Ashnabis session 45
Summary
Session
Session date: January 10, 2021
Fair Cycle date:
Introduction
<AshnabisNarrator> Junan, you have just come out of a meeting with Ghendalt. The Senator has offered to pay you to put together a team to travel to the mysterious island of Sednidze to explore and to see if you can find any items like the one that Lutsi found when he was there.
<AshnabisNarrator> He has given you an advance of 500 horns to cover expenses and to pay you and the team for your time and risk. Whatever you bring back, he will sell and if it is more than 500, you will split anything above that figure. The only risk to him is the initial layout, but similarly, you bear little risk - except for whatever is on the Isle of Mists.
<AshnabisNarrator> You can compose a team however you wish, and while it's tempting to keep more of the share for yourself, you don't know enough about sailing, or the dangers of Sednidze, to be confident. You do know that more and more, you and your friends haven't been totally happy with the work at the registry, and the Senator's money is good.
<AshnabisNarrator> Maybe this trip will provide a chance to see how independent exploration work could operate...
<AshnabisNarrator> So after work one day towards the end of Jinush, you gather the group together to discuss the prospect of a trip. It's getting near the end of the year so a lot of folks are getting ready for the Abas Feast which marks the division between the years.
<AshnabisNarrator> (now you can talk, I'm done narrating for right now)
Junan discusses the proposition from Ghendalt with the others
<Junan> Expedition to Sednidze... great opportunity, a little risk, and a chance to earn our own coin
<Junan> and trial run for future buisness opportunities outside of the Land Registry
* Jimba nods thoughtfully.
<Katenzhi> Like... as treasure hunters?
<Jimba> (About how long would that trip be?)
<Jimba> We've seen there's some out there.
<Daifan> or explorers
<AshnabisNarrator> (probably about 4-5 days each way, depending on weather and any other issues you might run into)
<Jimba> I don't want to burn bridges at the Registry, but I wouldn't mind not taking orders any more.
<Katenzhi> With some of the things I've heard lately it might be safer than staying around here. For me at least.
* Veznara looks concerned
<Veznara> What?
<Jimba> Trip'd be 9 or 10 days, plus exploration. Call it two weeks?
<Junan> nice escape from this place
<Jimba> That's not so bad, and we'd make a good amount even before we find anything.
<Katenzhi> I've been meaning to talk to you guys about this. Me and Bivizmi are... well, we're being stalked by a cult, near as I can figure. The one that's behind all the persimmons and weird church and... her first death.
<Junan> assuming shrewed management of our seed cash for sure.
<Jimba> Say what now?
<Jimba> (to Katenzhi)
* Katenzhi will relate the basics of what she has heard regarding the cult to the others.
<Veznara> The Sashnir are after you?
<Katenzhi> Yeah.
<Katenzhi> They want us to stop what we're doing with the Pale Oracle
<Daifan> maybe it would be good for you both to get out of town for a bit?
<Katenzhi> Yeah, that's my thought. I might need to ask you all's help to deal with this when we get back, though.
<Llillilli> What kind of help?
<Jimba> Will Bivizmi be safe with us gone? I don't want to put her in more danger.
<Katenzhi> I'm not sure what kind of help. Somehow getting them to leave us alone.
<Jimba> I mean, she could come along, but that's not exactly safe, either.
<Katenzhi> Safer than being alone with those crazies after her. Assuming she'll come along.
<Katenzhi> Magic and monsters I know. Cult weirdos are out of my league.
<Katenzhi> And it might be good to have a herbalist with us, regardless.
* Daifan nods
<Jimba> It wouldn't be bad, certainly.
<Daifan> Mmhmmm
<Jimba> (Do we have anything pressing for the Registry right now?)
<Daifan> she can stay on the ship, I oudl imagine, when we get to the island?
<Junan> she can mind the ship during landing parties, exactly
<Jimba> Yeah.
<Katenzhi> I mean... you can try telling her that.
<AshnabisGM> (nothing very pressing, no, Jimba)
<Jimba> Well, I'm certainly in favor of both the trip and bringing Bivizmi if she'll come along.
<Katenzhi> I have a feeling she'll be keen on coming ashore. I'll protect her if that's the case.
<Llillilli> I think her coming ashore is a bad idea but
* Llillilli shrugs
<Jimba> Kat, we all will. She's basically family.
<Daifan> well, that is up to her
* Katenzhi smiles
<Daifan> when would we be leaving?
<Daifan> I have some arrangements to make if we'll be gone that long
<Jimba> Likewise.
<Jimba> Junan, what timetable were you thinking?
<Veznara> I'll have to clear this with Hand Dezmali, especially if it becomes permanent.
<Junan> Jimba runs the ship but as soon as we can arrange.
<Daifan> nothig is permanent yet... tis is just a side hustle
<Veznara> Yes. We'll see where it goes!
<Junan> My friend Lutsi will be joining us. He discovered the initial treasure, so can help guide us.
* Jimba nods.
<Jimba> Makes sense.
* Daifan shrugs
<Llillilli> Mm.
<Junan> Lutsi is an envoy from Tzameddi
<AshnabisNarrator> Ok - if you want to bring Bivizmi and Lutsi, that's fine - and you can make any necessary arrangements with your employers/temple/warehouse/roommates/etc to deal with your absence for a couple of weeks.
<Junan> so if we're all good, we'll finalize our depature and go!
* Lutsi is around 16 or so, short and skinny, with a long braid of dark hair. He has a pattern of blue-black dots and lines tattooed on his chin and forehead, and his ears are pierced with thick plugs of ivory that stretch them to a larger size. He wears a skirt made of sewn leather strips that reaches about to his knees, a linen shirt of a more Choradani style, and an envoy's hat.
* Llillilli is a little surprised when she sees how young he is...
* Llillilli frowns.
* Veznara is too!
* Llillilli eyes Junan,
* Daifan is just glad he's unlikely to be as much of a dick about corpseborn
They depart for the mysterious island of Sednidze
<AshnabisNarrator> You don't often have much cause to go this far up the coast, normally. The trip will take you far up the northern coast of Nimneha Bay, and ultimately west out of the Ashnabis territory entirely and into lands never even claimed in the wildest dreams of the Omban Empire.
<AshnabisNarrator> The Menagerie is suited well enough to travel on the high seas, but you judge that staying close to the coast is best simply because you aren't as familiar with this area.
* Daifan will def ask him about his cool face tats though ;)
* Katenzhi will as well :3
<AshnabisNarrator> Once you're clear of the Sestapor swamp, it's just small Aummesh fishing villages along the rocky coast, and small, equally-rocky islands to steer clear of. These are quiet enough places, still untouched by the influx of colonists who really only value the swampy lands where fos can grow - for now.
<AshnabisNarrator> And ultimately you're past even those, although it takes a couple days to get that far. Here, there are still villages but they belong to the isolated Tzameddi, known for their piercings and facial tattoos, and who hunt seal, fish, and gather clams here along the coast. Other than Lutsi, who is only half-Tzameddi anyway, you really don't know any of these strange folk, and as far as you
<AshnabisNarrator> can tell, they have no interest in knowing you either.
<AshnabisNarrator> (you can have some time to talk on the trip if you want to ask any questions of Lutsi, or whatever :)
* Lutsi is a friendly, happy fellow who will chat your ears off with stories, if you let him.
<Jimba> Nice shirt. :)
* Daifan likes stories
* Lutsi speaks with a slight accent, but is fully fluent in both Ombesh and Aummesh.
<Junan> the story about finding the treasure is the most appropriate Lutzi
* Lutsi laughs.
<Lutsi> Well, it was less of a 'finding treasure' story, and more of a 'grabbing a necklace before the tide came in and filled the cavern with water killing me in embarrassing fashion' story.
<Veznara> I'm more concerned about these "evil spirits". I hope they're just folk tales...
<Daifan> well, if they are ghosts you can quiet them, can't you?
<Lutsi> Folk tales are usually true, and we would be wise to heed them.
<Veznara> Yes, I hope so; and yes, that's why I'm concerned.
<Lutsi> It is an unsettling place. Just to go into the mists, it's like you're lost in time.
<Daifan> hmm
<Veznara> It sounds disquieting. But also very interesting...
<Junan> but not really lost... at least for envoys
<Lutsi> I don't know about that, Junan ... it was a strange place.
<Jimba> So that wasn't just poetic metaphor?
<Veznara> You mentioned some of the items you'd seen there, I believe. Were there any particular symbols you saw?
<Lutsi> Symbols? No, I mean ... not like writing or anything like that. My people don't write.
<Lutsi> I know the Senator's people said that the necklace was a human object, but owned by a hith, or something, isn't that right Junan?
<Llillilli> Hmm? What is this?
<Veznara> I was thinking more of stylized pictures that might have been on on a few items.
* Junan will describe the object as best he can
<Llillilli> How is it connected to the People?
<Junan> it was owned by a Hith named Faethu who recovered it from a human shipwreck.
<Junan> The hith tossed it into the a cave as an offering to a great serpent that dwelt there.
<Junan> That was many years ago
<Veznara> A great serpent that dwelt there?
<Junan> At least that's what the mystic who examined it was able to determine using her magic
<Llillilli> A great serpent.
<Llillilli> Well, I have met the great turtle, so it doesn't seem far-fetched.
<Veznara> As Lutsi was just saying, folk tales are often based on truth...
<Daifan> mmhmm
<Lutsi> I mean, I didn't see any snakes down there.
<Daifan> maybe you can befriend it, like the turtle :)
<Veznara> How far in did you go?
<Llillilli> Maybe so.
<Jimba> Befriend a giant serpent, you say?
* Daifan grins at him as well
<Lutsi> I went in a little ways - there was a cave that I got into by descending from a cliff, but I couldn't go in for too long since the tide was coming in.
<Jimba> You had my interest. Now you have my attention.
<Jimba> ;)
<Daifan> we'll have to be careful of our timing
* Llillilli shrugs
<Junan> we brought enough fos that dealing with issues like tides wont be a problem
<Katenzhi> Giant snakes, on the other hand...
<Jimba> We've got time to be careful about the traversal.
* Daifan nods
Arriving at Sednidze, they find The Cormorant is anchored nearby
<AshnabisNarrator> Eventually you travel along the coast to the location of the island of Sednidze. It's near dusk when you get there, and the sun setting ahead of you illuminates a hint of a rocky isle, surrounded by a fine but dense mist that obscures your vision and that extends a couple hundred yards or so in all directions around it, unswayed by sun or heat or wind.
<AshnabisNarrator> Sednidze itself is small, perhaps one-third the size of the Auggi, which it otherwise seems to resemble, though much starker and less vegetated. How could anything of size grow here, when so little sunlight seems to be able to get through? As far as you can see, which is not far, there is no structure or inhabitation here.
<AshnabisNarrator> Right at the edge of the mist, on the side of the island closest to land, you see the outline of a great black ship, half-concealed in the dusk and dew. But there can be no mistaking it - it's pitch-black, three levels high, and a hundred feet long. You don't even need to be able to see the figurehead to know this ship, which is familiar to you all: the Cormorant.
<Junan> (that was just a rumor!)
<Daifan> Hmmmm.
<Lutsi> Ahh ... that was not there before.
<Daifan> this is a complication...
<Llillilli> Hm.
* Jimba scowls.
<AshnabisNarrator> It's hard to see where you can land, without going into the mists themselves. If there is a potential landing place where you won't be spotted by Yeggun's crew, it will be on the far side. Kat or Jimba, you can make a Sailor check to move surreptitiously around without being noticed, if you want.
<Jimba> !roll 1d20+13
* Daifan rolls for Jimba: [ 1d20+13 ] getting [ 3 ] which, after the modifier [ 13 ] totals [ 16 ].
<Katenzhi> !roll 1d20+13
* Daifan rolls for Katenzhi: [ 1d20+13 ] getting [ 2 ] which, after the modifier [ 13 ] totals [ 15 ].
<Jimba> (Yikes)
<Katenzhi> (Well fuckadoo...)
<Daifan> (time for.... obscuring mist?)
<Jimba> (Worth a shot?)
<Llillilli> (do either of you have destiny)
<Katenzhi> (I do not)
<Jimba> (I don't. )
<Jimba> (Though, just a sec.)
<Jimba> (Sorry, looking up a thing real quick.)
<Jimba> (There's spells Kat could have cast to make us better at that check since it's such a tricky bit of sailing?)
<Daifan> (cool. ctually Fog Bank mght be better?)
<Daifan> (cast between us and them?)
<Jimba> (https://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic/all-spells/b/bestow-insight)
<Jimba> (Which would give a bonus and also let us reroll)
<AshnabisNarrator> (Kat, what do you want to try to cast? the rolls are what they are, but you can try to mitigate it with one of the suggestions, like a fog spell)
<Katenzhi> (Yeah, I think staying hidden is the most important thing. I guess obscuring mists)
<Katenzhi> !roll 1d20+13
* Daifan rolls for Katenzhi: [ 1d20+13 ] getting [ 2 ] which, after the modifier [ 13 ] totals [ 15 ].
<Daifan> (Can I try Fog cloud behind us?)
<Katenzhi> (I mean, 15 should still succeed, actually, right?)
<AshnabisNarrator> Yes, it will still work.
<AshnabisNarrator> So you can cast it, and Daifan, if you want to cast yours as well, you can try that.
<Daifan> (cool, I will)
* Daifan rolls [ 1d20+8 ] getting [ 12 ] which, after the modifier [ 8 ] totals [ 20 ]
<AshnabisNarrator> ok, I think you're quite surrounded by fog
<Daifan> (mine shoudl be behind us, at least >.>)
<Daifan> (or between us and them, at least)
<AshnabisNarrator> (yeah but there's Cat's on you guys, and the island's own fog ahead, so... lotta fog)
<Daifan> (yeah)
<AshnabisNarrator> You move through the mist to try and avoid detection. As you enter the vicinity of the island's fog cloud, everyone on the ship please make a Will save.
<AshnabisNarrator> (DC 20)
<Veznara> !roll 1d20+9
* Daifan rolls for Veznara: [ 1d20+9 ] getting [ 8 ] which, after the modifier [ 9 ] totals [ 17 ].
<Katenzhi> !roll 1d20+7
* Daifan rolls for Katenzhi: [ 1d20+7 ] getting [ 20 ] which, after the modifier [ 7 ] totals [ 27 ].
<Lutsi> !roll 1d20+3
* Daifan rolls for Lutsi: [ 1d20+3 ] getting [ 14 ] which, after the modifier [ 3 ] totals [ 17 ].
<Jimba> !roll 1d20+3
* Daifan rolls for Jimba: [ 1d20+3 ] getting [ 5 ] which, after the modifier [ 3 ] totals [ 8 ].
<Junan> (is it a charm/compulsion effect?)
<AshnabisNarrator> (it is not)
<Junan> !roll 1d20+4
* Daifan rolls for Junan: [ 1d20+4 ] getting [ 15 ] which, after the modifier [ 4 ] totals [ 19 ].
<Llillilli> !roll 1d20+5
* Daifan rolls for Llillilli: [ 1d20+5 ] getting [ 19 ] which, after the modifier [ 5 ] totals [ 24 ].
<Daifan> (is it for confused, dazed, frightened, nauseated, panicked, shaken, or sickened?)
<AshnabisNarrator> nope
* Daifan rolls [ 1d20+7 ] getting [ 16 ] which, after the modifier [ 7 ] totals [ 23 ]
<AshnabisNarrator> Ok, so that looks like Kat, Llillilli, and Daifan make it, and the others do not.
<Jimba> (Oh, do I need to make a save for Washteppo?)
<AshnabisNarrator> I don't think it's necessary.
<AshnabisNarrator> As you move into the mist, those of you who failed the save are now unable to see any landmarks over a mile away - for instance, you can't even see the shore anymore although it's not that far away. Kat, Llillilli, and Daifan, you remain able to see as normal in a light mist - so things are a bit obscured but you can still see that they're there.
<Jimba> (cool cool)
<AshnabisNarrator> So basically, if you failed the save, the mist seems much more obscuring and thick than it really ought to be.
<Jimba> Well, shit, this is going to suck to navigate in. I can't see a damn thing.
<AshnabisNarrator> Fortunately, Kat can still help sail you in.
<Katenzhi> I mean it's foggy, nut not that bad..
<Llillilli> You need your eyes checked, little brother
<Katenzhi> (but not)
<Llillilli> ;)
Despite the strange effects of the mist, they land on the island and begin to explore
<AshnabisNarrator> With Kat steering, you find a landing spot, perhaps not quite ideal, but you can fit the Menagerie in safely enough here, and it should be fine as long as there's not a major storm during your stay. You can clamber along the beach a couple dozen paces to the west.
<Junan> no he's right, this is as bad as those spells you cast
* Llillilli will go through the water if that seems less annoying
<Lutsi> It was not this bad last time.
* Daifan shrugs
<Daifan> I dont fnd it so bad
<AshnabisNarrator> Once you get on shore, you try to orient yourselves and figure out where you might need to go. You can each make a Survival check, but if you failed the mist save, your roll will be -10 due to not really being able to see where things are.
<Katenzhi> I think maybe it effects each of us differently...
<Llillilli> !roll 1d20+14
* Daifan rolls for Llillilli: [ 1d20+14 ] getting [ 14 ] which, after the modifier [ 14 ] totals [ 28 ].
<Katenzhi> !roll 1d20+10
* Daifan rolls for Katenzhi: [ 1d20+10 ] getting [ 10 ] which, after the modifier [ 10 ] totals [ 20 ].
<Daifan> Kat has cast Obscuring to Men
<Junan> !roll 1d20-5
* Daifan rolls for Junan: [ 1d20-5 ] getting [ 19 ] which, after the modifier [ -5 ] totals [ 14 ].
<Veznara> !roll 1d20-7
* Daifan rolls for Veznara: [ 1d20-7 ] getting [ 1 ] which, after the modifier [ -7 ] totals [ -6 ].
* Daifan rolls [ 1d20+15 ] getting [ 19 ] which, after the modifier [ 15 ] totals [ 34 ]
<Lutsi> !roll 1d20-4
* Daifan rolls for Lutsi: [ 1d20-4 ] getting [ 5 ] which, after the modifier [ -4 ] totals [ 1 ].
<Daifan> do we need a rope for you all to hang on to, like toddlers?
<Veznara> Better safe than sorry.
* Veznara says, tersely.
* Daifan can get the toddler rope set up ;p
* Llillilli snort-laughs
<Daifan> now, what *should* we be looking for?
<AshnabisNarrator> (hang on - I think we will need a roll from Jimba? and I'm just sorting out the effects here)
* Bivizmi will willingly stay on the ship as this is all a bit weird and unsettling ;)
<Katenzhi> (heh)
<Jimba> !roll 1d20+3
* Daifan rolls for Jimba: [ 1d20+3 ] getting [ 10 ] which, after the modifier [ 3 ] totals [ 13 ].
<AshnabisNarrator> Ok. Junan, Veznara, and Jimba, you each feel a leaden sadness come over you as you begin to look around the island. While you're here, you take a -2 penalty on attack rolls, saving throws, ability checks, skill checks, and weapon damage rolls.
<AshnabisNarrator> The others, while you don't feel that, you all feel a certain loneliness and melancholy, even though you're with your friends. As if you are isolated here, where no one could find you or see you.
<AshnabisNarrator> Everyone (both those who failed and made it) has a -5 penalty on Sense Motive checks and a -2 penalty on saves against charm effects, and they take a -5 penalty on initiative checks if combat begins directly after you converse with an intelligent creature.
<Junan> at this point, I need a drink
* Daifan will make sure anyone who is uncdertain about their surroundings is attached to the rope
<Jimba> (Just to clarify, we take that from our Survival checks?)
<Daifan> I don't think it would help... drinking in such a melancholy place
<Katenzhi> This place... there's definitely something wrong with it.
<Llillilli> Mmm...
<Jimba> I don't like this place...
* Daifan qill squeeze Junan's hand
* Veznara mutters a prayer to the Ancestors
* Katenzhi wraps her arms around herself.
<Lutsi> It does feel chill and awful.
<AshnabisNarrator> (Josh - sorry, I think I consolidated a roll there. If your Survival check was below 20, you would need to make another Will save, and if you fail *that*, you take the -2 penalties)
<Daifan> Well. Shoudl we press on?
<AshnabisNarrator> (I blame Steve for distracting me in the middle of my trying to work out the rolls ;p)
<Junan> You didnt mention this from the last time you were here Lutsi
<AshnabisNarrator> (but the second penalty, on sense motive etc., happens either way)
<Jimba> (S'all good. We can just go with it. :) )
<Jimba> I feel like we're not gonna find anything, but I guess let's do this.
<Llillilli> Oh I think we'll find *something*.
* Jimba sighs heavily.
<Junan> maybe once we get out of the mist
<AshnabisNarrator> Hanging on to your rope to make sure you don't become separated, can you let me know what order you're in? like who is first and who's bringing up the rear?
<Jimba> (I shouldn't be first right now, but I'd be up there.)
<Lutsi> When I came here before, the cave I found was on the other side of the island, near the ship. But like I say, I only explored a little bit.
<AshnabisNarrator> (I don't need to know everyone in the middle, really, just curious who is first and last :)
<Lutsi> But last time, it wasn't like this. The mist was there, of course. But not ... not this.
<Llillilli> (I can be first)
* Daifan can bring up the rear
<AshnabisNarrator> ok!
<Daifan> Kat - there is a spell to lift speitis... maybe you could try it? I'm bot sure I coudl pull it off.
<Daifan> (spirits)
<Daifan> if might help some
<Katenzhi> (Let me check)
<Katenzhi> (Heroism might work to cancel out that -2)
<Junan> (good hope is an aoe)
* Katenzhi will give it a shot
<AshnabisNarrator> (which thing? I think there are at least 3 suggestions floating around)
<Katenzhi> (Yeah, sorry, that was before the new suggestion. Sec)
<Katenzhi> I can try but it might not work, and if it does it might not last long.
* Katenzhi will try to cast Good Hope
<Katenzhi> !roll 1d20+13
* Daifan rolls for Katenzhi: [ 1d20+13 ] getting [ 2 ] which, after the modifier [ 13 ] totals [ 15 ].
<AshnabisNarrator> Ok, your spell will still go off, but with a negative effect.
<AshnabisNarrator> (so you can roll your bad effect and take your choice :)
<Katenzhi> !roll 1d100
* Daifan rolls for Katenzhi: [ 1d100 ] getting [ 6 ].
<Katenzhi> !roll 1d100
* Daifan rolls for Katenzhi: [ 1d100 ] getting [ 79 ].
<Katenzhi> (Hah! Let's go with the harmless olfactory effect)
<AshnabisNarrator> ok, an aroma of rotten eggs drifts through the mist, but people feel better from the crushing despair at least for a while :)
<Junan> lets see if we can find what we came for
<Daifan> yes.
Stumbling over a hole, they find it provides another entrance into the caves below, and within is Kayibir, Yeggun's niece
<AshnabisNarrator> You make your way through the mist, trying to see what you can find. As you proceed, Veznara steps accidentally into a hole, but due to your rope precautions, she doesn't fall to the bottom, just stumbles and clings on for dear life.
* Daifan will help her back up
* Veznara nods in thanks.
<AshnabisNarrator> The hole is on higher ground, higher than the high tide mark, and perhaps four feet in diameter. You can barely see down it - the bottom is not obvious due to the mists - but it does seem to be a large space. Maybe it could provide an alternate entrance into the cave area?
<Junan> Good find Veznara
<Veznara> Thank you. I meant to do that.
* Veznara says wryly.
<Jimba> You all right?
<Katenzhi> We need to put a bell on you or something ;)
<Daifan> and look - we already have our rope ready ;)
<Lutsi> Well, what do you think? We could try this way. It's not like we really know what we're looking for.
<Veznara> I'm okay, thanks.
<Junan> yeah lets try it
* Jimba follows along cautiously.
<AshnabisNarrator> As you descend warily through the hole in the ground, you can see that it does indeed open up into a cave, or rather, a tunnel, since it continues forward for a ways.
<AshnabisNarrator> (I have a map on roll20 if you want to follow along ;)
<AshnabisNarrator> Somewhere up ahead you can see a flickering light, as if from a lamp or torch.
<AshnabisNarrator> The light proves to be the flame from a lantern that is sitting on the ground near a shallow pool of water. Next to it, with her arms curled around her knees as if she's crying or upset, is a girl of maybe about sixteen or seventeen or so. She hears you coming and looks up in surprise at seeing anyone in this deserted place.
<AshnabisNarrator> After a moment, Katenzhi, Jimba, and Llillilli, you can recognize her as Kayibir, the niece of Yeggun whom you met last on board the Cormorant when you broke Sileshu out of his imprisonment.
<Kayibir> Who's there?
* Kayibir scrambles to her feet, looking startled. However she doesn't draw her weapons or seem aggressive.
<Jimba> Oh, hey.
<Katenzhi> Hi again
<Jimba> Kaybir, right?
<Junan> nobody you need to be scared of
<Kayibir> Oh - I remember you three. You were on the Cormorant that one time... this is so weird.
<Kayibir> Are you really here? Is this a hallucination?
* Kayibir waves her hand in front of her face as if trying to test her vision.
<Llillilli> What are you doing here?
<Junan> life can be strange and we are real, yeah why are you here alone?
<Jimba> So far as I know, I'm real, but I guess a hallucination might say that.
<Jimba> Are you all right?
* Jimba will go into his pack to offer her some food and water.
<Kayibir> I just like to come here to get away for a bit, so the others can't find me... I'm so tired of being cooped up with them, not having anywhere fun to go, stuck on this stupid creepy island.
<Kayibir> I'm all right, but thanks...
* Kayibir will accept the food, just to have something different.
<Kayibir> It gets so boring and lonely and depressing... it's really nice to see other people, actually. Why are you here?
<Katenzhi> Sounds like you don't get on too well with them
* Kayibir shrugs
* Veznara quietly looks around to gauge the spiritual environment in this place...
<Kayibir> Everyone is going stir-crazy.
<Veznara> !roll 1d20+15
* Daifan rolls for Veznara: [ 1d20+15 ] getting [ 1 ] which, after the modifier [ 15 ] totals [ 16 ].
<Kayibir> It's not just me.
<Junan> explorers actually, got turned around in the fog
<Kayibir> Oh yeah, the fog. It's the worst!
<Junan> but you managed to wander your way here?
<Lutsi> So, uh, how long have you been down here?
<Junan> (is there more cave past her?)
<AshnabisNarrator> (There is, it seems to continue on further and then turn a corner, and you can't see beyond that point)
<Kayibir> I guess a few hours or ... I'm not really sure, is it nighttime now?
<Katenzhi> I guess this place really gets to you after a while, huh?
* Kayibir nods gloomily
<Junan> no its still daylight... do you remember coming down here?
<Kayibir> They're repairing the ships and it takes forEVER.
<Lutsi> Yeah, I feel that.
* Junan will Sense Thoughts on her while talking
<Katenzhi> Maybe I can help with how you're feeling. At least for a few minutes.
<Kayibir> Yeah, I come down here a lot. I just need a place to get away and like... there's nothing to do here. Going in some weird cave is about the most fun thing here, there's no taverns or even any other people or anything.
<Junan> !roll 1d20+2
* Daifan rolls for Junan: [ 1d20+2 ] getting [ 1 ] which, after the modifier [ 2 ] totals [ 3 ].
* Katenzhi will cast Good Hope again.
<Katenzhi> !roll 1d20+13
* Daifan rolls for Katenzhi: [ 1d20+13 ] getting [ 4 ] which, after the modifier [ 13 ] totals [ 17 ].
<Daifan> so you haven't foudn anything here?
<Junan> whats down the cave
<Junan> ?
* Junan points
<Kayibir> Oh yeah, I've tried exploring the caves more - they go pretty far, all the way to the water I think - but I've never gotten that far. There's a weird vibe if you go further in, it creeps me out. Out here it's fine, though.
* Kayibir does seem a bit more cheerful, Kat.
<Jimba> So weirder than outside?
<Junan> your in a group now, so it will be fine. Come with us, I brought some wine.
<Junan> Show us how far you've gone in
<Kayibir> Yeah. Like.. not just depressing and lonely and gloomy, but like... creepy and bad.
* Kayibir perks up further at the mention of wine, and will accept some as she shows you further into the caves.
* Junan contributes to her drinking habits
Finding unquiet spirits in the caves, Veznara is able to dispatch them to haunt the pirate ship instead
<AshnabisNarrator> You move through the tunnels carved out by years of water erosion in this rocky island. At times you have to duck to avoid hitting your head, or clamber over a few rocks that have tumbled loose and lie in the narrow passages, but the tunnels are not too difficult to traverse - perhaps at some point in the distant past they were expanded deliberately, whether by humans or hith?
* Veznara will quietly ask Katenzhi who this person is.
* Daifan will continue to bring up the rear and shepherd people along if needed
<Katenzhi> <w>Yeggun's neice. She was on the ship when we rescued Sileshu.
* Veznara nods
<Katenzhi> <w> she seems sweet. If a bit clueless.
<Veznara> <w> Sweet? What is she doing with *him*? Family, I guess...
<AshnabisNarrator> Once you get up to the point where I have put Kayibir, you can all make a Perception check.
<Katenzhi> !roll 1d20+13
* Daifan rolls for Katenzhi: [ 1d20+13 ] getting [ 11 ] which, after the modifier [ 13 ] totals [ 24 ].
<Junan> !roll 1d20+17
* Daifan rolls for Junan: [ 1d20+17 ] getting [ 7 ] which, after the modifier [ 17 ] totals [ 24 ].
<Llillilli> !roll 1d20+14
* Daifan rolls for Llillilli: [ 1d20+14 ] getting [ 2 ] which, after the modifier [ 14 ] totals [ 16 ].
* Daifan rolls [ 1d20+16 ] getting [ 20 ] which, after the modifier [ 16 ] totals [ 36 ]
<Veznara> !roll 1d20+15
* Daifan rolls for Veznara: [ 1d20+15 ] getting [ 14 ] which, after the modifier [ 15 ] totals [ 29 ].
<AshnabisNarrator> Ok, Daifan and Veznara, from up ahead, around that corner perhaps, you hear a whispering sound, indistinct - you can't make out any words, just a crowd of hissing, mumbling voices that gradually build into a wet, slobbering, tearing sound like someone or something devouring raw meat.
<AshnabisNarrator> The rest of you hear nothing unusual, just a faint sound of waves from the water in the distance.
* Kayibir seems to hear it too, and pauses.
<Kayibir> That's creepy.
<Katenzhi> What is?
<Lutsi> !roll 1d20+8
* Daifan rolls for Lutsi: [ 1d20+8 ] getting [ 5 ] which, after the modifier [ 8 ] totals [ 13 ].
<Daifan> shhh
<Kayibir> That sound, it sounds like someone eating stew with their hands or something....
* Daifan whispers "there's soemthing ahead"
<Lutsi> I don't hear anything.
<Junan> <w> trust her senes
* Katenzhi nods
* Daifan will fortune the group
<Daifan> be ready
<Veznara> !roll 1d20+15
* Daifan rolls for Veznara: [ 1d20+15 ] getting [ 20 ] which, after the modifier [ 15 ] totals [ 35 ].
* Veznara tries once more to gauge the spiritual presence here
* Junan will cast aspect of the falcon on himself
<AshnabisNarrator> Veznara, since Investigate Haunt is line of sight, you would need to go around the corner - you want to do that?
<Veznara> Stealthily...
<Junan> (does fortune affect casting rolls?)
<AshnabisGM> (no)
<AshnabisNarrator> You can make a Stealth check, sure.
<Junan> !roll 1d20+8
* Daifan rolls for Junan: [ 1d20+8 ] getting [ 14 ] which, after the modifier [ 8 ] totals [ 22 ].
* Veznara calls upon the Ancestors to guide her steps in silence, and prepares to call on them to intercede between her and the next threat..
<Veznara> (Hallow, and get ready for Interdiction...
* Junan will follow afterward
<Veznara> !roll 1d20+4
* Daifan rolls for Veznara: [ 1d20+4 ] getting [ 11 ] which, after the modifier [ 4 ] totals [ 15 ].
<AshnabisNarrator> Rounding the corner, you do sense that there is a haunt up ahead. I'll indicate the area you sense it in on the map.
<AshnabisNarrator> In the chamber up ahead, there are signs of some long-ago visitors. A few tools of stone and shell lie scattered on the ground, old and worn, including a sharpened stone knife.
<AshnabisNarrator> As you look more closely, you think you can see some traces of dark, dried blood on the knife.
<Veznara> <w> There is an unquiet spirit here...
<Lutsi> This whole place is wrong.
<Veznara> (Can I see more of this passage to the right?)
<AshnabisNarrator> (there, that's about as much as you can see without going through it)
<AshnabisNarrator> To those of you who made your perception checks (so Veznara and Daifan, and I guess Kayibir) the chewing, slurping sounds get louder the closer you get to that area.
<Veznara> (To the right, you mean?)
<AshnabisNarrator> (the area I've been pinging. directly down from where you are.)
<Daifan> (in the alcove ahead)
<Junan> can you subdue it?
<Veznara> (OK.)
<Veznara> <w> I can try...
<Veznara> <w> I would rather put it to rest, if possible.
<Veznara> <w> For now, though...
* Veznara calls again upon the Ancestors to guide her next action; then steps forward and invokes them to banish this spirit, willing it to the Cormorant to haunt the evil Yeggun Shotser.
<Veznara> In the name of the Ancestors, unquiet spirit, begone!
<Veznara> !roll 1d20+22
* Daifan rolls for Veznara: [ 1d20+22 ] getting [ 2 ] which, after the modifier [ 22 ] totals [ 24 ].
<Veznara> !roll 1d20+22
* Daifan rolls for Veznara: [ 1d20+22 ] getting [ 18 ] which, after the modifier [ 22 ] totals [ 40 ].
<AshnabisNarrator> Veznara, you feel the unsettled spirits struggle against your will a bit, but then the bloodied knife on the ground disappears, and you sense that the spirits with it have moved as well.
<Junan> that worked well
<Jimba> That was pretty impressive.
<AshnabisNarrator> Those of you who could hear the whispering/chewing sounds, they disappear and it is silent again.
<Llillilli> They're gone?
* Veznara shrugs
<Veznara> It is the will of the Ancestors.
<Lutsi> Where did they go?
<Veznara> Away.
<Lutsi> Neat.
<Katenzhi> How long do we have until it comes back?
<Kayibir> so it's just.. gone forever now? or will it come back?
* Daifan relaxes once the gross and disturbing sounds stop
<Junan> lets check quick if there is a clue as to why they were haunting
<Veznara> I can't be sure. Let us search this place for clues on how to set it to rest.
<Daifan> the knife is gone...
<Veznara> Once we're sure this other passage is safe...
* Daifan s going to look around here anyway
* Llillilli will take a cautious look around.
<Katenzhi> Maybe they just like the decor here.
* Daifan rolls [ 1d20+16 ] getting [ 17 ] which, after the modifier [ 16 ] totals [ 33 ]
<Llillilli> !roll 1d20+14
* Daifan rolls for Llillilli: [ 1d20+14 ] getting [ 1 ] which, after the modifier [ 14 ] totals [ 15 ].
* Junan will take a quick look around
<Junan> !roll 1d20+20
* Daifan rolls for Junan: [ 1d20+20 ] getting [ 8 ] which, after the modifier [ 20 ] totals [ 28 ].
<Jimba> !roll 1d20+13
* Daifan rolls for Jimba: [ 1d20+13 ] getting [ 17 ] which, after the modifier [ 13 ] totals [ 30 ].
<AshnabisNarrator> In the alcove, there are still some old tools - such as a spoon or ladle made from a shell, some scrapers and a broken clay pot, that sort of thing. There is nothing metal among them, so maybe they are quite old?
<Jimba> (to Veznara) Anything seem significant?
<Junan> (so secret depictions of some history or tradgedy...oh well)
<Junan> (no secret...)
<AshnabisNarrator> There are no signs of remains, however - no bones, for instance.
* Veznara shakes her head slowly
<Veznara> I don't think so.
<Daifan> just some old old tools
<AshnabisNarrator> If someone or someone(s) died here, either their remains have completely been consumed, or they were removed at some point.
<Veznara> Perhaps it had to do with the knife that disappeared. :/
<Junan> best not linger
<Daifan> yes, perhaps there was a murder.... though it sounded more like... eating >.>
<Katenzhi> Maybe there was a murder and... then eating.
* Veznara shudders
* Llillilli makes a face
<AshnabisNarrator> You can proceed onwards, cautiously.
<Kayibir> I never got this far before... I always stopped before there.
<Veznara> Such evil. Thanks to the Ancestors for banishing it. Let us make the most of whatever time we may have...
They find a chamber with many items and artifacts deposited by various peoples long ago
<AshnabisNarrator> One passage proves just to be a dead end, but the next...
<AshnabisNarrator> You come into a small, cramped chamber that bears more signs of activity than elsewhere in the caverns. Scattered here and there are various objects of strange and unknown provenance.
<AshnabisNarrator> Against one wall, a large two-handled bowl with green spiral decorations. Next to it, low, flat vessels full of what look to be semi-precious stones. A long ebony staff with solar and lunar markings along it leans up against a crevice in the stone. Along the wall opposite, bone tools finely incised and carved with naturalistic scenes.
* Jimba nods.
<AshnabisNarrator> An ornamented mace or scepter of gold, steel, and lithus. A trio of marble figurines of creatures, with what look to be the heads of hith and the bodies of sea creatures. Taking it all in, it is a jumble of styles and, unless you miss your mark, ages, an accumulation of decades or centuries placed here.
<Katenzhi> Whoa...
<Junan> thats quite a mess of stuff
<Lutsi> This is where I found the necklace. I came the other way.
<Veznara> (What are the round things all over the place - is that the treasure? Or mushrooms or something?)
<Llillilli> Ohhh...
<AshnabisGM> (that is the treasure ... definitely not mushrooms on the map we found online. Nope, definitely not that.)
<Daifan> (whew)
<Llillilli> This is... it looks like it belongs to the People.
<Junan> some of it for sure
<Veznara> (Hey, certain mushrooms can be treasure! :D )
<Daifan> mmhmm
<Jimba> Or at least did at some point. Maybe we can repatriate it.
<Llillilli> Maybe...
* Llillilli looks downcast.
<Kayibir> This stuff is probably worth a lot of money... is that gold? :o
* Katenzhi will examine the bone tools. What do they look to be used for?
* Junan will try and use appraise to learn anything more about this stuff
<AshnabisNarrator> You can make a roll, sure.
* Veznara examines the hoard looking for historical clues about who may have assembled it...
<AshnabisGM> They're handheld tools like awls, thin blades, etc.
<Katenzhi> (So like woodworking?)
<AshnabisGM> They mostly do not seem to be practical in function, but decorative.
<Katenzhi> (Ah, ok)
* Jimba will look down the tunnel leading away from where we've come.
<AshnabisGM> They are incised / artistic / ornamental - one could use them but they would be a little fragile.
<Junan> !roll 1d20+7
* Daifan rolls for Junan: [ 1d20+7 ] getting [ 6 ] which, after the modifier [ 7 ] totals [ 13 ].
<Veznara> (I'll Hallow for competence before this, too.)
* Katenzhi will cast detect magic.
<Katenzhi> !roll 1d20+13
* Daifan rolls for Katenzhi: [ 1d20+13 ] getting [ 19 ] which, after the modifier [ 13 ] totals [ 32 ].
<AshnabisNarrator> Junan - you're not sure but to be honest, you've seen Ghendalt pay money for weirder things than this. It's probably quite valuable to the right buyer.
<Veznara> !roll 1d20+23
* Daifan rolls for Veznara: [ 1d20+23 ] getting [ 1 ] which, after the modifier [ 23 ] totals [ 24 ].
* Daifan doens
<Junan> well if nobody has touched this stuff for years, best to just bring it with us
<Llillilli> (how much of this do I think is hith/)
<Daifan> t know shit about history, but will cast detect magic
* Veznara shakes her head
* Daifan rolls [ 1d20+8 ] getting [ 10 ] which, after the modifier [ 8 ] totals [ 18 ]
<Veznara> I can't make heads nor tails of this. It's so... *eclectic*.
<AshnabisNarrator> Kat, you do detect some magic in the pile. faint divination on a set of the bone tools that look like carved sticks. Faint transmutation on a belt that looks to be made of scales or snakeskin. And moderate abjuration on a tunic that likewise looks like a snakeskin garment.
* Katenzhi will let the others know that
* Daifan nods
<AshnabisGM> Llillilli, it's a very random accumulation of things - some of it is definitely of hith construction, but other stuff is very strange indeed.
<AshnabisNarrator> Llillilli: it's hard for you to say, since it's such a jumble. If you had to guess, you would say that the scepter thing, since it has lithus, and the stone carvings. But honestly a lot of it looks like a mix of styles and materials - human and hith all together.
<Llillilli> The People's artifacts must be returned to them.
<Llillilli> The scepter and the carvings, at least... I am unsure of the rest...
<Katenzhi> Let's take it back for now and we can figure out what's what on the boat.
<Lutsi> I mean, we're doing this for the Senator. I'm not saying I know who this belongs to, but ... do we know whose any of this is?
<AshnabisNarrator> From ahead, you can hear the sound of waves - you must be close to the ocean and the other entrance/exit of the cave.
<Llillilli> But this would be a very bad time for humans to be discovered holding onto what might be their treasures.
* Jimba nods.
<Llillilli> I don't care abot the General
<Veznara> Returning them could be a very diplomatic move, though.
<Junan> there is magics we can use to figure things out, but this place is not the place to be doing them
<Katenzhi> Agreed
* Junan starts to gather everything up
Proceeding further, they find the great turtle Loeluth, and witness the hatching of her eggs
<AshnabisNarrator> Jimba, if you're the one furthest up ahead (as it looks to be the case) you can hear some faint digging or scratching sounds.
<Jimba> Hey, there's something up ahead...
* Junan continues to gather
* Llillilli joins Jimba.
<Veznara> <w> Some*thing*, or some*body*?
<Jimba> <w> Not sure.
<Jimba> (Can I roll Perception?)
<AshnabisNarrator> Sure
* Daifan will help Junan
<Jimba> (I'm still at -2, right?)
<AshnabisNarrator> (I think you are back to normal since Kat's spell)
<Junan> (good hope negated that)
<Jimba> !roll 1d20+13
* Daifan rolls for Jimba: [ 1d20+13 ] getting [ 14 ] which, after the modifier [ 13 ] totals [ 27 ].
<Jimba> (Okay, wasn't sure how long good hope lasted.)
<Llillilli> !roll 1d20+14
* Daifan rolls for Llillilli: [ 1d20+14 ] getting [ 19 ] which, after the modifier [ 14 ] totals [ 33 ].
<Llillilli> (since I came up with him)
<AshnabisNarrator> It's a very faint digging/scratching sound. It doesn't sound like a human (or hith) noise, like it's not a shovel or something - more like just sand being disturbed by a light touch.
* Daifan will keep the scepter and figurines together at least, if that is an option
<Jimba>
<w> (to Llillilli) What do you think?
<Jimba>
<w> Maybe something to the serpent thing?
<AshnabisNarrator> As you enter into this area, you can clearly smell seawater coming from ahead of you, and see the mist that permeates the outside landscape.
<Jimba>
<w> Do we think there's more to find here?
<Lutsi> That's the way I came in, down there.
<Lutsi> There's a sea cavern that fills up at high tide and heads out from there.
* Llillilli shrugs
<Llillilli> does sound like a snake
<Lutsi> There easily could be more, I was really only here very quickly.
* Jimba nods.
<Jimba> (to Llillilli) Sneak forward and check it out?
* Llillilli nods
<Llillilli> !roll 1d20+18
* Daifan rolls for Llillilli: [ 1d20+18 ] getting [ 15 ] which, after the modifier [ 18 ] totals [ 33 ].
<AshnabisNarrator> You move forward stealthily. The narrow water-hewn tunnel widens out into a broad chamber, perhaps fifty feet wide and nearly as far across. At the far end, the cave floor falls away and the sea has crept up from outside. There is a rough rock formation to your right, against the cave wall, which gives way to a sheltered beach of pebbles and sand beyond it.
<Jimba> !roll 1d20+15
* Daifan rolls for Jimba: [ 1d20+15 ] getting [ 11 ] which, after the modifier [ 15 ] totals [ 26 ].
<AshnabisNarrator> Moving over past the rocks, you come across an astonishing sight, dug into the sand and nestled carefully there: a clutch of eggs, each about the size of a human head. A quick count reveals ten of them in total.
<AshnabisNarrator> As you approach, you think you see one of them twitch in the sand.
* Llillilli points
* Jimba raises an eyebrow and looks at Llillilli.
<AshnabisNarrator> In the shelter of the cave, see a rippling in the surface of the water, and then you hear something from below, a low rumbling, the scrape of something against stone, perhaps. And then, breaking the surface, something enormous.
<AshnabisNarrator> A great sea turtle practically fills the room, as water splashes up against you and you are forced back to make room.
<Llillilli> :O
<Jimba> <w> Is that like the one you met?
<AshnabisNarrator> It bellows, a low, impossibly deep groan whose overtones resonate against the cave walls (which everyone can hear)
<Daifan> :o
<AshnabisNarrator> Lllillilli, you recognize this as the elder turtle Loeluth. Loeluth rumbles deeply but gently, and to your amazement, it is as if you can understand her speech.
<Llillilli> Loeluth...
* Jimba grins.
<Loeluth> Hello, young one. I did not expect to see you here.
<Llillilli> Nor I...
* Loeluth says, in sound, but not quite in language - but you can understand her nonetheless.
* Jimba will try to look respectful.
<Llillilli> What is this place?
<Loeluth> It is time for my brood to hatch.
* Llillilli 's eyes are wide
<Llillilli> (also, speaking in hith )
<Llillilli> <w> That is... wonderful :o
<Loeluth> This is a place of great antiquity - older than my memory by far.
<Loeluth> A place of safety, but also of great danger.
<Llillilli> What is the danger?
* Daifan will peek to see the giant turtl talking to Llillilli :o :3
<Loeluth> This place, it has an effect on those who spend much time here. It dulls the mind and the spirit, and leads one astray. Such has been the way since forever.
* Jimba will hold up a hand to have people stop if he notices them coming forward.
<Loeluth> It is why I have used it as my brooding-grounds, for protection. But even so, there are many who would take my kind as hatchlings or as eggs.
<Llillilli> The pirates... Do they know you are here?
<Loeluth> I have been out in the sea, watching the black ship, for many weeks now. If they had tried to claim my children ... it would not have been good for them.
<Loeluth> But they fear this place, as they should. Even without my Guardians, my brood has been protected.
<Llillilli> Where are the guardians?
* Llillilli frowns
<Loeluth> There are no guardians, any longer. Once they were many.
<Loeluth> They served me here, unasked and unrewarded, for many years, when I was young and first brooding. Then, as now, the People and the humans worked hand in hand.
<Loeluth> It was so long ago. Even among my kind, I am an elder among elders.
<Llillilli> Together?
<Llillilli> ;_;
<Llillilli> It must have been a very different time... A beautiful time
<Loeluth> Hmmm, yes, and no. One would serve, and then the other.
<Loeluth> It was beautiful - but also dangerous.
<Llillilli> Ah, I see
<Llillilli> Was this place always so haunted, then?
<Loeluth> No. Long ago, the guardians took it upon themselves to stay here, at risk to themselves. And once, sadly, they failed themselves, though not me. This place is not kind. It can twist the mind against itself.
<Loeluth> Eventually, overcome by hunger, they turned to each other for nourishment. Those who survived were never the same. But despite it all, my brood was untouched. Your people helped to save my people that day, at the cost of their own bodies.
<Llillilli> Oh...
* Llillilli looks shaken
<Llillilli> Do the People know of this?
<Loeluth> Hmm...
<Loeluth> The humans have forgotten about this place, except as a place of stories. And the old hith kingdom is no more, but still their descendants come to make offerings. Once, I thought they were offerings to me. But I have come to understand better.
<Loeluth> They are offerings of food, and of human things, and of tools, in recognition of what your people did here all those centuries ago.
* Llillilli nods slowly
<Llillilli> Do you... Is there anything we could do to help you now? Or do you have all that you need?
<Loeluth> This clutch - it is likely my last. As I say, I am old even for my kind.
<AshnabisNarrator> As you talk, one of the eggs stirs and breaks open, and a small turtle begins to emerge.
* Llillilli gasps
* Jimba manages not to squee.
<AshnabisNarrator> (well, small compared to Loeluth... maybe about the size of a melon.)
<Katenzhi> That is... stupidly cute.
<Jimba> They're beautiful.
<Llillilli> *heart eyes*
<Llillilli> They are perfect,
<Loeluth> This place has served its purpose for me. Perhaps someday, one of these will remember it and lay her own eggs here. I do not know.
<Loeluth> They have a hard life before them. It is not our way to nurture them, as hith and humans do. I watch them only at a distance.
<Llillilli> I feel... very honoured to have been allowed to see this, great Loeluth.
* Jimba nods.
<Jimba> (In Hith) Thank you.
<Loeluth> I am honoured by your presence here, selleluf.
<Loeluth> You are here to guard them, just as once my own Guardians were. Perhaps that is why you are here today. After all, what are the chances that you and I would meet again, so far away, just as my new brood hatches?
<Llillilli> It does seem a strange coincidence
<AshnabisNarrator> Another egg breaks open, and then another, each small baby struggling to emerge from the shell and sand.
* Llillilli watches awestruck as the little turtles clamber toward the water.
<AshnabisNarrator> At last, all ten eggs have hatched, and most of the babies have made it to the ocean. One, however, lingers behind, looking around at you curiously.
<Loeluth> The People need you. That much was clear from our last meeting.
<Llillilli> They do not want me, Loeluth.
* Llillilli says, sadly.
* Llillilli watches the little turtle.
<Jimba> (H) Is that one all right?
<Loeluth> Their needs and their wants need not go together.
<Loeluth> You must show them what they need.
<Llillilli> I don't know what I should do.
<Llillilli> I don't think anyone will follow me, or listen, even if I did.
* Jimba gives Llillilli a concerned look.
<Loeluth> I did not say it would be easy. See, look at that little one.
<Loeluth> Its life will not be easy.
<Loeluth> It looks around, it seeks to understand.
<Loeluth> Left alone, it will not survive - but it cannot know that now. It is naive to that fact.
<Loeluth> Would you let the People of Sulise fail to thrive, simply because they do not understand?
<Llillilli> No, of course not...
<Llillilli> (is the little turtle near me)
<Loeluth> (yes, quite close)
* Llillilli crouches down next to it.
<Llillilli> You should go with your siblings, little one...
* Kayibir is now known as BabyTurtle
* BabyTurtle gently headbutts your foot.
<Daifan> she's its mother now >.>
* Llillilli looks at Loeluth uncertainly
<Llillilli> Am I meant to...?
<Loeluth> The child has made its choice. For whatever will come of it.
* Llillilli carefully scoops them up, then.
* Jimba smiles broadly.
<Llillilli> I will do my best... for them, and the People.-_-
<Loeluth> I know you will.
<Llillilli> Thank you, again
<Loeluth> I do not think I will see you again. If that is so, then - remember me.
<Llillilli> I will, always.
* Llillilli says with great conviction, her eyes welling up a bit.
* Loeluth turns and goes back down the watery cavern, out the way she came.
<Llillilli> ...
<Jimba> So, I don't know about the sun or the ancestors or whatever, but that was...divine.
* Llillilli looks back at Jimba, clutching the turle, looking a bit bewildered
<Lutsi> What ... was that?
<Llillilli> (turtle)
<Llillilli> Loeluth...
<Lutsi> Could you understand it?
* Jimba smiles at Llillilli.
<Jimba> I had a feeling. What did she say?
<Llillilli> Yes... We have met before
<Llillilli> I'm supposed to... help the People. Somehow.
* Jimba nods.
<Jimba> Then I'm sure you will.
<Kayibir> Wow...
<Llillilli> And she told me... about what happened here
<Jimba> Oh?
<Daifan> oh?
<Llillilli> The people here we their guardians, protecting the eggs and the hatchlings
* Daifan asks but looks at the little turtle
<Llillilli> They... went mad, more or less. They turned to each other for food in desperation. But they never touched the eggs. They protected them to the last.
<Llillilli> ;_;
<Daifan> maybe he hatching would release them?
<Llillilli> The humans have forgotten... maybe the People as well. They both used to guard this place, taking it in turns...
* Veznara is shocked
<Jimba> That's horrible. And sad.
<Llillilli> Loeluth said that some of the People still come here sometimes, to leave offerings of human things for those who died here.
<Jimba> Maybe we can do the same?
<Jimba> I feel like we should do something.
<Jimba> And this little one will need to know where it came from, of course. :)
* Veznara nods
* Llillilli nods, getting slowly to her feet.
<Veznara> I don't know. Such a horrible crime... though to keep the young safe and fulfill an oath, perhaps that is enough to pardon it?
<Veznara> I don't know. I don't know.
<Daifan> :/
After some discussion, Kayibir elects to return to Kaskind with them
<Kayibir> Look.... this is all something else, but I need to go back to my uncle's ship.
* Kayibir says, a bit reluctantly.
<Daifan> maybe seeing the baby woudl be enough, to know that it wasn't all for nothign
<Veznara> Yes, perhaps.
<Jimba> You don't have to, if you don't want.
<Jimba> We could give you a ride back to Kaskind.
<Junan> exactly
<Junan> or drop you off anywhere along the way
* Jimba nods.
<AshnabisNarrator> (Kat did say she was willing to charm her if needed, so that's also an option)
<Daifan> (yes)
<Daifan> Our ship has a baby turtle and no cranky pirates
<Daifan> and wine
<Kayibir> I really can't go to Kaskind - I mean... they'll arrest me there.
<Daifan> will they?
<Kayibir> and I don't know where else I could go.
<Kayibir> And ... my uncle will be upset if I don't come back.
<Jimba> I think we might be able to arrange for you not to be arrested.
<Jimba> Well, I can't speak to that, but it seems like you might be wanting some time away from him anyway.
<Daifan> you must have other family
* Kayibir just shrugs
<Jimba> And this is assuming anyone recognizes you anyway.
<Daifan> mmhmm
<Daifan> it could certainly be arranged that they do not
* Kayibir doesn't seem completely convinced by that, but will agree, a bit warily, to go with you.
<Veznara> Let us see whether we can put the spirit to rest, show that its sacrifice was not in vain as Daifan says.
<Daifan> Mmhmm
<AshnabisNarrator> Okay, you can proceed back through the tunnels to leave the way you came in. As you pass through the chamber that was previously haunted, you see the same stone knife lying back on the floor, but its blade is now clean of blood.
* Veznara steps forward, and calls upon the Ancestors once more.
<Veznara> O unquiet spirits, be at peace. See, the horrible sacrifices you made to keep your oaths have been fulfilled - this young hatchling lives on.
<Veznara> Be at rest, in the Ancestors' name.
* Veznara calls upon them to Remove the Curse on this place, if it be their will.
<AshnabisNarrator> You don't know if it worked, but you also don't sense any haunt in this area/associated with this knife now.
<AshnabisNarrator> You can make your way safely back to the ship and depart, then.
