Pirate Rob's Confirmation (Inactive)

Game Master Pirate Rob

How far from the pit is the plant? Why are my It's A Trap senses going off?

Err plank. Stupid keyboard.

It's about 20 feet away, does not appear to be trapped and has some slightly muddy webbed footprints on it.

Ok, secure the rope!

There is some webbed footprints over here. Harl remarks as he returns. I believe we are ready.[/b]

Although there aren't good spots on both sides within reach of the rope to secure it. Crossing over with use of the plank is easy and nothing bad happens.

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 saw earlier. They seem much, much older.

Knowledge (history or religion) or Linguistics may tell you more. (If you can read Aquan/Azlanti you get a +2) Appraise or perception may also give some information.

Doh!, Dumb hunter here!

Perception is useful.

Darius ponders the carvings.

History: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21

I meant the plank. "Hey Harl, tie this rope to something.". Hmm, here's a plank that looks like it would span the pit, I'll tie off to this"...dumb hunter.

Linguistics, free inspiration: 1d20 + 7 + 1d6 ⇒ (12) + 7 + (6) = 25
Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

Darius: Nothing comes to mind.

Harlbrount: While many of the carvings are far too faded to make out you notice that several of the carvings are familiar. The two you can recognize both appear to be facets of Aroden from the History and Future of Humanity (Primary holy text of Aroden.)

The Hunter and The Shepard are the two you are able to decipher although they are a little different that you remember. Like maybe they are from an older version of the text or something.

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 Shepherd is depicted herding animals out of a crowded city to the pastures beyond, just as Aroden blessed leaders with the foresight to direct people to the tasks and places that best suit them.

With Harlbrount's initial insight Gwynbel is able to decipher 2 others.

Soldier: 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.

Scholar: 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.

You don't think any of the other carvings are readable.

Gwynbel shares this information with the others

Harl shares as well as he tries to record what he knows of the carvings.

"Could this be an old shrine to Aroden? What would gillmen have to do that? "

Does my character knowing Aboleth help at all?

Having discovered all there is to see in this chamber I am presuming you eventually head south through the lit corridor.

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. He seems focused in prayer and has not yet noticed your approach. He is about 45 feet away.

Does my character knowing Aboleth help at all?

I would give you the same bonus as Azlanti/Aquan, although your check was already high enough to get all the useful information.

Gwynbel silently pulls out a tanglefoot bag, and keeps it at the ready.

Knowledge (Religion): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

Mrachni bites his lower lip and holds up one hand for quiet. Taking a few steps forward, he pauses and frowns. It's not likely I can speak with him... but justice communicates across all boundaries, does she not?

Holding up his right hand in a universal gesture of peaceful intent, he coughs ever so quietly in an attempt to make the gillman aware without startling him.

The Gillman doesn't appear to notice your cough.

Mrachni frowns and glances back at the rest of the group with a half-shrug. He motions a question toward the passage beyond, then back at the gillman kneeling in the water.

Darius crouches and waits patiently following the lead of his more courageous party members.

Harlbrount shrugs and moves closer to the gillman. Excuse me sir. He says quietly.

Gwynbel sighs softly, puts his hand to his side to conceal the tanglefoot bag, and says in Aboleth: "Hail friend, you look lost in thought in this wonderful place."

Eventually the Gillman rises from prayer and turns around and looks at you, although does not say anything.

Sense Motive

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

Well... he isn't calling for help or attacking us... that's good...

He is staring at your faces. You think he may be deaf.

Mrachni holds up one hand to touch the symbol of Iomedae carved into his face, drawing the gillman's attention to it as he watches for a reaction.

If he follows Aroden... then he ought to know of Aroden's herald, the Swordmistress, he thinks to himself.

The gillman's expression does not change, but he does step aside, allowing you access to the pool and carvings if you wish.

The burly half-orc nods slowly in thanks and moves forward to examine the pool and carvings, though he continues to watch the gillman with curiosity for some time.

Are there any walls here I could write on without ruining anything? With chalk.

We have paper...

Eh, fine.

Gwynbel pulls out some paper and his pen, and writes "Hello, friend" in Aboleth on the paper. He then slowly approaches the Gillman with the paper and pen held out for the gillman to take if he so desires.

Let's just hope he's not a goblin in disguise.

Don't worry. Unbeknownst to the gillman, this paper is actually +2 vorpal paper.

Gwynbel: give me a diplomacy.

The burly half-orc nods slowly in thanks and moves forward to examine the pool and carvings, though he continues to watch the gillman with curiosity for some time.

It's a tiny city carved into the top of a stalagmite. It's incredibly detailed, and hey, that's the Starstone Cathedral... It's Absalom!

Mrachni's eyes go wide as he studies the city. Turning to the gillman, he shakes his head in wonder and indicates the miniature city with a question in his eyes. Slowly he mouthes the words, Do you live here? What is this place?

Diplomacy Aid: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22

Diplomacy, 1 point of inspiration: 1d20 + 7 + 1d6 ⇒ (5) + 7 + (2) = 14 Possibly with Mrachni's aid another

That just ain't right.

The Gillman finally breaks his silence first in Aboleth

"Greetings."

Before following up in common.

"Welcome friends, I am Uori. I presume you are here to pray to the remnants of Aroden? A little of his power still echoes here."

Harl stands quietly, watching the proceedings. When it's pointed out that the model is Absalom, he slowly eases over to examine it while keeping one eye on the gillman.

When the gillman speaks in Common, the Kellid's head jerks up. He speaks, he's not death. Crafty one. Must watch him carefully.

Mrachni bows formally, recognizing the sacredness of the spot. Speaking softly and trying to enunciate clearly while facing the gillman, he nods. "I will honor him. We have come to learn of this place. What is its history? Can you tell us about it?"

Gwynbel is slightly startled, but puts the ink pen and paper away. "As my friend here said, we've come in the name of knowledge, to learn of this place, record it, and share it with others." Obviously drawing parallels to the Scholar

Uori continues to stare at people speaking to him, most likely reading lips.

"This place was once sacred to Aroden, the dead god of humanity, but
over the past century, the carvings in the nearby room have weathered and melted, and I believe soon Aroden's influence will have faded completely. It is not what brings me here though. The pure pool surrounding the diorama is sacred to my people, but I have no objection to you making whatever offerings to Aroden you desire."

"Please forgive my ignorance... I know little of your people. The pool... it is sacred because of Aroden?"

Uori responds to Mrachni pointing at the model city.

"No, Aroden was the god of the High Azlanti, and the founder of Absalom. We are descendants of the Low Azlanzi and the pure pool that has formed here is sacred to us as any unnaturally pure body of water would be."

"It is nice to meet friends. Other recent entrants have not been so nice."

Also perception checks please.

Darius continues to feverishly take notes as the party interacts with the deaf gillman. Religious studies weren’t his favorite field of academia but he loved history and the change brought by the fall of Aroden was especially interesting to him. His tail tapped against the floor nervously as he struggled to keep up.

Perception: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (12) - 1 = 11

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

Other entrants? Harlbrount asks.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27