Kraggan moves around the cave, except for the exit on the far side, lined with blue burning torches, there is no other exit to the cave. Kyroden and Dario begin to study the various relief carved into the walls.
text of Aroden, and images that depict these passages. The carvings focus on parables that feature Aroden’s 12 guises, meant to illustrate his hopes for humanity: the artist, beggar, craftsman, farmer, fisherman, hunter, merchant, scholar, shepherd, soldier, tailor, and thief.
Only 4 of the parables are decipherable, the farmer, hunter, shepherd, and soldier. The rest are too faded.
The sections of the holy text depicted are slightly different than those that appear in the known version of the History and Future of Humanity, suggesting that these might represent an earlier version of the work.
|
[ooc]I'm not sure about the layout of the cave. We have a tunnel
While the others are examining the carvings, Kraggan takes a closer look at the torches, casting Detect Magic, to see if their blue flame is of arcane origins.
He then peers into the exit tunnel, listening for the sounds of living beings.
Once he's satisfied that nothing's coming for them, he gets out a sheet of paper and jots down some notes about the cavern layout and construction.
The more time you spend studying the reliefs, the more time you feel like there is still some power at work in this cave (like a wand with a single charge). Perhaps there is some way to invoke some of that lingering power by following what is being done withing the reliefs.
Just before heading down the torch-lined passage, you look back to see Dario posing in front of the relief that depicts Aroden as the Shephard.
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.
more pilgrims.
The cavern ceiling stretches 20 feet overhead and is crowded by dozens of stalactites, some measuring 10 feet long from base to tip. Kneeling in the water is a lone gillman, his head is bowed as if in mediation as he takes no notice of you entering the cavern.
|
Dario shrugs and then moves down the cavern to avoid being left behind and immediately spots the miniature version of Absolom. He quickly remembers at not only is a copy of the physical city, but also important to worshipers of the dead god Aroden. He stops as he sees the Gillman meditating in front of it. "Fascinating. We should try to speak to him after he is finished. I want to learn more about this place and the altar." he whispers.
You sit and watch the gillman for several minutes. he continues to kneel there, in the water, meditating. He looks to have not even noticed that you all are in the area.
As Naomi moves in and kneels down, the gillman's head rises slightly. He blinks seeming to notice you all for the first time, his eyes notice the weapons drawn and pointed at him.
"This cave was sacred to one of your now dead gods, and now is sacred to my people. And yet,you wish to desecrate it with blood, landwalker?"
The gillman slowly stands, gripping his quarterstaff before Caikahn can move it. He faces the group but makes no move to attack, just looking from one to the next.
The gillman's eyes track whoever is talking. "You claim to be researcher and seeking knowledge, but you come at pilgrims with barred weapons and threats. Is this how you land dwellers seek out knowledge. Perhaps you should be the ones that put away your weapons, and then you can study this sacred place."
|
|
Kraggan watches the gillman suspiciously.
He then puts away the arrow and lowers the bow.
"One can't be too careful in these places. Especially when the god that once protected this shrine is dead."
Switching to a more menacing pitch, he continues: "But I see you brought weapons yourself, even though this is your holy place now. Is this how you sea dwellers pray?"
|
|
Dario notes the similarities to the cloak he gave Caikahn and the Gillman's own cloak. "Of course, of course." He looks back at the others. "Put away your weapons!"
"I'm very pleased you'll let us study this place. It seems to hang with energy. What is your name, pilgrim? And I note you wear a similar cloak to one we found earlier. Perhaps it was another pilgrim's? Please, tell us the meaning of these designs."
The gillman seems to consider you all for several moments before speaking.
"I am Uori, a pilgrim that comes here to sacred place. And yes, power from the dead god Aroden does still cling to this place. There isn't much left, but I believe if proper ritual is performed there may still be some gift that can be granted."
"The cloak is from another pilgrim, most likely from some time ago. The designs are tied to our religion. So why do you land dwellers come here?"
Uori nods slightly as you explain yourselves. "I see. These waters are pure and sacred to us. We come to this place to meditate and listen to these holy waters. The cave was connected to one of your dead gods and his power does still linger, but that means nothing to us."
"If you would return the cloak, I can give it to another pilgrim. The original owner is most likely long past. Please, feel free to pay any respects you wish to your dead god. It is always interesting to see how others pay their reverence."
|
|
"I'm interested as well. I know some basic prayers for Aroden and I'd be happy to show you. I'm also interested in how the Gillmen worship. You hold the waters sacred and not to Aroden himself?" The Professor goes through some basic rites he's read about, also happy to try out any Gillman rites Uori will show him.
"Uori, where else do the caves lead? Have you explored them?"
Uori smiles slightly as he watches Dario going thorugh some basic rites of prayer to Aroden.
"We hold the waters as sacred. The human god that once held power in this cave means little to us. We respect the fact that he was here and the power in this place was great, but Aroden is dead and his power fading. Even in this cave there is little power left."
"I have not explored these cave. I know only the way in and out that we use as pilgrims. The way that flows through these sacred waters. I do know that there are other ... creatures within these caves. Most are not friendly to pilgrims. So if you do explore more of the cave, be wary."
Uori looks at Kyroden with an expression that can only be described as appalled. "The water holds much power. You just need to know how to listen to it."
Uori watches carefully as Kyroden steps close and begins to fill a vial with the water. "If that is how you wish to listen, you may. May you hear what the water wishes to say to you."
Dario leans close and inspects the small city. He seems to remember something and casts a spell. Placing a small object that shines with light into the city streets.
As the light shines in the mini-city, you all feel a small pulse of power that seems to emanate from the city. The pulse fades away quickly, but you all still feel a lingering touch of something.