"Which you can explore to your heart's content as soon as you speak with Lady Aycenia. Come, dead snake gods can wait.""The powers shown by the ghoul priestess proves that the reports of the god's death are greatly exaggerated. That being said, I do not know what sort of deal my companions have struck with you, so if we are meet this Lady Aycenia, so be it."
Ydersius is not truly considered a dead deity, as his clergy never lost their powers. He is simply... headless. But both the head and the body are said to still live.
It is about midday when you emerge victorious from the trapdoor, to cheers and smiles and well-wishing from Gelik, Sasha and Aerys. Gelik has been busy while you were underground...
Well, I am pleased to report the lighthouse was almost finished. Assuming I always have a few under my supervision, I believe we can get her going again in less than a week!
At Gelik's news, Gwen smiles - well and truly smiles - for the first time in a few days.
That's great news, Gelik - great news! I believe you should keep Ishorou, Jask, Sasha, and Aerys with you. The five of you together are more than capable of securing yourselves, and of course, you're more than capable of repairing a lighthouse.
As for the rest of us, we have an appontment with Mawj's mistress, one that we should keep as promptly as possible. After which, I believe we may have a date with Ieana...
I'd like to accompany you to this wood spirit, if I may. The rest can manage without me for a day... barely. She might know where the Nightvoice shipwrecked, if it shipwrecked here at all...
Fine with me Gelik. Your assistance would be welcome where we are going.
Despite Mawj's assistance, Marcus' continuing distrust of the goblin is ill concealed.
Mawj leads the group to the grove of Lady Aycenia.
On the way to the grove, Gwen approaches Chi and Gelik.
Would either of you happen to know what magical qualities this buckler of mine has? It glows with a faint blue light, but Ambroze couldn't make it out. Any ideas?
"So where do we get a serpent's tongue?" Ambroze asks aloud as he re-reads the Aklo carvings. "And we'll need sea-water in a vessel of purest metal..." he muses.
"I have to say - as creepy as this place is, I'd love to come back and study it some more. After we deal with Ieana, of course."
"However, I can't wait to go and meet Mawj's mistress. It's been ages since I last spoke to a wood spirit. There are quite a few living in the Sanos Forest in the vicinity of my village of Sipplerose. I'll bet she can tell us a lot about the history of the island."
"That's great news about the lighthouse!" Ambroze exclaims at Ghelik's announcement. "I'd love to take a look a the structure and your plans for its repair."
"So where do we get a serpent's tongue?" Ambroze asks aloud as he re-reads the Aklo carvings. "And we'll need sea-water in a vessel of purest metal..." he muses.
"I have to say - as creepy as this place is, I'd love to come back and study it some more. After we deal with Ieana, of course."
Plenty of snakes on the island. Maybe Chi or Tun'ada could catch us one? As for metal.. He rings a knuckle off his steel breastplate. Although I don't know about purest metal, maybe there was some kind of vessel here and this woman now has it? If so, I'm sure she will be pleased to hand it over when we're done with her..
No Midday encounter.
Gelik shows Ambroze his plans, which mostly involve simply finishing the topmost level of the lighthouse. You rest through the midday sun, enjoying your comfortable new quarters. At 3PM, it begins to pour down with rain, marking the end of the hot period of the day. With Gelik in tow, Mawj begins to lead you north. Reaching the river to the north of your new camp, Mawj shows you a narrow ford you use to easily cross over. You notice the shipwreck near to the camp again- Mawj tells you his mistress says it was where the cannibals came from, before they were cannibals. What follows is a somewhat brutal hike up the steep hill, until eventually you come across a small grove of trees, surrounding an single, immense banyan tree. Standing by the tree with a smile and watching your progress, is Aycenia the Dryad. Aycenia is a beautiful creature with deep green hair and eyes the color of a tropical sunset. She holds her hands out in welcome as you approach, speaking softly with a musical tint to her words.
Welcome, travellers. Come, sit in the shade of my tree for a time, the rain will not bother you here. We have much to discuss...
Plenty of snakes on the island. Maybe Chi or Tun'ada could catch us one? As for metal.. He rings a knuckle off his steel breastplate. Although I don't know about purest metal, maybe there was some kind of vessel here and this woman now has it? If so, I'm sure she will be pleased to hand it over when we're done with her..
"We found some sort of metal box that couldn't be opened a few days ago didn't we? As for the snake, I think I can gather one if need be."
Immediately before leaving, Gwen administers the antitoxin to Tun'ada, in addition to treating him for disease.
Greetings, lady of the wood. We thank you for the shade. I am Gwenyth, and these are my companions Ambroze, Tun'ada, Chi, Marcus, Gelik, and of course Mawj, who you know. You are welcome to call me Gwen, if you prefer.
We welcome this parley with you and would hear what news you know of happenings on the island.
Marcus continues to stand not quite sure whether to trust the green woman. He recalls childhood stories of young men enspelled to sleep by tree spirits and waking up as old men, bent and grey.
Before the parlay commences he whispers to Gwen. Could you please ask her whether she knows where the flying monster lives? We have a debt to repay there that is overdue.
Before the parlay commences he whispers to Gwen. Could you please ask her whether she knows where the flying monster lives? We have a debt to repay there that is overdue.
In response, Gwen nods almost imperceptibly.
Greetings, lady of the wood. We thank you for the shade. I am Gwenyth, and these are my companions Ambroze, Tun'ada, Chi, Marcus, Gelik, and of course Mawj, who you know. You are welcome to call me Gwen, if you prefer.
We welcome this parley with you and would hear what news you know of happenings on the island.
Aycenia bids you all seat under the shade of the tree. Once you are seated, she answers your questions-
Well met... Gwenyth. Ambroze. Tun'ada. Chi. Marcus. Gelik... she speaks all your names slowly and with purpose, rolling the names on her tongue and comitting them to memory. It feels good to have names for the knowledge the land imparted to me about you. Happenings on the island are why I sent Mawj to summon you- I have watched your progress with interest. Most shipwreck survivors meet a grisly fate from the tribe of cannibals here; it pleases me that you managed to shatter their tribe, although I understand you took losses nevertheless...
Aycenia thinks for a long time before speaking again.
Happenings on this island... Much has been your actions, but the other survivor of your shipwreck has also been busy. She visited the tribe a few days before you, making peaceful contact and descending into Nylithati's depths. Now, the ocean rumbles, and the land shifts to reveal long-lost secrets... But the land has not revealed the secrets of Smugglers Shiv to me, or cannot. My trees root's have found many underground chambers, despite this.
This place... is truly ancient. I sense the presence of the Azlant upon this place, from the moment I first set foot here some centuries ago. I... do not know how long I have dwelled here. Long enough to watch the disciplined devil-men descend into savagery. However... one happening on this island has gathered my attention, other than your own group. Part of this realm is suffering a hideous blight- worse even than the musk creeper you destroyed to the east.... A foul intrusion of fungal blight mars the farthermost small island off the northwest tip of the isle- I know not its cause, but it appeared a few weeks ago when another shipwreck landed there; perhaps it was carrying some infested cargo. Whatever the cause, the fungus has spread and devoured the first island, and the land bridges between both islands are both narrow enough at low tide that I fear it could spread further.
So, castaways... I propose an alliance. Deal with this fungal blight on my behalf and save the lives of countless flora and fauna here. In return, I offer myself and my magic to aid your cause, as well as my knowledge. Although I cannot stray from my tree, I can provide you a safe haven here where none will disturb you. I can commune with the land itself to monitor your efforts and provide you with information. I also have other magic. But most of all, I offer my friendship- for except for the crazed Tengu, there is no other sentient life here...
Mawj takes his place proudly beside Lady Aycenia, his small chest bursting with pride in his duty. "Lady Aycenia's magic is powerful. You would do well to take her offer if you want to survive on this island."
Gwen inclines an eyebrow at the rest of her friends, as if to inquire whether or not they have any questions before she replies.
Marcus mutters, Tengu? Am I missing something?
How would we possibly fight a blight? We are warriors not gardners. That seems more your area than ours.
The Blight must have a source; destroy it and the fungus will slowly die. I cannot venture so far from my tree, and I am loathe to send Mawj alone... The blight feels like something... something that belongs in the Darklands. It does not naturally appear on the surface...
The Blight must have a source; destroy it and the fungus will slowly die. I cannot venture so far from my tree, and I am loathe to send Mawj alone... The blight feels like something... something that belongs in the Darklands. It does not naturally appear on the surface...
Gwen shakes her head as the wood-spirit explains the blight.
Life in all it's forms is sacred to the gods, and to me. I could not live with myself if the flora and fauna of this island - which are beautiful, if foreign to my eyes - were swallowed by a blight. I wish to do as you ask, Lady, but I am worried.
The machinations of Ieana, the other survivor of our shipwreck, have ramifications that could possibly effect all of Golarion in a very negative way. As best as we can determine, she hopes to find the head of the god Ydersius. What the head of a long-forgotten and spiteful god could mean to this place and to the world in general is something that gives me pause. To complicate the situation, some measure of haste may be required on our part to prevent her from attaining that which she seeks - as you say, she is opening doors in the land that have long been closed. This worries me.
So, were you in our position, Lady, what would you do? Would you first aid a willing ally in a worthy cause, but potentially risk a greater disaster in so doing? Or would you seek to first address the larger issue and hope that the more localized problem has not grown into an unstoppable menace in your absence?
Your words have merit Gwenyth, but I present three counter points. First of all, the head of Ydersius is unlikely to be here in Smugglers Shiv- I would have sensed the presence of such power within the land.
Secondly, if whatever she seeks lies underneath the surface, it will be well defended by defences and traps- the ancient Azlant do not give up their secrets easily, and neither did Ydersius.
Finally, this 'Ieana', came here on a long boat journey with you all did she not? This suggests she does not have the means to escape the island on her own power. Until the lighthouse is repaired and a ship comes in response to it, she is as powerless to leave this place as you are. Many shipwreck survivors built their own rafts, but the currents of this place are too strong for small craft to get off the coast...
Mawj is positively bursting with pride. "Such is the wisdom of Lady Aycenia!"
Mawj is positively bursting with pride. "Such is the wisdom of Lady Aycenia!"
Moving over to Mawj, Aycenia absent-mindedly begins stroking Uli and takes a seat beside the goblin.
Gelik when would the Nightvoice have landed on the island if it shipwrecked here?
To the dryad. Lady perhaps you could explain how we could possibly benefit from your magic. This woman appears to be a mage of some power. What could you do to assist us in stopping her plans?
There is certainly wisdom in what you say, Lady. Mawj is well-enamored of you.
Of my own volition, I would agree to assist you merely on premise. I cannot speak for my friends, however. If they will agree, I will do this thing that you ask of us. You seem goodly and wise, and I feel that we will need all the assistance we can muster in the coming days.
Gelik when would the Nightvoice have landed on the island if it shipwrecked here?
The Nightvoice has been lost for decades... Its almost a myth by now.
Gelik when would the Nightvoice have landed on the island if it shipwrecked here?
To the dryad. Lady perhaps you could explain how we could possibly benefit from your magic. This woman appears to be a mage of some power. What could you do to assist us in stopping her plans?
Mawj raises an eyebrow. "Or perhaps you were looking forward to the self-eaters village? Mawj is sure this is a generous offer."
Ambroze has been silent during the conversation, enjoying the sense of peace pervading the dryad's grove that he hasn't experienced on the island before. But Aycenia's words soon bring him out of his reverie.
"I agree with Gwen, and would not want to see this fungal blight of which you speak overtake your island. I can also agree with the first two of your points - that you would likely have sensed the presence of the head of Ydersius if it were here, and that whatever Ieana seeks is likely to be defended by the traps and magics of the ancient Azlanti. However, I don't know if I can agree with your third point. Ieana has proven to be quite resourceful. She orchestrated and survived the wreck of the ship that brought her here. She managed to journey across the island to reach the cannibal village, and evidently cowed them and the lacedons in the catacombs beneath the village into letting her conduct her research in the abandoned subterranean temple there. And if the strange lightning storm we witnessed yesterday is any indication, then she also successfully deciphered and implemented some sort of ritual she found there to uncover additional long-lost secrets. After all of that, I can't believe that she would have willingly stranded herself here without some sort of plan for leaving."
"However, with that said, I think that the assistance the Lady is offering would be of great benefit to us in our endeavor against Ieana," Ambroze says, turning to his companions. "So I say that we tackle this blight on behalf of the Lady."
Chi, appears much rested and peaceful in the grove, she playfully disappears behind the trees and undergrowth. A ginger cat climbs up and rests watching her ward and friend. Chi returns to listen to the discussion on the wood spirits request. "Despite my need for revenge on that evil Ieana, this protector of the good in the island must not be risked either. My lady, I will happily help you protect your island against any blight that would threaten you." Chi bows as the ginger cat purrs as he rubs his back against Chi's legs.
Although Tun'ada is still fighting the Ghoul Fever, I think we can assume his aid as well...he is a champion of the natural world in his own right. Is there anything you can do to help him in his struggle against the disease in his body, Lady? Do you know anything of a shipwreck called the Nightvoice? We have some interest in it. Other than that, there is only one other question...we had a friend that was devoured by a large flying creature in the north part of the island. We wish to repay that...unkindness if possible, and would learn more about the whereabouts of such a creature.
Gwen takes a deep breath.
Actually, I suppose I should also ask if you actually know where Ieana is...any knowledge of that might make our journey that much easier.
Ghoul Fever is potent, and it harms the body. I can undo the harm it does to his body with magic, but I cannot remove or help him fight off the disease. The Nightvoice... I believe that is the name of the vessel that shipwrecked on the infected island. As I said, I surmise that the ship must have been carrying some foul substance from the Darklands.
I know of the flying beast that you speak of. The cannibals worshipped it as some kind of God, making offerings to it at the peak of Red Mountain. It is a winged chupacabra, a cruel and ravenous blood-drinker. The sacrifices the cannibals made kept it well fed anough so that it mostly left them alone, so by now it must be starting to hunger... It makes its lair near the base of Red Mountain, close to the ancient serpentfolk stone formation they once called the Tide Stone.
I have no idea where Ieana is now... Please wait for a moment. Aycenia kneels on the ground and places both palms on the earth, shutting her eyes and whispering in a language you do not recognise. After ten minutes of this, she shakes her head.
She is no longer on the surface of the island. Perhaps she found a means of escape, or is underground somewhere.
"Your offer of aid, no matter the nature, is appreciated. I will help you."
Marcus has been leery but that changes with the mention of the flying beast. . Very well. We will deal with this blight and then settle the beast and Ieana both at this tide stone.
Lady you mentioned a Tengu?
Chi strokes her ginger cat, which in its pleasure sounds like a small motor, "My magical energy is spent for this day, I need to rest to regain my powers. I would like to stay under the protection of the lady tonight, for this is such a pleasant and peaceful refuge in this island of death. Perhaps we should get our friends back at the lighthouse to come here for the evening, I am sure they would appreciate to sleep under a protective spirit, rather than under the constant threat we have done in the past few weeks. Shall we do that and plan our exploration for tomorrow?"
Gwen smiles at Chi's thoughtful statement.
As much as I am sure they would like to rest here (which I do think we should do), they are likely anxious to get underway on the repairs of the lighthouse. Let us rest here tonight, then proceed directly to the source of the infection in the morning. Gelik, will you be accompanying us to the wreckage? And what about Mawj, Lady? I know that he adores you, and clearly this is a hospitable place to reside, but he seems to posess warrior instinct that cannot be alleviated by resting in your serene shade.
The one named Gwenyth is correct. This island is no place for you my son- go with them and assist them and in return they will see you off this island once the lighthouse is secured. You are all of course welcome to rest here, provided you respect the sanctity of this place. Yes Mawj, you too. Don't think I didn't know you urinated on the flowerbeds three days ago...
Mawj is temporarily distracted as he glances sideways at Chi's ginger cat. His nostrils flare and he licks his lips, but otherwise remains at attention.
Chi gets a chill feeling down her back, as the ginger cat stops purring. She looks around but sees nothing untoward, she does however get a sense that all is not as peaceful as it should be, even here in the Lady's domain.