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Once the Deacon has been called and his relic used, the next step of this awaiting cataclysm may begin. However, one must choose to continue this, it cannot go on without the bearer's consent. What comes from this path is much destruction and misery, so one must be prepared to inflict such a fate for their cause. If one is sure in their conviction, they may go forth and call to the second Emissary. With the proper words and offerings, they can summon the Almoner of Frogs, and take the next terrible step. Those who call her forth may be surprised by what greets them. Though her appearance is no less shocking than the Deacon who came before her, her demeanor tends to startle her summoners. What comes from this entity is a kind, gurgling voice, speaking with mind of a caring swampy grandmother. A sweet greeting is given to all bearers, often followed by questions about how one is doing and how their day has been. One should be mindful of their manners when speaking with her, as being rude or short with her will damage her opinion of you. Offend her enough, and she may straight up leave, bringing the process to an end and forever barring one from calling upon their kind again. Answer her inquiries with care, and it wouldn't hurt to ask how she is doing as well. After some simple chit-chat, she will ask if you wish to take her relic and bring about the second plague. If you are prepared for the task, you may agree, but she will not relinquish it just yet. The relic she gives is tied to her brood, and she cares deeply for every one of her children. She will ask for you to be kind to her children, bring no harm to them by your hand or by any who follow you and return them all safely once the task is done. This is a promise you must make, and one you must keep. When this pact is made, she shall give you her relic and leave you to your quest.       From the Almoner will come the Staff of Anura, an artifact crafted from bone and slime. Slung within its hooked head is a teeming mass of eggs, each one pulsing and gurgling with life. All one has to do is strike the earth with the bottom of the staff, and these eggs shall come raining down. The moment they strike the ground, they shall burst and release the larvae nestled within. In seconds, these squirming children shall turn to full-grown frogs, and they will bound off into the world. No matter how many times the staff is struck, and no matter how many eggs come tumbling out, the living orb will never shrink or deplete. Her brood will be born, and they cover the land with their slimy bodies. Her children will go wherever they like, fearing no man or beast. They will slip into homes, sneak into beds and hop right onto one's plate. Those terrorized by their constant presence may crush them beneath their heels, but from the ruined mess shall emerge a dozen more tadpoles. Even as these new larvae rapidly grow, more frogs will come bounding in, drawn by the death of their kin. If a victim does not cease in their brutality, they may drown in the ceaseless croaking wave. When enough misery has been unleashed upon the populace, the bearer can call off the slimy hordes. Within the staff is a special mouthpiece, allowing the bearer to play it like an instrument. Blowing into it will create a gurgling song, a cacophony of croaks and cries that will dance upon the wind. All the children who hear it will cease in their actions and immediately come hopping back to the bearer. Once at their feet, they revert back to larvae, slither up the staff and return to their eggs. One should be warned though, as the song is not a limitless one. If the bearer summons too many of her young, they may travel farther than the song may reach. If they do not hear it, they will not return and will continue in their chaos. As long as one of her children remains unreturned, the Almoner will not give her blessing that allows one to call the third Emissary. That means traveling the land in search of the missing, hoping the tune reaches their ears. Those who are careful in their actions will have no problem in calling all of them back with the first song, but the careless may spend a while in pursuit of her lost children. Keep in mind that there is no way to give up in this task, once you have let them out, you must return every one. If one does not return all of them soon, she will begin to haunt the bearer, constantly pushing them to find those that remain uncalled for. The promise must be kept, and one will know no rest or peace until it is upheld. Bring them all home, or perish in the endless pursuit.   Bring them home, and the path shall open to the next... ------------------------------------------------------------- Back from the ol' trip! Will post a journal on it soon, but figured you folks would prefer a submission first! Here comes the second Emissary of the Plagues! Thank goodness I used a frog reference for this one because without it I- OH NO IT WAS UPSIDE DOWN! What a flub! I also believe this was the Emissary that made me realize I was doomed to make each of these as annoyingly detailed as possible. Oh boy, just had to draw a thousand frog eggs, huh? You know you have to color all those, right?

Certainly our social tradition has evolved as we incorporate a more professional expression of social work in how we continue to serve our communities but the connection our Church and faith has to charity and social ministries is a fuel that continues to feed these professional services. The Almoner is an institutional reminder to us that we need to always be grounded with the life of the Church and the mission of the Gospel.

French vintage postcard

The abbé Even, catholic almoner in the 51st division. 10th September 1917. He's wearing an artillery helmet, almoners didn't have special markings on their helmet.