|
"Tyranny can drive many to evil out of fear, self-preservation," Zithembe observes. He examines the auras of the items left behind by those who had stood in their way. "The stones are significantly powerful conjuration, but I cannot discern their precise purpose or manner of activation. The lantern bears a powerful evocation aura, but I cannot fathom its precise purpose either."
Pleased at having avoided what might have been a bloody and pointless confrontation, you hurry back to where you parked your carpets and head off to the Cloisters of the Hidden Breeze. As luck would have it, you're able to make your way through the Godsward and reach your destination without any additional trouble.
Midnight-blue stone walls with numerous shallow alcoves carved into them encircle the temple. Within these recesses, glass lanterns flicker with firelight, like stars on the night sky. Four towers stand aloft, topped by azure domes decorated with gold painted constellations and twinkling crystals. A gilded gate stands ajar, opening into a courtyard full of herbs and flowers.
As you arrive, a tall azata greets you at the entrance. "Welcome, pilgrims," she smiles. "Do you come in search of knowledge? If so, feel free to peruse our archives. The only conditions of use are that you maintain the quiet atmosphere that reigns here and agree not to remove anything from the grounds. Please, let me know if I can aid you research in any way."
______________
|
"Hello, uh, Librarian?" Effie enquires with a smile.
"We heard from a friend that this is the ideal place to learn more about the legends and history of the Plane of Air. Maybe you've seen her here? A janni named Jamila?"
I sure hope this isn't some kind of set up, but an azata at a Good temple has to be an ally.
|
Holan-Ji waits at the back of the group and surveys the Cloisters. Ostensibly, he's watching for threats, but in reality he's trying to find a good spot for a cat-nap while the others go digging through dusty tomes.
"'Maintain the quiet atmosphere that reigns here,' she says. Well, I'll either get a nice nap, or all hell's gonna break loose," he whispers to Hep and the Grandfrogger. He chuckles in a deep rumble. "I'm bettin' on the second one."
|
|
Maria is just lost in the moment. A new library for craps sake, this is amazing!!!
She is brought out of her reverence for the scene by her teammates chatting, "And if you've never heard of something like that, we would be thrilled to just look around. What system of organization do you use? I've seen about twelve different ways to do it and I strongly expect there are many more."
Her pad is out to take notes.
"We heard from a friend that this is the ideal place to learn more about the legends and history of the Plane of Air. Maybe you've seen her here? A janni named Jamila?"
"Ah yes, that name is familiar to me," the azata nods. "She was here some days ago and I believe I have seen her here on other occasions as well, making use of our facilities."
"We are looking for any texts or documents marked with a storm cloud surrounded by a wreathe of lightning."
"And if you've never heard of something like that, we would be thrilled to just look around. What system of organization do you use? I've seen about twelve different ways to do it and I strongly expect there are many more."
"Hrm...I don't believe I've seen any books or documents like that myself, but that doesn't mean that we don't have any within our halls," the azata replies, looking thoughtful. "I'm actually new to the staff here and so I haven't seen everything there is to see - at least not yet! But I would be happy to help you find what you're looking for, if you like. You see, we divide all knowledge into twenty-one basic classes, each identified by a single letter of the alphabet. Most of these alphabetical classes are further divided into more specific subclasses, identified by two-letter, or occasionally three-letter, combinations..."
She prattles on in this vein as she beckons any of you who are interested to follow her. Or, if you prefer, you could try your luck with looking around on your own.
______________
Though a few of you may opt to follow the azata librarian, the Grandfrogger and Maria quickly look about for a few moments to get their bearings and then head off in a completely different direction. And as it turns out, the pair's instincts are correct - after a few minutes they find a chamber furnished with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves and several desks. A quick perusal of the books yields several devoted to the elemental planes.
After directing everyone else's attention to this chamber, the next question is - where to begin?
Hey, wait a minute...there's a secret door on the western wall, cleverly concealed behind a hanging tapestry.
|
|
.... Most of these alphabetical classes are further divided into more specific subclasses, identified by two-letter, or occasionally three-letter, combinations..."
Wow, talk about booorrrring. I'm'a go find a good spot to curl up.
Seeing Jobu and the Wasp head off on their own, he follows them. At least that way, he doesn't have to listen to the prattling lady drone on about ... whatever it was she was talking about.
"Hey, you two need me, I'm gonna be dozin' in this nice comfy "reading" chair here," he lets them know as he settles in to let the lizard kabobs digest.
As the group files into the chamber and begins to scatter out, whether seeking the ideal napping spot, information related to your mission, or an adult coloring book, Maria and the Grandfrogger stop to confer among themselves for a moment before pointing out the presence of a secret door hidden in the chamber's western wall.
After Hepsubia and the rest of you do a bit of due diligence it's determined that the door isn't locked or trapped. Opening it reveals a 10-foot-diameter antechamber with another door at the opposite end and an empty copper hook on the wall next to it. Unlike the first door however, this second door is locked. The wall above the locked door is carved with the words:
'Համաձայնության անդամները միայն անցել են այս կետը.'
'Concordance members only past this point.'
|
|
"Any help that you could give us would be appreciated," Zithembe says to the azata. "What is it that brought you to to the plane of air and the Cloister?"
--<>--
"Wait, Effie," the shabti says. "You can save that for another time." He withdraws a wand from the holsters at his belt. He activates it and reads the words above the doorway. "'Concordance members only past this point.'"
|
|
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"Thanks Zith" Effie nods in agreement as the jade shabti employs his wand. "We're not going to take any notice of that, are we? I mean, none of us understand Auran anyway. If you're going to post a warning then post it in a language strangers will understand, not just locals."
Effie shrugs.
"Oh! Well, you see, when I was young I originally wanted to be a musician, but..." the azata chatters away to Zithembe as she leads him and anyone else who wishes to follow away into the Cloisters. Though you've basically heard her life story by the time she locates the chamber best suited to finding the information you seek, find it she does. Oh hey, is that Maria and the Grandfrogger?
______________
Thanks to Zithembe's knack for being prepared, it proves to be no trouble deciphering the writing above the locked secret door. Looks like you're definitely in the right place - or at least a place of interest!
Now, there's just the matter of getting the door open...
Hepsubia happily gets to work on the lock...after fiddling with it for a few moments she turns the tumblers and...
*thunk*
Huh. This lock is a little trickier than some the elf has tangled with, though it looks decidedly average in quality.
______________
|
|
Holan-Ji continues to relax in the comfy chair as the smart folk figure out what the sign says and The Amazin' Lil' Hep works on the door. At the sound of some light cursing from their decidedly freaky elf, he finally stands and stretches with a long low sigh of contentment.
"You got this, Hep," he says in encouragement as he peers over her shoulder at the door's construction.
"Not sure I could break it down. It looks pretty strong."
As he leans over her, he puts one hand on the empty copper hook for balance....
|
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
Don't worry Maria, I know why it didn't work, no offense. My bad.
Of course Maria spots that Lil"Hep follows her advice. But she notices in her fellow elf another difference with the first attempt: the famous ancestral "eyes half closed, tongue partially out of the mouth" tactic.
Not one to be defeated by a mechanism (because it takes a logical mind to create mechanisms like a lock, and being logical is, if not a sin, at least a waste of time, cause you can do so many things if you not logical and boring (which means you are borderline Loyal, and therefore BORING), and your mind get a life of its own, even going to parties sometimes without your body (while of course your body tags your mind along when it goes to party, at least at start, and then the drinks starts to flow, and WHO IS LAUGHING NOW!-The answer being your body, cause a mind doesn't laugh, or not too loud at least, so you can't even hear it too much and then it doesn't count), and you don't limit yourself with possibilities, or even limits, and you blow a raspberry at rules. So the thing is, when you spot something logical, you HAVE to balance it, by throwing so much Chaos at it it admit its defeat and gets broke. Hey, maybe you should create a song, Lil"Hep! You could call it "The Illogical song", and taunts things and foes alike! Yeah, but Zith will have his feeling hurts... No worries! You haven't even worked on the song, maybe he'll like it and denounce his old ways, let his hair grow to a wild mane and trash his head around to the sound of your music! That would be a sight to see! Now finish your tangents and back to reality, Lil"Hep, adventure awaits!), Hepsubia tries again.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Hepsubia rallies - with a bit of input from Maria and a lot of internal rambling - and tries again. This time her efforts prove fruitful and the lock finally opens with a satisfying *click*. The door swings open to reveal a staircase leading down. After pausing for a moment to collect yourselves, you cautiously descend.
The winding downward staircase empties into the center of a chamber with four circular alcoves. Each of these alcoves glows with a different colored translucent barrier: red, green, blue, and white. With the exception of the alcove behind the white barrier, a variety of items are on display beyond the barriers. Among these curiosities are books, scrolls, figurines, urns, and tapestries. The alcove behind the white barrier, however, is mostly blocked by rubble, as if it had been ransacked in the past. Four gemstones sparkle atop a stone altar along one of the chamber's walls.
Closer inspection reveals writing carved into the floor at the base of each of the barriers:
White Barrier (Top Left)
'Խոնավ երկինքը'
'Wet the sky'
______________
Red Barrier (Top Right)
'გულშემატკივართა ალი'
'Fan the flame'
______________
Green Barrier (Bottom Left)
'אָנצינדן די ערד'
'Spark the earth'
______________
Blue Barrier (Bottom Right)
'கடலில் நிரப்பவும்'
'Fill in the sea'
|
|
"Hey, I can read the writing over here!" Effie exclaims as she peers at the writing by the red barrier. "It says 'fan the flame'. Hmm. Blow on it?"
Effie inhales deeply and blows on the red barrier.
"Wait, what about those jewels?"
If Effie's first plan has no effect then she picks up the red jewel and blows on that.
*Cough* 5th element final scene anyone? *Cough*
|
|
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
I'm still not really sure if Zith eats food. I wonder if he....
"So, you want me ta' pee on the white... uh, whatever that is?" Holan-Ji says as he heads toward the northwest corner. "Maybe one o' you can throw a rock at the blue one?"
He loosens his trousers and relieves himself with a long satisfied sigh making sure to aim at the barrier. Well, as much as any man can aim - which isn't very well.
|
|
"Oh! Maybe the jewel just has to be introduced to the barrier."
Effie acknowledges Zith's insight - and studiously avoids staring at Holan-ji. Assuming her huffing and puffing hasn't worked any magic, she simply takes the "air" jewel and approaches the red barrier. Then, gingerly, she touches the jewel to the barrier.
|
|
Maria just looks at Holan-Ji with utter astonishment, "You uh... your water skin uh... would work just fine. I mean, it doesn't even make sense to do it that way. What if a creature came in here and couldn't pee on the barrier?"
She turns back to watch Effie trying the gem, "Now that might work better. Otherwise why even have those gems here. I'm guessing the trick is just having some basic knowledge of the four elements. Or at least being able to speak the languages and figure it out from there. Of course, we have magic to do the language part. Oh, I should be recording this!"
She whips out her journal and starts taking notes, keeping a cringy eye on Holan-Ji while mumbling, "and the Darwin award goes to..."
|
|
“In the name ‘Concordance’, it is,” the Grandfrogger observes solemnly. “Understanding of four languages, required it is. Difficult to learn them all, it is. To have multiple people working together and bringing their expertise to solve part of a problem, much simpler it is.” Under the ornately-decorated hood of his cloak, the old frog smiles. “Or more difficult, perhaps. Depends on who you ask, it does.”
Opting to take the written instructions below the barriers literally, Effie tries blowing on the red barrier while Holan-Ji decides to kill two birds with one stone and relieves himself on the white barrier.
Nothing happens.
Well, except for the feeling of satisfaction Holan-Ji gets from emptying his bladder.
Now opting for a slightly more methodical approach, Effie heads over to the altar and picks up the red gem. She recognizes this gem as a garnet and can even see a small flame flickering within. Blowing on it doesn't seem to have any discernable effect, however.
The other gems are similar in appearance: an opal containing a miniature cyclone, a pearl filled with sloshing water, and a diamond with several tiny rocks inside of it.
After thinking about it for a minute more, Zithembe's comment about symbolism causes something to click in Effie's mind. Setting down the garnet she picks up the opal and moves to the red barrier. Gingerly, she holds the opal out and touches it to the barrier...
*fsshh*
...which disappears!
______________
|
|
Maria makes a note and inspects the rest of the gems, "Well, this should be easy. I think maybe we should be cautious about opening them all at the same time though? It might trigger something else happening. So maybe do one at a time and inspect the stuff inside?"
She moves into the red area and looks over the items.
|
|
Holan-Ji tucks everything away and rejoins the team. "My waterskin's already empty; why'd'ya think I had ta' pee?" he replies with a shrug.
Yeah, I know to leave the puzzle solvin' to the smart folk. Shoulda' known peein' on it wasn't gonna work. But I had to go anyway, and the looks on Maria's and Effie's faces was tooootally worth it.
As Maria inspects the stuff, he positions himself between a couple of the barriers in case it does indeed 'trigger something else.' He wants to be ready to protect his friends against anything or anyone that might come roaring out of one of the zones.
Pleased to have what seems to be to solution to this strange puzzle...or is it just a defense mechanism?...well in hand, you pause for a moment to take stock of the curiosities that sit on display behind the red barrier before doing anything else.
Though the items you find are certainly exceptional in quality, there doesn't seem to be anything here that would be of interest to your investigation. It seems as though most of these things are simply art objects.
But three more barriers await...perhaps there's something more to be found behind one of them?
|
|
Holan-Ji takes the gem that Hep hands him and watches her dance away but then double back after Effie's warning. He laughs quietly at her song and the pure joy she exudes.
He turns the tiny gem over in his big hand, checks out the elemental essence flickering inside, but then decides to hand it off to Zithembe.
"You better do this. I don't wanna screw anything up."
After a brief confab you apply the relevant gems to their barriers - as Effie said, the diamond for the water barrier, the garnet for the earth barrier, and the pearl for the air barrier. One by one, the barriers lower and allow you access to their respective alcoves.
+1 vs. traps
As you rummage around in the rubble that was contained behind the white barrier, several of you spot a distinctive sigil on one of the tomes - a storm cloud inside an intricate wreath of lightning bolts. You recall from the gala earlier that this is actually one of Ranginori's sacred sigils!
Հիմնարար տիրապետության օրենսգիրքը is emblazoned on the cover and unsurprisingly, a quick flip of the pages reveal that the tome is written entirely in Auran.
The Codex of Fundamental Dominion
After flipping through it a bit more, you find a page in the book referencing another tome called the Primordial Key of Ilyralene that details theories on how to free Ranginori from the Untouchable Opal. It lists the book’s last known whereabouts as the Cobalt Gallery of the Azure Hall.