<@Dreol> [Lincoln September 10th 1251, 11:00 PM] <@Dreol> [As your carriage pulls up, into view comes an enormous cathedral. It towers above the town below, creating an ominous feel to your approach. After a few more moments, you realize that the cathedral itself sits on a steep hill and its size, therefore, is somewhat of an illusion. It is, however, very large still. You continue through the cobblestone streets between various houses and shops, all of which are closed down. The residents of Lincoln seem to have retreated to their homes as well. The carriage makes its way up the steep hill leading to the cathedral. The horses struggling a bit with the hill, but they manage to make it up and see that to your left is Lincoln castle and to your right, the cathedral. Two guards from the castle approach your carriage and nod to the driver, presumably Rolf. "What business have you here at this late hour, sir?"] <@Dreol> [Begin] #06* Rolf doesn't do that at all. Instead, he growls, "We're just off the road, is all." A small pause, then he adds, "The lady had an odd notion to go to the cathedral, is all. Trust that's alright?" #06* Eliana is in the carriage, book practically to her nose as she extinguished the flame when they approached civilization. <@Dreol> [The guard shrugs. "It's late. Most folks don't take to visiting the cathedral at this hour. I suppose the bishop is probably still awake, but I better accompany you."] #06* Rolf shrugs with one shoulder and says, "Your castle," as he turns the carriage towards the Cathedral. ZOOM. #06* Cosimo watches the guard closely from beneath his hooded cloak. #06* Moriel just sits quietly. He watches the interplay with the guard, but idly, as if not really interested. <@Dreol> [One guard reaches out for the reins. "I will take your horses and carriage to the stables." The other guard motions to leads you to the door of the cathedral.] #06* Eliana closes her book and moves, opening the door and getting out of the carriage. She pulls her hood up and glances around. #06* Rolf steps off the carriage, then, with a thud, and has no problem drawing himself up to his full height so he can be 'lead to the cathedral'. #06* Moriel steps down from the carriage and then turns to offer the ladies a hand down, polite as ever. #06* Thalaba exits the carriage with Moriel's assistance and steps to the side, looking around curiously. She hadn't been paying much attention, as if she hasn't really been with them for a couple weeks (:p) #06* Cosimo hops down from the carriage and surveys the area, assessing the guards as his line of sight crosses them. <@Dreol> [The guard approaches the door and raises his hand, knocking on it. A few moments later, the door is opened to reveal a man, probably in his mid-sixties, dressed in bishop's robes. The guard nods. "Bishop Gillain, I am very sorry to bother you, your excellency, but these travelers wished to enter the cathedral." The bishop nods. "It is quite all right, Jerome. I will allow them entrance." The guard nods and motions for you to enter, and then returns to his post.] #06* Eliana enters! She's not going to argue with the guard! Plus, she meant to enter, anyway. #06* Cosimo watches the guards retreat before entering the church. #06* Thalaba looks up at the doorway as she steps through into the building. She still hasn't spoken, just looking around in interest. #06* Rolf ducks under the door appropriately and downcasts his eyes. #06* Moriel has been flicking glances towards the cathedral the entire walk there. He goes even tenser at the sight of the bishop, and his eyes flicker between him and the altar. He stops behind the rest of his companions, just barely inside the door. Whatever his conflict, he seems to resolve it, and settles on staring at the bishop intently. <@Dreol> [The inside of the cathedral is massive and impressive. The cathedral is laid out in the standard catholic cross shape, and there is a large rose stained glass window as well as several other pretty stained glass windows. There is a spiral staircase, which leads up the tower, as well as a choir room to the south. The bishop has not said a word since you entered.] #06* Moriel bows to the bishop, rather more stiffly than usual. "Good evening, your excellency. Thank you for admitting us at such a late hour." <@Dreol> [The bishop nods. "I will always admit those seeking sanctuary. What is it that you require here?"] #06* Moriel glances up the aisle to the altar. "I...would like to pray, for a minute or two." #06* Moriel glances back to the bishop and murmurs, "Would that such sanctuaries were not so fleeting." <@Dreol> [The bishop nods and motions towards the pews. "Take as long as you need."] #06* Moriel bows again. "Thank you." The words are soft but fervent, and he glances back to the bishop one last time as he walks past him and up the aisle. <@Dreol> [The bishop turns to the rest of you. "And what of you? Is there anything you require?"] #06* Cosimo watches Moriel intently, then looks at his companions. He nods silently to the bishop, and then walks past him, taking a position in one of the pews towards the middle of the sanctuary. #06* Eliana tears her attention away from Moriel, who she was watching with interest, to look to the bishop. "Nothing immediate. Thank you, your excellency." #06* Rolf watches Moriel go, glances to the bishop, then says, lowly, "Uh, no, your... uh, no." #06* Moriel completely ignores the pews. He walks all the way up to the front of the cathedral and kneels, bending so low his forehead nearly touches the floor. He remains there, completely ignoring everyone else in the room, to all appearances actually praying. <@Dreol> [The bishop nods and then moves towards a door in the back of the alter. "If you need me, I will be studying in my chambers."] #06* Eliana nods once, and she watches him leave, still standing by the entrance to the church. #06* Rolf says, lowly, once he's gone, "Thought he'd stay 'round all night." #06* Cosimo keeps an eye on Moriel from beneath his hood, mostly out of curiosity. #06* Eliana shrugs one-shouldered. "He's fine enough, for a bishop." She waits a bit longer before striding to the altar, lacking any of the reverence Moriel displayed upon approaching it. #06* Rolf growls, "Yeah, but we got places to be." #06* Eliana looks up at the crucifix critically, and then the altar itself, before turning her attention down to the Malkavian. #06* Moriel hasn't moved. #06* Thalaba has explored the main room, giving her own little version of silent thanks at the alter but now she turns her attention to her companions and then finally to Moriel as she sees them looking at him. #06* Eliana looks away and around the room a bit, spotting the doors. "Likely there," she says, gesturing the one opposite the door the bishop retired to. And then she glances down at Moriel again. Is he *still* praying? Or falling asleep? #06* Cosimo remains focused on Moriel from his spot in the pew. "i can keep watch on him if you wish to proceed" #06* Moriel has only been kneeling for a minute or two. He sits up, though his head is still bowed, and says softly, "That won't be necessary." #06* Cosimo nods silently and then stands, approaching the altar and the rest of his companions. #06* Moriel shakes his hair back from his face and stands. He looks perfectly calm. "Pardon me. Where shall we be going?" #06* Cosimo points towards the door Eliana has indicated. #06* Moriel glances at it, and then his eyes flick over to the door the bishop disappeared through. "Lead on, then." #06* Eliana studies Moriel for a moment, then turns and walks, behind the altar and to the door in question, which she tries to open. <@Dreol> [The door opens. There are stairs leading down into the dark of what you assume is a crypt.] #06* Eliana gestures for the others to go in. #06* Rolf tromps after, eyes glowing. #06* Eliana waits for everyone to enter, then closes the door behind her as she lights a small flame in one palm. #06* Moriel files in last but for Eliana, who's shutting the door. #06* Ysabeau looks around and tries her best to shrink away from the walls. <@Dreol> [The stairs lead you down and around until you find yourselves in a large crypt that is beneath the cathedral proper. The crypt definitely does not get cleaned often. It is full of dirt and dust. Cobwebs hang from the corners and cling to the coffins in the crypt. Generally the outcroppings in the crypt are full of stone and marble coffins. Most seem like they have been here for a very long time.] #06* Eliana doesn't seem to mind the cobwebs and dust. She walks through, examining the coffins. Anyone we know? #06* Eliana stops by a coffin near the middle, reaching out to brush her gloved fingers over the crest. "Perhaps." #06* Moriel drifts around the room, not touching anything, but skimming over the coffins with his eyes. Eventually he comes to a stop beside Eliana, looking down at the scepter on the coffin. #01 This crest is Ventrue. #06* Thalaba peeks over Eliana's shoulder at the mark before she backs up. Hmm, I really can't tell the difference between a Venture and his coffin. Both can be pretty dusty and uninteresting. #06* Cosimo walks over to Eliana. "then perhaps we are close" #06* Eliana can't help but laugh at Ysabeau's comment. "Don't let your new prince hear that." I don't think he keeps me for my conversation. #06* Eliana looks at the coffin. Then around. Then back at the coffin. Ain't that the only reason he'd keep you around? #06* Moriel sideglances at the conversation, but doesn't comment. #06* Ysabeau lifts an eyebrow at Rolf Um, I thought we were all pretty clear about the role I play in court? #06* Rolf shrugs a little. "Honestly weren't paying much attention to high clan 'business'." #06* Moriel says quietly, without looking up, "I believe Master Rolf was out hunting during that conversation." #06* Eliana checks out the rest of the crypt. Any other passages? Wampyrs lurking in the shadows? <@Dreol> [There are no other places where there appear to be vampire crests or markings in the crypt.] #06* Eliana returns to the coffin and finally gives in to her curiosity, trying to push it open. <@Dreol> [After some effort, the lid slides open to reveal... another set of stairs leading down below the crypt.] Well, before I was high clan I was the only child of a poor country Baron. So... what is Eliana doing? #06* Rolf grins faintly. "Real work." #06* Thalaba moves to help Eliana once the coffin starts to move. #06* Eliana nods her thanks to Thalaba before climbing in and heading down the new set of stairs, flame now on her shoulder. #06* Ysabeau quickly follows. #06* Cosimo follows the light down. #06* Moriel follows everyone else following the light down. #06* Thalaba follows her down, her eyes moving to the flame on Eliana's shoulder more then the surroundings. So are we just walking into an ambush here? Most likely. You arranged a messenger for us, did you not? <@Dreol> [Beneath the crypt, you all find yourselves in a large, open cavern. You are greeted almost immediately by a small middle-aged man dressed in brown robes. "You... are visitors? What is your business?"] Kind sir, we are seeking your wisdom. We have been commissioned by the Prince of the court in London to seek information on Troile. It was implied that you have much knowledge and may be of some help? #06* Eliana speaks up, "We're looking for Benedict de Vesci. Are you him?" <@Dreol> [The middle-aged man seems confused by Ysabeau and then shakes his head to Eliana. "Oh no... I am simply a servant. I will take you to him. Is he expecting you?"] #01 I understand he should be. #06* Eliana glances at Ysabeau. #06* Ysabeau doesn't make eye contact "Yes, I sent someone ahead" <@Dreol> [The man nods and leads you all into the large cavern. It is mostly clean and dry... there are a few tunnels leading away from the larger main room, but at the head of that main room is a long table, and seated at that table is an older man, probably in his late fifties and he is dressed in very fine blue and yellow cloth. He looks up as you enter "Ah yes... Lord Mithras mentioned I would be receiving some visitors. So... what is it you have come to discuss?"] #06* Eliana gives the man a fine approximation of a curtsey. #06* Ysabeau curtseys and repeats herself. :-) #06* Moriel gives the man a shallow bow, and then practices vanishing into the background. #06* Thalaba curtseys' while her attention is still centered. <@Dreol> [Benedict de Vesci shakes his head. "I have no knowledge of Troile. Why would you believe I did?"] I was told that you may have lived in the same area a while back. #01 There are records of Greeks settling in this area between 1400 and 1200 BC. #01 We are here to investigate tombs from that time, one of which may involve Troile. I was led to understand that you may know something about the area. <@Dreol> [He nods. "That... is true. There are several tombs from the ancient Greeks in the area... And a traveler did come through here ranting about some terrible thing that happened in one of the caves. I didn't think much of it, but if it involves Troile, you will need some help. I will send some of my men with you, as a personal favor to Mithras. The cave that I believe that man was referencing is to the north east. It would be advised that you leave tomorrow night, as it is a lengthy walk."] #06* Eliana nods. "Then we will. Thank you." <@Dreol> [Session End]