"If you take out all the bullshit about the machines and the crappy prophecy, The Matrix was pretty close to the truth.  Just think about it for awhile and you'll see how much sense it makes.  And really, if you were trapped in a game and couldn't wake up, wouldn't you want to know the truth?  So you could do something about it?"

" . . . Still haven't convinced you, huh?  Here, tell you what: I'll give you my card.  Whenever you feel like learning the real truth of this world, give me a call.  I'll show you the ropes."

"O Divine Broker, merchant of souls, bless our transaction, make it holy and righteous in Your sight. May those that profit from it be ever prosperous, and earn our reward in Your Sacred Market. Release us from our debts, and grant us lucrative exchange now and forever."

- Prayer before a trade, from Bashad the Spectacular's "The Handbook of Divine Wealth"

Any number of clergymen might be accused of putting their demands for secular wealth over their spiritual needs. Even these, however, would never claim to worship their prosperity. Yet such is the case with the followers of the Way of Divine Wealth, a religion of uncertain history and unabashed cupidity.

Arriving in a small village the adventurering party is drawn into a meeting of the Parish Guild…