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Pulling back his hood, the stranger reveals a human-like face flecked with scales. His golden eyes are cast downward to the stones, avoiding looking at you. His face is wreathed in a living mane of green and grey snakes, where normally a hair and beard would be. It is clear to you that he is a medusa of Cazhaak Draal. He smiles, revealing serrated teeth. "I aam Beoric, Keeper of the Sserpent Bridge. As a guesst of our ccity, I will overlook the damage your... sstruggle hass caussed."
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Beoric chuckles, and the snakes on his brow and chin contort and twitch with the motion."The Amphissbaenae? No, they are not mine, though ssome do keep them as ssuch. I refer to the Guardian you walk acrosss, the Sserpent Bridge. Only I have been charged with the massonry of itss upkeep. Travel wearss down the sscales of the sstone... aggresssive actionss more sso." With a scaled hand Beoric gestures to the grand bridge spanning the lake. "The waterss are home to many. I do not hold you at fault for defending yoursselvess. Your guides know thiss." He smiles again, but his eyes have remain downcast the entire conversation. Some of the striped snakes have fixated on you and your escorts, but the majority of them seem to have their attention elsewhere.
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You and your escorts traverse the rest of the Serpent Bridge without another incident. As the sunlight gleams upon the lake, a few boats can be seen upon the water, the occupants casting lines and nets below. A tribex-pulled cart passes you, but the driver does not pause.
Soon you reach the Tail of the Serpent which rests upon the shore beneath a large arch of white marble, constructed to resemble two hooded serpents their mouths open and fangs bared. A metallic sphere of a purple-shimmering stone rests between the mouths of the cobras- byeshk.
Marble and granite pillars and towers rise from the remains of ancient buildings constructed of rougher stone. The architecture blends together seamlessly and the conflicting textures create a unique style that shows great masonry skill.
Past the archway the gnolls halt. Trraa and Brerrg take guarding stances while the young Ux steps forward to speak. "We of Ember Fang have guided you across the waters to the gates of Cazhaak Draal. We wish you good hunting, Pup-of-Stories. I hope the stones bless you, Raunip," Ux-Pebble-Paw thumps his fist of stone against his chest. "If you leave the Stone City by way of the bridge, come and feast with my people and tell us the stories you gather while here."
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"Ta'muut," Raunip says to Brerrg adn Trraa, smiling. To Ux, "Your aid was very helpful, Chosen-of-Stone. Raunip looks forward to bringing stories to your clan with new sunrises." The hobgoblin thumps his own fist to his chest. "Traveler guide your journeys." The hobgoblin takes a moment to situate himself upon Xurwk and then makes his way deeper into the outskirts of the city.