Lara finds a compartment for an Ioun stone.
Derym wants to examine it to see what kind of magical effects might trigger, but it seems like this device is more of a mechanical nature than a magical one.
The Ioun stone slot does not seem to control that, but seems to be some kind of a switch. if a stone was put in the slot it would complete a different circuit, moving some of the energy that created the light show into a device that looks like it would transfer that energy to something else. it looks like the line that would transmit that power feeds into the wall to the east.
While the others try to figure out what is going on, Lara decides it should be safe enough to just try it and deal with any consequences after they see how it works.
She places Lolito's stone in the device. it clicks in neatly, and the panel it is placed in rotates like a switch, but nothing seems to happen. So the stone definitely did something but it seems there must be something else needed in order to get the intended effect.
We don’t have much time as Abadar’s miracles will only last so long, however, I am confident that with the application of the ioun stone the conduit has been completed providing power to one of the previous rooms that we had been to. I suggest we move quickly to the east to clear out those areas so we can safely head north and see what changes have occurred!
With that being said he moves as fast as he can through the water to the stairs to get back to the large room (C16) and goes to the eastern double doors.
Derym chuckles, "It would be so much easier to understand if it were just magic. Ok, let's go."
"Luck smiles the bold" Lolito blinks an eye to Lara as the device seems to actually do something.
"Ah! If someone knows about these machines, that is you for sure Kragg, master dwarf!" the man smiles wide, showing his crooked teeth "If you say that opened something to the east, I am with you!"
Lolito swims back to the double doors following Kragg's lead, and once there, he leads the way, opening the doors.
Kragg and Lolito are eager to keep moving and explore this section of the ruins while the water breathing miracle is still in effect.
Lolito opens the next set of doors, revealing a hallway that leads back to the above-water sections, and branches off in another corridor
At the far end of the side corridor stands a statue depicting a hooded figure with four arms. Her armor and mask are sculpted to give her the appearance of a woman, but the spaces between the plates of armor reveal that her body consists of clockwork gears. One of her arms is extended, pointing an accusing finger at a statue at the opposite end of the hallway, closest to the door you stand in. The other statue, standing in a semi-circular alcove behind thick steel bars, depicts a stern woman with no mouth.
you know that this figure represents Eyndea, one of Amaznen’s servitors. A powerful kolyarut inevitable inquisitor, Eyndea punished those who broke their oaths of secrecy or shared any secret information that would harm the church or the people of Azlant.
you identify the mouthless woman as Lissala, an evil deity of obedience, reward of service, and runes. Historians studying Azlant know her best for her rivalry with Amaznen, but according to some stories, there was a time when the two were close allies. It is said that Amaznen stole her mouth so that she would learn to keep secrets safe.
a mask lies on the ground next to the statue closest to the party, behind the metal bars. it doesn't look like it would easily fit between the bars.
“Fascinating,” Lara says. “These seem to be statues related to Azlanti myth. The accusatory one is Eyndea, a servant of Amaznen, and the mouthless one is Lissala, a goddess of secrets—”
She pauses, noticing the mask on the ground. “—Oh, hello. What’s this?” With a few short words, she incants a magic-detecting cantrip and studies the mask behind the bars.
Lolito nods in acceptance with every word Lara says "Are they dangerous gods? Do you think they have to do anything with the aboleth?"
As for the object past the bars, he states also spotting it "It is a mask. Let me try to bring it here" he makes an effort to squeeze the mask through the bars so it can be more easily examined.
But it is too far away and he fails to reach it.
Sidius nods at Lara's descriptions, "There's something almost poetic about a goddess of secrets without a mouth, I admit."
Alyn, confident in the team's ability to ascertain the important information takes a defensive position in the room.
Kragg watches as Lolito tries to retrieve the mask but can't manage to fit in through the bars. We might need to leave that for the moment as we can come back to it once the area is cleared of enemies. Then I can retrieve my crowbar from my pack and we can return to this area and pry the bars apart to get the mask. Thankfully we are near the other hallway that should the miracle of water breathing expire we can still make it above water level by holding our breathe. Until such time anyone have any suggestions before we keep heading east?
Lara burbles a short incantation and makes a grasping, pulling gesture at the mask.
Lara updates the group on what these statues are.
Lolito asks if the others think these gods could be related to the Aboleth, but with his own knowledge of history he thinks that would be unlikely. the Aboleth likely took up residence here after the fall of the Azlant empire, and many of their gods have not been spoken of since then, or have been worshipped in a different form by more modern groups.
Lolito cannot get a hand on the mask to fish it out.
Lara finds that the mask is indeed magical, with an aura of moderate transmutation.
She tries to fish it out with Mage Hand, but it does not fit through the bars. seems like you would need to break or bend the bars to get it through.
she instead puts the mask over the face of the statue. nothing seems to happen.
Alyn keeps watch but nothing comes in the area for now.
Lolito shrugs when he sees the mask will not fit "Well, let's keep exploring this area then."
Swimming while the breathing magic still is active, he makes it to the next room and then north.
Derym watches the mask, then nods, "Agreed, though we should probably come back for that later. Unless someone's got an adamantine weapon to cut through the bars now?"
Lara screws her mouth up in frustration and follows after Lolito.
Lolito moves forward, the others leave the mask where it lies for now
On a large dais occupying the central position in the room is a statue of a man sitting on a throne and holding a hammer in one hand and a closed book in the other, but the statue’s head is missing. Beside it stands another statue, and four others yet remain standing among the crumbled remains of other statues that litter the floor.
The second statue on the dais depicts a muscular woman wearing a helmet with a Y-shaped opening for the eyes and mouth, wielding a nine-foot-long spear and a large, round shield adorned with a symbol reminiscent of a crescent moon.
The statue standing left of the dais depicts a beautiful Azlanti woman with a look of mourning on her face, carrying a harp and a knife.
The statue in the northeast corner depicts a bearded man in a flowing chiton, wearing a gilded laurel wreath and holding a large key in his hand.
The statue in the southeast corner depicts a distant woman with long, flowing hair and skulls hanging from her toga. Her arms are crossed defiantly across her chest.
Lolito looks at the statues "Gods of old times perhaps?"
He looks for anything that might be useful here "Is the large key perhaps what you need to open that door we found in the central room Lara?"
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Knowledge (arcana) +8
Knowledge (dungeoneering) +4,
Knowledge (engineering) +4, +5 more if mechanical
Knowledge (geography) +4,
Knowledge (history) +8,
Knowledge (local) +4,
Knowledge (nature) +4,
Knowledge (nobility) +8
Knowledge (planes) +8,
Knowledge (religion) +14
Kragg takes a look at the statues as well trying to come up with some idea of what they represent. Clearly someone did not like the center statue’s head and broke it. I wonder if it is laying here amongst the rubble? We should try and restore it if we can find it. Alas that may be yet another thing we have to do tomorrow along with the mask. Our list of tasks keeps getting longer and more extensive but the Aboleth is our primary goal. The rest of these mysteries will still be here once the place is secure.
Kragg does do a quick scan with detect magic to see if anything is revealed.
Derym studies the statues (from a distance), trying to gain any possible insights.
The group spends some time studying the statues, unfortunately their historical knowledge of ancient pantheons is not great. Lolito guesses these might be ancient gods, which sounds right to Derym and Kragg but the two struggle to remember the names or domains of these gods and goddesses.
Kragg does of course recognize one of the statues. Even in an older form, the man with the Wreath and key must be Abadar
The ancient Azlanti saw him chiefly as a god of cities and gold, rather than of law—Amaznen held that position in the Azlanti pantheon. According to a legend, Abadar acquired the Law domain from Amaznen after that god died.
Lolito looks around but does not find anything of use
Kragg smiles in joy at the depiction of his god. This is great sign. Abadar is present in this place. Moving over to the statue Kragg kneels before it saying a prayer. After a minute he gets back up turning to face the party. I am not sure about the rest of the statues but tradition holds that Abadar claimed the domain of law once Amaznen died. It is possible that the statue missing its head could be Amaznen and its missing head is representative of its death. Beyond that I am sorry but I have no other information for you.
Lolito listens attentive and nods "That is indeed a good sign."
And looking pensive he adds "Is there anyway Abadar can tell you where that aboleth is hiding or how to find him?"
After a long time of silence, and judging everyone is as lost as himself, he decides to just move south and check the last unexplored room.
I do not have any means of tracking or locating anyone in the water. However I do know that it is impossible to be invisible while in the water as the water is still displaced and you would then see an empty bubble of space moving past you.
Getting up from his kneeling position Kragg will follow Lolito south to the next room.
Lolito opens the next door and takes a look
A statue of a warrior wrestling with a giant serpent stands on a two-foot-high pedestal in this columned hall. The serpent is coiled around the warrior and has locked its jaws around her upper body. The woman holds her sword high, ready to strike the serpent’s neck again. She has cut nearly all the way through, and only a thin piece of skin keeps the head attached to the long, sinuous body. Magical light radiates from the blade of the sword, illuminating the statue and the chamber. Jagged columns of coral stand among finely carved marble columns. The remains of the south wall lie in broken pieces, allowing full view of the ocean beyond.
The large statue depicts the Azlanti heroine Savith locked in a battle with Ydersius, god of the serpentfolk.
Savith, a mortal warrior, decapitated Ydersius, but the serpent god’s bite later killed the heroine. This statue was erected to honor her memory. After this great victory, Savith’s name was on everyone’s tongue, and many stories and songs were written in her honor, even if the majority of the Azlanti people didn’t fully understand the extent of the war with the serpentfolk and the threat they posed to the world at the time. The empire had many enemies, and the Azlanti leadership used these threats to convince the populace that dedication to the empire was paramount.
you see a lot of motion in the southern part of the room. The wall has crumbled away and opens out into the sea. there is a school. of large sharks swimming around in circles just past the wall.
Lara swims closer to the statue and racks her brain, trying to recall what she remembers about Azlanti legend.
Lolito looks at the statue with interest "This looks familiar. I think I read something related on something called Serpent's Skull, but cannot recall the details right now..."
Leaving the identification of the ring to the magic able ones, Lolito takes immediate attention by the sharks and tries to hide himself behind a column.
Spellcraft ring
Know history
Know religion
Detect magic and spellcraft on glowing sword
Amazing. This statue is none other than Savith, heroine of Azlant during the serpent wars. This statue commemorates her last act of beheading the serpent god. However it was a fatal final blow as the fangs pierced her skin poisoning her and leading to her death. I am not sure if therebb be is a greater archeological find than this here. Scholars all over the world love the chance to see this statue in person not to mention all the others in the room north of us. If only we could reinforce the wall to keep the sharks at bay.
"I would take notes but that is one more thing the water has taken away from me."
Kragg identifies the statue, and finds that the sword she holds is indeed magical. A few moments later he determines that it is a +1 aberration-bane keen longsword, that also sheds light as per the light spell.
The sharks do not currently seem aggressive, though one swims a bit closer just inside the broken wall to get a better look at you before turning back towards the others
they do not seem aggressive but are displaying territorial behavior. if you were to go too far into what they consider their territory they would almost certainly attack.
Lara eyes the sharks suspiciously, but can't recall what sort of shark they might be or what might be significant about the one that got curious and came closer to the party.
"Seems they are not aggressive, or they have not noticed us..." Lolito says, failing short to identify them "We can just walk in the opposite direction and finish exploring the site"
Choosing just the next door in the northern corridor, he slowly opens the door and looks inside. With the ioun touch in the strange room machine, he relies on Kragg's light magic to see inside.
Kragg frees the sword from the statue before retreating with the others. There is no sense right now in picking a fight with sharks when we still have an Aboleth to deal with. Is there anyway to lock this door though to keep someone or something from coming in behind us?
Know nature
Derym suggests, "Leading foes back into battle with territorial sharks might be a useful strategy, later."
"That is a good point Derym. Also they can just go around the open walls into the corridor I fear" Lolito observes "Let's just get out of the water for now..."
"This is a fight not worth the time right now. Plenty of exploring left to do where it is dry.
Kragg attempts to remove the sword, but it is stuck. DC 30 Str check to remove it.
The sword seems to be held by more than just rust or buildup from the water. you think perhaps if the right person were to pull the sword it would come with a bit more ease.
The sharks come a bit closer when Kragg gets close enough to the statue to pull on the sword. they don't seem to like you being so close.
The group decides not to stick around to harass the sharks and they move back towards the dry part of the temple.
Lolito moves ot the next closed door in the hallway.
Lolito opens the door slowly.
Two stone cabinets stand against the south wall of this chamber. A few ancient robes lie crumpled in the room amid fine, colored dust and other debris.
Another double door stands opposite where you stand.
As Kragg attempts to pull the sword loose, Lara says, "You know, this reminds me of an old legend about a sword in the stone....I think the right person has to be the one to pull it out. Kind of like how some old legends say swords knew the character of a person and would only release themselves from the stone for the rightful king. That time of thing."
Str
Know religion
After giving the sword a solid yank Kragg agrees with Lara. You are right that the right person may have to be the one to retrieve the sword. Whom that may be though I do t know yet. It would have to be someone with the same ideals as Savith. Given enough time I may be able to work it free but again that will have to wait till we have time
In the new room Kragg sweeps it with detect magic before moving to the far set of double doors. He lets Lara check it for traps before opening it in hopes of finally finding the Aboleth.
"Ah, those of my order do not use swords anyway" Lolito comments as the group rejoins and updates on the sword being stuck.
After a cautious look around the room, he notices the robes there "Maybe one of those robes are still ok. Perhaps what remains in the ruins will obey someone on its ancient tunic"
Lolito will try dressing one of the robes before moving forward with Kragg.
Kragg and Lolito check out the robes. Lolito by putting them on, Kragg with a spell.
focusing for a few rounds, Kragg finds that four of the clothing items are magical.
A blue silk robe with a silver embroidered eye symbol
a wool robe of a similar blue color
another silk robe with a lot of fancy silver trim and symbols all along the sleeves
a white shirt with another silver eye symbol sewn in
Kragg will try and identify the cloaks magical properties and also see if he can recall if the garmets would match any Azlanti god’s motif.
Spellcraft checks
4 of these cloaks are magical but I don’t know yet what properties they may have or if they are associated with any Azlanti deities or notable historical figures.
Know host
Kragg thinks these robes look to be used by priests of Amaznen, the primary god of magic in the ancient Azlanti empire.
he identifies three of the robes taking a little time before moving on
mnemonic vestment
a shocking robe
unfettered shirt
The fancier robe with silver trim is not as obvious to Kragg what its function might be
Kragg oohs and aahs as he determines the magical qualities of 3 of the robes. Lara, this blue silk robe with the silver eye is a mnemonic vestment and would be most useful by you I think. It would expand your spellcasting abilities as long as you have a scroll handy. Derym, the shocking robe might best for you as it would a hands any electrical spells you cast while wearing it. It also grants you some electricity protection. It is the wool robe. Lolito and and Alyn, I am not sure which one is best suited to the white shirt with silver eye. It alllows the wearer to once a day be free of any hindering effects upon your movement. The 4th robe I am not sure what it does so it may something suitable to one of you or be generically helpful.
Lolito listens attentively to Kragg's wise explanations "Yeah, that sounds like something useful, specially underwater. I will be happy to dress it if Alyn does not want it"
With the investigation in this room apparently completed, Lolito will head to the eastern doors and open them for the party to continue the exploration.
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"Please Lolito take it."
Lara swims closer to Kragg and takes the vestment off his hands.
The group pauses for a moment and get dressed. it is not lost on them that they are using the dressing room for priests from an ancient age to dress in the very same priestly garments.
Lara, Lolito and Derym each wear one of the magical robes before moving on.
Lolito listens at the next door on the opposite side of the dressing room. he hears nothing on the other side and finds no evidence of a trap so he opens the door
Stone shelves on the walls of this storage room are full of jars and vials of different sizes. A sweet but musty smell hangs heavy in the air.
mixed in with the sounds of the water nearby and the echoing sounds of your voices you hear a faint creaking noise.
Make a knowledge engineering check
Go ahead with the last robe Alyn. I already have a quick runner’s shirt that I am currently blessed by Abadar to be wearing.
When the door is opened revealing the store room Kragg performs his obligatory scan with detect magic.