Silas takes a crossbow bolt and traces the rune on Malachi's head into the dirt on the floor so he can see. "Looks kinda like this, not sure if that helps mate" he claps a hand on Malachi's back in some kind of faux-macho comforting gesture.
"if this system extends to the caves under Talmouth or even as far as the Tensmith mines then we have a few days travel ahead of us underground, I wonder if they go directly under the first wood?, Either way best to rest up at the inn and stock up on provisions first, The deer should be ready by now." Silas trails off in thought, worried "...I shouldn't be seen at the Inn, hopefully Two has left to report, but if not... I can't risk everyone's safety at the Inn."
Indeed, so far as Samir can tell, the raised rune is not causing any harm at the moment. The angry red has begun to darken to black like a newly crafted sword being pulled from the fires of the forge. There are no readily apparent magical effects from the rune, so it seems to Samir that it is either inert at the moment, or its effects are subtle. But from the way Lancet had said marked, it can't be good news either way. Perhaps it is meant to serve as an identifier? Or to have some delayed effect triggered by specific conditions like the detonation tattoo on Jon's chest?
Looking back up the tunnels as she mulls over the decisions that lay ahead of them Marion adds her own thoughts to the conversation:"These tunnels likely hold much in the way of surprises, should they even lead us to where we expect, and whatever route they do take will not be direct. If we intend on pursuing this, we cannot do so ill prepared, and we must not expect that we shall return soon. I for one am uncomfortable leaving those we rescued so swiftly, most especially as we have already garnered unwanted attention from a watcher above. It would not take them long to realise that we have departed by other means."
Turning back towards the others, a look of concern creasing her features as she looks to Samir, Malachi and Silas in particular, she speaks her concerns aloud. "Besides, we must be careful with the magics that these villain's wield, they have twisted The Lady's great gift most foully. I felt the stench of it's evil upon the one named Lancet, most clearly upon the pendant that he possessed, but also..." Her eyes suddenly fix directly upon Samir now, briefly darting down to the pouches on his person: "upon whatever it is of theirs that you have taken my friend." Turning back to address them all, though Silas would likely notice her gaze linger on him more than the others as she finishes:"I say this to you all, do not take lightly the danger that these anathema pose. I know we have scarcely been acquainted, and I have yet to understand the gifts that you are all blessed with, but I urge caution. Something far larger than we understand is occurring here. My Queen has warned me that matters of great import loom over us, and it seems I am not the only one to have received such an omen."
Silas' attention snaps to Marion abruptly at the words 'watcher above', but as she continues talking he relaxes.
"What are we to do with the unconscious ones? for all we know they are inevitable bombs like jon was, the situation isn't quite as dire this time but I don't want to risk a larger cave in."
Ashley looks at Silas annoyed. “I mentioned locking them in the cages in the lab area. Did you not hear me or ignoring me? If you have a better idea, speak up.”
Silas whips around with a smile on his face apparently drawing amusement from Ashley's annoyance in the middle of the current situation, " not ignoring, it's a good idea, just thought I'd open the discussion for everyone else... for all we know once they wake up they'll just find some way to top themselves and then the entire lab chamber is an impassable rubble pile, when you're handling explosives best to control when and where they go off than just putting them out of sight and hoping for the best" the smile does not fade as he explains his thinking, but the intent changes, shifting this manner, it's less of an amused smile now and more of a nervous self comforting smile at having been abruptly called out on his social skills.
Ashley watches with amusement as it appears Silas doesn't know how to handle his smile. "Too bad we can't just cut that tattoo off of them to avoid that entire issue of them blowing themselves up. Well, we need to get moving. You guys decide what you want to do with these baddies and I'm heading up to the Inn to check on Rana and the traveler. Malachi, you should take a rest at the Inn as well, can you walk with me?" She looks at her friend with concern.
"Perhaps keeping them restrained with both rope and a cage is a good idea."
Samir looks slightly queasy, his words distant and his gaze focused elsewhere before he refocused and stands, patting off the dust.
"I'm going to head back to the inn as well. I need to examine these items and figure out if they need to be disposed of, and if so how to go about it. If you're free, Marion, I think your insight could be helpful."
“Or can we? Cut off the tattoo, I mean” Malachi asks at Ashley’s question. It would be a good test before he tries something on his new mark he thinks to himself. “We don’t know what will happen, perhaps it can be removed while keeping them alive?”
“Regardless, I think we should all head back to the inn. I could use a rest, but I will be fine, thank you. And the cages sound like an excellent idea for these three”he smiles at Ashley’s concern, grateful for her and the rest of the party’s support.
As they walk back, he turns to Silas “You owe us some answers. Who is this Two you speak of and why is he searching for you?”
"Two is my father's assistant, I've known him all my life nearly but I've never learnt his name, Two is a nickname I gave him when I was younger.
My father is high up in social standing within an organisation in the city, the same organisation that accidentally gave me these magical abilities that I'm learning to control..." He looks from Malachi to Ashley and gives a self conscious nod before averting his eyes once more and re-addressing Malachi, however he intentionally speaks loud enough for the entire group to hear, inviting them to have input.
"However the organisation wanting me to use the visions I've been seeing to their own advantage grew weary of contending with the sometimes unintelligible chaos that comes to me, and some members were unhappy over my burgeoning powers,
so after being hunted within the city by some unknowns who shouldn't have even known of my existence, and also being poisoned likely through this thing" he brings out a small bottle of pinkish guild from a pocket.
"I came to the conclusion that there is a mole within the organisation who wants be dead, so I fled, the visions brought me here, something the voices want me to see... But I cannot return to Talmouth, not properly, not until I can root out the mole, but until then, I cannot trust anyone in the organisation, they're ruthless and don't hesitate, they are very powerful and also bask in the luxury of anonymity, which only makes them more dangerous. Which is why I understand if this is something that breaks the tentative friendship we've cultivated, the visions and voices need me to continue figuring this rat dilemma out first though, I don't know what will happen if I try to leave it alone now."
He speaks earnestly, from what the group can tell.
"you'll likely never have heard it's name, but it operates mostly in the city... This Rat cult could only be considered a threat to their politics, unless they had some kind of ace up their sleeve to control the cult, but I doubt it, no, the only connection between this situation and the organisation is my visions I think.. whatever is talking to me wants me here and it was given to me by them, that's all.." Silas stiffens up slightly in his gait whilst he continues down to tunnel with the group.
The group soon reaches the lab and get to work binding their captives and securing them in cages with locks still intact. As they do so, Kairem cautiously enters the chamber, hearing familiar voices, and looks around at the carnage before noticing the cultists being loaded into cells. "Um, so what's the plan here?" they ask nervously.
"I believe," Samir begins, looking a little hesitantly at the cultists, and Silas too for that matter. "I believe that it is still up for some debate. But there seems to be a great deal going on here. Far more than initially believed."
With that he commandeers one of the desks, sweeping aside the detritus of whoever had worked there before to clear a space. Carefully he sets down the darkness stone, a small collection of staples, the amulet taken from upstairs in the inn, and the cloak clasp taken from the same spot. He indicates with one hand all but the cloak clasp, speaking out loud as he does. "These all came from the cultists in one way or another. The amulet was found in the inn, behind the bar. This clasp, however, seems unrelated. In fact, Ashley, you may find this interesting. It seems to have been made by a group from near your homeland." He picks up the small item, formed into the likeness of two suns connected by a thin chain. "If I am correct, it can serve to keep its attuned bearer warm despite the environment. Most likely a former victim of the innkeeper who used it to aid in getting through the pass."
Marion listens intently as the others talk on their way back, frowning at the conundrum that is dealing with the "suicide" tattoo's, for while the danger is clear and dealing with the practicalities of restraining these men is complex, she finds discussion of cutting them away distasteful. However, when Silas begins to open up to them about the troubles he has gone through her manner softens, as she decides to leave thoughts on the awkward moralities of dealing with such evil men and instead chooses to focus on something she see's a clear course of action behind.
As they re-enter the lab room Marion aids in restraining the captives, making sure that they are suitably well bound and unable to cause themselves, or any others, harm, before retrieving her discarded longsword. She then steps over to Silas, putting her hand upon the goliath's shoulder and speaking gently so that the others cannot hear her: "I sense much strife in your words, from both your past and uncertainty over your future, and this must be a great burden to bear. Though I still understand little, it sounds as if you have been exploited by this organisation. If you wish to speak more, know that you have my discretion should you ever desire it."
As Samir lays out the various artefacts she places the wicked knife that Lancet carried alongside them. "I sensed no touch of evil magic upon this blade, though it's wicked intent is clear enough. Be careful my friend, do not trifle with these tools of malefactors."As she says this she casts her eye over the array of items, trying as best she can to recall her studies at the keep on magical anathema imbued by the will of those who would defile the Lady's gift.
Can I use religion as well as arcana to examine these? Either way here are some rolls: religion: 15, arcana: 21
"exploited..? I'd never thought of it that way, complicated, for sure. Maybe I'm making it sound worse than it is, they taught me everything I know.." Silas takes a beat, letting his slow thought processplay across his face. Still somewhat stiff to this trust experience he turns to Marion and continues "I may just take you up on that offer, um.. to talk. If there's anything else anyone wants to know, I can't promise it'll make you trust me but if it's honest then it's the best I can do, right?"
A light bulb seemingly pings over Silas' head as he whips around to Malachi, "instead of cutting them off whole cloth could we make small cuts to, like, interrupt the rune? If the symbol carries magic intention then the shape has to be important right? If the shape is disturbed does the intention lose its hold?"
As the varied tools and equipment are laid out over the table Silas merely waves a hand over the top of them, testing if there is any reaction, if there is nothing he will hesitantly poke at the amulet and the staples.
Ashley breathes out a sigh of relief as the cultists are locked up in the cages, happy that at least that portion is taken care of. She watches as Samir spreads out everything he has collected since they have arrived and it surprises her. “Samir, I’m glad one of us has the forethought to collect these things to figure out maybe what is going on? You’re right, that clasp.. that symbol is very familiar, definitely from the Sands. Ha, would have been nice to have when we forged over!”
She looks over the items, trying to gleam anything out of them. She knows she has magic and has figured out her way of using it, though the study of it eludes her a bit. So glad she has others here with to help.
Arcana 7
As she is listening to Silas her heart starts warming to him. She starts feeling bad on how she treated him, but then remembers their first night here. “Silas, I know what’s it like to be cast an outsider. I’d like to tell you it gets easier, but well, I’m glad you found us. You also seem to have a good handle on these runes; what can I do to help?
"Uhhh, thanks! I, I'm not sure about the runes really, but like, there's gotta be reason to the method right? I might test some theories later when you lot go back to the Inn. If I stay here I can keep an eye on things." Silas shifts awkwardly in response.
“The plan? Why we must warn the council of course. I am sure there will be a reward in it, make a good name for ourselves. Maybe even take care of that problem with your ‘organization’, Silas.” Malachi brings the former prisoners up to speed on what they learned from Lancet “They are preparing for some divine being to arrive, from across the sea somehow, in a month’s time. They are against the Blue Lady. I am not sure what this has to do with Tensmith or the tunnels at this point, unless they aim to steal the mining secrets to better destabalize Cambria before they unleash whatever they plan.”
Malachi walks over to the table where Samir has laid out his finds “Kairem, the amulet must be the one you told us about, the one that can sense the presence of magic. The cultists are interested in magic users, Jon was very excited to learn there was some in our group.” Malachi pulls out the two daggers he had picked up from Jon and Marcus and inspects them, comparing to see if they look the same as Lancet’s, or if he could determine any particular use or feature. “I took these two as well, but I think I will hold onto them for now. Can’t have too many daggers.”
Perception: 17.
Investigation: 17.
He looks up a Silas’ suggestion “Cut the rune? I guess it is worth a try, or maybe Ashley can burn them off” he looks over at the genasi. “Maybe we can free them from this beings control. But how would we tell if it worked?”
As Samir places the amulet down, he notices that it glowing brighter than before, and the red seems intermingled with the blue, corresponding roughly to the placement of the various members of the impromptu group. The sides facing Marion, Ashley, and Malachi glow blue, while red lights up in Joren and Vilus's directions.
Marion looks over the items and the markings in them, trying to make sense of everything. From her study of magic, she supposes it could be theoretically possible for a God of the Blue Lady's power to imbue something with her own will, allowing it to tap into magic in the atmosphere and to channel it even without a living person involved. But she never would have thought of it. From all of her religious studies, she understands that such divine interventionism would only be a last resort for the Blue Lady, who shared the gift of magic with the world that the people may have the power to craft a better world themselves. That is part of the reason so many seem not to believe in the Blue Lady, or other deities for that matter.
But if there were another God... this Razmus... who didn't share that guiding philosophy, yes. That would explain much. Perhaps it could even have to do with why the Blue Lady seemed to be a target for Razmus.
From the staples to the amulet to the orb of darkness, everything that Silas passes his hand over causes the buzzing in his head to intensify, along with a hunger. A hunger to know. To Understand. And then to annihilate. Study the leaves to find the roots. Burn the roots to choke the tree. Chop down the tree to build a tower... Silas manages to pull his thoughts away from the intrusive rabbithole he had been headed down.
Looking at the knives he had collected, Malachi can see they are all of the same make as Lancet's. The nick on his hand from his inspection the previous night seems to be healing just fine, so they at least don't seem to have any poison or strange curse on them. Just very sharp daggers, designed for inflicting harm (+1 damage and temporarily reduces max HP by half of the damage dealt).
When Silas mentions altering the runes rather than removing them, Marion considers. It could work! Maybe. If done right, and done careful. While she may not understand the exact mechanism of the patterns and symbols, she would imagine that something like the tattoo on Jon's chest would likely communicate not just an effect but also a condition. If the wrong part were to be nullified, it could remove the condition rather than the explosion, which could cause the explosion to trigger then and there. Or it could change the nature of the effect altogether. In theory.
To be safe, the alteration would also be best done using the same medium as the initial markings. If a nick in the wrong place on a Godtongue tattoo were enough to trigger or neutralize it, she wouldn't imagine it would be particularly practical for use on skin. They would need to find ink, preferably of the same kind used in Jon's tattoo, but due to the precise nature of the work, it was likely that someone else had done the script of his tattoo.
When Malachi wonders about using mining equipment to somehow destabilize the region, Ashley has a momentary flashback the ground bursting beneath her in her nightmare. Malachi brings up a good point though. How would they know if they succeeded in deactivating the runes? But Ashley quickly realizes that it could easily be tested with the fasteners that had been used to bind the wrappings on Rana, Kairem, and the others. Because they apparently caused non lethal discomfort and pain when touched, if marring the original runes made them safe to handle they would have their answer.
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Silas takes a crossbow bolt and traces the rune on Malachi's head into the dirt on the floor so he can see. "Looks kinda like this, not sure if that helps mate" he claps a hand on Malachi's back in some kind of faux-macho comforting gesture.
"if this system extends to the caves under Talmouth or even as far as the Tensmith mines then we have a few days travel ahead of us underground, I wonder if they go directly under the first wood?, Either way best to rest up at the inn and stock up on provisions first, The deer should be ready by now." Silas trails off in thought, worried "...I shouldn't be seen at the Inn, hopefully Two has left to report, but if not... I can't risk everyone's safety at the Inn."
Indeed, so far as Samir can tell, the raised rune is not causing any harm at the moment. The angry red has begun to darken to black like a newly crafted sword being pulled from the fires of the forge. There are no readily apparent magical effects from the rune, so it seems to Samir that it is either inert at the moment, or its effects are subtle. But from the way Lancet had said marked, it can't be good news either way. Perhaps it is meant to serve as an identifier? Or to have some delayed effect triggered by specific conditions like the detonation tattoo on Jon's chest?
Looking back up the tunnels as she mulls over the decisions that lay ahead of them Marion adds her own thoughts to the conversation: "These tunnels likely hold much in the way of surprises, should they even lead us to where we expect, and whatever route they do take will not be direct. If we intend on pursuing this, we cannot do so ill prepared, and we must not expect that we shall return soon. I for one am uncomfortable leaving those we rescued so swiftly, most especially as we have already garnered unwanted attention from a watcher above. It would not take them long to realise that we have departed by other means."
Turning back towards the others, a look of concern creasing her features as she looks to Samir, Malachi and Silas in particular, she speaks her concerns aloud. "Besides, we must be careful with the magics that these villain's wield, they have twisted The Lady's great gift most foully. I felt the stench of it's evil upon the one named Lancet, most clearly upon the pendant that he possessed, but also..." Her eyes suddenly fix directly upon Samir now, briefly darting down to the pouches on his person: "upon whatever it is of theirs that you have taken my friend." Turning back to address them all, though Silas would likely notice her gaze linger on him more than the others as she finishes: "I say this to you all, do not take lightly the danger that these anathema pose. I know we have scarcely been acquainted, and I have yet to understand the gifts that you are all blessed with, but I urge caution. Something far larger than we understand is occurring here. My Queen has warned me that matters of great import loom over us, and it seems I am not the only one to have received such an omen."
Silas' attention snaps to Marion abruptly at the words 'watcher above', but as she continues talking he relaxes.
"What are we to do with the unconscious ones? for all we know they are inevitable bombs like jon was, the situation isn't quite as dire this time but I don't want to risk a larger cave in."
Ashley looks at Silas annoyed. “I mentioned locking them in the cages in the lab area. Did you not hear me or ignoring me? If you have a better idea, speak up.”
Silas whips around with a smile on his face apparently drawing amusement from Ashley's annoyance in the middle of the current situation, " not ignoring, it's a good idea, just thought I'd open the discussion for everyone else... for all we know once they wake up they'll just find some way to top themselves and then the entire lab chamber is an impassable rubble pile, when you're handling explosives best to control when and where they go off than just putting them out of sight and hoping for the best" the smile does not fade as he explains his thinking, but the intent changes, shifting this manner, it's less of an amused smile now and more of a nervous self comforting smile at having been abruptly called out on his social skills.
Ashley watches with amusement as it appears Silas doesn't know how to handle his smile. "Too bad we can't just cut that tattoo off of them to avoid that entire issue of them blowing themselves up. Well, we need to get moving. You guys decide what you want to do with these baddies and I'm heading up to the Inn to check on Rana and the traveler. Malachi, you should take a rest at the Inn as well, can you walk with me?" She looks at her friend with concern.
"Perhaps keeping them restrained with both rope and a cage is a good idea."
Samir looks slightly queasy, his words distant and his gaze focused elsewhere before he refocused and stands, patting off the dust.
"I'm going to head back to the inn as well. I need to examine these items and figure out if they need to be disposed of, and if so how to go about it. If you're free, Marion, I think your insight could be helpful."
“Or can we? Cut off the tattoo, I mean” Malachi asks at Ashley’s question. It would be a good test before he tries something on his new mark he thinks to himself. “We don’t know what will happen, perhaps it can be removed while keeping them alive?”
“Regardless, I think we should all head back to the inn. I could use a rest, but I will be fine, thank you. And the cages sound like an excellent idea for these three” he smiles at Ashley’s concern, grateful for her and the rest of the party’s support.
As they walk back, he turns to Silas “You owe us some answers. Who is this Two you speak of and why is he searching for you?”
"Two is my father's assistant, I've known him all my life nearly but I've never learnt his name, Two is a nickname I gave him when I was younger.
My father is high up in social standing within an organisation in the city, the same organisation that accidentally gave me these magical abilities that I'm learning to control..." He looks from Malachi to Ashley and gives a self conscious nod before averting his eyes once more and re-addressing Malachi, however he intentionally speaks loud enough for the entire group to hear, inviting them to have input.
"However the organisation wanting me to use the visions I've been seeing to their own advantage grew weary of contending with the sometimes unintelligible chaos that comes to me, and some members were unhappy over my burgeoning powers,
so after being hunted within the city by some unknowns who shouldn't have even known of my existence, and also being poisoned likely through this thing" he brings out a small bottle of pinkish guild from a pocket.
"I came to the conclusion that there is a mole within the organisation who wants be dead, so I fled, the visions brought me here, something the voices want me to see... But I cannot return to Talmouth, not properly, not until I can root out the mole, but until then, I cannot trust anyone in the organisation, they're ruthless and don't hesitate, they are very powerful and also bask in the luxury of anonymity, which only makes them more dangerous. Which is why I understand if this is something that breaks the tentative friendship we've cultivated, the visions and voices need me to continue figuring this rat dilemma out first though, I don't know what will happen if I try to leave it alone now."
He speaks earnestly, from what the group can tell.
Joren is somewhat lost, as he always is when it comes to intrigue and cloak-and-dagger matters.
"Organization? Is it having a name? Do you think they are working with these cultists here?"
Tanis(Ranger1): Shiverquill's Tempest City | Barn(Paladin1): Damian_May's Ereworn Under the Shadow | Lyra(Warlock2/Bard4): VitusW's Silverwood Forest
Dyson/Eleo(Cleric4): Vos' Beyond the Veil | Soren(Druid5): Bartjeebus' Ravenloft | Ophelia(Sorcerer4): Ashen_Age's Risen from the Sands
Joren(Fighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Sabetha(Monk3): Bedlymn's Murder Court | Seri(Cleric3/Sorcerer1): Bartjeebus' Greyhawk
"you'll likely never have heard it's name, but it operates mostly in the city... This Rat cult could only be considered a threat to their politics, unless they had some kind of ace up their sleeve to control the cult, but I doubt it, no, the only connection between this situation and the organisation is my visions I think.. whatever is talking to me wants me here and it was given to me by them, that's all.." Silas stiffens up slightly in his gait whilst he continues down to tunnel with the group.
The group soon reaches the lab and get to work binding their captives and securing them in cages with locks still intact. As they do so, Kairem cautiously enters the chamber, hearing familiar voices, and looks around at the carnage before noticing the cultists being loaded into cells. "Um, so what's the plan here?" they ask nervously.
"I believe," Samir begins, looking a little hesitantly at the cultists, and Silas too for that matter. "I believe that it is still up for some debate. But there seems to be a great deal going on here. Far more than initially believed."
With that he commandeers one of the desks, sweeping aside the detritus of whoever had worked there before to clear a space. Carefully he sets down the darkness stone, a small collection of staples, the amulet taken from upstairs in the inn, and the cloak clasp taken from the same spot. He indicates with one hand all but the cloak clasp, speaking out loud as he does. "These all came from the cultists in one way or another. The amulet was found in the inn, behind the bar. This clasp, however, seems unrelated. In fact, Ashley, you may find this interesting. It seems to have been made by a group from near your homeland." He picks up the small item, formed into the likeness of two suns connected by a thin chain. "If I am correct, it can serve to keep its attuned bearer warm despite the environment. Most likely a former victim of the innkeeper who used it to aid in getting through the pass."
Marion listens intently as the others talk on their way back, frowning at the conundrum that is dealing with the "suicide" tattoo's, for while the danger is clear and dealing with the practicalities of restraining these men is complex, she finds discussion of cutting them away distasteful. However, when Silas begins to open up to them about the troubles he has gone through her manner softens, as she decides to leave thoughts on the awkward moralities of dealing with such evil men and instead chooses to focus on something she see's a clear course of action behind.
As they re-enter the lab room Marion aids in restraining the captives, making sure that they are suitably well bound and unable to cause themselves, or any others, harm, before retrieving her discarded longsword. She then steps over to Silas, putting her hand upon the goliath's shoulder and speaking gently so that the others cannot hear her: "I sense much strife in your words, from both your past and uncertainty over your future, and this must be a great burden to bear. Though I still understand little, it sounds as if you have been exploited by this organisation. If you wish to speak more, know that you have my discretion should you ever desire it."
As Samir lays out the various artefacts she places the wicked knife that Lancet carried alongside them. "I sensed no touch of evil magic upon this blade, though it's wicked intent is clear enough. Be careful my friend, do not trifle with these tools of malefactors." As she says this she casts her eye over the array of items, trying as best she can to recall her studies at the keep on magical anathema imbued by the will of those who would defile the Lady's gift.
Can I use religion as well as arcana to examine these? Either way here are some rolls: religion: 15, arcana: 21
"exploited..? I'd never thought of it that way, complicated, for sure. Maybe I'm making it sound worse than it is, they taught me everything I know.." Silas takes a beat, letting his slow thought process play across his face. Still somewhat stiff to this trust experience he turns to Marion and continues "I may just take you up on that offer, um.. to talk. If there's anything else anyone wants to know, I can't promise it'll make you trust me but if it's honest then it's the best I can do, right?"
A light bulb seemingly pings over Silas' head as he whips around to Malachi, "instead of cutting them off whole cloth could we make small cuts to, like, interrupt the rune? If the symbol carries magic intention then the shape has to be important right? If the shape is disturbed does the intention lose its hold?"
As the varied tools and equipment are laid out over the table Silas merely waves a hand over the top of them, testing if there is any reaction, if there is nothing he will hesitantly poke at the amulet and the staples.
Ashley breathes out a sigh of relief as the cultists are locked up in the cages, happy that at least that portion is taken care of. She watches as Samir spreads out everything he has collected since they have arrived and it surprises her. “Samir, I’m glad one of us has the forethought to collect these things to figure out maybe what is going on? You’re right, that clasp.. that symbol is very familiar, definitely from the Sands. Ha, would have been nice to have when we forged over!”
She looks over the items, trying to gleam anything out of them. She knows she has magic and has figured out her way of using it, though the study of it eludes her a bit. So glad she has others here with to help.
Arcana 7
As she is listening to Silas her heart starts warming to him. She starts feeling bad on how she treated him, but then remembers their first night here. “Silas, I know what’s it like to be cast an outsider. I’d like to tell you it gets easier, but well, I’m glad you found us. You also seem to have a good handle on these runes; what can I do to help?
"Uhhh, thanks! I, I'm not sure about the runes really, but like, there's gotta be reason to the method right? I might test some theories later when you lot go back to the Inn. If I stay here I can keep an eye on things." Silas shifts awkwardly in response.
“The plan? Why we must warn the council of course. I am sure there will be a reward in it, make a good name for ourselves. Maybe even take care of that problem with your ‘organization’, Silas.” Malachi brings the former prisoners up to speed on what they learned from Lancet “They are preparing for some divine being to arrive, from across the sea somehow, in a month’s time. They are against the Blue Lady. I am not sure what this has to do with Tensmith or the tunnels at this point, unless they aim to steal the mining secrets to better destabalize Cambria before they unleash whatever they plan.”
Malachi walks over to the table where Samir has laid out his finds “Kairem, the amulet must be the one you told us about, the one that can sense the presence of magic. The cultists are interested in magic users, Jon was very excited to learn there was some in our group.” Malachi pulls out the two daggers he had picked up from Jon and Marcus and inspects them, comparing to see if they look the same as Lancet’s, or if he could determine any particular use or feature. “I took these two as well, but I think I will hold onto them for now. Can’t have too many daggers.”
Perception: 17.
Investigation: 17.
He looks up a Silas’ suggestion “Cut the rune? I guess it is worth a try, or maybe Ashley can burn them off” he looks over at the genasi. “Maybe we can free them from this beings control. But how would we tell if it worked?”
As Samir places the amulet down, he notices that it glowing brighter than before, and the red seems intermingled with the blue, corresponding roughly to the placement of the various members of the impromptu group. The sides facing Marion, Ashley, and Malachi glow blue, while red lights up in Joren and Vilus's directions.
Marion looks over the items and the markings in them, trying to make sense of everything. From her study of magic, she supposes it could be theoretically possible for a God of the Blue Lady's power to imbue something with her own will, allowing it to tap into magic in the atmosphere and to channel it even without a living person involved. But she never would have thought of it. From all of her religious studies, she understands that such divine interventionism would only be a last resort for the Blue Lady, who shared the gift of magic with the world that the people may have the power to craft a better world themselves. That is part of the reason so many seem not to believe in the Blue Lady, or other deities for that matter.
But if there were another God... this Razmus... who didn't share that guiding philosophy, yes. That would explain much. Perhaps it could even have to do with why the Blue Lady seemed to be a target for Razmus.
From the staples to the amulet to the orb of darkness, everything that Silas passes his hand over causes the buzzing in his head to intensify, along with a hunger. A hunger to know. To Understand. And then to annihilate. Study the leaves to find the roots. Burn the roots to choke the tree. Chop down the tree to build a tower... Silas manages to pull his thoughts away from the intrusive rabbithole he had been headed down.
Looking at the knives he had collected, Malachi can see they are all of the same make as Lancet's. The nick on his hand from his inspection the previous night seems to be healing just fine, so they at least don't seem to have any poison or strange curse on them. Just very sharp daggers, designed for inflicting harm (+1 damage and temporarily reduces max HP by half of the damage dealt).
When Silas mentions altering the runes rather than removing them, Marion considers. It could work! Maybe. If done right, and done careful. While she may not understand the exact mechanism of the patterns and symbols, she would imagine that something like the tattoo on Jon's chest would likely communicate not just an effect but also a condition. If the wrong part were to be nullified, it could remove the condition rather than the explosion, which could cause the explosion to trigger then and there. Or it could change the nature of the effect altogether. In theory.
To be safe, the alteration would also be best done using the same medium as the initial markings. If a nick in the wrong place on a Godtongue tattoo were enough to trigger or neutralize it, she wouldn't imagine it would be particularly practical for use on skin. They would need to find ink, preferably of the same kind used in Jon's tattoo, but due to the precise nature of the work, it was likely that someone else had done the script of his tattoo.
When Malachi wonders about using mining equipment to somehow destabilize the region, Ashley has a momentary flashback the ground bursting beneath her in her nightmare. Malachi brings up a good point though. How would they know if they succeeded in deactivating the runes? But Ashley quickly realizes that it could easily be tested with the fasteners that had been used to bind the wrappings on Rana, Kairem, and the others. Because they apparently caused non lethal discomfort and pain when touched, if marring the original runes made them safe to handle they would have their answer.