After the guards clear them for entry, Treo and Stormy along with Cam and Muri step foot once more into the Royal Capital and make their way towards the Adventurer's Guild to report in on their quest completion at the ruins. The people seem to be talking about the new Affinity system...what it is...what it means...and how to make the best use of it in their daily lives going forward.

: "It's clearly the talk of the town...likely everywhere."

: "After reporting in with the guild, we have to get back and consult with....father."

: "What do we say to the guildmaster...or anyone else...about this? What does it mean to be 'Cleric of Morthrul' anyways?"

: "My guess is it's the top of some new...or revived...Church of Morthrul, with you and I at the top."

: "Me at the top? Can we delegate that role to someone else? I'd rather someone more knowledgeable about how to run a church be at the top."

: "I think it'll be up to you how to organize it. You can always bring in people to delegate the work to, and just remain the final authority at the top in a pinch. For example, the King may be at the top, but he delegates a lot of the day-to-day work to the Prime Minister."

: "Yes, he's a very busy guy. It's a lot of work being Prime Minister for the King. So you could do something similar."

: Turning to Treo with pleading eyes; "At least I'm not alone with all of this....right?"

: Nodding; "Of course! There's no way I'd leave you alone with this. I heard someone say once that 'It's lonely at the top', so it'll be just the two of us at the top!"

Moments later they arrive at the Adventurer's Guild and make their way to the receptionist desk to report in.

: "Good...you're here. The guildmaster is eagerly awaiting your report...considering all that's happened. Come with me!"; she said, leading them to the guildmaster's office.

: "Ah, good....you've returned. So...your report!"; he said motioning for them to sit.

: Taking out a clear gem and setting it on the table and beginning to cast a spell, causing a clear dome around the group. "Now we can talk this out before we figure out who can know what. The implications are that huge, as you've already surmised."

: Nodding; "Yes, I figured so when the system-wide announcement hit. It's all anyone's been talking about since it happened. We're getting flooded with questions that we don't even begin to know how to answer. So, what can you tell us about it all?"

: "Most of the ruins were what we'd expect from a Lich's lair...lots of undead, necromancer research materials, scrolls, books...the usual. However, once we finished up with that is when we noticed a passageway in the back that led downstairs to a huge cavern underneath the whole ruin. It's size was massive."

: "That's where we spoke to Morthrul, were found worthy and received various blessings. Treo and I answered the calling and are now tasked with starting a new religion.....or more like reviving an old religion."

: "The Church of Morthrul, with Stormy and I at the top, will support the Kingdom as best we can in the fight against a great evil that is coming soon. The Affinity system was reinstated in order to ready the world to fight against this evil."

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As he says this, a white book shimmers into existence on the table before them, titled "Affinity System Information"

: "Is this something you found in those ruins?"

: "No, I think this comes directly from Morthrul and is intended to be shared with the general populace."

: Taking the book and beginning to skim through it. "It certainly answers many of the questions we've been getting since the announcement. We'll have to change our....."; he paused for a moment, eyes going wide after reading one portion. "Wait a minute...contracted spirits? They're part of the Affinity system?"

Everyone else looks around, just as shocked.

: "We've not read it through yet...we wanted to report in as soon as possible, given the system change and all. As soon as we finish up here, we've got other things to do regarding this. Do you have anything else for us?"

: Closing the book and looking up at Cam; "Just the reward for completing the guild quest. Amber will have your payments, and Treo & Stormy will go up in rank to C. I think nobody will complain about it, all things considering. Amber will have your guild cards updated. Let us know how we can help you once you get your Church set up. So unless you have something else for me, I think we're done for today. I've got some reading to do, and I imagine you've all got much more work ahead of you for today."

With that the privacy dome is taken down and the four of them leave the office, making their way back to Amber's desk at reception.

: "Here is your reward, and here are your updated guild cards."; she said handing each of them a bag of coins and giving Treo & Stormy their updated guild cards.

: "Amber, come here please."; he called out to her as Treo and the others take their leave.

: "Now to check in with father."; he said turning to his sister.

: "We'll need you to join us, if that's okay with you two. It would help if you intend to set up a church here in the Royal Capital, I would imagine."; she said smiling knowingly.

: "Are you okay with it? Just say the word and we can go...or leave."; turning to Stormy.

: Smiling while pulling his arm close to her; "As long as you're with me, I'm good to go."

Though it typically takes a while to get to the Royal Castle and request an audience with the King, Cam and Muri (being the Prince and Princess) are able to speed this process up considerably and get an audience with the King almost immediately upon arriving. They're led to a private conference room and as before, a privacy gem is activated prior to beginning the briefing.

: "Welcome back, Cam...Muri. It's good to see you again, Stormy. And is this the adventurer you mentioned before, Muri?"

: "Yes, father. He's a transmigrator similar to Stormy and went with us to the Lich's ruins. We believe it is because of both Stormy and Treo that the Dragon god Morthrul was revealed to us. After all, when the system-wide announcement went out...there were more changes than just the Affinity system mentioned."

: "Yes, your Majesty. I've been called upon to be the 'Paladin of Morthrul', and Stormy to be the 'Cleric of Morthrul'. Apparently there was some 'Church of Morthrul' that used to exist long ago and is now being called upon in response to a great evil that Morthrul says will need to be dealt with...sometime within the year."

: "The Church of Morthrul. We'll have the archivists see what's in our historical documents. Meanwhile, what can you tell us about this great evil?"

: "Right now, I know nothing. As a Paladin, I have an oracle skill that lets me talk with Morthrul and I've asked for information I can share.

Similar to what happened in the Guildmaster's office, a white book shimmered into existence on the table before the King, titled "Morthrul".

: "I would imagine it is information meant for your eyes only."

: Taking the book and beginning to look through it as he asks; "You've not read it, then?"

: "Being a Paladin, I will be told directly by Morthrul what I need to know and when. Right now, I feel a calling to help reestablish the Church of Morthrul, so I'd like to ask if we can set up our headquarters here in the Royal Capital. I know we're asking a lot, so I apologize for the suddenness of our request."

: "Treo and I will be leading this Church, so I'm also asking for assistance with this. Is there anywhere we can use as a fitting location for the Church?"