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Baselton briefly tenses at the words of the Chelaxian but he soon relaxes and gives the relief one last look over to commit it to memory before turning.
There is no point in arguing with a donkeys backside.
Baselton gives a small bow with a mocking grin.
"Pardon me your tallness but I cannot reach the top. Looks like it is a task best done by you learned hands."
Not waiting for a response he goes to check out the passage way leading out of the room.
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"Well get on your hands and knees and let the gnome step up to reach it. Do I have to think of everything? I had hoped that the pathfinders recruited a more intelligent breed of furfoot than most of those we have in Cheliax. Between chasing minotaurs, falling in pits, and not being able to reach high spots, I am finding myself disappointed." The Chelaxian moves on from the carvings, as if expecting the tasks to just get done now that he gave instructions.
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Rolling his eyes at the pathetic nature of his travelling companions, Marius takes the time to take a rubbing of the four aspects of Aroden still remotely visible in the time-worn wall. After he's done, he places them carefully back in his pack and gives a whistle for Curze to follow, sticking close the heavily built Shael.
"So, you are clearly a great warrior, from where do you hail friend?" he asks the Oread.
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"Honestly, friend, I don't know exactly where I come from. My mother was like you; human. She always kept us travelling, so she could put me to work wherever needed. She was too frail to work herself, but always made sure I had a hearty meal, and she taught me my letters. I was never good with writing, though. I think I disappointed her.", Shael looks a little sombre, but almost instantly regains her confident composure. "She passed on a few months ago - old age, I think - and told me to seek the Pathfinders in Absalom for good work. I never expected it to be this fun, though! They are a rowdy lot!"
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Pelagias signals to the party it's all clear, and is slightly startled by the Tiger who appears behind him. Calm down Pelagias, that's a friendly tiger... Is everyone alright? I heard some rather disturbing noises from behind me. It's all clear from what I can see so if we need to take a second to rest, now's the time... He waits for a response, and when given the all clear, will press on down the cave.
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As Baselton moves up,
The soft light of the surrounding fungus mixes with the flickering glow of the nearby torches to reveal a grand chamber. A large pool of water along the chamber’s southern edge reflects the blue and green radiance to illuminate the massive stalactites that cling to the ceiling overhead. Two other tunnels branch off from this area, leading to the east and west. Rising up from the pool is a column of rock with steeply sloped sides and a flat top, as if someone had sawn off the top of a massive stalagmite. A miniature city carved from this same stone occupies nearly the entire surface. Tiny trinkets such as ancient coins, polished semiprecious stones, and ornately braided loops of string are scattered throughout the diorama, and pale cave frogs clamber atop it. The smooth cavern floor is covered in gravel and pebbles along the edge of the pool, and several foot-long centipedes prowl among the gravel in their search for prey. There is also a Gillman kneeling by the water who hasnt seemed to notice you.
You can identify the diorama as an intricately detailed model of Absalom, easily identifiable by its Starstone Cathedral. This representation of the City at the Center of the World and the Inner Sea also acts as an altar to the dead god Aroden that retains enough power to bless a few more pilgrims. Each of these descriptions are of the paintings your spotted earlier. They describe the different rituals you can perform.
Only those who pass the above knowledge should look below also
[spoiler=Craftsman]The Craftsman is depicted creating shoes, pots,
jewelry, and other moveable goods, referencing Aroden’s
delight at seeing his people express their ingenuity in
creating new products from raw materials.
a crowded city to the pastures beyond, just as Aroden blessed leaders with the foresight to direct people to the tasks and places that best suit them.
of featuring many patterns that wraps around a city like a moat, referencing Aroden’s proclamation that when the fate of all peoples is woven together, it shall be humanity’s greatest strength.
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Entering the cavern, Marius looks around impressed, it must have taken some work to build the miniature city here, even if it seems like a pointless frivolty. Spying the Gillman at the pool, he tenses slightly, before assessing that one man would hardly make a threat for seven of them. Stepping forwards slightly he calls out to the praying man.
"Evenin'! Can you tell us what this place is?"
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I have had just about enough of you Benedickt! All you've done is be an ass, and order others around. I've kept quiet and tried my best to get along for the sake of the group, but no more. Do your own work and stop trying to pawn it off to others, so you can claim the glory. Sorry everyone... Pelagias turns away instinctually expecting to be whipped, then realizes he's escaped that life, and straightens himself back up. And focuses on the task at hand keeping an eye on the centipedes. Careful friends, we are not alone.
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"Ahaha! It seems these ones won't take orders from you, Mr Benedict. My mother did say that all men are equal in the Pathfinder Society. Perhaps you had best get used to that." Shael does not speak unkindly, but bluntly.
"There is always more to learn. Take this man here, perhaps he has learned a lot through his prayers. Perhaps he has not."
Shael walks slowly, so as not to damage anything carelessly.
If she is the first to reach the pool, she will lay her pack at the side and wade in towards the gillman.
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"I'm not talking to any men, I'm talking to the Halfling. If you are including yourself among men, you are throwing around the term very liberally. My question to the halfing was specifically because those are skills often taught to them. Field halfings learn farming and livestock trades. House halflings might be more likely to learn crafts like sewing or cooking. Based on the carvings I identified, those skills could be of use to us, so I wanted to know what kind of Halfling we have with us. Of course he may just be a street Halfling, untrained in anything but picking pockets. That is good information for all of us as well, since you'd know to keep better watch of your coin purse."
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Stalking cautiously into the room, the Hunter calls Curze back to their side as the Tiger starts to eye up Pelagias for a snack. Circling the cavern, the Hunter looks around for any other clues as to its purpose, barring the miniature carved city, happy to let the other agents here speak with the oddly quiet Gillman.
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Pelagias follows Shael and Jerb to talk with the gill person. He makes sure that he is noticed, and waits for the others to finish talking, so not to interrupt. Hi!, I'm Pelagias, we aren't here to start any trouble, we were sent here on a mission to explore these caves, see where it leads, and what purpose it serves. Would you be able to tell us, is this place significant?
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I wonder if that water will sully if I drown a chelaxian... Marius considers as he hears the reply from the Gillman across the chamber, he slow easy circuit taking him around various rock formayions as he mentally notes any exits to keep his eye on. All the while his trusty companion sticks close to the Crusader's heels, eyes scanning the dim cavern.
"This place sure is interesting, I wonder who discovered it?" he asks no-one in particular.
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"The waters speak of all water, how some comes from other planes and some it to dirty to even step in with out dieing. They tell me how to prevent what has happened to others from happening to my people."
"As for who discovered this place i can not say. It has been here since Aroden himself walked this relm."
"Now that you mention it, there are others here. None of my people or your people, but some crazed creatures down the path. That is all I know of them though.
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Having completed his tour of the cave, Marius rejoins the conversation as they speak about the structure's creation. Frowning slightly that the answer is shrouded in such mystery, he shrugs slightly and takes the odd note about the city and compares it to what small knowledge he has about present day Absalom.
"Fascinating. Say, is this some sort of holy place for your fellow travellers? It has been noticed that you visit on the full moon and the bosses are curious." the Crusader says with good intention.
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He says a quick prayer with you then poimts you on to the path.
The cave’s damp air becomes increasingly stale as you continue down through this tunnel, and as they approach this area, the stench of decay grows increasingly evident. The passage turns to the east and opens into a small cavern littered with bits of broken glass, rotting pieces of paper, and other unusable detritus. The body of a male dhampir lies facedown toward the back of the cavern.
Surprise
Jerbrick
Marius
Benedikt
Pelagais
Shael
Baselto
_______
BG
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As Jerbrick moves into the room inquisitively to check on the fallen creature deeper in the cave, Marius steps forwards, ordering Curze to heel as he seeks to defend his small friend from any potential ambush. With Sword drawn, Marius places his feet in preparation for the battle ahead.
"Careful friend, these do not look friendly!"
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Benedikt moves up looking for targets of opportunity. "What is going on up there?"
-Posted with Wayfinder