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When preparing spells for the day, a wizard can leave some of these spell slots open. Later during that day, he can repeat the preparation process as often as he likes, time and circumstances permitting. During these extra sessions of preparation, the wizard can fill these unused spell slots. He cannot, however, abandon a previously prepared spell to replace it with another one or fill a slot that is empty because he has cast a spell in the meantime.
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Shadraz takes the potion of Feather Step and then moves further into the cave.
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You slowly go through the cave, taking notes of the various pictograms as you advance. The cave doesn't branch, but does wind its way deeper into the Kotos mountains.
The narrow tunnel twists and turns for several hundred feet before slowly opening to a wider passage. A large hole spans the cave’s width and stretches ten feet down the path.
The pit is at least a year old.
About ten feet down the pit is filled with water.
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"Someone dug this so it could be yes. One way to find out. This is a good time to ready any ranged weapons."
I'll put a few knots into the rope if it isn't already. Secure the rope on our side of the pit via the grapple then climb down taking 10 for a 15.
On the possibly wrong assumption that the water is calm and unoccupied I'll also take 10 for a 15 swim check to dive down and investigate.
Karnak takes out his compass, straight edge and pen and draws a quick sketch of path the cave has taken so far. He seals the book as best he can from water as the party works their way tofind a convenient way across the pit.
Karnak nods at Theron replacing the plank after the party's crossing.
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The team carefully crosses the plank, and heads further on into the cave system.
The tunnels continue on, leading deeper beneath the Kortos Mounts until they eventually open into a large cavern. What must have once been beautifully carved reliefs and inscriptions have since weathered heavily, their features dulled and softened to the point that it is hard to distinguish what each once depicted. A wide tunnel exits the cavern on its far side, and blue-burning torches line the passageway’s walls.
Karnak adjusts his glasses and looks over the markings on the wall.
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Galahad recognises that the pictures are similar to some of the stories from Aroden's "History and Future of Humanity"
Kitt then points out several of the guides of Aroden. The Craftsman, The Hunter, The Tailor and the Thief.
The Craftsman is depicted creating shoes, pots, jewelry, and other moveable goods, referencing Aroden’s delight at seeing his people express their ingenuity in creating new products from raw materials.
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.
The Tailor is depicted sewing together a long cloth of featuring many patterns that wraps around a city like a moat, referencing Aroden’s proclamation that when the fate of all peoples is woven together, it shall be humanity’s greatest strength.
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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Shadraz stares stupidly at the carvings, but quickly becomes bored and tries to find a way to move deeper into the cave
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Karnak makes a brief note about the guises next to the map in his book.
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There is a tunnel lined with blue torches...
The soft light of the surrounding fungus 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. 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 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 prey.
Kneeling in the water in a figure with his back to you.
Karnak looks up from his book, adjusts his glasses and calls out again, in his louder orcish voice.
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Shadraz smiles. "Ah, water at last." He strides in, heedless of the stranger, and submerges himself completely for a short time before coming up for air and sighing in happiness.
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What I thought were ugly scribbles appear to be artistic renderings of life in a city. Possibly during the time of Aroden. In fact this may be a temple of Aroden. I'll leave it to those with better eyesight then mine to copy them.
I'll stand back and let people jibber jabber. Keeping an eye on things, Especially Shadraz to make sure nothing in the water tries to eat him.
Karnak adjusts his glasses and puts his book away as he awaits Shazraz's response.
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Shadraz looks at Kitt in puzzlement. "What do you mean 'my presence here'? I just told the man I'm swimming."
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