Ashnabis session 54

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Session

Session date: June 6, 2021
Fair Cycle date:

Introduction

<AshnabisGM> It's getting late in Khurar, which means that the rain may have let up a bit, but the floodwaters of the Kaskos have not. It's still at a high and rising as the long snaking river makes its way from the hills far to the east, down to the delta where you deal with the consequences.
<AshnabisGM> At least the farmers are happy, except for the ones whose plots have been totally submerged. But that's not your concern today.
<AshnabisGM> During your recent trip to Ruur, you rescued Batsrau Hugaptu and his daughter Aula Wendauri, and reunited them with Irada and Shappan back in Timiil. But their home is no longer safe, and many of Irada's relatives were killed by the pirates, their bodies rendered bubun to labour at rebuilding the Cormorant Fleet.
<AshnabisGM> Daifan has been providing shelter and support for the family in Banei, but that is not their home. As they have revealed, they are Hulti, the Old Folk, and neither Aummesh nor Ombesh of the Corps will truly accept them. There is a community of Old Folk several days away, but to reach there is treacherous.
<AshnabisGM> Of course, you have agreed to do so. You certainly can rationalize that knowing roughly where the community is may be the best way to protect them from future intrusion. It is not a short trip - several days each way - but it is the best way to ensure that Batsrau, Irada, and their children can start a new life.
<AshnabisGM> The only question is, how to tell Veznara she's not invited? Then again, Veznara, you have your own business to take care of and you certainly don't want your friends nosing around into whatever trouble you and Bitsaar will get into.

The group make their plans to depart for the Hulti village

<AshnabisGM> You can gather at the land registry, still available to you in your new roles, to plan and sort out the details.
<AshnabisGM> (ok, at this point feel free to ask any questions / do any necessary planning)
<AshnabisGM> (we can assume you're all in the main meeting room at the registry, except for Veznara)
<Daifan> I was going to say - have we acgtually already dealth with that? >.>)
<Llillilli> It's easy. We just go without her.
<Jimba> (Which direction is the village?)
* Daifan nods
<Daifan> It seems she is away anyway, so that's easy enough
<AshnabisGM> The village is northeast - you'd travel along the river to the town of Balibol, and then walk through the swamp north for a day or so to where Batsrau tells you the site is located.
<Junan> its not hard to say that this couldnt wait... so we wont
* Daifan smiles
<Daifan> Fortune favours us, clearly. Hopefully it will continue to
* Junan writes a note
<Junan> there, lets be off then.
<Jimba> All right. Meet at the Menagerie when you're all ready?
* Daifan nods
<Llillilli> (skip?)
<AshnabisGM> OK, you gather together at the Menagerie; Daifan, you bring the family with you from Banei.
<Daifan> (yup)
* NPC2 is now known as Irada
<Irada> We are all so grateful to you for this kindness.
* Jimba will set about getting underway.
<Daifan> We are happy to do it.
<Llillilli> Mm-hm.
<Irada> And your friend, the priestess?
* Llillilli shrugs.
<Llillilli> She's not my friend
<Irada> Ah.
* Llillilli says neutrally
<Jimba> She's my friend.
* Jimba offers plaintively.
<Daifan> She has her own business
<Jimba> But she's off on her own...yeah.
* Daifan says, reassuringly
<Irada> We don't wish to seem ungrateful. But we also can't take any risks that the people there will turn us away. We've lost too much already.
* Jimba nods.
<Junan> its understandable.
<Daifan> We understand, yes
<Junan> lets get you there.
<Daifan> But it is not unusual for us to have missions that are tme sensitive, so she shoeuldn't think too much of it, if we've left while she is away.
<AshnabisGM> (Junan, what is in your note?)
<Junan> (probably something like pressing survey request, back in a few days)
<AshnabisGM> (ok fine)
<AshnabisGM> All right, you gather your supplies, pack up the Menagerie, and head off.

They set off on their trip

<AshnabisGM> The Kaskos is high, but never especially fast-running. The water level does make the travel easier as most obstacles are submerged, although there is a range of flotsam that bounces against the hull every now and again. Near the delta of the river, there are some Aummesh who make a good living scavenging during the rainy season.
<AshnabisGM> The fishing is good, along Lake Tsidul, this time of year. As the old saying goes, no one gets hungry in the Sestapor, they just get wet. Lots of fishers out as you slide eastwards through the lake towards the main branch of the Kaskos.
<AshnabisGM> The Menagerie makes good time upstream, but of course not as quick as you will be able to come back home. The river winds east and south, giving you some time to relax. The Menagerie's status as a Black Stork ship protects it from pirates, and the route is safe enough.
* Junan plays some light traveling music
<Jimba> (Row, row, row your boat? ;) )
* Batsrau talks to you folks one evening, while Irada is with the children.
<Batsrau> I know we've said this already, but this is a great kindness you are doing for all us.
<Batsrau> You understand ... that the location of this community, Akuuram, it is not widely known?
* Llillilli nods
* Jimba nods.
<Llillilli> I'm good at not talking.
<Jimba> I think the plan is to keep it that way.
<Katenzhi> We won't say anything.
* Daifan nods
<Batsrau> I don't know what your reception will be there. The Old Folk have good reason to mistrust.
<Katenzhi> Well, that tends to be our reception in lots of places.
<Llillilli> Yeah.
<Jimba> We'll manage.
<Batsrau> Irada ... this has all been very hard on her. Moreso than for me, even.
<Batsrau> I was a prisoner, but in the end, I am well, and I have lost no kin.
<Junan> we can get you close and have you approach on your own, if you figure that would help smooth things over. I'm sure they'll ask questions on how you made it there.
<Batsrau> Irada, her people were taken, killed, violated ...
* Batsrau pauses.
<Batsrau> Well.
<Batsrau> I don't know. We'll see when we get there. It's been a long time since I was there.
<Daifan> Are you concerned they won't take you?
<Daifan> Or that she won't want to stay?
<Batsrau> They'll take us, I think. We owe each other an obligation of hospitality.
<Batsrau> As for whether she will stay ... I don't know. She didn't want to go at first. Ruur is her home - unlike me, she was born and raised there.
* Daifan nods
<Daifan> I hope the community will be healing
<Batsrau> She feels guilt, that her kin were turned into violations, and she has survived.
<Llillilli> Mm.
<Katenzhi> I'm so sorry that we couldn't get them back.
<Batsrau> We needed to go. Of course I understand. I was there. Irada ... I think maybe she does not understand as well. She may have some anger towards me, for not ... trying harder.
<Batsrau> It's not that she's ungrateful, I don't want you to think that.
<Katenzhi> We understand
<Daifan> This.. sounds like an issue that you should speak to her about
<Daifan> I'm sure you have.
<Batsrau> I will. I have.
<Junan> once you have your feet under you and feel safe, I'm sure you'll both be in a better place to figure things out.
* Daifan nods

They reach the community of Balibol, where they leave the boat and Llifesi in the care of Nashni

<AshnabisGM> After a couple days travel, you reach the town of Balibol, the Aummesh community in the central Sestapor, perhaps the size of Timiil or a little smaller. Jimba, you've been here before on trade, but it's been a while. You're more than a day east of where the Fort even nominally claims control - this is independent land, now and for some years to come.
<AshnabisGM> Still, it's not unwelcoming to Ombesh ships, many of which make their way along the Kaskos for trade. It's probably the closest river port where you can safely keep the Menagerie for a time.
<AshnabisGM> You arrive at dusk to the sight of bright torches along the north bank of the river, pointing you to safe harbour. Liraula has sent ahead to her woman here in town, Nashni Yetsner, who will look after your precious ship while you're heading overland.
* Batsrau is now known as Nashni
* Nashni is a dark-skinned woman with striking green eyes, wearing a grey dashi.
<Nashni> Jimba Ghughife?
* Nashni peers aboard.
<Junan> <w> now that's something you don't see often
* Daifan nods to him
<Jimba> I'm Jimba. Nashni, yes?
<Nashni> That's right. And this, I assume, is the Menagerie.
<Katenzhi> Our pride and joy, such as it is.
<Nashni> She's beautiful.
* Jimba smiles.
* Katenzhi smiles genuinely
<Katenzhi> Thanks!
<Jimba> Good eye. ;)
<Katenzhi> <To Jimba> I like her.
<Jimba> Which you'll be keeping on her for us, I understand?
<Nashni> I will, absolutely.
<Nashni> Liraula also mentioned something about some animals?
<Llillilli> Llifesi is not an animal.
<Jimba> Well, he name wasn't picked at random. Bashi, Mogri!
<Junan> Give her the grand tour, Jimba.
* Jimba whistles.
<Nashni> Anything, or anyone you need taken care of, you just tell me what, who, and how.
<Katenzhi> Do you do inlaws?
<Katenzhi> Just asking.
* Nashni laughs.
<Jimba> (I figured Jimba would be taking 'Teppo and the dogs. I don't need the dogs if we get into a fight, but he uses them for hunting along the way.)
<Llillilli> Llifesi is the offspring of Loeluth.
<Jimba> Come now, they're not that bad, are they? They don't even live in Kaskind.
* Llillilli pets their shell
<AshnabisGM> (no problem, your call)
<Katenzhi> Their one saving grace.
<Nashni> Inlaws, the service I provide is that I get them extremely drunk and ply them for all your secrets. But they would also be well taken care of.
* Katenzhi laughs
<Nashni> I'm sorry, Llifesi is ... a turtle, then?
* Llillilli thins her lips
<Daifan> Its not her fault she doesn't know
<Llillilli> Maybe I will just take them with me.
<Nashni> I'm real sorry, I don't mean to cause any offense ma'am. You just tell me what you need, I do it. That's what I get paid for.
<Katenzhi> C'mon, Llillilli, not everyone is a mind reader. She means well.
<Jimba> She *is* a turtle. She's just also a person like you or me.
<Jimba> Though she is a baby.
<Jimba> Her mom was...
* Jimba indicates size
<Llillilli> They are just... very important.
* Nashni nods.
<Nashni> Understood.
<Llillilli> Loeluth is an ancient creature.
<Nashni> All right. You have nothing to worry about here. Storks muster together.
<Llillilli> All right...
* Llillilli still looks uncertain
<Daifan> It will be okay. She will likely be safer here.
<Nashni> All right, you folks take your time, just find me over there at the tavern when you need me for anything.
* Llillilli nods
* Llillilli speaks reassuringly to Llifesi in the Hith tongue
* Junan teases Jimba after she leaves
<Llillilli> <h> I will be back very soon!
<Junan> I'm sure she'd appreciate you going over to see if she needs you for anything
<Jimba> I honestly probably should socialize...
<Jimba> I wasn't planning on leaving until morning.
<Junan> see, give you a chance to show her how much you appreciate her taking care of the Managerie
* Daifan snorts
* Jimba chuckles.
<Jimba> Well, I'm not looking to 'muster', but I can buy her a drink.
<Junan> and I suppose we should appreciate a dry bed while we have the opportunity
* Llillilli rolls her eyes at Junan.
<Jimba> Suddenly the Menagerie isn't good enough for you? ;)
<Junan> It's plenty fine, I'm just not as married to it as yourself.
<Daifan> and were leaving it behind as well.
<Katenzhi> Speak for yourself. I've missed my hammock every night for the last week.
<Junan> and the hippo has taken over the bar, so you can see my problem
* Jimba laughs.
<Jimba> Well, come on then. Might as well get a drink while we can.
* Daifan is in favour of drinks but also never clear on whether they'll be able to get one, epecially in a small community like this
<Junan> agreeed
<AshnabisGM> OK, you folks go over to the tavern, known as the Green Bells, and enjoy a quiet (or loud) evening in Balibol, as the mood strikes you.
<AshnabisGM> (anyone doing anything else this evening?)
<Jimba> (I don't think so?)
<Katenzhi> (Nope)
<Llillilli> (I'm not much of a party animal)
<Junan> (im not gonna chase green eyes unless I can do it with company)
<Daifan> (Green balls)
<AshnabisGM> (all right, skip ahead to tomorrow then, and your departure)
<Daifan> (That's up to her really ;)
<AshnabisGM> (if you want to have a wild threesome with her, you definitely get the sense that she's up for it)
<Junan> (done and done!)
<AshnabisGM> (very well, moving on then!)

They travel on foot to the village, which is afflicted by recent deaths from some unknown creature

<AshnabisGM> You head north and east by foot - the terrain isn't too bad out here, but you're still slow and cautious because you don't know the area super well. Batsrau has been here, but it's clearly been a long time and of course the Sestapor is constantly changing.
<AshnabisGM> But you make reasonable time, so that towards the beginning of the second day on foot, Batsrau announces that you are near. The children seem excited.
<AshnabisGM> As you approach the location Batsrau indicates, you hear less activity than you might expect. Batsrau doesn't seem concerned, but Irada does.
<AshnabisGM> As you come closer, you enter a clearing and see a village of small round houses, clustered around a giant central walled fire pit. But there is very little activity.
<Daifan> ...
<Jimba> (How little activity?)
<Katenzhi> Is this... normal?
<Daifan> (can I make a perception roll to see if things are just hidden or if this place is abandoned or something?)
<AshnabisGM> You can tell it's inhabited - there is the smell of smoke and food having been cooked recently. But you can't actually see anyone outdoors at the moment.
<Jimba> (Do we see any people at all?)
* Junan will commune with city
* Daifan rolls [ 1d20+17 ] getting [ 4 ] which, after the modifier [ 17 ] totals [ 21 ]
<Jimba> Huh.
<Jimba> Strange.
<Llillilli> Are they... hiding?
* Daifan turns to the vcouple
<Junan> (looking for people/general state of the town/presence of powerful unnatural creatures)
<Daifan> What would you like us to do?
<AshnabisGM> Junan, the town has a population of around 40. There do appear to be some powerful unnatural creatures nearby - the area is disturbed in some way.
<Junan> there are powerful unnatural creatures nearby... the people are distured, but there should be 40 of them around
* Junan will take some fos and cast greater magic weapon on his bow
<Jimba> Do you have any idea how many "unnatural creatures"?
<Junan> !roll 1d20+10
* Daifan rolls for Junan: [ 1d20+10 ] getting [ 14 ] which, after the modifier [ 10 ] totals [ 24 ].
<Katenzhi> Great. Why can it never be natural creatures?
<AshnabisGM> You don't know precisely - few, perhaps just one.
<Llillilli> What does "disturbed" mean
<Junan> A few or maybe one
<AshnabisGM> A dark-skinned, scrawny-looking man steps out of a doorway, a bow pointed at you.
<Junan> this is not the normal state of the village
* Nashni is now known as A_Man
<A_Man> Stop right there!
<Daifan> . o O (we've already stopped...)
<A_Man> State your business!
<Katenzhi> <w> I told you this was our normal greeting.
<Junan> We don't mean to disturb you but I know something is wrong
<Junan> We are just escorting this family back here.
<Junan> that was all that we intended, but if there is something wrong, please let us help
<Junan> (ill try and Calm him, if he is close enough - 30 ft range)
<AshnabisGM> Sure, you can do that.
<Junan> (DC is 20 if he is unwilling)
<A_Man> !roll 1d20+4
* Daifan rolls for A_Man: [ 1d20+4 ] getting [ 11 ] which, after the modifier [ 4 ] totals [ 15 ].
* A_Man relaxes and lowers his weapon.
<A_Man> Who are you?
* A_Man asks, a little less accusatorily.
<Junan> I am Junan Ghez, an Envoy... this is Batsrau and his family, he is from here.
* A_Man steps forward.
* Irada is now known as Batsrau
<Batsrau> I am Batsrau of the Hugaptu, Heart and Hearth, my young friend. Be at peace. It has been many years since I have been here.
* A_Man is now known as Oboch
<Oboch> I am Oboch, senior of the Ushiir. Apologies, Heart Batsrau.
<Junan> You owe no appologies. We had intended to be less direct in our approach, but sensed something was wrong and are concerned
* Oboch looks back into the house, and then steps out, closing the door behind him.
<Oboch> Welcome to Akuuram.
<AshnabisGM> A woman steps out of the house and stands next to the man, tall, with long straight hair down to her waist. She assesses you quickly, then relaxes.
* Batsrau is now known as Yaamira
<Yaamira> I am Yaamira of the Akuur. I would also say that you are welcome, but I fear that none are welcome here now.
<Daifan> none of us?
<Junan> what happened?
* Daifan glances at Batsrau and Irada and the kids
<Jimba> What's wrong?
<Yaamira> Once we were many, but our numbers have dwindled over the years. In recent weeks, they have dwindled further by two. Our wisest lineage elder, my grandfather, Weital of the Akuur, died tragically. A few short weeks later, his nephew Weppatsni, one of our hunters, died as well.
<AshnabisGM> Junan, looking at the number and size of the houses, you can tell that a community of this size should indeed probably have 70 or more people in it.
<Junan> how did they die?
<Yaamira> Both bodies were found with deep piercing wounds, as if from a tail or fang. Weital, he was elderly and despite his wisdom, very weak. But Weppatsni too - he was a man in the height of his life.
* Yaamira says sadly.
<Daifan> would you like help, finding the creature responsible?
<Junan> something stalks the village?
<Llillilli> Hm.
<Yaamira> I don't mean to be rude ... who are you?
<Junan> no that is fair.
* Daifan shrugs
<Daifan> problem solvers ^_^
* Oboch is now known as Batsrau
<Batsrau> These people are from Kaskind ... they are escorting me and my family here.
<Daifan> Batsrau and Irata helped us, when they were lving on Ruur
<Jimba> So we're trying to help them.
<Jimba> And now you, if you want.
* Llillilli nods.
<Daifan> We wanted to bring them somehwere they could be safe
<Junan> We're friends of Batsrau. We helped him and his family escape from Ruur. Jimba and his family (pointing to Kat and Llillilli) have a boat that they trade with.
<Yaamira> Is Ruur no longer safe?
<Daifan> No.
<Daifan> The pirates that had overtaken it have turned savage, killing and taking people as slaves
<Llillilli> Sometimes those were the same people
<Llillilli> In that order
<Daifan> MMhmmm :|
<Yaamira> Come inside, then. We can speak more in here.
<Junan> (she accepting of us now, or is she still on guard?)
<AshnabisGM> (well, probably still anxious, but yes, more accepting)
<Junan> thank you for the hospitality
* Daifan nods
* Junan will head in
* Llillilli will as well.
<AshnabisGM> You enter the house, which is cramped but all of you can fit in. Yaamira and Oboch are there, as well as another adult woman, and then two adolescent girls.
* Jimba follows.
<Yaamira> This is Ekutsni, our wife. And these are our daughters, Moshnaal and Ashlaar.
<Junan> a pleasure
<Jimba> Pleased to meet you.
* Katenzhi will wave.
* Junan will do introductions quickly on our side
<Yaamira> You understand, you are here because Batsrau has vouched for you, and for no other cause.
<Junan> yes
<Katenzhi> We got that impression.
* Jimba nods.
<Junan> and we will leave if that is what you want, but when I read the feel of your village, I sensed something unnatural here.
<Yaamira> Your offer of assistance, it is given in earnest?
* Yaamira asks, almost disbelieving.
<Daifan> yes, of course
<Junan> It most certainly is
<Yaamira> We don't know the exact nature of the danger.
<Yaamira> On and near the dead, we found no trace of any creature's passing, no sign of anything other than their wounds.
<Yaamira> Others have reported feeling amiss when travelling in the swamp. A feeling of slowness, of time passing at a crawl. The feeling passes, but it is too much to bear.
<Jimba> Was this in any particular area?
<Daifan> hmmm. I hope it isn't a haunt...
<Yaamira> It isn't.
<Yaamira> I am a Heart, not nearly so great as Batsrau, to be sure, but nonetheless.
<Yaamira> It was one of the first things we considered.
* Daifan nods
<Daifan> (Is there some kind of knowedge check we could make here to see if we have ever heard of a creature that coud cause these efects?)
<AshnabisGM> (K: nature)
<Daifan> (ha ha)
* Daifan rolls [ 1d20+4 ] getting [ 7 ] which, after the modifier [ 4 ] totals [ 11 ]
<Junan> something else still leaves wide possiblilities
<AshnabisGM> (yeah no)
<Llillilli> !roll 1d20+11
* Daifan rolls for Llillilli: [ 1d20+11 ] getting [ 16 ] which, after the modifier [ 11 ] totals [ 27 ].
<Daifan> if doens't sound like any creature I have heard of...
<Llillilli> (oh +2 for favoured terrain, so 29)
* Daifan looks at Llillilli and Jimba since they're more local-ish and spend more time in the wilds
<Llillilli> (oh nm that's survival not k nature)
<Jimba> !roll 1d20+8
* Daifan rolls for Jimba: [ 1d20+8 ] getting [ 12 ] which, after the modifier [ 8 ] totals [ 20 ].
<Llillilli> (27 then)
<AshnabisGM> It's really hard to say - in the swamp, there are large, human-sized insects that could cause a big sting/puncture wound but without seeing the wound, you are really just relying on her description. And as for a feeling of slowness/uneasiness - you think you have heard of something like that.
<Llillilli> Hm.
<Llillilli> I have heard of something like that happening but... nothing specific.
<Yaamira> Nearby, even the running waters are foul. Many of us have fallen sick. There is something here, something that is destroying our community. We will be unable to stay here long.
* Llillilli frowns.
<Jimba> Well, we'll do what we can.
<Junan> if you will allow us to
<Batsrau> As for us ... my family and I have come here to join your community, if you will have us.
<Yaamira> We would be pleased. On both accounts.
<Yaamira> If you wanted to inspect them, the bodies are still pendant in the grove, awaiting their seconding.
<Junan> lets start there
* Llillilli nods.
<Llillilli> It might help to see the wounds.
* Jimba nods.
* Daifan also
<AshnabisGM> All right, you can make your plans to assist the Old Folk of Akuuram.
<AshnabisGM> (talk amongst yourself in character if you like)
<AshnabisGM> Batsrau insists that he will accompany you.
<Llillilli> (I think we were just saying we wanted to see the bodies first)
<Daifan> (yeah)
<Junan> (yeah)
<AshnabisGM> (ok, no problem)

They venture to the grove where the bodies are located to investigate their wounds, and are attacked by large stinging insects

<AshnabisGM> The next morning, you travel west from Akuuram, perhaps no more than two hundred paces, but in the treacherous terrain it takes nearly half an hour to get to the grove Yaamira mentioned.
<AshnabisGM> There, hanging from the willow trees in loose woven bags of vines and string, are the remains of two humans.
<Daifan> hmm
* Daifan will look them over as best they can
<AshnabisGM> The smell is fetid, even for the Sestapor. The pungency of the swamp is a living scent, a sign of growth. Here, there is none of that - it is washed out by decay upon decay. Yet strangely, it doesn't seem to be emanating from the bodies themselves, but from all around you.
<Llillilli> Is it permitted to touch them?
<Katenzhi>
<w>That's... a bit disconcerting.
<Batsrau> Yes, of course.
* Daifan rolls [ 1d20+17 ] getting [ 3 ] which, after the modifier [ 17 ] totals [ 20 ]
* Llillilli will try to get a look at the wounds then
<Daifan> (pffft. well, tat's heal. just tell me if ther is anythign left inside them >.>)
<Llillilli> (not sure what I am rolling)
<Llillilli> !roll 1d20+10
* Daifan rolls for Llillilli: [ 1d20+10 ] getting [ 15 ] which, after the modifier [ 10 ] totals [ 25 ].
<AshnabisGM> All right, Daifan and Llillilli, make a Will save.
<Llillilli> (fudge)
<Llillilli> !roll 1d20+6
* Daifan rolls for Llillilli: [ 1d20+6 ] getting [ 10 ] which, after the modifier [ 6 ] totals [ 16 ].
<Daifan> (do I get my bonuses?)
* Daifan rolls [ 1d20+13 ] getting [ 3 ] which, after the modifier [ 13 ] totals [ 16 ]
<Llillilli> (do I get to know if that fails before choosing to reroll on destiny?)
<Daifan> (gah. +4 f vs confused, dazed, frightened, nauseated, panicked, shaken, or sickened)
<AshnabisGM> (you're both fine)
<Llillilli> (phew)
<Junan> (ill get Kat to cast GMW on my bow before we head out)
<Katenzhi> (k)
<AshnabisGM> (OK, Katenzhi, you can do that now)
<Katenzhi> !roll 1d20+16
* Daifan rolls for Katenzhi: [ 1d20+16 ] getting [ 9 ] which, after the modifier [ 16 ] totals [ 25 ].
<AshnabisGM> (ok that's fine then)
<Jimba> (What level is that?)
<AshnabisGM> The others of you, who are standing back, can make a Perception roll.
<Katenzhi> (3)
<Jimba> !roll 1d20+15
* Daifan rolls for Jimba: [ 1d20+15 ] getting [ 4 ] which, after the modifier [ 15 ] totals [ 19 ].
<Katenzhi> !roll 1d20+15
* Daifan rolls for Katenzhi: [ 1d20+15 ] getting [ 15 ] which, after the modifier [ 15 ] totals [ 30 ].
<Jimba> (Could I get that for my machete, then, too?)
<Jimba> (Just in case)
<Junan> !roll 1d20+19
* Daifan rolls for Junan: [ 1d20+19 ] getting [ 17 ] which, after the modifier [ 19 ] totals [ 36 ].
<Katenzhi> (sure)
<Katenzhi> !roll 1d20+16
* Daifan rolls for Katenzhi: [ 1d20+16 ] getting [ 7 ] which, after the modifier [ 16 ] totals [ 23 ].
<Katenzhi> (for the second GMW)
<AshnabisGM> OK, Junan and Katenzhi, you definitely get the sense that something is amiss - you don't hear or see anything particularly, but a growing sense of dread from behind you.
<AshnabisGM> Some sort of creature, much larger than any bird, flies out from the trees and down upon you.
<Junan> (my forsight would warn me 1 round before I'm ambushed)
<AshnabisGM> (yup)
<AshnabisGM> you are about to be ambushed, Junan!
<Katenzhi> (lol)
<Junan> Somethings coming!
* Junan yells out
<AshnabisGM> You turn to see a human-sized insect moving almost silently through the air directly towards you.
<AshnabisGM> (and we should go over to roll20) [They fight some large, stinging insects infesting the corpses, having laid eggs within the bodies.]
<AshnabisGM> The insects are all destroyed.
<AshnabisGM> Jimba, Batsrau comes over to you.
<Batsrau> May I attend your wound?
* Daifan will finish hecking the (human) bodies to make surere there aren't more eggs >.>
<Daifan> (Checking)
<AshnabisGM> You don't find anything else that looks like an egg, although your expertise on the matter is limited.
<Daifan> (fair >.>)
<Jimba> Oh, sure.
* Batsrau lays his hands on you, and your wound closes up fully.
<Jimba> That thing got me pretty good.
<Jimba> That is...mighty useful.
* Batsrau laughs.
* Llillilli watches, impressed
<Batsrau> Your friend would consider it blasphemy.
<Jimba> Well...she doesn't really speak for the rest of us.
<Llillilli> Mm.
* Daifan nods
<Batsrau> So I gathered.
<Jimba> How do you do that?
<Batsrau> I don't know how to answer that in a way that would make sense.
* Jimba nods.
<Jimba> Thought I'd ask.
* Jimba smiles.
<Batsrau> Many years of being attuned with the natural world.
<Batsrau> That is perhaps not the right word.
<Batsrau> For the Corps, death is 'close'. For us, it is 'distant'.
<Batsrau> We use that distance to have a, perhaps, deeper perspective on what binds life together.
<Daifan> hmm, interesting
<Daifan> we shoud go back to the village and let them know what happened
<Batsrau> Indeed. Now is not the time for theology.
* Jimba nods.
<Jimba> But later, maybe?
<Batsrau> Yes, perhaps. Although soon, I think, we will bid you farewell, and I do not expect you will be back here anytime soon.
<AshnabisGM> You head back to Akuuram, where Yaamira and the others greet you joyfully.
<Daifan> (party time :V)
<Jimba> (Woot)

Meanwhile, Veznara and Bitsaar go back to the Auggi

<AshnabisNarrator> Veznara, you and Bitsaar have made arrangements to travel by boat back to the Auggi in order to make one last attempt at consulting the mysterious ancestors there before they are perhaps moved or rendered unreachable.
* Bitsaar has borrowed a small fishing boat from one of his numerous cousins, and you have made the necessary preparations to depart. The trip should be completed in a single night, if all goes according to plan.
<Veznara> (How long does it take to get across the strait? And then up to the temple?)
<AshnabisNarrator> The trip takes about an hour. Getting up to the temple perhaps another hour?
<AshnabisNarrator> since you won't be able to use the lift, you'll have to walk
<Veznara> (I'm up to that!)
<AshnabisNarrator> I mean if you use magic to get up the cliff, it could be faster
* Bitsaar helps you aboard the boat and will set off a little bit before sunset. He seems to know reasonably well what he's doing - you presume that before he was a priest he did some work aboard ships, as many of the locals from the coastal area do for food.
<Bitsaar> The trip will take about an hour, so it should be dark when we arrive.
<Bitsaar> We won't be able to use the new lift, so we'll have to take the old path up to the temple. We'll need to be careful walking that way in the dark, the path is narrow and treacherous at the best of times.
* Veznara nods
<Veznara> I've been stocking up on fos, in case we need a little extra help...
<Bitsaar> Unless you have enough fos for us to use magic to get up? but it seems a bit unnecessary when we can walk.
* Bitsaar nods
<Bitsaar> Once we get there, there's a storage room at the back of the temple for food and other supplies. We can go in through there - it should be open, there was never any reason to lock it.
<Veznara> I don't mind the walk, even if it takes extra time. Do you think they'll have taken precautions on the site itself?
<Bitsaar> Maybe. But I don't really know what those might be.
<Bitsaar> If the door is locked now, I guess you can use magic to open it?
<Veznara> I suppose. Let's hope that isn't necessary; I'm leery of using it except when we need to.
* Bitsaar nods
<Bitsaar> If we should get caught, I'll try to cover your escape so you can get away. You still have a career in the church worth saving, unlike me...
<Veznara> Bitsaar, no! I don't plan to abandon you to pay for my sins.
<Veznara> We both get out.
* Bitsaar smiles a little at that
<Veznara> Once we're there... what questions should we ask?
<Veznara> I assume we'll consult the Ancestor in that central tomb first.
<Bitsaar> I'm not sure.. but it's good if we discuss it before-hand. Then we won't have to talk as much when we're inside the temple. I do still need to ask the questions out loud, though, so we'll have to be careful not to be overheard.
<Veznara> We can create a magical zone of silence between us and the rest of the place, I think.
<Veznara> That seems like a case where we need to use magic.
<Veznara> That; and there's an invisibility spell that my team has used before that should be useful.
* Bitsaar nods
<Bitsaar> For questions, I suppose the first one should be, who were they? Their name and station in life, or something like that.
<Veznara> Yes. And then.. well, it depends on that first answer.
* Bitsaar nods
<Veznara> What if the answer is that it is the Rushultagri?
* Veznara whispers
<Bitsaar> If it is, then... if you could ask a question of the son of Zunuga herself, what would you want to know? How his mother died? Or what he knew of her life or teachings? Where he passed his life, did he have descendants himself?
<Bitsaar> Whether he really was her son, in fact, I suppose - we shouldn't make assumptions.
<Veznara> What were his teachings, perhaps. If he was her son, I imagine that would be part of them.
<Bitsaar> We should be prepared that to ask someone to summarize perhaps their entire spiritual view might be too complex for an ancestor. Their answers can often be brief or unclear, especially the more complex the question is.
<Veznara> I suppose so. Would the Ancestors give the main teachings?
<Bitsaar> We have only three questions to ask, so if asking about religious teachings or beliefs is to be one, let's save it for the last? Use the first two to establish who the person was and, if necessarily, more about the circumstances of their life or death?
* Veznara nods
<Bitsaar> If they are another stoneguard, or involved in that group, then both of those questions should be relevant I think?
<Veznara> I'm sure you're right. I count on you to ask the best questions, then - you know what we're looking for, and you know how best to get meaningful answers from the Ancestors.
* Veznara takes a deep breath
<Veznara> Well. Are we ready?
<Bitsaar> I suppose so... I count on you to handle the spells that will keep us undetected.
* Veznara nods
<Veznara> I'll do my best!
<Veznara> Ah... for the invisibility spell, we won't be able to see each other. We'll have to hold hands.
* Veznara blushes and smiles a bit
<Bitsaar> Oh... all right. That's probably a good idea anyway - the temple can be quite confusing, especially in the dark, and I wouldn't want to lose track of you.

They sneak into the temple by night, under cover of magic

* Bitsaar will land on the small, pebbled scrap of shoreline, and in the dark he will help you down from the boat and lead the way to the path. He knows this area well and although you have to move slowly to keep from making too much noise, he can guide you safely along the narrow, winding path that leads up the cliff.
<Veznara> Just a moment
* Veznara whispers
<Veznara> (I'd like to cast Pass Without Trace)
* Veznara prays silently to the Ancestors, and casts
<AshnabisNarrator> Okay, that's fine. 2 doses of fos, and you make your roll to cast.
<Veznara> !roll 1d20+12
* Daifan rolls for Veznara: [ 1d20+12 ] getting [ 17 ] which, after the modifier [ 12 ] totals [ 29 ].
<Veznara> That should cover our tracks for the next hour or so.
<AshnabisNarrator> No problem, you cast it successfully.
<Veznara> (I suppose I'd actually cast it when we're nearer, if that's okay... the point being I didn't want to leave traces of our being there in the temple itself)
<AshnabisNarrator> well, it lasts an hour per level so I think you're fine to cast it on the beach. this shouldn't take 11 hours!
<Veznara> (OK. As long as it covers each of us.)
<AshnabisNarrator> up to 1 person per level, so yeah, you're fine
<AshnabisNarrator> At last you reach the top of the cliff and can stop to catch your breath for a moment after the climb.
* Veznara looks around
<AshnabisNarrator> The area is quiet other than the sounds of wind and the ocean below, rocky and isolated. You don't see any people, although of course it's dark. The temple itself is a shadowy bulk up ahead.
<Veznara> Once I cast the invisibility spell, we have about ten minutes to get where we're going.
* Veznara whispers
<Bitsaar> All right... I think you should cast it right before we go in the building, then.
<Bitsaar> And you can cast it again if necessary, if it takes longer than that?
* Veznara nods
<Bitsaar> Very well. Should I take your hand now?
* Veznara smiles and reaches out for his hand
* Bitsaar takes it
<Veznara> Give my hand a squeeze when it's time to cast.
<Bitsaar> I will.
* Veznara gives him a quick kiss on the cheek.
<Veznara> For luck.
* Bitsaar smiles
<Bitsaar> Good luck to you too.
* Bitsaar leads the way around the temple, to the store room entrance that he mentioned. He gives it a quick test and as he had predicted, it isn't locked. At that point he'll squeeze your hand to indicate it's time to cast the spell.
<Veznara> !roll 1d20+12
* Daifan rolls for Veznara: [ 1d20+12 ] getting [ 4 ] which, after the modifier [ 12 ] totals [ 16 ].
<Veznara> (That *just
* makes it, I think!)
<AshnabisNarrator> Okay, that exactly makes it, so you cast successfully.
* Veznara casts a bit awkwardly, since she only has one hand to use, but manages to pull it off.
<AshnabisNarrator> You can slip inside the storage room.
<AshnabisNarrator> The room is lined with shelves of food, preserved fish and barrels of grains and salt and other staples for life on an isolated rocky outcropping of land.
<AshnabisNarrator> Did you also want to cast zone of silence?
<Veznara> (If this is the right time, then yes!)
<Veznara> !roll 1d20+12
* Daifan rolls for Veznara: [ 1d20+12 ] getting [ 11 ] which, after the modifier [ 12 ] totals [ 23 ].
<AshnabisNarrator> (it lasts 1 hour per level so yeah, you could cast it at any point really)
<AshnabisNarrator> Okay, no problem.
<AshnabisNarrator> Now you should be able to move around without your footsteps or any slight noises being overheard.
* Bitsaar knows his way through the temple, of course, and can navigate through the complex of rooms even in the dark.
* Veznara keeps a firm grip on his hand
<AshnabisNarrator> The temple is quiet as a tomb - presumably the priests are asleep by this point.
<AshnabisNarrator> At last, you reach the room that you remember from your last visit here. Where once the doorway was open, now there is a closed door, the wood still fresh and metal shiny. This door does look to be locked.
<Bitsaar> <w> Can you open it?
* Bitsaar whispers despite the zone of silence, out of habit
* Veznara frowns, though he cannot see it, and considers how to resolve this...
* Veznara takes more fos, and tries to use arcane power to open the lock quietly and smoothly...
<Veznara> !roll 1d20+12
* Daifan rolls for Veznara: [ 1d20+12 ] getting [ 13 ] which, after the modifier [ 12 ] totals [ 25 ].
<AshnabisNarrator> Okay, the spell works, then you make a level check + 10 against the DC of the lock
<Veznara> So +21 total?
<AshnabisNarrator> yeah
<Veznara> !roll 1d20+21
* Daifan rolls for Veznara: [ 1d20+21 ] getting [ 13 ] which, after the modifier [ 21 ] totals [ 34 ].
<AshnabisNarrator> The door opens, no problem.
* Veznara gives Bitsaar's invisible hand a squeeze, and gently guides him toward the now-open door.

They reach the chamber and speak to the ancestor within

<AshnabisNarrator> You descend the couple of steps into the room, with its four ossuaries of dark slate and the fifth of pale marble.
* Veznara does have a careful look before they descend
<AshnabisNarrator> You can make a Perception check as you look around the room, your eyes adjusting as much as they can to its windowless darkness.
<AshnabisNarrator> I'll roll one for Bitsaar as well.
<Veznara> !roll 1d20+17
* Daifan rolls for Veznara: [ 1d20+17 ] getting [ 6 ] which, after the modifier [ 17 ] totals [ 23 ].
<Bitsaar> !roll 1d20+6
* Daifan rolls for Bitsaar: [ 1d20+6 ] getting [ 6 ] which, after the modifier [ 6 ] totals [ 12 ].
<AshnabisNarrator> You don't see any visible signs of alteration to the ossuaries - they look as you remembered them, maybe slightly less dusty but otherwise unchanged.
* Veznara leads them over to the ornate central one.
<Bitsaar> Should we go ahead, then?
* Bitsaar asks quietly
* Veznara nods
<Bitsaar> (he can't see you nod ;)
<Veznara> (And I can't hear him ask! :P )
* Veznara nods and squeezes his hand
<AshnabisNarrator> (yes you can. Zone of silence allows you to talk within the zone, just people outside it can't hear you.)
<Veznara> (Oh, well then!)
<Veznara> Unless you think we should investigate the others first?
<Bitsaar> I think we should try this one - it seems the most distinct. And I can only speak with one ancestor, so ... we can't talk to all of them.
* Veznara nods
<Veznara> Yes. Of all of them, this seems like the one to consult.
<Bitsaar> will you open it with me? Otherwise I'd have to let go of your hand.
* Veznara smiles
<Veznara> All right.
<AshnabisNarrator> You can each take one side of the stone lid and lift it carefully to open the box.
<AshnabisNarrator> Please make a Will save.
<Veznara> !roll 1d20+10
* Daifan rolls for Veznara: [ 1d20+10 ] getting [ 20 ] which, after the modifier [ 10 ] totals [ 30 ].
<Daifan> (sec)
<AshnabisNarrator> Okay, you open the box and see within the very ancient bones of an ancestor.
* Veznara squeezes Bitsaar's hand.
<Veznara> May the Ancestors view our actions with favour.
* Bitsaar performs a brief and perhaps rather rushed incantation asking to consult the great wisdom of this ancestor.
* Veznara keeps an eye and an ear out for anyone else coming down the stairs, just in case...
<Bitsaar> Ancestor, what was your name?
* Bitsaar pauses, presumably listening to the answer.
<Bitsaar> Rushultagri, Zunuga's son.
* Bitsaar says in a hushed tone.
* Veznara was partly expecting this, but her eyes involuntarily (and invisibly) go wide all the same
<Bitsaar>
<w> what should I ask next?
<Veznara> Should we ask what were the circumstances of his death?
<Bitsaar> or his mother's? it's up to you.
<Veznara> If you think he would know that...
<Bitsaar> I don't know. I guess if he doesn't, we still have one more question...
<Veznara> But perhaps you should say Zunuga... just in case.
<Bitsaar> What do you know of how Zunuga died?
* Bitsaar asks the ancestor.
<Bitsaar> He says his mother died twice. Once cut down in battle, and then a second time in giving birth to him, sacrificing her life that he might live.
<Veznara> He was Corpseborn!?!!! :O
<Bitsaar> What should I ask for the last question? We don't have much time left...
<Veznara> What were his mother's teachings about the Corpseborn?
* Veznara blurts out, involuntarily
* Bitsaar will ask this question, then.
* Bitsaar again pauses to listen to the answer.
<Bitsaar> The ancestor says that his mother's followers taught him, and he taught his own followers in turn, that a child born of the dead held special power over fate because of their close contact with death when they entered the world. They are a blessing.
* Veznara pauses for a moment, in shock.
<Veznara> ...
<Veznara> ...
<Veznara> ...
<Veznara> ...we have to get out of here.
<Bitsaar> Thank you, Ancestor, for your wisdom. Rest peacefully now, and may your blessings guide us.
* Bitsaar says hastily, and then closes up the lid.
<Veznara> Let's leave everything as much as we found it as we can.
<Veznara> The invisibility spell is going to lapse in a bit. Let me recast it, and let's get out of here.
<Bitsaar> All right. I don't know if the door can be relocked, unless by magic? but otherwise I think we can put everything back as we found it?
* Veznara thinks for a moment
<Veznara> Let's have a look at the lock mechanism as we go through again.
<Veznara> Invisibility first, though.
* Veznara recasts the spell when they reach the top of the stairs..
<Veznara> !roll 1d20+12
* Daifan rolls for Veznara: [ 1d20+12 ] getting [ 20 ] which, after the modifier [ 12 ] totals [ 32 ].
<AshnabisNarrator> Okay, no problem. You can cast the invisibility sphere again, and close the door behind you as you go. Hopefully they will just think someone made a mistake in locking it...
* Bitsaar will again lead the way back out through the temple to the store room and then outside.
* Veznara again keeps a firm grasp on his hand as they go, listening and watching for any sign that they've been detected, just in case...
<AshnabisNarrator> You make your way back to the cliff and can carefully descend the path to the beach.
* Veznara keeps an eye out in case somebody's waiting for them at the boat... her paranoia is in overdrive. :/

In shock, they make their way back to the boat and talk on their return journey

* Bitsaar helps you into the boat, of course by this point the invisibility has worn off and you could do it yourself but he seems happy to not let go of your hand anyway.
* Veznara is happy to keep holding onto his hand as well
* Veznara does let it go, reluctantly, as they need both to steer away. She is quiet for a while even after they make it out onto the water, deep in thought.
<Bitsaar> What does it mean, do you think?
* Bitsaar asks once you're safely at sea.
* Veznara looks very unhappy
<Veznara> Oh, Bitsaar. Do you think... there's no chance the Ancestor was lying? No, surely not...
<Veznara> But if not...
<Bitsaar> Well... Ancestors only know what they knew in life. Sometimes what they knew in life might have been mistaken, or wrong. So, I don't really know. I don't think he would be lying, but it's his own interpretation or understanding of the questions.
<Bitsaar> He never really said what his mother's teaching was, because maybe he didn't know - he never would have known her, of course. He said what her followers taught him.
<Veznara> Yes. Yes, I suppose so.
<Veznara> But would they have taught him such a thing just to... make him feel better than his mother died birthing him?
<Bitsaar> I don't know.
<Bitsaar> I suppose it must be what they believed too, but clearly not all her followers?
<Veznara> Oh! If only I'd thought to ask where his mother's remains are... but he might not know that, especially not after all this time...
<Bitsaar> If some of them brought him here, then others stayed behind in the old Empire, right? and they thought different things. I don't know, I'm not a scholar, after all, but what he says doesn't match with the church's teachings, so there must have been a different group.
* Veznara nods slowly
<Veznara> Well, I suppose. But could there be so much doubt on what the Prophetess actually said? How could two groups come to believe the exact opposite?
<Veznara> What if these followers were right, and that *was* what she taught?
* Bitsaar shrugs
<Veznara> Then our society has been doing everything exactly backwards. The Corpseborn are shunned, when they should be exalted... oh, it's too much!
<Bitsaar> I don't know...
<Veznara> The idea that we've been tormenting and mistreating those whom the Prophetess may actually have said were most blessed..
<Veznara> ...
<Bitsaar> People believe different things, and each thinks their own way is right, but they just decide that because it's what they were taught, or what they decided to believe.
<Veznara> Either way, this explains what they're so eager to hide.
* Bitsaar nods
<Bitsaar> Who can we tell about this? Because someone needs to know, but the Voice have gone to a lot of effort to hide this.
<Veznara> I... I don't know.
<Veznara> Remember, when you say "a lot of effort", that means ruined careers... and *killed
* people. All to keep it secret.
* Bitsaar nods
<Veznara> A while back I asked Hand Dezmali about the story of the Rushultagri... and when I started to speculate as to whether there was something behind it, she shut me down right away. Hard.
<Bitsaar> I don't know if I can keep staying in the church after this. I mean... the way I'm going, probably I wouldn't have anyway, they already tried to get me out of the way.
<Veznara> So I don't feel like I can even speak about this with my sisters. Or, not yet.
<Bitsaar> or at least, not how things are now.
<Veznara> No. But what is to be done next?
* Bitsaar thinks for a bit
<Veznara> Maybe... there must be records from back then.
<Bitsaar> Maybe... it's so long ago. I mean, maybe back in the Empire there is something? but here...?
<Veznara> Not here, but in the heart of the Old Empire. Exactly.
<Veznara> Perhaps I can make a trip to find out more.
<Bitsaar> I'd go with you... if you wanted, that is.
<Bitsaar> I'd go anywhere with you.
* Bitsaar says a bit shyly.
* Veznara smiles and blushes
<Veznara> Oh, Bitsaar. I.. would like that. Very much.
<Bitsaar> That's another thing the church is stupid about...
* Bitsaar says with a sigh
<Veznara> Yes. Yes it is. I've begun to realize that too...
* Veznara blushes again
<Veznara> I'm sorry, I'm too upset to think about all that right now. But...
<Veznara> I have thought, Bitsaar, about it a great deal.
<Veznara> Especially about you.
<Bitsaar> no, it's fine. I wasn't trying to .... to put any pressure on you. I know it's complicated, the way things are now.
* Veznara smiles
<Veznara> I know you weren't.
<Veznara> I trust you, Bitsaar.
<Veznara> And I.. care for you.
<Bitsaar> I trust you too. I wouldn't do all this if I didn't think you were onto something, but more than that, I care about you and want to keep you safe if I can. I know this could be dangerous.
* Veznara grows solemn
<Veznara> Yes. Very dangerous.
<Veznara> But... important.