An ivy covered church stood defiant in the morning sun. A blanket of shade descended from it's white stone steeple thrown over the assembled crowd. Beastkin gathered around in a well worn exercise yard. Women, children, and old men collected themselves awaiting a sermon from a central figure.

"When the world had been scoured, did she give up then?" A shirtless priest asked the crowd of assembled beastkin. The priest was built like a bodybuilder. Sweat dripped down his washboard abs as he adjusted a long, thick iron exercise sword on his shoulder. His black wolf ears twitched slightly as they followed murmurs within the crowd. "No! And neither would we!"

"Let me paint a picture, for the uneducated. A hundred years of bloody war raged all across the land! For years, the dead marched upon the living looking to destroy all life. And did they?" The priest looked around awaiting a proper answer. The crowd murmured their defiant objections.

"No! We're still alive! Because the dead were met with steel and claw! But!" The priest gave a dramatic pause. "The living were being ground down. Humans, elves, and beastkin were dying. Our cities, towns, communities, and farms were slipping away to the ever growing horde of the dead. Our families were torn apart. Our felled warriors were added to the marching dead! An avalanche of rotting flesh, bone, and cold iron rampaged through our lands! Our sword arm was flagging as we were pushed back more and more!"

The crowd booed the situation.

"Our goddess commanded us to fight and we obeyed! We fought and fought, until it seemed all hope was lost." The priest held the iron training sword aloft. "The undead were one step away from killing off all of life as we know it! Then! She descended, Freyes touched down upon the land. Anointing a champion, she bade us to fight! And we did! With the goddesses' fury and her champion, our ancestors fought with renewed vigor. Our fighters, led by the new champion, drove back the dark forces of the dead! Battle after battle, the momentum of war shifted. What was once inevitable destruction, had shifted. Now, it was our turn to lay the dead to rest! It took years of fighting, but our ancestor's did it!

"Now, we look upon a verdant land! All because we did not quit! Remember beastkin, your life will be full of tribulations, but you must fight. Never give up, not even when all seems lost! For just like our ancestors of old, you too will be faced with great odds! Trials and tribulations are facts of life, yet the goddess will give us the strength to persevere!" The crowd cheered, as the sermon ended.

"Now! Those who have been injured fighting, please see Sister Maria within our hospital to my right. Anyone looking for other services may see me inside the main building in a moment." The priest coughed awkwardly. "As usual, any donations are greatly appreciated. Mana potions for our healers aren't free...."

Fritz watched the hobbling mass of Beastkin all move towards the hospital. Black eyes, bruises, broken arms and bloody bandages were all common amongst the moving crowd. Fritz stood perfectly still, as every single beastkin shuffled towards the hospital. The priest shook his head momentarily, before moving into the main building of the church.

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Fritz followed the priest. The building was sparse. Unadorned gray granite stone walls surrounded, clear white windows. Rows and rows of wooden pews faced the altar. A single fountain of crystal clear water sat in a nearby fountain. Next to it, a wooden altar depicting snarling beasts stood as a central podium. Behind it, a rich tapestry depicting Freyes and her worshippers stood in contrast to the drab interior. The priest from before stood beside the altar inspecting the tapestry. He had set his iron training sword down against the altar. His large arms were crossed as Fritz approached him.

"Hello human." The priest said calmly.

"How'd you know it was me?" The priest tapped his nose. Fritz lifted up his arm as he sniffed his armpit. The priest let out a light chuckle, as he turned around.

"You don't stick, but you do smell different. Very different. Also you were the only one who didn't look injured. What have you come here for? Something must trouble you." Fritz frowned slightly, as he considered his next words. "Issues with beastkin? I know your kind is rather squishy. Perhaps issues with the undead or demonic?" The priest asked the final question with a smug smile.

"How'd you know about the undead?" Fritz asked suddenly. The priest coughed awkwardly.

"Lucky guess!" He said quickly, trying to recover his composure. "Though we are far from Gris, that doesn't mean strange things don't happen. Hauntings are very common! And lucky for you I have just the thing!"

The priest disappeared behind the altar. Fritz heard a key unlocking the altar as the priest returned with a twinkling vial of water.

"This! Right here! Is the solution To all of your problems!" The priest said with a flourish. "A few sprinklings of this around your room and on your person and voilà, your problem will be solved. Any and all ghosts shall flee from your presence. Any issues involving the undead can be solved with it! From the spectral to the rotting! This right here will fix you up!" The priest finished his spiel with a winning smile and wink.

"What is it?" Fritz asked.

"Holy water, you id-" The priest caught himself, with a cough. "This is holy water. Purified and sanctified by our very own reverend mother with much effort and holy energy."

"It just looks like regular water."

"Tsk, tsk. Many would make that mistake. But no! This water is different! Its latent holy energy is anathemic to the dead! Any, and all lingering dead that come into contact with this water shall suffer Freyes' wrath."

"I mean, how can I tell if it's actually holy water?" Fritz asked. "I'm interested, but how do I know it's not just water?"

"Hold out your finger. I'll pour just a drop." Fritz compiled as the muscular priest let a single drop fall upon Fritz's finger. Fritz admired the pure color of the water, as he brought it to his mouth. As the single drop touched his tongue he felt a tingling waves of radiant power spread throughout him.

"Do you see? Are you still interested?"

"Very. How much?"

"Five hundred gold pieces. You humans are always rich. Surely you have that at least that?" Fritz blinked slowly. Turning out his pocket, he produced a handle of silver and copper coins. Fritz's face contorted into an awkward smile, as he saw the priest's face harden.

"I think I'm a bit short."

"Please, leave before I punch you." The priest snarled.

Pivoting on his heels, Fritz ran out of the church into the city.