Back at the shop,

Talia shakes her head, no. "Your companion seemed to think the clay had some affect on Zynphura. I could test it if I had a sample. If what she said is true, it may be how Zynphura was killed. I don't deal in magic of gods but if there were some way to block the blessing of the Mother, her angels wouldn't be much more than mortal bloods like you and I." She thinks for a moment as if putting pieces of a puzzle together. "Is someone trying to destroy Shamara?," she says in bewilderment. 

Back at the shop:

A slightly sad look comes over Paren's face as he nods. "Maybe. It seems as though she is trying to destroy some of the old gods, so they may be doing the same to her." 

At the square: 

Paren sets a hand gently on Finan's shoulder. "I understand, I do wish the gods would simply get along and leave us to more earthly matters, those I know how to deal with."

Turning back to the group. "Well, I guess we're going home then. Follow me." 

The group makes their way through the busy streets of Holden Heights. They'd spent quite some time here in this little town and none of them had expected things to go the way that they did. It had been a rather exhausting experience and many of the members were left with much more burden weighing on their shoulders. For some, they had not placed much weight in the ways of the gods before this week. Now, several of them had spoken with or actually been in the presence of a god. That was quite rare in fact. Many of the most respected clergy had not been graced with the presence of their patron. They were often only afforded their message through angels or other intermediaries. 

The approaching war between the gods has already left an impact on this mortal plane. That was apparent as the group exited the city and began the walk east toward the forest. The leaves had already turned and some had fallen to the forest floor already. 

(You may roll a nature check)

The ground was dry under your feet as you walked along a rough path that hadn't seen much traffic. The rain that had come through just a few days ago was quickly taken in by the soil. After quite some time traveling deeper and deeper into the thick forest, you notice that the trees begin to darken in color. The bark cracks and splints as you continue until you reach a clearing in the forest. The canopy above opens revealing the light blue sky and flooding the grove with light. 

The grove has a gentle stream that flows through it bringing cold water from the east. The ground here lacks the grasses and foliage that you'd experienced on your hike here. Death and decay fills the grove. The remains of plants all seem to be wilting and dying. It is strongest near where the obelisk to Lugh once stood and radiates outward several hundred feet. The ground of the holy site seems to have been clawed at by various beasts in an attempt to dig deeper into the soil. It's unclear if those animals found what they were looking for but there is a rather large hole here. High in the trees, you can hear the sounds of an owl hooting softly. 

(You may roll a perception or investigation check. If you're investigation, state what you're looking at)

[I was working up a list of information characters should know and wanted to share it with you all. Let me know if you have any questions.

The Artifacts

One thing that I need to make clear are the artifacts that were taken from the burial site. So far, we're aware of the dagger. The dagger was taken from the site by Gunthar with the intention to bring it to Krusk/Shamara. We know that Gunthar's wagon crashed outside of the city and his goods were stolen. We know that Aiden intercepted this delivery in some capacity and the dagger was delivered to him instead of his mother.  The dagger has not been seen since. We are to assume that the other items from the site that were being sold at the booth during the Bridge Festival are basic offerings that were left by followers of Merveille. 

We also know that the burial site was a protected place where the new gods could not enter. We are to assume that Gunthar was sent by the new gods as a sort of puppet to get things. Gunthar was hoping for fame and fortune and had written several articles about his search for everlasting life. He was mocked by the archaeology community who took the articles as the writings of a madman. We now know that he did in fact find the burial site but we're unclear on what all he found. 

The Shards

We know that Krusk wanted to obtain the shards. Some in the party believed that he wanted them collected so that he could purge the evil magic that was held within. Others in the party believed that Krusk wanted to consume the power held within the shards so that he could have more powerful magic of his own. We know that Aiden wanted the shards delivered to Krusk. It seems as though Aiden's intent was for the magic that had been causing issues around Holden Heights  to be purged. It is unclear if AIden knew of Krusk's plan to consume the power.  We have no reason to believe that Aiden wanted anything to do with the shards himself but was doing his best to protect Holden Heights from the perceived threat of an angry old god. 

The Old Gods

Lugh and Merveille have both spoken to Paren. They've been described as brothers and two sides of a coin. Lugh shepherds life and Merveille shepherds death. Paren [redacted] never received a true reply outside of shifting winds and animal companions. It wasn't until the site had been disturbed that Lugh and Merveille spoke to the guardian. Both conveyed their desire that life be maintained. Merveille insisted that the blights were caused by the disturbance of the site and its shards. Merveille said that returning the shards to the site would restore the balance so that they may rest again. 

You would understand that the old gods (including Lugh) had been rather absent since the new gods gained favor hundreds of years ago. The stories of the old gods became fewer and fewer. Only the spoken word passed down from generation to generation maintained their legacy. Libraries in the main cities seem to be purged of any information regarding the old gods. You would know that Talos' librarians were in charge of maintaining all books that were kept in those libraries. The new gods seem to not only have replaced the old gods in teachings but also in presence. No one seems to remember when the change occurred but it had to have happened before the founding of Holden Heights where Shamara had such a pivotal role in it's establishment.

The New Gods

The party has mostly dealt with Shamara and Aiden. Shamara is known to be the caregiver and provides most of the humanitarian style of work. Aiden's role within the family is rather understated and is tasked with carrying out oral traditions and the arts. Talos is responsible for the vast amounts of knowledge in the region and his followers maintain the large libraries. Camiela is the least followed of the new gods and has the least presence. She hasn't presented herself to anyone in hundreds of years. She is known as the defender and protector of those that cannot defend themselves. 

Falaine perception: 22

Falaine Nature: 4

Nature: 10

Paren stops at the edge of the clearing, clearly stunned by the sight before him. His shield and the yklwa he had been using as a walking stick slide out of his hands and clatter on the ground. He looks completely lost as his head slowly moves about taking in the Grove. The only thing that seems to register for him is the hooting of the owl and he reaches into his pack. He comes out with a bit of dried meat and holds it out about at head level. He then walks into the grove a slight ways before stopping and standing still, a hopeful look on his face. "Oh Lugh, forgive me for my failures."

Perception: 3

Falaine and Paren, ever skilled in the ways of nature, love looking at the trees and listening to the sounds of the forest. It's a pleasant hike and they're glad to be back surrounded by trees instead of buildings. 

Falaine takes in the area around the grove. She'd experienced this place in its full beauty several days ago. Now, she could sense the unease here. Whatever was the cause of the wilting seemed to have started near the hole and was slowly expanding further and further away in a near perfect circle. It would take months or possible years for the affect to reach the Holden Heights treeline. She feels a bit of relief knowing that she was able to spot this early. 

The animals that often came here for water were absent though the sounds of birds in the trees can be heard. The hooting of a large owl draws Falaine's attention. It was quite some distance up but it seemed to be watching the group with interest. 

(Anyone may roll a survival check to try and find tracks)

The owl's wings extend outward showing an extremely large wingspan as it leans forward and glides down into the grove. It's talons cling around Paren's arm as it happily accepts the meat. Looking over the owl, Paren can see that it still seems to be perfectly healthy in every way. 

((Assuming this is the same owl from long ago))

Paren reaches up and strokes the owls feathers. "It's good to see you my friend. I'm glad you came through this mess alright." 

Paren would in fact be able to tell this is his old friend. With owl so close, you can feel a sense of peace. It is as though Lugh is with you in person in this once holy sanctuary. Though surrounded by the loss of forest life, you're bolstered in your resolve to continue your service. The own snuggles into the side of your face as it looks over your companions. It's a rather large owl now that it is so close. It's feathers are rather dark and rich in color matching what the forest would look like in the summer. You can tell that the feathers are preparing for the change in season as well. 

Tanni looks around at the decaying forest with a frown on her face, making sure not to step too close to any sickly trees. "Abyss take me, this looks bad" she mutters under her breath as they enter the clearing. She takes interest in the claw marks on the ground and the hole and kneels down to investigate them closer while Paren tends to the owl.

Nature Check: 11

Investigation Check for the hole and ground beasts have clawed: 7

OOC: thanks for the DM for these summaries you've made, they are extremely helpful!

The forests around the grove are rather quiet with the exception of the birds overhead. Tanni does find it rather odd that she doesn't notice any creatures running across the dirt path. In fact, she hasn't seen anything for quite some time while they've been walking. The absence is rather odd and it causes her to wonder if the animals have fled the area. Most birds have already started their journey south and the birds still in the forest are most likely just stopping for a bit of rest after traveling from areas even further north of where they are now. 

Tanni advances towards the hole and it's clear that it was not dug with tools. The claw marks tear at the earthen walls as far into the darkness as she can see. It's clear that this hole is exceptionally deep but uncertain where the hole may lead. 

Paren continues stroking the owls head, muttering "labhair" as he does. speak with animals

The owl turns his head slightly as Paren talks to it. You can tell it is focused on your words. It then coos at Paren in a happy tone followed by several hoots.

 The owl nods softly.

Falaine will start looking around for what dug the hole... She is having flashbacks of the hyenas she met on the road.

Survival 9

A feeling of sorrow washes over Finan as he looks over the destruction of the plantlife around the once-holy site. He was never drawn to revering nature in any way, but he did enjoy a lot of time in the woods around the village where he grew up. He can sense from Falaine and Paren that this has only happened recently, and it brings in to light a new side of this war between the Gods. It does not only affect those living or visiting the town. The world around it was being hurt by it, too.

Mechanics:

Falaine is unable to spot any creatures in the area

"Hyenas" Falaine will say flatly. "I know the ones that attacked me on the road came from the cliffs."

She'll investigate the hole itself.

Investigation: 2

(She is a bit shaken, she nearly died to the Hyenas on the road.)

[[OOC: The visit to Talia's Tonics and Tinkerings occurred during a busy week for us all. Below are some insights that players may have missed in all the chaos. Let me know if you have any questions!!!!]]

Wanted to clarify some things about the meeting with Talia since it happened during a busy holiday week,

In regards to the visit to Talia's. I will offer you several key answers that were provided may have been glossed over

• The group learned that the creatures attacking Zynphura were coated in a red dust. Talia said that Zynphura had been protected by the blessing of Shamara which amounts to basically a spell that grants eternal life. Falaine told the group that Zynphura aged extremely quickly before her eyes as she died. This would cause the characters to believe that something in the red dust either limits the magic from Shamara (and other new gods?) allowing the wounds to be mortal, or outright kills those under their blessing. 
• You received confirmation that Zynphura was in fact one of Shamara's chosen as Talia found that she had the blood of an angel in her. Zynphura was present at the gate when Gunthar crashed his wagon. Was she there to receive the goods from the archaeologist in order to deliver them to Krusk/Shamara?
• Talia was aware of the blight that affected Gunthar. She was even able to transfer the blight to Zynphura according to her story. She attempted to destroy the blight with the help of Zynphura's angel blood. To the best of her understanding, the process was working.
• Gunthar was taken by guards the morning after the incident. No one has seen Gunthar since. Aiden told you the archaeologist was dead and that you would never see him again. The fact a body hasn't been found is odd.
• Talia seems guilty of something but you're not quite certain what that something is. You are sure that she didn't intend to kill Zynphura and you not even sure what she did would cause the angel to die anyway. Her guilt seems to lie in what happened with Gunthar. 
• You also learned the location of where Merveille's teachings can be found ((I think the holidays may have caused this to be overlooked))

 

 

Quote from Cromusz >>

Talia thinks for a moment. "The monastery offered several teachings. That's why I chose to travel there. I felt like my studies were rather... limited while researching the craft in the nearby library in Thornwood. Even with the vast amount of books on the subjects, most of the healing information I could find dealt more with prayer to Shamara for her blessings and healing. That's all fair and good for those that offer themselves to her service, but I need more immediate results in my line of work. That requries me to study from the ways of societies that aren't so influenced by the family. Their ways deal with more natural forms of remedy. That's what led me to the monastery.

It's rather secluded from outsiders and they rarely let others into their sanctuary. It took some work, but I convinced them to let me enter so I could study their healing methods.  It's very different than towns like Holden Heights. The monks there are... an interesting type. Most of the teachings seem based on the old gods though I didn't waste my time listening to sermons. Their library was the real treasure I was hoping to explore. There were countless books on just about anything you could imagine. It was definitely not limited like Talos's libraries."

She thinks for a moment. "Merveille? One of the old gods, right? I think I saw the name on some of the spines of the old books in the monastery. With the family having such a strong presence, the old gods have mostly fallen away with time. Do you speak to your god?," Talia asks with interest.

 

• You learned that in order to learn much of the old gods, you had to leave the societies that worshiped the new gods so heavily. Talia implies that any books regarding the old gods have been purged from the libraries. This has been confirmed by party members that went to Oppenholdt's library. 
• You learned that Talia is a follower of Aiden.

For the missing acolytes

• Shamara is the most worshiped god out of the new gods and her outreach programs are the most extensive. She has a very large presence in all of the major cities. The fact that there are no acolytes here is a giant red flag. While many were most likely killed in the collapse of the Shrine, there would still have been others throughout town. Either the acolytes have been spooked into dropping the faith or they've left and are regrouping elsewhere. 

Hope that clears some of the questions up. I know it's hard to convey important matters online and I'm sure somethings that seem apparent to me are seemingly nothing when read among giant paragraphs of text. Also, I know there was fragmentation with players leaving which I'm still trying to clean up the information that the group should know. 

If you have any questions, just let me know! I'll tell you if it's something your character should know yet or not. There are plenty of secrets ahead and I want to make sure we've solved them when we can.