>>5231729“Did you find what you're looking for?” she asks as you approach, seeing you holding one of the quest notes in your hand.
“Actually, I think I found a typo.” you say, handing it over to her. “This reward seems awfully high for an exorcism. Do you think they accidentally added a zero?”
“Oh, you found that one.” she says, and Luna's usually cheery attitude dims a bit. “Already four adventurer parties have attempted to lay that ghost to rest, but all have failed. Two never made it back, and I fear the worst for them.”
“I'll take it, and look out for your missing adventurers.” you assure her, and although hesitant Luna checks off the paperwork saying you're out on that mission. “Where is this church located?”
“A fool's errand, boy.” an older man's voice calls out, you turning to see a man in priestly white robes surrounded by drinks. “No mere child could hope to ever stand against such a malicious force. Hell, I don't think it's actually a ghost, but a demon summoned by those damned Regina cultists before they all died off. And good riddance to 'em!”
He then slams another mug of something back, then slams the wooden mug onto the table with a dull <span class="mu-i">thunk</span>, before turning around to face you. He looks like death warmed over, gaunt and pale, with dark circles around his eyes, and despite the drinks you see his free hand trembling. You recognize the despair in his face, having seen that same expression reflected back at you
“Do you know where that old building is?” you ask, curious why someone in one of the priestly orders is consuming so much alcohol. You'd been under the impression that wasn't something they did. “Could you lead me there?”
“Lead you there? Lead you there?! You're out of your damned mind, brat!” he shouts, rising up to his feet. He's surprisingly tall, easily twice your own height, but with his gauntness he's hardly intimidating. A sneeze could potentially end his life, if the deathly aura around him is any indication. This man was nearly killed, and survived due to no consequence of his own actions. “I lost my whole party to that monster, no way in hell am I going back there!”
“Oh my, you poor thing.” a woman's soft voice calls out. You look past the guy to the door, and see a dark-haired woman walking up towards the both of you. Several patrons mutter the name “Serena” as she approaches, the woman seemingly radiating with motherly kindness. And although she's shaped more like the demon Towa than your own mother, she just seems to exude a calming, comforting aura as she steps up to the older priest. Then, to his surprise, she takes his hands into her own before bowing her head. “Let us pray.”
