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While the others investigate the cloth, Fahr gives one of them his rope and uses that to climb down into the pit. Once there he gives the rope to Half of and climbs up the other side.
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Some of the Pathfinders' jumps are impressive, arcing over the chasm! Fahr decides to follow another route but ends up at the same point.
The passage ahead seems safe, and Haldoc makes an interesting find. Approximately 30 feet beyond the pit and out of sight around a corner is a long, 3-foot-wide wooden plank that rests against the cave’s wall.
In time with the help of the plank, the whole company of fledgeling Pathfinders is able to cross the pit. 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. Only four carvings can still be deciphered, all the other ones are too faded to be legible, having sustained severe erosion.
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Fahr likewise studies the carvings. He takes notes about what they depict in the parchment that Janira gave him.
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Yeska proves to be quite the scholar. Thanks to his mastery of ancient languages, he is able to decipher some of the carvings on the walls - in fact all four reveal their secrets to the Pathfinders. Apparently these are guidelines to perform rituals dedicated to the dead god of humanity, Aroden. They are inscriptions from the 'History and Future of Humanity', the principle holy text of Aroden, and images that depict these passages. The carvings focus on parables that feature Aroden’s 12 guises, meant to illustrate his hopes for humanity: the artist, beggar, craftsman, farmer, fisherman, hunter, merchant, scholar, shepherd, soldier, tailor, and thief. However, the only four to remain in a decent, legible state are the hunter, the scholar, the soldier and the thief. For each of them, the parable suggests a kind of ritual to honor that particular aspect of humanity.
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 ritual includes hunting a beast of some kind, then bringing it back to the city.
The Scholar is depicted writing on a piece of parchment and then reading from it to passersby, just as Aroden was said to smile on those who recorded history and other knowledge to share it with others. To complete the Scholar’s ritual, one must record a historical fact, axiom, or other piece of wisdom on a piece of paper and place it in a place of knowledge.
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. To complete the Soldier’s ritual, one must place a torch or something of similar purpose in the city.
Finally, 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. To complete the Thief ’s ritual, one must commit a theft without being noticed.
There's a passage leading to the southern part of the cavern.
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"Thank you, learned scholar, for enlightening us on these most holy carvings. It would seem that, at least this part of the cavern, might have been a shrine dedicated to Aroden, the god who has passed." With that, Hikari makes a deep bow to Yeska in appreciation.
Taking a step back, Hikari took in the enormity of the cavern, letting the divinity of the place sink in. He closed his eyes in silent prayer to the Aroden, clapped his hands together in two sharp strikes, and took an even deeper bow towards the walls.
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Gridger stops in his tracks and tries to absorb the narrative that was explained before him. Questions only cloud his mind."So, what does this have to do with the gillmen? Does anyone know anything about Adoren?"
Suspicious about the whole thing, he then walks towards the bridge and takes a close look. Could this be a trap?
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"Although he was not worshipped in Tien, I have learnt of Aroden in my studies. He is ... or rather ... was the god of humanity, innovation and history. About three hundred years ago, he was prophesied to appear in the nation of Cheliax, and to bring with him a new age of wonder. Instead, in the year of the prophecy, there was a great cataclysm across the whole of Golarion and when it finally settled down, his clerics found their prayers to Aroden unanswered. It is still a mystery, at least to us mortals, but it seems that he might have perished in some extraplanar catastrophe. It was largely due to his disappearance that Cheliax subsequently descended into devil worship. On the other hand, it also led to Iomedae ascending to full godhood. So perhaps, there is some truth to some philosphers' teaching that the world always seeks a balance." Hikari pauses here in his lecture, before continuing, rather in an anticlimax, "But of the gillmen, I know little."
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Fahr records descriptions of the reliefs on his parchment. Then he puts the parchment away, retrieves his bow, and moves south.
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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 is a lone gillman who appears to be meditating - he didn't react when you entered despite your not being particularly stealthy. You can't see his face as he turns his back to you.
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Yeska feels under his robes where he keeps his holy symbol. I know something of Aroden. He keeps quiet though, lessons learned swimming in his head. He follows the others absently. As the chamber comes into view, he draws out of his reverie. He speaks in Old Azlanti with the cadence of something distantly remembered and louder than he realizes:
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A miniature city! Is this what the carvings were referring to?
Hilarious holds out his shield in front of Gridger. "Whatever the creature might be, he is now in holy communion, and it would be most foul should we fall upon him at this time. Let us speak with him first.
With that, Hikari slowly but steadily approaches the man, not making any threatening moves but ready to drop the torch he's holding to draw his katana should the gillman turn hostile.
Hikari utters a prayer to Shizuru to call blessings on himself. He then calls out in Common. "Greetings. We apologize for interrupting you and your reverie with your god. We are but simple explorers, wishing to understand the origins of these caverns, and, if you are willing, understand more about your people."
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The man does not turn no respond to your words of peace. In fact, he didn't move at all when you spoke. You can't see his face from where you are since he's turning his back to you, but his general attitude indicates he's relaxed.
As for his weapons, they're lying on the ground near the pool, as are a few of his possessions.
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What's a "dude"?
Pushing away that stray thought, Hikari opins, "No, I do not believe that would be respectful. Certainly not to one who is in holy communion with his god. Let me approach him. I trust you would have my back, as you say here in the west, should things go south."
Hikari steps forward gently through the water. Holding the torch awkwardly with his shield hand, he lightly taps the shoulder of the gillman with his other, and steps back quickly. He displays his hands in an nonthreatening manner, showing no weapons drawn.
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Fahr moves to the waterline, bow still held casually in hand. Given the opportunity he will bow to the figure in the water to express respect.
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As your approach or even touch the gillman, he rises to his feet but remains within the boundaries of the pool. He looks at you in a strange way, as if he was trying to understand what you say. The humanoid doesn't appear to be agressive, quite the opposite. Eventually you realize that the gillman is attempting to read your lips, and is probably deaf. In time he answers your questions in a rugged Taldane, not so much because of his shaky mastery of that language but rather because of his handicap. Yakari also notices that he eyes the cloak Grand Aigle has recovered from the pit with interest, whereas many among you can see the gillman’s own folded robe is of a similar style and color.
Bowing to you he speaks at last, in friendly tones. "I am honored to meet you. I am Uori, and I have come to these caves as a pilgrim to listen to the waves. Have you come for this reason as well? Who are you?"
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With Yakari's prompting, Hikari notices the gillman staring at his lips and then understands why he had ignored the party earlier.
Hikari bows deeply in return, and speaks. "We are similarly honored to make your acquaintance, venerable Uori. My name is Hikari Hayashi, hailing from the distant lands of Minkai. My friends and I are novice members of the ancient Pathfinder Society, here to understand the mystery of these sacred caves. Also, I am ashamed that I am unfamiliar with your people, and if you deem us worthy, I, too, would wish to find out more about you." He pauses here, and gestures to the cloak. "I note that this cloak we found at the bottom of a pit is similar to yours. If it is the belonging of you or your kin, it is my honor to return it to its rightful owners.
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Uori faces Hikari and focuses his complete attention on the Tien's lips as he reads them. Apparently he didn't see Gridger hide in the caves.
"If you come in peace you and your Pathfinder Society are welcome. I, like the many gillmen who have made this pilgrimage before, see the pure waters of this spring as a sacred sign. This cave is holy to us. The message of the waves can only be understood by one willing to listen. You're more than welcome to meditate here with me. Maybe brine and salt will bring you the wisdom you seek? As for my kind, there are no others here, we only come alone to meditate," politely replies the holy man.
"I am not from afar, in fact I originate from the waters to the north of this island. That cloak? Yes, it bears the colors of my tribe. I can only guess that it belonged to one of my kin. I would be honored to have it back."
His face becomes sour as he reads words of ill omen on Hikari's lips. "At the bottom of a pit, you say? That does not bode well for my kinsmen. Others have come here to meditate before me, this cloak is a proof of that. While I am saddened by their disappearance, I rest assured that they've joined mother sea, and will whisper in my ear for the rest of my days."
It is only then that he sees Yakari get excited about the miniature city. You have come to worship Aroden, haven't you? I understand this was a sacred place to his cult once, but his influence is slowly fading. Have you noticed the rituals in the northern part of the cave? I believe they have something to do with this miniature city here."
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"I do not seek to worship Aroden, but I do respect him as a once great god. Your invitation to commune with you is welcome to me. I will join you and pray to Erastil. How shall I meditate so as to most benefit from these holy waters?" As he speaks, Fahr leaves his gear and weapons on the shore and wades into the water to stand by the gillman.
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Hikari hands the cloak to Uori. "I will ask for Shizuru, the goddess of the glorious sun, to light his way.
As Uori converses with the rest of the party on the miniature city and Aroden, who has passed, Hikari takes a step back to look around the entire cavern before approaching the miniature city to study it in detail. Uori has confirmed my suspicions, that these caverns was a shrine dedicated to Aroden - the carvings in the caverns to the north, and now the sculpture of the city that he built.
Turning to Yeska, Hikari makes a request. "Learned scholar, I believe you are well-versed in the arts of magic. Might I ask if you could look over this sculpture and determine if traces of magic might still be retained after so many years?"
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"Feel free to immerse yourself in water and listen to the waves. They echo within yourself, and allow you to find inner truth." the gillman explains in a cryptical way.
Then kindly replying to Hikari, inviting him to come closer to the miniature city: "Of course. This is a most holy place, though since Aroden has passed it has lost some of its former glory."