Temple of Faerun

The Temple of Faerun is an impressive structure. Heavily fortified walls hide a complex maze of shrines to various deities in the Faerunian pantheon. With the exception of a few evil gods all are included. The temple grounds are typically open all hours of the day with a boarding house for newly arrived primes from Toril. But as you approach the main entrance of the temple you notice the doors are closed and barred. No flags fly and temple guards stand by the doors. Something is wrong.

The temple guards recognize you and say nothing as they open the gates. Rather than the usual nearly festive air, thanks to the clergy of Liira, you are greeted by silence when you enter. The clergy stand like mannequins with shocked looks on their faces. Time seems to slow down and you can hear your heartbeat in your ears.

The high priest of Oghma takes your hand.

Brother Grathmore of the Seven Gates: She's gone.

Arayna: Who? Who is gone? [Arayna feels a sinking feeling in her stomach as she guesses at the answer]
Brother Grathmore of the Seven Gates: [choking back tears] Our lady Tomeri mistress of Wisdom and Love has fallen. Her priests found out today. It pains me to tell you, but we must keep this a secret for now. I trust your compliance to my wishes. For now we must continue with our lives until more information is gathered. Oghma has given me no insight into this matter, which worries me greatly. I pray that this is not the start of another Time of Troubles.
Arayna: What? Who is in charge of the investigation? Can I help in anyway? This is terrible news. Is anyone else missing?

Brother Grathmore of the Seven Gates: Sister Arayna, your enthusiasm is greatly appreciated, but let the Assembly of Friends lay the initial groundwork. I'd say they are trained to deal with matters like this, but that would be a lie. Don't get too involved, who or whatever did this must be of great power. If I'm not mistaken, there's a celebration you have been planning. Keep yourself occupied with that for now. We'll call upon you if you are needed. Lady Huldane is likely waiting for you.

As you continue through the complex, passing by the great shrine of Tempus, you see the priests of Tomeri gathered in a group. Some priests lie prostrate while others stand crying on each other's shoulders. It's a pitiful scene.

The street leading to the Shrine of Liira is lined with strings of colored flags drawn across the buildings. This shrine, though small, is typically very busy. All celebrations from brith, marriage even death are orginized by the Priests of Liira. You see Lady Huldane, the high priestess, outside removing some of the flags from the outside of the main temple. She notices you but says nothing and goes back to work.

Arayna: [proceeds into the main temple of Liira. She then approaches the altar and begins to pray for insight into this strange occurrence] Great goddess of Freedom, Liberty, Joy, and Celebration. Please grant me a vision of any kind to guide my spirit and mind in the correct direction. No matter the cause I will continue on my true path and bring joy to the lives which I touch. I will let neither faction or business influence my true path of enlightenment. I seek only to enjoy this life which you have granted and someday when my day comes I will continue to serve you. Shall I visit your home plane to make sure all is well? If you deem it so I would become a Specialty Priest and pledge my entire life and afterlife to your cause. Please give me a sign great goddess. Ye are my life.

Your prayers are interrupted by a warm hand touching your shoulder. You look up and see Sister Gertrude, one of the higher ranking priests of your order. She is an elderly Prime Human from Silverymoon, a city in Faerun.

Sister Gertrude: Sister Arayna, ye must be praying for our lost Goddess. Tomeri was a kind and wise goddess who lived to ease the suffering of all creatures who worshipped her. I can't imagine who could commit this horrible deed.

Cyric probably had his vile hand in this murder.... why do the gods not rid the multiverse of him. I suppose he serves a purpose unknown to us.

Aryana: All powers in the multiverse serve a purpose. If a power fails to attend to his or her duties properly they will quickly fade from popularity, lose worshipers and perish. Cyric serves the insane and scheming. If he had a hand in this he will slip up and we'll have a chance to get her back. Does anyone have more information on this? I will gladly go anywhere including the nine-hells to help free her if she is imprisoned. We could get a team together of all the good and neutral powers of the realms for this mission.

Sister Gertrude: Thine enthusiasm is noted. Once we know more, and if it is appropriate we shall send for thee. Do not be surprised if you are called upon to do our Lady's bidding.

When thee art done with thine worship there is work to be done for Lord Belevedere's son's celebration. Thine holy streamers and blessed noisemakers were a good touch, so sayeth Good and Reverend Sister Solanus, and we shall definitely use them. May freedom and joy prevail Sister Arayna.

The workshop behind the temple area is small and cramped. A group of priests work frantically tying flags to a long string, while another group are clustered around a table with discussing the best seating arrangment for the upcoming celebration. A box by the table is over filled with reserved invitations.

Brother Wendal: Lord Ballach will not sit next to Vic Mollard, but Vic won't sit next to Ka Lin T' Morno! Let's try this again.

Others: [groaning in unison]

Brother Wendal: It is this way for our Lady Liira wills it so. We shall find the harmonious path, and this celebration shall be an success. That is our job.

Aryana: Lord Ballach, I will sit in between the two individuals you are having trouble with. I will make try and find common ground between them to make them friends so they may enjoy the celebration!

Brother Wendal: Aryana, tis good to see ye. Ye spend too much time at your job and not enough celebrating your freedom! I jest. Thank thee for thine help Aryana. Thine idea, while appreciated, will solve our problem not. [claps hands] Wine break!

Wine is poured into all welcoming glasses. One of the tailors, a thin old man, picks up a fiddle and a young boy, not more than 10 summers old, picks up a tambourine. A raucous song dedicated to Liira is sung loudly. A priestess of Sune enters during this first song and starts dancing. She moves in an alluring way hypnotizing nearly every body with the undulations of her beautiful body and clothes. Soon the whole room erupts into dancing. The festivities burst out of the workshop ensnaring the rest of Liira's clergy. As you walk down the narrow streets of the temple other clergy join the merriment. Clergy with musical abilities start playing along, others chant in perfect harmony. The whole march takes on the feel of a celebration of life while respecting the sadness of death.

The march ends at the temple of Tomeri. The clergy and staff exit, their eyes red from crying. The music stops. Sister Gertrude steps forward.

Sister Gertrude: Followers of Tomeri, goddess of wisdom and love. Our thoughts and prayers are with you in you time of sorrow.

After the break you are set to work. You manage a group of 5 initiates. Your job is to make and bless cookie dough.

Aryana: [to herself] Sugar cookies again? I've surely angered Sister Gertrude with my absence. I know a way to make this celebration a little more jovial hehehe. [Aryana stops by her dorm for some specially procured butter made from the finest halfling sticky icky.]

Aryana and her initiates add the butter to the dough, not before sampling some. After the most laugh filled baking experience in recent history the cookies are made.

[roll Wis check -4]