There was a quick moment of explanation about the plan for the day and how they would divide their combat teams before he finished reminding them of a few details. Their rapid and annoyed yesses brought a chuckle to Joe but satisfied him because he quickly realized they readily remembered and he left them to their excited interchange. Hopefully I can make them excited about doing a priest job soon. Hmm… which God should I choose first? Maybe the god of knowledge would be a good idea? I’ve already got an in on that. Joe nodded to himself in thought and figured it would be as good as any to start, even a bit wiser as Kukurnal would be able to help him with some stuff, hopefully, and more likely to support him since he hoped they could be considered a bit more than simple casual acquaintances. Ooh… should I check … I should…
“Guys, I’ll meet you at the dungeon, I need to head out real quick.”
Garnedell quickly looked at him and nodded, “OK. See you soon, Joe.”
Kilniara replied almost on top of Garnedell in a similar fashion with Zilnek’s words coming a bit slower. Joe nodded to them before turning off the main street towards the temple at a jog.
He made it to the temple area quickly enough then took the meandering alleyway deep into the temple district where the itinerant workers gathered in hopes of a job for the day. Joe glanced up towards the east, catching a glimpse of the sun between breaks in the building before nodding with a soft smile. Early enough… should be even more people there now. Maybe… He arrived several moments later and immediately set himself off to the side before shouting out as he had before. Several more healers came forward, about half again more than the last time he asked, but those that had seen him before immediately stiffened before coming forward. He didn’t even have a chance to ask when one of the ones that had seen him last time spoke with a slight frown on his face.
“Is it into the dungeon again?”
Joe paused his shouts, turning to the man. He glanced around at all the others who’d come then stifled a sigh, “Yes, but I promise I will keep you safe and you…”
Joe continued even after every member immediately turned away, most of the ones who’d seen him previous shaking their head in disgust. His promise of safety, protection, and good pay did nothing. A higher price? Or… maybe? But… no… Joe sighed with a grimace and turned away. Well… Kukurnal REALLY WAS right… don’t think this is going to work. His jog back to the dungeon was rather morose but he pulled himself from his depressed introspection and prepared a soft smile as the dungeon came into sight. He wandered down the line a moment before he found them, then waved as he came to join them.
They soon made the dungeon entrance and slipped through before the captain of the Dungeon Guardians could accost him and they quickly made their way to their favorite corner and split to combat as normal. This time, he went through two cycles, fighting with both Kilniara and Zilnek at least twice each before he sent the exhausted kids to rest while he continued fighting alone. He fought two or three before turning to them and making them go through their forms for another half hour before letting them rest and return to combat with him. Another two times with each of the Acokzau saw them to lunch and they were soon sitting and enjoying their lunch meal which saw them all in high spirits as Zilnek had been able to level once again, reaching level nine.
With their spirits high and excited conversation about Zilnek’s rapid growth, Joe allowed them their social time, his mind on his own issues as he realized that he was now going to get into religion soon. That realization sobered him a bit as up till this point, he’d been seeing the jobs he was doing as simply that; jobs. He did not fear many of the other crafting or educational jobs as he was never going to teach or buy and sell any products, and thus would not tread on any guild feet, as it were. Even if guilds functioned as they had back in ancient Earth, Joe did not think he would come to the attention of any guild.
He’d thought the same thing about any priest like jobs he would get as he would only use his abilities for his own small group and the other three would keep their mouth shut. He knew he could trust Garnedell and Zilnek’s head was on the chopping block with his if he tried to out Joe. There was one factor, however, he’d failed to consider. He had to change his job at the temples and the temples would know he was changing his job to the priestly line of jobs. He’d considered getting jobs at different temples, such as acquiring his knowledge job at the water god temple, or such thing, but he wondered if that wouldn’t be strange. They never asked my name before, though, so… that should be OK?
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Maybe it would be better to get the job at the same temple, but see if he could slip out of there as soon as possible. Or should I try getting one not connected at least once, first? Joe mulled over the idea, trying to figure out what to do but was still uncertain as he wasn’t sure which was better. He knew it would probably seem strange to a water temple acolyte to be asked by a job seeker to change their job to the knowledge god, or some other god, but at least he could leave immediately after without revealing himself.
The problem with getting a job of the same religion as the temple of that god or goddess was that he could easily see getting waylaid on his way out as the members of the temple excitingly welcomed a new member to their midst. Getting the job at a different god’s temple would be eye raising, but he would still maintain his anonymity, despite making him a striking memory to that individual who helped him change his job. The latter would definitely get his name known and he would have to interact with a lot of people and they would all ask about him. Have my face remembered by one person and known as a strange story told in the temple or be remembered by everyone in the temple. Joe grimaced, concerned by the choice he had before him, which was exacerbated by the fact that he was dealing with religion and people were often significantly more passionate about it. Joe sighed deeply and the other three looked to him quickly, although Zilnek was a bit slower than the rest but was rapidly regaining his intelligence to join in the conversation since his last level gain.
All three looked to one another before Garnedell spoke up, “What’s wrong, Joe?”
Joe smiled at shook his head. Don’t want them to think I’m bothered by choosing a religious job. Can’t afford to be known as a heretic! Joe kept the mocking laughter inside, not wanting to disturb the other three.
“Nothing much. Just a personal thing I can’t really talk about,” Joe smiled softly.
The other three looked at one another at that point but quickly nodded, immediately dropping it. All three turned to leave Joe alone, but Joe still wanted to ask questions about the whole religious set up, if he could, and hoped he could use his emotional slip to his advantage.
“I do have a question about other things, though?”
All three quickly focused back on him, Garnedell and Kilniara looking attentively excited while Zilnek hid his disgruntlement. What’s with him?
Joe ignored Zilnek and began his question, “I wish to know about the gods and goddess and how the priests and temples serve them in their efforts.”
All three seemed a bit surprised by Joe’s statement before they began replying uncertainly.
“I know little of the other temples, but my family and I worship Tyr for our adventures,” Garnedell offered, uncertainty obvious in his tone.
Kilniara replied also with a bit of concern, “I know little, Joe. Most of what we would know would be of Bragi as that is the god we worshiped.”
Joe turned to Garnedell first, “Who is Tyr?”
Garnedell settled back, seeming much more relaxed as he answered easily enough, “Tyr is the god of war and often taken by the more martial adventurers. Adventurers also like Sors, the god of luck, but my family were more of the opinion that being well prepared was wiser than hoping for luck, even from the god of luck.” Garnedell’s explanation quickly shifted to disdain at the end of his conversation as he began speaking on the god of luck and Joe flicked eyes to Zilnek and Kilniara but found them completely unconcerned with Garnedell’s obvious disdain for a god. Huh, maybe they are not so … avid about the gods?
“Our family worshiped Bragi, the god of artisans. There are few other’s worthy of worship for artisans, although I know of some who followed Plutus as well,” Kilniara added next, before quickly adding on in haste. “Ah! Right. Plutus is the god of wealth and money.”
“Hmm.” Joe considered briefly, his mind considering carefully before continuing, “Then, do the temples,” He trailed off, unhappy with the turn in conversation and restarted, “Ah, wait… then, since becoming a priest or other such thing is a job, like adventurer, cook, and tailor, can anyone become a priest or member of a god or goddess?”
All three nodded quickly although Garnedell spoke, “Yes. If you are able to find the priest job.”
“The temples are not too concerned by strangers becoming priests in their religion?”
All three seemed to pause at this idea before Garnedell shrugged, “I do not know. Maybe?” Garnedell then looked to Kilniara, gesturing for her to answer.
Kilniara shrugged a bit, uncomfortable in her lack of knowledge but tried to speak, “I’m… I cannot say either, Joe.”
Joe nodded his head, both relieved at how relaxed all there seemed to be and how relaxed the temples seemed to be portrayed, but still frustrated at the lack of anything really useful. His mind worried at the problem for a bit before a possible solution spiked through his mind.
“Hm! Then, how about, have you seen any priests or priestesses or such of a god or goddess who were not a part of the temple of that god?”
All three kind of froze at that idea before shrugging uncertainly and looking to one another although all three shook their heads no. Joe’s original positive outlook took a hit at that and his worry climbed a bit and he dropped his head back in deep thought and concern. The other three sat uncomfortably silent, looking at one another and Joe until Joe realized they were still waiting on him and he waved them on.
“I’m done. You guys can talk about whatever, again. It’s fine,” Joe glanced up to look at all three of them with a smile, wishing to reassure them.
The other three turned away with reluctant relief and began chatting with one another while Joe brooded in silence for a bit before he forced himself to drop his mood and joined in with the other three again. All three were soon laughing with one another and Joe took that as the cue begin once again.