NSQ-04: Godsday Procession and the Flame of Retribution
Side Quest for the Temple of Elemental Evil Campaign / Noble Ambitions
Summary
On a crowded Godsday in the Temple Square, the C1 Cathedral of Trithereon hosts a sacred procession celebrating liberty, vengeance, and divine judgment. As the incense thickens and sermons burn with passion, political tensions boil over into fiery rhetoric. The characters witness—and may influence—this gathering of the faithful and the disillusioned alike.
Scene One: Arrival at the Cathedral & Gathering of the Crowd
Narration: Entering Temple Square
As you turn the corner onto Temple Square, the sound of overlapping bells and rhythmic drums greets your ears. The grand square before the Cathedral of Trithereon is teeming with hundreds—perhaps thousands—of pilgrims, townsfolk, and onlookers. The crowd churns with excitement and anxiety in equal measure.
The massive golden doors of the cathedral shimmer in the midday sun. Their intricate friezes depict gods in triumph over demons, and the relief of Trithereon himself, sword blazing, casts a long shadow across the square. The surrounding white marble walls seem to glow faintly, polished to a mirror sheen. The entire temple stands like a fortress, built of faith and stone.
Merchants with trinkets praising liberty and vengeance shout over one another from the square’s perimeter. Banners of deep indigo and violet, emblazoned with the three sacred symbols of Trithereon—the triskelion, the rune of pursuit, and the sword of retribution—flutter above the crowd.
Just ahead, you can see cityfolk clearing a wide corridor through the crowd leading from the temple steps to the center of the square. Armed clergy in dark blue robes trimmed with silver patrol this corridor, giving stern glances to any who loiter too long.
A man beside you mutters, “Haven’t seen it this crowded since the Battle of Emridy’s celebration. Strange times…”
Another adds, “They say today’s sermon will make or break someone’s reputation at court.”
As the gongs shift to a rising cadence, you sense something monumental is about to unfold.
The massive golden doors of the cathedral shimmer in the midday sun. Their intricate friezes depict gods in triumph over demons, and the relief of Trithereon himself, sword blazing, casts a long shadow across the square. The surrounding white marble walls seem to glow faintly, polished to a mirror sheen. The entire temple stands like a fortress, built of faith and stone.
Merchants with trinkets praising liberty and vengeance shout over one another from the square’s perimeter. Banners of deep indigo and violet, emblazoned with the three sacred symbols of Trithereon—the triskelion, the rune of pursuit, and the sword of retribution—flutter above the crowd.
Just ahead, you can see cityfolk clearing a wide corridor through the crowd leading from the temple steps to the center of the square. Armed clergy in dark blue robes trimmed with silver patrol this corridor, giving stern glances to any who loiter too long.
A man beside you mutters, “Haven’t seen it this crowded since the Battle of Emridy’s celebration. Strange times…”
Another adds, “They say today’s sermon will make or break someone’s reputation at court.”
As the gongs shift to a rising cadence, you sense something monumental is about to unfold.
Roleplaying Guidance
- This scene is meant to create a mounting sense of awe, spiritual anticipation, and civic unrest. Let the players breathe in the atmosphere and observe the growing crowd.
- If players want to interact with the crowd, allow them to pick up gossip, especially about the gnomes, the southern border, and criticisms of the nobility. Use entries from your NA - Political Tensions in Verbobonc – Spring 579 CY. article.
Scene Two: The Sermon of Cornelius Arx – Flame of Retribution
The chanting hushes. The drums fall silent. From the heart of the procession, a figure emerges—a man bent with age but not weakened by it. His dark blue robes gleam with golden trim, swaying as he ascends a dais erected in the center of the square. The golden mace in his hand glows faintly.
He turns slowly to the gathered masses, lifting his free hand in solemn benediction before striking the air with the mace—at the apex of its arc, a sudden column of blue flame leaps skyward, illuminating the crowd in flickering firelight.
The hush breaks. Hundreds kneel. Dozens cheer. And then, in a voice like gravel over thunder, he speaks:
He turns slowly to the gathered masses, lifting his free hand in solemn benediction before striking the air with the mace—at the apex of its arc, a sudden column of blue flame leaps skyward, illuminating the crowd in flickering firelight.
The hush breaks. Hundreds kneel. Dozens cheer. And then, in a voice like gravel over thunder, he speaks:
"Trithereon teaches us all deserve life and the ability to choose their own place in the world, and those who would place others in shackles or control them with oppressive laws must be toppled. Train the common folk to defend themselves and their property should another wish to take their freedoms, if you are wronged, you are right to exact vengeance yourself, especially if none will help you."
"Would you allow nobles to line their pockets in exchange for risking the lives of hard working people of Verbobonc? Those nobles that exploit their power at the expense of the common man, particularly House Galens, House Haxx, and House Langmuir. The Viscount has ordered the Mounted Borderers away from our southern borders!
Now Orcs and black hearted brigands raid and pillage and rape from the Gnarley Forest! The Gnomes cant be trusted and deny us needed trade from the Kron Hills! The agents of the Evil One is on the move and when will we find them on our borders? At our gates?!
It is every hard working god fearing human to defend his home, his family, his friends! Pick up sword, shield, spear, bow! Train hard in their use of warfare! Do not make the mistake on relying on our government to defend us from the hordes of evil on the march! Form militia's, pursue and root out evil from the countryside, from our very streets! Do not follow the laws of the viscount and strict ineffectual laws of the other gods!
The Cuthbertines as far too rigid and comfortable with their power to truly be an effective force for justice in Verbobonc. Those very laws allow bastard orcs into our city! That allow treasonous Gnomes to stay within our fair city! We must take matters into our own hands. Do not settle for nothing short of capital punishment!"
Now Orcs and black hearted brigands raid and pillage and rape from the Gnarley Forest! The Gnomes cant be trusted and deny us needed trade from the Kron Hills! The agents of the Evil One is on the move and when will we find them on our borders? At our gates?!
It is every hard working god fearing human to defend his home, his family, his friends! Pick up sword, shield, spear, bow! Train hard in their use of warfare! Do not make the mistake on relying on our government to defend us from the hordes of evil on the march! Form militia's, pursue and root out evil from the countryside, from our very streets! Do not follow the laws of the viscount and strict ineffectual laws of the other gods!
The Cuthbertines as far too rigid and comfortable with their power to truly be an effective force for justice in Verbobonc. Those very laws allow bastard orcs into our city! That allow treasonous Gnomes to stay within our fair city! We must take matters into our own hands. Do not settle for nothing short of capital punishment!"
The crowd begins to chant, swelling louder with each word.
"We do need to take matter into our own hands!"
"Why won't the Gnomes leave?! I say we send them packing the Kron Hills!"
"The Nobles only care about their pockets!"
"We should take the Kron Hills and mines from the Gnomes"
"We do need to take matter into our own hands!"
"Why won't the Gnomes leave?! I say we send them packing the Kron Hills!"
"The Nobles only care about their pockets!"
"We should take the Kron Hills and mines from the Gnomes"
Cornelius Arx by 3orcs
Type: Roleplaying Encounter
Campaign Arc: Noble Ambitions 579 CY
Location: Temple Square & Cathedral of Trithereon, Verbobonc City
Involved Factions: Church of Trithereon, House Haxx, House Galens, House Langmuir, Mounted Borderers, Free Alliance of the Kron Hills
Key NPCs: High Flamekeeper Cornelius Arx , the High Priest of Trithereon, Hopeful Initiates, city citizens, potential Temple agents (unnamed), guards from the Viscounty
Parent Plot
Related Characters
Related Organizations
Related Locations
Trithereon holy symbol by 3orcs
DM Notes
- Setting & Timing: This scene occurs early on Godsday morning. The crowd is still gathering and the sermon has not yet begun.
- Tone: Emphasize the duality of worship and populist unrest. The pageantry is inspiring, but the air is heavy with tension.
- Crowd Behavior: A mix of reverent pilgrims, local worshippers, merchants, militia members, and political agitators. Gnome citizens are scarce and visibly nervous.
- Rumor Hooks:
- Some priests murmur that the High Priest will speak openly against the Viscount’s policies today.
- A few in the crowd claim House Haxx is behind recent militia withdrawals.
- Others whisper that agents of the Temple of Elemental Evil are stirring unrest through charismatic clerics.
Scene Two DM Notes
- Tone: This moment is both reverent and radical. Cornelius Arx delivers a fiery sermon that appeals to justice, independence, and personal responsibility—but his words toe the line of sedition. He never directly incites violence, but the implication is clear.
- Cornelius Arx: A revered figure—over 90 years old—but his convictions are sharp. This sermon is intentional. He believes Verbobonc’s leadership has grown complacent, and Trithereon’s faithful must prepare for dark times ahead.
- Crowd Reaction: Mixed. Many humans cheer, some clerics chant, but there are also silent watchers—nobles, priests of Rao and St. Cuthbert, even city guards taking mental notes.
- PC Involvement: If the PCs are present, they can roll Insight (DC 13) to notice that a few nobility (possibly from House Milinous or Langmuir) frown at the speech. A high Perception (DC 15) might catch a known noble slipping away quietly.
- Optional Conflict: A pro-Cuthbertine NPC or a gnome supporter may attempt to rebut the sermon mid-procession, leading to a volatile social encounter.
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