Church of Ilmater RP

[zhazz]

14th of Elient DR 1356

The red-headed painter and author pays a visit to the orphanage. With him he brings a variety of pens, brushes, and jars of paint in all manner of colors, and a thick stack of paper. He stays at the orphanage for a few hours, talking with the children, and making small drawings of whatever they ask for. Despite his stuttering he also weaves a small tale involving the creatures, persons, places, and objects he draws for the children.

The collaborative story he tells with help from the children, is one of a female knight. Jeanine by name.

Jeanine looks out for the little guy, helping anyone in need, with the aid of her trusted horse Tempest, a mighty steed. On this day she is helping a farmer retrieve his stolen wagon, filled with his harvest for market. The wagon had been stolen by a brigand, while the farmer was relieving himself.

Jeanine rides her horse hard to catch up to the brigand, but her quest is hindered by a flock of grassing cows crossing the road. To save time she enlists the aid of a paladin of the Radiant Heart, who himself is helping another farmer move beehives. Safe in his metal armor from their stings. Directions received, Jeanine quickly makes up for the lost time, spurring Tempest on, while glancing back at the paladin with a wishful smile and blushing of the cheeks.

Jeanine quickly catches up to the wagon, seeing it just in the distance. Before she can formulate any plan of what to do, once she catches up, however, a great shadow passes over her, and then over the wagon. A big bronze dragon lands in front of the wagon, stopping the brigand by blocking the road, allowing Jeanine to quickly catch up, while the brigand screams.

After some prompting from Jeanine, the dragon introduces itself as a protector of Chauntea's children. From up high among the skies it had seen what the brigand did, and Jeanine struggling to catch up. She thanks it for the help, and as she turns the wagon around, brigand tied up safely, the dragon takes flight behind her. Friendly words are had with the farmer, who is happy to have his wagon and harvest back.

It is late in the day, a full moon rising above the city, when Jeanine is finally done getting the brigand to jail, and writing her report. As she walks through the city, headed for the barracks, she encounters the paladin again. He tells her he knows the dragon, and will be happy to introduce them to each other. It is only a small trek up the mountain, but they can pack a lunch and go together the next day. Something Jeanine is happy to agree to.

Among the drawings and paintings done by Adrian throughout the story, are:
- The horse Tempest, a beautiful white steed, with saddlebags and harness, chewing on a carrot
- A brigand in brown and grey leathers, with an unkempt mop of hair
- Four cows crossing a road passing between two pastures
- A paladin of the Radiant Heart, in full armor, carrying a beehive through a bed of flowers, while a great stag grasses nearby
- A majestic bronze dragon, inquisitive eyes studying the viewer, its scales glinting in the light
- A bronze dragon holding a flower so large that cows are walking across the petals
- A full moon among specks of stars on a darkened autumn evening, the light casting a soft glow on trees and plants alike

As his time at the orphanage comes to a close, he leaves the drawings with the children. The pens, brushes, paints, and stack of paper is left with the orphanage as well. He asks the children to use their imagination to draw whatever they can think of, and promises that upon his return he will be happy to see their drawings, and even happier to weave a story for them, based on their drawings.

As he is leaving he tells Ashenie and Nathan (who showed up near the end of the story) that he will bring more supplies, if needed.

---

Edit: Updated the post to include the story and drawings, after Ashenie and Nathan showed up.

[MadSeer]

Vik entered the temple of Ilmater, handing over a small bag of riches and leaving just as quickly as he came in. He gave little to no justification to the bag's provenance, and the donation would total the equivalent of 30,000 gold pieces.

[Ashenie]

Colorful donations of cloaks and shoes warms the orphans of Baldur's Gate. Though some cloaks drag on the floor, and shoes are too large for tiny feet, playful laughters and joy still echoe in the House of Mercy. Smiling youngsters are thankful, though they do not seem to really understand where those blue, green and yellow garements come from. This is all funny, and it seems that is all that matters.

[Cinnamon]

Bastion and Alexean bring three bags of Grain to the Church of Ilmater, presumably being permitted to leave them in the Kitchen.


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((Doesn't have a clue how to imbed images, sorry))

[yyj]

A female that has an accent from Cormyr leaves a rather old and battered scabbard on the temple's altar, it looks very worn, it has a small medal with two crossed hands laced with a red cord and a name inscribed on it that reads "Melissar"

[Winterborne]

A group of individuals in various states of injury and mental distress are escorted to the Temple Sanctuary in early afternoon by a group of adventurers comprised of House Darius, The Radiant Heart, House Aldren, Candlekeep, and a number of independent individuals. The temple's Guardian leaves word to the attending Sisters of their condition and circumstances and they are taken in and given food, shelter, healing, and mental counseling. Whatever circumstances brought them here left the Sister wide-eyed upon hearing the Guardian's tale. Those given shelter are mostly human but there are at least a couple Elves - one wearing garb of Doron Amar - and one Tiefling among them.

Some individuals in poorer shape appear catatonic and disoriented and are adorned in bloodied garments that appear very old. One has the trappings of a Silverymoon Noblewoman seems very disoriented by whatever ordeal she's been through, a mixture of horror and disbelief on her features.

[Etran]

A young monk arrives at the church, a black haired man wearing simple gray and red robes.

He spends some time speaking to the local priest, asking about the past few years of Baldur's Gate.

At the end of the conversation he offers himself to the church, should they need assistance doing the Broken God's work.

[Ashenie]

Joyful laughters and fearful suprises color a cold afternoon of Nightal in the Orphanage. A tale about dragons and knights is sung for youngs and elders alike. Mighty and scary, the dragon is impersonnated by a Tieffling with colorful hair, and her performance leaves a small fragment of fear within the heart of the youngest. Many orphans revere the Knights depicted in the story, and the rest of the afternoon is warmed with heroic games, where a pillow becomes an unbreakable shield, and a bed turns into a proud steed. These valliant figures vanish when the dark hour of the night comes. Hours of dedication between tender hands will soothe those who have been scared.

[Wade]

The Spades siblings have visited Ilmatari temple of Baldur's Gates. In a quiet ascetic room, they spent hours talking and scribing, with sister Ashenie and red wine joining the scene later, though unrelated one to another.

Deep in the night, Edelgarde left, and Jalib remained, restless, sleepless and thoughtful. Eventually, quiet melancholic melodies of the most mundane lute filled the midnight air.

[Ashenie]

The late night is soothed by songs of hope and chant of care, in the humble shrine of Suffering. Blue lilies petals adorn the wooden floor and the altars, and candles dance in harmony with the whispering sounds of prayers. Alone before Father Marcus, the quiet Sister seems to devote herself to rituals, past Moondark Heart's Hour. Her hands gathered around her holy symbol tremble. Unwavering words of Faith are spoken dearly, chanted as lullabies comforting the newborns.
As her voice lowers, she falls on her knees, exhausted, waiting for an answer until morning unveil the skies. Her dedications unbroken, she gathers the petals of the fallen lilies to braid a crown of flowers, that she offers to the altar of Ilmater.

[Ashenie]

As dusk casts dark colors upon the orphanage, tales of recent times are shared with the Orphans. Gathered around the memorial honoring Thedran Asen, the former Guardian of the Orphanage, children hear again the story of his life, and his devotion for protection. Some do hide when the darkest parts of the story are spoken, while other seem captivated by his might and prowess. The statue is honored with crowns of braided flowers, likely crafted by inexperienced hands. Candles are lit in his name, and each, in turn, speaks a word of praise for those who stand guard around the Orphanage. The night will likely wake strange dreams and hopes.

[Ashenie]

The late days of Nightale might be cold, yet warm prayers are whispered in the Temple of Ilmater. The Name of Ser Melissar is dearly praised by a flaxen-hair sister and an armored figure. Both hold the symbol of Ilmater, while they adress the fallen servant of the Broken God.

[yyj]

One of the recently arrived paladins, proudly brings several copies of a book to donate for the library.

Perspectives from a Squire
By Orieanelle Arrisylth

Preface.

In this book I would like to share my personal experiences of my years of service to the holy Triad and Ilmater. I would like to make emphasis on this, that these are my personal views on the Code, my Faith and other things that I wish to share with whoever is reading this book right now. I am hoping that the words written here can make sense to others who do not walk the Path I follow.

Of the Faith and Dogma

I am a follower of Ilmater and it has been this way since I have memory, my parents were farmers and lived at Daggerford but they were very devoted and they always saw the fact that I have a minuscule amount of holy blood as a miracle and a blessing directly from Ilmater, and they would tell me that my Celestial blood comes from a Planetar that is directly in service of the Triad.

Such things I cannot know for certain, but Faith has moved me to believe it is true, yet I have no Divine confirmation of such, though I feel I do not need it.

My parents took me to Waterdeep when I was very young several times, to be seen by Triadic priests. From very young I had chosen to take on the paladin path and as soon as I could, I started my training to become one, there was never any doubt in my mind that this was my fate.

Of the Training and Combat

My weapon of choice is the Greatsword and since young I showed a lot of prowess wielding it and dedicating more time to this weapon than anything else, I believe it is a holy instrument of Justice, and one way to pay tribute to Torm, The Loyal Fury, who aids Ilmater and Tyr at every moment to Smite Evil.

I was accepted in the Companions of The Noble Heart when I was just a teen I started my training to become a Squire, this included military training imparted by Senior Knights, to me and other prospects in the course of several years.

We were trained in battlefield tactics, duelling, healing and religion. Every day we woke up before the sun would rise and we would train after it went down.

Our training wasn't that different from the formal training a soldier receives, except that instead of being taught about to serve a Nation, we were taught to be the Soldiers of Ilmater.

Of Fury and Zealotry

Since the beginning I had my mission very clearly ladden in front of me, oppose the Maiden of Pain, her followers, and anyone else who practiced torture on any living being.

My main objective is to bring Justice to places where there's none, and the temples of the Maiden of Pain are places where none exists, for this, it is my mission to seek and root out evil wherever it is found.

I believe in mercy and redemption of the wicked, but I also don't fool myself thinking that I can bring glory to myself by trying to redeem anyone that I run across, putting other lives in danger, or letting myself be used by nefarious ones.

There is an undeniable fact, that here in these Realms, creatures exist, creatures that are beyond humanity, elvendom, dwarvendom or any other sentient race, wearing a skin made of lies, beings so evil and wicked that don't know anything else. I believe that there are beings that are beyond redemption, but they aren't beyond Justice.

It's a heavy burden, and one that often finds me putting myself on danger and close to death, and it is how it should be, I plan to live my last day wielding a sword in my hand, fighting evil in the name of Ilmater and the Triad, because for me a death in vain is preferable than a life in abomination.

Of Mercy and Love

I do believe that the world can be a better place, with a lot of hard work and actions.

It is something that has to be done by each and every agent of Good, to work together towards this common goal, even when methods, dogma and race separate us, there's still a responsibility, of every intelligent being that can tell Evil from Good, to do something when they see it, because then, through inaction, we would be aiding causes of Evil.

Ilmater is my patron deity and to whom I have decided to devote all my Life and my Love. He guides my hand and my sight, and his teachings my mind and heart. I have the utmost respect for Torm, Lathander, Tyr, Selune and Tempus, among others.

But just like, not everyone was born to be a paladin, not every being was born to be a servant of Good, or Evil. Though, I would not consider myself a Redeemer, I am not a Judge either, but I have Intelligence enough to know that not everyone can reach redemption and not everyone can truly Love.

Through service and temperance, I hope that my example can be a positive influence for someone.

Of Pride and Death

I serve Ilmater and the Triad proudly, but I am a woman of mortal flesh, my time here is limited and so is what I do with it, like I mentioned earlier, I believe in the cooperation of the Agents of Good to a common goal, and of course in order to do this one should seek to set Pride aside. Because Pride blinds, and it is foolish to think there's nothing new to learn, and even from a beggar, or from a Dreadlord, sometimes one can learn things, with a closed mouth and open eyes.

It is certainly something to always be conscious about, especially when being a Paladin, it is easy to fall into the illusion that we are better or more special than others, when we, in fact are not, and are just more pieces of the same board.

This is why I perform my duty proudly, I do not try to be more than I am.

I am a Soldier of Ilmater.

[Winterborne]

The temple Guardian was seen early in the morning, well-dressed but looking exhausted, slumped asleep on the doorframe to the orphanage. By the look of things, he's been there all night.

[Ashenie]

The temple Guardian was seen early in the morning, well-dressed but looking exhausted, slumped asleep on the doorframe to the orphanage. By the look of things, he's been there all night.

As the shy lights of dawn started to shimmer, a hooded woman covered the sleeping guardian with a poor piece of ragged cloth. Her careful gestures were slow. She seemed mindful to leave the guardian undisturbed.