After hearing the translation, having a few heated words with everyone, and deciding he cannot be part of this, Tharrek leaves. He promises not to tell any of the locals about this place, or to come back himself, but he cannot be bothered to waste his time protecting some out-dated pseudo-religion and its antiquated guardians.
Palag watches the small fey calmly and follows its and Rsss'tak's doings carefully. He isn't quite sure what will happen now so he just walks to the edge of the ruins to keep a decent view.
He looks suspiciously at Tharrek but doesn't protest his leaving.
After messing for a while with his alchemical set, Yochtanl packs it up and says to the others, "It seems that I am unable to glean much useful information. The blue seems to be a dye that the plant has absorbed, and it appears to have taken it up through the water in the area. I cannot tell much besides this." He reaches into his pack to pull out Quetzalcoatl, stroking the snake's scales admiringly as it curls around his arm.
Speaking to Rsss'tak, she says,
Tears start to come to her eyes, as she looks to the rest of you.
With the creature's weeping, Vess'Sothek slowly steps forward. He unties his long spear, the stone head having many feathers attached to it. Each one marked a hunting rite completed from his tribe, and he'd added a few for flourish from his own special catches to the end of the trail. Standing over the fountain, the reptile hesitates somewhat before finally sacrificing his weapon, more a symbol than a spear. He then turns to the speaker and waits expectantly.
Yochtanl plucks some more grass for some more intensive study later, putting them with the alchemist's kit. He looks to the lizardfolk as they relinquish their items, and then when the fey starts to tear thinks that perhaps an offering is being required of him as well. He thinks a moment, then takes out his Snake Charmer's Flute. He looks at it thoughtfully, recalling how he used to play it around the campfire with his clanmates so long ago. He gingerly places it into the water, and it floats for a second before water fills it and it sinks below. He watches it go, then looks to the fey and offers his clan salute and a nod.
Seeing how the others and especially Yochtanl place something in the fountain each in turn, Palag wonders what he could sacrifice. He isn't sure about what to give and thinks whether he has anything that has more meaning to him. Obviously his mask is such an object, but that would be too much. Looking down at himself, his eyes fixate on the pouch on his belt. It is one of the first few decent items he made when he learned how to work clothing. He unties the pouch and moves the items from it into his backpack before walking forth next to the fountain and placing the small bag in it. He watches the pouch float for a while before it starts sinking.
Djatrix looks curiously at the crystals, touching them cautiously. He looks back the way he came, wondering if he should return to warn the others of what he has found, but curiosity is stronger.
Whispering to the spirits to help him see any traces of magic, he continues on down the tunnel.
As you swim farther, you turn a bend and come across an amazing sight. Quartzlike drystals, massed together larger than you, and countless smaller crystals embedded in the cavern walls. The glow is overpowering, and the aura of abjuration, conjuration, and transmutation magic is strong here. Carved on the surface of every crystal you can see in this chamber, from the larges to the smallest, are strange runes and sigils that you do not recognize, and they pulse a faintly darker blue. A few gnarled, ancient roots poke through the cavern's ceiling, and reach downward, embracing and strangling a part of the larger mass of crystals. The roots are a dark, midnight blue, with cilia and veins of glowing, lighter blue.
The current is a bit stronger here, likely coming from a hidden fissure amid the crystals; it seems you've found the source of the spring.
You are the only living creature in this chamber.
Djatrix examines the crystals and roots with his spell-enhanced eyes, allowing the spell chance to provide any other useful information. Moments later, he turns back, making his way back to the fountain. The others should be told about what he found.
If you touch the largest group of crystals, the runes glow a midnight blue-purple, and you are compelled to pull you hand away, feeling a strong discomfort, bordering on pain-the crystals here are much warmer to the touch (sort of like touching the battery area on a laptop that has been on for a while). During the time you spend down here, no other living creature enters this chamber, and you feel a little uneasy, almost queasy.
As you leave, the discomfort subsides, but your hand still tingles a little minutes later.
You reach the surface, and you allies are talking to a 2-foot tall fey-like creature (see previous description) in Sylvan, or translating. You do not see Tharrek anywhere, and Benjamin is brooding in the treeline. The fey creature does not appear hostile.
Djatrix emerges from the water.
Ell'uitheste'llenyell'ahre speaks, pointing to Djatrix, and acting cautious.
In Sylan, then translates for his friends, Djat, the creatures of this area are just protecting it, this is their sacred land that is why they attacked us.
There has been a misunderstanding with the humans of this area, we would like to try and help them to correct it. We have offered our help by offering a token of faith with them to seal the bargain.
He then goes to describe what happened and what they all offered.
In common, What did you find down there? Maybe it can help us understand what is going on here?
Yochtanl is rather surprised at Djatrix's emergence, given that he didn't notice him enter it. He thinks to make a joke to Djatrix concerning what Tharrek did to the water, then decides it more prudent to not bring that up in the presence of the fey. Instead he asks, "Well, did you have a pleasant swim?" He grins underneath the mask.
Djatrix studies the scene before replacing his morningstar back on his belt strap, nodding slowly.
"There is a natural cavern below, with its own fauna," he says in Draconic. Idly he hubs one of his hands, as if trying to get something out of. "And strange... magical crystals. I believe they are responsible for the conditions of this place."
Djatrix climbs out of the fountain, walking towards the group, making sure he does not walk too close to the faery creature, not for fear, but not to seem threatening. "There are ancient inscriptions below as well as the roots of a tree. I believe it is somehow... feeding on with the crystals."
The fey creature's eyes blaze for a moment, and then she snarls in Sylvan.
Her body is tense, and obviously she is holding back her instinctual rage. You all find it fascinating, and a bit disturbing at the frequency and abrubtness with which the moods of the fey can change.
Yochtanl looks to Rsss'tak and says, "Ask it if it knows of these crystals underneath the tree, and if it thinks they might be the source of the problem." He somehow doubts that the fey will believe the crystals to be the reason for the taint, but he tries not to betray this doubt when talking to Rsss'tak.
In common to Djat and the rest of the group,
This is what the creature told me..."The azure hue to all the life around here comes from the spring underground. After the Storm God fell, his blood rained down in many places across the world and caused curses, arcane mutations, and blight. Here, our grandmother, our mother and her sisters, who resided in this place for an age, used their magics to bind the blood to prevent harm. It was absorbed by strange crystals at the spring's fountainhead, and by the roots of our grandmother, who sleeps to this day. Their sacrifice was great, and the mortals of the age set up this shrine in their honor, and remembered them for many hundreds of years. Despite their efforts, the god's blood still seeped into the land over time..." does this seem what could have happened with what you have seen down there?
Do you think there is anything we can do to help them?
After seeing Ell'uitheste'llenyell'ahre's seemingly bi-polar reaction, Vess'Sothek begins to regret making the pact with the creature. Looking for an out, particularly after Rsss'tak refreshes the party with his information, the Lizardfolk opts to leave. If we cannot help alone, we should hold up our end of the deal and convince the humans to aid us. But we must leave for their town to speak with them.
He appears anxious to leave for those with a reasonable perception; he is not attempting to hide his emotions.
Yochtanl thinks about the information that Rsss'tak repeated, saying, "I think that this creature would be the best one to ask whether we should try to remove the crystals or not. If the solution is as simple that, I don't see us needing help from the humans. Especially since we have three burly lizardfolk capable of delving into the fountain right here." He pats Djatrix as high up on his arm as he can reach, then continues, "I'd like to ask the fey first, though, because it seems rather capricious, and we wouldn't want to upset it further. Besides, the fey are much more attuned to nature than we. If it doesn't think this is an acceptable solution, maybe we could ask what it thinks we could do?" Yochtanl caught that Vess'Sothek wants to leave, but he wants first to do what they can here. If the whole issue could be resolved now, he'd like to do so.
Palag blinks as he sees Djatrix pop out from the fountain – apparently he had missed the fact that the third lizardman was missing for some reason or another. Since both Rsss'tak and Yochtanl voice the important questions, Palag just keeps quiet again and observes the little creature as it speaks, intrigued by the sudden changes but thinking that it is normal behavior for them. He does wish that he could understand it directly, even if he starts thinking that he can make out some words. Now that he remembers, he finally takes the bolt out of the crossbow and puts it back into a case.
He listens curiously to the explanation about the crystals. "Seeping blood... I suppose we could research some magical way to absorb it, perhaps into something, and then destroy or at least contain it. I'm not that savvy with magic, but doesn't that sound doable?" He looks at Yochtanl and Djatrix. "Or maybe finding more of these crystals to absorb the blood?"
She waits in anticipation, her face a combinations of fear, apprehension, and occasionally insult.
Her little eyes look like they are equally on the verge of laughing with joy, crying with defeat, or lashing out in rage.
Djatrix looks absent-mindedly, flexing one of his hands as if it was itching. "I fear I can't yet tell you the best option. The tree does seem to be... embracing the crystals, for good or ill. It would certainly harm it trying to remove the crystals."
He turns back to the fey, studing it for a while, before looking back at his companions. "Besides, touching the crystals maybe not be... benefical to our health."
Eyebrows furred, headfins high, Djatrix turns to Rsss. "Maybe we should ask the fey how we could best help."
Perception:
Mount:
Vess'Sothek Perception:
Djatrix Perception:
...Eyebrows furred, headfins high, Djatrix turns to Rsss. "Maybe we should ask the fey how we could best help."
The rest of you notice that the frills of his head have turned azure, and there is a bluish tint to Djatrix's eyes.
Palag notices everyone breaks conversation awkwardly for a moment. Even the fey is silent, now staring at Djatrix.
Benjamin is off examining the local flora and fauna.
Yochtanl looks wide-eyed at Djatrix, unsure what to do or say. He doesn't know whether he should be sorry for him, or be ready to fight him, or what will happen, so he stands still and wide-eyed, his hand unconsciously reaching for his spear.
Djat, you didn't touch the crystals did you? You seem to have a blue color to you as well! he says with a lot of concern...
Vess'Sothek approaches Djartrix and attempts to smell a difference in him at the tainted regions.
Sensing his master's distress, Quetzalcoatl comes out of the bag, curling around Yochtanl's arm and searching around for danger.
"What?" says Palag and looks at the others as they suddenly pause. He sees Yochtanl getting a little tense but doesn't know why. However, as soon as Rsss'tak speaks, he turns quickly to look at Djatrix again. "Ah! Oh, ha ha! Er... sorry. That's peculiar!" He certainly didn't expect anyone's color to start changing this quickly. He then quickly inspects the tip of his tail and the ends of his hair to make sure he isn't turning blue yet.
Vess'Sothek smells his comrade, but cannot discern anything other than freshwater, muck, and a faint urine-like aroma.
The fey takes a step forward on the statue, and says,
She looks to everyone, eyes settling on Rsss'tak, and speaks again.
Djatrix examines his hand with genuine curiosity, moving his fingers and turning his hand around. Palag's laughter draws his attention. With a frown, he shrugs. "It seems like once again curiosity proves to be my undoing." Memories of the crystal chamber, and the fact that animals tended to stay away from it, come back to Djatrix's mind.
Finally he turns to Rsss and the fey. "Seems like we are now bound to help."
"Well, we planned on it anyways." says Yochtanl matter-of-factly. "I suppose this just seals the deal."
He says out loud to no one in particular: "Ah, if only I could see these crystals myself. Perhaps I could discern something about their nature..." He mutters about not having the capacity for swimming that the lizardfolk do.
"Well, we planned on it anyways." says Yochtanl matter-of-factly. "I suppose this just seals the deal."
He says out loud to no one in particular: "Ah, if only I could see these crystals myself. Perhaps I could discern something about their nature..." He mutters about not having the capacity for swimming that the lizardfolk do.
Translates her words...then says to Yochtanl
Maybe we can take you down there to examine them? How long can you hold your breath for? giving him a big toothy grinTo the friendlier fey, May we enter the fountain to examine the crystals? We must learn something about their nature to possibly help you. We will be very careful not to touch the sacred one...
Vess'Sothek sighs slowly, resigning himself to sticking with the group against his intuition in the realm of the fey. To dissuade any perception he would be leaving them, he steps behind Yochtanl. Yes, Rsss'tak is quite right. I'll be happy to take you down into the fountain, little one. Don't touch anything blue though! I am worried yet about Djatrix.
Though his concern waned slightly with the absence of a "blue" scent, the reptile didn't like the sound of this exploration. He did like the sound of water though, and he made his peace with the decision.
"I certainly can't can hold my breath like you can. However, if the crystals were not too far from the mouth of the cave, I think I'd be able to do it."
The fey tenses up at the request, then relaxes. After a few moments she says,
Assuming the lizardfolk translate this newest bit, Yochtanl says, "Ahh, I suppose examining the crystals can wait another day. Should we head backward to the campsite we were at last ngiht, or find a new spot closer? I'd really like to see this tied up, as it would be unfortunate for more to die over simple mistakes."
I am translating everything going forward.
In Sylvan, Talk with your spirits, we will return tomorrow.
Rsss'tak mounts up and readies to head out...
Having made sure that he isn't any bluer than before, Palag just looks at Djatrix curiously. The lizardman doesn't seem to act any weirder than before, so Palag thinks that the color doesn't go deeper than the surface. He feels some concern when Yochtanl and Rsss'tak speak about going intot he fountain to examine the crystals. "We don't all need to go in, do we?"
After Rsss'tak informs them that the fey wants them to return the next day, Palag too is ready to go. "We could go back near the campsite and spend the rest of the day telling people about this place. Or getting some food. Or both! What do you say?"