Café de Nuit

Lia looks about the carefully supported ruin of the Grand Cathedral and makes a quick series of gestures; a circle drawn on the forehead, followed by a covering of the left eye, followed by a circle drawn over the heart. That done with, she does not seem to notice the priest who has come to greet Ms. Viardot with such enthusiasm, as she has already wandered away from the group towards the red-haired woman who seems to be in charge of the restorative labours.

"Is the work going well?" she asks, her voice actually respectful and polite. "My name is Lia Mourneswaithe." She holds out a hand for shaking.

(OOC: If we can add half our level, I got an Int. check of 10. *sigh*)

Nicholas nods a greeeing to the warden and taps his cane against his forehead, there were a million questions being asked and he didnt feel the need to complicate things further.

Whilst introductions and conversation ensues Nicholas looks around at the Cathedral with an air of slight interest. Being of a less than religious disposition, he had never actually set foot in the building, but it was still a gothic masterpiece, and one could appreciate the form and the atmosphere even if dogma and prayers didnt do anything for you.

In fact the place had a melancholic air that the poet found rather agreeable, so much so that he began composing fragments of verse under his breath.

"Neath shattered walls, and darkness cold,
some little faith shall still transpire,
For the warmth of passion stirs us bold,
shielding our hearts from night’s suspire."


20 on the INt check and apologies for the crappy poetry

Ste. Mere des Larmes, Quartier Publique, Port-a-Lucine; March 24th, 770
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Kerrian wrote:"When did it get damaged? Did it happen recently?" from his tone, Kerrian clearly meant during the recent...unpleasantness. "I...can't believe anyone would willingly damage it..it's beautiful."

"N-no, no, it was before, before then," Richard answered, looking rather sad. "Who, I don't, I don't know why. Anger, at the church, at the wardens, at the, the Icon, perhaps. The Icon has, has always offered healing and, and judgment by it's, it's own logic. Some, some people can't accept it when, when it doesn't answer them."

"I doubt we'll ever know what truly motivated the man. Halfway during his attempt he was stuck blind, deaf, and cursed with leprosy," Alice said, offhandedly. "I thought it was a tad excessive, myself, but I suppose I was not the one being wronged. Still," she continued, lowering her voice slightly, "there are rumors that the Icon has become much more active in healing the sick, of late."

"Per, perhaps he got what, what he wanted, in the end," Richard mused.

"Certainly not in the manner he wanted it," Alice said, raising an eyebrow.

Celeste wrote:“Ah, but Warden Giroud—to our purpose!” You could hear Celeste remember, suddenly, that she was at the Cathedral for a reason. “Our errand this day casts your Mlle. Viardot in a role in which you should be most unaccustomed to encounter her. I speak, Warden Giroud…” She leaned in a few inches, resorting again to her unfortunate stage whisper.

“…of the role of Investigatoress!”

With a flourish, she handed the priest the letter of introduction. “The details of our quest are detailed herein, dear Warden…oh, do say that we may explore this matter to our fullest capacity!”

Mr. Agale wrote:"We are here in a semi official capacity on behalf of Captain Cedolin to assist as we may in his investigation into the disappearances here lately. Unfortunately, the good captain was not entirely possessed of his wits so if you would be so kind as to reiterate for our benefit what details you told him, we would be grateful."

Warden Giroud, apparently used to Celeste, simply took the letter and opened it, hazel eyes racing across Cedolin's letter. He nodded to himself. "If Captain Cedolin trusts you, then I maybe you can help after all. The story, unfortunately, is short in the telling."

"The disappearances began two nights ago. The first priest to disappear was Warden Lecanu, who was last seen in the main library around nine in the evening. The people Cedolin and I spoke to remember that he was agitated and nervous. Lecanu was one of the best antiquarians in the church, a master illuminator and restorer of damaged texts."

"Sometime later that night, a little past midnight I believe, a few priests recall that Warden Vaillant knocked on their doors and asked about Lecanu. He was quite concerned. None of the priests could help him, and that was the last anyone saw Warden Vaillant. He was a scholar, quite interested in numerology, and I understand he and Lecanu were very close friends."

"Warden Grenier was a younger man, visiting here from the Darkonian branch of the faith. A very intense young man, but an excellent preacher." Giroud said tactfully. "He was the person most interested in the disappearances, although we were all very concerned, and I understand he spent most of the day roaming around the Cathedral. Then he disappeared last night as well, and no one knows where he went. No one knows where any of the three went, really."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lia wrote:"Is the work going well?" she asks, her voice actually respectful and polite. "My name is Lia Mourneswaithe." She holds out a hand for shaking.

"Well enough, considering the situation. The actual glass survived, miraculously if you'll forgive the term, but the lead framing was badly pitted." The red-haired woman said, a pursing of the lips ample testament to just what she thought about the damage to the Icon. "We'll be taking the entire Icon down tonight so we can start putting the glass into the replacement frame."

"I'm Dr. Nicole Poincare, by the way. University of Dementlieu, I teach art history there." Poincare took Lia's hand in a single, black glove. Upon closer inspection, one had to revise the estimate of her age upward a little, to the mid forties most likely, to judge from the speckling of silver in her brilliant red locks. Poincare was a handsome woman, and might've been outright beautiful were it not for the severe cut of her clothing. "Are you interested in art history and art preservation, or just passing by?"

NeoTiamat wrote:"Well enough, considering the situation. The actual glass survived, miraculously if you'll forgive the term, but the lead framing was badly pitted. We'll be taking the entire Icon down tonight so we can start putting the glass into the replacement frame."

"A ... nerve-wracking undertaking, I would imagine," Lia says, as tactfully as she can. She eyes the Icon of Ezra carefully, just as she might size up an opponent she does not really want to fight. 'All these years, madame,' she thinks as she looks into the eyes of Ezra, 'and I still do not feel comfortable around you. Not comfortable at all.'

She shakes herself briefly when the lady speaks again:

NeoTiamat wrote:"I'm Dr. Nicole Poincare, by the way. University of Dementlieu, I teach art history there. Are you interested in art history and art preservation, or just passing by?"

"My own scholastic fous would lie more in the areas of general history, Doctor," Lia replies. "But I am also affiliated with the faculty of religion, so I suppose there is at least some overlap between our interests in the Icon."

Lia smiles a little at this, feeling no need to comment on the other woman's wearing gloves when she does the same continuously. Though hopefully, for different reasons ..

"But alas, I can't pretend I'm only here out of scholastic interest," she admits. "We were asked to come here and see if we could find out anything about the disappeared Anchorites. I don't suppose you and your staff have noticed anything out of the ordinary ...?"

Mr. Agale remained silent throughout the Warden's telling of events. He steepled his fingers and concentrated upon the account. Once Giroud had finished, he spoke.

"Am I correct in inferring then Warden, that each of these priests was a highly learned individual? I would hypothesize that Lecanu uncovered something during his studies which either led him to pursue the matter elsewhere or incited his abduction by other interested parties. Vaillant and Grenier most likely followed in his footsteps and suffered the same fate.

If it would not inconvenience you Warden, I would like to take a look around the library where Lecanu was last seen. I am also interested in particular with the volumes he was working with at the time of his disappearance and if those, or other manuscripts have recently gone missing. This may shed light on the reason for their absences if not the specific means."

What he did not add aloud was the fact that to uncover the Wardens' fates, he and his compatriots would need risk their own vanishing.

Ste. Mere des Larmes, Quartier Publique, Port-a-Lucine; Afternoon of March 24th, 770
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mr. Agale wrote:If it would not inconvenience you Warden, I would like to take a look around the library where Lecanu was last seen. I am also interested in particular with the volumes he was working with at the time of his disappearance and if those, or other manuscripts have recently gone missing. This may shed light on the reason for their absences if not the specific means."

"That... can be arranged." Warden Giroud said after a moments thought. "The main library is usually off-limits to the public, but under the circumstances that can be waived."

"As for the rest, Warden Lecanu had most recently been completed an illuminated copy of Sentire Fedrikov's Contemplations, and was currently working on creating the etchings for a prayerbook we were hoping to mass-produce." Warden Giroud smiled quietly. "We've recently shipped in a printing press from Lamordia, and have high hopes for the device."

"Would you like to look at the library first, or shall I see if perhaps Bastion Pineau will see you now?" The tubby Ezran paused, then added. "I can also provide the keys to our missing anchorites quarters, if you think it will be of assistance."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lia wrote:"A ... nerve-wracking undertaking, I would imagine," Lia says, as tactfully as she can.

"That's the polite way to put it." Dr. Poincare said with a smile that contained just a touch of gallows humor. "One slip of an assistant's grip, and I'll be lucky if I get to spend the rest of my career on childrens finger-painting."

Lia wrote:"But alas, I can't pretend I'm only here out of scholastic interest," she admits. "We were asked to come here and see if we could find out anything about the disappeared Anchorites. I don't suppose you and your staff have noticed anything out of the ordinary ...?"

"I'm afraid not. I mostly deal with the Bastion direct, and we generally go home at the end of the day." Dr. Poincare said, tapping her chin with a single, gloved finger. "Although... you do hear rumors. Mostly the same minor backbiting as anywhere else. This anchorite is a secret drinker, that anchorite is a little too close to someone's wife, things like that. You wouldn't believe the kinds of things people say."

"I think someone told me that Warden Lecanu was seen entering one of the large warehouses at the Docks, wish I could remember who it was told me." Poincare paused for a moment, then shrugged. "It's a ridiculous rumor, of course. The Docks are dangerous, and I can't imagine why someone who'd lived as sheltered a life as Warden Lecanu would be found there."

"I wish I could help you more." Poincare favored Lia with a somewhat unhappy smile.

Lia bows to the Doctor. "You have been very helpful already," she assures her. "I wonder ... have you considered the use of minor magics to assist in this process? The Mage Hand spell can lift small objects with efficiency and care. Small pieces of glass should not be a problem. If you could recruit some of the first year students from the faculty of Arcane Science ...?"

"Would you like to look at the library first, or shall I see if perhaps Bastion Pineau will see you now?" The tubby Ezran paused, then added. "I can also provide the keys to our missing anchorites quarters, if you think it will be of assistance."

"I think that would be best, Warden." Tomas says politely, still looking a little sheepish. "I realize our investigation is somewhat unconventional, and would not want the Bastion to think that we are taking this lightly, or that we do not recognize his authority within these walls. The keys would be very much appreciated, and I thank you for your cooperation."

Tomas resists looking smug about getting three whole sentences out while keeping formal, but just barely.

Darius tears himself away from an examination of the windows to ask, "Warden Giroud, is there a map of..." He gestures to the Cathedral. "All of this? It might help us understand the sequence of events...indicate where the disappeared might have left, where something might come in, hint who might have seen them leave. Also...I hesitate to impose..." He gestures ironically to his raiment. "But they have disappeared at night, yes? It might be desirable to allow a group such as ours to spend the night ourselves, and observe the routine of the place. I suppose you have already instructed the priests they must go about in pairs after nightfall."

M. Eisenwald wrote:"I realize our investigation is somewhat unconventional, and would not want the Bastion to think that we are taking this lightly, or that we do not recognize his authority within these walls. The keys would be very much appreciated, and I thank you for your cooperation."

“Splendidly put, M. Eisenwald, splendidly put. I should expect no less attention to propriety from so distinguished an Adventurer: after all, nobility of purpose cannot help but result in nobility of comportment! M. Eisenwald has written novels upon the subject of Errantry, dear Warden—novels! I shall have to lend you one of my own copies when the opportunity presents itself.” Either Celeste had picked up on Tomas’ efforts at formality or she hadn’t, but she seemed perfectly sincere in claiming it well-executed.

“But yes: an interview with the good Bastion Pineau would be most amicable to our purposes. And after, Warden Giroud…ah, I have always held that one’s home may act as the window to one’s deepest self, whether it be the grandest of estates or the monk’s humble cloister! No doubt an exploration of these wayward clerics’ quarters shall shed untold illumination upon their present whereabouts.”

Cyrus managed not to sneer or gloat over the Ezrans' misfortune. However, he did not miss the irony that the Ezrans accepted aid from the Lawgiver's clergy. He took immeasurable delight in knowing that this sort of atrocity would never happen in a proper cathedral.

Despite his acidity, though, he knew better than to overtly insult the Ezrans.

"All of the sites in time, I am sure, Warden," Cyrus smiled and adjusted his dark glasses. "Dommer Cyrus Isfahani. A pleasure, I'm sure. The first place to check after our interview should probably be where they were last seen. We can follow their trail back to their quarters to see what they were getting into. Have you checked their chambers since they vanished? If so, did you find anything of note? Journals that tell what they're afraid of, suspicious markings or writings, anything at all?"

Darius wrote:"It might be desirable to allow a group such as ours to spend the night ourselves, and observe the routine of the place."

"Let us hope that this mystery can be deduced without resorting to such reckless measures Mr. Isfahani " Agale interjected. The prospect of a cold night wandering the cathedral waiting to be ambushed did not sit well with the Tollere. Neither did meeting with the Bastion for that matter. In the Borcan's experience, the kind of men who ascended to ranks like bastion were rarely the type who had anything useful to contribute when the situation fouled. Nevertheless, if protocol demanded Pineau be consulted, then so be it. "Lead the way Warden."

"Did anything seem out of place or disturbed?" Kerrian asked. Sure they could probably ascertain that for themselves upon seeing the locations the priests disappeared from, but one never knew. "Or was there anything else out of the ordinary that doesn't seem connected to the dissapperances that happened recently...besides well..the unpleasantness?"

Nicholas keeps half an ear on whats happening, nodding quietly as the main lines of investigation are identified with some aplomb by the erstwhile band of investigators. In the meantime he wanders aimlesly around the edge of the group, gazing around, composing as he goes.

"Darkness, spirit me away
My anguished soul doth strain
On taut and twisted reins
Yet, insatiate I still remain"

Warden Giroud wrote:"As for the rest, Warden Lecanu had most recently been completed an illuminated copy of Sentire Fedrikov's Contemplations, and was currently working on creating the etchings for a prayerbook we were hoping to mass-produce."

That snaps him back to the here and now. "Warden, would you mind showing us or providing a list of all the manuscripts Warden Lecanu has worked on in the last weeks? It may be nothing but there is a chance this mystery may be linked to his work, I would in particular be most keen to see his copy of the Contemplations and the prayerbook."

Then with a smile he adds "On a personal note I would be most intrigued to view your print press, the marvels that allow the printed word to spread its wings are always a wonder to me."

Ste. Mere des Larmes, Quartier Publique, Port-a-Lucine; Afternoon of March 24th, 770
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Darius wrote:"Warden Giroud, is there a map of..." He gestures to the Cathedral. "All of this? It might help us understand the sequence of events...indicate where the disappeared might have left, where something might come in, hint who might have seen them leave. Also...I hesitate to impose..." He gestures ironically to his raiment. "But they have disappeared at night, yes? It might be desirable to allow a group such as ours to spend the night ourselves, and observe the routine of the place. I suppose you have already instructed the priests they must go about in pairs after nightfall."

"I'm afraid we don't have a map, but I'm sure any anchorite would be happy to lead you anywhere you like. Tell them that Warden Giroud authorized it if there are any questions." This was about as close as Giroud would come to noticing the Hazlani's tattoos and religious affiliation. "And I don't see any problem with your staying the night. We don't have any prohibitions about laypeople in the cathedral at night, if that is what you're wondering, it's just that Ste. Mere des Larmes gets rather cold after dark."

Kerrian wrote:"Did anything seem out of place or disturbed?" Kerrian asked. Sure they could probably ascertain that for themselves upon seeing the locations the priests disappeared from, but one never knew. "Or was there anything else out of the ordinary that doesn't seem connected to the dissapperances that happened recently...besides well..the unpleasantness?"

"Well, certainly nothing was disturbed, that we could find, but we're not even sure where the missing anchorites disappeared from. As for the rest..." The Ezran priest considered this for a moment before speaking. "I am hard pressed to say. The Church has been in something of an uproar over the last few weeks, for understandable reasons, and there have certainly been a fair share of arguments over the Church's proper role, but they occurred above the level of the disappeared anchorites. If anything even more unusual is going on, I'm not aware of it, though it's possible that something could be lost in all the background noise."

Cyrus wrote:"Have you checked their chambers since they vanished? If so, did you find anything of note? Journals that tell what they're afraid of, suspicious markings or writings, anything at all?"

"Captain Cedolin and myself examined Warden Lecanu's and Warden Vaillant's chambers yesterday, and I searched through Warden Grenier's quarters myself this morning, though the Captain was absent at the time." Giroud smiled a little apologetically. "While I do not claim to be a trained investigator, we certainly didn't find anything quite so... helpful."

Nicolas wrote:"Warden, would you mind showing us or providing a list of all the manuscripts Warden Lecanu has worked on in the last weeks? It may be nothing but there is a chance this mystery may be linked to his work, I would in particular be most keen to see his copy of the Contemplations and the prayerbook."

"It will take me a little time, but I don't foresee any trouble with that request." Giroud said. "I'll try and have them found by the end of the day."

Tomas wrote:"I think that would be best, Warden." Tomas says politely, still looking a little sheepish. "I realize our investigation is somewhat unconventional, and would not want the Bastion to think that we are taking this lightly, or that we do not recognize his authority within these walls. The keys would be very much appreciated, and I thank you for your cooperation."

Celeste wrote:“But yes: an interview with the good Bastion Pineau would be most amicable to our purposes. And after, Warden Giroud…ah, I have always held that one’s home may act as the window to one’s deepest self, whether it be the grandest of estates or the monk’s humble cloister! No doubt an exploration of these wayward clerics’ quarters shall shed untold illumination upon their present whereabouts.”

"Then let me see if the Bastion will see you, and then I'll go see about the keys." Warden Giroud said. "Follow me please."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"You have been very helpful already," she assures her. "I wonder ... have you considered the use of minor magics to assist in this process? The Mage Hand spell can lift small objects with efficiency and care. Small pieces of glass should not be a problem. If you could recruit some of the first year students from the faculty of Arcane Science ...?"

"Thank you, Mme. Mournswaithe, but I have been doing this for a while." Dr. Poincare said with a taut smile, but then she relented. "But thank you for the offer. All the same, I'd rather not risk some kind of magical accident, given the Icon's... nature."

"In any case, I wish you best of luck on your search." The restorer said. "If I learn anything else of interest I'll see that you're the first to know."

Ste. Mere des Larmes, Quartier Publique, Port-a-Lucine; Afternoon of March 24th, 770
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


The best word to describe Bastion Armand Pineau was... unimpressive. There was simply no avoiding it. The Bastion was a small man, not short but small, in the sense of one who took up very little room in his office in an out-building adjoining the Cathedral. He was in his fifties or sixties, a little man with a balding head and large glasses behind which lurked watery blue eyes. His robes of office were of the same cut as the majority of the Ezrans in the Cathedral, and on the whole, had one passed Bastion Pineau on the street, one would've dismissed him as no more than a minor parish priest.

Really, the only memorable thing about Pineau were his hands. Large and pale hands, with very long fingers, that put you in mind of plump spiders clutching a pen. He said nothing when Giroud first let you inside (after cooling your heels in an anteroom for about a quarter hour), merely reading Cedolin's letter of introduction.

"Interesting." Was the first word you heard Bastion Pineau say. Even his voice was unassuming, mild and not unpleasant to the ear, but in no way or manner memorable. "Very interesting. A curious conclave, but in times of crisis one takes such tools as come to hand."

"I applaud the Church of the Lawgiver, to be certain. Such charity and fellow-feeling shows an unusual sense of ecumenism for the clergy of Hazlan." The Bastion turned to you now, peering at the world through thick lenses. He smiled, which did absolutely nothing to make him friendlier. "Your assistance is accepted in the same spirit it is offered."

"I expect you are well-informed as to the nature of the recent events?"

Religion (DC 10+), History (DC 20+), and Streetwise (DC 25+) if you want to see what you know about Bastion Pineau