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Gratus reacts to Thaia remarks on the carvings by digging up some paper and making some notes and the occasional rubbing.
"We seem to be heading in the right direction. The pit is definitely artificial... Some of us would be able to clear it a single leap. Bennybeck, would you like to have a go at it first?"
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We better be careful around this unnatural pit, though if Stable Mable over there falls in he says pointing at the musket lady her ego should be able to lift her up
Thaia who had been content to just forget that Bennybeck existed now rounds on him like a hungry, maddened wolf!
"Have a care coward!" Thaia says sharply. "I do what needs be done rather than skulking at the back while others do the hard work. You would have left your kinswoman to that murderous beast so that you could hide in a dank tunnel, just like the craven worm I initially took you for, so do not presume to lecture me on neither the merits nor flaws of pride! It is a trait which you seem to be entirely deficient of!" She turns away from Bennybeck, and casts him from her thoughts once more.
"Had I my Mwangi guides here this would not be a problem.... Lissaya, tell me again, how does that bird of yours handle in flooded underground tunnels?"
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Dropping his grappling hook on the ground, Lhunk steps inbetween Bennybeck and Thaia, placing a meaty palm on each of their shoulders, squeezing slightly. "Lhunk is simple man, but doesn't like when new friends fight. You fought cow man with your thunder stick, while he help scout. Be nice and res....respectful." Letting go of Thaia's shoulder, the giant of a man looks at the others. "We part of a group, to find gillman and why gillman come here. Not here to fight, but here to learn, and become pathfinders. Lhunk will not be part of that if everyone fights each other."
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Gunter looks from Bennybecks to Thaia while Rhea stares from behind him. "Hey, I got a rope somewhere. That's gotta be good for something." he says. Rhea grins maliciously. "And Lhunk's right, I think. You've got to get along, or why are you trying to be a Pathfinder in the first place?" he says, looking to Thaia.
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Backing up slightly, Bennybeck takes a running jump and lands on the opposite side of the pit, skidding slightly down the corridor beyond. Meanwhile, Lhunk (confidently) and Gratus (not so much) climb down the rope and into the pit, pushing their way carefully among the stakes set at the bottom. Gratus lifts the bundle of cloth and, unfurling it, discovers that it's a dark cloak, with silver thread decorating the borders.
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Everyone makes it across the pit, moving carefully up the rope or, as the case may be, over the board. Once everyone's made it, you keep going carefully down the passage.
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 the far side, and blue-burning torches line the passageway's wall.
Looking at the reliefs, you suspect there must have been around a dozen individual scenes to begin with; only about four look like they can still be deciphered now. Those four, you notice in the light of your spells, still bear writing beneath them.
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Lissaya looks for anything that appears to be related to combat or warfare. If she finds nothing, she is obviously bored and looks around for what might be next.
-Posted with Wayfinder
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All of you but Lhunk and Thaia recognize at least one of the scenes here, and Gratus is able to identify all four: they're scenes from the ancient work called The History and Future of Humanity, the principle holy text of Aroden's faith. Specifically, each scene represents a parable from the text in which Aroden, under the guise of a normal human, illustrates his hopes for humanity.
Lissaya spots, and is fascinated by, a mural portraying a soldier, sword drawn, striding through the dark streets of a city with a lantern in hand, illuminating the darkness.
Gunter notes a still readable mural that shows a man seated in a shop, beating out the dents in what look like a copper pot, surrounded by pots, shoes, jewelry, and the tools of various trades--clearly a craftsman.
Benny's eye is drawn to a scene in which a shepherd leads a flock of sheep out of the gates of a city and into a green pasture beyond.
Gratus's eye is drawn to a scene depicting a man sitting cross-legged and sewing a grand strip of fabric, composed of many different segments in varying patterns, that winds around the walls of a city like a great moat. He and Gunter can also explain the significance of each fable: the Soldier represents a prophecy of Aroden that the vigilant shall carry light to the darkest corners of the world to banish shadows; the Craftsman represents Aroden's delight at the innovations and creativity of humans; the Shepherd represents Aroden's advocacy for and blessing of leaders with the foresight to appoint people to the tasks best suited for them; and the Tailor represents a proclamation by the dead god that when the fate of all peoples is woven together, it shall be humanity's greatest strength.
Most interesting, though, are the words carved under each of the scenes--they're clearly from the text of The History and Future of Humanity, but they're written in a strange mix of Azlanti and Aquan, and you think that they look different from versions of the text you've seen. These may be an earlier version of the text than scholars are currently aware of!
Once you've taken all the notes you care to (and done anything else you want), the passage beyond beckons.
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As you move forward, the soft light of the surrounding fungus mixes with the flickering glow of the 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 pebbles and gravel along the edges of the pool, and several foot-long centipedes prowl among the gravel in search of prey.
There's one more figure in the cavern: kneeling in the water's edge is a single, humanoid figure, facing away from you!
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The gillman stirs slightly when Thaia and Lhunk call out to him, and peers over his shoulder. Looking surprised to see you all standing in the entrance of the chamber, he clambers to his feet, wearing nothing but a loincloth and some jewelry. Stepping out of the water, he gives you a slight nod and a wry smile. "Greetings," he says, in strangely accented Taldane. "You are free to partake of the water here, if you wish." He watches you serenely for your response.
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Gunter steps forward hurriedly, marshalling his will as he does. "Ah, yes, hello. I am Gunter Buxtehude..." he pauses momentarily... "Right. We are from the Pathfinder Society, and we wanted to... learn... about your caves. Yes." he looks around to the others for support. He rolls his eyes before turning back to the Gillman. "Please. We would be grateful if you would share your story with us. We have traveled far and faced dangers to find this place, and our Society exists to collect knowledge."
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Lhunk turns around toward the others and points at the gillman. "Fish man speaks like Lhunk. Better even! Maybe he know what rock pictures say in earlier room?" Turning back towards the gillman, the barbarian puts a hand on his chest and starts to speak slower than he usually does, "I, Lhunk. Travel with friends to learn and finish test. Maybe help with rock pictures in other room?"
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The gillman quirks his eyebrow, looking skeptical, when Gunter introduces the group, but when Lhunk interrupts he scowls outright. "Does the famed Pathfinder Society now employ louts such as this to desecrate other people's sacred sites? If so, I have nothing to tell you that you would be willing to hear. Leave these caves, and do not bother me further!"