Lara keeps her bow at the ready, and tosses a light-enchanted rock into the cave as far as she can before the group enters.
"Hi there!" Lolito greets everyone as they move in. When Lara tosses the light rock forward, Lolito collects some of the light mold himself and walks forward "Why do you think the Pathfinders were that interested in this place?"
If nothing dangerous is found, Lolito advances past the place where the rock reached, sniffing deeply "Smells humid here..."
Hoping that nothing does attack them as they are exploring the cave Kragg will aid the party as they search for the significance of this area while casting guidance on the party as well.
Perception aid
+3 to perception to whomever has the highest modifier.
As the party enters, Lara incants a second light cantrip on a suitably-sized rock and carries it into the cave with her.
Thame moved into the cave with the others, not exactly thrilled at having exchanged a pond full of monsters to a cave full of *****. If there was one thing he had learned about Ancorato, it was that it could always surprise you with something more awful than you had originally thought.
Lolito examines the worms and finds them to be harmless invertabrates who are feeding on softly glowing cave fungus, which is giving them their coloring and phosphorescence. with a little experimenting you find that even dead ones glow for a while, meaning you could potentially smash several into a paste that would privide candle-like illumination for an hour or more.
as you move further into the tunnel you spot several clutches of large eggs. some of them have already hatched. you also see a partially decayed/devoured humanoid body. it appears to be a strix.
you identify the presence of hewn stone behind many old layers of calcification, indicating that this cave was a manufactured structure at some point in the distant past.
you notice veins of iron ore in the walls of this cave. this could be very useful for the colony, assuming it is made safe for workers to mine the area.
"Look what I found" Lolito shows the others a hand full of worms "The invertebrates are eating the glowing fungus, which seems to give them the phosphorescence" the man crushes the worms making a paste on his right hand that sheds a considerable amount of light "This shall provide light for at least an hour. Camon, let's find out what else of interest we can find!"
As the group advances under the phosphorescent light Lolito sniffs various times "Do you notice that rancid smell?" the man examines the walls cleaning a patch from the mold "Look! It seems we found a nice set of iron ore veins. We must tell Ramona about this. The mineral will be vital to craft tools and weapons for the colony"
Lolito keeps advancing carefully at the front of the party, using the worm's light pastry to see ahead.
Lara gestures toward the edge of her light-shedding rock's light-radius. "Clutch of eggs there, a few hatched. Dead strix over there, too," she says. Looking around, she adds, "Hewn stone. This may be an ancient ruin."
Alyn follows along carefully. Having Trick smell the air for any creature we can't see.
"What is a strix? Are there likely to be more? Like a flock. And, what egged creatures eat a strix. More importantly, should we be cleaning them out?"
Alyn takes a deep breath at the end of his questions.
"Strix are...humanoid birds. We've met some on this island, and they're not unfriendly. My guess is that this was a chuul's lair, and that's a clutch of chuul eggs. There may be more about."
"Strixs are usually aggressive and territorial in Avistan. I guess you found a nicer group in your adventures. In any case, whatever killed the strix might be dangerous. But most probably it was just the chuul, isn't it?" Lolito examines the corpse to try learn how and when he died before moving on "Do you think we should bring back the body to the strix tribe? Maybe it is one of their scouts and they are missing him"
Kragg looks the room over and listens to what the others are saying. It is possible to bring the strix back to its people. However we need to secure this place as well as to allow the colony to utilize this ore for trade. The chuul was merely knocked out so we need to decide what to do about it. The easiest is to kill it and then remove the eggs.
Overall though I think we found what we came here to discover. A previously worked mine with valuable ore and phosphorescent invertebrates. Both of those could be reasons for pathfinders to be interested here.
up ahead, Lolito sees that the tunnel opens up into a larger cave, lit by several colors of phosphorescent plants and worms. there are many large rock formations that can be seen even from here in the tunnel.
With the dead body you find a +1 composite longbow (Str 16) and a crystal amulet worth 50gp.
as you near the body you also see several larval chuuls eating clumps of worms and possibly pieces of the strix. you see evidence of several older animal and humanoid carcasses that have been thoroughly picked clean of meat.
awellni guess that answers the question about what type of eggs those are. Kragg intones as he points at the flesh eating larvae. The only question is what to do with them now and their mother out there. Do we kill them to make this place safe or try to transplant them. I am ambivalent either way so if one of you has strong feelings about it please speak up.
Kragg then sets himself to follow Lolito deeper into the cave system.
Lolito picks up the bow and tests the string "This one has an exceptional pull. The strixs can probably recognize who was him if we bring them the crystal amulet" the man picks up also the amulet before answering Kragg "We should root them out before those evil aberrations corrupt this place again"
After the careful examination of the corpse, Lolito uses the light of the worms to explore the eastern cave.
Lara trains her bow on one of the larvae. "Best to kill them. We're trying to make this place safe for the colony, after all."
If there are no objections, she proceeds to shoot the chuul larvae.
While Lara takes care of the larvae Kragg will see to finishing the chuul in the water. Once that is completed he will join the others in exploring the rest of the cave system.
Alyn is going to continue poking around for additional dangers. He will watch Lara's back as she clears the creatures.
The wizard's eyes lit up as Lolito pointed out the ore vein, as such a thing would help the colony become self-sufficient and less dependent on the deliveries from Avistan. More importantly, the more self-sufficient it became, the less it would depend on intrepid adventurers to make it safe, which would allow Thame to go back to studying artifacts and keeping his skin intact.
Seeing the Stryx's body and hearing the discussion, the wizard nodded agreement. "Let's bring back the crystal and the bow...they can fly, so they can sort through the logistics of getting their companion back for whatever they perform for funeral services there."
Thame loaded his crossbow, but proceeded to let Lara shoot all the larva, keeping his weapon up and ready to shoot any that got a knack for self-preservation and charged the lovely archaeologist.
Lolito scratches his back head while observing Lara obliterating the larvae at a distance "Wow, she is not only a pretty face, definitely... I wonder what she does with nuisance boys"
With Thame securing the bow and the crystal, Lolito moves on to explore the rest of the cavern with Kragg "Is it true you dwarves feel home in caves like this one?"
Coming back in from killing the chuul he hears the conversation continuing on. I can carry the bow if no one wants to use it. Strong legs are good for that even if they are a bit more wrinkly and old than some of yours.
Turning to Lolito he answers him as honestly as he could. Just as in all people’s and races you find a wide variety of those that like, appreciate, or are accustomed to different ideas and situations. Yes some dwarves prefer underground tunnels, caves, and caverns while others prefer the wide open spaces or even the vast expanse of the sea. For myself I am at home wherever Abadar calls me. I have no wife nor children to support and the clan that I come from finds my devotion to Abadar honorable. Should I ever return I will be welcomed back but I do not complain at the years that I have been gone.
What about yourself? Where are you most comfortable?
the group dispatches the chuuls, and continues into the cave.
this large cavern is comprised of a combination of hand-hewn stone and natural cave features, as if the very stone of the walls were reclaiming an ancient structure. Enourmous calcite pillars stretch from floor to ceiling surrounded by bristling stalagtites and stalagmites. tiered, mineral-ringed pools of still water are tinted with rainbow mottling of algae. partially hidden by layers of calcite, mold and fungus are dilapidated, corroded and crumbling tools. picks, shovels and other digging tools can be seen.
near the center of the room you see two clockwork servants that have been modified for excavation with large drill arms. one of them has been crushed by a falling rock, the other is badly rusted and covered in a layer of calcite. each has a dull grey ioun stone embedded in its chest.
you spot pathfinder cipher glyphs near the clockwork servants. make a knowledge local or linguistics check to try to understand them
there is an array of items lined up against one wall. these include 23 skulls arranged in a pyramid, a set of six battered and rusted helmets arranged around an odd elongated mask, a pile of old and broken adventuring gear seperated by type, and a small shield piled high with a collection of colorful rocks.
the odd mask is one of the kind worn by the Mordant Spire elves.
mixed in with worthless pretty rocks you find eight cut emeralds (worth 25 gp each) and a tourmaline sphere ioun stone
this small cave is relatively dry and cramped, with a low ceiling and uneven natural rock underfoot. Faint murals and carvings line the cave's walls, depicting winged humanoid figures holding lanterns as they descend from a mountaintop. smaller humanoid figures are depicted kneeling and reaching up to these figures. an adjacent wall illustrates primitive human religious concepts and hunter-gatherer imagery
Perception
Know local
Kurag notices the clockwork creatures and feels a pang if nostalgia at the remnants of the past. However the feeling fades but not before it distracts him from seeing or knowing...something...anything.
He does cast detect magic though should it reveal anything he may have missed.
Interesting chamber. I wonder how long it has been this way, undisturbed, untouched, unseen?
"A Pathfinder cipher glyphs over near the clockwork servants."
"Let's see if I remember it a transposition then.."
"Sure, take the bow Kragg" Lolito smiles at the dwarf "I have past a part of my life plowing the fields, then at the monastery, reading at libraries, but ultimately traveled for the most part of my late life. I feel comfortable wherever my feet take me... so I guess I could answer saying 'the road'"
-----------------------
Observing the corroded tools Lolito states absentmindedly "Someone has been working these caves in the past. What do you think they were mining here with all those tools?"
He examines the mold and calcite to see if they are dangerous or have any worth.
The wanderer kneels in front of the clockwork machines "Interesting creatures. Look, they still have in their cores one of those Azlanti stones" he retrieves the dull grey ioun stones and puts one to orbit on Alyn's head "Look, we can use them as a platform for your spells. In that way we can keep fighting with our hands free while having light or other useful magic on them"
Lolito then moves over the pile of skulls and objects "The chuuls have been really busy. By the look of them there have not been many adventurers in late time. And what is this mask..." he does indeed also picks up the mask and blows the dust on it. He puts it in his face then he suddenly retrieves it with a weird funny grimace that includes showing his tongue "Wooo! Hahahaha"
Finally, he moves over the shield, slowly removing the rocks from it "There are some gems in here. Do you think they are valuable? Oh look! Another Azlanti stone!" he takes the tourmaline sphere ioun stone and puts it to orbit on his head "It is funny how they spin tirelessly. What do you think this one does?"
"I guess the chuul was appreciating the strange shapes and textures of all this different stones and was keeping them as his private collection"
Thame gave the automatons a wary glance, remembering the rude welcome they had received from the defenders of the tower where Eliza and Rayland had been housed. When he was made aware of the Pathfinder glyphs, he eagerly went over and checked them out.
After looking at them a bit, he looked at Lolito and discovered the gem (having missed the bruhaha with the mask while inspecting the glyphs) spinning above the older man's head, the wizard giving the ioun stone a covetous look.
"The magic in that stone will help keep one from death, should they receive fatal injuries. Relatively minor, as far as ioun stones go, but still a bit of protection in this hostile land."
Lara puzzles over the strange mask Lolito picks up. "Odd-looking thing."
"I have always loved reading about ioun stone. They are a very interesting technology that was utilized in may ancient artifacts far beyond just the stones. There are several that I have always hoped to afford but these are the only ones I have been able to get. And, really they are just enchanted dull grey ioun stone."
Alyn offers Lolito an ioun torch.
Thame eyes the clockwork machines with distrust as Lolito pulls the ioun stone from one of them. the machiens look quite inert and damaged, though it is possible the intact one could be fixed up with some work. the second one is smashed beyond all hope.
Lolito decides quickly that there is nothing to worry about with the algae in this room, it is not harmful and could even be eaten safely. the stone that makes up this cavern is a type of vulcanic rock that is suitable for use in making alchemical cement and may be of interest to the colony.
Alyn is able to decode some old pathfinder runes, possibly left here years ago by Durvin Gest. the runes translate roughy to safe haven and historical significance. there are additionally coordinates marked
the coordinates lead back to the crater laboratory (location "C")
Thame looked over the coordinates that Alyn pointed out, though he is a bit distracted by the man's knowledge, along with Lolito. The two were a well-educated addition to the group, and the wizard was glad to have them along. "Looks like we found some good resources for the colony, though maybe it's a bit of a dead end? We'll have to get out to the Stryx, as well, to tell them of their fallen tribesman."
"Yes, I agree Thame. We are probably done here. Those coordinates seem something from the Pathfinders. I suggest we charcoal an accurate duplicate of them and bring them back to Carver so he might be able to tell us what they mean" then pointing to the broken machines "This one is beyond repair, but the other one could made for a good helper for us or the colony. If we managed to fix it, it might help mining the place. Perhaps we should bring it with us. Are you interested Thame?"
Lolito does indeed accept Alyn's ioun torch "Oh, that is great, thanks!" he puts it to orbit around his head along with the tourmaline sphere.
"So this means it has come the time to climb the mountain and face Helekhterie the hag, isn't it?" the half-naked man thinks on the overall layout of the island "Do you want us to stop by the Bleeding Forest and have a look? It is upriver, just in the way to up the mountain"
"Hags are smart creatures. She may have important information that can help us deal with the bleeding forest, or other locations. She may also have a better idea of the other danger here. I would like to get as much of that information as possible. I would also like to come back that way and pick up the automaton so we can go to the forest then."
Thame nodded eagerly. "Oh yes, I'd love to experiment with this thing. It'd be nice to finally have some of this ancient technology on our side. I'll have to study it thoroughly, though. I'd hate to send this thing out with a colonist and it fly into a murderous fit."
The wizard looked nervously at the others at the thought of the hag, saying, "Perhaps we should see the Stryx, first, and check in with Ramona before we embark on that particular endeavor."
Lolito smiles at Thame and pads him friendly in the back "I am sure you can make a good job of it. I will help you carry it. Maybe the broken one can serve as replacement pieces"
"Why do you think the forest is more dangerous than the hag Alyn? What makes you think that visiting the hag first will give us more information about the forest?" the man seems genuinely curious. He puts a hand over the cave's stone "This Bleeding forest is just in the way to the mountain peak. It feels just convenient to have a glimpse in our way"
After listening Thame suggests skipping the hag while Alyn wants to go straight to it without checking anything else, Lolito looks back at Kraag and Lara "We seem to be pulling to all kind of different directions. What are your thoughts friends? Anything to undo the tie?"
Kragg remains thoughtful as he ponders their options. Slowly he weighs in in the discussion. From what we have gathered this far the hag seems an adversary more than a help. As such I do not think we will be getting much in the way of information from her. However that does not stop us from trying to find out more about her. I suggest we continue exploring the island but make to return home. That way we can let the others k is about the meeting with the water naga, the meeting with the woman at the hut, the discovery of the cave with the minerals, and whatever else we discover on the way. Once we give our report, unless trouble is brewing at home with the faceless stalkers, we turn around and take in disposing the hag.
"I did not say the forest was more dangerous. A hag can give information about abolith, shapechangers, forest, though it may be hard to get that make each of those future engagements easier. We also know something about what is there, a hag. When you have a partial known and an unknown I'm inclined to at least check out the partial known. It is better to look through a pinhole then to walk blind. That said that the alternate calculation is the hag seems to be the preeminent power here and thus would be the most powerful creature here."
Thame nodded in agreement with Kragg. "A wise course...explore, report, regroup, then on to the hag if that's the consensus."
The wizard also agreed with Alyn to a point...he wasn't exactly excited about visiting a place called the Bleeding Forest, either. But if this hag was the dominant power on the island then that meant trouble. Those sahuagin ultimately recognized her authority, and they had been formidable in their own right. The illusionist was in no rush to meet the creature.
"Let us gather everything we intend to carry and make our way towards the colony, then. We've had a productive trip, I think."
Alyn will start to pile the parts.
"Let's do as Kragg says. My idea to visit the Bleeding Forest is we hardly ever come by this side of the island, we are mere miles away right now. But it has sense we go inform the colony about our findings before we engage the hag. They are probably already worried about us" Lolito picks up some stones to show them to Ramona.
If possible, he also helps to carry the clockwork for Thame "What do you think about visiting the Ulfen settlement in our way back?"
after some discussion the group seems ot be of the same mind that it is time to report back to the colony. looking at the maps again, it is apparent that the party is currently standing on the very opposie corner of the island from their colony, so the decision needs to be made on how they will return. and there are several opinions about how to go about it!
the group puts their heads together and realizes they have 3 possible courses of action that have been brought up by at least one team member.
1. travel around the north end of the island to visit the Strix again before continuing to the colony (possibly stopping at the whale boneyard at location K as you pass it)
2. travel around the east and south of the island (possibly stopping at the ulfen settlement A as you pass)
3. cut through the center of the island, crossing through the Bleeding Forest and then either skirting or investigating the volcano in the center of the island
Kragg with father all he can to carry to help out as they make their preparations for traveling back home.
Don't imagine the hag will be very friendly, personally, Lara notes. Presented with their options, she's not eager to cut through the Blood Forest, either. "May as well visit the stryx on the way back and let them know about their tribesman."
Thame is all too happy to let Lolito carry the lion's share of the clockwork, though he picks up enough just to ensure no one can accuse him of doing nothing. When the conversation turned to their route home, the wizard shrewdly listened to the others discuss before latching onto Lara's suggestion. "The more allies we can gather, the better."
"Any of the options would be fine with me" Lolito goes on "But in order to have us moving, I would say exploring the northern coast and visiting the boneyard seems an exciting idea"
"I'm for visiting the strix then. Locals may be a source of information. Does anyone know how best we can return the remains? A good show of respect could go along way."
"Mmm... I might have heard something about strix burial rites..." Lolito explains thoughtfully trying to remember what Apsu has taught him during his travels.
very little is known about the Strix outside of their own enclaves, and the little that you know about the Strix of Cheliax may not apply to this tribe you have found on this island. they are not known to follow any of the major organized religions, and little is known of their own supernatural beliefs. they are known to be very close-knit and often assume that humans and other races are as close-knit as they are. this has led to many misunderstandings where Strix have taken the actions of one human to represent humans as a whole.
"No idea what would make for a proper rite. Strix of Cheliax are very different from what you describe" if the corpse cannot be carried, Lolito extends the body in the ground and picks up the stones previously found in the cave, covering the body with them.
The wanderer performs a blessing on the covered corpse "Apsu don't let the one to raise restless and let his soul find the Boneyard"
"If we cannot carry him, let's bring his amulet and bow to the strix and let them know about his resting place" with that, Lolito walks back through the cave entrance and the waterfall "Let's begin our journey. It will take some time to the whale boneyard and days to the strixs"
Once outside, he recovers his tunic and chained belt, fitting it properly before beginning the trip.
"I can wrap him and carry him. Best give ourselves the best chances at success."