The 20.-tall opening leads into a 20. long corridor. The
corridor empties into a room 20. tall, 100. wide, and 20. deep.
The room is lit by pluma torches, one at each end (north and south).
These items are beautiful: carved wooden rods about three feet long,
the length decorated with feathers. On the top are red, orange, and
yellow feathers arranged to resemble a torch flame.
The room is filled with art and art objects. The walls bear murals and
mosaics, and there is a lot of sculpture, along with a few feather
paintings. There are some samples of art from the Realms, including an
oil painting on canvas, and a brush and ink work on rice paper.
whoa, so much stuff, of paintings and sculptures she says carefull not to touch anything. Her mother had taught her well but she still sounded in this very moment lime a little kid in her first night at the museum.
Ancient History
"Feathers; perhaps they are treasures of Qotal. But this feels like a place of Zaltec." Ik' Skull nervously balances her bow in her hand, contemplating the implications of her suppositions.
Ik'Skull
Ik' Skull trembles. In her surprise she reverts to her native tongue.
(Payit)"I have heard a voice, and it asks tribute. It does not name itself." She pauses, attempting to regain composure.
Next, she pulls a feathers from her pack, a half-finished pluma, and calls aloud. (Nexalan)"We come to this place as strangers, ignorant of tribute; if it is art of hands and minds you wish as tribute, give me time and I will weave you a beautiful pluma that speaks of the power and mystery of this place. What do I call you, oh voice?" She looks about, curiously and cautiously. She switches back to common. "There is a voice that calls out to me for tribute; it claims the art as its own. Be... respectful."
Ik'Skull
Now you are all spoken to telepathically, "Who are you and what are you doing here?" in your native tongues
"My companions heard the beautiful music you make and wished to meet the source. Nothing more", Orren replies aloud.
The voice says, "Those without tribute are unwelcome. Shoo."
I am Merisiel Stormwind, Gold Dwarf from the dry plains of Shaar, and My gift is a simple dagger but made of pure dwarven steel manufactured in great forges of the Great Rift if that is ok with you she replied a bit unsure of herself as she replied out loud to the unseen master of the pyramid
The voice says, "A mediocre offering but I will accept it, it is interesting since our local humans have only learned how to smelt gold and silver but none of the hard metals. How may I help you? I can tell this bearded lady has questions, I will answer one question of each of you and then you should go to Nexal."
Otzali remains silent, unsure of what offering he could make from among his humble belongings, and unsure what question he would ask even if he had a worthy tribute.
The courage of the foreigners impresses him as he stays off to the side alone with his thoughts.
Orren looks to Meri, "Ladies first, especially Ladies who could beat me into submission with a wooden spoon" he states with a grin.
Interesting "it" is also sending us to Nexal
My question is this: Where exactly can i get the Cloak of the One plume she ask as she puts down the dagger
The voice says cryptically, "I can at best confirm that it wasn't destroyed but I am unaware of its exact location, best answer is wherever your quest may lead you."
"Uxma, is there an ally we might seek in the Valley of Nexal?"
The voice responds, "Nexal is a very dangerous place and most its inhabitants are evil. Finding allies may be difficult. Be wary of anyone you meet there."
Ik' Skull frowns, uncertain and confused by the vague answers. She glances to Otzali, openly expressing her confusion and uncertainty at the creatures vague answers and disregard for the local peoples.
Well at least we know that it still does really exist she says
Otzali returns Ik'Skull's look with a confused look of his own. This strange way of 'talking' sounds like nothing his limited training has taught him about pluma or hishna.
Disregarding the warning in his gut the warrior asks, "And should we not be wary of meeting you as well?"
The voice laughs and says, "It may have been wiser to not have come here. Make no mistake you are trespassers in my home. I do not mean to cause you harm but Nexal is under the rule of the Viperhand whose leaders are troll, ogres and orcs. Most of the humans who live there are evil whether they are Maztican or from the east. Take my advice or not is of no consequence to me."
As it says that a large couatl appears with its serpentine body draping all near you and its wings flutter in the breeze.
"How do I know you're going to Nexal because we couatl can read minds. My cousin Trusma lives in the east although she said she was going to go to Zakhara the land of fate."
completely awed and amazed Meri will ask Are you referring to the one we saw bathing in the sun a few days ago ? then she realized something Why is that land called the land of fate if i may ask ?
Uxma slithers a bit and then says, "You know the rules, one question per person."
Ouups yeah, sorry i got mine already she replied smiling
Otzali lowers his eyes, humbled by being so close to the magnificent beast. Ashamed of the way he just spoke to it.
He again glances towards Ik'skull, wondering if the weaver might not be their best chance of getting real answers from the couatl.
"What should be done with the Cloak once we retrieve it?"
Orren knew he should ask anything else but it did not feel right to come here and take something precious from this land for any amount of Gold or Glory.
Uxma says, "Should you be successful in your quest, you should be mindful of the consequences of your actions. But most of all do what is in your heart."
The couatl says, "I wish you all luck on your journey and farewell." he then vanishes again.
Ik'skull
what a most exiting encounter she says with glee
so back to our trek ? she ask moving toward the exit
Ik' Skull tries to hide her surprise; she clutches something in her hands.
"Thus have we been touched by one of the many voices of Quotal. It is a blessing for the journey ahead. I... have hope."
She turns to Otzali and smiles, but in doing so chokes back the worry she holds inside.
Orren seems lost in thought, "Yes. Yes, we must get back to our duty".
Otzali nods his agreement, gesturing the band forward so he is the last to leave the chamber. He gives a slight bow to the empty room, his mind assuming that the creature has not left but rather returned to its unseen state. With one final look at the collected items, he turns to follow the others out.
"Even these others, who seem decent enough, should not be trusted. Think about how they have treated our people since they got here,"the stoic face turns into a sneer at the word 'treated', his feelings on the matter all too obvious.
"Do you believe for a second that we can let any of them touch the Cloak?"
it is more of an assignment than a duty i would say Orren says an over exited merisiel
I had hope that at least Hasoctl might... forgive me for being foolish.
"Please, sirs, let us continue. We should set up camp soon before the sun gets too low."
The group marches a few miles away from the pyramid and sets camp. You eat some rations and then go to sleep.
Day 4 GM Rolls
The next day you pick up camp and then you travel a couple of hours and then you see one large black bear fishing in a river which you need to cross.
Ik' Skull sneaks up behind some bushes at a respectful distance to look upon the beast, she whispers to whomever joins her as she stares at the beautiful creature "Perhaps we can find a way to distract brother bear, so that he will not grow angry."
vs. 14
"As we are not pressed for time so terribly we could simply let it move along of its own accord or look for another crossing up or downstream".
either or is fine with me. We are in no hurry she says
Your group finds another crossing point without bears and make your way through the forest. After about two more hours you can hear the deep booming sound of loud voices talking in the distance.
Pezelac 1
Pezelac 2
Pezelac 1
Anyone understand any of this ?
"Two voices" Ik' Skull pauses and listens for a bit. "The accent is difficult, but it sounds like honorable creatures of the True World talking of making a home. It would be best to approach them with respect, if at all."
" An they assist us with knowledge about where we head to do you think Ik'Skull?"
You both would know best about that she says smiling to the natives
Pezelac 1
Pezelac 2
"Perhaps if we wish something of them, we could offer something in return. A gift, some food, or an offer of the services of our hands."
While Otzali has been trained to be comfortable in the wilds of the jungle, this is not something he has experienced before.
He checks his maca to make sure its ready but does not draw the weapon.
"We mean no disrespect, we are simply traveling through. May we pass?"