My only concern Nim, would be that the spell could destroy the contents, although it does seem unlikely.
Aedalis ponders the situation a little before nodding.
Very well- should this be the course of action you feel is most prudent, here is the translation for "Open Me" in Undercommon- "Pahntar Uns'aa".
The contents? You assume it is a hidden storage? I had assumed a hidden access to below. I only offer a possible alternative to risking one of our own number. If possible destruction of valuables is a concern and Anton feels up to trying... his luck...
Nim concentrates, focusing his own ability to sense magical auras, as he studies the floor trying to determine what may lie beyond the trapped hatch itself.
When he sees his allies struggling to get clean, Tragershen sets aside his excitement momentarily. May I? he asks each. Unless they object, he’ll use multiple castings of Presdigitation to clean them from head to toe, including their gear.
Regarding the trap door… I would be reluctant to potential destroy any artifacts below the door, but I don’t think it is likely. The trap is most likely set to deter thieves. I can’t imagine setting a trap that would destroy what it protects, unless I truly feared it falling into the wrong hands. He adds silently to himself And would we be considered the wrong hands…? I don’t think we should move camp here until we resolve this door, one way or the other. A menace to us all could lay below and emerge when we are at a low point in our alertness.
The contents? You assume it is a hidden storage? I had assumed a hidden access to below. I only offer a possible alternative to risking one of our own number. If possible destruction of valuables is a concern and Anton feels up to trying... his luck...
Nim concentrates, focusing his own ability to sense magical auras, as he studies the floor trying to determine what may lie beyond the trapped hatch itself.
The trapdoor itself seems to be made of stone, blocking any attempt of detection beyond the Glyph on the top of the trp door.
When he sees his allies struggling to get clean, Tragershen sets aside his excitement momentarily. May I? he asks each. Unless they object, he’ll use multiple castings of Presdigitation to clean them from head to toe, including their gear.
Regarding the trap door… I would be reluctant to potential destroy any artifacts below the door, but I don’t think it is likely. The trap is most likely set to deter thieves. I can’t imagine setting a trap that would destroy what it protects, unless I truly feared it falling into the wrong hands. He adds silently to himself And would we be considered the wrong hands…? I don’t think we should move camp here until we resolve this door, one way or the other. A menace to us all could lay below and emerge when we are at a low point in our alertness.
Between the various spellcasters in the group, and the nature of Glyphs in general, you are pretty sure that most Glyph's do not destroy their contents, they are usually warding an entrance, barrier, or passage, although the incidental damage from one of them could do that although it would still have to blast through the stone.
Spellcraft DC 21 .
Spellcraft
Aedalis studies the aura a little more before adding-
Hmm... Upon further inspection, it does indeed appear to be a Glyph of Warding; chief among the suspects I had lined up in my mind. Now, a simple cantrip in conjunction with Antharen's Third Law of Evocation...
His muttering continues as his wrinkled hands move in swift motions and he murmurs an incantation.
Aedalis casts Read Magic.
Should be sufficient for us to understand a little more about this trap or safeguard left behind...
VS DC13 to identify the Glyph
Aedalis reviews the Glyph in detail, taking his time examining it and it possible contents. It is a Spell Glyph, containing a Fireball spell.
From the power of the evocation aura though, you think that the caster might have been poweful....
Not knowing the weaves and wends of magic as well as his companions, Mihai is content to watch and listen. His hand keeps unconsciously checking his pocket where the harrow deck is stowed, as his mind turns over on the portents of the cards.
A classic. A fireball spell is stored within, and one cast by an expert evoker no doubt... Nim, I believe your idea to summon a "helper" to open this door is most prudent and our best course of action.
Aedalis kneels down and begins to stroke Tilsini, the little lizard having become somewhat agitated at all the talking.
Nim nods in agreement with Aedalis.
I politely suggest that we all move to a safe distance.
As they move out of the room, Nim queries Aedalis with a grin, How does one say "open the hatch at your feet" in undercommon?
Once everyone is safely positioned, Nim summons the gremlin and then directs it to open the hatch in the floor with the words recently learned in undercommon.
"Pahntar l' dobor a dosst talwien." You may be interested to know, that Undercommon has no word for "hatch", but I substituted "door" and it will still be clear.
Perhaps you should stay close to me in case I fail to communicate our desires to the mite adequately...
It will be my pleasure to assist Aedalis says with a short bow.
Seeing that his assistance would not be directly required, Mihai removes himself from the interior of the ruins and takes cover behind a stout pillar.
Well, setting off a master evoker's fireball would certainly help clear the ruins. Before we do that, why don't we take time to search the... For a moment, he's at a loss for a word to describe the refuse and remains from the creeper's time here, so he merely gestures about. Perhaps there would be something from pervious victims that would help in our survival, or return to civilization.
If no one has taken 20 to search the room, Tragershen will do so. If Anton or Nim has already done so, he'll certainly trust their searching ability.
When the time comes to summon the mite, Tragershen will make sure to be back far enough to account for the fireball to have had its area enlarged.
As Anton searches the area for traps, the little man's incredibly sharp eyes detect something.
** spoiler omitted **
One more thing- Glyphs are known for being notoriously hard to disable. Don't even attempt it if you are merely an amateur... Aedalis warns gravely.
"Oh, I know what I'm doing," Anton replies confidently. Removing his pack and breastplate, Anton pulls out his thieves' tools...
Nim nods his head in agreement. It would seem a fine location to move our camp to. Fresh water. A bit of shelter and protection... and nicely located for our next exploration phase.
Nim looks at Anton quizzically, To what are you referring to? The grey island? It is some distance across the water from this end of the Shiv. I do not think that we can safely reach it from here. Not all of us for certain.
"Oh, right... Have we talked about this before? It's possible that I'm just more intrigued than I care to admit to myself." Anton ponders, sighs, and gives a wry grin. "Okay, fine, I give up on my interest in that island. We can move here whenever."
As the conversation moves more to masterful fireballs... "On the other hand, I rather like my skin intact." Anton is putting his breastplate back on while holding his backpack between his feet. "If you think you know what you're doing, then great, but I'll be over there." Anton gestures vaguely, indicating behind a wall.
Well, setting off a master evoker's fireball would certainly help clear the ruins. Before we do that, why don't we take time to search the... For a moment, he's at a loss for a word to describe the refuse and remains from the creeper's time here, so he merely gestures about. Perhaps there would be something from pervious victims that would help in our survival, or return to civilization.
If no one has taken 20 to search the room, Tragershen will do so. If Anton or Nim has already done so, he'll certainly trust their searching ability.
The take 20 is on perception, not just detect traps. It really includes perceiving anything in the area.
You feel pretty certain that you would have spotted anything of value around the Creeper. In talking with Nim he is pretty sure this isn't the type of creature that would be interested in any treasure or really anything even shiny, it is really void of anything but instinct.
You all gather at a safe distance, with all of the spell casters talking through what might be a safe distance. Issues like specialty Fireballs come up that are bigger than normal...in the end you decide that summoning the creature in ordering him to open the hatch and then moving back a little further might not be a bad idea.
The Mite appears. You give him the order, he nods his head and grabs at the hatch, trying to life it. He struggles for a few seconds, you think that he is not going to lift it we he gets a hold of something and it jerks up. That is the last you ever see the Mite. The explosion is epic! A massive concussion of flare that vaporizes everything in its reach...even 50 feet or so away it thumps on your chest and birds and animals anywhere close to the area flee upwards from the trees.
You gaze back at the trap door and the entire area is scorched. The water has also been vaporized leaving some steam in the corner. You approach slowly, with Anton in the lead just to be sure. He searches the hatch again just to be sure and finds nothing. The hatch opens surprisingly easy, some type of mechanism assisting in its opening...the air that leaks from the staircase below seems very stale...
Even though he is prepared, the sheer force of the firestorm takes Mihai by surprise and he stumbles unto his rump as he backs away. Regaining his footing and brushing down the leaves and dirt that have stuck to him he waits for the ringing in his ears to dissipate before following the others in.
Heh... That was rather grand... Aedalis says with an appreciative smile.
Corbius rocks back on heels with the force of the blast. Well so much for not alerting anyone to our presence... Corbius says offhandly shaking his head.
Anton peers into the chamber below, the stone stairs going down 10 feet into the darkness before hitting a stone floor. You create a magical light and shine it down into the chamber. You make out a roughly 15x20 room. The room looks in near pristine condition other than it is obviously old. You see several work type benches as well as some beakers and glass vials. No obvious threats face you.
Anton checks for traps as he goes down the stairs and the rest of you slowly follow. Some type of slate wall resides on the wall to your left with broken pieces of chalk near it. You see a number of faded magical and Azlanti symbols on the slate. It looks interesting to many of you but it will take more time to work out what it means. The beakers and glass vials seem empty and most of them are open. The work benches seem to have miscellaneous items on them, old stone pieces, fabrics…some of it you don’t recognize. You see several books on the tables, when you get right to them you see that they are rotted and even a soft breeze like you walking up is causing them damage. You know of no way with your current resources to preserve them. Now with the stone portal open, they will be soon gone, lost to time.
Around the edge of one of the work benches is a desk, lying beside the desk on the floor is a skeletal body in rotted garb. It appears to have been at one time a human. You approach cautiously, waiting for it to rise and strike out at you but nothing happens. Again Anton looks it over and sees nothing to threaten you. On the body are two items of note that seem to have resisted the passing of time. A cloak covered with Azlanti sigils, and a pair of boots that appear to be the same. He is also wearing a non-magical gold ring worth 75gp
There is also an odd looking scroll case made out of glass on the desk. Inside of it appear to be some parchment with writing on it, but this appears to be intact, preserved somehow from the passage of time. The scroll case is unique. It seems to have 5 chambers in it so the user can see the parchment contained within.
All 3 items radiate magic, there seems to be multiple school types on each of the 3 items. It may take some time to examine them properly.
The desk also contains 1 Emerald gemstone worth 100gp, 1 unusual large platinum piece with a stamp on the coin that is obviously Azlanti (will be worth 100gp to a collector of Azlanti artifacts or the Pathfinders.), 43 normal gold pieces.
Overall you get the impression that this might have been some type of magical workshop…
Nim looks about the room for a moment. Finding nothing of particular interest to him, he moves to return to the surface. I shall leave those of you interested in such things to examine them in peace and quiet. If nothing else, this will make for an excellent place to keep things dry and out of the reach of scavengers...
Let's be alert in case the noise from that draws cannibals, or other predators.
After giving the ruin a little time to cool off, Tragershen will approach with the others carefully. He'll check the ruins after the blast, looking for any structural sections that may have weakened (floors, walls, etc.) and be a hazard. If he notices anything, he'll draw it to the attention of the others.
Knowledge Engineering
In momentary denial of the truth of their condition, Tragershen tries to gently touch one of the books. Seeing the effect of even the most careful touch, he grimaces, admitting to himself that they are lost. Still, he is careful not to disturb them further, a small part of him still hoping to figure out a means to preserve them.
If Anton and Nim deem it safe to take time to examine the items, Tragershen will do so.
Spellcraft to ID items
Cloak
Boots
Scroll case
Remember, you can always take 10 on your checks...
the structure looks fine except for one thing, looks like the blast damaged the closing mechanism on the trap door. You play with it a little and it won't budge back down...
The Cloak and Boots are a mystery to you, their magic seemingly beyond you... :]
The scroll case you know a little about though. It is a special container in it's own right. The top moves around until it opens, there seems to be some type of material around the top and case itself that make a special seal, it appears to be airtight.
This airtight, unusual container allows the owner to place up to 5 scrolls in it. Each one has its own compartment for easy identification. Each compartment also has a special symbol at the top so you can draw a scroll without looking down by feeling the symbol. This allows the owner to draw a scroll from it as a move action WITHOUT drawing an AOO. The glass and top/bottom were specially forged to give it the strength of steel. The container has a hardness of 10 with 25 hit points.
Value: 250gp or more to a collector. Weight: 1 lb
It appears that the magic is coming from 3 of the 5 scrolls contained within. The other two appear to be Azlanti, non-magical writings.
Mihai stands back to allow Tragershen and Aedalis their time with the prizes. He instead turns to the walls themselves, dragging fingers lightly across the stone and breathing in the history that seems to suffuse the place. He spends some time looking at the skeletal remains considering if they should be interred before earth...
You all gather at a safe distance, with all of the spell casters talking through what might be a safe distance. Issues like specialty Fireballs come up that are bigger than normal...in the end you decide that summoning the creature in ordering him to open the hatch and then moving back a little further might not be a bad idea.
The Mite appears. You give him the order, he nods his head and grabs at the hatch, trying to life it. He struggles for a few seconds, you think that he is not going to lift it we he gets a hold of something and it jerks up. That is the last you ever see the Mite. The explosion is epic! A massive concussion of flare that vaporizes everything in its reach...even 50 feet or so away it thumps on your chest and birds and animals anywhere close to the area flee upwards from the trees.
You gaze back at the trap door and the entire area is scorched. The water has also been vaporized leaving some steam in the corner.
Anton takes a step back, surprised at the force of the blast even though expecting it. "I want to be able to set a trap like that someday," he says, awe in his voice.
Anton peers into the chamber below, the stone stairs going down 10 feet into the darkness before hitting a stone floor. You create a magical light and shine it down into the chamber. You make out a roughly 15x20 room. The room looks in near pristine condition other than it is obviously old. You see several work type benches as well as some beakers and glass vials. No obvious threats face you.
Anton activates Larissia's wayfinder with the command word that Tragershen discerned, and then places it in his miner's lantern, so that he can have his hands free -- just in case. Somewhat disappointed that it's just a single room, Anton is nonetheless fascinated by the Azlanti symbols throughout. Then there's the valuable objects...
When he reaches the gold ring, Anton takes it off the skeleton, starts to put it away, and then looks at the newcomers and speaks bluntly. "We have valuables from our explorations that we're not telling the rest about. We're using the weapons and whatnot that we find to keep the others safe; but we think that they haven't earned a share in the treasures that we find by taking risks that they don't. Nora kept the stash before, and now I do -- it's a Desnan thing, since we care a lot for fairness and not much for money." Anton pulls a sack out of his backpack and drops the ring into it; then adds the emerald gemstone, Azlanti platinum piece, and 43 undistinguished gp.
Remember, you can always take 10 on your checks...
the structure looks fine except for one thing, looks like the blast damaged the closing mechanism on the trap door. You play with it a little and it won't budge back down...
Anton notices Tragershen's inspections. If he doesn't do anything with the broken trap door... "Say, didn't you fix that rapier from the Tattooed Lady with magic? Do you think you could fix that door? It would be handy."
Aedalis casts his own detect magic and scrutinizes the items alongside Tragershen, announcing his findings as he does so.
The items are unique. It takes you and Tragershen into the night to determine their properties, it is an amazing dicovery!
Aura faint abjuration and transmutation; CL 5th
Slot feet; Price 2,500 gp; Weight 1 lb.
Description:
This footgear bestows many powers upon the wearer. First, he is able to travel across jungle terrain at his normal speed. Second, the boots can be activated once per day as a standard action to enhance the wearer's base movement by 10 feet. Finally, Azlanti Boots of the Jungle cool the wearer, as if he were affected by an endure elements spell for hot climates.
Construction
Requirements Craft Wondrous Item, endure elements, longstrider, feather step; Cost 1,250 gp.
Aura faint abjuration, transmutation; CL 5th
Slot Shoulders; Price 3,500 gp Weight 1lb
Description
This beautifully made cloak has several powers and is a potent aid to all spellcasters and particularly to those who prepare spells (clerics, druids, rangers, paladins, witches, and wizards). Once per day on command, a Cloak of the Magi enables the possessor to recall any one spell that she had prepared and then cast that day. The spell is then prepared again, just as if it had not been cast. The spell must be of 1st level. The cloak also grants the wearer magic protection in the form of a +1 resistance bonus on all saving throws . Last, the cloak grants a +2 Circumstance bonus to Spellcraft checks.
Construction
Requirements Craft Wondrous Item, creator must be able to cast spells of the spell level to be recalled, resistance, spellcaster must have at least 5 ranks in Spellcraft ; Cost 1750 gp
The scrolls are still TBD.
Tragershen wil carefully pass the two Azlanti scrolls to Aedalis. Can you interpret these?
Tragershen will look over the three remaining magical scrolls.
Spellcraft
Spellcraft
Spellcraft
In response to Anton, If we decide to use this as a base of operations, I can prepare that particular cantrip and see if its power is enough to restore the door.
Corbius follows the group down the stairs into the chamber marveling at the signs of ancient magic that have been undisturbed for centuries. As he decends the stairs I have never seen Azlanti writing before is that what those runes are on the wall? he asks curiously.
Noting Tragershens concern over the decaying books. Maybe if we leave them we can find some way to preserve them later?
He watches closely as Trag and Aedalis study the magic items craning his neck and trying to understand their ancient magic.
He watches as Trag carefully passes the Azlanti scrolls to Aedalis then tries to read the remaining three along with Tragershen.
Anton mentally dismisses the Azlanti scroll case and magical scrolls as irrelevant to him. "Wait. Do you know what the non-magical ones say?" Much later, he listens raptly to the descriptions of the cloak and boots, once Tragershen and Aedalis finish identifying them.
Anton stares at the Azlanti boots of the jungle lustfully. "I can't even begin to say how much I want those boots. I'm acutely aware every time we get into a fight that I'm just not mobile enough. Also, we've been making it work with me being the slowest one and the forward scout at the same time; but I have to say that it would be a lot easier with something like that."
Anton considers. "They have to be incredibly valuable, and I'm sure that it's something that everyone wants. I'm the only non-spellcaster here, so I'd like to keep Larissia's wayfinder; but it would only be fair for me to offer up my potion of waterbreathing if I get the boots -- and most of you know how much that means to me." Anton gives a lopsided grin.
With a beaming smile, Anton offers you a scroll of bless, a scroll of lesser restoration, 2 packets of bodybalm, and a healer's kit with 9 uses left.
To the boots and cloak "I make no claim to either of them and need no recompense for the loss. Whoever is blessed with their usage will enhance the whole - and that is reward enough."
Gentlemen, I have the appropiate spell memorised, strain not your minds with effort that merely wastes time... Aedalis says softly as he uses Read Magic to learn the properties of the magical scrolls before getting to work reading the non-magical Azlanti ones.
As an afterthought, he nods to Corbius.
Yes, the writing on the wall was also Azlant in nature. Should time permit, I will be happy to tutor any who wish to learn the ancient language.
Scrolls:
Vanish
Magic Missle
Summon Swarm
Azlanti Script:
Notes for two new spells...it will take time and experimentation to try to create these!!!! But they are worth more than their parts.
Azlanti Luck
Azlanti Glue
You make your discoveries but it is late. Taking shelter in the blackened building the group rests overnight.
18th of Lamashan
You awake in the morning tired, both mentally and physically. You have a decision to make, back to the camp the way you camp and have a clear trail blazed back to your original camp or try a different route back and take a little more time?
18th of Lamashan
Mihai awakens early, performing his ritual of spreading the harrow cards with their faces concealed and retrieving them without having read the lay. From the slightly haggard look to his face, it's easy to tell he is unused to roughing it... though the tiredness has now bowed his spirit, which remains upbeat and warm.
Aedalis wakes up after a restful nights sleep and spends an hour basking in the dawn light with Tilsini, his tiny dinosaur friend watching him intently as he memorises incantations, chants and says his morning prayers. He doesn't isolate himself, but does this openly near the remains of the previous night's fire; wishing a fine morning to anyone who greets him.
Once his morning rituals are complete, Aedalis eyes the straggles on his beard critically but ignores the diskemptness of his appearance for now. Instead he takes a piece of parchment Tragershen lent him and begins to slowly write a new journal. He had lost his current one in the shipwreck... but last year's was stored safely along with the others in Eleder and truth be told, little of note had happened while performing the task his patron had demanded of him. Quill resting comfortably in his weathered right hand, Aedalis begin to write...
Along with the only other survivor, a Varisian harrow-reader known as Mihai, Tilsini and I survived the journey to Eleder. Well, almost. After a nigh-unspeakable trial, we found ourselves to be shipwrecked upon Smuggler's Shiv. I had never before been so glad for the gift of the returned strength of my youth from my patron; ordinarily I found it to be of little consequence in my academic pursuits, but all the obscure languages I have mastered, all the magical power Tilsini and I have accumulated and all the essays on Planar Transcendence I have burned into my mind were moot; of no consequence when my only chance for survival was to cling to a piece of driftwood for days on end. Had I not stumbled upon the strange, obscured being I now call Master within the Statis Fields of the Bandu Hills in Sargava, I would now merely be food for the fishes. When I examine and evaluate my decision from this day on, I suspect I shall feel far more justified in making the pact that I made that fateful day- and even more so, in not sharing that particular finding with the Pathfinder expedition I had been assigned to...
To look at it on most maps of Garundi, Smugglers Shiv is a mere stones throw away from the shore of my home, Sargava. Looking out at the horizon this morning, faced with the brutal currents that give the island a reputation as a place to abandon hope, Sargava never seemed further away. There is still hope, however, and hope beyond the twists of time and fate that my Patron may be able to bend in my favor. Mihai and I have been taken in by what appears to be a well adapted group of survivors from another shipwreck; a group that includes many of those talented in the art of arcane and divine magic. Their initial mistrust of us was tempered by loss; it is my understanding that they recently lost one of their number and had little time for friendly greetings to newcomers. Nevertheless, we were given food and shelter- an environment we used to recuperate and now I have already lent my knowledge to their cause on more than one occasion.
I doubt there is a mind to equal my own among them (initial evidence suggests the Elf may be holding back his own intellect in a cautionary manner though), but their number includes several exceptional individuals. It is my belief that with these new-found allies having taken us in, our chances of escape from Smuggler's Shiv are good. It has thus far been my privilege to accompany them and lend an older man's mind to temper their passion with reason; and to twist the threads of fate in their favor at every turn I am capable of. With the Elf's occasionally helpful assistance, I made several noteworthy discoveries within the ruins (after ascertaining the nature of the trap that thwarted us single-handedly), that I shall record in detail when I have made further study. That does remind me, must thank Master Tragershen (the Elf) for this parchment i'm writing on. And ask for more; I seem to have run out of room...
Sometime in the morning, Aedalis approaches Mihai-
Mihai- I would be in your debt good sir, if you would deign to grant me a reading with your cards?
Nim awakens early as is his custom, meditating in the pre-dawn hour, refocusing his connection to nature. After joining the others and exchanging greetings, he sets about preparing a meal for everyone from their remaining supplies.
After breakfast, and the conversation turning to the plan for the day, Nim suggests that the group has two main options. The first is to return to the base camp via the most expedient route , retrieving the people and supplies there and returning to the ruins via the same route. All future explorations would then be conducted from this new camp.
The second is to explore on the way back to base camp (some of the area to the north of the ruins) , and then return here via the most direct route with the other castaways and supplies in tow.
Nim is fine with either option, but leans towards the latter...
Nim has been deciding for the group the general exploration route so I will go with his latter choice unless told otherwise. Post up later tonight.
Tragershen has grown to have full faith in Nim's exploration routes (and opinion on all things dealing with the natural world in general), and will support the orange route proposed.
Corbius awakes early well rested after a dreamless nights sleep. He seats himself near the fire nodding a quiet greeting to the others as he sees them or as they awaken.
Carefully removing his spellbook from his pack, he sets to silently committing his spells to memory for the day ahead. Once that is complete he meets with Nim and others to discuss the days activities.
I agree we should take the route which allows us to continue to explore on our return to camp then we can return via the most direct route. We should as much as possible be trying to explore the area around the ruins.
Anton is relieved when no one else even expresses any interest in the Azlanti boots. Huh. I guess they're all just glad that I'll be able to keep up better.
Aedalis, Tragershen, and Corbrius spend some time discussing how to decide who gets the Azlanti cloak; to Anton's secret disappointment, they didn't even consider Nim's joking(?) suggestion of trial by combat. They ultimately just cast dice; Aedalis must've won, since the proud Taldan is now the proud wearer of one of the most ancient garments on Golarion.
No one even bothers saying anything about the Azlanti scroll case and the spell creation notes inside. Only one of the group can read Azlanti better than a word here and there, and the special scroll case is what preserved two of the most precious scraps of writing in the world; so, by tacit agreement, that all goes to Aedalis too.
Anton loses interest in the conversation after it becomes clear that he gets to use the boots. Spacing out as the arcanists continue their dialogue, he doesn't hear when they all agree that only Tragershen could use the most powerful scroll the easiest -- and Aedalis would be hard-pressed to use any of them -- so Corbrius gets the other two.
Encounter chance dawn
Encounter chance noon
Encounter chance dusk
Encounter chance midnight
Disease chance Nim
Disease chance Anton
Disease chance Mihai
Disease chance Tragershen
Disease chance Corbrius
Disease chance Aedalis
Disease chance Aerys
Disease chance Gelik
Disease chance Ishirou
Disease chance Jask
Disease chance Sasha
Mihai gives Aedalis a warm smile when he asks for a reading "I will lay the cards, and then we will read what we may" smile twisting into a wry smirk "Though whether they ken truth or shadow we can only find in the telling, yes?" Mihai bids Aedalis to sit opposite him crosslegged upon the ground with an open space between them where the lay will be made.
Without any fanfare or ceremony, Mihai withdraws the harrow deck from his vest pocket and removes the wellworn cards within. As he begins to make them dance, shuffling and splitting and riffling and piling and gathering, Mihai speaks in an even and reverent tone "I assume you are familiar with the harrow? A superstition to some, and a religion to others... though I tend to try and straddle the trains of thought. They are a window, a glimpse into the grey space between the dark of the future and the light of the now. Truth is fleeting in the space that the cards call to... and malleable. Interpretation, causation, fact, fiction, these are all ideas that can be bent... and on occasion broken. Let us see the will of the Walker today" then on an instant, his machinations split from the shuffle to the lay, cards being spat out before him in quick-fire fashion.
LN: The Marriage; TN: The Paladin; CN: The Inquisitor
LE: The Unicorn; NE: The Theater; CE: The Forge
The cards are box laid in rows of three, face up and with their name towards Mihai. The faces of the cards are vivid and distinct in their colours despite having dogged ears and frayed edges. A few cards stick out even to your untrained eye as you are drawn to them. As Aedalis' eyes wander, Mihai draws him in to a few of those lain in turn.
In the center is a stout paladin in shining mail and striking a pose of strength. "This reflects your uncertain present... the Paladin is the bastion of strength for those that have none. The need of a recent union of which you are unsure" Mihai's hand drifting to center left where a salamander and water weird hold before them offspring begat of their union, the card is named The Marriage "and what part you might play in the face of trials."
In the top left is a card aligned, an archon of the heavens with a bugle at his lips. Smiling Mihai is genuine in praise "The harrow knows that you bear a strength within you, that shall not bear down even if tested." his hand drifting to the top right where another card lies aligned a cyclops drawing ale from a jug to a tankard "The Publican bodes well for us my friend." touching a finger to his head "Your wisdom will be a guiding star for us."
With a slight hesitation Mihai moves to the lower rank of cards, where the ill portents usually make themselves known. Mihai's gaze is drawn to and fixates solely upon the lower right card. A dwarf hard at work at the forge. Somberly he intones "There is a great evil upon this isle... and we will all be needed to force it to quiescence. We may not know of it yet... but it is there, and we will fear it's coming when it does."
A pause of a few seconds follows, before Mihai sweeps the cards back into his hands and re-stows them within their box. Standing with a grunt, he offers Aedalis a hand to assist him back to his own feet. "Make of that what you will my friend..." he finishes with, before Mihai turns to his own introspection over the lay... and what it portends.
What are you doing about the trap door? It is in the up position?
Second, what about the Azlanti writing on the slate board?** spoiler omitted **
As everyone is getting ready to sleep, exhausted from a very full day, Anton pipes up.
"Say, I don't know if you all noticed, but those writings on the wall are chalk on slate. Now, when I was working as a transporter, I was often paid a lot just to guarantee the safe delivery of a small packet of paper. I might not know anything about magic, but I know that information is valuable -- and the whole point of chalk is that it's easy to erase. Since the door won't shut, I think we should copy those symbols down if we can, lest they be gone by morning from the wind."
Corbius smiles when offered the scrolls but shakes his head in the negative. Tragershen can put those to better use than myself they should all go to him.
With a modest shrug Corbius goes back to looking at the chalk runes wondering what it all means.