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Faliana is glad to sit down with Kalwe and help broaden the traditions of the tribe, trying to put an artistic flair on the parts of the story she adds in. However, as Dale keeps asking about detail after detail and the conversation draws on, Fali's eye start to glaze over. Towards the end she just let's Moke take over and start talking about some of the tactics his town used to use to combat demons.
When the food and drink is finally brought in, Faliana takes back control, and listens to the woman's comments. "As my friends have said, it is an honor you would invite us to your tribe's ceremony! I will gladly attend. Is there anything in particular we should know about the ceremony in advance? I'd hate to do something rude."
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Faliana will quickly learn that artistic embellishment is frowned upon, when relaying information... which only dampens her interest quicker!
Elder Kalwe nods, at your willingness to participate. "Very well, the ceremony will take place tomorrow, at noon, by the yellowheart tree.
She inclines her head towards Faliana. "The ceremony is one of gratitude among the Ekujae. It will include markings, from each of those who owe you a life" She adds, one hand going to her face, which is completely covered in such tattoos. "Though nothing so extensive as this, mind you."
"The marks will be temporary." She adds.
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Faliana gives a slight bow the woman's words. "I would be glad to accept the tatoos!" She hesitates for a moment, before deciding to press on, a little unsure of what she is saying. "This might be terribly rude of me, and apologies if it is, but can they be put in other places than on the face? Saving someone's life is a serious thing, and what the saved do in return is also very important; not something we should be able to wash away..."
"As such I really would love to get a more permanent version, but facial markings have some very big stigmas in certain places where they might not know their importance..."
Faliana then shakes her head and gives a smile, "But more importantly, you said you might be interested in building relations with the Pathfinders! Even if it's not right now, I do know a few people you could contact. First there's Aya in Natambu, she knows the local area, but if you're interested in more formal relations, asking a Lady Gloriana Morilla in Absalom would be a great place to start."
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"The Ekujae wear these marks as a symbol of pride, not things to be hidden away." Kalwe replies, with a slight frown. "Or thought of as badges of shame. If your people view them as such, that is a slight on them, not us."
"If you do not wish them, you may opt to not participate, as is your right." She adds, as she gets gracefully up to leave. "As I said, the markings are not permanent. I'm sure by the time you return to your city, they will have faded, and your reputation will remain intact."
She makes a vague motion towards her own face, covered completely in tattoos that you can only guess at the meaning and history of. "I'm not sure we could survive the stigma." She responds, pointedly.
The Elder takes a deep breath. "I apologize, I forget sometimes that our ways are as foreign to outsiders as their's are to us." She relents slightly. "You have done a great service for the Ekujae, despite our differences. I will consider your advice, and relay it to the Elders, should we continue our relationship."
And with that, she heads out.
You're not sure, but you think Fal may have just dodged something there.
The next day, once the rain ceases in the early morning, the clouds clear quickly, and Tad is overjoyed to get an unobstructed view of his Goddess' holy light from the clearing in the center of the village, as he performs his morning prayers.
The elves of Jalunth seem a little excited, news of your deeds in Dehu Inu, and the return of Kaghaze and the other three scouts has spread quickly. Everyone seems just a little less on edge, perhaps just a little friendlier... though it's hard to tell at times, elves, even the wild elves of the Expanse, seeming somewhat aloof in general.
You are escorted to the clearing surrounding the yellowheart tree a couple of hours before midday, and motioned to sit wherever you'd like amid the various stones, and there you are to wait until the sun is at its zenith... then the ceremony will occur.
At first, it seems easy enough... but you quickly realize that sitting out in the sun, in the humid air, is actually not very comfortable at all. Though surprisingly, you see almost no insects, the heat makes up for their absence, and it is not long before everyone except Dale is sweating profusely. Children show up periodically with gourds filled with fresh water, or sometimes a piece of fruit, which they leave, before running off again without a word, but otherwise you are left on your own.
As the sun gets higher in the sky, you note that some of the villagers start to gather along the outskirts of the clearing... just a few children at first, then a few adults, then more and more... until as the sun finally approaches its high point, it seems like the entire village has come to watch the ceremony.
Eventually, the three scouts from Dehu Inu appear, just wandering in from the crowd. They do not seem dressed any differently then any of the other elves. Whatever the ceremony is, clearly pomp and circumstance are not part of it. You do not see any of the elders, although you do see Fola watching from the side, with a slight smile.
Not long after, Elder Nolanu makes an appearance, the elderly elf walking into the clearing and sitting quietly near the yellowheart tree, where he promptly appears to go to sleep... or perhaps just meditating... one hand resting on the tree. No one else seems to pay him any attention at all, but as if it were some silent signal, the three scouts start working their way from each of you to the next. They all carry a wooden stylus in one hand, and a small clay pot in the other.
They each start on a different Pathfinder, each of them speaking to you in elvish, which Dale and Faliana will tell you is mostly just ritualized words of gratitude and friendship... though each starts with a long formally introduction in which they use long formal-sounding names far longer and more involved then you've heard any of the other elves use.
Once they speak, they then dip the pens in the pots, and the ink therein, and spend a few minutes marking each of your faces in turn. Not always in the same place, nor always the same mark from each, before moving on and repeating the same introduction, and inking process with the next Pathfinder. Each of the marks seems to fit with the others, until once all three are added, they look like they were all part of the same design.
All three of them seem to be a little confused when they come to Monty... clearly not sure how to go about marking someone with fur, before eventually settling for smaller symbols that more just dye the fur, then mark the skin. They have the exact opposite reaction to Tad, the little grippli having an entire head for a canvas.
When they are done, they all step back, and another elf walks into the clearing. It takes you a moment to realize it is Kaghaze, looking much better then the last time you saw him, though still with the slightly haunted look in his eyes. He too passes between each of you, repeating the ritual of the other three, including giving you a name that doesn't have 'Kaghaze' in it anywhere. He then adds a mark of his own to that of the others... but where the others all used black ink, Kaghaze's is red, and his mark is much smaller. Though separate from those of the others, it seems to compliment them.
Once he is done, all four of them nod, and just like that, everything seems to be done, only a half hour after it started. Suddenly the villagers are all filing into the clearing, and congratulating you, or thanking you, in some way or another... though only Faliana and Dale understand fully what they say. Somewhere in the chaos, Nolanu seems to have disappeared, no longer napping by the tree, and Kaghaze leaves as soon as it is done as well.
And the informal ceremony suddenly becomes an informal celebration... Dru even manages to find some 'fermented beverage' pressed into her hand at some point.
You all completely forget how hot and humid it was... or maybe you finally just got used to it?
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After the ceremony, Brady seeks out the elders.
Brady begins with a simple greeting. "Thank you for sharing this ceremony, and these marks, with us. It is a great honor." He tries to feel our from their response whether a discussion of trade is something that would be discouraged at this moment or not.
If now seems to be a bad time, he will attempt to find them at another time before leaving Jalunth, wanting to have the best chance of making his case.
"While I have martial skills, that allowed me to serve the Ekujae when we went to Dehu Inu, I also have skills in trade. It is these that I would like to offer you today. If the Ekujae already have a trading partner with the outside world, I would like to take over that business. You have shared with me the smallest part of your traditions; I feel like I probably know your tribe better because of this, and can provide a better service on your behalf." He pulls out his Traveler's Any-Tool, transforming it into an abacus, and makes some simple calculations showing exchange rates that he can offer. He hopes that the unwritten nature of the calculations will impress them.
Recruit a named NPC merchant, smuggler, trader, or similar figure to cooperate with the Exchange. Doing so requires a successful Diplomacy or Profession (merchant) check with a DC equal to 15 + your character level.
Undermine a rival entrepreneur or merchant so that you can claim his market share. Doing so requires a successful Bluff, Intimidate, or Profession (merchant) check (DC = 15 + your character level).
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Monty resists the urge to chuckle at the difficulty of dying his fur the appropriate color. During the celebration afterwards he joins in, a smile on his face as he laughs and cavorts with the rest. Tattoos do not agree with fur, so he'll pass for today, though he does do some general monkeying about to entertain the crowd. Soon enough he slips away though and watches the party from above. He figures Faliana will find him soon enough, and when she does, he smiles at her.
That... He waves at the party below.
Is a very good reminder of just why we do the nonsense we do... though I must admit, such boisterousness is a little more tiring for me than it used to be a long time ago.
He leans on his new staff, much sturdier and heavier than his hanbo, but much more meaningful than the old stick had been to.
I must say... I think I'll miss these folk. They're not so bad once they've warmed up to you. All it takes is defeating a elder evil and their downright friendly!
He chuckles at the joke and shakes his head.
Life takes the strangest turns.
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Dale sits in the clearing waiting for the ceremony to begin, enjoying the sunshine, the lack of a body wasting disease, food, water, being dry for the second time in about 10 days... what more could a crazy, hairy alchemist want in life? "Oh, what fruit is that? Bring it here little one so I can give it a good look over!" He reaches out and snatches the strange fruit, giving the girl a smile.
As he's being painted he works on his 'Wild Elven', thanking the people, and insisting they do his markings in permanent ink. "This is pretty much the only thing I've seen you all write down, so no way am I letting it fade away!" He says with 1000% sincerity.
Dale will work to seek out Nolanu, eager to discuss with him his knowledge on healing spells and medicine. "If you have some time, and being an Elf I know you do... much more than someone like me. I wanted to thank you again for saving me from the plague when I came here. I hope we can sit and speak about healing medicines together. I work very hard to learn about many things, but medicines and how the body works is at the top of that list."
Dale takes a drink and continues "Our society has many like me, well, not LIKE me, but those with similar interests. We gather knowledge so it may be preserved and saved and used! Would you think about sharing this knowledge and receiving our knowledge?"
*(0/2)Recruit a named NPC scholar, knowledgeable spellcaster, or similar figure to the Dark Archive. Recruitment requires a successful Diplomacy or Knowledge (arcana) check with a DC equal to 15 + your character level.
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Faliana spends the night thinking long and hard about the tattoos, and in the morning tries to find Kalwe. "After thinking about what you said yesterday, I realized I wasn't being respectful. I would be grateful to accept the tattoos, and I mean permanently, if that is how they are originally intended to be. The honor you are offering is not something I should take lightly."
When the time comes for them to sit and wait, Faliana loses herself in worrying over what she might have gotten herself into. To try distracting herself, she spends quite a bit of the time in her head talking with her spirit of the day. The fact that spirit is Fritannia, who had more than a dozen tattoos of varying quality, doesn't seem to help much, though.
When the time comesfor the actual ceremony, she has calmed herself enough that the only thing that betrays her worry is a few extra beads of sweat on her brow. She tries to puzzle out the longer and more formal sounding names, but gets lost in the intricacies. When the group finishes, the medium gives a mental sigh of relief; the tattoos were small and not too painful.
She is glad to spend a little while cavorting with the villagers, finally glad to have the chance to meet people and learn some of their ways. However when she catches sight of Monty moving off on his own, she politely excuses her self and moves after him. She watches him from below for a moment, let the vanaran have a few moments quiet, before trying to scale the tree and join him.
She takes a seat on the branch, not entirely comfortable with standing,
before glancing up at Monty. "Oh, I think you know it's not nonsense, but it is a good reminder of why we do these things." She smiles at the man's joke. "If that was an elder evil then it should have had a stronger altar! But I agree leaving here is not something I look forward to, and that's not because of how uncomfortable the hike back is going to be."
She glances at the new yellowheart staff Monty seems to have taken an interest in. "You know that staff suits you, it lends more of an air of wisdom and gravitas than the hanbo you had before." She then looks out over the crowd down below, but her hand wanders up to the spot on her left chin and cheekbone where she got her tattoos earlier. After a good pregnant pause, she looks up at Monty again. "These don't look too bad, do they? They weren't a mistake, right? ...No don't answer that, I'll find out on my own, sooner or later."
She then changes the topic and starts to point out some of the more interesting scenes happening below them. Is that Dru? Seems she's drinking a group of people under the table..."
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The next morning, she channels her spirit, a very interested Anavi who starts to wax poetic on living a simple life. Trying to make the most of her time left in town, she then starts talking to the various merchants and business people in town, curious about their lives and customs. Later in the day she plays with some of the younger kids in town, even telling them a few stories, with minimal embellishment, about what their merry band of Pathfinders had been through up until this point. Before ether rains start to pour in the afternoon she hunts down someone who knows the oral traditions of the town and asks if she might be able to listen, explaining, "I never really learned anything thing about my elven ancestry, and while I highly doubt they were Ekujae, I still would love to have the opportunity to do so now."
Brady will get the impression that the Ekujae have no desire, or need, for outside trade... and the elder he talks to confirms this view.
Luckily, you don't speak any of the languages they do, so they just nod and smile as you talk to them, and go about what they were doing anyway.
The next few days are relaxing. The Ekujae have a very simple lifestyle, with none of the trappings of civilization you are used to. Once they stop trying to shoot you for being an outsider, it becomes far easier to appreciate the place.
When it finally does come time to head out, you are met by Elders Kalwe and Nolanu.
"We have discussed with the other Elders your requests." Kalwe says, with a look towards Faliana.
"Working with outsiders is not our way." Nolanu continues. "But the events at Dehu Inu have taught us that we can not solve every problem by ourselves."
"So perhaps your Society we can consider friends." Kalwe adds. "Fola Barun will accompany you back to your city. She will talk to this Aya Allahe woman you spoke of. We will see where it goes from there."
"Overtures." Nolana explains, solemnly.
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Fola will meet you as you prepare to leave, and start the long trip back to Nantambu.
The way back ends up going much better then the way in. You barely notice the heat anymore, and the insect repellent you acquired in Jalunth does a decent job keeping most of the bugs at bay. At least enough that you are not constantly scratching or feel like you're breathing the things in.
The jungle itself still proves obstinate, as you are still forced to hack your way through much of it... but Fola proves a good guide, and manages to move you around some of the worst spots, and the rest you've mostly grown used to by now. Drusilla thinks of it as a proper work out!
It only takes you six days to make the journey back to the city, and you notice Fola getting more nervous, the closer you get. Eventually she will mention that the only human settlement she's ever been to was her father's village, which was smaller then Jalunth and almost as isolated... and she left there when she was ten, almost thirty years prior.
Not surprisingly, the big city is quite a shock. The shear number of people and busy activity of it almost overwhelms her. So it is with some relief that you finally arrive back at Sharrowsmith Exports, and return to the relative peacefulness of the Pathfinder offices hidden in its depths.
Aya is not there when you arrive, but shows up within the hour, looking like she is always busy doing something important. She is glad to hear of the success of your mission, to fulfill the debt of her friend Nieford. She is even more intrigued when you introduce her to Fola, and she learns about the reason for her visit.
Before you can do much, you suddenly find Fola spirited away to talk with Aya, and you get stuck writing reports on your activities. You quickly start to wonder if maybe the Ekujae's way is easier...
It is nice being back in the busy city of Nantambu, after traipsing through the jungle for a couple of uncomfortable weeks... but you do occasionally find yourselves missing the quiet, relaxed, atmosphere of Jalunth.
Now that the Ekujae are not attacking Pathfinder interests, Aya is able to quickly get the lodge's activities running quite smoothly again, organization apparently one of her fortes. Fola Barun ends up hanging around the city for a week, working closely with Aya, before she heads out again, making sure to say farewell before she does. You see the young wild-blooded Ekujae occasionally after that, as she seems to come and go at regular intervals, traveling between Jalunth and Nantambu... apparently whatever relationship you fostered between the Pathfinders and the Ekujae has taken on a life of its own.
For the most part though, the six of you are left to your own devices after that, working your way into the local scene as best you can... all of you almost considered locals by now! It is almost a month and a half later, that you end up called back to the Lodge again, officially.
Aya is there, as she always seems to be, with trays of ice drinks, fruits, and other refreshments already assembled. You notice she has replaced the large hardwood desk that Sharrowsmith had in the office, with a much smaller one. Though without the mounds of paperwork piling up, you suppose there wasn't such a need for the larger surface. Though she also seems to have added a large table, so perhaps the smaller desk was more convenient.
You also note that Fola is here as well, you had not realized she was back in town again. The young half-elf is working over the table, meticulously adding details to a half-finished map represented there. She gives you a conspiratorial smile as you enter, though doesn't stop what she's doing.
The brow over Aya's gold eyes wrinkles slightly, hinting at some unsaid worry, as she motions for you to grab a refreshment.
"I'm afraid we've another possible situation brewing." She says finally, her delicate hands absently turning over a letter in her hand.
"You remember Juliet Dias?" She asks, looking up at you. She then nods. "She's a very good friend of mine. After you helped her fend off those ape-men hoards and evacuate back here, true to her word, she managed to dredge up a new expedition force, and returned to the Azlant Ridge site within weeks of your first arrival here in Nantambu."
She stops, and glances over at Fola, still working on the map. "Fola, you mentioned to me before that you wanted to learn how Pathfinder agents begin a mission. Why don't you hold off on that map for a few minutes and listen?"
The Ekujae woman nods, smiling slightly. She moves over to stand behind the desk with Aya, who nods approvingly before continuing. "You all know the situation with the Azlant Ridge site when you left, but despite all of that, Juliet was adamant about getting back to it as quickly as possible. The site has been up and running again for months now, and everything has been quiet since they returned. Whatever beating you gave the ape-men seems to have kept them from continuing their attacks, and nary a hint of interest from Bloodcove in all this time. Perhaps your words swayed their mercenaries after all." She offers, with a nod towards Faliana and Monty.
"Or the jungle got them." She adds, a moment later. "Either way, the Consortium does not seem to be involved, but one can never rule it out that close to Bloodcove."
"Anyway, even before that setback, Juliet submitted monthly reports, like clockwork." She explains, her brow furrowing again. "The woman is almost as meticulous as me, I've been told."
Fola barely conceals a grin.
"'Archeology is a slow and careful science', she was always keen to remind me. Who knew not all Pathfinders were reckless thrill-seekers?" Aye smiles slightly, pausing as if recalling a long ago conversation.
Fola suddenly speaks up to fill the silence, gently pulling the letter from between Aya's fingers. "Juliet's correspondence is apparently a week overdue." She offers, handing the letter to you. "This was her last missive. It describes a strange light emanating from somewhere deeper in the Terwa Uplands, and her intense curiosity about it."
Aya smiles at Fola, then gives you a moment to review the letter in question.
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Our work proceeds well, and my cleverest linguists are working to decipher the runes uncovered in the cliff’s deepest room. They seem to confirm that this site was no mere Azlanti outpost, but a weapons repository to aid the cyclopes of the declining Ghol-Gan empire against the serpentfolk and their fiendish allies. I’ll send a full translation and rubbing once we're complete.
One other item of note: we've recently spotted a pale, steady light deeper in the Terwa Uplands, about a day away. It's persisted for two nights. I'd like to investigate, in case it's a temporary phenomenon, but we have our ongoing work for the Society to consider. The journey should not take too long. I'll update you next month.
Juliet Dias
"As you can see, something was drawing her attention out there, and knowing Juliet, she would not have let it go unexplored for long." Aya finally interjects. "Though a week is not long for correspondence, especially here in the Expanse... it is very out of character for Juliet... and considering her intentions, I worry that something else could be at fault."
"So, since you six are quite familiar with the site, and Juliet herself, I am tasking you with heading back to Azlant Ridge and making sure she has not met with dangers beyond her ability to deal with."
Her face gets more grim. "The site is far too important to leave unknowns as unknowns. So, whatever Juliet's personal situation, we need you to ensure that the Pathfinder archeologists under her supervision are safe and continuing their valuable work."
"But, aside from that, Juliet is my friend, so I admit to having a bit of a personal stake in her fate as well... So please, once the site itself is secure, help however you can if she is in some sort of danger... or injured... or worse." She frowns slightly at the last possibility.
"Normally I would send you downriver by boat to Bloodcove, then you would travel to the site from there, but it has only been six months since you were there last." She smiles ruefully. "Not nearly long enough for memories to fade as much as one would like."
"So, I contacted that caravan owner you used last time." She nods towards Brady. "I believe you and he have had some dealings since? Anyway, he will meet you a day short of Bloodcove, and take you the rest of the way overland to the site. Since he is already aware of were it is, I figured that would be safest."
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Nantambu was a respite compared to the Jungle surrounding Jalunth. While Jalunth itself had been pleasant--at least after gaining the favor of the Ekujae--and Brady would always be happy to visit again, Brady needed a metropolis to prosper. Nantambu was that and more.
I could see retiring here, he thought, not that I'm at all close to retiring. Still, I have so many connections down here now. It's not where I ever expected my life to lead, but I could be happy here.
Even though he was enjoying Nantambu, Brady eventually found the passing time to be a bit of a burden. In a city with such a rich history, it hadn't been difficult to find someone willing to enchant his armor, but that about exhausted what he was willing to spend from his accumulated savings. With the Pathfinder Lodge in Aya's capable hands, there was little for him to do to help there this time around.
Brady was growing a bit restless, and anxious for something to do. When Aya's summons arrived, he wasted no time in returning to the Lodge.
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When the task is laid out, Brady whistles. "When we were there last, it was more than just fighting off a bunch of apes." Brady looks at Tad, catching the grippli's eye and giving him a nod. "It was piloting ancient Azlanti weapons!"
"Hopefully, this is nothing, and we'll find that all is normal, that Juliet just had difficulty getting her letter off. But we should be prepared for anything. Anything."
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Monty has a easy enough time falling into routine when they come back, dispensing advise to locals and being known as "That wise old Monkey" to the locals. Most interestingly however, he runs into a Mwangi sage who shares some philosophy with him. As the friendship blooms with the fellow old man, named Minembwe, offers to teach Monty the Snake style taught by his order. The irony of a Monkey using a snake style is to hilarious for Monty for pass up, and he takes quickly to it. Learning the style takes up much of his free time, and not much is seen of the monkey until the official call is put out.
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Monty waives to Fola as they listen to what's going on and nods along. As Brady comments, Monty laughs.
All being normal, hah, Brady you tell the funniest jokes! It's never that easy. That site was crazy last time, It will be interesting to see what madcap nonsense happens this time.
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While Dale was sad to leave the Tribe and the jungle itself, he was looking forward to getting to work on all the specimen's he'd collected in the last couple weeks, and the more he'd collect on the week back. So many tests to run! Books to consult! Notes to take! My poor writing hand is getting underused here!
Once they return to Nantambu Dale isn't seen too frequently unless someone seeks him out. Once a week he can be found at the local market selling off some of his creations to fund his work. If it wasn't for his very high quality goods, Dale wouldn't make much of a merchant. He spends far too much time talking and not much time selling.
When the call comes out though he responds in a semi timely manner. As usual his clothes and bushy hair smell of odd compounds and reagents. There are fresh scorch and burn marks all across him, and he's managed to requisition the yellow wood club and Aspis cloak they'd worked with on their last trip. "So! Another trip into the bush, looking forward to spending some more time at the site... this time with less monkey's though." He looks to Monty and raises an eyebrow in alarm "Not you Monty!"
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Tad spends the first few days after our return in prayer, reading, and contemplation. After those few days, he returns to an easy routine of seeking out Monty and Faliana to talk sometimes, spending time in prayer and meditation, helping out at the Lodge, and helping out in the temple.
When he hears about the new mission, he stops and thinks. He also looks at his friends, wondering if they have any suggestions what magic might be helpful to have.
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Dale scratches his giant mop of head hair as he thinks about the briefing...
"Ya, I don't know too much about some of that old history. I haven't even had time to learn Azlanti for cripes sake! Anything to do with ancient history and weapons does sound neat though right?"
He pulls out his journal to make a few notes "Do you know how many researchers we can expect at the site? We don't need to lug a bunch of supplies there this time do we?"
He continues writing a few minutes to allow others to ask questions before looking up once more "Have the weather conditions changed since our last trip there? We aren't going to be dealing with another rainy season and blue death plague are we? I still have some scars!" He says with emphasis, pulling up his sleeve to reveal some splotchy spots where no hair grows. He shakes his head and pulls up the other sleeve "Well, one or two of these scars are certainly from that plague, the others I think are from something else."
"When they started excavating the site, years ago, it had originally been thought it was an Azlanti settlement. The first ever discovered in the Expanse. Though I think you already knew that part." Aye responds to Brady's question, as she takes a sip of water. "But once you opened access to the area with the Monoliths, they started to rethink that."
"Their latest working theory seemed to be that it was instead a storage cache. Weapons like those monoliths, for fighting the serpentfolk and their demonic allies at the time."
She indicates the last letter from Juliet, still laying on the table. "As you read, they were still working on confirming any of it. Whatever evidence they finally found..." She frowns again. "She never got the chance to send it."
"It is all quite fascinating, I suppose, even though all three sides are long since extinct." Again she frowns. "I suppose the demonic influences are the only ones that survived to present day."
"As for the site itself," She adds, looking towards Dale. "That I can answer much more exactly."
She grins, as she consults some paperwork on her desk. "Let us see... there were fourteen archaeolgists, including Juliet and her new second, Happ Voltz. The rest were all support staff: guards, laborers, and the like."
"They should be well stocked. I dare say Juliet may have overcompensated after the last failed attempt." She smiles slightly, though it is tinged with concern over her friend's fate.
"Have the weather conditions changed since our last trip there? We aren't going to be dealing with another rainy season and blue death plague are we? I still have some scars!"
"Rainy season?" Fola cuts in, with a laugh. "That doesn't start for a few more months."
Aya almost cracks a smile as well.
"The weather always gets cooler as you get closer to the coast, which should keep the insects down." She offers. "And the rain tends to dry out as you move out into the Plains."
"Perhaps bring a hat?" Fola suggests, still grinning.
[dice=Knowledge vs Cyclopses!]1d20+12 Dale scratches his giant mop of head hair as he thinks about the briefing...
Large, brutish, one-eyed giants... with monstrous appetites that drive most of their daily existence. It is hard to imagine the creatures you've read about having organized communities, much less vast empires to rival those of old Azlant.
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Faliana gets back into her daily schedule, glad for the peaceful days, though a little surprised that the heat of the day doesn't seem to bother her anymore. Intially worrid that the new tattoos on bottom left edge of her face that reach up to her left cheek bone would turn people off, she instead gets a pleasent surprise that it turns out to be great conversation starter, especially during the nights she spends with Dru in a tavern.
After the time she spent in Jalunth, she starts experimenting with cooking with some of the more local fruits and plants, sharing the results of her culinary escapades with Dale during their daily lunches. She starts draging Monty to these as well when he almost disappears off the face of the earth for a few days learning his snake style.
However the things she is most thankful of are the few things that don't change: the relaxing ealry morning meditation/seance with Tad and short philosophical discussions after, and the mid-morning fighting practices with Brady.
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As she takes in the office Faliana notes the changes to the place. "I like what you've done with the place, Aya. It seems like a compltely different room. The desk opens and lightens the space so much."
As she heads to her seat with a small cup of iced tea in hand, Faliana stops by Fola's desk and gives a short greeting. "Oh, Fola, How have you been, did your uncle get over his cold?"
As Aya starts to explain the problem, Faliana cuts in for a second. "Juliet? It's been a while! I wrote her a few times, but I must dmit that letter writing has never been my forte."
As the conversation continues the worry on Fali's face deepens and deepens. When the mention of the monoliths comes up, her face almost immediately changes into one of hard-edged fear before Moke's voice comes barreling out. "Those Creepy things! We don't have to go in there again do we..." He gets cut off, as Faliana reasserts control. "Sorry about that continue, please."
At the end of the briefing, Faliana gives a slight sigh, "I left all of my hats in Absalom, though I'm thinking about moving down here permanently. It's an amazing town once you get past the heat!"
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After the meeting ends, Faliana hangs back to talk with Fola in a little more depth, at the end she asks, "Oh, yes, Could you possibly bring an enchanted Yellowwood Longspear next time?"
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You hear, these last few weeks, that a tall, blonde, tatooed female warrior using a morningstar with deadly accuracy was involved in several fights against a ring of slavers.
Strangely, another tatooed blonde was seen partying in taverns around the town. Nearly every night. People who had a few too much drinks were carried (or in at last two instances, dragged) back to home safely after the festivities.
Dru denies any involvment of course in the first activity, with a big grin.
She seems proud and confortable with her tatoos, and she even sports some in her cleavage, as her clothes are loose and better suited for hte climate.
I'd be glad to see your friend again, and I'll do everything I can to bring her back to safety.
As you prepare to leave, suddenly Fola calls out to you, before hurrying from the room.
She returns a minute later, carrying a hide-wrapped bundle, which she places on a chair, and starts to unwrap.
I almost forgot!" She says, somewhat out of breath. "I meant to give this to you earlier. A gift from the elders."
She unfolds the bundle, revealing a number of pieces of ammunition and some small clay vials.
"Might come in handy on your mission."
New equipment in hand, you head out to the Nantambu docks and the waiting boat.
The trip downriver proves relatively relaxing. For a change, you are not required to row, so you get to just sit back, and enjoy the view. The first part of the journey mimics your earlier trip to Krihirik, but this time, you don't turn up the Little Vanji, staying on the main river instead.
Near the end of the fourth day on the river, the boat pulls off to the northern shore, just long enough to drop you off, before continuing downriver, as if it had not stopped at all.
You are met there, before too long, by a familiar a face. In fact, you recognize his mustache first, then the man who sports it. None other then Raimondo Scevola.
"Well, didn't think it'd be you lot again." He says, with a grin. "They tossed me a pretty coin to give someone a lift from here to somewhere... were a bit vague on the last."
He chuckles. "But has to be better'n the last hell you had me drive you to, right? And no one chasin' us this time!"
He leads you back away from the river as he talks, and you see one of his wagons secured nearby, unhitched at the moment, but four horses staked nearby grazing on the grasses.
"So where we goin'? Too late to head out tonight, but in case we need some strategerizing come mornin'."
"Going back?" Raimondo replies, a puzzled look on his face... a look that slowly starts to sink...
"Wait... you don't mean back there?!" He finally exclaims, pointing vaguely northwest.
"What the bloody hell?!" He breaks into a long string of colorful curses.
He glares at Monty accusingly. "And what's so funny?! Nothing about that place was funny!"
"I gotta start askin' more questions before takin' the money." He grumbles.
You camp the night a short ways back from the river, and come morning, Scevola has the wagon ready to go in short order.
He still grumbles about the destination as he does so, but seems to have accepted it at least. "Next one's gonna cost you lot, let me tell you."
The next few days you follow a route that, though you've traveled it before, does not really seem that familiar at all. It is amazing how big a difference it makes, not being forced to travel at top speed because you have half the Aspis in Bloodcove chasing you down.
When you reach series of steep switchback trails that lead up to the Azlant Ridge dig site, late on the third day, it does not seem much different at all. Even the large breach in the wall is still there.
It isn't till you're almost at the gate that you realize the breach is not in the same place as when you left. In fact, you can see the section the Anghazani Champion burst through, recently repaired... and the new section that has been smashed open is to the right of it. Large bits of splintered and broken wood and logs still laying strewn about the opening.
You only get a string of muttered curses from Raimondo at the sight.
As you approach, a call goes up from the gate tower, and there is a bit of a delay, before the gate itself finally starts to swing open.
Inside, the camp looks mostly the same, most of the parts that were filled in have been reexcavated, except for the dig on the eastern side.... the excavation where the giant sphere is, has been completely reopened, and the doorway that leads back to the underground complex has had the rocks you collapsed over it removed. Though the sun is not down yet, you will immediately realize the sphere is glowing, though not to the extent you can no longer look at it.
There do not seem to be many people here... not nearly the number that Aya gave you back in Nantambu... and those that are here seem to be busy loading things into crates and boxes. There's barely enough people to man the gates, which perhaps explains the delay in opening them.
Eventually, a round-faced man with red hair, and a harried look steps out of one of the tents, calling instructions to someone inside, then notices the lot of you.
He frowns, then marches over.
"Who are you people?" He pauses for a moment, then adds, before you can answer. "Though I suppose we could use a wagon."
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Dale face lights up when he's given the gifts from Fola "Oh thanks! I love presents!" He quickly pops the top of the antiplague and sniffs it, his face beaming into a smile "You all know me too well, I think you." He grabs up a crossbow bolt, or two before heading off to buy up some rations as well.
Dale passes the time on the barges as he usually does... in constant motion. This time he remembered to grab a long tree branch and tied a grappling hook to it for grabbing up floating debris to examine during their trip. "A little help here guys! This one is heavier than I anticipated!" He hollers on a regular basis throughout the trip.
"Raimondo, good to see you again. Has your gambling improved since our last trip together? Did you apply those mathematics I mentioned after all? Fill me in, we've got a long trip ahead." Dale helps set up camp, at least for a bit, before being distracted by a series of interesting insects climbing up a tree.
Once at the new site Dale gets a worried look on his face at the fresh damage "Looks like things aren't much better than when we left last time..." He greets the man at the gates with a half hearted wave as he cranes his neck to look around camp. "Hello there. I'm Dale. This gentleman is Raimondo. We also have Tad, Monty, Brady, Dru, and Faliana. I'm making the assumption that you're Voltz? Where's Juliet?"
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Just before we leave, Tad sees the others buying food, so he buys 18 days of food (small size rations), and then he whispers to Dru.
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Fali smiles as Fola rushes after the grou and hands them the package. She fishes out a crossbow bolt as well, before bidding the wildborn farewell. "Thanks, Fola, this is amazing and greatly appreciated! Say hello to your uncle for me, and if you could swing swing that longspear for me, I'd be really grateful!"
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Faliana gives a snort of laughter as Brady breaks the news in the worst way possible. She gives and emphatic nod as it finally dawns on Raimondo where their going. Between the laughter she adds, "Hey, *snort* at least you *giggle* know hot to get there!
She spends much of the next night and intervening days trying to calm the caravaner down and assuage his fears that his wagons and life aren't at risk.
When they pull up to the camp she points out the breach. "... See it was safe enough that they didn't even have to fix the breach in the wall! You'll be fine! ..." As the group gets closer, and it becomes clear that the breach is a new one, she gives a silent curse. "Op, nevermind that." Well, there's a few days worth of work wasted. But this doesn't look good.
As the group moves into camp, Faliana starts taking stock of the damage, trying to access what happened, and, more importantly, if anyone was hurt. When they run into the red haired man, Faliana opens her mouth to give an introduction, before getting cut off. She takes a second to pause, before answering the man's question. "You must be new to this project. Well, to put things simply we're the, horseless, cavalry. Aya Allahe sent us as Juliet's report was overdue. speaking of which where is she? And what happened here? and finally, where are you going in such a rush?"
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The red-headed man, takes a moment to process who you are, then suddenly gives a relieved smile.
"Allahe sent you? Thank the gods!" He exclaims, a few others start to gather around as well, curious about the visitors.
"Yes, I'm Happ... and as you can see..." He motions over towards the hole in the palisade. "It just isn't safe to be here anymore! We're packing up in preparation to vacate... again."
There are a few frowns on the faces nearby, clearly not everyone happy with that decision.
"We haven't heard from Juliet in a few weeks." He adds. "Not since they went off to investigate the light." He waves absently towards the northeast somewhere.
"When the sphere started glowing again, well... you were here last time, right? You know what that means. We really started to worry, but we're simple archaeologists..." He spreads his hands helplessly. "We were in no position to go after her."
"And when one of the monoliths activated a few days back, and smashed its way out." He points towards the breach in the wall. "It killed several workers and guards on the way out. After that, the rest kind of panicked, and many of them fled, sure we were about to have another incident."
"Short-staffed... a hole in the defenses... that." He points at the glowing sphere. "It's not safe here anymore, so I ordered everything packed up, and will head out ourselves before something worse shows up! Save what we can at least."
"You can't see it now," Happ answers, looking northwest. "But once the sun set you will. A bright silver light off in the jungle."
"That's where they went. We figured it was probably only a day or so out... but that was weeks ago." He shakes his head.
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Brady looks at the man with a significant amount of wonder. "You're just... leaving?" He pauses, jaw agape, as he processes this. "Juliet is out there... somewhere... and you're running away?" I guess we can't all be Pathfinder agents, but come on man, have some loyalty! You committed to a job out here....
"Fine, whatever." He looks around the yard, scanning to see that there's nothing significantly changes, and waves the man off, his disappointment painfully obvious. "We know our way around."
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Dale listens along to Happ's story, making sure nothing seems 'odd'.
"Which way did the giant mountain of metal go? I suppose it won't be hard to figure out, I'm sure it left a trail even a dingbat could follow." He starts estimating the size and depth of footprints it would leave behind.
"While that is a curiosity, it isn't the most pressing and important matter at hand. We need to find Juliet and her team, and YOU and your team need to stop this foolishness of abandonment. If we aren't back in a few days from looking for her then by all means head back to safety. But otherwise, put your collective big brains together and fix the wall and get back to doing the important things in life... digging up and cataloging ancient stuff!"
Happ's face starts to match his hair, as he gives Brady an indignant scowl, and you think that his original friendly demeanor might have cooled somewhat.
"I know what my orders are, mister." He says. "And I have other people's lives to think about to. We are not warriors, we're scholars."
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Sorry, it's been quite a grueling travel for us, and we respect all you have done so far, all you would do, to ensure the safety of your co workers while Juliet is away. Anything you could tell us could help us. Did Juliet talked about Something specific, did she packed some special Equipment, or extra rations, before going? Did she left some instructions if she was delayed or never came back?
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Dale nods along at Dru's and Happ's words "You're both right. Lets all get together and discuss what happened, take stock of what needs to be done here to secure the site and of course these brave archeologists."
Dale glances around and his eyes settle most importantly on the breach in the wall "Its looking like that big hole likely will be high up on the list, luckily Brady here is one hell of an engineer! I'm sure we can fix it up and maybe even add in some improvements!"
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Brady somehow finds a way to look surprised when Happ's demeanor turns even more sour. "You may think you know your orders, sir, but you'd be mistaken. Our order were to secure this site and... how did Aya say it... 'make sure the archaeologists are continuing their valuable work.'"
"No, you're not warriors. We are. And we're to make sure that it's safe for you to continue your work. We'll do our part of that. It's safe to say that you'll do yours?"