Quest Eleven - Sacred Scrutiny feat. Shepard Speed

    The Jacoban Church in uBs was relatively new and low in the Jacoban hierarchy.  Funding from the central church authority ensured that the building was far from modest, but it kept the local church leader under pressure to maintain a high level of Jacoban influence in the kingdom.  The Church was well maintained, but how would uBs’s Jacoban branch hold up to a surprise inspection?
    High Shepard Speed had been working on building the Jacoban faith in uBs, but still felt there was much work to be done.  One day, his attendant approached looking quite distracted…
    Speed asks his attendant what is worrying him so.  The attendant can barely spit it out, “Inquisitor Jesmaine is here to see you.  She is waiting at the front gate and told me to run and fetch you immediately.  She did not state her reason for being here, but she looked quite serious.  I hope everything is alright.”
    Speed walks down to the gate to meet her.  She looks up as he arrives, “Ah. High Shepard Speed, you've finally arrived.  I was beginning to think that perhaps you had taken an unscheduled sabbatical.”  Speed lets the comment slide and asks what the Inquisitor was doing.  She keeps a serious face, “As you may have guessed, I’m not here simply to have a friendly visit.  Walk with me, High Shepard.”
    Speed and the Inquisitor walk into the town square where some peasants are sitting around.  A blonde guy looks up and starts laughing, “Well look who it is, the high and mighty High Shepard Speed.  Hey, has the Watcher touched you recently?  I heard you have a really close relationship.  Nice costume, by the way.  You should try out for court jester!”  The Inquisitor shakes her head, “This kingdom is coming along nicely.  It was a wise investment for the Jacobans to build a cathedral here.  I’m sure you've been putting an appropriate amount of work into spreading the teachings of Jacob.  And yet, you are openly mocked about your faith.  Obviously it is MY OWN fault for coming at a bad time.”  As they both walk more into the kingdom, Jermaine continues, “And what a lovely pit you have here.  I’m sure it must be quite useful in reminding people what fate might befall them if they don’t fulfill their obligations…Come now, let us move on to have a look at your cathedral.  I’m eager to see the work you've put into it since construction was completed.”
    As the Inquisitor arrives at the cathedral she sighs, “I love the cathedral’s towering, pointed arches.  They are a symbol of the higher authority to which we must subjugate ourselves.  They remind us of our place.  Do you feel your place in the order of things, High Shepard?  I have some opinions on it, if you care to hear them.”  Speed nods.  She continues, “Your place, High Shepard, is to be the representative of the Jacoban way of life in this kingdom.  Your efforts bring disbelievers to our righteous cause.  Let us see now how well you are able to perform your task.  I shall hear a sermon from you.”
    Speed steps up to the podium and begins his sermon.  He tells of the way of life and the troubles that fall upon the heads of the congregation.  After an hour he closes his book and steps down. He goes to ask the Inquisitor how she liked it.  Inquisitor Jesmaine shook her head and tutted impatiently.  “Oh, Speed, I feel respect for The Watcher now, but am I terrified?  I've taken stock of this Church and I find myself…disappointed.  The Church demands that we grow and maintain our influence.  It is the Watcher’s mandate that those who cannot do their part be investigated by the high council.  It is not a pleasant process, High Shepard.  Help me reflect on the Watch, that he may illuminate your path to salvation.”  Speed bows his head and begins to pray with the Inquisitor.
    Suddenly, she looks up, “I have heard the will of the Watcher!  The following tasks are required for your redemption: bring more people into our faith, and bless your cathedral to cleanse it from evil spirits.  You must also find a sacred relic that will draw people to the power of the church.  Just those three little things, High Shepard, and the church will no longer doubt your devotion!”  With that she walks away and leaves Speed to decide on his course of action.
    After a few minutes, Speed decides that finding the ancient relic would put a jump start on the people coming to the faith.  He reflects on the Watcher for a while and is overcome with a feeling.  He feels that he must seek help from an unlikely source…someone who seems to be the cause of a problem rather than a solution.  Speed walks down to the town square and on arrival hears someone talking to him, “Hey, Shepard Speed, how’s the religion business going?  Nice and profitable?  Converting a lot of new suckers today?  What a pile of dragon dung!”  Speed notices the man from earlier who was mocking him and sighs.  His name is Ignacio and Speed must now ask if he has the relic.
    The Shepard approaches the unruly peasant and asks him if he has any idea where the relic could be.  Ignacio replies, “I don’t know nothing about any stupid relic.  And even if I did, I sure wouldn't tell some stuffed robe from the church!  Now leave me alone, I gotta go drown my sorrows in ale.”
    Speed follows him to the tavern and serves him up a tankard of ale.  Ignacio looks at him suspiciously, “Maybe you’re not a complete jerk.  Doesn't mean I’m suddenly your best friend of anything.  And a free drink ain't gonna give me religion either.  What has the Watcher done for me?  A fat lot of nothing, that’s what.”
    Speed sweet talks his way into making Ignacio open up as he gets drunk.  The man is having trouble standing but is blubbering to Speed, “You know, I can’t remember the last time I spoke with someone this openly.  I’m sorry for being a jerk earlier.  I just…I’m unhappy a lot and I don’t really handle it so well.”  Speed asks him what’s wrong.  Ignacio shakes a bit, “I…I did something bad a long time ago…I haven’t told anyone about this, I feel so ashamed now.  You’re a priest, you can absolve my transgressions, right?  I’ll do whatever it takes, just let me know what I need to do.”  High Shepard Speed nods and invites Ignacio to come to the cathedral to be healed.  The peasant agrees and makes his way there.
    Once safely inside the cathedral walls, Ignacio confesses his story.  “When I was young, I came across a man who had been stabbed by bandits.  Before dying he pointed toward some bushes nearby, looked me in the eye, and said, ‘Take it to a priest of Jacob’.  In the bushes was a sack holding a human skull.  I was just a kid!  I didn't know what to do…So…so I kept the skull.  I know now what I must do.  Here, Shepard, this rightfully belongs to the Jacoban church.  Please forgive me and absolve my wrongdoings!”  Speed absolves the man of his transgressions and Ignacio cries tears of joy and claims he will sing praises of the Jacoban church from this day forward.
    With the skull now in his possession, people are flocking towards the church to be converted to the Jacoban faith.  It seems the skull is a mighty symbol that people fear.  After the skull is in its proper place, Speed brews some holy water to help bless the cathedral.  After it is all said and done, Speed goes to find the Inquisitor once more.  She looks around the cathedral, “I feel the difference already.  You have blessed these grounds with holy water, and given this place a much-needed cleansing.  And what of the relic?  Had you any luck in finding one, hmm?”  Speed shows her the skull he found.  She gasps, “Is this…could it be?  You have found the Skull of Davius!  This is incredible, High Shepard.  The church had believed this relic lost forever!  This is a good omen that you should find it for your congregation.  What power!  Well done.”
    High Shepard Speed’s dedication to the Jacoban Order was now beyond question.  Thanks to his hard work, the uBs church received a glowing report from the High Council and Speed solidified his position as the kingdom Shepard.