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Little Tom is still worrying about Janira and does not pay much attention to the discussion about the backpack. His expression is blank and he looks deep in thought.
He then snaps out of it and walks over to take a look at the Petroglyphs.
"Maybe these will give us a clue as to what is down here" he says.
"I'll look for footprints or tracks, that might give us more information on what we might bump into down here. It might also give us something to follow." He says as he bends down to take a close look.
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Narnel addresses Vetis
Thanks for the concern but I should be fine. I won't get too far ahead of the rest of you and the fungus gives me plenty of light to see. Use you light for the rest of the group.
He points at Vetis and casts a spell
Now anything you whisper will reach me and I'll be able to tell you what I see. Keep me informed if anything changes.
He addresses the rest of the group.
I'll make sure you aren't disturbed as you discuss the backpack.
With that he slips into twisting passage deeper into the cave.
<< | | >>
The narrow tunnel twists and turns for several hundred feet, petroglyphs still lining the walls - bathing the tunnels in the blue light of the mould.
These tunnels slowly open into a wider passage. This portion of the tunnel is 10 feet wide and 10 feet tall, with the ceiling mostly devoid of stalactites. The few that are present drip with moisture, making the cave slick with water.
Twenty feet inside, a large hole spans the cave's width and stretches ten feet down the path.
The flooded pit is the entire width of the passageway, and 20 feet deep. The bottom 10 feet is crystal clear water, at the bottom of which lies a small bundle of cloth, the stark blue and turquoise easily visible in the spring water.
You can tell that the hole in the ground is artificial and was dug with tools, but at least a year ago if not longer. The walls of the pit have been intentionally rounded off, to prevent trapped creatures from bracing against them to ease their escape.
=========
Jerry:
Little Tom:
Little Tom:
Narnel:
Narnel:
Octavian:
Vetis:
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Narnel will whisper the following:
The cave winds around a bit ahead and seems empty so far. Let me know when you are on your way. I'll stand guard down here and give you warning if anything is coming while you all get your selves organized.
He'll then stand guard on the passage until he sees the rest of the group approach. At that point he'll renew is Message spell and continue to scout about 70 feet ahead of the group.
When he reaches the pit he relays the following:
There is a partially flooded pit ahead. It blocks the entire cave, and there may be something in it. I will wait here for you all to catch up so we can decide how we want to cross the pit.
Then he settles into the best hiding place he can find and waits for the group, watching to make sure there is nothing moving across or in the Pit that he can see.
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Oktavian listens to Narnel's explanation patiently. When he finishes, he scratches his stubble for a moment before drawing rope out of his pack.
"Getting whatever is down there should be simple at least. With my strength I could easily lower someone down if they tied themselves to this rope - and pull them up again quickly if they encounter danger. Maybe whatever is down there will give us some clues as to what the Gillmen are doing here.... any volunteers? I believe I should be able to handle the weight of any of you."
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Hearing Narnel's report, Vetis alerts the rest of the group and moves down the tunnel to join the elf. Coming towards the edge of the flooded pit, he looks down.
"Well, a rope'll do for getting someone down and back with that thing, I'll give you that." the druid agrees with Oktavian. "But the tricky part will be going across, not below."
He turns towards Alister. "How clever is that owl of yours? Any chance it could secure a rope to something on the other side?"
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Oktavian sighs and instead ties the rope around his own waist. Handing the rope to Jerry, he smiles slightly. "If anything happens, you know what to do. Pull real hard!"
Oktavian then takes off his hide armour and leaves it on the cavern floor. Positioning himself on the edge of the water, he pauses for a moment before diving in.
If no savage creature assails me or the water is acid etc:
. Regardless of whether it lands, he attempts to climb the wall.
As Oktavian lands in the clear water, the icy coldness hits him immediately. The water is however incredibly clear and pure, and he has no trouble in diving to fetch the turquoise cloth from the bottom of the shallow pool.
Throwing the grapple, it drags and catches into the dirt at the top of the pit. Climbing up is easy for him with the assistance of the rope, and he stands on the other side.
His shaggy hair wet and stuck to his face, he realises that the cloth is actually a turquoise cloak. Sized for a human, it has teal coloured seaweed braided into a spiral pattern on the back. It is reminiscent of the petroglyphs in this area.
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Placing the cloak on the floor, Oktavian unties the rope from the grappling hook. holding it in his hand and bracing himself, he looks back across the other side of the pit at the party. Jerry, presumably, still has the other end of the rope.
"Swing down to the wall using that end of the rope. I will pull you up here. No need for anyone else to get wet!
...If someone could bring over my armour that would be helpful though." he grins. "Or jump and I'll catch you."
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Narnel picks up the armor and secures it to his person.
. He then hands the armor over to Oktavian saying: Your armor as requested. Nice job by the way getting the bundle from the water. Was it anything interesting?
. Even with the extra weight of the armor he easily swims over to the side of the pit. He then slowly starts to climb his way up the wall.
As he climbs Vetis clearly hears Narnel's voice muttering to himself: Real slick Elmwood, I'm sure that wonderful display gave everyone confidence in your abilities
When he finally reached the top Narnel says brightly Well that didn't go quite as planned. But here is your armor Oktavian, just a little bit wetter then expected.
He grins in embarisment as he hands the armor over.
Narnel clears the jump without issue. Upon the other side, he strikes up conversation with Oktavian, but catches sight of something off in the distance the other side of the cave.
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After delivering the armor Narnel whispers to Oktavian, Alister and Vetis ( the last via Message).
There is some sort of long plank up ahead, seems like an obvious trap or a good place for an ambush. Once most of you are over I will scout ahead and make sure we know what we are walking into.
As more people cross, Narnel Renews his message spell on Vetis and slips back into the shadows.
After the next person makes it over successfully, Narnel slips quietly down the passage to get a better look at the plank ahead. He is looking for anything out of the ordinary and is doing his best to stay hidden. But he does not touch the plank.
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Oktavian thanks Narvel and claps him on the shoulder with a smile, taking his armour and donning it once again.
After Narnel's discovery of the plank, he assists in dragging it over towards the pit. Once everyone has reached the other side he holds up the cloak he recovered from the waters below:
"Anyone want to take a look at this? Don't know if its magic or not but seems linked to the caves somehow. Look at this!" He points to the petoglyph adorning the back.
"This kind of thing is not my forte. Perhaps someone more knowledgeable should take it."
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Alister takes a look at the cloak and casts detect magic upon the cloak inspecting it closely while holding it trying to see if it has anything further that may reveal more of what it may be.
Corneleus chortles when Alister jumps across the pit and then peers at the cloak closely from Alister's shoulder flexes his eyebrows
Once Alister's detect magic spell is invoked, he can immediately see that the clock has a magical aura, that of the Abjuration spell school.
Having seen many mages at the Academy of Secrets craft this type of magical cloak before, he knows it to be a Cloak of Resistance +1 in turquoise. Sized for a human, it has teal coloured seaweed braided into a spiral pattern on the back. It is reminiscent of the petroglyphs in this area. It could easily be adjusted to fit a smaller creature, without causing damage to the cloak.
It seems completely undamaged despite having spent time submerged in the spring water.
<< | | >>
The passage snakes and turns, leading ever deeper beneath the Kortos Mounts, into the earth. The blue light of the cave mould guides your way, and in spite of its presence the air is clean and pure.
After a few hundred yards the tunnel opens out onto a large cavern. What must have once been beautifully carved reliefs and inscriptions adorn the walls. They have since weathered heavily, over the long passage of time. Their features have dulled and softened to the point that it is hard to distinguish what each once depicted - Only a few are in any reasonable condition at all.
A wide tunnel exits the cavern on its far side via steps carved into the earth itself, and blue-burning torches line the passageway walls. You can hear the sound of flowing water from the area they lead towards, but the rise of the stairs keeps it out of sight.
=========
Deciphering the images and writing is difficult, due to the petroglyphs being in an eroded state.
Vetis spends a short while clearing away the dust and dirt, and makes out the meaning behind a number of the still legible inscriptions.
These petroglyphs appear to be from the History and Future of Humanity, the principle holy text of the god Aroden, and images that depict these passages. You also identify that the sections of the holy text depicted are slightly different than those that appear in the known version of the History and Future of Humanity, suggesting that these might represent an earlier version of the work.
Aroden was said to walk the world disguised in one of his twelve guises. Presumably these petroglyphs describe these guises, however only 4 are still legible.
You are able to uncover the meaning of 3 of the 4 inscriptions.
Inscription 1: 'The Farmer' - The Farmer is depicted plowing four lines in a field, retelling Aroden’s prophecy that humankind would prepare the rocky earth for planting and over generations wear the pebbles down into fertile soil.
Inscription 2: 'The Hunter' - The Hunter is depicted slaying a giant serpentine creature and then parading a trophy through the city streets - a sign to all humanity that the wilds are safe to inhabit once the monsters are slain.
Inscription 3: 'The Soldier' - The Soldier is depicted bearing a lantern through the streets of a city, following the dead god’s prophecy that the vigilant shall carry light to the darkest corners of the world to banish the shadows.
Alister notices that Vetis is stuck on the final inscription, but with Corneleus' help he manages to unravel its meaning.
These petroglyphs appear to be from the History and Future of Humanity, the principle holy text of the god Aroden, and images that depict these passages. You also identify that the sections of the holy text depicted are slightly different than those that appear in the known version of the History and Future of Humanity, suggesting that these might represent an earlier version of the work.
Aroden was said to walk the world disguised in one of his twelve guises. Presumably these petroglyphs describe these guises, however only 4 are still legible.
You are able to uncover the meaning of the 4th and final inscription.
Inscription 4: 'The Thief' - The Thief is depicted stealing a gem from a shop while whispering a prayer, an allusion to a passage saying that larceny - though illegal - is a form of praise, for anything worth stealing is also worthy of praise for its craftsmanship.
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Oktavian nods at the deciphering conducted by the other members of the party. "You certainly are more learned than I. I admit that I was baffled by these symbols utterly. But what significance do they have? Are the Gillmen known for worship of Aroden?
Oktavian wanders over towards the stairs and the sound of running water to investigate.
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"Ah, thank you Alister." Vetis frowns as he takes a step back from the inscriptions. "So these caverns are indeed old then. But I'm not sure how much use a dead god's dogmas are."
To Oktavian he agrees. "I'm not sure myself. Maybe? Gillmen are certainly old enough, but they aren't exactly common in Oppara, or most places from what I gather."
He muses a bit on the petroglyphs. "An odd collection of teachings too. All that talk about taming the wilds and creating a grand society, then an admonishment to disrupt it by indulging in theft." Vetis shrugs. "The gods are certainly bundles of contradictions."
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After taking a brief look at one of the Inscriptions everyone is focused on, Narnel goes back to watchin the passage.
As Oktavian heads over to the stairs, Narnel meets up with him.
Looks a bit too inviting doesn't it? I have not scouted that direction yet as it seems like there's probably a trap here someplace.
But that direction is clearly where we are headed. Are we all ready to go? If so you may want to try grabbing one of the torches in case it gets dark ahead.
Assuming I get a yes from everyone, Narnel renews his message and heads down the passage scouting as normal.
Little Tom decides to head back out of the caves, in search of Janira. Almost without a word, he picks up his belongs and trudges back the way you came.
<< | | >>
The soft light of the surrounding mould mixes with the flickering glow of the nearby torches to reveal a grand chamber. A large pool of water along the chamber's southern edge reflects the blue and green radiance to illuminate the massive stalactites that cling to the ceiling overhead. Two other tunnels branch off from this area, leading to the east and west.
Rising up from the pool is a column of rock with steeply sloped sides and a flat top, as if someone had sawn off the top of a massive stalagmite. A miniature city carved from this same stone occupies nearly the entire surface. The smooth cavern floor is covered in gravel and pebbles along the edge of the pool, and several foot-long centipedes prowl among the gravel in their search for small prey.
Kneeling in the water, some distance from the miniature city, sits a lone gillman. His robe neatly folded on the bank behind him, he sits with but a loincloth. He seems unaware of your presence, looking peacefully at the waters.
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Oktavian stops in his tracks as he notices the gillman. Nudging Narnel slightly he whispers in his ear.
"Perhaps approach and see if he is friendly? I am not the quietest of individuals... If he proves hostile however I will back you up. Fear not. He may respond better to you but I am not above combat if need be. "
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Narnel carefully approached the Gillman and observes him from behind the pillar.
He is going to observe him to see if he can see or hear any more information.
If I do not gather any more information after a bit of observing him, I will step away from the pillar and make my presence known.
Stepping away from the pillar and keeping his hands clearly visible and away from his weapons Narnel says in common as soothingly as he can:
Excuse me sir. I hesitate to interrupt your meditations, but would you be willing to talk to me for a few minutes?
My companions and I stumbled upon this cave and we have been impressed by the wonders we have seen so far. Would you be willing to tell us more about it?
<< | | >>
The old gillman turns in surprise as Narnel enters into the cave. He looks over at you, studying your face intently as you talk. Nodding, many times, he eventually smiles before gesturing across the chamber as if welcoming you all.
The pool of water ripples, crystal clear and flowing from some underground source. The sound bounces off of the cavern walls, throughout the rest of the caves.
Now inside the cavern you can see that the city is covered with tiny trinkets such as ancient coins, polished semiprecious stones, and ornately braided loops of string are scattered throughout the diorama, and pale cave frogs clamber atop it.
=====
The gillman studies Vetis' face intently, and it dawns on you that he is reading lips.
He gives a wry smile as you mention the cloak, but says nothing.
Upon Narnel's claim that the miniature city is Absalom he nods in agreement, but remains quiet.
=====