|
Dissa will extend a hand to help his fellow pathfinders, using the rope as a safety measure.
When everyone is safely across he will turn toward the curve and prepare for further exploration.
He looks to the Desnan cleric and speaks softly, "I'm not sure, I didn't want to step out until the party was ready. Now that we're gathered, let's pursue these Gillmen." Dissa will whisper his discussion with Jezakay, and attempt to walk gracefully and quietly down the shaft.
|
As Dissa rounds the corner, he sees a 15 foot plank leaning up against the wall.
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.
The carvings here are different in style from the petroglyphs you've seen so far in the caves.
|
|
Dulomak, you successfully coax your companion across the plank.
Jeza, with his knowledge of religion, studied the markings along the cave wall. Most have eroded so much that he could not make anything of them. However, he was able to decipher three of the twelve sections along the wall.
The Artist is depicted painting murals on the walls of impressive buildings, associated with Aroden having painted the city of Absalom with beautiful colors so that it might awe all who visited.
The Merchant is depicted weighing and trading coins of different sizes, a reference to the holy text’s proverb that peace brings trade and prosperity to all people.
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.
Bozmir, you're able to identify a person hauling some fish towards a city in another section but you do not know the meaning of this picture.
|
Jeza quietly shows the others about the petroglyphs. He says, "These petroglyphs from Aroden's holy text may explain the reason for the Gillmen in the cave so far from water, but confirmation from another source would be best. Bozmir, I saw you looking over that cloth in from the pit, did you identify what it was?" Jeza casts detect magic on the item and shares what he learns with Bozmir to see if it helps.
|
|
Dissa will press forward. "These caves seem pretty desolate. Exploring them is proving a fairly easy task, thanks to a few light spells and this cobweb catching pole-arm. Apparently that's all I'll need my Fauchard to do on this exploration!" Dissa chuckles to himself, plodding through the caves.
"I see no reason to split the party. Let's just keep moving." Dissa doesn't alter his gate, pace, or any other mannerism.
|
|
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.
You see a figure kneeling by the edge of the water. The figure does not seem to notice as you approach.
|
|
Dissa follows Bozmir, and scans the area for threats while casting detect evil:
"Today is an excellent day to meet again, stranger. Would you care to chat with us? We are explorers, and would love to better understand this diorama on the pedestal." Dissa greets the man, supporting Bozmir an a non-threatening manner.
|
|
"Stranger, perhaps you cannot hear me! I will approach you graciously, and prod you gently, anticipating you respond generously." Dissa projects his voice, with slight reverberation within the cavern.
Taking the pommel of his fauchard, Dissa gently prods the shoulder of the kneeling figure.
1) Should there be a response, he will back away swiftly and extend the utmost courtesy.
2) Should there be no response, he will increase the firmness of his prodding until either the figure acknowledges him, tips over, or Dissa realizes it's not a person.
|
|
Before Dissa has a chance to poke the figure, he turns at the ripples in the water.
He startles up when he sees Jeza and then Dissa pointing a weapon at him. Holding up his hands showing he has no weapons, he says, "Who are you? I do not hold anything of value."
|
|
Dissa stows his Fauchard with a flourish, and bows to the man. Speaking slowly, with his mouth facing directly at the man, he says"Can you read lips? I attempted to greet you, but you clearly did not hear my approach. I apologize for startling you. We are simply explorers, and I would love to learn more about your diorama." Dissa nods his head toward the modified stalagmite.