While Mekyl's picked up what the first carving depicts, Dandy's memory is quickly jogged by his observations.
They depict the History and Future of Humanity, the principle holy text of Aroden, the now dead god. Each carving depict a passage.
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 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 Fisherman is depicted hauling in an enormous catch of small fish to take back to Absalom, illustrating Aroden’s declaration that a great host of creatures could accomplish a great task, whether that be taming the wilds or feeding a nation.
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.
Lebrario is so caught in the studying of the cape that he pays not much attention to the carvings.
This is a cloak of resistance. I'm sure of it. It's kind of a good luck charm, helping you in moments in perils. Of course, it's powered by magic, not superstition, so it truly works. Even if the power of this one is minor, it can be very helpful.
.
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.
The cavern’s ceiling stretches 20 feet overhead and is crowded by dozens of stalactites, some measuring 10 feet long from base to tip.
The miniature city looks like Absalom, aptly in a body of water at the center of something.
Down further, with his back towards you, you see a figure kneeling in the water.
Given the abnormalities on his neck, this must be a gillman.
The figure in the water gives no response, and remains seated in some sort of praying or meditative position...maybe??
The gillman is still silent in whatever thoughts or meditation he is in.
Maybe he can't hear us?
The gillman does notice you, when Tsschas stands in the corner of his eyesight.
"Who are you, and why have you come here?"
"I am here on pilgrimage. We come here to find tranquility and clarity."
You notice a folded mantle near him.
It looks similar to the one you found down in the hole.
The gillman seems to appreciate that.
"I am Uori, and proper respects to this sacred site are well received.
These cave's waters are of significance to my people, as its calm and clarity represents what we aspire to. Clarity and peace.
Though these were once a site to the worship of the now dead god Aroden, god of humans."
"The mantle is worn by all pilgrims on our journey.
It is more for practical purposes, but a piece of our custom nonetheless."
Lebrario listen carefully to the gillman's speech
What could you tell to us about Aroden and how your people worship him?
The gillman's face shows a slight frown.
He's not pleased with this assumption.
"We do not worship him, the suggestion is not appreciated. He is a failed god from land-born humanity. He did not protect his people when the end came long ago."
"Regardless, is there anything else you wish to know, or things to do within these caves?
Some vile creatures have taken up residence within these caves, going by the stench of decay yonder, if you needed to explore these caverns more, you'll likely have to fight your way to do so."
I'm sorry. I didn't meant to offend you.
Uori finds Lebrario less convincing than Nythrandyl.
"Hmmm..", is an indifferent response.
Uori: "You can secure these caverns, for the safety of future pilgrims. Yonder lie two tunnels i have not yet explored."
------------------
The team, led by Mykel and The Dandy, head for the right tunnel.
The persistent glow of the bluish fungi dimly lights the way deeper below the Kortos Mounts.
The tunnels broaden to reveal a shallow river that bisects an immense tunnel stretching to the north and south. To the east a small passage exits the chamber at a steep incline.
Though dimly lit, Mykel sees a trio of creatures and a very big insect.
These are mites. Evil little fey with an affinity for vermin.
------------------
Lebrario
---------------
Green & Red
---------------
Mykel & Nithrandyl
---------------
Blue & centipede
---------------
The Dandy
Hearing there's trouble ahead, Lebrario tries to be quiet and stealthy to hopefully get a strategical advantage later