Prayers and Praises for Poseidon [D1, Noon, Open]

Never let it be said that Kragg wasn't a pious man. Well, as pious as a sailor can be anyway. More superstitious than pious, really. Nevertheless, the half-orc made his way towards the Temple of Poseidon after resting a bit in Rosewater's Pub to give thanks to the god of the sea for yet another safe journey, carrying a small cask of wine he had purchased upon his shoulders as his offering to him. As he reached the temple district itself, he looked around, trying to recall where the Temple to Poseidon was.

The temple sat beside the greater and much larger Temple to Zeus and directly across from the Temple to Artemis, surrounded by small shallow moats of sea water that flowed from a larger marble fountain. The stone cutting depicted what appeared to me a mermaid, but with elven pointed ears. In her stone arms was a harp that played no music in its petrified state.

A few priests were gathered to do their priestly duties; Kragg had met priests of Poseidon before. They wore amulets emblazoned with a trident, their hair whispy long and loose. Their robes were a sea green, and they walked the temple grounds barefooted. The priests seemed to pay no notice to the half orc, in spite of his appearance- he was obviously a man of the sea, and all deserved to pay veneration to it.

Even in the noon light, the inner sanctum of the temple was in deep shade behind its pillars.

"Ah, there be the temple." Kragg nods to himselfs, readjusting the weight of the small cask upon his shoulders before heading up towards the temple. As he neared the priests, he raised his hand in greeting to them. "Hail, priests of Poseidon. Might this be the right way to where one gives offerings to Poseidon?"

"Hail, and blessings of the sea half-orc. May you ever taste salt upon the wind," an older gentleman greets in the familiar saying of the sea God.

"This is indeed the Temple of Poseidon. Inside you will find a silvered pool of seawater, to give yer offerings."

Kragg nods. "Thank ye kindly. May ye ever taste salt upon the wind." He gives a small bow, then heads within the temple to find the silvered pool of seawater.

The pool is pristine, crystal clear sea water. The type one might find on sandy white beaches untouched by human civilization. Various seashells and corals decorate the rim of the pool, perhaps 10 feet in diameter. Another priest of Poseidon finishes a prayer, gives a nod to the half orc, and retreats into the soft inner light.

The water surface shimmers expectantly, almost. Odd.

Kragg places the cask down momentarily and looks down at the shimmering pool of water. "Huh... water here's shinier than usual..." He looks into the pool's reflection to see if maybe he can see anything inside that might be causing the water to shimmer so.

Small waves begin to lap in the pool, seeming to almost whisper to the sailor. The sound of the sea, as if putting one's ear to one of the seashells, fills Kragg's ears.

As he leans over the pool, the reflection is not his own, but of what appears to be a beautiful elven maiden with seaweed colored hair. She looks worried, almost as if her life is being threatened by an unseen danger. You can see me, yes? she asks.

None of the priests in the temple seem to notice exactly what is going on; they labor about their duties as normal.

Kragg blinks as he stares at the maiden in the water. He briefly looks around a little confused, then shrugs and looks back to the maiden. "Aye. This one sees an' hears yah lass, but this one be not a priest of Neptune. Do ye need ta speak to a priest?"

No, they cannot help me. Will not, would not. They follow lord Poseidon unquestionably. I need someone who is not called to serve him. Someone who will listen...

She pauses, warily, her reflection shimmering. I fear that my master has been charmed, possessed, or perhaps something more foul. He has abandoned his people and his abode at the bottom of the great seas.

Kragg's eyebrows furred at this. "Are ye saying that Poseidon, great god of all seas, has gone mad an' left?" He scratches his head. "Be this some sort of test on Kragg? Or a jest even?"

It may be a test for us all... the voice replies, her tone sylvan and ethereal. I do not say such a thing so lightly to do so in jest. And I do not know if the same is happening to the other Olympians.

Kragg frowns. "There is little this one knows or can even do when it comes to the gods. Still, a lass in need is not something I will ignore. At least not if treasure can be had. What do ye need of Kragg?"

"Sounds like a simple enough task... ah, beggin' yer pardon, what be yer name, lass? How will Kragg find ye again?"

My name is Syndoriel of the Coral Ravines. All you need do to find me is cast a handful of purified salt into water and call my name. The salty pool shimmers once more. And your name, friend?

"This one is known as Kragg. A pleasure meetin' ye, Syndoriel of the Coral Ravines." The half-orc scratches his head. "So, ah, should Kragg even bother offerin' this wine to Poseidon then even if he be not there?"

"Huh. That be a fine idea actually. Thank ye kindly, Miss Syndoriel. I will return to ye after this one visits the clerics of Hades."

I look forward to your reply, Kraag... the voice says, before trailing of with a goodbye. And thank you....

The waves return to normal, the pool and everything about the temple back in its original state. On cue, a priest approaches the half-orc. This one far more younger, perhaps an acolyte even, as he barely has any stubble to speak of. He's probably seen no more than fourteen name days, fifteen at the oldest.

"Come to beseech the King of the Seas, sailor?" he greets rather awkwardly, though his tone is friendly.

"Oh, ah, aye..." A pause. "But, ah, this one feels per'aps he is... unworthy of such." Kragg looks to the acolyte. "Per'aps, if ye'd be so kind, ye might offer this wine on me behalf?"

"None are unworthy to offer up their prayer, praises, or gifts to holy Neptune," the young priest assures the sailor, trying to smile in a welcoming manner.

"Still, it probably be best if a holy man does it instead. Would ye kindly do it fer old Kragg? As a favor perhaps? Or maybe a trade?"

"Ah, no favor required Kragg. I will offer up the orisons on your behalf, then." The young priest motions for the cask.

"Much obliged, young priest." Kragg gives a polite bow and picks up the cask to hand over to the priest. "Ah, an' if I may be askin', perchance might this humble one ask fer a pouchful of salt? Purified salt, of course. Never know when one finds a need ta bless or purify themselves, eh?"