Baldur's Gate : The Sword Coast Chronicles : NWN2 Persistent World

As part of Gem's daily rituals, once again she has prepared a large quantity of food for both the halls and for the needy.

This time was different though, for two reasons.

The first being that Teris had come by to help, or at the very least to take part and learn a thing or two about cooking. Gem made sure to minimize and eliminate any and all damage that his quirky antics could inflict upon food and kitchen, naturally.

The second being that she intended to produce engaging and tasty means for the people attending the Halls to see the show.

Spice bread and vegetable soup were the portion of the project that Gem allowed Teris to assist with, and when that was concluded and the man retired, Gem set to work with the rest which included thick cuts of seared meat and gravy, mashed potatoes, steamed vegetables, and an interesting side made from eggs, flour, and milk prepared in muffin tins (Yorkshire puddings, of course!) to be enjoyed with the gravy as well.

When the food was ready, an already-frazzled Gem promptly scurried out of the building, only to return upon realizing that people weren't quite made aware of the food.

Barring one smashed bottle, the debut performance of The Lewd Lyres Presents: The Luke Darius Experience passed without acrimony. Hosted at the Halls of Inner Light, the group performed a number of song routines, as well as providing a spectacle with a juggling display and a magic show.

The event was not just a good time, however! A number of donations were collected for the good work of the Halls of Inner Light.

A blond man known to periodically visit, but not be a member of the Halls arrives in early evening. After praying for a time and washing his hands near the Shrine to Sune, he stands in silent vigil throughout the night. He would nod to passersby as they entered and exited the Halls, but did not make small talk of any sort - he seemed singularly focused on whatever self-imposed duty he had.

When morning came, he greeted the clergy and staff as they woke, particularly those he knew, and then the weary looking man left, presumably for rest.

His smile was unbroken but there was a hint of faint disappointment in his eyes, which gave way to something else. Determination.

The Fest Hall kitchen, having been a quiet and somber place these last few days, is once more filled with the echo of a hooded woman's cheerful humming. Melancholy had stayed her hand and threatened to turn to despair, but it had been washed away by hope and joy, as ever it would be. With renewed purpose, the lil' Gemdoodle got to work.

She collected a few acolytes, and attempted to collect a certain squire whom, once upon a time, promised to help her in the kitchen. Apples were gathered from the orchard above and chopped into tiny pieces. A batter was prepared, and a portion of the apple pieces were mashed into a fine paste to then be mixed into the batter. Into this batter went an infusion of spices, a mixture of Gem's own design consisting of cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and a tiny dash of ginger. She had improved upon her recipe since last time.

The final step of the mixture was to stir in the remaining bits of fresh apple, to ensure a thorough spread of apple goodness. The recipe produced a large quantity of batter, which was poured into a series of large muffin tins and baked into several dozen of what Gem has taken to calling 'apple pie muffins'. The scent of apple and spices would fill the Fest Hall and waft up to the Halls above.

A dozen of these creations were left in the Halls, as per usual, for anyone present to enjoy or see fit to hand out, and half another dozen were tucked away for some personal agenda. The lion's share however was placed into a large basket, to be personally delivered to the Children of Mercy orphanage by the hooded woman and a squire of the Order of the Silver Rose, to be enjoyed over a lengthy visit of outreach and friendship.

Early in the morning, the High Lady can be seen seeking out Danya, the resident priestess of Sharindlar. After a brief discussion, some items are retrieved for the priestess to bless - a holy symbol of Sharindlar, and a golden ceremonial dagger.

After the rite is completed, the ritual items are placed within a sleek wooden box and borne by the High Lady out of the Halls and toward the Harbor District.

The moon elf moved about the halls with all the grace she could muster. Despite the awful beating she took a few nights before, E'amrae did well to hide her bruises. As always when working, her dirty old cowl was pulled up to manage her ever rebellious hair. The customary linen robe she wore was water-soaked and humid, from a day's worth of toils in The Halls. Her work began in the bathing room and she gathered the discarded laundry along with any refuse left behind. She made it a point to never remark about the simple act of merely walking a piece of trash to the receptacle. This was her duty, to give back what she could.

The Fest-hall was next, as plates left behind along with their cutlery were gathered, washed and stored for the next day. She took short breaks to graze on whatever Sister Gemma had prepared and almost always enjoyed it immensely. . .even cold. The surfaces were once again wiped, washed and polished. The moon elf pressed into her chore, making it a physical exercise to complete. She took very little time to converse, even if approached, with exception to any of the executive leadership of course. She did think about recent events, with the Master Dwarf, Laeria, Nathan and Eliath. She thought about the dark figure on the shores. She thought about Aniel. . .

Additionally, the floors were swept and mopped, then the remnants of what eager feet left behind was discarded out back. She went about all of this methodically and doggedly, as if it were a defeat-able enemy she could see and vanquish. When her work was complete, she noticed the the sun had begun to rise. It is then she noticed the stranger staring back at her from the mirror.

The linen garment she wore had dropped to the floor and E'amrae took a step back to see the reflection in its' entirety. Gone were her once flaccid and contour-less extremities. It was the first time she began to notice a defining edges emerging from her arms and legs. Her mid-section, where once had been just a smooth valley, was a more ridged surface that her abdominal muscles dared to outline.

It was in this moment she began to realize the magnitude of her life in Baldur's Gate. Her face shown it, in the emerging lines of concentration on her brow. Her hands also; as callouses and cracks persisted, replacing the soft and smooth skin that had long passed. Then her feet, which once were well pedicured, were little more than objects in which she strapped her scouting boots upon.

"What is happening to you?" she asked the reflection. But it didn't answer.

Yet a quiet revelation happened there in that moment, to E'amrae, it would be one she could never forget.

Another letter bearing the sigil of Eldarian Al'maire upon golden wax is dispatched via courier to the Halls of Inner Light. The one who carries it is adorned with the emblem of the Radiant Heart Auxiliary, treading toward the Palace District and the addressee's current place of residence with a bussinesslike, militant stride. He delivers his message with a quick smile and a crisp salute to the temple attendant who recieves him.

Squire Layne Ashford, accompanies miss Gemma to the Orphanage in a show of support to the Hall of Inner Light's work, on behalf of the Order of the Silver Rose


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A woman of Blonde hair and blue robe would be seen entering the Hallf Of Inner Light, Shortly after entering one could see her admiring a mural on the wall. To her dismay, she would leave with questions unanswered. She would leave a note with whomever would pass it to the leader of the establishment.

A long shadow stretches along the entrance way, staying its place for a time before knocking knuckle loudly upon the door and disappearing before any answer.

Some time later Rokh chuckles in amusement.

The day following the discovery that the Halls of Inner Light can be casually infiltrated and the High Lady abducted, Gem collects what few things she had been keeping there and scurries off.

A large blonde man would arrive just before dawn, carrying with him a sleeping and cloak covered, Dove. Accompanying him would be a fairly well-known adventurer and both men hurriedly tried to explain the condition of the recently abducted priestess.

"Aye, was walking. . but obviously injured. "

"Get a healer!"

"I know she might be hurt!"

In the fury of motion, the priestess would be taken upstairs to be attended to, leaving the two men in the lobby.

While in the city, upon hearing of the commotion of adventurers returning with wounded to the Halls, a copper-clad man would also approach the Halls, stopping inside the foyer and asking questions of the priestesses there rather than try to go any further.

((PM sent))

In the time after that, it would spread from the Halls that the Quiet Guide had been returned from her kidnapping. Her appearance seemed marred by new wounds that for some reason were not mended, but it would not be long before it became apparent she was returning to her life...now followed by the Ruby Rose wherever she went on the grounds of The Halls of Inner Light.

Quiet Guide Dove Starglow is taking a brief leave of absence for a tenday to rest from her recent kidnapping with family and friends. The Halls is expected to continue on as usual in absence of the council member and anyone seeking the Quiet Guide herself is welcomed to leave a message ((PM)) for her to read upon her return.