As Tarcog approaches the jawbone, cracks start to form in it.
Tarcog starts cleaning the jaw bone with the holy water. As he does this, he gets a second vial out. The second vial has the same markings on it.
plus 1 good splash normally.
“With all the destruction caused by the rock falling, they probably had a shortage of purified water.”
Although the holy water seems to have some effect, it's nothing compared to the proximity of Tarcog himself.
"It's the beads!"
“Um…” Tarcog looks towards Turiik. “You have the prayer beads.”
“Maybe it is just having more than one of us near it.”
The bone shudders even more, and large tears are forming in it.
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With the jawbone continuing to strain and buckle, Dr. Lazarus struggles to hold it steady. He observes, "It apparently doesn't care to be held."
When Jayma details her thoughts on the pictogram, Dr. Lazarus nods knowingly, "Yes, yes, that's how I had it figured." He didn't have it figured out at all. He prefers to get his information from thick tomes. With actual words. But the explanation seems logical.
As more cracks form, he encourages the group. "Yes, dear colleagues, it seems to be working. Everyone should gather around." As the group nears, the investigator concentrates and grips the jawbone tighter.
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Jayma watches as the jawbone shudders under Thurston's hand and is tempted to help, but her puny arms would be of little use. She looks around and spots Turiik, who seems pretty solidly built. "Turiik dear, maybe you could come over here and help the good doctor hold this thing in place before it flies off."
The widening cracks are beginning to alarm her. She has flash-backs to the exploding zombies and wonders if perhaps putting some space between herself and the jawbone might not be a very good idea right now. But, no. Clearly the jawbone was being affected by their proximity and she could not abandon her friends when they were all so close to completing their mission.
”Maybe it’s the song we heard,” Turiik says as he approaches the bone.
Dr. Lazarus maintains a vise-like grip on the bone. Everyone approaches, and as that happens reverberations shudder up and down the bone until the whole thing crumbles to dust. As it does, the music that has been playing, unresolved, in your bodies suddenly resolves on a major key and the song slowly fades away.
★ ---- ★ ---- ★ ---- ★
As you return back to the surface, Abidaro rushes to find you. "They've awoken! They've awoken!" The formerly comatose monks, still covered in sweat, are sitting up in their cots. They look woozy, but triumphant.
Tono whispers, "I had a vision of Yllado wrestling with the demon Nolimarthos. Nolimarthos kept singing this horrible song, the song of making and unmaking... In my vision, it was unmaking me..." He shudders. "What happened?"
“That looks like it worked. Good!”
He looks around and then says “We need to note the runes and pictures here. It is a part of history, we would be remisss if we didn’t bring it back with us!”
Tarcog does his best to copy down what he can.
Tarcog is glad that the two monks have recovered.
“Dr. Lazarus wrestled it! His grip was firm and it crumbled in his hands!”
“Oh, and the land shark experienced just what an Amvolwatt and I are. Shocked it!”
Tono whispers, "I had a vision of Yllado wrestling with the demon Nolimarthos. Nolimarthos kept singing this horrible song, the song of making and unmaking... In my vision, it was unmaking me..." He shudders. "What happened?"
"The Professor hugged a giant bone to death. I guess that fixed everything." Meadow shrugs.
“Oh, and the land shark experienced just what an Amvolwatt and I are. Shocked it!”
"Ha! That's right! That bulette sure won't be rushin' any halflings anytime soon."
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As the jawbone crumbles, Dr. Lazarus says somewhat defensively, "Rest assured, I did not destroy the relic. It crumbled as everyone approached." He rubs his hands together to remove any dust.
When Tarcog discusses copying the pictures, Dr. Lazarus pulls out his writing pad. "Absolutely right, dear boy. We would be remiss if we didn't preserve this unique history."
He muses aloud, "I daresay there's enough here to warrant a chapter in a soon-to-be-published new book, Melodic and Demonic: A Study in Civilizations, Vol II." The Doctor boasts, "Naturally, I know the author. Quite well in fact. A fellow professor at the University of Osirion. I'm happy to make introductions." He looks around to make a mental note of any takers ... and shrugs when there's surprisingly no interest.
Back at the surface, Dr. Lazarus scans the awakened monks and pushes forward, "Make way. Doctor coming through! Who needs medical attention?" He unpacks his tools and instructs any injured parties to form an orderly line ... conveniently near him.
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As the jawbone's antics increase, Jayma cringes in anticipation of some sort of magical explosion that will kill them all. When instead it crumbles to dust under its own reverberations, she lets out a sigh of relief. "That wasn't so hard. I wonder why Yllaldo didn't give that a try."
When they rejoin the other monks and Tono names the demon, Jayma nods. "Ah, so now we have a name for the creature: Nolimarthos. Well, good riddance to it."
Jayma closes her eyes and scans her body. She's pleased to find that the changes wrought to it by the demon's singing jaw are no longer present. She then pulls Twyl out of his hidey-hole in her sleeve and confirms that he too is back to normal. She strokes and scratches Twyl under the chin. "There, there, little one. Everything's back to normal. Nothing to worry about anymore." Twyl, a little bleary-eyed from his long nap, looks about unconcerned.
With the monks who sealed the way, Avidaro, Xiomena, Tono and Dai, you make your way back to the ward. It's a very different place than you saw before. Numerous monks are beginning to recover, stand, and Elena and a few of the younger ones are running outside in the courtyard. Edibaro turns to you, at first with a smile of delight, and then his face falls. "Fabio, Colel, Batz... Did they...?"
At a solemn nod from Abidaro and Xiomena, the old man closes his eyes. "I see... We must honor their memory at dinner tonight." He turns to all of you. "Please, will you stay for dinner tonight, or will you be leaving on a bridge of dreams like the one who came before?"
“Dinner sounds like a good idea! Tarcog immediately responds.
Amvolwatt nods his agreement. “What is for dinner?”
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"I wonder if Yllado imbued us with a portion of his spirit in order to finally destroy the last of the demon," Turiik ponders when Tono talks of his dream.
Later, when the talk of staying for dinner comes, his eyes flash black only a moment. He murmurs something noncommittal about staying. "They are straining to keep the link open, though."
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Jayma puts on a slightly sad smile; a mix of happiness at everyone's release from the jawbones malignant influence and sorrow at the loss of the monks. She looks at her colleagues inquiringly. "I think we can stay for dinner before we return, no? It isn't every day that we find ourselves in Arcadia, and I must admit to having worked up a bit of an appetite." The thought of returning to camp and having to eat tasteless camp rations, does not appeal to her.
When Turiik mentions the strain of keeping the link open, Tarcog says “I thought the problem was keeping others from being sent. Once we were sent, it sounded like Tess only had to carry part of the book.”
He looks unsure, admitting “I didn’t understand some of what she was describing, but I think once we took the bridge the load on Tess was less.”
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With the monks in stable condition, Dr. Lazarus stows his healing supplies. When talk returns to the book and the way home, the Doctor points out, "I have our little friend safely tucked away here." He indicates his book bag, but doesn't retrieve the unique tome yet.
The Doctor rubs his chin and suggests, "I imagine our somewhat sentient book will help with our return trip. When we're ready of course. For instance, after a well-deserved meal." He prepares to join the group for dinner before their return.
Swiveling their head to look at Edibaro, Amvolwatt says “Speaking which, what is for dinner?” He licks his lips in anticipation.
Turiik shrugs. "It is beyond me."
Meadow grins. "A dinner party! I...oh." She quickly becomes somber when she remembers the occasion.
The monks provide you a simple meal of warm tamales, fresh vegetables, a salad from the garden and a tomatillo soup. All the monks spend time chatting with you, hearing your stories, and telling you stories in return of the friends whom they lost. You hear about Fabio's enthusiasm and new ideas, Colel's patience and Batz's grumpy commentary on everything. The monks share not just their tears, but also their funniest stories of their friends. The monks spend time learning where you are from before they gather once again to see you on your way. You gather in the courtyard and Dr. Lazarus pulls the book out of its velvet pouch. It's time to go home.
The book opens once more.
And so another chapter closes. Xopatl has always struck me with a sense of wonder, its ancient, long-lost magic casually defying what we thought possible. The archivists who followed me not only solved the issue of the deviant abilities that arose periodically in Xopatl, they also closed the cycle on a legend. Fascinating to learn that the battle between Yllado and Nolimarthos had it seeds in history... Of course, the question arises, why did Yllado wait so long to destroy the jawbone of a demon, the jawbone that kept alive the dangerous Song of Making and Unmaking?
I have but a theory. What if Yllado could not destroy the relic until it had slowly leached its power into generations of Arcadians? What if the slow rate of power breakthroughs was not the result of improper sealing, but an intentional slow leak to keep weakening the relic until it could be broken?
Perhaps we will never know.
-- K.H.W.
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You awake, once more, in Eando Kline's pavilion. Eando Kline is there, sitting in a chair and waiting for you. "You're back! Did it go well?"
“It was a complete success! We destroyed the item linked to a demon that was causing the problems.” Tarcog proudly exclaims.
He then summons Amvolwatt back into existence.
Looking to Tess, he says “Do you need help? Someone to escort you to your tent?”
Amvolwatt goes over and gently nudges the duskwalker with his snout.
“Send someone we don’t like to wake you when it is time. Got it!” Tarcog says.
Hopefully is he joking.
Tarcog and Amvolwatt escort Tess to her sleeping area and then tell the cook and whomever they think is in charge of running the camp not to wake her.
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To earn a little extra cash between missions, Jayma takes on jobs tracing the ancestry of local wealthy merchants who are hoping to find noble antecedents to lord over their rivals.
A regular success for a Master at Level 7 should be good for 2.5gp * 4 days = 10gp.
Turiik stays near the Inspiriting Wellspring after their mission through the story in the book. While he spends most of his time in closeted discussion with more learned members of the Vigilant Seal and on rare occasions with Eando Kline, he also tries his hand at working with the unfamiliar plants of Thuvia.
...the results are far from palatable. Or reliably effective.
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Upon his return, Dr. Lazarus strokes the spine of his precious cargo. He says, "I shall miss you, dear friend," and, somewhat reluctantly, returns the book to Tess.
When things quiet down, the Doctor looks to the group. "I think I'll venture to the seaside to do some shopping. Anyone care to join me? I've heard exiting things about Aspenthar's Booksellers."
Meadow and Silence head to Aspenthar for their time off to do some sightseeing. After a tiring day of shopping for a gift for Mrs. Mullinax at the market the pair end up at the docks where they have an unexpected reunion.
"Zaza? Is that you? What are you doing here in Aspenthar? Are you on a mission?"
"Woof!" A very large mastiff rounds a corner and rushes up to the young ranger, his tail wagging furiously as he puts his forepaws on Meadow's shoulders and licks her face affectionately.
"Screech" Silence flaps his wings in disapproval.
The half-elf laughs and scratches the dog on the head. "Hey Rufus! I'm glad to see you too, even if Silence isn't."
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"Well, well if it isn't the chicken coop vandals. Fled the country, I see. I'm not sure I should be seen with such notorious felons." She smirks and calls out to the dog in Shoanti. He immediately heads to his mistress's side. "I'm not here on a mission. At least not one for the Society. The Starwatch has me on loan to the Aspenthar authorities. I'm investigating a smuggling ring that's been trading artifacts for pesh. It's not going as well as I had hoped. It seems that some of the watch here might be involved and I'm not certain who to trust. Of course now that you're here...I don't suppose I could borrow you for a couple of days..."
Your four days of leave time are over all too soon. Zendel ushers you all back to Eando Kline's pavilion once more. As you step inside the shaded tent, Eando passes you all cups of cold water. "I'm so glad you came. That book is starting to become restless once again." He points to where Tess is lightly striking the spine of the book. "Are you ready to travel once more?"
“Sure! Was fun last time and we went to a place I had never heard of.”
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Jayma had spent her rest days sitting around the oasis working on genealogical research for several of her clients back home. It was pleasant enough, but she was beginning to get bored. Had she been back in Absalom, she'd have been out and about town gathering gossip or at the theater practicing her next role, but here in the middle of nowhere, such distractions were not available to her. So when word came down of another mission to distant and possibly unknown lands, she quickly stashed her materials into her sleeve and headed towards Eando Kline's pavilion as quickly as her short legs could push her through the sand.
When the Venture-Captain asks if they're ready to travel, Jayma quickly replies. "More than ready. When do we leave? Soon I hope"
Eando smiles at Jayma and Tarcog's eagerness. "From what I was able to skim of the book, this sounds like a more traditional mission for the Vigilant Seal: a possibly haunted mansion in Ustalav, and mysterious disappearances." He looks around. "How much do you know of the history of the town of Ravengro and the Hall of Mirrors?"
Dr. Lazarus remembers the basics: that a little over a hundred years ago Count Eigen Lorres built the infamous for-profit Harrowstone Prison, a prison that held the worst prisoners in Ustalav. From the wealth the Count generated from the prison and other morally questionable endeavors, he built a magnificent mansion and filled it with priceless art. The count was deposed soon after, but the mansion still remains.
Jayma, who had a show run in Ustalav, has heard even more delicious gossip about Ravengro and Count Lorres's mansion. The mansion's most famous feature was a spectacular hall of mirrors, a sight never before seen in Ustalav's war-torn history, leading to the moniker the mansion still keeps to this day: the House of Mirrors. Lorres purchased a tremendous amount of art during the construction of his new estate. Chief among these pieces was Lady of the Harvest, a celebrated work by a master of the mid-late Age of Enthronement period.
However, as soon as Lady of the Harvest arrived at the House of Mirrors, strange phenomena began to plague the manor and its construction crew. Rumors circulated of freak accidents befalling the workers as well as a few unexplained disappearances. The crew also swore the painting had a habit of appearing in random rooms throughout the house, regardless of where it was hanging when the workers left the previous night. After Lorres was deposed, the mansion remained uninhabited for over a century.
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Detailing notes for his colleague's upcoming book, Dr. Lazarus forgets the time and hurries into the meeting with Eando Kline. "My apologies, Venture-Captain. So much to read. So little time." Upon seeing Tess cradling his old friend, he strokes the book's spine before taking a seat. The investigator then pours himself some brandy from his flask, and retrieves his writing pad.
He, quite obviously and to no one's surprise, knows about the Harrowstone Prison and the mansion. But, in a shocking turn of events, he hadn't heard details about the Hall of Mirrors. As a self-proclaimed art aficionado, he's very interested in The Lady of the Harvest -- and frankly, he's surprised he hasn't heard of it himself. After all, the Age of Enthronement is his favorite time period.
The Doctor asks, "So is our mission to locate the missing workers? The disappearing painting? Or is it simply to understand the nature of what's haunting the mansion?" With his pinky in the air, he sips his brandy and continues taking notes on the briefing and specifically the painting.
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"... the mansion has remained uninhabited for over a century. " She pauses to take a breath after the long exposition. Recovered, she adds, "At least, that's what I overheard some ladies talking about at one of the after-show parties. A fascinating story. I wonder if the Lady of the Harvest is the source of of all the strange goings on at the manor all those years ago and the reason for the book's restlessness. I guess we're about to find out."