The Wandering Preacher
A man in faded blue-gray robes stands on an overturned barrel near the square, holding a cracked water jug above his head. "The waters cleanse! The waters forgive!" he shouts at the thinning crowd. "Come, drink, and be renewed in the eyes of the divine!"
Most people walk past without looking. A few linger - curious, or thirsty, or both. The man's robes bear water droplet symbols you've seen before. Church of the New Beginning.
Escolhas
- 1
Accept a drink. Water is water, regardless of who's blessing it.
sem requisitoSucessoThe water is clean and cool - say what you will about the Church, their purification technology works. The preacher beams and presses a small cloth pouch into your hands. "For the road, friend. May the waters find you."
FalhaYou take the cup, drink, and immediately get a ten-minute sermon about divine purpose and water rights. By the time you extract yourself, you've lost half an hour and gained nothing but a headache.
- 2
Walk past. You don't need religion with your hydration.
sem requisitoSucessoYou nod politely and keep moving. The preacher doesn't push - either he's genuinely benign or he knows how to read a face that says 'no.' Either way, you respect the restraint.
Falha - 3
That jug - the glaze pattern is pre-war ceramic. You recognize the manufacturer's mark.
SucessoThe jug is stamped with a Coors Ceramics logo - Golden, Colorado, pre-1988. These are collectible among salvagers who know what to look for. You mention it casually. The preacher has no idea what he's holding. He trades it for a handful of caps, happy to fund his mission. You're happy to own a piece of industrial history.
FalhaYou mention the manufacturer's mark and the preacher's eyes narrow. "This vessel is sacred. It was chosen by the waters." He clutches the jug to his chest and backs away. Other listeners start giving you suspicious looks. Time to leave.
UUID