They lead you to a village not to far from the wall, the land around the village is cleared and you can see farmlands in all directions. The Village is made of wooden "Huts" with leaved roofs. Many Villagers come out to greet you as does the chief. who is very interested in your tale.
Finn is given a wide breath but Guard is almost swamped by questions and the poking fingers of children. You are given huts of your own, the party and crew will have to sleep six to a hut but its dry and inside. A great feast is held in your honor , the Chief it seems does speak common, if with an accent and they are happy to answer any of your questions.
Finn apologizes for his unfortunate ancestry and asks the chief:
(1) Has he heard of Lavinia Vanderboren? Does he have any news of her?
(2) What does he know about the ape demons who lived in the foggy jungle?
(3) Are there any other monsters to be wary of, besides demons, gargoyles, giant lizards and giant birds?
The Chief though not comfortable with Finn does answer him.
"Yes, I have heard this Vanderborn name, they are known in the outlander Village. We have had little dealings with them however. We have heard tell from some of the wild tribes of the demons, many are the beasts of the jungle, demons, monsters and horrors from the long forgotten days of the people. This wall was built long ago, by the Elders, so that we may live in peace out of the reach of the things that claim the jungle."
Karkalla keeps an eye on Anver to make sure he dosent get into or cause any trouble.
Avner, seems. well not himself since being rescued. Like something broke inside. He seems to be going though the motions more then really seeing whats going on around him.
"Uh Anver are ya there?"
Ardanto tries to enjoy the hospitality, but again he badly covers up his melancholy mood. He notes that he is not the only one watching Avner, part of him is glad that Karkalla is also, but another part of him wonders what is brewing inside the mans head.
He offers to take a watch on the wall for the chief as payment for the bounty he has provided.
Avner seems to look at Karkalla but not see her. seeming lost in his own world.
"No need friend you are our guest! We are honored you would offer but the feast is a small price for the tale you bring"
"How many villages like yours are there on the island? Do you have any allies -- elves, dwarves, halflings?"
"Bloody Khyber they really did a number on you dident they?" Assuming that Thomas is the same way Karkalla spends most of the time keeping an eye on them whilst racking her brain for a way to fix them.
"Yes, three other tribes live upon this land, The Burowao live to the south upon the east coast and are fishermen of some skill, The Mora to the south are good fighting, even if most warrior are women. and southern most and west are the Panitube;, mostly cowards more interested in the shinny metal from your farshore then a true fight.
On a small island in the bay lays your farshore, with three islands around it, The Kirikuka to the east, the Dawa to the south and the Uswasi to the west. The holy people not of the tribes are of your farshore. She." He says pointing to karkalla "Looks like the elders say the jaguar people looked. But we have never seen these dwarves or elves among the tribes. That one however." he says pointing to Arainn, who they have been closely watching " That one the Blessed Elder will wish to speak with."
Daurros quietly listens to Finn and the Chief. As he tells of the Elders and the jaguar people, he tries to see of he can think of anything he might have read or heard in the past.
knowledge history
At the chieftain's singling out of Arainn, Daurros raises an eyebrow in surprise. "Why Arainn, might I ask?"
Daurros comes up empty as to what these could be.
"She is of the Elder people or so she seems. If she is of the elder people, then the Blessed Elder should speak with her. "
Arainn, stays silent but nods her head, as if in acceptance of the request.
Daurros thinks a moment, then asks, "Might I be able to speak with the Blessed Elder, also? I would like to ask about this." Daurros then produces the bat idol given to him by the archlich in the ruins they explored oh so many months ago ...
The chiefs eyes get wide That is the image of one of the Elder Gods. Yes the blessed elder should speak with you as well. We shall leave after the feast."
"My thanks. I look forward to it."
As the feast begins, Daurros nonchalantly sits down next to Arainn. "So, anything you can let me in on here? I'm guessing the Blessed Elder is another of your people. And considering the way in which they are spoken of, likely another who has gone to take on the ... unlife of a deathless. Am I close?
"What I don't really understand is the significance of this idol I carry. And it obviously holds some major significance; it was after I got this that you started being more ... attentive to me. You must be able to tell me something."
Daurros doesn't speak in an accusing tone; it's really more of just matter-of-fact and logical. He does smile a bit when he gets to the "attentive" part.
Finn grimaces as he remembers the painful experience on the island of the basilisks.
"If you'll excuse me, I'd like to meet with some of your warriors. Maybe we can share some fighting techniques."
He bows curtly and stalks off, looking for some warlike Tanaroans.
Guard is happy that the children don't seem to be afraid of his outlooks or presence at all. He answers any questions he is able to answer.
At the feast he tries any fruit and meal he doesn't know off, taking a liking to some.
He also keeps an eye on his companions during the feast, mostly Avner and (as before) Finn and Ardanto.
Ardanto still doesn't seem his former happy and boastful self, and Finn is as dark and brooding as he was since ... he changed.
Avner though, ...
He nods to himself as Karkalla tries to take care of that. That leaves Ardanto and Finn again.
Finn then stalks off, so Guard moves over to Ardanto, claping him on the shoulder as he sits besides the captain.
"Still alive, after that jungle, hu? The gods seem to have a liking to us.
What do you think Lady Vanderborn does right now? Wonder where we are, if we are alive?"
Arainn Nods "That was my guess as well. I have seen none of my people here, have you noticed all of the villagers are of mixed blood? I know nothing of the idol. It holds no significance to my people, but there may have been a time, long before your kind walked the lands you called home when it did." She turns to loom at Daurros, the light leaving most of her death head face in shadows. " It is rare to see one of your kind have drive. Real ambition, not with things or gold, but power and self improvement. This Intrigues me."
Outside, while the Tanaroans are a bit leery of Finn, they are not cowards and it is not long before they take an interest in his unknown fighting style. Most outlanders do not use the spear, they however do, mostly of bronze or obsidian. They seem to carry other unknown weapons. Something they call a Japute, which is large claws mounted onto a wooden handle, seems to be strapped to the hand and forearm of the user. And a flat wooden club, lined with shards of obsidian called a Shimalo 'koa. The warriors are more then happy to both show off their own fighting styles and watch Finn show off his own.
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Once the feast is finished and elderly woman comes into the hut. She speaks to the chief in that odd language. Then he says to you."The wise woman has said the blessed Elders will speak with you."
With that if you are ready you are lead from the village into the night. You travel past the fields and far from the village. You can see lights in the distance to what may be another village as you are lead up a hill in the dark. Vines cover the stone building atop the hill, stone construction very simaler to the ruins and the undermountain pass.
Touches burn softly at the entry way as you are lead into the building and descend into the earth. The carvings on the walls you briefly see seem to tell a tale of some kind with images of battles and things unknown. You walk though low chambers, lined with the mummified dead of ages past, sinking ever lower into the earth.
At last you enter into a large chamber, light by torches, three mummified elves sit upon a small raise at the far end of the room, scores of other mummified remains sit along the walls of the room as if they simply sit down and died. As you enter and the woman and Child kneel before the rooms center, the mummies along the walls, move. Their heads shift as if watching you.
The Woman speaks in what is some type of very archaic elven dialect. With some difficulty those of you that can make out elvish can follow what she says.
The dead eyes upon the mound open, nothing but light can be seen beneath them. Its voice dead and in the same dialect.
Arainn step forward speaking elvish
what Follows is a long exchange between the now Kneeling Arainn and the three Elder elves upon the mound.
They ask where she is from and she explains, it seems they though all of the elves that had not fled the jungles of the long forgotten homeland lived upon this island. All of the elves it seems, the pure blood ones had long left the land of the living. It looks like Arainn may be the only elf upon the island. They are glad that elves still live and wish to speak with her more at a later time about her people.
After a long time Arainn looks up. "They want to speak with the Thieves now' she says in a low voice. 'I think they mean you."
The dead elf motions you forward with his long dead hand. "Come..Forward..Out..landers" it say in a dry broken common "speak...." The second demands.
Finn refuses to move, speak, or acknowledge the living dead in any way.
Daurros steps forward without pause.
Elvish
"We did not steal this idol," he states simply, holding it forward. "It was a ... gift, from one similar to yourselves. He referred to himself as the 'honored elder', and he gave me the idol in the ruins of the city of Tamoachan, quite far from here." Daurros proceeds to tell the tale of that portion of their travels, from the basilisk to the fight with the elder to making peace and parting as friends (or at least not enemies).
"I do not know how he got it, but if you say it is yours, then I bring it back to you. I ask, though: what is it's significance?"
Guard follows the others, keeping close to Ardanto on the way.
Coming to the stone building and seeing the mummies move to watch them, the warforged watches them in return, briefly considering to try sensing if they would be evil, but quickly deciding against it, as it could be viewed as a threatening act.
So he simply stands to watch the others, while Daurros talks.
The dead seem to hear Daurros out before speaking.
"It hearten us to hear others of our kind live across the waves, That is the image of one of the elder Gods. It has long been lost but in a place of honor. The God has been angry with it missing. It needs to be returned to his shin as a sign of faith and good will or his anger will consume our decedents in fire. He has such a shine upon this land."
The dead seem to hear Daurros out before speaking.
** spoiler omitted **
Elvish
The Elder leans forward, watching you.
Daurros turns to the rest of the group and explains the Elder's request.
"Well... Do we think that the crew is capable of going to Farshore without us holding their hands? They could inform Lady Vanderborn of our journey and tell her why we weren't able to come to her by ourselves." Guard suggests.
"I have no problem with returning this bat statue to the Tanaroans' "god" -- goodness knows what other use we could possibly have for it -- but I fully intend to report to my employer as soon as possible. If this "god" has been waiting for this statue for years or decades or centuries, then I'm sure he can wait another week or two." Finn is obviously unimpressed by the supposedly divine nature of the task.
Daurros speaks again to the Elders.
Elvish
The Elder nods as Daurros
Finn then stalks off, so Guard moves over to Ardanto, claping him on the shoulder as he sits besides the captain.
"Still alive, after that jungle, hu? The gods seem to have a liking to us.
What do you think Lady Vanderborn does right now? Wonder where we are, if we are alive?"
Ardanto smiles at Guard the mirth not reflected in his eyes. "I doubt the gods like us that much, I think instead they are toying with us like a cat with a mouse, pushing us to breaking point." He takes another bite of food muching on it thoughtfully, "when the day comes that I meet my maker, first thing I am going to do is punch him on the nose."
On the subject of Lady vanderborn, Ardanto again fakes a smile, "I doubt she misses us as much as she misses the cargo, after all, she made it clear just how much she valued the cargo over us." He glances pointedly at Avner every time he says the word Cargo.
After the ceremony, Ardanto is intrigued by the mummies, but being only able to order a drink and loaf of bread in Elven, the whole conversation is lost on him. He sits, trying to look respectful while the others do the talking.
When Daurros explains the outcome, he nods, "more gods and their whims. Tell me Daurros, why can they not take their own statue back to their own god?" He doesn't expect an answer that makes sense, "the thought does occur to me, that surely it would be an honor for the villagers to take the idol to their gods shrine, so why place that honor on strangers they were calling thieves less than an hour ago?"
"Maybe I can get a decent change of clothes and a good drink of rum at Farshore at least."
Your Meeting, seemly at and end you are lead back to the village where you can get some rest and decide what to do.
Now we go to Far Shore and meet up with Lavinia and the others.
Even though he doesn't need to do it normally, Guard takes the time to rest in the night, like the others do. He found out that he is unable to reshape his soulmelds if he has no nights rest beforehand, and he has a feeling to be able to do some new tricks with them.
Unshaping his cerulean sandals in the morning, the warforged sits on the ground of the building the villagers prepared for them, like he did the whole night, while Snem, the little blue ball with tendrils, hovers above his shoulder, giving off a faint blue glow.
His mantle of flames swirls softly in some non-existing wind around him, while Incarnum forms in shape of the warhammer the others came to know already. The blue translucent smoke also settles around his feet, from the knees down to his toes, encasing them in some sort of sky-blue boots.
An hour goes by in which the Incarnum takes shape, then Guard gets up and out into the open, trying the effect of his newly shaped airstep sandals.
Leaving behind a faint trail of pale blue vapor he climbs to the sky, quickly pacing in the height of the walls walkways.
Coming back down he asks the falcons: "How's that for 'Sandals of levitation'?"
Coming back down he asks the falcons: "How's that for 'Sandals of levitation'?"
Ardanto is impressed and gives a clap as Guard takes to the air. "Not bad old friend and they look a darn sight better on you than Finn's clown shoes look on him." He winks at Finn as he speaks.
Ardanto practices with his new sword, getting a feel for the weight of it. He takes this opportunity to teach the crew some more combat tactics, happy that so many of them seem to have made it to safety.
He passes the time in the village, keeping himself occupied and busy, seemingly reluctant to carry on the journey to Farshore.
Ardanto is impressed and gives a clap as Guard takes to the air. "Not bad old friend and they look a darn sight better on you than Finn's clown shoes look on him." He winks at Finn as he speaks.
A quick glance reveals that Finn's monstrous scaled feet are, in fact, adorned with a perfectly normal-looking pair of sandals.
The next morning you start out on the trek to the Mora village, the last stop on the mainland before farshore. A Tanarosa guide name Balmo is sent with you to help you avoid the few hazards on this side on the wall and make communication easier with any natives you encounter along the way. Balmo is a friendly sort, happy to help anyone learn some of his native tongue that wishes and he seems interested in Guard and intruded with both Arainn and Karkalla.
The trek takes three days, you move at a good pace over rough trails and hunting paths, nothing like a real road seems to exist. Over the three days you encounter no large beasts, your party's size seeming to keep them at bay but you do encounter a few groups of hunters who share you fair and as all natives seem intrigued by your strangeness.
You arrive in the Mora village on the third day. Like the Tanarosa the Mora seem to be mostly fighting men, they are proud of the skill they haqve and seem to treat people of the group who are fighters with respect. Unlike the Tamarosa, a good deal of the guard and population of the village seem to be dead. You can't help but seeing the oiled, dried mummified warriors walking the village walls or guarding huts. You would guess fully a quarter of the large village were no longer among the living. Another oddity is all the warriors seem female.
Balmo seems to take this in stride "They are the Honored. The most skilled of the warriors, they are blessed" He says with what can only be pride in his voice.You are inside the walls and greeted by a group of warriors, all living and all female. "You have been invited to meet with the village leaders," Balmo tells you.
Finn is barely able to restrain his disgust with yet more living dead abominations, but he keeps his mouth shut and follows the lead of the others.
Ardanto is intrigued by the dead, wondering out loud if they are mindless or if they are instead capable of thought.
"It must be a strange existence, do they hunger, do they feel pain, love, hate?" he ponders. "An life with out life, with out sleep, tireless guards to watch over your relatives." He seems eager to learn more of the process, "Just in case I take a sword to the gut," he quips.
Despite his sudden humour, he has got visibly more stern and withdraw as the journey has continued.
Balmo hears Arndato's words. "I do not think the blessed Hunger or feel pain. I think they could love but my people do not dwell with them as do the Mora, I do not know as much as they would. I am sure the priestess would answer any questions you have."
Toxim is only too happy to learn the language. Balmo finds him an eager student a quick study. He is wary of the undead tribesmen. He uses them as a point of conversation to learn more of the Tanarosan culture.
Daurros watches the undead (or deathless?) curiously, but without disgust. "Seems a practical way of the societies best warriors to continue to serve even beyond their normal lives," he says to Ardanto. "As our guide said, I wouldn't expect them to eat, drink, or breathe ... something of a pity, I would think. Standard undead lack any ability to love, but hate is something they do well. If these are deathless, on the other hand, they may very well be capable of love. Like you said, though, it might be good to know, in case we ever end up on the wrong side of a demon's claw."
"Well, Balmo, please show us to the village elders, if you would. And Arainn, I'm guessing you're invited as well."
Guard is happy to be the point of interest for some time. It doesn't bother him to answer questions about his nature, as good as he can.
Regarding the mummies 'living' in the village, the warforged is intrigued, but has to remark: "You have one strangely similar amongst yourself with me. I don't need to eat, drink or breathe just as well. I don't tire, and I guess I don't feel pain like you do.
By that definition, I am just as unnatural as they are."
Guard is a bit disappointed in the choice of words and resentment towards the obviously established relationship of the villagers and the mummies.
"Like you said, though, it might be good to know, in case we ever end up on the wrong side of a demon's claw."
Ardanto seems pleased to finally have a common agreement with his old friend after their differences of view on the voyage. "As long as you promise to wait until I am actually dead before you experiment on me, " he quips. "Nearly dead or mostly dead will not do."
After a thought he asks, "Perhaps I can converse with the honoured dead? Maybe spar with them? They must have generations of battle knowledge between them." He shows no obvious disgust for the undead, seeing them, as Guard pointed out, as no different form the war-forged.
Despite his request, he follows the others to the elders.
The "elders" happen to be three women, Two aged crowns and a younger very fit warrior. None seem to speak common , but Balmo explains for you. They are interested in you, In Arainn, Guard and Karkalla mostly it seems. And they offer you room for the night if you wish, they have little dealings with Farshore, mostly the Panitube to the south deal with the outsiders, but they do have a few fishing vessels. If you wish They can take you the thirty or so miles to farshore.
Finn mutters "If any of you think that the lifestyle -- or should I say deathstyle? -- of those...creatures...is so delightful, perhaps you can book passage back to Fort Greenrock and throw your lot in with the vampires," his voice dripping with sarcasm.