City of the Temples

[landiek]

Songeree was a great port, offering a glimpse into the city of the Temples. There wasn't a God/Goddess worshipped in the realm that a temple wasn't built here for.
Towering above the streets, the city has divided into three levels.
Lords and Rich living on equal ground of the Temples
The working commoners
The filth and rabble of the Funnels.

Songeree was part of the Kingdom of Kromethesius and the Kingdom was willing to look the other way when it came to the Prince's vast greed. The young prince dropped on the city like a vulture and drained much of the wealth that the people had or retained from years of service to the Kingdom.
Magic began to manifest in the younger citizens and a wave of schools for the Gods opened to train the magic for the good of the Temple. Thus Mages began to appear in the streets and treated as a subclass of royalty.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(posted for Wulftooth)

The rains fell early this year. The crops were being beaten down and come winter people were going to starve, thought Kardia Skotos. "The fucking religious zealots would live well taking food from the mouths of widows and the prince would keep the kur he called his courtlings fed from taxes he would collect and the poor would suffer as was their lot here in Songeree, the City of the Gods," murmured Skotos. "If this hole was the City of Gods, then the Gods moved out long ago or they were pitifulfucking Gods, indeed." Skotos moved silently and unnoticed--quite a feat for one over two meters tall and weighing in at one hundred forty kilograms--heading for the funnel. The funnel was the poorest section of the city lying just below the temple district, where every man that got a case of gas and a concept for a God put up a temple or at least a icon with a coin slot. Deep in the funnel was a tavern/ inn called "The Gods Chamber Pot". It was here that Skotos was headed... where though he was a Paladin and could live in the temple district... he chose to call home. He hoped that Duncan, the owner of the shitter had something warm to eat and a lot of it, as he was hungry. He also hoped Doris was there as he had plans for that slut tonight.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[caela]

Eris

Why was it that the gods allowed such suffering in the wake of their very temples? Eris wondered to herself as she walked quietly through the area of the city called the Funnels. Here the poorest of those in the City of the Gods made their homes in whatever way they could and it broke Eris' heart to see it. The children here were dirty and raggid for the most part, many of them trying to find work to help feed their families at an age at which Eris had still been playing with dolls in her father's house.

The youngest daughter of one of the cities minor nobles Eris had been reared in comfort and never wanted for anything. As the youngest she had been indulged beyond what her older siblings thought reasonable but her father would hear no arguments about it. He indulged the young girl because she was the spitting image of her mother and as she grew that only became more pronounced. Now at 23 she was tall standing nearly 6 feet and statuesque with gently rounded hips and the curve of full, firm, breasts could be seen even under her Priestess robes. Hair the color of silken honey flowed down her back nearly to the the curve of a trim waste while eyes the rich flowing brown of melted chocolate looked out on the world around with tenderness and love.

She sighed softly and tried not to think of her family, it only made her sad for when she'd chose to go to the temple of the Goddess of Wisdom (her mother's patron Godess) instead of marriage they had disowned her. Even her ever indulgent father has turned his back on her.

"Eris!" a childs voice snapped her from her reverie and drew a smile to her lips. The children of the Funnels were used to seeing her and at the first cry five more heads popped up and soon she was surrounded by children. They were oftent he first to announce her arrival in the Funnels where she was well known. Many of the families here knew and welcomed her for she never came empty handed with platitudes to preach at them but with a full purse that she generously shared out among those she visited and usually a bag of food as well. Surrounded by her gaggle of children she now made her way through this part of the city, making her rounds to see those who were sick first for her skills in healing were great, thanks to the Temples training, and nearly as appreciated here as the food and coin she brought.

ooc: Hope this is an o.k. character, let me know if it doesn't quite work with what you had in mind and I'll edit.

 

[Weevil]

Oops wrong button.

 

[Drinking Cap]

It was hard not to notice the oppulent priest in the merchant. He belonged to the sect who worshipped the God of Money and Wealth. He dressed very finely, with noticeable jewelery. In the dingy market, he stood out like a sore thumb.

"Oof!" the portly priest was roughly knocked to the ground by a youth who appeared to be fleeing something. The two collided and tumbled to the ground. The young man, dressed like a common trader, had a shock of wild black hair and appeared to be terrified.

"Begging your pardon, your holiness" the young man moaned as he rubbed his head and offered the older priest a hand up.

"You should watch where you're going, lad. Running around a crowded market like that, like the devil himself was chasing you." The priest accepted the hand up and dusted himself off. The collision was barely noticed in the hustle and bustle of the market at noon.

"It's funny you should say that sir...." The young man's words were broken off by a large Orc, at least six and a half feet tall and weighing nearly 300 pounds came crashing through the crowd towards the young man.

"Arrrggghhh!!!" The Orc yelled "Where is puny human! Og kill puny Human!" The Orc was a pale green and noticeably burly. He carried a large axe.

The young man took refuge behind the priests considerable girth.

"As you can see, good priest sir, I was running because I'm in a fair bit of danger. Our large friend over there is unhappy with a business transaction we made and..."

The priest shook his head and stepped aside, allowing the orc to see the cowering young man.

"I'm sorry lad but it's none of my concern." The priest said as he shuffled off, a worried look in his eye. As he moved the young man was instantly spotted by the rage filled Orc who raised his axe over the head at spotting him.

"Arrrghh! Og smash cheating human!" He yelled as the chase began again. The young man ran through the market place until he was a good fifty feet away from the spot where he'd collided with the priest. He turned a corner to duck behind a large stone wall. As he ducked behind the wall he sat down and rested, the look of fear gradually turned into one of contentment. After a minute or two, the Orc who'd been chasing him through the market place turned the stone wall again and spotted the young man resting against the wall. He stood over him menacingly and began to speak

"What'd you get Maracus?" the Orc asked in a voice that was considerably more refined and educated than the one he'd used when chasing the boy through the market. Maracus shuffled his hands in his pockets and produced a number of items.

"Moneypurse, which looks like it's got nearly 100 gold" He jingled the purse he held. The Orc's fearsome face broke into a smile.

"Anything else?"

"A pretty cheap looking amulet" He held up a gold chain with a small crystal pendant "And a couple of nice looking rings" He said this as he let a few ornate rings fall out of his sleeve. The Orc kneeled down and inspected the jewlery.

"Two rings? How'd you manage to get two rings?"

"You forget 'Og', I've got the most magic fingers in the entire Funnels." He smiled as he wiggled his fingers about.

"No seriously, how'd you get them" The Orc looked unconvinced

"Ah, they were way too big for his hand. Slipped right off when I was helping him up." He extended a hand out and the Orc pulled him to his feet. The two then walked off away from the marketplace towards the seedier parts of the tunnels.After walking for a a while they came across their favourite tavern "The God's Chamber Pot" and found a small table in a corner. The two sat down and ordered a few flagons of ale. The Orc spoke as they were waiting for their drinks

"So I was thinking you can keep the amulets and rings. But I want two thirds of the gold."

"What?" Maracus exclaimed with some shock "First of all, we agreed you get a third of our haul. Second, you shouldn't get anything after that performance"

"What do you mean?" The Orc looked angrily at his partner

"Oh come on, 'Og kill puny human'?" Maracus imitated the Orcs voice with this "Even wild Orcs speak better than that"

"It worked didn't it? Didn't notice a thing as you were rummaging through his pockets." The Orc broke into a smile again "And the rings and amulet look valuable enough that it should work out to about at third."

Maracus gave a great look of pain before finally relenting and tossing his companion the sack of gold.

"Fine, you big baby. Count it out" Maracus looked aside as his eyes followed the inviting cleavage of the barmaid who was serving them their ale. As she bent over to settle the drinks down, Maracus gave her a little pinch on the backside that made her squeal and give him a playful swat.

"Do that again" She said as she looked at him flirtatiously "And you'll be pulling back a bloody stub where your hand should be."

"What can I say, I just can't keep my hands to myself" He gave a sly grin and a wink "Is Duncan in?"

The pretty barmaid nodded her head

"Yup he's round back. Will you be seeing him?" Her voice had the lower class twang that all children of the Funnels had.

"Definitely. I'll head in after a pint or two." The girl turned back towards the bar. Maracus reluctantly turned his attention back to his partner.

"So what was the damage?" He asked as the Orc finished counting the final few pieces. He'd sorted two piles

"110 gold." The Orc gave a big smile of contentment. It was enough for a week of the high life. "So I'll be kind and just take 70."

He pushed the smaller pile towards Maracus. He gave his small stack a frown.

"My luck. All the Orcs in the world I find the one who can count" He fought back to conceal a grin as he fingered the second money purse he'd stolen that was still concealed in his shirt.. He loved Oggie like a brother but there was no reason to share the whole haul with anyone. Besides, he'd done all the work, taken all the risk.

The Orc finished his ale in one gulp and stood up quickly.

"Good working with you, friend" The Orc extended his hand which Maracus shook "Now I'm off for a hot meal and a hotter brothel"

"Take it easy on the poor human girls, you twisted bastard" Maracus laughed as his erstwhile partner left the inn. He'd have a few more brews, fence the rings and amulet to Duncan and then he'd likely be looking for the same things his partner was.

 

[silver_inari]

Coriana Mystewalker

Corianna Mystewalker raised her head and watched the scene before her, a faint smile on her lips as she saw the fat oily priest be relieved of the burden of his purse. True, it looked as if the young man was genuinely frightened for his life, but to one such as Corianna who could see a deeper reality then most people, there was no fear in the young man's aura. Only greed and excitement and a heightened level of awareness. The fat priest was terribly out of his element here and it only served to paint a big fat target on his back that fairly screamed, "pigeon for the plucking".

But then again, Corianna certainly did not belong in this part of town either, but when one was searching for spell components for if not forbidden, then certainly frowned upon spells. She had the much better sense to blend in, wearing a nondescript set of clothes that might have once been black, but now were a faded and much patched grey. Her long lusterous hair was tightly braided and tucked into the cowl of her tunic. Slim fingers were covered in a pair of elegant gloves, and all in all there was nothing to connect the young woman to what she was. Dirt obscured her fine, pale skin. Not a soul would think that the grime covered woman was one of the priviliged class, a mage.

Here in the Funnels Mages were if not openly hated, then certainly distrusted as much as any nobility might be. That was another reason Corianna hid her true seeming when she came down here. It simply would not do for a highly placed Mage to be recognized, not that any here could afford her services. She bargained for a moment more with a very shifty looking merchant type, driving down the price of her compenents to something less then highway robbery. Coins changed hands and she slipped the necessary herbs into a pocket hidden inside her cloak. She nodded to the merchant and stepped away, moving through the market with ease.

Turning the corner she came to a dead end alleyway. A quick glance around showed the area deserted and she placed her hands on either side of the narrow wall, thanking any god that was listening that she was wearing gloves and did not need to touch the filth covered wall with her bare hands. A whisper and a quick thread of power tripped a gate spell, opening up a glowing magickal doorway before her. She stepped through and the sound of inwardly rushing air when the gate collapsed was the only think marking her passage. The step that begun in the alley was completed in a well lit and well appointed chamber. Tossing off her clothes in a haphazard trail, she secreted her herbs away in a hidden drawer in her desk.

By the time she reached her bathing chamber she was entirely naked, and sank into her waiting bath with a sigh of relief. Spending any amount of time in the Funnels left one feeling slighly unclean. The press and stench of humanity there left its mark on your clothes and hair. Having been raised from birth here in one of the many school of Magery, Corianna appreciated that she was not a victim of the grinding poverty that seemed to be endemic in this city. A curse fell from her lips as she again contemplated transfering to a better court. Songaree was backwater, and she felt her powers were wasted here.

A quiet tap on the door signified she was not alone and Corianna opened up her deep blue eyes to find her maid standing at the door to the bathing chamber.

"Well?" Corianna asked, not wishing to be disturbed. Her black hair floated on the water like a dark cloud, surrounding her and obscuring her form.

"I have several messages that have arrived for you, my Lady."

Corianna lifted a dripping hand, beckoning the girl closer. "Here, wash my hair and tell me who wants what today. More love potions from pathetic adolescants? Impotentcy potions for husbands from their wives? Fertility potions from husbands to wivves?" She rolled her eyes at the foolishness of the court she served and the Lords and Ladies within it. She settled against the rim of the marble tub as her maid worked the soap into her hair, washing the dirt of her disguise away. The sensation was soothing and she closed her eyes again, sighing and leaning her head back.

"Sergeant Kedar Ghalib sent a copy of the reports on the recurrance of those two new drugs on the street that can block a magic user's ability to spell cast until it wears off. He wants to know if you wish to arrange a meeting to discuss the results. Your mother sent a letter commanding your presence on the family estate for a party." Corianna snorted at this one and even her maid smiled a little. Her family knew that with her powers and ambition, a wife was the last thing she would ever be. Her mother glossed over the fact that Corianna had a string of admirers from both Court and Temple city block long, and at least some of those had been fortunate enough to be in the Mage's bed.

"Somehow I think I am busy that day."

"I already sent your regrets, my Lady." The maid lifted a silver pitcher and poured rose scented water over Corianna's head to rinse out her hair and then helped the woman from the bath, drying her and slipping a midnight blue silk robe on her lithe form.

"Excellent, Riyalla." Sitting on a cushion, she sipped some wine while she waited for the rest of her messages.

"There was also a mesage from Lord Kaylas as well. He sent you this." The maid Riyanna retrieved a small box, opening it. Despite her normally controlled countenance, Corianna's eye widened slightly. Inside was a golden necklace dangling with sapphires and small diamonds. Aside from being monetaril valuable, Corianna was able to use the sapphires as a focus for her Mage abilities, and the Lord knew this. She felt a slight bit of unease as she considered the gift, and then set it back in the box. Lord Kaylas was one of the more powerful Nobles at Court, and possessed of a black reputation. Currently Corianna seemed to be amoung those who had captured his interest for some reason or another. This was a man only interested in power, and it would due to pay close attention to the man.

"Was there a note with it? Corianna asked, laying the box aside.

"No my Lady."

"I'll draft a note of thanks, but see that you have one of the footmen deliver it to his groom. I want you nowhere near the man, he is far too dangerous for you to be around." Corianna thought he was also too dangerous for her to be around as well, but could not surpress a small shiver at the Lord's fine features and lovely silver blonde hair. A rogue he may be rumored to be, he was still entrancing. But a fine face could hide a black heart, as Cori well knew. She would see what transpired at Court this night, his interest may be fleeting.

Not to mention, she was itching to read the reports from the guard sargeant. She had some time ago requested the information and it was only now reaching her the resurgence of the drug Block. Insidious, it disabled a Mage's powers until it worked through their system, and all the magick users in town were concerned. Why was it resurfacing now? Was it connected with the rumors of impending war? She didn't know, and she wanted to find out. And she would.

"Lay out my clothes for Court, if you will Riyalla. The red silk dress, please, no...wait. The blue silk with the silver trim, if you please." It matched nicely with the gift sent to her, and she could perhaps fish a bit for information as to why this gift was sent to her by one of the City's powerful nobles.

 

[caela]

Eris

Eris made her way through the Funnels. The children surrounding her dwindling in number with each house she stopped at. Always she was welcomed with open arms and cheerful smiles, especially where she came to heal. Much of her healing was due to the skills taught her at the Temple but some of it was her own smal gift. She had a healing touch, not enough magic to warrent sending her to one of the Mage schools but enough to be useful. It allowed her to feel and sense exactly where her patients illnesses were and sometimes what had caused them. Such knowledge augmented her Temple skills and made her much sought after among those her knew her. Mostly that meant here in the Funnels.

Occasionally it meant she was called to the house of a Noble.

She smiled contentedly as the last child was seen safely to her home. Eris purse was now empty as was the sack of food she had brought down with her and so she turned, empty handed, back toward the Temple. Lost in her own musings she barely noticed those around her as she passed along the street housing most of the Funnel's taverns and whorehouses.

A few of the prostitutes recognized her and asked for small bits of healing which she happily gave to them. Most of the city's healers wouldn't come to this district and fewer still would deign to lay hands on the prostitutes thinking themselves too lofty and the women too filthy. Eris felt pity for their situation but she'd never show it and her kindness was never spurned and always appreciated here. The women had little but what they did have they were willing to share with Eris and as it was growing toward nightfall when she reached the last of the whorehouses the places Mistress invited her stay and eat something before she continued on to the Temple. Grateful for such kindness Eris agreed and settled in to eat dinner with the cities protitutes.

 

[landiek]

Venus approached the Funnels with ease. Her light weight garments denoted that she was in service to the Temple of God of War and protector of the weak.

She smiles at the street vender as she trades breads for ripen kaja fruit, a favorite among the preists. She barters with a soft voice and soon she walks away from the stall with a basket of fruit.

She slowly picks her way to the second level and notices the children. Venus pauses and listens in hopes to catch a long tale of some form of adventure then she lost sight of the girl. With a sigh Venus continued making her way back to the commons.

That was when she noticed the strange creature. Her curiousity getting the best of her "you-know-better-then" wisdom. She watched it move with grace within the funnels. Finally she caught up with the male creature and asked with her soft melodic voice. "What are you?"

The orc stared at the blonde girl standing there in white silks. That garment hid nothing from the eye and she would be a fetching wench at a brothel. Which was his destination as he shook his head breaking contact with her sky blue eyes. Indeed she was bewitching with those lips of wine, the kind that was taunting for kisses.

"I mean no harm, sir. I wondered what you are." Venus explained.

His eyes scanned over her body and smiled at the full swell of her breasts and then he noticed her brand. Arenzankia Damn that made her all the more tempting

 

[Drinking Cap]

After Maracus had his couple of brews, he decided it was time to pay a visit to Duncan, the owner of the tavern. Maracus liked to think of Duncan as a Father figure. He'd been fencing his stolen material through Duncan since he was a child and Maracus believed the old codger had a bit of a soft spot for him. He stepped over the drunks on the floor and side-stepped the numerous bar fights going on in the place before he made his way to a small room at the back of the tavern. Inside was a short and stout man with greying hair and glasses. He was hunched over a small desk, looking over accounting books. Duncan looked up to see Maracus and a frown broke out on his face

"No." He said succinctly before lowering his head back to his bookkeeping

"But you haven't even heard..." Maracus was not surprised by Duncan's lack of enthusiasm for seeing him.

"Right, all I know is that you always seem costing me more money than you're worth. So get out." Duncan didn't even raise his head, he just pointed towards the door.

"Look, this isn't a plan, this isn't a scheme, I've actually got some stuff for you to pass on. Good stuff too. From a priest!" Maracus got Duncan's attention with this and the familiar look of greed crept up on the older man's hardened face.

"Oh, yeah? Let me see it" He motioned to a chair directly opposite the desk. Maracus flipped it around and sat on it. He reached into his pocket and grabbed the amulet and rings. He gave them a toss onto the desk.

"See, all real gold and gems." Maracus beamed proudly. Duncan gave the items a look over with a jeweller's loupe for a second before putting it down. He held up the amulet first.

"This is indeed a nice Amulet. And it's price should just about cover your bar tab"

"Oh come on Duncan, there's no way I drank that much here." This was, in fact, not true. Maracus had spent most of the last week drinking on credit at the Chamber Pot. Duncan ignored him and put the amulet in a drawer in the desk.

"The rings are a slightly different story. I'll give you fifty gold apiece"

"Fifty? No chance. 80 each and I drink free for a week." Maracus rarely got the better of his negotiations with Duncan but the soundrel in him couldn't refuse haggling.

"I'll give you fifty and I won't ban you from drinking here"

"Okay, 60 each and 5 bottles of your best wine"

"50 each and a bottle of my cheapest whisky" Duncan never once broke into a smile. Maracus did. Getting the extra bottle of whisky was the best he'd ever done in a negotiation with the clever publican.

I knew he liked me thought Maracus as he collected his coins and alcohol. He quickly made his way out of the pub. The streets were teeming with the inhabitants of the funnels. He was perusing the wares of a local street vendor when he felt a hand brush against his back. Quick as lightning his hand shot out and grabbed the cloak of the offender.

"Give it back" he said with no humour in his voice. He spun the short cloaked figure around and was greeted by a dirty faced, pretty young girl. A broad smile shot across Maracus's face.

"Curses, I thought I had it" She pouted as she handed Maracus his dagger back. He tucked it back into his belt and ruffled her messy brown hair.

"Kellis, that was much, much better. But you're still too concerned with being soft and you're taking too much time. The grab has to be fast. It's better if you bump and grab. As long as it's fast, the mark is none the wiser" He was being hard on her but truth was Kellis was like a younger sister to him. Another youth of the funnels, he'd taught her some of the tricks of the trade.

"It was fast." she protested

"Well, your lesson for today is that another thief is always going to catch you. That's why we look for members of the gentry or mages or any others who don't know that when they feel a bump in the marketplace they'd best count their money, their jewels, their fingers and their toes." He turned back to the vendor and paid for a couple pieces of fruit. He tossed one to the young urchin and the two strolled off down the street.

"Anybody you see around worth rolling?" He asked. Kellis often spotted nobles and the like for him and directed him in their path.

"No, just the Priestess"

"And why can't I work her, again?"

"Because she feeds the other kids and heals us and if you ever take anything of hers I'll never speak to you again." She fumed and punched Maracus gently in the arm. Kellis obviously had a high regard for the woman and Maracus agreed to drop it. When he was younger he'd often taken from the priests and priestesses who'd come to the funnels.

"Alright. Is Spotty having his dice game tonight?" Maracus asked with some anticipation. Spotty was one of the local degenerate gamblers who held games. He'd once angered a mage because of his crooked game and the resulting curse had left him with bright red blotches on his skin and a clever nickname.

"Maracus, don't play in those games." Her voice was filled with exasperation

"Why not? He doesn't fix them anymore."

"No, but you're the worst gambler I've ever seen."

"I am not..." He gave her an annoyed look

"Yes you are. Have you ever actually won anything gambling?""

As much as Maracus hated to admit it, the kid was right. He was a terrible gambler. Best make his way to a brothel and actually get something for his money.

"Alright, you win. I'm off to enjoy myself in another, grown-up manner. How are you for money?"

"How am I always?" She said with a sad smile. He smiled and reached into his pockets for a few coins to give to her when he noticed his pocket was completely empty. He looked up to see Kellis running down the street backwards with her tongue sticking out at him. Maracus couldn't help but feel a little pride and a little stupidity as he made his way to Spotty's.

 

[caela]

Eris

Eris finished her meal with the prostitutes and realized it was growing late. Smiling warmly to the brothels Mistress, Hannah she made ready to leave. Hannah brought her cloak which Eris tried to turn away but the woman just smiled and wrapped it around her, "You're a good child, "the older woman said, "And I won't have you freezing or catching ill. You can bring it back to me when you're down again in a few days."

"Thank you Hannah," Eris finally said and kissed the older woman on the cheek. Circumstance made strange friends and despite her profession Eris liked Hannah and would ask her for advice most girls asked their mothers. The woman might be a prostitute but she was wise in her own way and had a wealth of common sense that Eris often found lacking in the Temple.

Wrapping the cloak around her she stepped out into the street saw the young girl Kellis running backward sticking her tongue out at someone. She was so busy laughing softly at Kellis antics that she didn't see the young man Kellis was making fun of and walked right into him.

"Oh!" she cried out softly in surprise."Please forgive me, Kellis can be such a handful but she'd a delightful child as well. I didn't see you for watching her."

Eris looked up and smiled warmly from liquid brown eyes. If this was one of Kellis' aquaintances he was most likely a thief. The yound priestess couldn't help but wonder if this was the famous Marcus that Kellis often told her about. Even if it was Eris had little worry, her purse was empty and none of the Funnels theives bothered her because they knew she brought food, money, and healing instead of empty words and promises.

 

[Drinking Cap]

Maracus hadn't been looking when he was again knocked into. He began checking all of his valuables. His moneypurse was still there, as was his dagger, his amulet and bracelet still on him. That'd meant that whoever had bumped into him hadn't been a thief just clumsy.

"Please forgive me, Kellis can be such a handful but she'd a delightful child as well. I didn't see you for watching her." the voice, a sweet feminine one, said

"Well, delightful isn't exactly the word I'd use but you should still watch where you're going..." Maracus said as he dusted himself off


He finally looked at his assailant and saw it was not merely a woman but a beautiful woman. With long blonde hair and deep brown eyes. Maracus would have done a double take if it wouldn't have been so out of place. He found himself staring at her beautiful eyes and face for a few seconds, his sentence trailing off.

"Uh, and what I mean by that, of course, is that it was entirely my fault, my dear. But still, you should be careful, in a place like this. All sorts of ne'er do wells abound in the funnels" He said, a smile crept on his lips. Perhaps a trip to the brothel would be superfluous if he could work his self proclaimed legendary charm on this one.

"I'll try to keep that in mind." She said with a brief laugh. Maracus found his eyes wondering down from her face to examine her body. He was just admiring the ample curves of her chest when he recognized her clothing.

confound it, she's a priestess he thought before realizing the obvious

He averted his eyes from her breasts and again found himself looking into her eyes. She did have a rather extraordinarily attractive face. Maracus resigned himself to finding out if Priestesses could date.

"Please, lady, allow me to walk you to your destination. With all the rogues about a delightful thing such as yourself should have need of a physically impressive bodyguard such as myself." He extended a hand to her.

"And you are?" The priestess asked, a twinkle of a smile on her face

"Ah, you obviously haven't been long in the Funnels. I'm Maracus. Or as the children here call me, Maracus, King of the Thieves." He gave a theatrical bow as he said this before straigening up "I'm usually not one for honoriffics but I find it gives the children a role model, someone to admire and emulate. So I grudgingly swallow my modesty and allow the nickname to thrive."

The lady continued smiling, however looked slightly unconvinced.

"A pleasure to meet you Maracus, I'm Eris" she extended a hand that Maracus took gently. He then recognized the name.

"You're Eris as in, the priestess that Kellis knows and admires." his head sunk. He reached into his pocket and produced a small golden ring.

"I'm flattered if Kellis thiks of me as such" she acknowledged. Maracus handed the ring to the lady.

"Then I believe this ring is yours. It must of, uh, slipped off when we collided."

 

[TheScarletBlade]

"Twenty years is a long time,is it not commander." A figure still cloaked in darkness said from where it stood out of the one and only light that beamed down upon the disoriented man from where he sat in a chair.The chair was at one point finely crafted but from years of rot down in the dank dungeon it looked no better than the prisioner sitting in it,hands bound by cold iron cuffs,linked togather by a chain made from an "unbreakable" metal.

Commander Furtim Maelco was his name or what was his real name.He was commonly known as the Fox.He couldn't say he was famous at the time,yet back twenty years ago he was the lengedary fox.He had stopped an invasion from the north and had done a mass of other things that decorated his name:That was before he was arrested and thrown into the strongest cell in the dungeon.He never knew why but he was claimed to be a spy during a very hectic time,when some raticals were trying to rebel against the government.He was chained and locked away,but that wasnt what bothered the soldier,what bothered him was simply:He was forgotten.Not really one to care all to much about his fame or status in society,he didn't want his exploits,the deeds he has accomplished,the blood he has bled for his kingdom

"It has been a long time yet you remain unchanged" The figure said as it shifted in position from where it rested against the wall in the darkness that obscured the man's features from view.Straining to see him yet his eyes were blurry,he was not used to the light,it was always dark in his cell from where it was 100 feet under a hill.The crime he had been charged with had been treason and conspiracy of the state,he had been stripped of everything and thrown in the deepest dungeon,the most secure one becuase the government understood the dangerousness of the soldier.

"You were created by that mage was it not? in that expermiment so many years ago,they say your supposed to be humans that live far longer than average humans,well I see its true,twenty years in the pit and your still looking like you always look with that blank almost clueless look,becuase you never learn anything becuase your a good soldier,you do what your told and nothing more" The figure said mockingly.Commander Maelo only lifted his head but could not argue,they ran there prisoners ragged down there so they got work done and kept the prisoners in a weakened phyiscal state so they cant escape.

"Since you havnt seen any sun in a long time and since you have been rotting away nothing much has changed yet we need your skills becuase your the Legendary Fox,leader of the armies of the north and the master infiltration specialist and bloodhound,we need you to visit the famous 'City of Temples' when you get there,after you acclimated yourself you well be given orders,we figure you need a couple of days to get your shit togather and to sharpen your skills" With that the figure walked from the room and a three gaurds entered the room,armed to the teeth with weapons trained on him while another soldier dropped a large sack on the table as he moved around to unlock the shackles:He was a free man

It had been a week.Maelo as he was called becuase it seemed to fit better than his first name which was Latin for stealth,it felt good to be out in the fresh air.He could feel the breeze on his face as he stood on the cobblestone streets.People thought he was crazy yet they hadn't been stuck in a dark place for twenty years.Maelo lifted his head,his shappire blue eyes reflected the pale moon's light,giving a beautiful glitter to his eyes.

Maelo was not a big guy.He was a good 6 foot like most men yet he was just smaller in frame than most men.He was more compact,lightweight and lean,having not body fat at all,he just seemed to look cut under his clothes,rippling in muscles yet pound for pound he was not stronger than some of the massive gladiators or other warriors that roamed the earth.Maelo looked best in dark colors and at night he looked almost invisable:Maelo used that to his advantage.Maelo didn't serve the army as a warrior or any kind of fighter at all,he was more complicated than that.

The best way to describe what he did was infiltration.He worked shadow ops,not really a spy but not really a wariror,he was a perfect blend of those,using the shadows and combat in a harmony.He was known to be able to get anything or get into anything one might say that wasn't alive.

Maelo wore simple clothes,nothing much.He wore long dark black pants,they were comfortable yet more on the tight end than on the loose end so they didn't get in the way or they were not tight enough to restrict movement or make any sort of sound as he moved.He wore a black overshirt,that had black buttons with a dark gray shirt so he looked apart of the shadows.He made no sound when he walked,so into his craft,he had learned to walk casually and make no sound what so ever without walking any special way.He had chesnut brown hair that was always kept short and that hung naturally out of his eyes.With a emotionless,almost blank face and critical eyes,he had a captivating facade yet many people didn't seem to notice him,he had a sort of natural invisibility.

Maelo walked out slowly out at the street in the cool night,looking up at the beautiful stars,he looked at them like one would look at something they long sought,they were relaxing to the man used to only dirty rock dungeons.He didn't take the stars for granted,he didn't know how long he would have yet pulling his eyes away from the beautiful celestial bodies,he walked down the street slowly,he had work to do soon.

 

[caela]

Eris

"Then I believe this ring is yours. It must of, uh, slipped off when we collided."

Eris laughed as Marcus handed her her ring back and slipped it back onto the ring finger of her right hand. The simple gold band was snug to her finger and she had to admit to being impressed that he'd removed it without her feeling it. Until one looked closely it appeared to be no more than a band of gold but on closer examination one could see an owl feather etched into the gleaming metal. The symbol of the Goddess she served.

Grinning to the handsome man before her she linked and arm with his and turned him lightly in the direction of the Temple District. "I believe the ring slid off my finger when you took it Marcus. An excellant manuever by the way as that ring is sized perfectly. You're a very good thief. And obviously you value Kellis opinion or you wouldn't have given it back."

Walking quietly with Marcus, Eris couldn't help but wonder what he was thinking about. Most men would have simply taken her apology and continued on and if what Kellis told her was true than Marcus most likely destination would have been the very brothel where she'd just had dinner. Yet here he was escorting a Priestess home.

Remembering the way his eyes had lingered on her breasts she suddenly laughed, her chocolate eyes sparkling in amusement. "Tell me Marcus, were you hoping to not have to pay for your pleasures tonight?"

 

[crynsanthum]

Tori stood upon a fork in the road. "Left or Right?" She Questioned herself. She licked and sucked gently on a finger and then held it in the air, "The wind blows to the right..." And she began to walk.

She came upon the supposed City of Gods. "What a wreck" She thought as she walked past the guards without them even noticing her. She looked around to see where people went, and then checked her purse.
She saw that she was scarce in gold and figured that'd be the first thing she needed and so looked at where the various people went.

She had seen a well dressed woman duck down an alley and was intrigued. She followed down the alley to find that it was a dead end. "There must be a secret passage" Tori thought to herself as her nimbled hands traced the walls with her blue eyes, and her lithe and fit body crawled along the wall.
"I know I saw someone go down this way..."

 

[Drinking Cap]

"I believe the ring slid off my finger when you took it Marcus. An excellant manuever by the way as that ring is sized perfectly. You're a very good thief. And obviously you value Kellis opinion or you wouldn't have given it back." Eris grinned as she said this, after having linked arms with him. They began their stroll down the marketplace roads.

"Well, thank you on the first measure. I do take pride in my work. So many thieves these days, they're content to simply get someone alone in a dark alley and threaten them with a sword." Maracus said, his voice filled with scorn and derision "Where's the art? Where's the skill? Hardly anyone respects real craftsmanship anymore."

"As for Kellis. Well, it's a hard life here in the Funnels. You need someone to look out for you, keep you of trouble and deal with any hooligans looking to rough you up. Luckily, Kellis does all those things for me so I have to value her opinion."

The two walked quietly down the streets. It was a ways to the temple area but Maracus was rather enjoying the walk with a beautiful companion. Plus, he figured he'd find someone to pick pocket once they'd made it to the nicer part of town. As they turned out of the funnels, the Priestess suddenly laughed and looked at him.

"Tell me Marcus, were you hoping to not have to pay for your pleasures tonight?" she inquired. Maracus turned his head and feigned a look of shock and insult.

"My lady" He gasped "Your words wound me." His hand went to his heart in mock dismay as he turned toward her. The two were almost exactly the same height so staring into her deep and lovely eyes was natural. Maracus regained a slightly composured look and held up his index finger.

"First of all, the idea that a man as handsome and charming as myself ever has to pay for the pleasure of a young woman's company is so far-fetched that I can barely give it any merit at all."

"And while it's true we, as they say, bumped into each other as I was walking in the general vicinity of the Funnel's famous houses of pleasure I can assure you that my intentions were nothing of the sort. I was on my way to a sleazy dice game run by a known cheat and cutthroat, I can assure you"

His voice had a slight mocking tone that indicated his outrage was completely forced. Walking the preistess safely back to the temples meant he'd miss Spotty's game but Kellis was probably right about that. Best to keep his money for now.

"But, while we're on the topic of my pleasure. Some of my coarser friends were wondering what the rules were concerning members of the clergy and their cohabitation with members of the opposite sex."

Eris gave him a look that indicated she knew exactly what he was speaking of.

"Oh no, not for me you understand, but my friend Oggie has this crush on a priestess from the Temple of War. He was wondering if they're allowed to, you know, engage in romantic affairs. And if so, are the rules at your own temple the same? You know, for curiosities sake?"

 

[Drinking Cap]

Ogbar

Oggie had left the pub, his gold burning a hole in his pocket, as he made his way towards the brothels. He had to duck down as he walked through the door

It is hard at times, he thought, living in a world where you're too big for most things. Still, as he walked slowly towards the brothel, his large axe hanging from his belt, he ackowledged that there were some positive side effects. He would almost certainly be headed towards the brothel owned by Madame Izkabar. There was a beautiful young woman working there by the name of Ilssa with chestnut brown skin, long black hair and impressively large breasts. After his last visit, in which he'd made Ilssa howl with the ultimate pleasure at least a dozen times, she'd offered him a discount whenever he'd like to return. It seemed once these human women tried Orc, they couldn't get enough.

He'd almost made his way to the Brothel when he felt a tugging at his arm. He turned around expecting to see a drunk human looking for a fight but only saw a human female.

"What are you?" The blonde haired female asked. Og looked at her face, which was rather attractive, with bright blue eyes and dark red lips before shaking his head. He had no time for explaining what an Orc was.

"I mean no harm, sir. I wondered what you are." she persisted. It was then that Og began to look her body up and down. Her dress indicated she was in service to the Temple of War and the brand on her arm indicated that was not of her choosing. Her body was among the finest Ogbar had seen with generous swells sitting high on her chest, a slim tapered waist and long legs.

She'll do, thought Og crudely.

"What I am, human, is an Orc." He turned to face her. He was a few heads taller than her and looking down on her allowed him to view the lovely sight of her impressive cleavage "Who I am is Ogbar. Who, and what, may I ask are you?"

 

[caela]

His mock surprise and the fake dismay on his face made her laugh. She was too used to the the stuffy Priests in the Temple. They tended to forget that not all Wisdom was dour and boring but that sometimes it could be found in more unexpected places.

"Do forgive me for impunging your integrity Marcus. I would never assume that such a handsome devil couldn't get his pleasure without paying for it."

She grinned at the mention of a dice game and recalled the one time she had met Spotty. He'd had a knife cut that had gone septic and Kellis had actually come to the Temple to fetch her.

"I de believe Marcus that you'd get more for your money at the brothel than at one of Spotty's dice games. I've met him and he's the only one that profits from them." She couldn't help but chuckle slightly at the startled look on his face when she mentioned Spotty by name. "And yes Kellis has made sure I know most of the names worth knowing in the Funnels. She makes certain that no ruffians give me problems when I am down there."

When he turned the conversation toward the dating practices of the clergy Eris couldn't help but smiling knowingly at him.

"Oh no, not for me you understand, but my friend Oggie has this crush on a priestess from the Temple of War. He was wondering if they're allowed to, you know, engage in romantic affairs. And if so, are the rules at your own temple the same? You know, for curiosities sake?"

"Well unfortunatly I can't satisfy your friends curiosity, I'm not sure what the rules are governing such practices in the War God's Temple. In my Temple however such things are seen as a natural part of who a person is and so unless a Priest or Priestess takes vows of celibacy we are allowed to form attachments where we will."

She grinned impishly up at him to see how he would take that little bit of news. If asked she would have admitted that she found him quite attractive but Eris was nobely born and not one to simple tumble into bed because of an attractive smile. She chuckled to herself because a few of the younger Priests had tried but as of yet her maidenhead was still firmly intact. Something most of the other clergy wouldn't have believed with her frequent trips to the Funnels.

 

[landiek]

"What I am, human, is an Orc." He turned to face her. He was a few heads taller than her and looking down on her allowed him to view the lovely sight of her impressive cleavage "Who I am is Ogbar. Who, and what, may I ask are you?"

Venus' eyes lite up like that of a child receiving a treat as he revealed his nature. "I am called Venus, small vision of loveliness and a servent to the Temple of Arenzankia. "

The she smiled up at him and lightly reached out to touch his face.

Being slightly amused Ogbar leaned down to allow her that small touch to his skin, thinking that she would become afraid or make some off handed remark adding to his list of reasons not to trust her kind.

Venus gently caressed the giant cheek with her hand then smiled and leaned forward and kissed his nose with the softest kiss Ogbar had ever received in his life.

"I think you are a gentle creature then." Venus explained as her eyes sparkled again. She reached in her basket and gave him one of the prized fruits. Then dropped to her knees and kissed the tops of his boots before rising and picking up the basket to head on her way back into the commons. "I shall offer prayers for you, dear Ogbar."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
a perfect pix for Venus

 

[TheScarletBlade]

Commander Maelo moved easily through the streets he had once known.Things had rapidly changed over the twenty long years he spent rotting in the hellish dungeons of the state.His eyes trying to take in everything at the same time,a genuine smile giving a soft light to his face.He saw some old resemblence of the city he used to live in,he felt at home amongst the darkness and amongst the majestic city of temples.

His pace was more of a slowed yet not trudgingly slow,he was just taking a relaxing walk through the beautiful city,getting some fresh air in his lungs.Even the way the air felt upon his lungs was different,he was no long breathing the air of the dungeon:like poison to ones lungs,with the filth of sweat,blood and tears,with the stench of death and pain.

Walking down the side walk,even though the main cobble stone road was clear of all traffic since it was night time,the lone warrior moved towards the end of the street:it was a four way section.Looking to the left then right,he saw a contingent of people down near where he remembered the brothels were,that was expected:knowing the people of city had to seek enjoyment somewhere.It wasn't that he thought prostitution was immoral or anything like that,he just didn't have a reason most of the the time to head to a place such as that.

Before Maelo could take another step foreward,the shadows near his position shifted and suddenly a figure with the same frame of the man that freed him leaned against the wall,his arms crossed across his chest.The man's voice was once again annoying to the solider becuase he knew it but he couldn't place it,it was a shadow on his past.

The figure stirred a little bit,Maelo could not see the figures large smirk yet knew the cunning man would have one,Maelo was sure he enjoyed pulling his strings and keeping Maelo in the dark as well."Its time for your first mission,now that your back into the field,isn't that wonderful!" The man spoke loudly,thinking that people down aways on the street couldn't hear him."Your mission is to infiltrate the temple of the god of war and protector of the weak and steal a precious item from the head priests room and while your at it,give the old bastard a knife in the back?"

Maelo looked around,trying to see if anyone had heard the man,always suspucious of everyone,to Maelo even the smallest speck of dust had ears and in a land with mages:they might as well have them.Maelo's face controrted in anger yet he tried to keep his cool "I am not a theif or an Assassin! I am better than that and you know it!" Maelo said in a sort of anger tone yet not to loud.

"Your what I command you to be you worm.Your no better than anyone,hell I know some rookies that could beat your ass in your own field,your to rusty after twenty years in the dungeons,your glad I digged your ass up,now I don't care what you are,this is a matter of the state,you serve the king don't ya? well then get to WORK!" The man roared angrly,trying to put his foot down on the soldier before he got outta line.

"How do I know you work for the state?" Maelo asked as he tried to sly bring his man in the shadows out into some light "I mean I have never seen your face or even heard your name? how do I know this isn't some sort of vengence plot against the temple of war or some means of creating some holy war amongst all the temples?" Maelo asked with a sly smirk of his own.

"You will learn upon the completetion of the mission,take this peice of paper and get to it you dog" The man said as he threw a paper at the feet of Maelo then seemingly just wrapped the shadows around him then he was gone,it was obviously magic:that made him a powerful mage.Rushing to the paper,Maelo picked it up and read the words:

Anyone bearing this note has done what they have done for the good of the state

Signed
The king.

Maelo sighed,he had no choice than to do this.It wasn't that he was afraid to do it,he just thought it immoral to assassinate people.He had no trouble destroying enemy warriors but priests and priestess? was that even fair that he had to fight them? Shaking his head,Maelo looked around,hoping he hadn't attracted any attention.

 

[Drinking Cap]

Maracus

"Well unfortunatly I can't satisfy your friends curiosity, I'm not sure what the rules are governing such practices in the War God's Temple. In my Temple however such things are seen as a natural part of who a person is and so unless a Priest or Priestess takes vows of celibacy we are allowed to form attachments where we will."

Eris said this with a grin as she looked at Maracus. If he hadn't known better, he'd have sworn this was said with a slightly flirtatious intent. He returned the grin. Maracus was beginning to see why Kellis thought of the priestess so highly. She wasn't at all like the clergy he remembered. With talk of morality and allegiance to one particular deity. Eris was fun with a lively sense of humour. She wasn't falling for any of his usual lines and he found himself as intrigued by her as by any woman he could remember

"Well that is a boon on such a fine day. Remarkable attitudes the churches are taking these days. I might just find myself returning to the temple one of these days to pay homage "

The two gradually made their way into the realm of the gentry and the temples. The dour and dirty atmosphere of the Funnels being replaced by the large, impressive structures with statues of the gods dotting the streets. There were many open stretches of grass and the well dressed residents of Songeree went about their business. It was as if it were a completely different world from the Funnels, despite it being a short walk away.

"So then Eris, what exactly was it that encouraged you towards service to the goddess?" Maracus broke the uncomfortable silence created by the numerous strange looks the ragged youth received. The people of the Temples were obviously dismayed to a scruffy young man such as himself escorting a beautiful priestess, arm in arm.

 

[caela]

"So then Eris, what exactly was it that encouraged you towards service to the goddess?" Maracus broke the uncomfortable silence created by the numerous strange looks the ragged youth received. The people of the Temples were obviously dismayed to a scruffy young man such as himself escorting a beautiful priestess, arm in arm.

She felt Marcus growing tense from the looks that the nobles cast him and she leaned up to whisper softly in his ear, "Ignore the fools Marcus. Those looks are as much for me as for you anyway...probably more so." Her voice trailed off as they passed a splendid mansion whose courtyard was filled with children laughing and playing. Eris felt her heart wrench at the sight of them for unknown to the children or to Marcus these were her neices and nephews, children she would never be allowed to know because of her decision to serve her Goddess.

Shaking away her dour thoughts she smiled softly again. "As for what drew me to service...many things. She was my mother's patron goddess and I guess I always sort of looked on the Priestesses in her temple as mother figures since my own mother died giving birth to me. Papa oftent old me stories of my own mother's time in the Temple. She was a Priestess herself before she married.

And there was the dream."

Eris paused for a moment trying to decide just how much to reveal but since she'd already started she might as well continue it.

"I dreamed of Her. Or perhaps she came to me in a dream, I don't pretend to know if it was a vision or simply my hearts desire making itself known. Either way I knew when I woke up the next day that I would dedicate myself to Her service."

She left it there and rather hoped he'd change the subject now because she didn't want to end up talking about her family. She missed them terribly every day but she had learned to live with their loss and the children of the Funnels had become as much family to her as her own blood kin.

"What drew you to theivery oh King of Thieves?"

 

[Drinking Cap]

Ogbar

"I am called Venus, small vision of loveliness and a servent to the Temple of Arenzankia. "

The short young woman said in a soft, melodious voice. Ogbar smiled. They'd gotten the part about the small vision of loveliness right. The girl was as beautiful and stirring as any human female he'd ever seen in the darkness of the Funnels. She reached a small hand up and Ogbar bent down to receive it. Venus caressed his cheek and kissed his nose, which brought a genuine smile to the Orcs face. It wasn't often he met a human who wasn't intimidated by his fearsome visage.

"I think you are a gentle creature then." The girl then completely surprised Ogbar by bending down to kiss him on the feet. It was a custom Ogbar was completely unfamiliar with but enjoyed as it afforded him the opportunity to admire the parts of her tender body that he could now see. The girl stood up and handed him a piece of fruit. As an Orc, Og rarely had a taste for anything besides rare red meat. Still, he accepted the gift graciously.

""I shall offer prayers for you, dear Ogbar." She said with an innocent smile. She was about to turn and make her way back to the market place when Ogbar reached out a large hand and held her elbow gently.

"Hold, please. MY dear, it is so rare that I get to meet a human who doesn't find me grotesque or fearful. Is it perhaps one of the teachings of the temple you serve?" He asked with a hopeful eye. The girl was beautiful and kind and aside from his interest in her of a sexual nature he also sensed she would be a lovely companion for the evening.

"Perhaps you would consider accompanying me back to my humble abode? You could join me for a drink and further tell me of the ways of your god?"

 

[Drinking Cap]

Maracus smiled as he listened to her story. He'd been pleased with her words of reassurance about the looks from the nobles.

It was a sadder story than he'd expected. He felt a pang of sympathy as she mentioned the mother she'd never known. Maracus hadn't known either of his parents and there was little chance he ever would. They had left him with no note or mysterious amulet with which to decipher his parentage when they had dropped him off at one of the orphanages in the Funnels.

"I dreamed of Her. Or perhaps she came to me in a dream, I don't pretend to know if it was a vision or simply my hearts desire making itself known. Either way I knew when I woke up the next day that I would dedicate myself to Her service."

Maracus looked at her strangely when she said this. He'd seen mages and priests do incredible things but he still looked at the supernatural with a small degree of skepticism. Still, it was what she believed and Maracus shrugged it off. We all have reasons for the things we do, he thought as an uncomfortable silence filled the air. Eris had finished her story and he saw a brief look of sadness on her face before the smile he was beginning to enjoy a great deal sprang back on.

"What drew you to theivery oh King of Thieves?" she asked

He thought about this for a second before answering. Nothing in particular had drawn him to the life of a thief outside of a lack of interest in doing any work. A poor youth in the funnels had two options in life. An honest life of backbreaking labour for little pay or a criminal life with high risk and high reward.

"Well, this may surpise you my dear but thievery was not my first choice of an occupation. No, I had originally intended on becoming the lord high governor of Songeree. Sadly when I applied I was told it wasn't open to filthy ten year old street children. Sad really, for a boys dreams to be crushed like that." He laughed with this, the idea of a younger him aspiring to rule the City of the Temples "Becoming the greatest thief that ever lived seemed like a good second choice."

They passed more large and impressive houses and Maracus gradually began to realize he had no clue where they were walking. His only trips to this part of town had been with the intention of breaking into houses or picking pockets.

"Well milady, I think our time together might rapidly be coming towards an end. I'm afraid I don't know this part of town well and I have some trouble telling the different temples apart. My use as a guide is fading slightly" They passed a magnificently large temple with a large golden statue of an impressively muscled man holding a huge broadsword "Although I'll go out on a limb and say that this is not the temple of the goddess of wisdom"

 

[caela]

They passed a magnificently large temple with a large golden statue of an impressively muscled man holding a huge broadsword "Although I'll go out on a limb and say that this is not the temple of the goddess of wisdom"

Eris laughed in delight and shook her head. "No, not quite. Honestly I'm not sure which god this temple is dedicated to thought I'd suspect it is some god of soldiers or war. No, my Goddess Temple was one of the first built in this city and so it resides up there." Eris pointed as she spoke and when Marcus followed where she pointed he realized she was pointing very near the palace itself.

"We used to be councelors to the nobility in Songaree and as such the temple was built in a place of honor and easy access by those in authority. We've fallen a bit out of favor though, Nobles don't like hearing truth or wisdom. I think they would move us if they could but even in a city where most think the gods have deserted them they are wary of insulting them."

Pausing she turned her head to grin teasingly up at Marcus, "You'll just have to learn your way there or how else are you supposed to play guide for me? Besides I like my friends to come and visit me. Kellis does you know? The Priests will teach any who want to learn and Kellis takes lessons with some of the acolytes. She's quite the clever girl. She even keeps a part of what she 'earns' in the Temple bank. I believe about half of the gold she makes ends up there. Then when it's slow she doesn't go hungry."

 

[landiek]

"Hold, please. MY dear, it is so rare that I get to meet a human who doesn't find me grotesque or fearful. Is it perhaps one of the teachings of the temple you serve?" He asked with a hopeful eye.

"The Preists will be waiting for me, Ogbar. I have many duties that are to be done before the sun sets. Yet it was my Temple sisters that taught me to behold the inner beauty for Even Arenzankia is a feircesome God. One must see beauty in many forms even one called an Orc." Venus smiled and rested her hand over his upon her elbow.

"Perhaps you would consider accompanying me back to my humble abode? You could join me for a drink and further tell me of the ways of your god?" Ogbar suggested.

Venus trembled for a moment as a smile crept over her face. She had never had an opportunity to tell others about Arenzankia. "For that reason then I shall go hither with you. But I must refrain from drink of wines upon my lips for I am still within my first year of service."

Venus walked with the Orc and talked about the lore of the God of War and a little of her life. "I went there last spring when the rains ceased. In six days my first year shall be over and I may serve Arenzankia more fully. My sight was failing and my prayers to Arenzankia were heard, my sight returned and much better. I devoted myself to the Temple and it's upkeep. In the first month I had found a dozen hidden paths. They weren't really hidden but no longer used. But there are places one could mediate and thus I studied harder. In the books of the Law it says that Arenzankia, once walked the lands with joy until Keljonis came from the underworld and tried to destroy all that Goddess Mother made. The people that lived on the land were not match for the demons and legions that Keljonis commanded so he created the Marble Warriors and declared War upon the beasts. It was a long battle and both sides lost much but to Arenzankia's shock a young female was killed in bloody sacrifice by Keljonis. What was unspoken was the human girl was truly the daughter of Arenzankia and she was in her first year of blossoming from child to woman."

Venus looked up at Ogbar and began to wonder if the stories of Arenzankia returning to the lands and coming to the worthy first year girls and taking them from youth to maturity. One truly didn't know what The God looked like and of course God's could manifest in any form, so she was more afraid of being out of favor to The God then being too bashful to the words of the Temple Priests.

"Ogbar, do you believe in the Gods?" Venus asked with her soft child-like voice. In her heart she was hoping that he might become a follower but one can never divine the thinking of another, especially one that is endowed male.

 

[Drinking Cap]

Maracus

"You'll just have to learn your way there or how else are you supposed to play guide for me? Besides I like my friends to come and visit me. Kellis does you know? The Priests will teach any who want to learn and Kellis takes lessons with some of the acolytes. She's quite the clever girl. She even keeps a part of what she 'earns' in the Temple bank. I believe about half of the gold she makes ends up there. Then when it's slow she doesn't go hungry."

Maracus frowned as she said this. He was remembering the outstanding snatch job that Kellis had done on his pockets earlier. If she was indeed putting half of her earnings into the temple bank then she no doubt had a great deal more money to her name than Maracus did to his.

"Well, it's nice to know that the girl is investing my money so wisely." he fumed although he instantly regretted the way it made him sound. He didn't begrudge Kellis or Oggie or anyone for being better with their money than he was with his. If only he had the fortitude to stay out of the gambling halls, his skills on the streets could probably have him moved out of the Funnels in half a years time. Still, he was perpetually convinced his luck was bound to change.

"No, she's a good kid and whip smart. There are times when I think, dare I say it, she could get even better than I am someday. It's good to hear that she's taking lessons as I'd hate to see all of her natural talents wasted on the lessons of lifting other peoples moneypurses"

He turned to look with her with a gracious smile

"And it's good that you do what you do for the rest of the children. Not many priests or priestesses helped me out when I was growing up on the streets. Oh, if only there were a good woman of the temple who could rehabilitate me, perhaps I might be finally able to leave behind this wicked life of crime and simple pleasures" He said this with a dramatic flourish away from her and then peaked back at her as he finished.