A new day dawns with the sky cloudless, but still oddly dark. Breaking camp and continuing to the east, things are going as normal as possible, until Abigail gives a bit of a squeek. She points to the sky, and it becomes obvious what has her distressed, the sun appears to be somewhat obscured and is casting a dark shadow across the land. Minutes tick by, and the shadow becomes larger and larger until the entire sun is just a blazing ring in the heavens. Any sounds that are normally heard grow silent, as if the land itself is holding its breath. But, in just a few moments, the shadow slides off the other side, and soon the light grows brighter.
With a shaky voice, Abigail speaks.
"I have heard of this before, and it's supposed to be normal... but... it's hard to believe that it's not something evil at play. Let's all try to be extra careful today, ok?"
"Yeah we will be careful don't worry."
As Hu and Behset try to recall any information about odd darkness or the sun disappearing, Hu recalls a tale where Desna had a grievance against Sarenrae. According to the tale Desna pulled the moon across the sky to cover sarenrae light for three days straight. Eventually sarenrae apologized for the slight and hoped to see an end to the chaos that was breaking out across the planet.
Behset however has seen this phenomenon before when she was young. The elders explained that there is a pattern to the skies, the stars and all things. These patterns will repeat over time, making it possible to grow a closer connection to this world and others.
Days and nights blur together in the vast wasteland. Even the landscape, with the odd flora and occasional fauna become dull and disinteresting. Morale dips a bit, but Abigail tries to lighten the mood when she can with stories she has heard, or perhaps made up on the spot.
Then, after nearly a week of travel, you spot other people. By their clothing and features, you easily pick them out as Shoanti. They seem defensive as you approach and even advise that you are trespassing on sacred lands. You plead your case and at the mention of Thousand Bones, they soften slightly, but still want you to leave. One starts to get a bit heated and spits insults which causes Tensei to nearly throw down and fight, but some calming words from Faust and Hu settle things down nicely. Leaving Behset looking almost disappointed that a fight didn’t break out.
The new Shoanti reluctantly offer to lead the group to where Thousand Bones is, the Kallow Mounds, but express that you should do what you came to do and leave quickly.
Half a day further, and you quickly spot your destination. A dip in the landscape seems to be the start, but all around the area are hundreds of cairns. Even the path approaching is marked with stones that have been painted in warning and decorated with animal skulls. Truly the territory of the Skoan-Quah, the Skull Clan. Keepers of the dead.
In the distance, a large creature, resembling a lion, but with scales, lays atop stones, soaking in the rays of the sun. Behset quirks her head to the side before muttering. ”That one is strange. Should have wings, but does not. Curious.”
As the guides bring you further into the Kallow Mounds, several other Shoanti have taken notice and watch with curious expression. You even hear some mutter about tshamek on these sacred lands, but no one makes a hostile move or approaches.
An elderly pair approaches. The guides give a quick summary of the events til now and the man nods, he speaks in broken common, but you get most of what he is saying. ”I am One-Life. You come to find Thousand Bones? Why travel to our lands?” his tone is soft and quiet, his questions come off terse, but feel more like he is concerned.
As the woman with him speaks, you pick up on that same concern, but she also has a spark of power hiding behind her elderly features. ”As long as you can show reverence to a place such as this, we can hear you out. Why are you seeking Thousand Bones?”
The doctor agrees with Behset and adds that the group did not enter these lands disrespectfully or lightly and have tried to minimize their impact as much as possible along the way. They will respect the Skull Clan and their traditions but it is imperative the group be allowed to speak with Thousand Bones. Innocent lives hang in the balance.
As the group continues their discussion One-Life sends a runner to fetch Thousand Bones. He then turns and waves the group to follow him towards a small building. You notice that it sticks out in this place as the only permanent structure for the living. Everything else are the cairn stones or tents dotting the area.
Inside the home you are directed towards some mats on the floor around a short wooden table. One-Life sets about heating some water for tea. Not long after this, Thousand Bones arrives
Thousand Bones rubs at his chin while thinking. ”Perhaps the best time to discuss this would be at the Bone Council Fire meeting. There may be others that know much more than I do on this. Let us rest for now. You can stay in one of the unoccupied yurts as my guest.”
Thank you very much. After all the travel some rest would be nice.
Tensei will nod his head.
The doctor's lips tighten into a straight line as she collects herself after her stumble. She straightens herself and takes in a deep breath which she releases slowly in a deep sigh as she brushes off her skirts. "Sometimes we try our hardest to put our best foot forward, but fate has other plans. I sincerely apologize and ask you to allow me to make penance for my transgression. It is important to me that I act in accordance with your laws and traditions. Please hold me accountable as you would one of your own."
One-Life holds up a hand to Hu.
”You are not of these lands and made a mistake. It is not the end of the world. I sense no malice or ill intent, so your acknowledgement is enough.”
After the short meeting with Thousand Bones, a runner guides you to one of the aforementioned yurts to rest before the meeting, which you are informed will take place an hour after sundown.
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Behset would convene with the party to go over how we should approach the elders. Namely how to frame our mission, and any details we should refrain from. Behset is of the mind that clarity and emphasizing the queen's supernatural resilience are the best bet. She also wonders if information about Zellara would help or hinder with the Bone clan.
Outside of this she would work on preparing 2 potions of fire resistance.
As the sun sets and the day starts to cool, you all notice a new group has arrived at the camp. These Shoanti look a bit more intimidating than the members of the bone clan. After only a few minutes of the newcomers being in camp, you hear shouting. Soon after that a tall, muscular Shoanti bursts into the guest yurt you had been using soon followed by One-Life.
The man turns, angrily and asks Chief One-Life, “Why do the Skoan-Quah harbor tshamek trespassers?”
As Chief One-Life struggles to find an explanation that won’t further enrage the towering visitor, Thousand Bones inclines his head as though considering Krojun’s words carefully, but then responds sharply. “Tell me, Krojun, when did the Sklar-Quah become judges of who trespasses upon the Kallow Mounds where the ashes of our fathers lie?”
“Your words change the question, Thousand Bones,” answers the Shoanti hero with a snort. “These ones bring trouble to the Cinderlands, and you know it. The coming days shall reveal to us all who is right about them.”
“Perhaps,” says Thousand Bones. “But not today, and not here. Would you have word that Berak’s burial was tainted by bloodshed get back to your Sun Shaman?”
Krojun pauses, the cords in his neck straining, but then he exhales and grins. “You misunderstand me, Thousand Bones. My grief has wounded my words. But see to it that no tshamek defiles our memories here.” His smile broadens as he pulls a thin leather loop from one of his packs. “Certainly, though, guests of the Skoan-Quah must be brave to come this far. You wouldn’t mind if I tested the courage and strength of your guests, would you?”
Almost immediately in response, Tensei springs to his feet, his eyes flicking from one person to the next, until they settle on the big Shoanti.
One-Life raises a hand and after some intense glaring, the big man steps out of the yurt.
The chief explains, ”That is Krojun. He is one of the more formidable Shoanti on the battlefield. He has good intentions when it comes to our people, but he sees the rest of the world as a grim place that hates us. So he hates it right back. The bit of leather, it is for a test of strength. It is not to be taken lightly as it can cause serious injury if you are ill prepared
Tensei listens and nods. ”Don’t care. I’m doing it”
One-Life lays out the rules for how the testing is performed, and gives a slight shrug when Tensei seems to still be ready to go.
The Doctor places a hand on Tensei's arm and looks into his eyes. In a calming tone she says, "Men like that won't have their prejudice swayed easily. We still must depart this place and travel across lands he and his people know far better than us. Defeating him at his own game may likely bring nothing but further hardships on us. I dont think it wise to take the bait he has laid out in front of us. The only thing you use bait for, is a trap."
Tensei shrugs off the doctors hand, almost too aggressively.
”I’m doing it anyway.”
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Behset will quirk her eyebrow at Tensei Did the sun get to your head on the road? Fun as is to crack skulls, wait to break some un meanin us harm. I get his vitriol towards outsiders, my people long suffer da same. But you'd be determined, take dis. Behset will toss a root bundle to him for +1 saves.
Behset would look over to One Life and ask for clarification on many of the Shaonti words used in that exchange.