Church of Ilmater RP

[kleomenes]

"I hope for success, madam!" With that, Ameris takes his hurried leave.

[kleomenes]

The Ilmateri have begun distributing more food than normal, offering dozens more meals a day either through the kitchen of the main temple, or to the most needy of the East Gate afflicted by post war distress.

In particular, Brother Sigma is supplied with meals and healing supplies to take into the depths for the homeless populations there.

When questioned, the priests who distribute the food in temple or outside of it will speak of it being the gift of Ilmater, pure with his compassion, born of the faith and prayer of the Adorned.

///posted with permission of DM Dialectic and Darradarljod!

[finneas]

*A winesoaked beggar clad in rags with a mug for panhandling staggers in to the temple. He smells of the sewer and of soured wine and worse. He doesn't speak, but nods to the sisters, making motion for food with one hand. His face is hardly visible beneath the mass of coarse burlap and he coughs often and deeply. His grey eyes glance about in feral manner as he guards whatever food is provide, hovering over it to shovel it to his mouth guardedly.*

[finneas]

*An ostentatious young man, tall and lean strides boldly into the temple of the Ilmater with overly flashy pomp and circumstance. His turned down heeled boots click loudly on the floorboards and he sweeps his hat, plumed with the tail of a red fox, across his waist as he bows upon entry. He speaks garrulously to the staff within in greeting.*

"Good day, gentlefolk of Ilmater. No, your eyes do not deceive you, I have indeed returned at long last. I am well aware that the good priest is out. I have come on an errand for his lady wife. I will be making berth upstairs for the time being. Thank you all for your kind greeting."

*The man, known to some few as the Copper Fox strides up the stairs to the temple quarters, a bounce in his step and a smile upon his moustached face.*

[DM Arrakeen]

*An ostentatious young man, tall and lean strides boldly into the temple of the Ilmater with overly flashy pomp and circumstance. His turned down heeled boots click loudly on the floorboards and he sweeps his hat, plumed with the tail of a red fox, across his waist as he bows upon entry. He speaks garrulously to the staff within in greeting.*

"Good day, gentlefolk of Ilmater. No, your eyes do not deceive you, I have indeed returned at long last. I am well aware that the good priest is out. I have come on an errand for his lady wife. I will be making berth upstairs for the time being. Thank you all for your kind greeting."

*The man, known to some few as the Copper Fox strides up the stairs to the temple quarters, a bounce in his step and a smile upon his moustached face.*

Brother Khalso seems relieved that he is not the only one serving the special guard duty now. He briefs Fox about shifts' schedule and other important things regarding the sensitive matter.

A child's humming could be heard coming from behind the closed, vigilantly protected door.

[finneas]

*The Fox spends nearly all of his time behind the closed doors of the Ilmateri. At first, he simply lingers, taking meals in the common room and chatting with the temple staff whom he has not seen in ages. Pleasantries and then memories some cherished and some comical are the order of business at first. The flamboyant young man pointedly ignores the resident child initially, aside from sending a quick smile or wink her way whenever she is looking at him. He does his part to lighten the mood to those seeking the temple's aid. He pulls out colored balls and juggles, sings hymns and sea shanties and regales the folk with tales of his exploits, some of which even happen to actually be true. All in all he does what he can to keep the mood light, allowing the child especially time to make up her mind as to what type of person he is.*

[kleomenes]

Ameris sweeps into the temple, a flying visit, to collect and drop off correspondence. He would quickly relay in further detail the sad circumstances in Beregost to the clergy, and would leave a small package for both Mathilda (some fresh fruit from Beregost), and the Copper Fox (a bottle of fine Sembian wine pilfered from Telia's stash at Pathfinder's Hall), along with a letter for the Fox.

With that, he is gone, stating that he returns to Beregost by magical means and should be back in a few days.

[finneas]

*The Fox returns to the common room, apparently having missed the priest's whirlwind visit. He bemoans his ill fortune in an exaggerated manner and then tosses a wink to the staff and visitors present. When he is presented with the letter and bottle of wine he quickly tucks the wine into his long cloak and opens the letter to quickly scan its message. As he reads his ever present easy smile turns into a broad grin and he throws back head in a deep chuckle. He nods to himself as he finishes the missive, feeding it to the oven flames after.

He mutters to himself, though it could be overheard by one standing close.*

"We shall see, padre. We shall see."

[finneas]

The Church's staff would indicate the room in which the child is kept. Mathilda can be rarely seen outside of it, her confinement persists both to ensure her safety and because of the risk of escape.

Fox's arrival is met, at first, with indifference but the child gradually grows more interested. Truly, what else is there to do beside playing with the doll she has gotten from Telia or reading the same book over and over again.

Mathilda can be seen observing the colorful joker, standing in such stark contrast to the Ilmatari clergy. She does so from a distance scratching the scar on the side of her neck and cheek irritably.

*Fox would ask the clergy for permission to bring his dog, a shaggy shephard of mixed origin to the temple in effort to help lighten the girl's mood before actively engaging her. He flashes his charming (at least in his opinion) face in front of the sisters as often as he can in his efforts to plead the case for the animal. He promises intently that the canine is much better behaved than he himself is, grinning the whole while. At one point he would knock rapidly yet quietly at the girl's door. If she opened the door he would speak in hushed tones to her urgently.*

"Young lady, I beg you to help me! I am in desperate need of a hiding place. You see I have swiped a pie from Sister Rachel and I simply cannot eat the whole thing on my own before she finds me. If you would help hide me from the sister's eyes I might be persuaded to share the spoils of my pilfering."

*He would feign innocence, breaking into a broad grin only if she agreed to permit him to hide in her room.*

[finneas]

Sister Adolina looks with disbelief to Fox but then gives in seeing the pleading, charming smile, "fine, as long as he doesn't get anywhere near my kitchen!"

*The colorful sailor bows greatfully with a sweep of hat and cape.*

"Why thank you Sister. That is most gracious of you. I assure you that Cinder will steer clear of the kitchens."

Sister Rachel is less inclined toward acceptance of Foxe's proposition, "This is a church with a busy infirmary. It's not a place for a dog."

*The man's jaw drops, aghast and scandalized.*

"Why Sister, surely there is no better medicine that the comfort of a good pet and boon companion. Why this lovely girl once pulled me from the drink after a particularly...uh...libatious evening. Surely she has the spirit of a healer, no?"

*He bats his eyelashes in exaggerated fashion trying to worm a smile from her tightened lips.*

Mathilda opens the door and watches Fox with a suspicious look.
"Sister Rachel doesn't bake," child's tone is serious but despite that a question follows. "It is a jam filled cake?"

"Why young lady, I am most certainly aware that sister Rachel does not bake. However, she watches over the temple like a hawk and is most displeased that one of the pies has come up missing. Why she suspects me I'll never know but she has a will of pure iron. Why once, she even dragged me...ME to the infirmary by the ear to take some foul concoction. I half believe she made it taste that way as punishment. Still, if you do not wish to share this pastry, I suppose Cinder and I shall have to split it without you. Perhaps one day you can meet her. If you like dogs that is."

*The rogueish sailor flashes a smile, broad and full of teeth at the girl*

[finneas]

*The Fox would speak with the guards briefly before stepping out of the temple. He is gone a mere matter of minutes before returning with a grinning, shaggy brown and black shepherd of a canine. The mutt follows obediently just off his left side and slightly behind. Her tongue hangs out and her eyes are wide and bright as he opens the door to the temple ushering the dog inside. Once within he kneels down by the dog, Cinder by name, and speaks to her quietly before pointing toward Sister Rachel and shooing the mutt on her way.*

[TarnishedSoul]

The Seeker of Candlekeep arrives at the Temple of Ilmater every day around the same time, and - assuming that the area granted for her work is unoccupied - she spends one to two hours diligently copying Reflections on the Way. Depending on the length of an entry, she manages to copy one or two per session.

Once finished for the day, her writing materials are all neatly packed, and the original journal is returned to its usual location.

[finneas]

*The Fox and his faithful canine keep wide berth of this newest visitor, keeping to their assigned tasks. Occasionally the ostentatious man's gaze wanders to the woman, as it does to all others who come and go. He offers little more than cursory tips of his hat in greeting and departure, unless she should try to engage him farther in conversation.*

[DM Arrakeen]

Seven, unconscious younglings were brought by the concerned vigilantes to the Temple of Ilmater.
Children are malnourished, dirty and unconscious. After closer look it would appear that they have been magically subdued by a sleep spell.

[finneas]

Rumor has it that a group of vigilantes broke into a small pastry and jam shop in the harbor district the other day. Allegedly the business has been a cover for some illegal activities. Fist and City Watch have been notified and brought to the scene where they secured some valuables.

Food supplies found at the shop were later delivered at the Orphanage as a donation. City Watch made sure that flour, jams, eggs, milk and other goods were checked and safe to utilize.

Among stolen belongings a group of children was found in a hideout behind the pastry and jam shop. Seven, unconscious younglings were brought by the concerned vigilantes to the Temple of Ilmater.

*Fox, seemingly ever present at the temple since his unexpected surfacing, makes himself as helpful as he can as the children are brought in. He immediately offers to help carry the unconscious youths his towering, rawboned frame suited for such tasks, if little else. As the children are settled he would send his ever present pooch, Cinder, over to just mingle among them, keeping watchful vigil like a mother over her pups. Regardless he offers whatever aid he can to the temple staff in this trying time, ready to lift the spirits of workers and patients alike. He tries to lighten the mood, whistling sea shanties and traditional hymns with equal fervor, occasionally pulling out leather balls to juggle.*