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Lionel, Bahta, and Beke all finish tearing the last zombie apart.
With the threat dealt with, the group is able to search the room thoroughly. The ground is littered with broken glass, rotting pieces of paper, and other detritus. Another non-animated corpse is face down among the debris and zombie parts. Turning it over the group realizes it is a dhampir and likely the necromancer that was raising these undead, before he lost control of them.
Searching the body you find a note detailing a desire to create an army from the dead "fish people". They also find a quiver containing 20 +1 arrows and a +1 light crossbow.
Everon also finds a concealed tunnel, back towards the entrance to Kortos Mount, likely the one used by the dhampir to sneak into this chamber.
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Heading across the gillmen's holy site to the other tunnel, you begin your search for the other creatures. The tunnels here are illuminated with more bio-luminescent fungus as they narrow forcing the group to enter single file. Smaller tunnels branch off but lead to dead ends or become to small for the group to continue.
After about 20 minutes of travel, the tunnels broaden to reveal a shallow river that bisects an immense tunnel stretching to the north and south. To the east a small passage exits the chamber at a steep incline.
The group hears chatter in another language as they peak out of the tunnel.
"Gots to secure the tunnel! True-dragons tribe need a safe spot for their treasure!"
"Yeah yeah yeah...it looks safe. I want to rest. Chieftain doesn't need to know!"
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Bahta quietly peers into the larger room.
"I could easily fire the first arrow from this opening, but sneaking into close range would probably be futile."
Bahta strings an arrow into his longbow and clicks softly for Beke to ready herself.
"I will await the call from one of our more front line companions."
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As they move into position to begin their attacks, Bahta and Orla both notice what looks like a trap on part of the riverbank.
The kobold wearing red feathers yips in surprise as it is blinded by a beam of moonlight.
"Yeeah, we are being attacked! I can't see!"
These poor kobolds stand little chance against a large party of adventurers, the two arrows and claws of Beke are enough to drop the first one to the ground.
Lionel, not far behind, leaps over Daeric’s head at his command and lands deftly on the other side; immediately bounding up to the last enemy for a vicious bite.
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Seeing what the opposition amounts to, Jezebel is forced to wonder which is actually more pathetic: Trying to fight these little wretches and bolloxing up again, or simply the act of trying to fight them at all?
Liluth heaves up her lance and runs through the shallow river to the other side, sliding to a stop against the far cavern wall.
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The pathetic kobold, terrified and blind to the arrow, falls backwards with a yelp. Both kobolds dispatched and soon to be dead, the group has cleared both tunnels as far as they can see. Now able to return to Uori.
---
The gillman sees them coming back from the second tunnel, some wet but healthy, and smiles.
"You have dealt with the monsters, Aroden bless you! Come have a seat and let me return the favor by telling you of this place. We gillmen make pilgrimages here to pay our respects to Aroden by enacting rituals that symbolize the 12 Guises of Aroden. The one's you have seen in the earlier chambers." he says point back towards the cavern you originally entered from. He looks saddened for a moment...
"Unfortunately many of the guises have been worn away by time but we perform the ones still present, perhaps that is what he wanted. The Artist, The Beggar, The Merchant, and the Tailor are all we have. We each fulfill the ritual in our own way but as this is your first pilgrimage to this site...let me help you." he says leading the group towards the city in the water.
He motions towards the various buildings in the city and to various colored pebbles strewn about the pool.
"Aroden painted the city in beautiful colors, perhaps one of you can do the same?" he asks before moving on.
"He also espoused humility as the beggar. Are there any among you that can humble themselves before the pool?" he asks walking to the front of the pool and continuing to the other side.
Here there are a multitude of coins from various nations stacked about the trade district of the city model. "Remember the merchant carried scales to ensure an even trade for peace brings prosperity. Will you partake?"
"Lastly, we are all woven together like a cloth enfolding the city. Perhaps we can emulate that." he says holding up the cloak of his fallen friend.
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As soon as the group returns to Uori, Orla busies herself getting a small fire going and sets forth making some tea. Glamourstan imitates her voice to try to embarrass her, but since the deaf Gillman can't hear him, he quickly grows bored.
With the tea finished, Orla brings a cup to Uori and shortly after, as the Gillman finishes his explanation of the rituals, she chimes in excitedly, "I can do the humility one!" then realizing that the excitement probably didn't match the tone of the ritual, says more somberly, "I can do the humility one."
And with that, she goes over and sits at the edge of the water with her burned hands held out before her and says, "I am small, I am weak, and my hands are burned. There is much I cannot do. I try the best with what I have, but I fully accept that I am limited," and as she speaks, a single tear runs down her cheek. She wipes it and then gets up and walks, shoulders slumped back towards the entrance of the cave saying, "I'm (sniff) I'm just gonna check (sniff) if Janira is coming in," and she moves, somewhat cautiously, towards the entrance.
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"What the hell? I'm no tailor, but..."
Jezebel takes out a piece of chalk, and draws a mural on one of the broader building faces of the diorama.
I'ts pretty good, actually. In fact, considering her choice of subject matter, perhaps it's too good....
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"Why the drunkard can also be quite the artist...skillfully done." Uori says, surprised by the art of choice and averting his gaze quickly after examining it. Once Jezebel finishes her piece of art the rest of the city shows carvings, swirls of color, and more appearing on the walls.
"You are already showing such promise as pilgrims, you connection to working the rituals is wonderful."
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Bahta approached Uori and respectfully asked for the cloak.
He made a few rolls of the cloak and tied one clean knot. The result appeared to be a circle.
"I have little experience with sewing and cutting, but I have seen and made many shrines and tokens from the bounty of the woods."
With that Bahta draped the cloak around his shoulder and pulled out 6 arrows.
As he approached the pool he began to carefully break the arrows and place them around the heart of the city in what appeared to be strategic locations. As he worked he chanted in Polyglot words that clearly had a deep religious significance. Beke would periodically enter the chant with various noises - they worked in well versed unison - a clear indication of the union of man with nature.
Once the 'pillars' were in place Bahta began to weave the cloak around them. It wasn't perfect, and it wasn't enough cloth to surround the entire city, but the end result was a bound cloak in the shape of an eye - the symbol of Aroden - with the model of the Starstone Cathedral at the center.
"We are never alone. When we are bound together in unison around a central cause we are a mighty force capable of great deeds."
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As the final words of Bahta fall upon the city, the cloak takes on a golden shine with magic forming an eye for a moment.
Uori gasps as the ritual completes.
He turns to Bahta and gives him a silent "Thank you." as he manages to complete the final ritual and honor his fallen friend at the same time.
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With all four rituals complete, Uori sits down answering any other questions the group has. Orla finds Janira entering the cave, bringing her to the group.
"My my. It seems you have been busier than I was outside. These murals and this model of the city is incredible." she says marveling at them before addressing the group.
"So this is Uori. It is a pleasure to meet you, I hope my young Pathfinders were able to assist you. We look forward to speaking with you and your kin again, you are always welcome in the Grand Lodge and we would love you have you as our guests." she says speaking with the gillman.
As they finish their conversations and get ready to part ways, "It is time we headed back. We have explored and cooperated but now we have to report!"
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Liluth finds Fleetfoot safely waiting outside, nibbling on grass. The travel back to the Grand Lodge is peaceful and quick. The arrive early the next day to find the waiting Master of Scrolls Kreighton Shaine waiting in his office.
"Ah the young Pathfinders are back! Would you like to share what you experienced on your adventure and any notes you have taken?" he asks the Pathfinders as he motions towards the many seats in front of his desk.
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Orla pulls out her journal, which Glamoustan quickly knocks out of her hands. She then quietly picks the small book back up and begins showing janira the notes that she's taken and even adds a few notes in the margins as she speaks and doodles in the Arodian engravings they'd seen as well as a rudimentary image of Uori.
After she finishes discussing the journal and adding those last couple of notes, she gives Janira a big hug and says, "And I learned from you exactly the sort of Pathfinder I want to be! One who helps her friends and always puts the group first!"
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"Well, these are the kind of notes I expect from an up and coming Pathfinder. Janira, you did well leading them in their Confirmation." Shaine says looking over the notes. He then invites them to a special ceremony the next day.
When they arrive at the main office of the Grand Lodge the next day, they see the various Masters standing behind elaborately decorated tables.
They call up the Pathfinders one-by-one. They are presented with personal Wayfinders engraved with the Glyph of the Open Road and their names. With one last round of applause, the group is confirmed as true Pathfinder Agents.
"Time to celebrate, have you ever heard of the Wounded Wisp. Great little dive to have a drink and share stories. Come now, first round is on me." Janira exclaims as she ushers them out.