The Forgotten Wish

Rick glances over at the digging but is more focused on Pallen at the moment and his own thoughts.

After some time, figuring that it's not worth spending potentially way too long digging with bare hands at what may be nothing, the group continues. 

(can I have a last set of perception rolls?) 

Breldo Perception: 19

Sylvera huffs, "Of course no one has a shovel. Come on, perhaps we can come back for... whatever this is later." 

Perception: 23

Until she hits the second layer of dirt, Nuria uses her hands. Then she shifts over to using her dagger to try to scrape some more dirt away. She's not really trying to dig the entire thing out, just uncover it enough to get an idea of what it is.

Perception: 10

Perception: 21

9

Before the group continues, Nuria uses what tools she has on hand to try and at least get an idea of what they are dealing with. The single "handle" stretches on for a bit before beginning to stretch out and concave... She thinks it may be a wheelbarrow or something of those likes, actually? Laying here mostly buried, tilted just enough for this one piece to stick out a little bit.

---

As the group continues,  it's only a little bit further up the hill for their final destination to come in sight. Up there, a large singular, structure takes the center stage, though it is the outer ring that the group passes first. The large metal columns that stand in a circle around the central building give almost the impression of some kind of outer fence... Although the material that once comprised the actual walls must have been destroyed, as now only these pillars of metal, same as they've seen so far on the journey here, is all that remains. The central building in contrast is large, and mostly flat, though there is a tower in the middle of the structure. 

But even then, paying attention to the main building may become a secondary point of concern now the group starts to see just exactly what they may be dealing with. Statues. And while one may naively hope that it was just a twisted art project, the many elven visages turned to stone already outside give but an indicator of what may await them inside. Some of the figures outside stand as if they had been frozen in the middle of their actions, or as if they had wanted to pose before the end. Several have fallen over, or even lie partially buried as time had not been kind to their figures. Yet others looked as if they knew what was coming, and left this world in the best way they could.

Pallen has definitely noticed they are but a mere hundred feet or so now from the main doors, wide open and broken by time. But while he was too distracted to notice anything off, Breldo, Sylvera, and even Khond think they briefly notice some movement from within. Though they were too far to get any idea of what, and it seems gone by the point they get closer.

"We should be careful.  I swear something was moving, and this seems like the kind of place bandits may hide out."

Rick looks between the statues with a sad shake of his head but doesn't look to Pallen.

On hearing Khond's pronouncement Rick will say,

"Rick will go check it out."

He'll then hustle off to the entrance, sliding between cover as much as possible.

Stealth: 25

Nuria stands up after uncovering what looks like the handle of a tool they have no use for. Brushing the dirt off her knife and hands, she turns back to Breldo while trying not to look at Sylvera. "I think it's a wheelbarrow." She says quietly to the halfling before the group ultimately pushes forward.

She shivers when seeing the statues. Statues that were once elves, like Pallen. Unconsciously, she hides behind her black veil of hair. She's glad she's not an elf.

"S-something moving?" She said suddenly after hearing Khond's words. Trying to shake off the feeling of dread that has overtaken her, she tries to focus on the path ahead. She's not sure Rick going ahead alone is a good idea, but she's not a vocal person and she prefers to stay with Breldo. However, she keeps the tabaxi in her sights for as long as possible, readying her shortbow should anything try to attack him.

Breldo gives Nuria a nod of approval as she checks her bow, doing likewise with his crossbow as the greasy cat slips forward.

Rick seems to almost disappear as he quickly moves from what little hiding spots there are to sneak up to the door, but mostly takes a path that should be far out of sight from anyone inside. By the time he gets to the door however, it seems that there is no one there, and there's enough of a mess to indicate that if there was someone here, it can't have been a large group. Or it'd have been a very, very stealthy group. There's a small entranceway, exits to both the left and right, and a massive, important-looking painting that seems remarkably well-preserved behind a glass wall in the middle of the room.

At the main group, Pallen seems to snap slightly out of his trance at hearing of potential trouble.

"...I'd hope not that any bandits would set up here. Seems too far from anything worthwhile looting."

"...Mostly I don't think any bandit could stand to be inside there for too long."

Rick will slip in and look to the left and right through the paths to make sure no one is just around a corner.

He'll then pause and listen in the room entrance for anything.

Perception: 19

If he doesn't hear/see anything he'll head back out and wave everyone forward.

A quick cursory glance to the left and right, as well as listening attentively, reveal nothing out of the ordinary. There is a lot of dirt within the hall, but that seems to come from the passage of time rather than (many) people moving about. It'd take a closer look (Investigation or survival) to see if there's anything recent, but the coast at least seems clear.

"A wheelbarrow," Sylvera scoffs, clearly angry at herself for bothering to look. What a waste of time. With a long sigh she returns to the rest of the group as they continue on. 

As they pass by the statues, her expression grows less haughty and more solemn. While she clearly doesn't like looking at the statues, she forces herself to take in the sight. If there is anything to be learned by this, she must. 

"I saw movement as well," she says in an undertone, her eyes narrowing as they near the main doors. She nods when Rick say's he'll check it out, glad that someone took initiative. 

"Something tells me this may not be bandits," she says to Pallen as they watch Rick depart. "But I do not know who else would come here... other than perhaps a researcher like myself." She crosses her arms, "Who else knows of this place? Anyone we should be worried about?" She glances at Pallen, "Or do you think they found this place by chance? Is there anything of... of value left with any of these statues? Anything that could tempt looters?" Even if there was only one small gem found on accident, she could only imagine what would happen if some bandit had the idea that there could by treasure hidden away with these statues... like the treasure hidden in some ancient tomb. 

Rick would wave everyone forward before starting to inspect the dirt for recent tracks.

Investigation: 3

He isn't too worried about it at this point, probably just a couple people if it is anyone at all.

"Oi! If you're bandit's you'd better piss right off before we fertilize the forest with you! If you're on a pilgrimage here, so are we, might as well make yourselves known! If you're another bear, I've had more than enough of your ilk for one day, go find a beehive tree and suck honey!", Breldo calls out.

"Rick wonders if Breldo has brain worms."

Slick wonders quietly to himself as the group approaches.

Rick gives the clear to the group at large that it is safe to proceed forward, and as the group at large (presumably) proceeds forward to the entrance. As Sylvera wonders out loud some of the possibilities of who may be here, Pallen seems to slip into thought himself as he considers the possibilities.

And Breldo loudly shouts at the top of his lungs his own thoughts to any would-be visitors.  Pallen's mouth drops open for a moment, glancing about, but there doesn't seem to be any immediate reply. So he let's out a deep sigh as he shares his own thoughts.

"Yes, well... What Breldo is saying is probably most likely. It could be someone coming to visit... Relatives, or someone in a similar position like me. Or potentially a looter. I don't think the latter is super likely, mostly because, well... Anything that is really worth salvaging probably got taken a few millenia ago already. But I suppose that wouldn't stop some people."

As Rick enters the building proper, he spends some time looking for tracks. He does find some footsteps, but he's not sure if they are fresh or old. Or what direction they are going, for that matter. As Pallen arrives at the entrance himself he seems cautious for a moment longer, but eventually speaks up as he's gazing at the enormous painting in the entrance hall.

"Well, there they are. The God Emperor Adameus and the queen themselves," he starts, as the painting is taken in.

Both figures on the painting are elves, one male, one female, an obvious couple of royalty by their royal clothing and adornments. The man on the left strikes a figure of authority. Tall, long, smooth, dark hair cascading down his back, a stern gaze and expression even if it held just the slightest hint of a smile, together with those piercing golden eyes. A small crown fits atop his head, and in one hand he holds a tall scepter. The figure beside him in contrast seems almost too jovial. A bright, warming smile on a beautiful visage, a hint of dreamy blue eyes and long golden locks, as the duo stands close together.

They seem happy.

"...And now they're stone, just like everyone else."

(People can give me a history roll if they want to know how much they'd know about this. Sylvera would know the following spoiler, at the very least.)