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Arisira takes the time engaging in small talk and meeting various members of the Song'o tribe- learning songs and stories from their culture and oral histories where able.
In discussing with the chief, she offers some advice regarding the settlers at Prion's Hearth.
"Charity is important as well, though we were concerned about our friends safety. I am afraid the humans will blame the Song'o for the Lizardfolks crimes. If I may, I would suggest avoiding trade with them until you hear otherwise"
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It is the halflings' turn to look confused. The Mireborn? No they were not Storm Kindlers. The Storm Kindlers were a different sort altogether - though if what these two say is true perhaps that has changed.
The Storm Kindlers were a group of worshippers of Gozreh - my grandfather used to tell horror stories about them and it seems those stories have continued to be passed on she says crooking a disapproving glance at her grandsons
They bred storms like you tallfolk breed hounds and mules. They built themselves a small village nearby and later a temple - over in the Jungle of the Hungry Trees. As legend goes the whole lot of them were swallowed up by a terrible storm before my grandfather even grew his first gray whisker. He gave very strict orders for our people to avoid that place and I have upheld it. If you were smart you too would avoid it.
She nods in appreciation of your comments I have noticed. Those people they come in with their snake imagery - a horribly unlucky animal in our culture - and they go traipsing around in that jungle. It is they who have rekindled those storms if you ask me. They have likely awoken terrible ghosts of the past. I have no idea what they were after - it is taboo for us to enter that jungle and we gave them a wide berth. When the next storm destroys your settlement, they will be why. Besides, I think my grand children are mistaken. The mireborn would have never done such a thing like call these storms. They were violent but they werent driven to cultism.
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Shen is relieved that these halflings are so cooperative but she is clearly afraid of what these lizards.
With some sarcasm she starts speaking "Thank you so much! I hope that you understand that we need to investigate village of these Storm Kindlers. Not that I want that! No lady ... no! It is these companions of mine. Look Vera is our leader and I just follow. You know ... I follow orders! So Vera follows orders from someone in the city and then we all say 'Yes sir!' and walk into the jungle with only six people and expect to be able to change the world ..." she shakes her head and sits down touching her bald head with both hands.
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"Snakes, you say? That is unsurprising though. Tell me- are these snake people near the river temple? Or somewhere else?"
Arisira makes a mental note of the continued Aspis presence in the area. I don't like the sound of that, especially with those 'miners' from back at port
"If what I think is happening, is happening... our plans might need to be further delayed"
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Mak'da leans back and pulls out some fruit from her pack. Biting into it she enjoys the sweetness and the juice runs down her chin. So friends, with what we know know where do we want to continue with our explorations? Perhaps the presence of these snakes has pushed the Mireborn into more dangerous actions to protect themselves? It may be sensible to look into that first.
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They just had lots of snake images - big asp on a copper badge! Is your village not devoted to the Snake Totem? We just assumed. We gave you all a wide berth - we don't want no trouble The scout will excitedly rattle off much to Grandmother's chagrin.
She sighs If you all insist on going out that way, I cannot stop you, but that forest is taboo and much as my clan owes you, we will not allow you to return here with the bad juju from that place all over you. In gratitude, our village does have some thing you might find useful before you go an' get yourselfs killed.
She presents you with a scroll Said to make your body duplicate to confound your foes a wand with 8 charges remaining Said to make you swift as a panther and a bronze key with a swirled pattern on it Something my grandfather found in the old Storm Kindler's camp, he claimed it could calm the rage of the winds, whatever that means.
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For the sake of clarity here are the options that have been presented to you.
1) The ruins where the townsfolk said they saw the Lizardfolk retreat towards (this is way WAY to the west of here over by the coast)
2) The old lizardfolk village which has since been abandoned (this is directly north of here, nearby)
3) The Jungle of Hungry Trees where the Mining Company Camp that got attacked was (just to the south west of here, also nearby)
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You backtrack back north a bite before exiting the jungle to arrive at a low lying area where up ahead you see some sort of small lake and the land turns a bit wastelandy, the ground going craggy as we gain elevation. As you approach you do see the charred remains of what was probably once a campsite - though this is not so unusual with nomadic society's that practice slash and burn agriculture - as there is evidence these lizardfolk did.
There is however, a small encampment left here that was not burned or not yet - though there are signs of disuse.
More interesting however, is that this camp seems to have built on top of....an old human settlement? There are sagging structures and some sort of obscured statues that have faded to the background here on the banks of this abandoned lizard settlement that appear to be around 100 years old, maybe more.
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Shen looks around - immediately drawn to the decrepit old stone foundations and sagging wooden remnants of the buildings.
She thinks that these structure can be placed to the very beginning of the Era of Lost Omens, following the Death of Aroden and the appearance of the Eye of Abendego, the perpetual hurricane just off shore of this place.
Piecing two and two together, she figures that that Storm Kindlers must have specifically sought this place out and tried to control the Eye of Abendego way back when.
Poking around looking for more clues as this place provenance, she finds a journal, surprisingly well-intact, tucked beneath a sagging roof she feels might collapse under any real stress.
She finds that it is mostly a log recording weather patterns and their attempts to move the storm with what appear to be varying levels of success. It reveals that this place was once known as Lirgen and towards the end it shows that severe storms became a daily occurance causing much destruction.
There also appears to be signs of rift between more hard line members of the cult and the more moderate views expressed in much of this volume.
they have decided to exile Chitauli rather than acknowledge his insights needed to survive. He recommended bold action and these fools decided to wait here and do NOTHING. They will wait here til this place rots and so do they. Meanwhile, the TRUE Storm Kindlers will move south. The Eye is a sign from the Wind and the Waves and if we wish to truly take control of our destiny we must master these same energies that birthed it. In the South we will do just that.
She also feels there may be other things hidden in other structures or perhaps around the statues
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Shen is soooo happy that she found something and explains everything she assumes or found out to her companions!
”So these lizard folk had a separation! The Halflings told us that they were followers of Gozreh so being focused on storms makes sense. But what these TRUE storm whatever were up to is a mystery! And you won’t believe it but now that this is not only a suicide mission for some townfolk but real research and exploration I am really happy that you brought me, the exploring scarab sage, along! Okay ... that was a little too enthusiastic but you know what I mean ... no more ... ehh ... I mean ... less whining from me!“ she says with a sly smile and looks specifically at Vera and Mak’da.
Shen then continues looking at the next structure.
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Shen notices that these structures seem to be HUMAN in construction. And the ruined clothing found inside the broken down houses seem to confirm that.
What's more your knowledge of the local geography has you thinking that the place directly south of here is the same jungle that you warded away from by the halflings.
While the temporary dwellings built on top of these ruins definitely seem to belong to these mireborn.
Searching another of the houses, she finds a lacquered waterproof box that seems to have avoided much of the destruction.
It contains a nearly flawless looking kukri, a silver notched sharkfin on a necklace, and a tattered looking text that is illegible at this point.
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Shen examines the items.
”Does anybody here have use for a magical kukri? Kalizandri is the evil elemental lord of water. It could be possible that some of the lizardfolk started to rever him to gain more power over the storms? Although that would rather be associated with Air? Well the storm is above water ... maybe that counts too!“ Shen contemplates.
”But it is probable that the lizardfolk that travelled south had darker schemes in mind to start whatever they wanted to start! Gozreh is a force of nature ... he does not distinguish between good and bad but this Kalizandri seems to be a different kind of god. Very interesting! Very interesting indeed!“ Shen muses.
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While Shen has beenn busy exploring the interior of the settlement Mak'da spends some time scouting out the edges, looking for signs of more recent exploration or travel in the area.
She then heads into the centre of the village and checks out the buildings and the statues.
She listens to Shen's excited discussions and her face grows darker, can these truly have been Goohzerites, surely they would have known better than to try and tamper with the storm
Yes Shen, you have done well she says, although seeming very distracted and concerned. If these lizardmen serve the forces of evil elemental water then that is something we must deal with
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The halfling picks her way carefully through the ruins, looking for any signs of recent life or activity
As she moves between the human settlement's ruins, she looks at the architecture and style, hoping to understand more about the shell of these buildings. Finding one of the more intact buildings, she slips inside to continue her search for context and information.
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Mak'da and Arisira picks up on many of the same things that Shen picked up on but can add some more information.
This settlement appears to have been a human settlement that fell into disrepair. The journal being written in Taldane supports this as well. More recently, this looks to have been moved into by the lizardfolk, who seem to have taken some things here and there from the human ruins as there obvious bits and bobs missing that seem to have been taken recently according to Arisira's scouting.
Mak'da picks up on the movements of the lizardfolk. It looks like there was some sort of conflict and the lizards were driven South towards the halfling lands and the Jungle of Hungry Trees. Arisira recalls that this fits well with Muhdzudi's story that the halfling tribe he belonged to were harassed and driven west towards pridon's hearth to look for protection from the mireborn.
Mak'da also picks up on the fact that a much smaller encampment of lizardfolk - maybe a half dozen at most were here briefly, leaving behind the most recent tents and fire circles, before moving north.
Arisira then takes a look at the two statues and investigates them and finds what knows to be worn out overgrown statues of Gozreh standing proud with a kite in his hand standing side by side with the goddess that context and her studies combined with her commanding pose believes to be Kelizandri. She believes that the town was divided between those who primarily worshipped one or the other based on some of the left over sigildry but that overall their beliefs were an amalgamation of the two faiths, probably trending towards a neutral evil outlook.
Perhaps this is also reflected by the contents of the journal?
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Vera listens intensely to what the others have to say, "We've learned much today. A group broken in two, and the storms came here like this before. Gozreh isn't such a bad deity. He's the god of weather and nature, but an evil water elemental that's not so good. I wonder if the village is an indication of what's going on in the weather. They are divided and fighting between each other. I wonder if the gods are doing the same thing."
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After extensive discussions within the group about the right way to proceed and contemplating about what they found out Shen makes a suggestion.
”I would propose to move to the next site that is of interest and near here. The path to the Jungle of Hungry Trees where the Mining Company Camp that got attacked was just to the south west of the halfling village. We should investigate that area next!“
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I agree we should explore nearby places, the halflings waned us about that part of the jungle but they did seem very superstitious. I think I can lead us through there safely.
Mak'da doesn't hide her feelings well, she is clearly nervous and uncertain about the area, being a bit superstitious herself.
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Choosing bravery, the group sets off for the Jungle of Hungry Trees to go snooping around looking for the miners' camp...and perhaps more.
Mak'da uses her skill at survival to navigte the thick forest. Quickly she realizes the forest is well-named. The trees here encroach heavily on the path.
It is pitch dark under the forest canopy and you feel quite lost, and spooked for almost an entire day as the group wins their way through the forest. Mak'da ultimately finds a river and follows it before getting a waft of....rotten meat?
You follow the smell and come upon a clear cut circle where dozens of shredded canvas remains of tents remain around a firepit, a dozen brutally murdered miners strewn recklessly about, with several of their heads pierced on pikes.
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"That's a warning you can't ignore." Vera says as she sees the heads on pikes. "Why would you mine in a place that feels as oppressive as this. It's clearly not a place you want to stay in."
She's careful to look before entering the remains of the village. She gives Mak'da a glance. Do you have any idea of what might have done this? We need to bury them if we can."
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Shen is clearly disgusted and her insecurity returns.
"Oh this is horrible! Wha ... what did this?!? I ... I am really doubting our decision to explore this mystery. This is ... is really dangerous!!!" she says with a low voice but at the same time she lets her eyes wander to see what she can discover in the area.
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Arisira slips into the remains of the village, careful to not alert anything that could be remaining in the village.
She makes her way around the edge of the clearing, picking her way between the undergrowth, damaged carts, and dead bodies. Once it is clear that they are alone, she will head back to meet up with the main group.
"More of what we found at the fort. Anyone have any guesses where they were mining at? This just looks like an encampment to me"
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A drizzle picks up as you begin to move, a sign that the storms may be returning.
The bodies look much the same as the ones at the fort - torn limb from limb by gruesome bladed weapons, this time with no attempt made to disguise them as attacks by the local halfling population.
Regrding what they were after you see the preliminary results of their work - a couple of crates filled with what appears to be salvaged stone building material - marble and granite. Taken from where remains unclear however.
Shen in her head hears the following in a low scratchy voice What are you doing here? Do you want to be the next body
vera in her head hears something similar The dead lie here and you would daare to disturb them? Without looking for justice?
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As they reach the camp Mak'da sighs and shakes her head, These people came to plunder my homeland but they did not deserve this...
She scans the camp for signs of what might have caused this and where they might have gone.
As Shen starts talking about invisible voices she turns and asks, What do you mean? and slides a scroll of faerie fire from her pocket.
T'Krit stays close to his misttresses side, tail quivering and nose twitching for unfamiliar scents.
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Antal rides along with the group, mostly silent. "A bit disappointing, but I am not sure what I really expected," he says.
As the storm begins to return, he pulls his hood up over his head and watches their surroundings. Seeing the miners, his mood turns darker. He sips at his canteen, wishing it was something besides water. His fingers open and close around the reins.
"What is happening Shen, Mak'da? Do you think there are more druids around?"
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It appears to Mak'da that this was very much the same MO as the attack at Ft. Breakthrough.
The lizard stormed this place with superior numbers and laid waste to the place before returning deeper into the jungle along the same stream that you followed to this point.
The rain picks up a bit and the voices get louder, being projected telepathically into everyones minds. YOOU WHO DARES DEFILE THE FOREST.....BE GONE!
T'Krit and Mak'da are on the lookout for where the voice may be coming from but...perhaps it is the rain but T'krit is unable to pick up the scent of any creatures nearby.
Searching the bodies, a couple of them have bronze badges with the symbol of a snake on them - Aspis consortium membership badges. Shen and Antal and Arisira recognize them immediately.
In his head T'krit also hears some voices and becomes noticeably agitated and then....steals Shens Belt right off of her dress and begins whipping it around like a teething puppy.
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Directly at eye level with Shen the water beading and rolling down T'krits back as he plays forms into the shape of a long and slim salamander sitting directly atop the dinosaur's head.
Oh good...you lot are a lot more good natured than master's friends. And you don't scare easy. I was afraid to show myself or go ask for help after they tried to kill me! But maybe I can ask you for help? My name is Argyl. Can you help my master? Those Ummm Eye Are Born Lizards took him! the creature projects into Shen - and everyone else's mind.
I know where they took him...but I am too weak to save him by myself. Please good people. Help me!