Characters: Julian, Balin, Cael, Anthony, Grim, Davvin, Randal, Samael, Terus.
NPCs: Grimir the Cleric of Gorm, 3 High Clerics of Gorm, 3 Starspire Gold Griffons, Acolytes of Gorm Gulthyn.
18 Alturiak 1374 - 22 Alturiak 1374
1000 XP
Back in the barracks the party slept uneasily and at dawn were awakened by the morning bells of the monastery. They slowly rose and ate a quiet breakfast with the dwarven defenders and then attended a morning prayer in the courtyard. Grimir presided over the ceremony and spoke of the importance of patience in battle and that during moments of war's greatest chaos one can still find enlightenment. The priests remained for some time after the ceremony, reflecting on his morning message and then went about their day preparing for a very formal occasion. In the afternoon each character again met with Grimir and they spoke further of their lessons learned and their individual quests for enlightenment.Still later in the day 3 dwarven priests of Gorm dressed in Golden Plate armor flew in from the mountain range on the backs of griffons. Grimir met the high priests as they entered the chapel's threshold. Just before sunset Cael, Balin, and Julian were called by acolytes and given ceremonial white robes to wear. They walked out of the barracks into the center grounds as saw all of the Gorm followers dressed in full crimson and gold ceremonial armors. They entered into an exhausting magical ritual lasting upwards of 5 hours and near the end each character began to feel faint, and weak. Grimir and the other high priests questioned the characters intensely and were impressed with their genuine responses. The ritual ended with Julian, Balin and Cael kneeling before an altar and each were given a golden brand with a complex dwarven rune on it symbolizing Gildabarr, and the dwarven pantheon, attached to its magical aura was their Atonement. Cael and Julian pressed it against their human flesh, while Balin faltered at first. But with the axe of a paladin of Gorm resting on is neck the elf pressed the brand of forgiveness into his chest and it was done.
Later a great celebration commenced as the happy and grateful followers of Gorm feasted with the party. During the celebration, Davvin spoke with Grimir about the need for a Religious Council to be held concerning the use of Deathless servants by the church. The following morning the 4 High priests of Gorm had decided Davvin's initial arguments were convincing enough to warrant a special Council. The party waited patiently as the priests privately spoke and it was announced that there would indeed be a Council of Gorm called into order, the first in over three hundred years. On the third morning as a yellow sun rose above the eastern Starspire peaks all of the monastery's acolytes, priests, defenders, and of course the adventurers gathered in the center grounds to witness the Great Council of Gorm hear Davvin's arguments. Davvin spoke with conviction as he argued that the church of Gorm must not sway so carefully towards methods which although effective, are morally questionable. He spoke of the path of honor which they must take in their policies, and recited an ancient example from Gorm's and other dwarven churches on revising their doctrines. Finally, his words resonated the lesson that the gods though powerful must never tread too close upon other deities domains especially in times like these as many evil forces grow with power. The Council questioned Davvin further and were quite satisfied and impressed with his knowledge of religion and philosophy. Grimir and the other High Priests spoke in private and as minutes passed like hours it was decided that the Doctrine of the Deathless servants would be revised!
Following the Great Council of Gorm the party remained with the clerics for two more days while they recovered from their near epic adventures in Gildabarr's deepest halls. Some had the base of the Slaughterstone Eviscerator's adamantine blades reworked into a fitting handle while others spoke further with the clerics of war and philosophy. Grim settled into a comfortable room in the barracks and memorized more arcana. Overall, it had turned out to be a unexpected yet insightful time with the castled priests of Gorm Gulthyn.
