Quoted By:
There was a snake cult around these parts. Though, as Nafiri reported back, they were of lesser influence compared to the one in Almurbah.
They had agreed to meet with you as faithful visitors; you were always welcome around here. The meeting point was in an old warehouse, just behind the docks, where they stored vinegar; it kept the guards away, so it was said. The meeting was different from the one in Almurbah. There were priests, but they were dressed in simpler robes, which were black instead of a dark green, and they didn't wear any bronze skullcaps. They seemed to lack priestesses, which might be part of the particularities.
Most surprising of all, however, was the man who was chosen to represent them, a large man with a goatee called Obdel, a vinegar salesman. The meeting itself was a tad bit awkward. As the two women weren't really certain what to do or say.
<span class="mu-i"> ''Shall we present our cult markings? So you might verify our status as-'' </span> Nafiri cut herself off when Obdel raised his hand.
<span class="mu-i"> ''A kind offer, but I'd rather you not; we abandoned the practice when King Robert II began hunting down all those who are marked in the old tradition; when they started to cut open clothes during searches, we quietly stopped tattooing our members. We prefer to use special pieces of jewellery and etching in coins.'' </span> Nafiri and her companion exchanged a surprised glance; you were surprised as well. Religious orthodoxy has dwindled severely, it would seem.
<span class="mu-i"> ''Do you even have a temple?'' </span> Samarda asked, for the backroom of the warehouse was rather small, and the guards present seemed more like your regular merchant goons than religious fanatics.
<span class="mu-i"> ''We do, but it's in the countryside, under a farmhouse owned by one of our members.'' </span> Obdel explained, <span class="mu-i"> ''The church has been ruthless in its suppression of anything that doesn't align with their beliefs, so we have to keep a low profile.'' </span> Nafiri nodded in understanding.
<span class="mu-i"> ''The church of the westerners, you mean?'' </span> Nafiri asked.
<span class="mu-i"> ''The very same; this land was conquered two and a half centuries ago when crusaders from overseas, worshipping their foreign god, claimed it as their own.'' </span> Obdel replied with a hint of bitterness.
This was unwelcome news for you; while you had been contented to take a backseat for the duration of this visit, you were alarmed now.
In the desert, there were many gods, so you could easily blend in behind the effigies of a thousand and one gods, but if the men of the west had taken to worshipping one god and denying all others, getting your tendrils into Al-Trionach would be difficult.
