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Daeric stays up top with the animals as the group descends into the pit. Hearing Orla’s question, he lays down and pops his head over the edge and speaks down towards them,“Oh, I know this one. It’s a cloak. You put it over your shoulders and you wear it. Keeps you warm and looks cool when you move.” He stands back up to his full height and winks at them, fully thinking he gave a great insight into the item.
He turns around and walks away from the hole, seemingly in another daydream and disappearing from view. Suddenly, the sound of a rapid slapping sound fills the cavernous space and his figure comes zooming across to the other side.
”Whoo!” The sound of his excited cry echoes against the walls and a moment later there’s a rhythmic thumping before Lionel’s form shoots across the expanse as well.
Daeric lays back down and peers over again. ”Come on! Let’s get moving! Toss me the rope!”
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As the cave ceiling gets lower, Liluth climbs down from Fleetfoot and leads her by the reins. When they get to the hole she quietly curses under her breath. "Well, old girl, looks like you'd better head back to the front with the Little Lady." She grabs her essential gear from the saddle bags, adding them to her backpack or belt pouch. She pats Fleetfoot on the rear and the mare trotted back to the mouth of the cave.
"Well, that puts a huge damper on the rest of this..." She mutters as she watches her companion go. Her attention is only pulled when Daeric launches himself across the crater. Slightly jealous that her armor is too heavy for such a feat, Liluth climbs down after the others.
With her limited knowledge in magic or fashion, she doesn't pay much heed to the cloak or the others. She grabs her own length of rope from her bag and tosses one end up to Daeric...
"Brace yourself, and we'll head up!"
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As if answering Bahta's question by action, Liluth quickly climbs down into the pit and digs out a rope.
Once Liluth tosses the rope up and Daeric secures it, the group can easily climb into and out of the pit from either side.
With the cloak in hand, Orla and the others can now trek deeper into the cave.
About 30 feet further into the cave the group finds a plank, 3 foot wide and roughly 12 feet long, that was likely used to cross the pit. Putting it in place would allow for a quick exit and to retrieve both ropes.
The tunnels continue on, leading deeper beneath the Kortos Mounts until they eventually open into a large cavern. What must have once been beautifully carved reliefs and inscriptions have since weathered heavily, their features dulled and softened to the point that it is hard to distinguish what each once depicted. A wide tunnel exits the cavern on its far side, and blue-burning torches line the passageway’s walls.
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In response to Daeric's words about the cloak, Orla looks up and gives him a bright smile and says, "Thanks, Daeric! That was very helpful!" and gives him a big smile.
After the druid and lion leap over the pit and help the rest of the group climb up, they come across some carvings and inscriptions. Orla moves up to inspect them hoping to benefit the group by adding some helpful insight to their mission.
She pulls out her journal and begins noting what she has found as she speaks about it out loud to any of her party members who might be listening. There's a great joy in her voice as she is pleased that she contributed.
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Liluth grabs one end of the plank and doubles back to the pit. She carefully slides it across the gap, allowing it to overlap enough on each side that it’ll be secure. She grabs both ropes and coils them back up.
She tosses Everon’s back to him. Curious about what she’s doing, Liluth then leans down to peer over Orla’s shoulder.
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The group has little trouble in making all four of the petroglyphs that remain intact. They all seem to depict parts of the History and Future of Humanity, they holy text of Aroden. They appear to be the various 12 guises Aroden took and represent his hopes for humanity.
Orla finds first The Artist, the petroglyph depicts the man painting murals on the walls of impressive buildings, much like Aroden did for the city of Absalom.
Next to that one, she also recognizes The Beggar, Aroden took this guise kneeling with an alms bowl held high. He espoused the humility as to never forget the humanity he shared with all.
Jezebel sees glyphs depicting The Merchant weighing and trading coins of different sizes, Aroden believed that peace would bring trade and prosperity to the people.
And Everon, checking out another portion of the room, spots the guise of The Tailor. The long cloth he is sewing together contains many colors and patterns, as it wraps around the city like a moat. Aroden proclaimed that when the fate of all peoples is woven together, it shall be humanity's greatest strength.
It seems clear this cave holds some importance to the followers of Aroden and may have been from many years ago.
As the group discusses their findings, Everon peeks down the tunnel leading further in. Illuminated by the soft light and flickering glow of fungus and ever-burning torches, the cave opens up into a grand cavern. 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. 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.
Kneeling at the foot of the pool is the silhouette of a figure, a gillman. He doesn't seem to have noticed the group just yet.
Looking to the sides, two tunnels branch off in different directions on the sides of the pool.
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Bahta had little difficulty following the group up from the pit. Once he was up he clicked his tongue twice. In a matters of moments Beke, who was resolutely guarding the rear of the group, silently leapt across the pit to Bahta's side. Bahta placed his hand on Beke's neck once she rejoined him.
Bahta studied the petroglyphs and joined in with the historians of the group.
"He was the immortal Azlanti that initially raised the Starstone from the bottom of the Inner Sea and founded Absalom. So it is no surprise that there would be carvings of his works on the Kortos Isles."
History in general wasn't really a specialty of his, but religious history certainly was. The prospect of learning more about the gods outside of the Mwangi Expanse was quite exciting.
"Oh, Gozreh. How fascinating." Muttered Bahta to Beke.
Bahta eventually followed Everon's gaze and noticed the gillman.
"Perhaps he will instruct us in the religious icons here and explain their purpose? He also may know the owner of this 'cloak?' I could approach him as a fellow pilgrim."
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Orla notices Liluth looking over her shoulder and happily points out what she found in the cave art. She finishes her writing in her journal as she does so and wraps up with, "Explore, report, cooperate!" and gives Liluth a big smile.
As the group moves forward, Orla is fascinated when they spy the Gillman. She nods as Bahta is speaking and says, "I agree, Bahta, we should go talk to the pilgrim Gillman. If we're supposed to find out why they're coming to the caves, I'll bet he could tell us. I'm really good with people. I could talk to him too," she says with a big smile , "it's always best to use teamwork!" and she takes Bahta's hand and starts moving forward toward the Gillman.
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"I agree, I think we should try a peaceful approach with that gillman," Everon says in a low voice, "but are we sure he understands Taldane?" The half-elf stops for a moment, then resumes speaking "I would not like to approach him, say something that he misunderstands, and ruin a possible cooperation with him.".
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"If there's any misunderstanding, Eve, I'll stand by to skewer him. I wonder if Gillman cooks well over an open fire?" She pats her stomach for emphasis. She keeps her voice quiet, and hangs further back in case her noisy armour would alert the humanoid. These actions imply she respects the group more than she leads on.
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Bahta balked for a moment at Liluth's comment, but then tried to stifle his laughter. "Hah, people out here have such curious jokes!"
As Bahta snickered Beke quietly stepped in front of Daeric and clicked her tongue while eyeing the Gillman.
"Good point, Beke. Daeric, please do not jump into his pool. It may hold some religious significance to him and we don't to have to 'eat' our new friend! Because it would be bad! Right?" Bahta looked at Liluth hoping he got the joke correct.
"Why don't we approach him as three? He may be upset if we all walk right up. Might I suggest Orla, Everon and myself - with you staying with Daeric, Beke. Just in case...?"
Bahta motioned for Everon and Orla to join him in introducing themselves to the Gillman.
Greetings, friend and great gilled one who watches the pool!" Bahta spoke clearly, directly and with a deep and respectful bow towards the Gillman.
"Did you perchance lose your cloak that my companion recovered upon entering this holy place?" Bahta motioned toward the cloth in Orla's arm. "I am Bahta, orphaned of the Mwangi Expanse, and pilgrim of Gozreh. I wish to learn of Aroden and this holy place. These are my companions and reverent historians: Orla and Everon."
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The gillman felt the footsteps approaching him, and turned around as Bahta began to speak. He watches in silence, is eyes flitting to the cloak then back to Bahta. The gillman nods, reaching for the cloak, but otherwise does not speak.
Everon and Bahta both notice the robe the gillman is wearing looks very similar to the cloak they found.
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"We didn't come here with aggressive intentions. We are Pathfinders, scholars first of all, and our association has been intrigued by your visits to this cave."
The half-elf waits for a moment, then starts talking again, "We found this cloak here in the cave, we'll be happy to give it back." Everon gives Orla a little push, to get her to give the cape to the gillman.
"Can you understand us? We would need information about this place, if you would be kind enough to provide us with some we would be very grateful."
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"Hello, friend!" Orla says, looking up at the Gillman with a smile, "We're sorry if we interrupted your praying. We're Pathfinders, like Everon said, and we like learning new stuff and helping people," and she lifts up the cloak, "so if this is yours I'm glad we were able to recover it. It seems really special!" She then adds, "What's your name, friend?"
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With the cape and kind words offered to him, he breaks his silence.
"My name is Uori. If you talk slowly I can read your lips. This site is a sacred place for the gillmen, once sacred to Aroden before his death his presence is fading alongside those carvings." he says speaking with some difficulty, the group can assume Uori is deaf.
He looks troubled as he takes the cloak.
"This cave is becoming dangerous even for us pilgrims. A friend once lost his cloak in the pit at the entrance...and now monsters have started to invade the neighboring tunnels. I fear completing or showing you the rituals, for it may draw the monsters closer and they may destroy this
place." he says gesturing to the two tunnels the group spotted, his look of worry causing his brow to furrow.
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Bahta was deeply troubled that this fellow pilgrim feared his ability to safely complete his holy rituals.
"Dear, friend. We are not simply seekers of knowledge, but associates of the Pathfinder Society. I do not know what monsters you fear, but if one of them was a great minotaur he has been slain. It would be our honor to escort you throughout these tunnels and to witness your holy tasks."
Bahta spoke clearly and loudly and afterwards held out his left hand in a gesture that originated from his homeland and was meant to impart solidarity - though doubtful anyone present understood it.
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As the Gillman speaks of his friend being attacked and the dangers of monsters in the tunnels, Orla lets out an, "Oh, you poor man!" and reaches up to take his hand reassuringly. As Bahta and Liluth give an indication of a willingness to help deal with the monsters, Orla nods enthusiastically and adds, "Yes, we'd be happy to help! You stay here and keep doing your rituals in peace and we'll take care of all the threats and maybe afterwards we can have a nice, long conversation about what life is like for Gillmen and Gill---women? And your community and stuff. Ooo, maybe we could chat over tea. Do you like tea?" and suddenly, it seems like another thought occurs to her and she digs into her belt pouch for her small journal and a pencil and then asks, "So, how do you spell your name? I want to make sure I get it right for my report," and she gives him a big smile.
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"Some undead have holed up in one of the nearby tunnels...the have dragged things down there but I have been able to stay away from them. The other tunnels lead further in...I hear chattering in languages I do not understand." he says giving any information he has, answering the question of Liluth.
He tries to keep up with Orla as she speaks but he struggles to keep up, "Tea is okay. U-O-R-I." he says nodding along as she speaks enthusiastically.
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As the group heads into the tunnel, they begin to hear the unnatural moans of some type of creature. They are likely just through the next tunnel.
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The group starts to rush into the adjoining tunnel as Orla prepares a spell.
Inside the tunnel Jezebel and Daeric quickly spot 3 lumbering undead creatures, they look quite similar to the gillman they met earlier.
These creatures are zombies, their rotting flesh are resistant to damage from all weapons except for those that deal slashing damage.
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"I would recognize that sound anywhere. These zombies and their rot are resistant to most weapons. We should use slashing weapons to tear into them."
With that Bahta readied an arrow for when one of them lumbered into view.
While he strings his arrow he clicks his tongue loudly and motions toward Liluth instructing Beke to assist her and attack her target.
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The zombies lumber into action as the rest of the Pathfinders funnel into the chamber, however a volley of spells and arrows begin to appear.
Everon sends one arrow into green-oozing undead but it seems to be unaffected.
However, the chains summoned by Orla...prove effective, tearing away rotten flesh leaving bone.
Bahta's arrow can't strike a target due to his caution avoiding allies, but his companion rushes in and tears chunks out of the zombie in orange rags.
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The first zombie fruitlessly swings its arms as the raptor dodges out of the way.
The second however, threatens to break bones as the rotting arms crash down on the shoulder of Jezebel
The third proves to be as slow as the first.
Lionel dashes around Daeric and starts trying to claw the same zombie's back.
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"OWWW! THAT DOES IT!" Bellows Jezebel, sounding both angry and...satisfied?...as she whips around on one of the zombies, her already-formidable body further enlarging in several dimensions, and beginning to gleam with random flickers and flashes of unearthly light and colour...
...only to trip over a half-buried skull.
Bahta-bot, unable to get a good shot on the zombies, begins to channel his divine connection with Gozreh.
Beke-bot, without orders from his master, continues attempting to take down the zombie Liluth first attacked.
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Seeing his previous effort not able to badly damage the undead, Everon-bot steps up and pulls out his dagger, tossing it towards the purple skinned creature.
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Jezebel struggles with her confused reaction to the attacks and her increased size, missing her attack.
Bahta begins chanting a spell while Beke tears into the orange garbed zombie, flinging various limbs around the cavern in a frenzy.
Everon masterfully throws his dagger between Liluth and Lionel, slicing cleanly through the neck of the zombie. It's head rolls to the side before collapsing.
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The green-pus covered zombie continues to assault Jezebel...
...striking another blow that causes her to begin to waver.
Lionel jukes around Everon and attempts to bite down on a limb of the remaining zombie and distract it from Jezebel.