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Alleli grabs ahold of the key. As soon as she touches the key however, disaster strikes. She falls to the ground unconscious and her skin begins to wither visibly.
The Oatia are deeply dismayed by Alleli’s sudden affliction. Another taller elf pushes through the crowd by te name of Jenthiel. Jenthiel quickly turns on you. "What did you do to her?" His face scowls before Onye.
"Onye Dinta did not do anything to the esteemed elder. Onye Dinta would not do anything to the esteemed elder. Onye Dinta is a guest," he protests sincerely. "The key is an artifact that the tribe does not understand. The esteemed elder wanted to understand the key. Onye Dinta will help to undo the harm to the esteemed elder in any way."
Ezgara pulls bis hair, and rubs his blind eye frantically. Can it be? Can it be? The Obnubilate? Their last trick, make us asymptomatic carriers of the pestilential key?
The elf killing curse! We should have known!
"We're sorry, there is much we don't understand about the key. If it has harmed her in some way, we will find a way to make things right."
Odioki gives a concerned look to Ezgara, hoping for some sign of good news to bolster his claim of good will.
Daehalya looks horrified as Alleli falls and she comes to the same awful conclusion as the others did. She watches -- trying to keep her usual cool -- as Ezgara tries to help her.
"Odioki is correct. We didn't know this would happen!"
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Ezgara immediately recognizes this as signs of the obnubilate curse, though no manner of healing seems to be helping.
Your words seem to calm the elves down a bit, though they still have great concern for Alleli. As healers attempt to treat Alleli, Jenthiel recognizes something. "This curse and keey contain a psychic imprint I recognize."
“I’ve experienced this psychic signature only once before,” Jenthiel says. “My mother, Iskariel, revealed it to me so that I would recognize it again if such a time should come. It is the imprint of Osoyo, the Blackfrost Whale."
Jenthiel elaborates in a solemn, rasping tone. “My mother was a renowned healer, and also part of a secret society—a fellowship tasked with remembering the campaign against Osoyo. Of this being, I know almost nothing, except that it was a grave threat, a danger so terrible that even the mere legend of it was passed down to only a few worthy scholars.”
"I am sure Osoyo is somehow bound up in that key's curse and knowledge of this could be vital in both curing Allelo's ailment before it is too late as well as getting you home."
As the other scholars nod in agreement, Jenthiel explains. "Our only option is to send someone to go and find Iskariel and retrieve the information about Osoyo."
Daehalya looks on, surprised to hear of the interstellar origins of the obnubilate curse, which she thought was the work of Kaneepo.
"We are responsible -- if unintentionally so -- for what's happened here," she says. "I will certainly do what I can to help. But you say we need to find your mother? Do you not know where she is?"
"Could Osoyo be Kaneepo by another nae?" Odioki wonders out loud.
Odioki nods in agreement with Daehalya.
"I'm sure we're all more than willing to search for Iskariel, but do you have any information to go on?"
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Jenthiel frowns. "One small problem. My Mother has been dead for a hundred years now. But..." He seems to get a thought. "Loskialua’s location isn’t a coincidence, nor solely related to watching the stars. Previous civilizations have come and gone in these mountains, and deep beneath Loskialua’s streets lies an ancient, sacred site—a place where great scholars of the past were laid to rest. In this grove, the memories of the best and brightest are preserved and watched over by guardians known as caulborn, who use their unique powers to keep the interred knowledge from fading. We call this place the Memory Cache."
"But the route down to the grove is dangerous enough that we consult the Cache only in times of great need. Go there,” Jenthiel intones. “Find the Gardeners, who tend that place. They will help you find Iskariel and retrieve the knowledge we need."
Daehalya nods. "Can you tell us anymore about the dangers we might face?"
"Instruct the tribe in the way. Onye Dinta will defend the tribe from the dangers," he asserts confidently.
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Jenthiel seems less excited. "This isn't a fun case. There is a life involved."
As you are ready, Jenthiel and what seems like half of Loskialua accompany you to the city’s outskirts. Just past the edge of town, huge trees with gnarled branches loom over a wide, circular stone well. The well’s interior is lined with ancient stone steps that spiral down into the darkness of the earth below. "Down below is what you seek in the Memory Cache."
"Onye Dinta will scout ahead," the catfolk says. He draws one of his javelins and crouches low as he slinks along the tunnel.
The shadowy owl flutters silently off of the catfolk's shoulder and roosts near the entrance.
Ezgara casts light.
Daehalya ghosts forward, eyes wide as she searches for the reported dangers.
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Ezgara spell causes a pale radiance to push back the shadows as several unseen insects, rodents, and creatures scurry for safety.
The steps descend 30 feet to a natural stone passageway at the bottom of the well. The passage twists and turns for at least a mile, interspersed with inclines and declines and stairwells before descending down a final circular staircase.
The sky peeks into this sinkhole chamber through a fissure in the ceiling, hundreds of feet above the floor. Narrow streams of water cascade down the walls in a dozen tiny waterfalls, collecting in a pool to the south. Beyond the pool, the ceiling lowers into a smaller cavern that turns a corner and disappears from view.
Onye and Nicholo notice strange creatures hiding among the plants 20' up to the east and west. Their basic shape resembles that of a spidery, spindly frog covered in delicate scales. The head has a simian muzzle, the lips of which pull back to reveal a squid-like beak. Above the mouth, the creature has three pairs of nostrils, which flare and chuff as the creature hunts, though they walk with a bit of a hunch.
Odioki follows carefully behind.
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Jenthiel seems less excited. "This isn't a fun case. There is a life involved.
To which Nicky gives a confident and controlled answer.
See, you misunderstand my words. I can see your reply is filled with worry and fear about Alleli.Nicky waggles his finger.
I have found that Fear is the mind killer. My comments should embolden you. For I am absolutely confident of success. The curse of the key has a solution, and so we *will* find it. There are answers to be had - and this group will get those answers.
Confidence Jenthiel. Confidence in this trip will wipe away fear and doubt!
*******************
Now down at the cave. Nicky whispers
I see something. Possibly enemies. Strange creatures. You want me to try and talk to them?
The amurrun growls softly as he spies the alien reptilians. He begins to creep forward to the other side of the grotto while staying to the shadows.
The owl flies silently from perch to perch along the wall of the grotto as he tries to sneak across.
Seeing that they appear to be at a stalemate, Daehalya steps forward a few feet and calls out in Elven.
"Hello. We don't want any trouble."
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Not wanting Daehalya to be standing there alone, he also steps forward and rotates through a few languages- hoping something will be a familiar word for the creatures.
He pulls out a rolling globe that has intricate blown glass to show lots of color. He then starts using some circus tricks he learned to make the rolling globe slide up his arm, down his side and soft kick it back up to be caught in the crook of his neck.
We are
peaceful
and curious delvers
into the darkness
and just want to move through your territory without trouble
Nicky is looking to do fascinating performance. he also has the group impression skill which can work against up to 4 targets.
I don't know if Theatre lore is helping. I have a +8 in that.
The rolling globe must have gotten a light spell cast inside it, or some bioluminescent rubbed off from the cloak of gnawing leaves, because the globe has a beautiful glow to it, accenting the myriad of colors in just such a way as to kaleidoscopic.
The catfolk bides his time, hidden in the foliage.
HP 36/36
AC 20 (+1 vs. traps), deny advantage
Fort +6, Ref +10, Will +7 (+1 vs. traps)
Effects: tale spun (+1 status bonus to attack rolls and saving throws against the villain)?
Remembering what happened other times she's rushed in, Daehalya carefully enters the cave, staff raised. She readies to strike the first of these creatures that approaches her.
The catfolk slinks along the edge of the cave while Nicholo distracts the creatures with his glass ball.
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Daehalya doesn't recognize the creatures either but Nicholo notices something odd. The creatures seem to be sticking quite close to the water. They seem to be using the water to cool their bodies and hide their heat signatures.
──────────
BOLD IS UP!:
──────────
➤ Daehalya
➤ Onye
⠀⠀➤ Uhu
➤ Nicholo
Immolis (Red 1)
Immolis (Green 2)
➤ Ezgara
➤ Odioki
Then burn them! Do you hear? Burn them.
Ezgara double moves in and raises his shield.
HP 36/36
AC 20 (+1 vs. traps), deny advantage
Fort +6, Ref +10, Will +7 (+1 vs. traps)
Effects:
With no way to get to them -- or burn them -- Daehalya keeps a firm grasp on her staff and prepares to punish the first of these things that get close.
Odioki moves into the cave and tries to understand the creatures' weaknesses.
"Not very pretty, are they?"
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Ezgara moves in raising his shield as Odioki slowly follows trying to fid a weakness. Odioki doesn't have a clue what sort of weakness they would have and so he experiments. With how close they are to water they may have a fear of fire.
Daehalya moves in closer, ready for if they break free from the fascination.
──────────
BOLD IS UP!:
──────────
Daehalya
➤ Onye
⠀⠀➤ Uhu
➤ Nicholo
Immolis (Red 1)
Immolis (Green 2)
Ezgara
Odioki
"Quick! While the spider apes are distracted," the catfolk hisses as he breaks from the cover of the grotto wall and moves toward the water. He leaps onto a small island and then leaps to the other side.
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Nicky advances further, getting to the water and checking how deep it is.
He even moves a bit inside the water as long as it's not above his knees.
He takes a look at the water. All the while keeping the glowing ball rolling along his shoulders and arms. Doing various tricks that almost look to defy gravity. Attempting to stay within fascinating sight of the two creatures until the rest of the crew is across the water.
◆ Interact - Glow ball/circus performance
◆ Stride
◆ Perception
Exactly what Onye said! Let's get a move on through the cavern. I think the water is shallow, but I'm checking it now.
He does think the following as he extends out with his mind to his cloak.
Hey living drapes, I'm near some water, you may want to take a drink while you have the chance.
to which the cloak replies in his mind.
About time! You've been ignoring my needs, I was gonna bite you sooner than later to remind you to buck up and take care of your gear. And when are you gonna quit juggling and get us deeper into this cave to the real danger?
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Completely fascinated by the glowing orb the creatures scatter for safety, leaving the cave away from the perceived flaming orbs. Though you still sense them watching from high up in the darkness well out of reach the aliens don't seem to bother you further.
One by one you leap across the water from the stone Onye is standing on to reach the other side.
The walls of this natural stone cavern have been carved into dozens of bas-relief statues. Many are familiar humanoids wearing robes and carrying books or staves, but others are insectile, reptilian, rodential, or completely unrecognizable.
Daehalya notices a magical trap as magical sensors hidden within four of the carvings’ eyes are set to overwhelm the minds of intelligent creatures.
"Does Nicholo have the tools to unmake the magical warding?" the catfolk asks.
"Hmm, I might also be able to steel my mind against it, but who knows. Anyone else?"
"Well done, Nicholo," Daehalya congratulates her companion, as he's able to get them past the monkey spider-things. She eyes up the trap she noticed.
"I can try to scratch out the eyes," she whispers.
"Great, I'll watch your back."
Odioki draws and loads his hand cannon.
Daehalya sets to carefully trying to scratch out the eyes.
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A few of you stand back as Daehalya enters the chamber and begins working on the first sensor.
Daehalya's hand slips and the sensors sense a presence within the chamber and begins to fill all of your minds with shameful memories.
──────────
BOLD IS UP!:
──────────
➤ Daehalya
➤ Onye
⠀⠀➤ Uhu
➤ Nicholo
Scholar's Trap
Ezgara
Odioki
Daehalya frowns, biting back the curse that she wouldn't want to utter aloud. Flaming tropics!
She continues to work on the trap, hoping to disable it as quickly as possible. When she realizes that it seems to be beyond her, she retreats briefly, to give others a chance to work.