Quote from VanderLegion >>

 (I though you had said the wall was like a foot tall in the original description.  Must have misremembered)

(The raised pool itself has a 1' wide ledge, wide enough to sit on. The stone wall around the area is 2' wide. Post 3990.)

Quote from Quasimodal >>

Quote from VanderLegion >>

 (I though you had said the wall was like a foot tall in the original description.  Must have misremembered)

(The raised pool itself has a 1' wide ledge, wide enough to sit on. The stone wall around the area is 2' wide. Post 3990.)

 (Aha. I probably just read the pools ledge when I was scanning the post again)

Isk turns to the elf protector and says, "Could you tell us a little about then place?  Maybe there is something in its history that will give us a clue as to how to get through the archway."

Geranthil: "I've mentioned the important parts. The waters were blessed by a water spirit. The goddess wanted this to be a place of healing and sanctuary. This place has been threatened before by those who want to claim it for themselves, or destroy it. Guardians came to protect this place against aggression. I am the latest in the line of Keepers who arrange for peaceful recovery for those who enter."

Clarion speaks up: "Will you repeat what this second challenge is?"

"You must be able to enter inside the stone wall ring. I can use my magic and the power of this place to keep you out."

Clarion turns to your group. "He has used the exact same words every time. Even if it is a tiny clue, there must be something about the words he has chosen.

"He said earlier the solution is simple, but most people don't think of it and try to force their way in. You've been defensive about your reasons for being cautious, but maybe that caution is keeping you from finding the answer... If you were in your home village, a safe place where you didn't have to worry about being attacked, how would you go about visiting the home of a stranger?"

Isk thinks for a moment and says, "Perhaps we should remove our weapons and armor.  If Clarion's thinking is right, we would not be armed and armored in the safety of our homes."

Quote from Guiltysparc >>

Isk thinks for a moment and says, "Perhaps we should remove our weapons and armor.  If Clarion's thinking is right, we would not be armed and armored in the safety of our homes."

Froskan does not wear armor, so he would probably volunteer to do this. (If he can get through, then everyone else can try it. If it doesn't work, then you don't spend 20 minutes doffing and donning armor.)

Froskan hands his daggers and quarterstaff to Isk, then starts walking through the archway... He walks up to Isk and retrieves his weapons, because he was teleported back out again. (It is not your equipment keeping you out.)

Reverie hums as she looks at Froskan teleports back to the party again even though he hands his weapons to Iskander. She would think deeply about what the Goddess would want them to do, then she looks back at Geranthil. "If we are visiting the stranger's house, making a vow is the rule of someone's house..." Reverie mumbles, but still isn't quite sure, tilting her head to the side slightly in thought. She walks towards the Archway, and speaks a bit awkwardly. "Thank you for inviting us to this holy place. Please excuse us to enter your holy place." Then she walks into the archway.

Geranthil (who was leaning against the trees inside of the archway) steps out to block Reverie before she can get too far into the archway. "I'm sorry, but you were speaking awkwardly. Would you repeat that, so I understand what you are saying?"

Reverie blinks her eyes, confused by Geranthil's appearance. After a moment, she clears her throat and speaks once more, politely as possible. "We thank you for inviting us to this holy place." A pause. "Please excuse us to enter your holy place..." Even after she finishes her words, she gazes Geranthil quietly.

Geranthil makes a slight bow, and steps out of her way. "You are welcome to enter. May you find serenity by the waters of the goddess."

Reverie walks through the archway, takes several steps closer to the pond (without being teleported), turns around to face the party, and does a playful curtsy.

Trimyrai: (to the party) "Who would have thought, kindness and politeness was the key." Trimyrai then turns towards Geranthil. "Forgive my earlier outburst. I was just as disrespectful. This is your home, and as odd as i find your rules, i should still respect them. I request your forgiveness, as well as your permission to enter. Not only will i follow your rules, i will do so in a respectful manner."

(Assuming the others follow the lead of Reverie and Trimyrai.) "You are all welcome. As you say, kindness and politeness were the key. For those who came with intent to dominate and possess, it never occurs to them to ask instead of trying to take."

(Hearing growling noises from the woods at the far perimeter.) "I suggest you enter and rest by the pond. The creatures that come seeking prey are unpleasant, but they will be kept outside the wall, and will not disturb you.

"You are free to meditate by the pond. If you wish to sleep, the lawn is comfortable. And I will take no offense if you decide to take turns on watch, although you won't need to."

The sea elf starts to patrol along the inside of the stone wall ring, keeping an eye on whatever is outside the wall. The lighting is getting dim, similar to twilight. The pond has a faint blue-green glow, almost like faerie fire.

(Party is free to take a long rest, and make suggestions on what you want to do here.)

Froskan also politely requests permission to enter, then, once successfully through the archway, turns and leans his quarterstaff against it as a gesture of goodwill before moving towards the pond.

Reverie watches her friends coming out from the archway with a smile before she walks towards the pond. She looks into the pond in awe, thinking if she could meet the water of goddess. And yet, she sits around the pond, sighing in relief and closing her eyes a little. "The sound of the pond is actually great soothing enough for a meditation. It feels like we haven't rest quite enough lately, didn't we?" She asks to her friends.

 Froskan shakes his head.  "Seems like go straight from one crisis to the next, sometimes."

Reverie nods in agreement at Froskan's words. "Well, at least, we get to rest here a bit. Hopefully, nothing worst would happen to us soon." A pause. "I did not really get to ask about this to anyone lately... How are you doing, Froskan?" Then she looks back at her friends. "How is everyone doing?"

Isk chuckles, makes the request, and enters the garden. "Clearly we have been too long fighting to have forgotten such a usual thing."

He takes a seat near the pond, "I think we should take a rest, clear our minds."

OoC - I'm thinking a short rest might be a good idea

Quote from Guiltysparc >>

OoC - I'm thinking a short rest might be a good idea

(The party can make it a long rest, if you want.

And you suspect there is something here that will help with Reverie's cursed weapon. What do you want to try?)

"I am well," Froskan replies to Reverie.  "Though a rest does sound fantastic.  I am tired after our latest adventures."

Peering at Reverie's sword thoughtfully for a moment, he says, "We were sent here to find a way to help with your weapon." He gazes around the glade.  "I feel like the waters of the pond, as the most prominent feature, might be the most likely thing to help."  Turning to their host, he asks, "Is there anything special, or magical, about the pond here?"

"The waters are blessed with healing and tranquility from a goddess of peace."