Well I would say 'head long into danger'. But we can taken quite beating for a while and maybe have some shut eye.
Both Orgar and Greta notice telltale signs of a recent presence here. Greta’s was more mundane in that there were tracks and the remains of a partially eaten meal while Orgar detects the lingering aura of illusion magic!
Orgar will search the area of illusion aura.
He'll slowly move about testing the area with the tip of his scimitar to see if he can find anything, or anyone, invisible.
I am sure that Vesvold will give you ample reason to take his head but should you still need encouraging then know that I believe he may posses something that you are going to want if you speak true about how you came to be here.
Orgar the entire area seems like it is under an illusion spell as you inspect it. The shape of the individual menhirs are correct though.
Orgar sheathes his scimitar.
"There's an illusion here to mask something on these menhirs."
"Can anyone here dispel illusions?"
"I think there are two illusions, one weak one strong."
Orgar then starts passing his hands over some of the menhirs to see if he can feel any carving hidden by illusion.
Even though he himself is unable to fathom the illusion, Helgash follows Orgar as he checks one of the menhirs, trying to make sense of the place.
Greta nods at Cynehelm - "Thank you for your healing powers. What you have done will not be forgotten" - then moves on to place herself on guard between Orgar and Helgash, and the northern exit.
"I am just the vessel," says Cynehelm, grinning . "Rugged, handsome and I even smell good, but still, just the vessel."
Venja pipes up, I do not have the necessary magics prepared today but if we rest then I will prepare a dispel magic spell in the morning...or evening...or whatever time is actually is down here.
While you are exploring more and talking a voice calls out from the 4 corners of the room all at once. Begone form here. You do not belong here and I refuse to let you set up your camp in my home. Begone!
All 4 voices are different but the same as well. You are unable to place what type of creature may be speaking them though as they are distorted.
"That must have something to do with the illusion magic here."
"Invisibility methinks."
The elven rogue steps into the center of the room, arms wide and hands empty. As she speaks, she turns slowly to face the different corners of the room. ”We mean no disrespect and only wish to speak with the occupant of this room, at the behest of the Warden of Artrosa. She has bid us come hear and speak peacefully to one that I presume is you. Know that we are accompanied by a paladin, a holy warrior whose word binds him and us so long as we are received in peace. Helgash, please give our potential host your assurance of our good behavior while in this space.” As she finishes, she looks at the paladin where he stands near one of the menhir.
Sadly, while her words are true and she hopes sound that way, they lack the grace of Helgash - or pretty much anyone else...
Jetro grumbles
"As representative of the Dawnflower, I swear that is the truth," adds Cynehelm.
"I concur! And anyway, if you give us the information we seek, you'll be that much less likely to see us ever again."
The voice calls out to you, Why would Jadrenka send you to me? What is in it for her and what does she think I can do for you?
"We have done her a good turn. She indicated that it might benefit all of us to have a peaceful discussion. You have information she feels would aid us and if you are willing to share it with us, we will take our leave and bother you no further. Perhaps you would prefer to only visit with one or two of us rather than our entire group?"
The voice turns sour but not too menacing...yet.Done her a turn you say. I would think she would not to turn at all from what I know of her. Perhaps more than you know yourselves. Still, I believe I know of what she speaks of. To be sure though there is a test that you must perform. At this she cackles gleefully. I need your blood smeared upon the menhirs. If you are true then I will be able to see it and give you your prize. Come now, each of you pick a stone to splash your blood upon. Hurry up.
Duardlara considers the request.
Drawing a dagger, she cuts along an old scar on her forearm, cleans off the blade, and wets her finger in the blood welling up. She makes her best guess as to which direction is south and marks that menhir with what appears to be a rune of some sort.
To figure out the voice's sincerity & intenttions:
Trying to understand what's happening:
"Well, this probably won't be AS painful as some of our recent japes, larks and frolics",
... and with that Orgar slashes his off-hand palm and smooshes smears a bloody hand print on a different menhir than Duardlara.
"There we are!"
He then pulls out his wand of Cure Light Wounds to patch up his self-inflicted wound:
"Of course, she didn't say we had to keep bleeding! I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed, nor am I the dullest!"
Orgar thinks smugly to himself.
Well it is about time that I let the pain out
Cynehelm hesitates.
"You should be more cautious friends..." - Helgash stops short as the voice requests a blood offering, looking to understand if there is some sort of hidden meaning behind the words.
Knowledge arcane reveals to Orgar that this ritual is two fold. First it will help empower the menhirs much like the previous area where Orgar and Cynehelm were found captured. Second you think that the menhirs themselves will react a certain way based on some archaic parameters. Others previous history would assume that it has to do with Baba Yaga’s gets placed upon them by the black rider.
Cynehelm you can tell that the voice is speaking true about testing yuOr blood upon the stones. What she is being evasive about is how much blood is neeed and if there is a dual purpose as well.
"Okay, let's just move away from the Menhirs a bit."
"Blood on the last menhir will cause something to happen."
"Much like those menhirs Cynehelm found ourselves on not too long ago."
"Probably has something to do with Baba Yaga and that Black Rider."
"So, voice-without-a-face, should happen if we play along?"
"We can just as easily remove our blood there to spoil all your fun."
Well make up yer mind, I'm losing red here.
The voice chuckles at Orgar’s attempt at diplomacy. It matters not to me as long as each of you spill your blood on a separate menhir. Spill and step back as far as you want. I will not divulge anything till each one has spilt their share of blood.
"It certainly matters to me! Why not just tell us what's supposed to happen?"
"Otherwise we'll might just stay here, to annoy you for a very long time indeed!"
With that, Orgar walks over to Jetro:
"That should help a bit"
And then to Duardlara:
"There you go."
Hoping to brag what's actually supposed to happen.
That and the fact the voice is already annoying Orgar. And more than a little!
She murmurs absently, "My thanks," as she studies the room, looking for some sign of their 'host'.
Jetro moves away from the menhir.
Greta looks at Helgash and snarls, clearly unhappy with the situation, and seemingly unwilling to draw blood for whatever reason implied by an unseen voice. She waits for his lead though...
-----
Helgash steps forward and smears his blood on a different menhir from the others, and nods at Greta to do the same - "If treachery is afoot, you will pay dearly" - he voices out loud.
Ahh my poor simple fools. You just don’t understand do you the intricacies involved here. In a realm of magic, lies, deceit, and intrigue only blood tells true. Everything else can be manipulated, hidden, or fabricated.
The voice watches as the blood is placed upon the last of the menhirs. Those paying close attention can see streaks appearing in the blood as if an invisible finger was tracing arcane signals there. The blood then flashes bright before being absorbed into the menhir. However 1 of the menhirs does not cause the blood to flash. After all of the menhirs have been attended to the voice calls out again. All of you save 1 is true to the cause. Interesting, isn’t it? Do you know which of you is not true? Simply put it the shapeshifter among you.
Greta growls in anger as she steps towards the menhir with her blood on it. I don’t know what treachery this is but I am true to my lover Helgash. What cause is his is mine as well.
You say you are dedicated to him but that may not be enough. What would you do if something happened to him? Would you continue on in your pursuit of his cause? I do not think so. Yet as long as he holds to the course I can not deny you nor the rest the information that I hold.
At this point a flask appears on the ground in the center of the room. Take this with you as you travel down the hall to the north may it serve you well. Now leave me be.
Baba Yaga's bottle of messa esUE. If the bottle is smashed or the cork removed, Baba Yaga's voice issues om the mouth of the bottle: "If you hear these words, my own blood has betrayed me. Jadrenka has one key; the other lies in the Eon Pit. Follow my trail!"
The priest waits until they have left the room to whisper "It is a message bottle. I think we have to smash it to hear the message."
Smash away
The chilling voice of Baba Yaga rings out from the broken bottle. If you hear these words, my own blood has betrayed me. Jadrenka has one key; the other lies in the Eon Pit. Follow my trail! The message ends abruptly after the command to follow her.
The hallway leads on a short distance as you assume it opens to another room or cavern. However this place between the rooms seems safe for now and you think, think, you could spend the night in peace.
"Anyone know where the 'Eon Pit' is?"
Jetro promptly falls asleep. Massively drained from witch magic.
20% random encounter ALL clear!
The night passes without incident in the passageway with everyone taking turns to keep watch. So peaceful was it that not even a spider moved along your path and you all wake feeling refreshed and no longer fatigued or exhausted!
Moving on down the path you see the etchings on the walls of the hallway turn from a summer motif to one of late fall. A door which Duardlara picks after some work opens upon a square room with withered cornfields extending in all directions under a waning moon in a starry night sky appears before you. Dozens of dead ravens lie scattered upon the floor among the shriveled stalks of corn. Sitting hunched over on a cot is a elderly woman in long white hair holding a cane. She slowly stands up, arthritic knees popping as she does so. She points a crooked finger at you open the door and speaks in a raspy voice. What do you want now you young hooligans?
This would appear to be the grandmother of Jadrenka or the mother of the previous Jadrenka you met yesterday. OR they are all the same person and just look, act and feel different. Or you are still dreaming asleep. This is Artrosa after all and strange things happen here.
”We mean no offense, grandmother. We seek the path of Baba Yaga.”
"Hooligan? [u]Moi[/u]?"
"My friend is right. We found the message from Baba Yaga."
"She wants us to follow her trail."
"Her message said you had one key we need to do so."
"And the other key is in the Eon Pit."
"Wherever that is" ... Orgar concludes silently to himself.
"It's Jadrenka...I think" whispers Cynehelm.
The crone hobbles forward towards you a she removes a large key ring from her belt. On it are many keys, old and rusted. I have many keys that unlock many doors. I shall leave one for you but to where it leads you must figure that our yourself. Yet this is not the key that you are looking for I don't think. After you have the key from the Eon Pit come find me and tell me which key is the one you are looking for and I will give it to you.
Crone Jadrenka then drops a key to the floor where it lands with a loud thud. With that she turns to leave...
Orgar picks up the key.
"Many thanks for your help, Jadrenka. But I don't suppose you'd know where the Eon Pit is, would you?"