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Farryn translates the inscription on the Obsidian finger as:
IF I HATH REEMBRACED, LOYALTY PROFESSED
Looking over the journal, Farryn pieces together that the writer—likely the dead cyclops—was seeking the various fingers, noting that they’re needed to acquire “it”. Whatever “it” is has been locked away, but it was vital for the writer to get “it” back at all costs...
Farryn translates the inscription on the Slate finger as:
WITH THE POWER BESTOWED, OUR ENEMY HATH REELED
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After the corridor winds for about a hundred feet, it opens up into a T-shaped room. Stagnant water pools in places where tree roots have pierced the ceiling. The floor is decorated with a huge mosaic depicting a conflagration, the dark smoke of the fire rising to form storm clouds pierced by lighting. At the back, the room narrows to an archway, sealed with a lattice of branches woven together. A smooth dark gray stone protrudes from the lattice.
When approached, the lattice of branches seems to quiver. Close inspection suggests a pattern in how the branches are woven together. There is already one finger, made of basalt, inserted in the lattice, along with four slight openings in the weave where more of the stone fingers found in the other chambers could be inserted. The openings fall in a line, with the basalt finger already inserted in the first opening. The basalt finger, like the other stone fingers, is covered in runes in the Cyclops language...
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Now both obsidian and slate would say we should put them at the third place. The obsidian said 'F I HTH REEMBRACED, LOYALTY PROFESSED' and the slate one 'WITH THE POWER BESTOWED, OUR ENEMY HATH REELED
Which one is correct?
Farryn seemed to be less confident with the obsidian translation than the other one. So I vote for slate finger three and obsidian five.
But be careful and go back. So if something happened you can bring what will remain of me to mines.
Are you ready?
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Seeing that Farryn is having difficulty with the final inscription, Jasariel steps forward and murmurs, "Eternal and Transcendent Gozreh, may the runes of the one-eyed ancients be to me as the clearest birdsong." Her eyes glow with a faint green light and she translates the words on the basalt finger, along with any other writings that haven't been fully deciphered.
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Farryn fails to translate the Basalt finger at all...
Jasariel casts Comprehend Languages, and suddenly realises that Farryn did, indeed, get a few things wrong.
OUR EGO DEFERRED, THIS GIFT OF HEARTWOOD BLESSED
OF OUR DEVOTION REWARDED, OUR LORD U N S E A L E D
IF IVE PRAYED, MY LOYALTY PROFESSED
WITH THE POWER BESTOWED, OUR ENEMY HATH REELED
NOW OUR LORD RESPLENDENT ON HIS TRONE
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With all five fingers placed, the barrier convulses, then unfurls, revealing the passageway beyond.
In the process, it reveals the skeletal remains of a previous explorer, along with a pair of silver earrings (worth 16gp).
Beyond the gate is a dark chamber, dimly illuminated by a red spark. When drawing closer it becomes clear that the spark comes from a fist-sized gemstone, affixed in the forehead of a large figure—a troll—sagging on some kind of throne. An earthy, piney scent pervades the room and tree roots hang down from the ceiling. A thick layer of fine dust makes it clear no one has been inside in quite some time. Tree roots wrap around the figure on the throne, securing him tightly, though the roots expand slightly to expand with his shallow breathing.
The light from the gemstone pulses, and you all hear a voice in your heads:
"Hello! You are the first visitors that I have ever had here, or at least that I have been cognizant of since I gained sentience. I have named myself Amkha. That is what I would ask that others call me. To my friends, also Amkha. Who are you? Why are you here?"
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The goblin takes a breath. He was right. That's fine. So no remains to collect. But now there is somebody calling them. Does he offer cookies and cups of tea? Or information perhaps? But what about the tree roots?
What occurs here? We are Pathfinders and we are here to explore this site. Perhaps can you tell us what is this place made for?
Yes, the goblin is too proud of this promotion for his people not to tell it when asked for.
And let my head quiet. Express yourself as usual.
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"Amkha acknowledges your designation as Papa. I picked the name because I liked the way that the syllables sounded."
When Okh speaks, the telepathic voice replies:
"Amkha acknowledges your designation as Pathfinders. As far as I know, this is temple to Urxehl, Lord of Storms, the Trollfather. Though, you won’t see much of his worship here. No-one has been here in many, many cycles; I know this, because you are the first that I have seen..."
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"You mean other than Naxath and I here having the time of our lives? Are you familiar with the saying ‘you scratch my back, and I scratch yours’? Metaphorically speaking. I don’t have a back. And I doubt Naxath would even feel it if you scratched his. I’ve been down here for thousands of years with only this empty shell for company. I never asked for this. To make it simple, I want out. I want to see the world!"
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"Amkha thinks it would be easy - you would just need to pick Amkha up. Amkha is just a small gem, after all. It isn't that Amkha was trapped to begin with, per se - Amkha was never meant to be alive; it is just that over 10,000 years, Amkha gradually became self-aware. Amkha thinks that was probably an accident, though..."
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Retrieving the gem is surprisingly easy - it peels off the troll's forehead without any problems, and sits in Papa's hand, feeling warm to the touch.
"Thanks for that! I'm looking forward to seeing something other than this room, for a change!"
As you prepare to leave, however, the entire complex begins to shake...
...It would appear that the Demon Lord Urxehl has finally noticed non-believing vandals in one of his temples, and he is not impressed; you fear that if you tarry long, you will be buried alive!
Catastrophe!, Round 1:
Farryn (-)
Fin-Thir (-)
Gedrim (-)
Jasariel (-)
Okh (-)
Papa Svirf (-)
The roots of the bruorsivi trees burst through the ceiling,
flailing madly, animated by some dark power.
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Jasariel and Okh predict the flailing of the roots, and dodge.
Papa tries to do the same, but doesn't make any progress.
Fin-Thir's attempt to tumble likewise meets with failure.
After stopping to grab the fingers, Farryn's attempt to do the same nearly ends in disaster... but then some helpful advice from Amkha saves him at the last minute.
Gedrim manages to follow Jasariel and Okh's example.
Meanwhile, behind the party, the room that Amkha was discovered in collapses in upon itself.
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Farryn (-)
Fin-Thir (-)
Gedrim (-)
Jasariel (-)
Okh (-)
Papa Svirf (-)
Obstacle 1 - FLAILING ROOTS (ANTECHAMBER) (3 successes thus far)
Urxehl’s wrath has animated the bones from the ossuary. Half-formed skeletons stalk to and fro in the corridor, their claws twitching, looking for something to rend.