Overnight Boosey joins Nenne for her watch. "I've had more of those dreams again tonight." He says to the Cleric. "Do not worry, I will not burden you with those just now. I am here to fulfil that promise," and he gives the cleric a comforting smile.
He spends his time on watch telling stories of his Troupe and their travels on the Sword Coast, the sort of stories that his people would tell amongst themselves, very rarely giving them to outsiders. Nearing the end of the watch he says, "I know you thought highly of Funderburk and feel his loss greatly. Allow me to give this to you," and he looks away somewhat self consciously. "It needs some polishing, but it's honest enough." And he starts to sing quietly, in a high clear voice that only Nenne can hear.
@Nenne
The light it fills the hallowed halls where friends lie still and all alone their life has waned beyond the walls where none can follow...yet
life that left is all around returning strong here to the land in shining brook flowing through the ground journeying on.
The geese that fly, the summer rain the winter wind that blows astray the fox that hunts the running game the spirit lives free
He did not leave us here alone to walk unchecked upon the road his guiding hand this life outgrown will lead us onward
Do not despair, his moving on from light to dark, the waning day you'll meet again, all thought forgone bringing joy unbridled
Finishing the song, he looks at the ground sadly. "I'm sorry. I...I...I'll leave you to your thoughts," and he returns to his sleeping roll in the hut.
"Wait," Nenne calls to Boosey as he starts to leave. She can't bring herself to look at him. "Please wait."
She folds her hands to keep them from shaking. "I'm no stranger to comrades' deaths," she says when she feels steadier. "Centuries of war will acquaint a person with the experience. In all that time, I never allowed myself to become desensitized, even after I left the Feywild and entered Kelemvor's service. Except once. Worlo." Her eyes squeeze shut and she cringes.
"I haven't told anyone this," she continues, voice dull. When she glances up at the gnome, her eyes are deadened. "A sentient, evil presence is behind the Death Curse. When I restored Worlo, I felt it corrupting my magic. Violating me. I felt it shredding Worlo's soul. Howling. Evil, angry screams..." Her gaze drops to Funderburk's body as her eyes glisten. "I hear it still. Worlo does, too. Whenever we're at rest. Reminding us we shouldn't be." She pauses, long and heavy.
"I'm...I'm almost glad there was nothing I could do to bring Funderburk back. I cannot bear the thought that restoring him would bring him torment." She glances back at Boosey. "Thank you for your song. In the morning, we will resume our mission and destroy this curse. So no one has to fear death again."
The rest of the night goes by without any trouble and the rain gives way to heavy fog that shrouds the valley the next morning. The fog is very dense, cutting visibility way down. This could be a blessing and a curse for the heroes as they search out this new and unforgiving city. Orvex awakes with a hearty stretch and yawn saying, "My, oh my did I ever need that! Sorry for falling asleep on you, warrior. My body gave out on me there." The man seems to be in extra chipper spirits, though he still suffers from exhaustion. After a quick meal the party is geared up and ready for travel. Orvex asks a bit shyly, "Are we to go back to Shagambi's temple today?"
“It’s still as good a place as any other to start our mission here. The writing I showed you named some of the lost gods, so I guess we need to find out more about them. Let’s get started, shall we?“
Ten minutes later the party finds themselves near the vine covered monoliths and dead kamadans. Sthara identifies the cats by their name and the party is glad to see they are still in their dying positions. Orvex pushes some of the vines off of one of the monoliths and says, "Look here. I transcribed this the other day." He flips through some of his notes and adds, "It says: 'Shagambi teaches us to fight evil with honor.' Whatever do you think that means? Maybe honor was important to her...him? Whatever. Oooooh maybe the goal is not to fight at all, but rise above evil?" He waves a hand in front of his face, muttering more ideas and possible theories.
„Who knows, maybe he or she was a god like Torm, some paladin kisser, or more like a god of real war. Anyway, that is for the sages to figure out. We wanna take a look at the other monoliths or inside the temple, or have you already done that, Orvex?“
Nenne, seeing the dried blood on the ground, frowns and puts out an arm. "Be on your guard." Her holy symbol shimmers as she invokes her deity's power. (Eyes of the Grave)
The gnome peers at the narrow entrance to the temple. "Well, are we going to look inside this thing or wait out here all day. I don't like the idea of another pair of these cats sneaking up on us. We should keep moving."
Orvex seems shocked, alarmed, and excited all at once about going first, but he jumps at the opportunity and hobbles inside. He lets out a reverent, "Wow," as he enters the place. Steps descend into a fifteen-foot-high, moss-covered room. Four statues of Omuan warriors stand in alcoves to either side, overlooking a barred gladiatorial pit in the floor. Each statue looks like it was meant to hold a spear, but its weapon is missing. On the far side of the chamber, a stone pedestal stands conspicuously bare. A relief on the wall behind it shows a monstrous jaguar with six snakes protruding from its shoulders, fighting off a squat, frog-like humanoid armed with a spear. To the left of the relief is a narrow tunnel with stairs leading down. A rectangular cutout in the stone above lets daylight in through the ceiling. Orvex begins scribbling immediately at the base on one of the statues on his knees.
„Ok, seeing all these hints across this shrine or temple, I’d say this lost gods was really into fights... preferably to the death. Somehow I doubt that we have to fear any dastardly traps in this place, perhaps more of our beloved kamadans.“ Allister walks over to Orvex. „Just taking notes for yourself or did you find something interesting?“
The scribe looks up at the fighter only momentarily, lost in his work, "Just noting everything. You never know when something is important. Look at the carving on these statues! They're magnificent."
Orvex walks over to the carved scene and begins to read the old Omuan cuneiform writing below, "This is interesting though. I think it tells a story...At noon, a brave kamadan hopped down from her rock. She saw the evil in the Omuans’ hearts and decided to lance it like a troublesome boil. The kamadan fashioned a holy spear, but she left it by the riverbank and a crafty grung stole it. In her rage, Shagambi the kamadan forgot all about the Omuans and chased Nangnang the grung forever across the sky." His translation is slow, but he seems to know what he's doing. He copies the story into his notes.
„Shagambi the kamadan? Those beasts have a god? Ambushing people seems to be its idea of an honorable fight. So he or she fashioned a spear, and those statues seem to be missing a spear. Are we supposed to find the holy spear to bring back its glory?“ Allister walks over to the pit and looks inside, scanning it for signs of old or recent fights
The pit is 20 feet deep, and its bars are spaced 2 feet apart. The walls of the pit are sheer and smooth. Six-foot-high archways stand opposite one another at the bottom of the pit, which looks to be freshly combed sand.
Allister looks up from the pit. „Everyone, this place either had a visitor last night or has its own magical cleaning abilities. The sand in the pit is fresh, no weeds, no water, even after last nightˋs rain.“ He draws his blades and looks for footprints in the back of the shrine and marks at the base of the statues.
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Overnight Boosey joins Nenne for her watch. "I've had more of those dreams again tonight." He says to the Cleric. "Do not worry, I will not burden you with those just now. I am here to fulfil that promise," and he gives the cleric a comforting smile.
He spends his time on watch telling stories of his Troupe and their travels on the Sword Coast, the sort of stories that his people would tell amongst themselves, very rarely giving them to outsiders. Nearing the end of the watch he says, "I know you thought highly of Funderburk and feel his loss greatly. Allow me to give this to you," and he looks away somewhat self consciously. "It needs some polishing, but it's honest enough." And he starts to sing quietly, in a high clear voice that only Nenne can hear.
@Nenne
where friends lie still and all alone
their life has waned beyond the walls
where none can follow...yet
life that left is all around
returning strong here to the land
in shining brook flowing through the ground
journeying on.
the winter wind that blows astray
the fox that hunts the running game
the spirit lives free
to walk unchecked upon the road
his guiding hand this life outgrown
will lead us onward
from light to dark, the waning day
you'll meet again, all thought forgone
bringing joy unbridled
Finishing the song, he looks at the ground sadly. "I'm sorry. I...I...I'll leave you to your thoughts," and he returns to his sleeping roll in the hut.
"Wait," Nenne calls to Boosey as he starts to leave. She can't bring herself to look at him. "Please wait."
She folds her hands to keep them from shaking. "I'm no stranger to comrades' deaths," she says when she feels steadier. "Centuries of war will acquaint a person with the experience. In all that time, I never allowed myself to become desensitized, even after I left the Feywild and entered Kelemvor's service. Except once. Worlo." Her eyes squeeze shut and she cringes.
"I haven't told anyone this," she continues, voice dull. When she glances up at the gnome, her eyes are deadened. "A sentient, evil presence is behind the Death Curse. When I restored Worlo, I felt it corrupting my magic. Violating me. I felt it shredding Worlo's soul. Howling. Evil, angry screams..." Her gaze drops to Funderburk's body as her eyes glisten. "I hear it still. Worlo does, too. Whenever we're at rest. Reminding us we shouldn't be." She pauses, long and heavy.
"I'm...I'm almost glad there was nothing I could do to bring Funderburk back. I cannot bear the thought that restoring him would bring him torment." She glances back at Boosey. "Thank you for your song. In the morning, we will resume our mission and destroy this curse. So no one has to fear death again."
Day 62
The rest of the night goes by without any trouble and the rain gives way to heavy fog that shrouds the valley the next morning. The fog is very dense, cutting visibility way down. This could be a blessing and a curse for the heroes as they search out this new and unforgiving city. Orvex awakes with a hearty stretch and yawn saying, "My, oh my did I ever need that! Sorry for falling asleep on you, warrior. My body gave out on me there." The man seems to be in extra chipper spirits, though he still suffers from exhaustion. After a quick meal the party is geared up and ready for travel. Orvex asks a bit shyly, "Are we to go back to Shagambi's temple today?"
“It’s still as good a place as any other to start our mission here. The writing I showed you named some of the lost gods, so I guess we need to find out more about them. Let’s get started, shall we?“
Ten minutes later the party finds themselves near the vine covered monoliths and dead kamadans. Sthara identifies the cats by their name and the party is glad to see they are still in their dying positions. Orvex pushes some of the vines off of one of the monoliths and says, "Look here. I transcribed this the other day." He flips through some of his notes and adds, "It says: 'Shagambi teaches us to fight evil with honor.' Whatever do you think that means? Maybe honor was important to her...him? Whatever. Oooooh maybe the goal is not to fight at all, but rise above evil?" He waves a hand in front of his face, muttering more ideas and possible theories.
„Who knows, maybe he or she was a god like Torm, some paladin kisser, or more like a god of real war. Anyway, that is for the sages to figure out. We wanna take a look at the other monoliths or inside the temple, or have you already done that, Orvex?“
He shakes his head saying, "I have not been inside any of them temples yet. I was not allowed."
„Those days are over. If you want to take a look...“ Allister gestures towards the entrance
Nenne, seeing the dried blood on the ground, frowns and puts out an arm. "Be on your guard." Her holy symbol shimmers as she invokes her deity's power. (Eyes of the Grave)
Nothing alarms the cleric as her detection pulses out from her.
"After you, scribe," the cleric says, gesturing to the temple.
The gnome peers at the narrow entrance to the temple. "Well, are we going to look inside this thing or wait out here all day. I don't like the idea of another pair of these cats sneaking up on us. We should keep moving."
Orvex seems shocked, alarmed, and excited all at once about going first, but he jumps at the opportunity and hobbles inside. He lets out a reverent, "Wow," as he enters the place. Steps descend into a fifteen-foot-high, moss-covered room. Four statues of Omuan warriors stand in alcoves to either side, overlooking a barred gladiatorial pit in the floor. Each statue looks like it was meant to hold a spear, but its weapon is missing. On the far side of the chamber, a stone pedestal stands conspicuously bare. A relief on the wall behind it shows a monstrous jaguar with six snakes protruding from its shoulders, fighting off a squat, frog-like humanoid armed with a spear. To the left of the relief is a narrow tunnel with stairs leading down. A rectangular cutout in the stone above lets daylight in through the ceiling. Orvex begins scribbling immediately at the base on one of the statues on his knees.
„Ok, seeing all these hints across this shrine or temple, I’d say this lost gods was really into fights... preferably to the death. Somehow I doubt that we have to fear any dastardly traps in this place, perhaps more of our beloved kamadans.“ Allister walks over to Orvex. „Just taking notes for yourself or did you find something interesting?“
The scribe looks up at the fighter only momentarily, lost in his work, "Just noting everything. You never know when something is important. Look at the carving on these statues! They're magnificent."
Orvex walks over to the carved scene and begins to read the old Omuan cuneiform writing below, "This is interesting though. I think it tells a story...At noon, a brave kamadan hopped down from her rock. She saw the evil in the Omuans’ hearts and decided to lance it like a troublesome boil. The kamadan fashioned a holy spear, but she left it by the riverbank and a crafty grung stole it. In her rage, Shagambi the kamadan forgot all about the Omuans and chased Nangnang the grung forever across the sky." His translation is slow, but he seems to know what he's doing. He copies the story into his notes.
„Shagambi the kamadan? Those beasts have a god? Ambushing people seems to be its idea of an honorable fight. So he or she fashioned a spear, and those statues seem to be missing a spear. Are we supposed to find the holy spear to bring back its glory?“ Allister walks over to the pit and looks inside, scanning it for signs of old or recent fights
The pit is 20 feet deep, and its bars are spaced 2 feet apart. The walls of the pit are sheer and smooth. Six-foot-high archways stand opposite one another at the bottom of the pit, which looks to be freshly combed sand.
"Tell me, scribe - what kind of people worshipped Shagambi?" Nenne asks, scrutinizing the statues. "What was her domain?"
Allister looks up from the pit. „Everyone, this place either had a visitor last night or has its own magical cleaning abilities. The sand in the pit is fresh, no weeds, no water, even after last nightˋs rain.“ He draws his blades and looks for footprints in the back of the shrine and marks at the base of the statues.