[Amelia] Chapter 5: Father, Shrine Maiden, and a Heroic Kitten

[Throndir]

《Chapter 4: The Royal City of Mendernich

Chapter 6: Mendernich Sewers》

《Chapter 5: Father, Shrine Maiden, and a Heroic Kitten》

《Summary》

Characters Met
Father Barnabas
Kaneda Takeru

Returning Characters
Kaneda Akari
Kurt von Engel
Nyxolis
Richmond von Engel the Fourth

Information
The world's religious systems (gods, who and what worships)
Akari has a home in Mendernich
Akari has a sickly younger brother with an incurable unknown and contagious disease
One of Nyx's heroic blessings.
Nyx goes out at night

Developments
Akari and her brother will live in the castle.

Location: New World - Bürsteig - Mendernich - Church of the Light
Date: Day 3 - Afternoon

"Here it is. The Church of the Light." The building before you was large and grand, with spires that reached high. It wasn't quite as large as the castle itself, though it was fairly large, and at the very least, seemed to have been more ornate.

"Our city Bremenburg, the religious capital of our country, didn't come with us during the shifting, or, when we were transported here, so this building represents the largest church we have in our country." Kurt narrowed his eyes.

"I think I see Father Barnabas." Kurt motioned towards the man sitting outside the church, in a very relaxed and calm manner.

The man seemed to be smoking something, creating smoke rings in the air. He looked completely relaxed.



Location: New World - Bürsteig - Mendernich - Church of the Light
Date: Day 3 - Afternoon

It was right before dinner, and you and Kurt decided to head back to the Crepe stand that Akari ran. Once there, her stand had a large 'Closed' sign on it, and the girl herself was putting things away. She quickly noticed you, and waved you on over.

"Indeed, glad I am that you came back!" She said smiling.

[Mysticsage]

https://www.youtube.com/v/Whd9v8JZ42Y

Location: New World - Bürsteig - Mendernich - Church of the Light
Date: Day 3 - Afternoon

Once Amelia and Kurt had approached the priest Amelia smiled the butterflies of meeting new people gone from throughout the day of introductions. "Good Day Farther, I'm Liam Atwell. I just joined the castle staff and was curious about the city, so the prince was kind enough to show me around. He said the church, in particular, was something to see, I must say he was understating things." She said holding out a hand.

"My family was never very religious, but I can't say that I've never been curious. Do you think I could impose on you to give us a tour of the church and answer a few of my questions? I've been hearing alot about you today and I do have to say it's piqued my interest on your perspective." Amelia said not sure if it was even worth disguising herself given just how much of her she was sure this man had seen given her previous injuries. But they were out in public and so she would at least try to get into a more private setting before making to many direct statements.



Location: New World - Bürsteig - Mendernich - Main Market
Date: Day 3 - Afternoon

"Your day wasn't too stressful I hope?" Said Amelia happily as they approached.

Amelia continued with the usual pleasantries as to not seem weird. Allowing for a few minutes before trying to steer the conversation. "If you did have a long day it's no trouble I can come back later. But ever since we meet this morning I've had questions about what we were talking about earlier. You seemed to have questions too, I doubt I can answer everything, but I'd be happy to answer what I can in return for answering my questions. And maybe showing me how you did that energy trick earlier?"

[Throndir]

Location: New World - Bürsteig - Mendernich - Church of the Light
Date: Day 3 - Afternoon

"Liam Atwell? Mmm..." He puffed a circle of smoke in the, then deep another breathe of his cigar.

"Just the castle staff, eh? Man, I thought this New World needed people like you for demons or some shit. Wasn't there some plan for a coronation too?" He chuckled to himself as he relaxed seemingly further on the steps outside of the church. "But who am I to judge, right? They made me into the head bishop of our country..."

"What a joke." He sighed. "But yeah, I can totally give you a tour around the place if you'd like. Yeah? Prince, you coming?"

"Certainly. Liam here is my guest..." Kurt said.



Location: New World - Bürsteig - Mendernich - Main Market
Date: Day 3 - Afternoon - Evening

"Trick? Indeed there is no trick... But I do see something special about you Liam..." She said as she finished putting everything away..

"My lord, and Liam, prudent it is if we were to go to my home here, maybe we can talk more freely!"

[Mysticsage]

Location: New World - Bürsteig - Mendernich - Church of the Light
Date: Day 3 - Afternoon

"Prior proper planning prevents piss poor performance," she said with a chuckle glad for the moment of honesty. " A smoking priest suddenly thrust into the spotlight as bishop should know the stress of being thrust into a job more than most." She smiling. It was people like this that somehow put her at ease, with their general attitude of not giving a shit. It made them easier to read due to their similarity to her friend back home.

"So I figured instead of just going with the flow of things forcing my own pace and try not to draw unneeded attention while I'm at it." The last statement was said almost under her breath so that only the two men would hear.

"So here I am!" she said going back to a normal voice. " Do you have a primer on the church and it's duties?"



Location: New World - Bürsteig - Mendernich - Main Market
Date: Day 3 - Afternoon

"Sure, lead the way." Amelia said this was her chance to see how normal people lived. Though as the sun continued to set she could not help but be a little suspicious.

Amelia stays on high alert to avoid getting jumped or surprise attacks. Let me know if I need to roll perception at any point to stay keen. She will definitely listen before entering."

[Throndir]

Sure, Perception requested! I'll get to a post later tonight.

[Mysticsage]

Perception

Rolled 1d20+2 : 1 + 2, total 3

[Throndir]

Location: New World - Bürsteig - Mendernich - Church of the Light
Date: Day 3 - Afternoon

"I know that too well, you know, back in the world, they'd never put me in this kind of position. But hey... I suppose it helps the people out at least. The other priests, especially the cardinals would never have agreed to much of anything. Luckily the castle, it seems, prefers a more laid-back church..." He glanced at Kurt, then back towards you.

"So you became Liam Atwell, yeah? Though, if you don't mind me saying, your voice, and soft look on the eyes, even dressed up as you are, is unmistakable. You probably have some bandages around your breasts, right?" He said, staring at your chest. You noticed Kurt tense a bit.

"Back when I was just a regular Father Ragnar Barnabas, I had to sneak off using disguises at times... You know... A good drink, and some relax time. So-called vices of the clergy." He shrugged. "The Goddess has yet to smite me!"

He picked himself up then.

"Duties of the church... Well, we run some schools, pray for people, collect donations, heal them with medicines and the like, teach reading and writing, and lastly misappropriate funds of course." He said flatly.

"I'm kidding about the last one, well, at least, these days since I took over. Most of the knighthood is associated with the church, along with the nobility too, so you can imagine how much corruption there was."



Location: New World - Bürsteig - Mendernich - Main Market
Date: Day 3 - Afternoon - Evening

The girl eventually lead the way to her abode, it was set near the walls of the city, and away from the primary roads of the city too. Unfortunately you couldn't quite pick out the exact route she travelled or the various people your group had bumped or passed by as you were focused on following Akari. Eventually you made it to her place, it was already starting to get darker out and about..

"This is my home here it is." She said as she pointed to one of the units.

[Mysticsage]

Amelia laughed, at the father's comments partially to hide the pink that was rising to her cheeks in the process. "I'm glad to see that the reputation that proceeded you, and the concern everyone had about you was wholly unwarranted. I prefer my priests to be open and honest about their own personage, regardless of faith or teachings I find the humanists tend to make the most sense myself. On that I seem to fall in line with the castle as well."  She was not going to let her stride be broken that easily. In particular she was not going to let herself be shook after surviving this morning. She refused to admit that some part of her still hoped this might be all just some kind fi dream after all. The kind that felt like a whole year passed before waking and realizing that it was all a trick of the early morning sun.
"You should go by your first name its far more fitting of your style you know that."

She listened intently as they walked through the gardens to the main entrance of the chapel. Knowing that the church took responsibilities not only for prayer and council but also, teaching, and medical treatment was good to take mental note of. The fact too that he readily offered the weeding of corruption as one of his selling points helped settle her nerves tremendously. Her mental list of potential threats was long enough as it was taking off the church at least for the moment was a huge weight off her shoulders. The idea of trying to figure out how to uproot who knew how many years of entrenched bad actors was not an appealing one.

"You know back home in my village we had some pretty interesting teaching methods that I feel like if you don't already have them could give the kids here a unique edge. I can't provide more than the basics at the moment myself but they say I work at a college level and high school is getting more and more complicated. I could see what I can compile and we should work something out. Like I said I know nothing about the gods or really how to act, so I'd be more than happy to trade lessons for lessons."

She paused as they walked into the church light like raindrops cascading around them from the various windows in the noonday sun. She whispered this next question more quietly to avoid prying eyes. "So what kind of God is this Goddess of light exactly? And do you let others worship here? I imagine a number of the other places of worship were destroyed in the move."



"Well let's go in to talk." Amelia followed her inside keeping an eye out for traps. She had been mugged a few times back home and here she didn't have the cops to back her up.

perception check to hear or see if anyone is waiting in the room

Rolled 1d20+2 : 6 + 2, total 8

[Throndir]

Location: New World - Bürsteig - Mendernich - Church of the Light
Date: Day 3 - Afternoon

"It seems education is more formalized where you're from, yeah? Here we primarily teach how to read and write, but we also go over the teachings of the Goddess. For anything higher level education, its the nobles who would then pay for a tutor to have them teach, usually their children, at their own estates."

"The Goddess of Light is the primary god that we worship. She has other sisters too that have their own temples, though not as popular as the Goddess of Light. The Goddess of Fire, the Goddess of Earth, the Goddess of Air, and finally the Goddess of Darkness. It is these 5 gods that govern our world, Erdesin, and it seems... it mainly holds true for the New World as well."

"The other churches from other countries are similar in structure to ours, though, usually they have differences in customs. However, most of the other countries worship the Goddess of Light. From what I can tell, our Goddess of Light is the same as theirs, though there were differences in their histories, along with stories passed down of the Goddess. If some of the more up-tight priests from Erdesin came with us in the 'Shifting' that brought us here, they probably would have declared these other churches as blasphemous."

"For the most part though... Bürsteig's Church of the Light keeps to themselves, there had been some other churches who wished to share information, but a couple have chosen to stick with their own dogma."



Location: New World - Bürsteig - Mendernich - Main Market
Date: Day 3 - Afternoon - Evening

Perception: 8
You don't notice anything suspicious.

Akari lead the way into her unit, and opening the door, you heard the sounds of coughing somewhere in the unit. Akari herself lit-up a nearby candle, then proceeded to light up a couple of lamps as well to brighten up the room.

She then proceeded to take a seat at the table, then invited you and Kurt to join her.

[Mysticsage]

Location: New World - Bürsteig - Mendernich - Church of the Light
Date: Day 3 - Afternoon

"Formalized is a good way to put it," said mulling over the specifics of everything that she had learned and her own plans rather than any kind of subtextual meaning that her plans were ill-advised. "We're only dealing with one city so the ability to actually teach people things would cost a whole lot less than trying to teach a whole nation." She murmured to herself.

The bits about the goddesses was interesting and valuable as it showed the general hierarchy of the city and its values. A city that places darkness had an entirely different perspective to the world than one that worshiped light as a point of fact. "What kinds of things does the goddess of light teach?" Ignoring any kind of internal value structure she would have to learn about each of them. Then a thought her "Why no god or goddess of Water? Seems like a rather large oversight? "

"And speaking about oversights why stay to yourself? Is there something specific you trying to keep intact some ritual or cultural traditions that you brought over from your world you don't want to lose?"




Location: New World - Bürsteig - Mendernich - Main Market
Date: Day 3 - Afternoon - Evening

Just going to list my questions like before feel free to break it up how you like

Amelia takes a seat at the table in one swift motion, "So like I said before I'll be happy to trade question for question if you like? As long as I can answer something I'll try my best to do so and then you'll do the same?"

"I guess I'll start you said I am more vibrant than the hero of your nation? Can you explain what you mean by that and how you can tell?"

"Is that a skill that can be taught?"

"What is your homeland like are they open to foreigners and travelers? What is this Hero you spoke of like?"

"Why did you come here? From everything I gathered you are no ordinary girl so you must be here for a reason?"

[Throndir]

Location: New World - Bürsteig - Mendernich - Church of the Light
Date: Day 3 - Afternoon

"Mmm... The Goddess of Light's tenants cover a multitude of topics and teachings. From forgiveness to loving each other, to wrath towards those who do evil. Take for example the followers of the Goddess of Darkness, who consort with demons too, which has become a problem for this New World, with the war being fought to fight them."

"The Goddess of Water was one such goddess who was never recorded in any of our histories and teachings. This is just but one of the differences that our church has with the others. Another church in the Felencorp United Alliance believe that the goddess is actually a god. Personally, I prefer her to be a goddess. There are other churches too that believe in specific gods, like gods of the forge, or of home. And yet others too that either omit one of the 5 gods we believe in, or include others in the pantheon. However, that said, there is still a concept of a Goddess of Light in all of these cultures, that one being the largest commonality between them all."

"There is a growing number between all of us churches, at least, those who are more forward thinking, who believe there is some sort of connection, but we don't know what that could be."

"That said, the reason why we aren't more open to each other, is simply due to all of these differences in beliefs. The people following one country's Goddess of Light have all learned a certain way, like for example... Take our country. We have 5 Goddesses. If anyone were to claim there was actually 10 or more Goddesses, then there would be an uproar, yeah?"

"There are some delegates from other churches coming in a week or two from now... We are to discuss the matter of trading information, with thoughts of attempting to create some sort of alliance between the churches of this world, not just among our respective governments." Father Ragnar Barnabas then shrugged. In a lower voice he continued.

"Because the Goddess of Light is prevalent in almost all of these countries... The belief that Summoned Heroes are from the Goddess of Light is also prevalent. Since you yourself is one, they might very well be more willing to listen to you..."



Location: New World - Bürsteig - Mendernich - Main Market
Date: Day 3 - Afternoon - Evening

There was some slight coughing that could be heard again coming from one of the rooms, but Akari didn't seem to pay it much mind and continued.

"Vibrant you are indeed..." Akari said explaining. "When I look at you, you seem to glow. An ability it is I have... It's not something that can be taught. The other shrine maidens told me that this is a special gift that I have... To be able to seek out those who are special or are touched in some way. Indeed it is from what I have seen, the hero from my country shines as you do, though, not as brightly."

"The head shrine maiden's foretelling told me that I would have to come here... to this new country that was summoned into this new world. Bur... Steg." Akari said, pronouncing the word. "Something important waits for me here, but I do not yet know what... But when I saw you, and that glow... Indeed, maybe it is you that I am looking for?"

"As for my homeland... told I was that we used to not be very open to foreign influences. But indeed with the war with the demons to our west... We accept any and all aid that we can get. We summoned our hero a few months ago, he is a very charming man, but I only got to see him once."

[Mysticsage]

Location: New World - Bürsteig - Mendernich - Church of the Light
Date: Day 3 - Afternoon

Amelia nodded along as she listened to his various explanations. She could hear his bias coming in when he talked about this "goddess of darkness". But putting that aside he seemed relatively reasonable as a person and someone she could work with.  "It seems like talking with people and making deals is going to take a lot of my near future." Amelia smiled "Just call me The Royal Negotiator that's as good a title as any for now. I'll put the meeting on the calendar."

"Though by inviting me you have signed yourself up to a lot of extra work getting me ready for it. You'll be spending a lot of time in the castle. And you may not like the answers I come to you realize. I've always believed that every religion has some truth to it so I may be more liberal then some may like. But I'll certainly try my best." She said holding out a hand, "We have a deal father? I'll help with the meeting and the populace but you have to teach me about the deities at least the 6 that are worshipped here. Or bring me someone who can "

"I suppose I should start by sitting through a sermon here if they happen on a schedule?"

Let me know if I need to roll dip to persuade him to be one of my teachers
and we can montage through the highlights of any sermon that happens

Location: New World - Bürsteig - Mendernich - Main Market
Date: Day 3 - Afternoon - Evening

Now, this may be the fact that Amelia was wrapped up in some kind of romantic idea of what a fantasy world should be, or some deeper insight that even she did not know she had that told her to trust this girl. All the same, she did find her story interesting and so no reason for her to try and lie. There was no way that she could know that she was like her homeland's hero after all unless she had some kind of power. "If you are looking for someone I'm far from being able to deny someone's help. It seems trying to hide that I'm not from around here was foolish with you. I'm a stranger in a strange land myself and if you promise to do right by me I promise to try and fulfill whatever prophecy you need me to. As long as it doesn't lead to the end of the world."

"Unless you want to continue working at the crepe shop I could use your help at the castle you are familar with the religion of your homeland I imagine given your title. That expertise alone would be invaluable not to mention teaching me any skills you could teach me that you learned as a shrine maiden."

"Do you need me to do anything for you in the near future to make this work.?"

[Throndir]

Location: New World - Bürsteig - Mendernich - Church of the Light
Date: Day 3 - Afternoon

Father Barnabas grinned, as he took another long inhale of his cigar.

"A student? Or an acolyte? Normally whenever one of the nobles ask for a tutor and request me specifically, I find some other random priest to do it..." He shrugged.

"But I've been slacking, yeah? I probably should do something of help since the goddess did grace me with this position. Alright, well, come by an hour each day, or however long you want... If I'm not here... I'd probably be at that tavern across from the castle."

He grinned wider.

"Praise the Goddess for providing good drink and a good smoke."

Father Barnabas has a variety of skills he can teach you, if you want, you can start up separate threads in the side stories section, so we can start doing some of those, or figuring out what Father Barnabas is able to teach.

Location: New World - Bürsteig - Mendernich - Main Market
Date: Day 3 - Afternoon - Evening

"The castle?" Akari's eyes widened, then looking at Kurt, did she finally start connecting the dots. "So indeed you are the hero that the city summoned? Indeed it must be why the prince is here with you too..."

Kurt furrowed his eyebrows, and glanced over to you, and back at Akari, though chose not to say anything.

"There is a rumor that the hero had been summoned, but had life-threatening wounds... But... I heard it was a beautiful girl. Not umm..." She blushed slightly.

"... a cute boy..."

She shook herself out of her thoughts with a blush still on her features realizing what she had said out loud.

"But indeed if you truly have the power to grant requests... It's about my brother." She turned her head slightly to gesture towards one of the rooms in the housing unit. "He's sick with.... something. Coughing he has been for the last few weeks, and it's been getting worse... No one back home was willing to treat him, nor any of the doctors here, for worry that it may be contagious..."

[Mysticsage]

Location: New World - Bürsteig - Mendernich - Main Market
Date: Day 3 - Afternoon - Evening

Amelia glanced over to the room where the coughing emanated from "Do you mind if I have a look? I cannot make any promises since I don't have everything on hand. But I very much doubt that it is contagious through usual means if you have been taking care of him for weeks now without showing any signs yourself."

"Oh also, can you open that window?" She said pointing to the one at the far wall. "I don't want to aggravate your brother's condition but if I want to try something I'll need help from my partner. If you open the window I don't doubt that he will slink his way inside." Standing she moved to open the door to the other room.

[Throndir]

Location: New World - Bürsteig - Mendernich - Main Market
Date: Day 3 - Afternoon - Evening

"Worried I am... Always I had been using a cloth to cover my breathing when taking care of my brother."

Akari raised her eyebrow curiously at your comment, but she moved to the window and opened it as well.

Once you opened the door to the room, you saw that the room wasn't very well-lit, and though it did have a window on it, it remained closed. There was a boy who was sleeping in the bed, or at the very least trying to. When you opened the door, he seemed to move and turn his head to see the newcomers.