Tell the monk that we are friends with The Rock and have urgent business with him.

May 14, 2024 (Last modified Fri Oct 18 2024 1:08 AM -0400)

That outsider you mentioned, would that be The Rock? He’s actually a friend of ours, we got separated and we’ve been spending the last few days looking for him.” There’s a moment of awkward silence before the monk responds. “The Rock is our charitable guest, yes. If you truly have business with him you may access the temple kitchen by the side entrance. If that is all, I must continue my watch.” Before you can respond, the monk disappears into the crowd. You pause to think for a moment, unsure if you should trust such an odd individual; you don’t know if this order of monks may have been compromised by Bubungo’s forces. To your surprise, The Undertaker must have caught onto your uncertainty and speaks up before you can say anything. “Look kid, I get that you might have doubts about trusting some kinda cult living in a haunted monastery, but the Order of Resting Wrestlers is legit. I studied under these monks back when I first left the scene, they’re plenty weird but they’re good people.

You’re sure there’s no chance they’re secretly working with Bubungo now? We’ve run into a lot of unexpected enemies on this quest.” you ask, but The Undertaker shakes his head in disapproval as he responds. “The order’s a neutral party, they’ve never taken sides in any conflict and I doubt they ever will. Now come on, if you’re still that unsure I’ll take the lead. I think I even remember the side entrance that guy was talking about.” Trusting The Undertaker’s guidance, you and your party make your way out of the crowded courtyard and down an adjacent alley. About halfway down the length of the building you come upon a plain wooden door leading inside the temple, propped open with a loose brick. “I knew it, this is the place.The Undertaker mutters, “Be respectful fellas, this is a place of worship.” He then pulls the door open and ushers you and El Disgusto inside.

As you enter the temple, right away you’re hit by the familiar aroma of The Rock’s perpetual stew. As expected you find yourself in a large, crowded kitchen, and all around you are dozens of monks rushing around carrying food, bowls, trays and cutlery around the kitchen and out into what must be the main hall. You push your way through the crowd of monks, and at the back of the room you finally spot The Rock himself, intently stirring a large cauldron of soup. As your party approaches your old friend, you call out to grab his attention; “Hey, need an extra set of hands? I’ve got three right here!

The Rock looks up from his cauldron in confusion, and his eyes go wide as soon as he spots your face. “Gregory! I was beginning to think I’d never see you again!The Rock glances over at the rest of your party, grimacing slightly at the sight of El Disgusto then appearing even more surprised upon recognizing The Undertaker. “And The Undertaker too, that’s an even more unexpected surprise. How did you manage to convince this old hermit to tag along with you?The Undertaker chuckles at the question, then steps forward and clasps The Rock’s hand. “You’re one to talk, mister forest recluse. Just seemed like the right time to get back into action, I’m sure you can guess why.The Rock then responds with a soft chuckle of his own. “Of course, I wish we could have had this reunion under better circumstances, but it’s good to see you all the same.

The Undertaker steps back again, and The Rock returns his focus to you. “Now then Gregory, while it is wonderful that we’ve been reunited, I’m afraid I must return to my soup. I’m sure you’ve seen the line of refugees outside waiting for their chance to get a warm meal, so unfortunately I cannot just up and leave right now. If you’d like to help serve the people in line I’m sure the monks would be happy to accept your assistance, but if you have any other business in Wrestler’s Rest then we can also meet in the inner sanctum later.

Will you assist The Rock and the monks, or leave the temple and return later?

> Help The Rock hand out soup, then catch him up on our escapades after.

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