CAMPAIGN: Queen Arkwyn's Crown (D&D5e)

Hyne picks out a hand axe suited for chopping and scraping wood; he plans on being able to live on just the hatchet alone in the absolute worst case.

He strongly considers one of the large knives to replace the dagger he had before. It'll be a little harder to open tins with it, but being easier to carve animals would make up for it. He does pick one out as well.

The survivalist can only ignore the meteorite blade for so long until it becomes clear the blacksmith is practically trying to give it to him, presumably after several failures. Finally, Hyne musters up the nerve to suggest, "That is a fancy thing you have there, but I think you would do far better admitting that it's a work of art that belongs in a display case. Perhaps you'll profit from a decorative sort, then."

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<TheGiz> oh hai doggy, oh no that's the straw that broke tjhe came baclsb

The blacksmith sighs. He stops trying to wrap up the black axe together with your purchase.

"I'll level with you." he says. "I'm trying to unload it because it is supposedly cursed. I bought it from a guy with nine fingers who insisted it was unlucky. I don't believe in bad luck, so I figured I could sell it for a good price, but most of the folks around here DO believe in bad luck, and so now it sits here unsold, and it is hurting my business with the locals"

"I swear it is a fine sharp axe! You are welcome to test it on that old log there."

Hanging on one wall of the smithy is a round half-foot-thick slab of a log hung up on the wall. The tree-rings make it look like a dart-board, and it has numerous scars in it from other customers testing throwing weapons.

"I'm about to head to the nearby temple, maybe they would know more about your unlucky axe... I'm not about to bring it over there myself, mind you."

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<TheGiz> oh hai doggy, oh no that's the straw that broke tjhe came baclsb

The blacksmiths shrugs, looking mildly disappointed. "Pay 200 gold for an identify spell on an axe that I can't sell for 1 gold? No thank you!"

Then he laughs. "Maybe it IS unlucky! I've certainly lost money on it already."

"That.. much? I never would've thought curse finding would be such a big business. Maybe they will know more about it just from looking at it though, with the heavy inscriptions and metal it's made from."

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<TheGiz> oh hai doggy, oh no that's the straw that broke tjhe came baclsb

"Well, if you see Father Cygnus when you go to the Temple, tell him the axe is his for the taking if he wants to come over here and pick it up."

"Very well then." Hyne then exchanges the exact GP he happens to have to receive his new tools.

Once done at the blacksmith, he heads to the temple with the symbol of tidal waves clashing and knocks on the front door.

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<TheGiz> oh hai doggy, oh no that's the straw that broke tjhe came baclsb

Hyne knocks, but there is no immediate response.

He can hear faint noises inside.

He notices that one half of the double-doors is slightly ajar. On the stone above the door is the inscription;

"ALL YE WHO BREATHE ARE WELCOMED INTO HER OPEN ARMS"

As stated by the welcome slab, Hyne quietly and slowly opens the door to let himself into the chapel. He looks to where the sounds are coming from first of all.

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<TheGiz> oh hai doggy, oh no that's the straw that broke tjhe came baclsb

The door opens into a small chapel. The crashing-waves holy symbol is depicted on a tapestry behind the altar. There are a small number of pews. It doesn't look like this temple is equipped for large masses of worshipers, just small groups of a dozen or so max. There are a few candles burning on pedestals, and on top of the altar is a large clay bowl

There are three other doors, one left, one right, and one up behind the altar, beside the tapestry.

The door on the left is half-open has light coming from it. It seems to lead to a cozy living-quarters. A fire is crackling in a fireplace, and there is a large soft chair visible. In addition to the crackle of the fireplace, some faint kitchen noises are coming from this direction, like the clinking of a spoon.

The door to the right is wide open. it isn't even clear if there is a door there that can be closed, it might just be a door-shaped hole to the next room. It is dark in there, but there seems to be some kind of heavy table and some big cabinets.

The door beside the tapestry is closed. Some faint low chanting is coming from this direction.

Hyne walks near the doors, and simply remains standing while waiting for anyone that might see him attentive.

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<TheGiz> oh hai doggy, oh no that's the straw that broke tjhe came baclsb

After a little while, a fat man with a shiny bald head walks into view in the left door. He is holding a cup of tea, and heading for the soft chair by the fire.

He doesn't seem to notice Hyne. He sits, and wiggles his ample butt to get comfortable. He stirs his tea, breathes the steam, and does not sip yet. He picks up a large leather-bound book from a side-table and opens it.

He takes a moment to wait until the man notices him, until finally speaking up, "Ehm, excuse me. Is it too late at night to visit this chapel?"

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<TheGiz> oh hai doggy, oh no that's the straw that broke tjhe came baclsb

"Oh! Hello there, young man!"

The bald cleric puts down his book and his tea, and slowly lifts himself out of the soft chair to shuffle over to the door. He doesn't come all the way into the chapel, seeming keen to stay close to his warm fireplace.

"I'm sorry I didn't see you come in! I am Father Cygnus, and I welcome you to the Temple of Umbarlee. Have you come to worship? Are you one of the travelers with His Majesty's Funerary Procession?"

He has a kind face, and watery old eyes. His voice sounds gentle.

Somehow Hyne didn't expect this to be a temple with the evil priests.. he thought this was going to be an outlying deity church separate from the churches connected to the kingdom.

He decides it might be better to continue to gather information, and asks, "I was actually wondering about a different deity in the Kingdom. One with a symbol of a heart being impaled, I believe? What the people of Umbarlee think of them."

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<TheGiz> oh hai doggy, oh no that's the straw that broke tjhe came baclsb