Beneath the dust the mural springs to life, displaying the once proud city of Yaramuke in all it's glory. The images project a sense of an industrious community. A beam of blue light shines from the statue's raised hand, intersecting with a red one from a building that looks like a temple to the northeast, on an elaborate alabaster palace.
A voice from the past suddenly begins speaking in a strange accent. "Here is the majestic city of Yaramuke, carved from barren wilderness by the hand of Emperor Kadiran Firehand a thousand generations ago. As the mural shows, our city has prospered since its founding and since the coming of Empress Sielba. Her palace is blessed by not only the physical representation of Emperor Firehand, but also by the Eye of the Earth‚ which is held in the tower of the Temple of Earth’s Wonders. It is said that when the light of these blessings no longer shines upon the door of the palace, Sielba’s rule will come to an end.”
"I guess something happened to the light."
"I think I understand," says Ludi. "This is a model of the city... which is, or was, protected by this 'Eye of the Earth'. That statue there represents the statue of Kadiran Firehand, the founder of the city long ago. The other light then must come from the 'Temple of Earth's Wonders' which is where the Eye is located."
Ludi tries to orient himself as best he can using the small model map, turning this way and that, poking his head out the door and checking for any ruins that stick up above the sand and might be recognizable.
"With this we might be able to find the Eye of the Earth, or the statue of Firehand, since both are indicated on the map."
Startled by the sudden activation of lights and the voice. Ekee immediately goes on guard carefully scanning the area for danger. Once assured that none is apparent she relaxes and stares in wonder at the magical display.
"I have never seen such things as this. She hesitantly passes her hand through the lights. Smiling broadly she looks to Ludi.
"You definitely understand these things more than I. If you have a plan, point and I will follow."
"Farcluun implied that two beams of light would indicate the palace that holds the scroll that he wants us to find," says Ludi. "I wonder... if these beams of light exist in truth, if we are able to find the actual statue and temple with the Eye of the Earth... it would show us where the palace door is located."
"We should try to find one of these two edifices - either the statue or the temple. I'd say maybe the statue first?"
The illusion is unfazed by Dismoon's attempt to interfere with it. Ludi is able to determine the relative position of the temple by attempting to triangulate using the illusion.
"Did anyone notice anything that would count as a statue when we were moving into the ruins? How about a tower?"
Dis heads straight for the statue from the ruins with the informative magic. Firehand stands over thirty-five feet tall, including his raised and outstretched hand. The statue depicts a large, well muscled human man wearing a breastplate, helmet, and spiked shoulder guards. He wields a sword in one hand and holds his other up into the sky. Sand has accumulated up to about his waist. The illusion seemed to show the red beam coming from his hand, but from here it looks like an ordinary stone hand and there is no orb or eye to be found.
Ludi peeks out from the map room and watches Dismoon disappear into the distance. "Come on," he says and ushers the team to follow, finally arriving at the statue after the swift elf.
"Hmm. Maybe... we have to get the Eye from the temple and put it in his hand? That doesn't seem to make much sense as the model shows two lines of light intersecting, but... I don't have a better idea," says the psionicist.
Following Ludi as promised Ekee proceeds to the statue. All the while scanning the area for any threats and for signs of any other visitors.
"Both suggestions have merit I suppose. As I said I have no head for puzzles. Unless it involves how many times you can cut an opponent before they expire." She says with a slight grin.
"With that in mind I hope you don't object if I stay close to you when the fighting starts," says Ludi dryly. "I know how to handle a spear, and I know that the pointy end is supposed to go into the other person. That's about it."
Jaryx chuckles at Ludi's pointy end of spear comment and says with a toothy grin, "You do the thinking, we'll handle the fighting."
Dismoon easily scurries up the stone statue. There are notches in the hand worn smooth by wind and sand. From up here the elf can see several ruins. To the southeast is a large building that looks fairly intact. To the north she can see what looks to be a stately building with a marble facade. Due east is a domed structure.
Ludi squints up through the sun and the sand. "What can you see?" he hollers up to Dismoon.
Turning back to Ekee and Jaryx he says, "If the fire-in-the-hand trick doesn't work we should probably check the temple next."
Soaking some kindling with the oil and using the small bow device, Dismoon scratches her way to some small sparks. She lights the oil soaked stone causing a brief but intense flare up. Firehand's hand is on fire. Then the oils burn or evaporate away and the fire is extinguished. No beam of light, just scorch marks on the fingers.
"All it costs us is some time if we want to dig out some of the sand here. I don't think the ruins are going anywhere," says Ludi with an expansive wave of his arm. "We might as well try digging for a little while. If it's here, we save some time. If it's not, oh well, we find it somewhere else. Better than leaving to search for this thing, then coming back and discovering it was here all along."
Derlan just watches the group interact with each other, while also trying to keep an eye on their surroundings.
Athas was not a place to take lightly, as the moment you thought you were safe is the moment you breathe your last.
Moving to the edge of the group Ekee carefully looking for any tracks not belonging to the party.
Noticing Derlan's concern.
"Ko, Jaryx we should watch the perimeter. This place is too quiet for my liking." She says with a nod to the Halfling
Ko-Tik dips her head in agreement and takes up a long familiar defensive stance.
After a few minutes of digging through the loose sand, a large stone plaque is revealed. It tells the story of how Firehand wisely submitted to Queen Sielba's rule to become her chief Templar. The very last line is revealing.
"Each afternoon the Queen's Honor Guard brings the Orb from the museum to Firehand so that the mighty conquerer's blessing falls upon Queen Sielba and Yaramuke."
Ludi helps as best he can with the digging, even though he isn't particularly physically strong.
When the plaque is revealed he presses his lips together and says, "Hmm."
His eyes flicker over the team, then he says, "I suppose given our predicament, it is worth noting that I can read. Please don't spread it around."
He carefully goes over the text, his mouth forming the words, and then reads it aloud for the team.
"No sense in being ashamed because you can read. That's like saying 'I don't want it to get out, but I can create campfires.' It's just another skill."
"A skill that will get you executed by the templarate in the city-states," says Ludi. "As I would prefer not to be executed, please don't share it."
"Jazst troupes are often given the task of executing prisoners. We were expected to prolong it as long as possible, for the entertainment of the crowd. Although we were rarely privy to the reason for the sentence. And I'm just now realizing this information is not a comfort. Sorry, It's one of the reasons I'm not with them anymore, if that helps." Ekee says awkwardly.
"I swear none will learn of your ability from me."Ekee says looking Ludi directly in the eye.
"Do you need any help digging?"She adds weakly.
"I think this is all we're going to find here... let's see if we can figure out where this 'museum' is located," suggests Ludi.
"Why are you racing towards the scene of your murder?" asks Derlan as Dismoon runs off.
Punctuating Derlan's concern, a sinkhole opens up under Dismoon's feet about halfway to the domed structure. She pumps her elven legs as hard as she can and avoids falling in as the sand fills in the pocket of air below, but it is clear that could have been deadly.
The domed building is well buried with windows barely visible on approach.
Moving up to check on Dismoon, Derlan said "See what happens when you run off by yourself? Father Earth tries to eat you."
Ludi moves to catch up with Dismoon and echoes Derlan's concern. "We should exercise caution. There could be any number of hazards here."
"Looks like it's time for the shovels again," he says, surveying the domed building.
Ekee advances with the others.
"Here let me help." She say with a shovel at the ready.
"Hey Jaryx lend us your big hands and we'll make short work of this." She says with a grin to the massive half-giant.
Jaryx nods and begins digging.
Dismoon finds no traps on the open windows, and after Jaryx and Ekee clears some sand from them she sees the room below. The windows are eight feet from the floor and stretches thirty feet by twenty five feet. In the northwest corner is a ladder down. An altar rests against the east wall. In the southeast corner is a desk, and along the southern walls is what remains of a bed, the sheets are a jumbled mess, ratty and frayed. The chamber is quiet, except for the occasional gentle showers of sand intermittently falling from the windows.
Ludi peers as best he can through the windows. "If we can climb down from the windows with a rope, we can give this place a proper search," he suggests. "Though be wary - creatures might be hiding down there, under or inside the desk or the bed."
Peering into the large dim room Ekee says.
"I agree caution is advised. There has be something nasty around these ruins otherwise they would have been stripped clean long ago. Ludi can you...Sense? anything?'