Janira's pack carries all sorts of useful supplies. A potion of barkskin, 2 potions of cure light wounds, potion of feather step, potion of vanish, scroll of entangle, scroll of gust of wind, scroll of identify, scroll of mage armor , scroll of obscuring mist, wand of burning hands , wand of cure light wounds , a vial of acid, an alchemist’s fire, holy water, smokestick, tanglefoot bags, thunderstone, antitoxin, and 2 sunrods. All are packed neatly and conveniently labeled.
Following Janira's orders, the group enters the cave. Anyone stealing a glance back see Janira speeding off into the woods, the minotaur in chase, not far behind.
Inside, you find yourselves in a damp narrow passage that snakes into the mountain, opening and closing in width from three to ten feet. Water drips from stalactites and the sound of a rushing underground stream can be heard somewhere in the distance. The cave walls are patterned with blue-green luminescent fungi that provide dim light.
Petroglyphs—most depicting marine animals or spiral shapes—periodically decorate the tunnels’ walls. The rough surface of the carvings provides a natural platform for the fungi, causing it to grow thicker and making the carvings glow slightly brighter than their surroundings.
The carvings continue along the narrow tunnel as it twists and turns. Several hundred feet in it opens to a wider passage. There, a large hole spans the cave’s width and stretches ten feet down the path. 20 feet below the edge a pool of water fills the pit. Floating on the surface is a small bundle of cloth.
can determine that the hole in the ground is artificial
You are fairly certain that the pit is at least a year old.
|
Looking disappointed that the others chose to escape over fighting the minotaur, Reavis follows them into the cave. While exploring, he prepares an extract of Shield in case more monsters show up. He also takes notes about the petroglyphs between his doodles of Zarta and snags a tanglefoot bag out of Janira's bag.
"I'm not jumping in there first." He states emphatically when the group finds the water filled pit.
|
|
"I'm certainly no candidate", Sigias says, obvious of his boney arms. "Try to fish that bundle out with it".
-Posted with Wayfinder
|
|
"Give me a moment." Istralanix says as he steps back and begins an arcane ritual. Moments later, a large serpentine creature, with a glowing rune on its head, matching the glowing rune on Istra's head, appears. The tiefling nods to the pit and the creature slithers forward and down the side of the pit, grasping the bundle in its mouth and returnig to its master.
Istralanix's eidolon easily recovers the bundle from the pit, which turns out to be a cloak of exceptional quality.
In fact, Molos and Sigias recognize it as magical and identify it as a cloak of resistance +1.
Istralanix's eidolon is also smart enough to set Trugosh's rope and grapple, an with a little care the group crosses the pit and continues.
The tunnels lead deeper beneath the Kortos Mounts until they eventually open into a large cavern. What must have once been beautifully carved reliefs and inscriptions have since weathered heavily, their features dulled and softened to the point that it is hard to distinguish what each once depicted. A wide tunnel exits the cavern on its far side, and blue-burning torches line the passageway’s walls. The carvings here are different in style from the petroglyphs found elsewhere in the caves.
Molos finds that the inscriptions tell stories and Sigias realizes that they are parables from the History and Future of Humanity, the principle holy text of Aroden that refers to "12 guises of Aroden" meant to illustrate his hopes for humanity: the artist, beggar, craftsman, farmer, fisherman, hunter, merchant, scholar, shepherd, soldier, tailor, and thief. Most of the carvings here are weathered beyond recognition, but you are able to decipher four of the parables, after which Leonides and Haku realize something more - the parables depicted here are slightly different than those that appear in the known version of the History and Future of Humanity, suggesting that these might represent an earlier version of the work.
The Farmer is depicted plowing four lines in a field, retelling Aroden’s prophecy that humankind would prepare the rocky earth for planting and over generations wear the pebbles down into fertile soil.
The Scholar is depicted writing on a piece of parchment and then reading from it to passersby, just as Aroden was said to smile on those who recorded history and other knowledge to share it with others.
The Shepherd is depicted herding animals out of 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.
The Tailor is depicted sewing together a long cloth 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.
After studying the walls and taking notes, your group heads further into the cave.
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.
Kneeling in the water is a lone gillman, his back to the party...
As Yuseff makes his way through the cave the gillman finally turns and notices him. He gives a startled blink, then sees the rest of the fiendish party, and quickly stands. When he speaks, there is a strange slur to his words.
"I am Uori. Who are you and what brings you to this place?"
Uori is eyeing the cloak Molos just put on with interest.
PERCEPTION
SENSE MOTIVE
Uori seems very suspicious of Sigias. The reasons for his suspicions could be pretty much anything with this group.
"Yes. It appears to be another pilgrim's cloak that my people favor. Where did you come by it?"
PERCEPTION
|
|
"So you are interested in this fine cloak we found, Uori? Someone had left it in that pit back there. Our group was able to retrieve it. If you would like it back, perhaps we could agree on a barter...we give you the cloak, and you give us some information about what the gillmen find so interesting about this place. You see, weare exploring this cavern for the Pathfinder Society. Information is our business."
Diplomacy aid another
Uroi nods at Molos. "I am sure its owner would like it returned. Or if dead, then returned to his or her family."
With the presentation of the cloak Uori's eyes brighten and he bows in respect to your group. "You have entered a place sacred to my people." He makes a sweeping gesture around the cave. "And in the past, to Aroden, god of humanity. I have heard stories of when his followers came here. It is said they spent time in prayer at the wall of symbols and then again at the sculpture of Absalom here in the pool." He looks up to the ceiling. "But over time the carvings have eroded and faded. And soon... soon Aroden's influence will fade away completely."
The gillman steps to the side. "As I said, the pool is very sacred to the Low Azlanti, but you are free to do as you wish as long as treat the area with respect."
|
|
"The exploi- exploration of these caves will keep the memory of your people and Aroden alive for millenias in Pathfinder Chronicles. Tell us, what is ahead? "
-Posted with Wayfinder
"I have not ventured further than this chamber." The gillman replies to Sigias. "I have heard they are sometimes occupied by wandering creatures or nesting animals, and I have no wish to confront either."
|
|
"Then wait here and don't harm our halfling guide who may show up, we are going to explore ahead"
-Posted with Wayfinder
|
|
With the gillman under control, Reavis moves past him to examine the miniature city. He imagines tossing a bomb into the diorama, pretending he's vengeful god raining destruction on all the foolish mortals who dare to defy him. Realizing he'd probably get fired for doing that, he opts just to take notes.
There are two small passages that head further into the caves. Do you want to go left or right?
Having made notes and examined the cave and its diorama, the group moves on.
"Safe travels, Pathfinders." Uori bows in farewell.
The persistent glow of the bluish fungi dimly lights the way deeper below the Kortos Mounts. The tunnels broaden to reveal a shallow river that bisects an immense tunnel stretching to the north and south. To the east a small passage exits the chamber at a steep incline. But standing between you and it is a small party of mites with a giant centipede crawling along with them like a pet. Upon seeing your party, they point out in alarm and start jabbering.
"Invaders!" One screams. "Let's get 'em!" Screams another. "Huh?!" says the third.
INITIATIVE