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Grimbli calls down into the pit. "No bones or goo or anything? What an odd place to leave a cloak..." He looks across the pit to the other side. "Anyone have any thoughts on how to get across that? I mean, Fluffy and I, we could make the jump easily, but the rest of you...well, let's just say you're a little...big." As if to prove his point, Grimbli rides back a short way, then urges Fluffy to ride at the pit and leap over, which he does easily.
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With the plank placed across the pit everyone is able to cross...
...and Insidion is able to climb his way out of the pit and re-don his armor.
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.
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As you move through the wide tunnel, 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.
Inside the pool, you see a lone gillman sitting with his back to you . He seems deep in meditation and hasn't noticed you yet.
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Insidion's eyes dart from side to side as he tries to determine the best way to deal with the lizardman. His instinct is usually to kill first, ask questions later. He looks to his companions, and with none of them speaking to the lizardman, decides to open his mouth.
"What...are you doing here?" he asks.
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Fluffy pads closer to the water, Grimbli on his back. "Excuse me, but I don't suppose you could tell us anything about these caves, here? Well, of course you could tell us something, but I'm specifically interested in this small city, and the paintings in the previous cavern, and, well, it's just all very mysterious..." Fluffy dips a paw in the water while Grimbli waits patiently for an answer.
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Shaoshu approaches respectively and reverently, seeing the pool as some sort of shrine to a deity.
Knowing well that deities can be wrathful and squash men like Shaoshu himself might squash one of the centipedes, he keeps his head bowed low and his daggers stowed.
As Insidion initiates contact with the gillman, Shaoshu makes an obvious effort to keep both of his hands raised, palms forward in what he hopes in a universal sign of peace.
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Upon noticing you, the gillman becomes startled and stands as he turns around to face you. However, he calms down as he realizes that you aren't hostile. As Grimbli fires questions at him, he just gives the gnome a confused look, as if he doesn't understand anything Grimbli's saying. It's only then that you notice that the gillman is deaf. Insidion, though, speaks slowly and clearly enough that the gillman is able to read his lips.
The gillman bows to Insidion as he offers a slightly mumbled reply "My name is Uori, and I am here to meditate and pray, for this site is sacred to my people. It was once sacred to Aroden, the dead god of humanity, as well, but over the past century, the carvings in the other room have weathered and melted. I believe that soon Aroden’s influence will have faded completely from here. But now I must ask, why are you here?"
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Seeing that the gillman addresses him, Insidion ventures to speak for the group.
"We are exploring and documenting for the Pathfinder Society. We mean no harm, but had reports of gillmen entering this place. Once we have a report, we will leave."
What do you mean you don't want to harm him? You know you want to...
Insidion closes his eyes for a moment in concentration.
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Shaoshu bows his head in reverence to the gillman, and adds his thoughts to Insidion's.
"Please, noble gillman. Our boss has insisted on detailed reports of these caves. If we are successful, our people will likely not want to tread any further into your sacred site."
The young Tien boy gestures to the carvings and murals in the entrance.
"Do you know the meaning or purpose of these inscriptions?"
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"Very well. If you are wishing to explore, there are two tunnels that lead further in, but be warned, for what dwells down there is not as polite as I am."
Turning to Shoashu, he says "As for the carvings in the other room, I know not their purpose. Legends say that those who performs acts of reverence towards Aroden in light of the carvings would earn his blessings but, as I said, I know not, for Aroden is not my god."
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Shaoshu bows severely times, reverently to the gillman and takes a few steps away before looking to the others and the inscriptions.
"Little Boss would want junior Pathfinders to study acts of reverence and blessings... Shaoshu knows little about crafting nor farming."
Digging in his pockets, he produces a stick of charcoal, some old cheese covered in lint, and a small bag.
"Shaoshu brings no seeds to plant nor materials to work -- is woefully unprepared for rituals..."