Looking carefully at the smaller statue you realize there is far more detail than the larger one. The person seems to be reaching for the urn and you are certain this was a real man at one point that has now been turned to stone.
Ransyl and Timber overlook the balcony to the water below, Dr A stands near the statues with Kirinar and Keyleth close by when they hear the sound of someone approaching from the east. They turn to see, standing in the doorway, a woman dressed in a flowing robe made from parrot feathers in stunning colors. Despite the heat, her arms, head, and face are covered in feathery veils. She addresses you in a voice tinged with odd inflections. “Strangers have come to Nangalore, my love. What boon do our subjects beseech?”
Putting the pieces of this puzzle together in his mind, Kirinar looks to his companions and decides to act on his instinct. Stepping forward, he bows low with arms flung behind him and hands open. Aside from his initial look at the lady when she entered, his eyes are now glued to the floor as he speaks. "Honored one, in truth we came here seeking a rare black orchid, only to discover your wonderful shrine to your love. I must confess that I unintentionally damaged the doorway to this shrine when I forced it open. Not that I wanted to break in, you see, but because my friends, who had climbed on the roof to keep an eye on us, accidentally fell through and were trapped inside. I promise to do as much as I can to repair the doorway, although I fear that if I go on to the roof I may damage it further. We mean no disrespect nor do we intend to take anything that honors you or the General."
And then he remains bent low, holding his breath and hoping he did not offend this ancient queen...
"The door, a paltry thing. My beloved will fix it, won't you?" She seems to speak to someone. but you don't see anyone else.
"So you seek a black orchid, why would you want such a thing? I have one, it is of immense beauty. But I couldn't bear to part with it if I didn't have something of beauty to replace it with. How about the kitty cat over there?" She points towards Timber.
"Mmmm, he could stay with me and I could give you the orchid. I'm the queen of Omu, aren't I?" She purrs. "It's been so long since I was there, but I can't leave him, can I?"
"Mmm, because your beautiful and I've taken a liking to you. You could curl up on my bed and I could feed you treats. Do you wish to stay with me? I'll give your friends here the orchid and you will be my slave."
Keyleth squints at the new arrival as she identifies herself as the queen of Omu, attempting to assess whether she is trying to deceive them, is perhaps some sort of undead spirit, or whether there is any indication of what could account for the spirit? body? something? of the ancient queen Zalkore standing before them and talking to them.
(A boatload of rolls follow, representing Keyleth's attempt to suss out the situation from various angles)
Keyelth studies the woman and realizes that she indeed is likely high, perhaps on some of the plants in these gardens. She seems to speak to them but also an unseen figure, likely a hallucination. She seems to think she is still in Omu but also present here.
Meanwhile Dr A is piecing together his history lessons of Chult and stories of Omu.
This great garden was built to honor Zalkoré, a vain Omuan queen. Its builder, Thiru-taya, was Zalkoré’s foremost general and consort. In their time, the garden was called Ka-Nanji, the Hanging Garden of Dreams. Ka-Nanji was a palatial retreat from the intrigues and pressures of Omu, and the beautiful, tiered garden was praised as a worthy tribute to the queen.
Unceasing flattery festered with poisonous vanity in Zalkoré’s mind until she bargained with an erinyes to retain her youth and beauty forever. The erinyes fulfilled the deal by transforming the queen into a medusa. When knowledge of her evil bargain spread through the realm, the army forced Zalkoré to abdicate and exiled her to Ka-Nanji, which became known ever after as Nangalore, the Garden of Lost Dreams.
Believing that Thiru-taya was among the generals who exiled her, Zalkoré defaced all the statues and portraits of him in Nangalore. She learned he had stayed true to her all his life, through decades of imprisonment and disgrace in Omu, only when his ashes were brought to the garden for interment, as was his dying wish.
Keyleth speaks up, her voice wavering, and eyes slightly averted in deference. "With respect, your majesty, this man is our friend; a sentient person, not a pet. He is no one's slave. Perhaps there is something else we can offer you, in exchange for the orchid? Judging by your personal beauty and that of your stunning gardens, you clearly have a keen eye for... um... beauty. We have come across some wonderful treasures in our adventures. Th... this box, for instance, would make a lovely display case for your fine jewelry and gemstones," she pulls out the jewelry box fashioned out of a velociraptor skull. "We could also offer you some gems of our own, to add to your collection."
You can see the interest the woman has of the box you show her in her body lagnuage as she leans forward. In her dreamy voice "Yes, that is very nice and would look very splendid here in the palace in Omu, don't you think Thiru-taya? Yes, I would place it in my gardens in Ka-Nanji. And gems, you have gems? I do so love gems. But not cheap gems, valuable gems befitting my honor as queen of this city." The last statement she raises her arms and gestures to the crumbling ruins around here although you are quite certain she thinks she sees Omu. "Yes, I have many slaves, show me the gems!"
Kirinar thinks about the gems and jewelry that he has found - several rough citrine gemstones that would likely enrage the queen as being beneath her exalted stature. He did, however, have the moonstone and silver ring in the shape of serpents that might be a worthy gift. He pulls it out of his pouch and offers it up to Keyleth for consolidating with any other treasure the group gives Zalkore. "Maybe some jewelry, too?"
Dr A turns to the woman "ah but if I recall correctly from my study of you're country's lore last time I was here over 100 years ago, this urn is particularly important to you. As a gift to you I can make it a little less observable to people who might wish to take it? Hmmmm!"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM - Storm King's Thunder - The Gods Respond DM - Four bards walk into a bar... Cracitus Tibicen (Tibi) - Aarokocra - Rogue [Swashbuckler] / Fighter [Battlemaster]
Distracted by the mention of the gem her demeanor again changes.
"The orchid is in my palace in Omu. Follow me and we will get it."
She turns to leave. Through the doorway you can see her go down the terrace and turn left towards the bell-shaped dome in the NE corner of the gardens (8).
Looking carefully at the smaller statue you realize there is far more detail than the larger one. The person seems to be reaching for the urn and you are certain this was a real man at one point that has now been turned to stone.
Dr A turns to the party "I don't think we want to be here when whatever did that" pointing to the petrified human "comes home!"
DM - Storm King's Thunder - The Gods Respond
DM - Four bards walk into a bar...
Cracitus Tibicen (Tibi) - Aarokocra - Rogue [Swashbuckler] / Fighter [Battlemaster]
“Exactly,” Ransyl nods feverishly, “lets keep looking for that orchid.”
Ransyl and Timber overlook the balcony to the water below, Dr A stands near the statues with Kirinar and Keyleth close by when they hear the sound of someone approaching from the east. They turn to see, standing in the doorway, a woman dressed in a flowing robe made from parrot feathers in stunning colors. Despite the heat, her arms, head, and face are covered in feathery veils. She addresses you in a voice tinged with odd inflections. “Strangers have come to Nangalore, my love. What boon do our subjects beseech?”
Putting the pieces of this puzzle together in his mind, Kirinar looks to his companions and decides to act on his instinct. Stepping forward, he bows low with arms flung behind him and hands open. Aside from his initial look at the lady when she entered, his eyes are now glued to the floor as he speaks. "Honored one, in truth we came here seeking a rare black orchid, only to discover your wonderful shrine to your love. I must confess that I unintentionally damaged the doorway to this shrine when I forced it open. Not that I wanted to break in, you see, but because my friends, who had climbed on the roof to keep an eye on us, accidentally fell through and were trapped inside. I promise to do as much as I can to repair the doorway, although I fear that if I go on to the roof I may damage it further. We mean no disrespect nor do we intend to take anything that honors you or the General."
And then he remains bent low, holding his breath and hoping he did not offend this ancient queen...
Love God. Love Others. Any Questions?
In a dreamy voice the woman responds
"The door, a paltry thing. My beloved will fix it, won't you?" She seems to speak to someone. but you don't see anyone else.
"So you seek a black orchid, why would you want such a thing? I have one, it is of immense beauty. But I couldn't bear to part with it if I didn't have something of beauty to replace it with. How about the kitty cat over there?" She points towards Timber.
"Mmmm, he could stay with me and I could give you the orchid. I'm the queen of Omu, aren't I?" She purrs. "It's been so long since I was there, but I can't leave him, can I?"
"What me?" Timber says in surprise, taking a step back. "Why would you want me?"
"Mmm, because your beautiful and I've taken a liking to you. You could curl up on my bed and I could feed you treats. Do you wish to stay with me? I'll give your friends here the orchid and you will be my slave."
She replies in an airy voice as if she is high.
Keyleth squints at the new arrival as she identifies herself as the queen of Omu, attempting to assess whether she is trying to deceive them, is perhaps some sort of undead spirit, or whether there is any indication of what could account for the spirit? body? something? of the ancient queen Zalkore standing before them and talking to them.
(A boatload of rolls follow, representing Keyleth's attempt to suss out the situation from various angles)
Perception: 17
Insight: 22
History: 13
Arcana: 9
"Darvin" | Changeling | Hexblade 1 / Swords Bard 6 | Descent Into Avernus (AC 19; PP 14; 52/52 HP)
Anton Chergoba | Human | Battlemaster 4 | Lost Mines of Phandelver (AC 20; PP 14; 36/36 HP)
Never one to be left out Dr A undertakes a very similar process to Keyleth in order to be better understand who and what this new person is.
Second Boatload of rolls
Perception - 18
Insight - 8
History - 10
Arcana - 9
DM - Storm King's Thunder - The Gods Respond
DM - Four bards walk into a bar...
Cracitus Tibicen (Tibi) - Aarokocra - Rogue [Swashbuckler] / Fighter [Battlemaster]
Keyelth studies the woman and realizes that she indeed is likely high, perhaps on some of the plants in these gardens. She seems to speak to them but also an unseen figure, likely a hallucination. She seems to think she is still in Omu but also present here.
Meanwhile Dr A is piecing together his history lessons of Chult and stories of Omu.
This great garden was built to honor Zalkoré, a vain Omuan queen. Its builder, Thiru-taya, was Zalkoré’s foremost general and consort. In their time, the garden was called Ka-Nanji, the Hanging Garden of Dreams. Ka-Nanji was a palatial retreat from the intrigues and pressures of Omu, and the beautiful, tiered garden was praised as a worthy tribute to the queen.
Unceasing flattery festered with poisonous vanity in Zalkoré’s mind until she bargained with an erinyes to retain her youth and beauty forever. The erinyes fulfilled the deal by transforming the queen into a medusa. When knowledge of her evil bargain spread through the realm, the army forced Zalkoré to abdicate and exiled her to Ka-Nanji, which became known ever after as Nangalore, the Garden of Lost Dreams.
Believing that Thiru-taya was among the generals who exiled her, Zalkoré defaced all the statues and portraits of him in Nangalore. She learned he had stayed true to her all his life, through decades of imprisonment and disgrace in Omu, only when his ashes were brought to the garden for interment, as was his dying wish.
Keyleth speaks up, her voice wavering, and eyes slightly averted in deference. "With respect, your majesty, this man is our friend; a sentient person, not a pet. He is no one's slave. Perhaps there is something else we can offer you, in exchange for the orchid? Judging by your personal beauty and that of your stunning gardens, you clearly have a keen eye for... um... beauty. We have come across some wonderful treasures in our adventures. Th... this box, for instance, would make a lovely display case for your fine jewelry and gemstones," she pulls out the jewelry box fashioned out of a velociraptor skull. "We could also offer you some gems of our own, to add to your collection."
"Darvin" | Changeling | Hexblade 1 / Swords Bard 6 | Descent Into Avernus (AC 19; PP 14; 52/52 HP)
Anton Chergoba | Human | Battlemaster 4 | Lost Mines of Phandelver (AC 20; PP 14; 36/36 HP)
You can see the interest the woman has of the box you show her in her body lagnuage as she leans forward. In her dreamy voice "Yes, that is very nice and would look very splendid here in the palace in Omu, don't you think Thiru-taya? Yes, I would place it in my gardens in Ka-Nanji. And gems, you have gems? I do so love gems. But not cheap gems, valuable gems befitting my honor as queen of this city." The last statement she raises her arms and gestures to the crumbling ruins around here although you are quite certain she thinks she sees Omu. "Yes, I have many slaves, show me the gems!"
Kirinar thinks about the gems and jewelry that he has found - several rough citrine gemstones that would likely enrage the queen as being beneath her exalted stature. He did, however, have the moonstone and silver ring in the shape of serpents that might be a worthy gift. He pulls it out of his pouch and offers it up to Keyleth for consolidating with any other treasure the group gives Zalkore. "Maybe some jewelry, too?"
Love God. Love Others. Any Questions?
OoC: If memory serves there were a few diamonds in the dragon's cache, but I don't remember who was holding on to them
"Darvin" | Changeling | Hexblade 1 / Swords Bard 6 | Descent Into Avernus (AC 19; PP 14; 52/52 HP)
Anton Chergoba | Human | Battlemaster 4 | Lost Mines of Phandelver (AC 20; PP 14; 36/36 HP)
Dr A turns to the woman "ah but if I recall correctly from my study of you're country's lore last time I was here over 100 years ago, this urn is particularly important to you. As a gift to you I can make it a little less observable to people who might wish to take it? Hmmmm!"
DM - Storm King's Thunder - The Gods Respond
DM - Four bards walk into a bar...
Cracitus Tibicen (Tibi) - Aarokocra - Rogue [Swashbuckler] / Fighter [Battlemaster]
Timber lets out a sigh of relief, when he is no longer the desired item for trade.
OOC: I think i might have collected some of the diamonds, if so Timber will offer them as well.
As the party brings out the different items they have collected Zalkoré suddenly shrieks in delight.
"Ah the nice kitty has a beautiful diamond. I'll take that diamond in the box the elf offered in exchange for the orchid. "
She claps her hands in delight, almost like a little child.
However when Dr A mentions the urn her demeanor quickly changes.
"Leave the urn and do not touch it. You see what happened to the last person who tried to take it. Leave it be." She says angrily.
Keyleth takes one of the diamonds from Timber and puts it inside the box. "You have a deal, majesty" she says timidly. "Where is the orchid?"
"Darvin" | Changeling | Hexblade 1 / Swords Bard 6 | Descent Into Avernus (AC 19; PP 14; 52/52 HP)
Anton Chergoba | Human | Battlemaster 4 | Lost Mines of Phandelver (AC 20; PP 14; 36/36 HP)
Distracted by the mention of the gem her demeanor again changes.
"The orchid is in my palace in Omu. Follow me and we will get it."
She turns to leave. Through the doorway you can see her go down the terrace and turn left towards the bell-shaped dome in the NE corner of the gardens (8).