas]

*He slams his fist against the bars*

" Are you working for the Kalem Brotherhood?
Are you working for Heretics?" *He paces thinking of others things to ask the halfling*

"I want to know the name of your Employer, and what organization was he representing when he asked you to torch this Church"


"Did you have assistance in this matter?"

Awaiting answers so that he may calculate his reaction...

[Daughters of Peralia]

The monotone voice of the halfling seems haunted as finally she speaks. She seems almost glad to relieve her soul of a burden she has carried for some time.

“The Kalem Brotherhood members are children arguing over turf even among them. You consider all outside Lochwar to be heretics so in your limited imagination the answer is yes. I serve the mother of death and whoever else gathers enough coin. Those I kill are given over to the Mother Peralia for the preservation of their souls. Darkness has come. Darkness has come. Evil draws power from the desecrated graves of the profane. I was given over to trusting such a demon that walks among us and I pray the forgiveness of my Mother and the priests that died in the flames. It was only my intention to sacrifice your knowledge to open your mind. The other who chose the time had different plans and the coin the power wielder was offering me gave hopes to rise up a sanctuary to my Mother. I don’t know the traitor’s name. He only referred to himself as the Black…”

Suddenly the flow of information stopped as the halfling broke free enough of the control to slam her head against the bars. Her now unconscious form slumped to the floor.

[Minuvas]

*snarls at the corpse*

"Well....I do not know why this woman would put trust in Demons - over the very God's themselves.

Working for Peralia is an honorable deed, and those who do so in the name of the True faith..." *stroking his chin*

"But what sick organization would twist the lies of her words to incite revenge against the Lord of All God's, in his own home."

*Looks to the elf*

"I am slightly...unimpressed with the duration of this spell, but I suppose it will have to do.

It seems you've proven at the very least you've turned over this dangerous criminal to the Church. I'm no fool to think that everything comes without a price however, what is it that you want for this criminal?"

[Lochwar's Devout]

The elf looks quizzically at Minuvas before answering. "What does every servant of Lochwar want for those who have fallen from the faith? She needs to pay the price of her sins and be allowed to return to serve the flock of her Goddess." His eyes darken somewhat before he continues, "and I wish to know who or what this Black whatever is that would strike so violently against the Church. I have done some investigating on my own and have two possible perpetrators. There is one calling themselves "The Black Hat" who seems to want to out another called "The Black Hand". This Black Hat appears to want to incite a vigilante movement against the other group that are noted to be some kind of assassins' guild. Look at this."

(the elf hands over one of his many scroll cases - enclosed is a proclaimation of sorts)

I have fallen under the gaze of an organization that capitalizes upon the death of innocent men and women, and though their existence is speculated at, the Watch and Cearians as a whole have as yet done nothing. I myself am to be their next target, for reasons unknown, and I wholly intend to resist, despite the consequences, of which there will be many (And not purely my own, that much is certain).

Nevertheless, I am extending this invitation to members of the Black Hand - if I am to be your mark, then I would gladly double, if not treble, that which your masters are to pay you, for information, and your discretion, surely opportunists such as yourselves understand this to be fair. I wish to know the names of every member of your organization, or the greater portion of, and if you can provide me this information I will let your associations be forgotten, and your own name withheld - and your life, secure.

Now to perhaps the most important part of this letter - I extend an invitation to all true hearted heroes, men and women, noble Cearians, I urge those of you who know my true name to seek me out discretely, and when the time comes for the Black Hand's pathetic existence to end, we, the sons and daughters of Dasaria - and beyond - will unite, and the Black Hand will reap what it has sown. I am not an evil man, nor violent by nature, but I intend to show the Black Hand what it cost them to harm Cearians, what it cost them to corrupt our fair city, and to show all evil men that Cear holds no place for them.

This is your last chance members of the Black Hand - let it not be said that I am unwilling to be reasonable.

And to the members of the Watch, those of you who truly work for the greater good of Varana, and Dasaria, I urge you not to interfere. I will not harm a single one of you, and upon completion of my self-imposed mission, I will remove myself from Cear, perhaps Dasaria, for a time, and should it be requested, forfeit myself to the authorities.

Good morning Dasaria, and good day.

-Black Hat

"Are your aware of either of these entities? The search for the culprit, the true cuprit, should begin with these individuals."

[Minuvas]

*overlooks the document*

"I seemingly have no concern with these illegit organizations warring against eachother, I think that is frankly a good thing.

I seek no allies from the criminal underworld here, but whichever one of them was behind the attack on this Church - WILL pay.

I want their members butchered like pigs for a royal feast. We'll let the Guards deal with whatever other criminal groups remain...

However, it wouldn't hurt to cause a little more mayhem. I want it to appear that the Kalem brotherhood has given out this information, wouldn't hurt to these crime syndicates fighting amongst eachother - and I'll have no problem picking up the bodies" *he grins*

"You have a strange request, normally - I'd say the only way for this one to give her redemption is by having her head lopped off,that might satisfy the god's. But...."

"Well, whos to know she won't go running back to her old ways. She may be spared the executioners axe under one circumstance only. She will spread these rumors involving these three organizations amongst eachother. I don't care if the leaders don't believe it, we just need to spook the members - its enough to prevent them from cooperating, and perhaps throw in a little backstabbing here and there.


Maybe and just Maybe, if I see these people stop extorting gold from hard-working merchants in the City proper...I may not find this halfling, rip her from her home, and throw her into a deep...dark..and lonely pit"

"As for you...your service to the Church is appreciated. I would continue to investigate as you have, and deliver this information to myself."

*looks to the unconscious halfling* "You seem to speak her "language" so perhaps you can communicate what I said better. You can lie to her, tell her theres lots of gold involved or whatever it takes her to get the job done. If she decides to strike the Church again, I will hold you personally responsible for not allowing me to execute her int he first place"

[Lochwar's Devout]

The elf's expression seems incredulous as he speaks. "I do hope you aren't intending to release her into my custody. Lochwar bless us but I fear she would take me apart at her first opportunity. Surely there are others within the Church that might re-educate her more properly. She seems to desire more to serve her Goddess than taint her spirit further to my humble understanding of the creature before us. Yes, there is much violence in her but still I think if I were put to the task, focusing these energies would be simple enough with the proper guidance."

He nods toward the scroll he had given to Minuvas before continuing, "The assassins referred to are unknown to me as is this Black Hat individual. The Kalam present a more clear and present danger at this time and will have to be questioned. Perhaps these local theives will have more information to share if approached in the proper manner. I will see what I can learn and report to you what I find." The elf draws antoher scroll case from his belt. "This was the coin of the land she with which she was paid. I fear others could be tempted by such a sum. Ten emporers are no small amount and one wishing to extend such a payment has a wealth of resources. There are many who might strike against even you for less Father. Do be careful. There is too much unknown at present."

[Lochwar's Devout]

double post

[Daughters of Peralia]

The halfling female dreams after her self inflicted concussion against the bars of her cell. The other one she dreams of is so unlike her in all but stature that there appears no reason the two should ever meet. “You silly butterfly! Why did you not take him when I had him distracted? I mean for Goddess’s sake and all that is true, it took him time enough to make me wedge myself into the trunk. You could have taken his head or at least stabbed him deeply enough to allow me to severe that shiny skull. So now here I rot while you are doing Goddess knows what. What is your plan anyway sister?”

The shadows of the now dark cell where the scarred halfling lies in her dream state part as if to give birth to her sister. The small amount of light from a candle burning across the room where Minuvas would read is captured in mischievous eyes making the new arrival even lovelier to behold. The worn leathers she wears give the only hint of her true profession. “Plan? What plan? You are the planner, not I. I want no reason for the followers of Lochwar to put me on their list of people most likely to fail the bonfire test. You appear to be number one on the short list just now. I would only hope someone else moves up the line quick. You made this particular plan on your own and you took the Emperors, now gone I might add right to the Church without even a cut to me, so you will have to find your own way out of this mess, sis.”

“Fine then go and trouble me no longer.” Sgiana waves her sister away and envelopes herself in the darkness of her own mind. She needs to think.

[Minuvas]

Watches the Halfling as she seems to fidget on the ground, probably lost in some sort of train of thought.

"Yes...this is true.

I have heard numerous reports now of "The Black Hand" and I believe she may be involved with them. I am getting reports of their members, who they are - more importantly what they plan to do. Citizens who are concerned for the safety of this Church would not simply allow such an organization to plot and scheme against the powers that be without the fear of its results.

Perhaps they need to be more careful when they discuss their ploys..

However, I am still unaware as to their hierarchy. I feel no reason to pawn off simple members, and if they can be brought in through faith - I'd prefer to subjugate them as necessary.

It seems you have the tools and the means, Sir Elf - to serve as quite an investigator of such matters. Assist me in these matters, and I shall consider you friend amongst these halls"

[Lochwar's Devout]

"Yes, I too have heard whispers among the lower classes. The opinion of them seems varied. Some see them as vicious killers. others see them as patient plotters, and still others think of them as salvation for the weak, for a price of course. What I have gathered from those who do not fear to speak of them is that they appear to have no allies outside their "brotherhood". They follow some twisted code of honor that leads to the death of the weak in their organization as quickly as the elimination of their enemies. I doubt she is one with them. What I have learned of them indicates that she would have been killed just for being captured, that is assuming she didn't just kill herself. Most of the sources of information I have found willing to speak at all have ended up dead or missing shortly therafter. I can only assume the assassins have something to do with this."

The elf looks thoughtful for a moment. "Perhaps I can find this 'Black Hat' individual. The notes about town he has left have surely stirred the 'Black Hand' and might even draw them to move against the individual responsible for dragging them into the light. Would you wish to share the names of the suspects which you have? I believe I could persuade them to be informative." The elf lightly taps his scroll cases and continues, "Subtle manipulation of the core members may even send them into a self destructive frenzy. I hope you would agree that where assassins are concerned, the work of destroying the cancerous growth is best done from the center."

The bald elf's features are deadly serious as he awaits the Father's response.

[Minuvas]

"It might be best for you to obtain any names you can, and then I can prepare them against a list of names I've gotten.

This way we can get a better picture of what has been false information fed to us, and who keeps popping up to require further interrogation."

*nods, satisfied*

"Do find this "Black Hat" individual if possible - and if we are done with the Halfling, I shall be setting up the flogging devices..."