With the rest of the party coming to from their night's rest, Sthara is reviewing the directions that Aerin gave to reach the shrine to Ubtao in the ruins.
"The shrine that man mentioned, may we please stray from our path to find it. I do not wish to delay our journey, but I cannot help but think that the shrine being mentioned on our way is a message from Ubtao like the marks I saw on your bags. We do not need to stay long. Eku, can you aid us in finding it?"
Wishing the two strangers well as they leave the camp, and stares at their path, long after he has lost sight of them.
Overhearing Sthara's conversation with Eku he adds, "Aerin said that the shrine was attended but the village abandoned. Something tells me we may find answers with your god at this shrine." He laughs "They may be answers to questions we haven't asked, mind." Sighing, he looks in the direction of the fort, then shrugs his shoulders in a resigned way. "I think the delay worth the risk. So far there are so many loose threads and very little to tie them with, besides this journey has turned somewhat interesting. If I ever get round to telling this story, it's so fantastical no-one will believe it!"
Packing away his gear he says to the others, "I have no way of proving it, but I believe those two were communicating with each other through scent. You all must have noticed during our conversations last night," and he looks round for confirmation that they had. "I think those two could face Tiamat herself and overcome her!"
“I’m usually not in favor of changing plans and routes on the fly. But this...“ obviously Allister is trying to find the right words to express his thoughts while chewing on his lower lip. „I’ve been in the company of sailors for nearly 12 years. With some of the most superstitious people you will ever meet. One guy I knew always emptied his cup with 9 gulp because he thought otherwise he’d be struck by lightning. I never had any room for such nonsensical beliefs in my life, but this.. this is so... strange. Mazes, curses, gods, meeting giants and people talking about shrines in the middle of nowhere. I don’t know about fate or destiny, the will of the gods...“ He looks at the others. “To make this short, if Sthara thinks this is some path she has to follow, I will follow.“ He walks towards Sthara and whispers “Sorry for proposing the mind reading.“ He puts on a strong face again and motions for Eku to lead the way.
Magenta blooms afresh in Nenne's skin and she shoots the bard a sly smile. "Perhaps you should insist this tale is a legend. Folk inevitably try to convince themselves such things are true."
Turning to Sthara, she tucks her thumbs in her armor and surveys the woman with kindness. "A shrine to your patron in this remote region is no small matter. I agree with the storyteller that a pilgrimage would be beneficial. In any case, I am indebted to you for supporting me in my own quest for answers with the wolf, so I can do naught but return the favor." Her eyes crinkle with gratitude, and hints of rose gold sparkle in her hair as the dull morning light touches it.
The rain slacks off to a light mist that comes in spurts, but it's the ground water that becomes the real problem. The going is slow and arduous, but Eku plods on, seeming to even be enjoying herself. She smiles frequently and tries to make jokes, but she never quite gets any of the punch lines right. The trek east to the pond was all downhill, but the 'wall of trees' proves to be a line of great trees creating a sort of open wall going uphill away from the pond. Sure enough following the tree line places the party at a ruined, stone structure all grown over with moss and vines.
The area is especially 'talkative' as an assortment of colorful birds occupy the area. They swoop down to bathe in puddles and chase each other in the air over a courtyard some 400 feet east of the ruined structure. There are other buildings around the courtyard and the stones are all popped loose here and there slowly caught up in vines over time.In the center of the courtyard is a 10-foot-tall statue stylized like a Chultan king, devoid of any vines or moss. Light filters through the canopy like a spotlight falling over the statue and the mist from the rain makes the light all that more visible.
“There is a priest there!” Sthara says excitedly. She starts into a run towards the shrine and the priest, slowing up halfway there as to not disturb their prayer.
She dips her head and traces a finger along a circular maze-like track on her chest as she approaches.
"Beautiful if I must say. The birds, the surrounding wildlife. The ruins itself." Funderburk surveys the area for what it is. Looking at the village, abandoned from what his friends had told him, he decides to ride atop of Dunk and guide him towards it and roam around, looking for anything that catches his eye. "I will go to the village and roam about to see if anything catches my eye. I will take Dunk with me, whoever cares to join me may." Funderburk looks towards the statue, giving it a nod of some sorts, for respect. "Be careful Sthara! Keep a watchful eye." He smiles anyways, knowing Sthara is excited to see a shrine of her deity.
"Let's go girl," he tells Dunk, as they head towards the village.
@DM
It is on Discord, but incase you want it on here also, I rolled for my Divination rolls a 3 and a 5.
Nenne hangs back, watching her companions go their separate paths, and turns her attention to the ruins. She wonders about the difference in the state of their upkeep versus the statue as she takes in the sights.
"I think I shall remain nearby," she says to the rest of the group. "If any of you wish to go on ahead with the storyteller, do not wait on my account."
Eku walks to the edge of the courtyard, taking in the remarkable scene beside Nenne. She sighs and remarks to the eladrin, "This. This is why I prefer the jungle to the coast. The jungle takes back everything in time and it does so with splendor!" Her words are tinged with excitement, but they are only loud enough for those just next to her to hear. Dunk plods on directed by Funderburk, circling around Sthara and the statue. Any birds in or near the large beast lazily flap towards a higher perch out of reach. The wizard rides by three buildings that have been reduced to two to four foot high wall sections. Nothing strikes out to Funderburk as out of place or any more interesting than the beauty of the place.
Sthara:
The figure stands, hearing your calls and foot steps. He turns towards you and pulls back his brown cowl to reveal a deep set featured face with dark hair. Izifo's smile is wide and genuine as he makes a prayer gesture meant to honor Ubtao.
Nenne takes a step closer to the statue where Sthara is kneeling and looks on in rising puzzlement. She folds her arms across her chest as the rosy highlights in her hair fade into a pensive pewter.
"I know I am ignorant of her religion," she muses aloud, cocking her head slightly, "but why does she call the statue Izifo? I believed him to be among the living."
Allister walks towards Nenne, whistling at the birds and taking in the scenary. "You´re not the only one ignorant to this religion. I can´t figure Sthara´s relationship to Ubtao out. She seems more devout than many priests I´ve seen yet her magic is not divine. Hey, how much you think rich people in Calimshan or along the Sword Coast would pay for these birds? They look magnificent..."
"This is like nothing I've ever seen before," says Boosey to the party as they arrive at the ruins, wonder heavy in his voive. The exotic birds and magical scene fill him with a sense of peace, event though he knows very little of the God Ubtao. While the others are busy, out of sheer curiosity he has a look in the ruined building that surround the statue
ooc: not looking for anything in particular, just curious - if he does happen to spot anything interesting though....
Speaking in agreement with the rest of her allies Eku says, "I don't understand it either. She speaks as if she has a personal understanding to her Ubtao, but it is my understanding that a deity gains power through followers, no? If the stories are to be believed, Ubtao's followers are few and scattered." She shrugs and finishes with, "I suppose this is just another mystery lost to the Chultan peninsula." She laughs as Dunk steps into an uneven space sending Funderburk skittering to stay in his saddle. Some time goes by as the four are content to just stare and Eku says, "300, 100, 150, 75. I do not even know what that bird is..." She is pointing at various birds while she calls out numbers, but continues, "I have been on bird hunting safaris before. I cannot confirm these prices...The man was greedy and liked to boast about his winnings.I have never in my life seen so many of these kind of birds gathered in one place before though."
Boosey walks along the edge of the square, with a cocked eyebrow aimed at Sthara, but decides to check out one of the ruined structures. Time has really ravaged this place it seems. Everything is grown over and the stones are worn heavily in this environment. Whatever stories this place might be hiding seem to be lost in time at least on the surface. The bard makes his way towards the same hole in the wall he came in and spots something white stuck behind some vines.
"Hmmm, 300 for a bird... Say I can get 100 eggs on a ship, that´s... well, more gold than I´ve seen in my life. If Tymora favors me again and we make it out of the jungle in one piece, I think I´ll convince some rich snob to sponsor me and make a fortune!!" He look around and tries to find out what the others are doing, but not paying much attention. His mind is flooded with shiploads of bird eggs, worth their weight 1000 times in gold.
The ruined structures fascinate Boosey, and as he explores them he can only guess at the stories of the lives of the people that built this place. He runs his hand gently across the stones as he walks, as if in hope that they might divulge some of their secrets to him. His exploration has done nothing to reduce his sense of wonder, and has increased his curiosity. Leaving the buildings the same way he comes in, he spends a moment watching Sthara, who appears to be talking to herself (or to the statue). As he's about to step out into the square he spots something unusual in the vines growing in the wall. Reaching out, he moves the vines aside to take a closer look..."What's this?"
Boosey moves the vines aside to discover an ivory smoking pipe. It's dirty, covered in ground muck and some moss is starting to cover it, but as the gnome moves his small finger along the thing, it proves to still be in good condition should he clean it. It's carved with an elephant caravan down the sides and ends in a silver mouth piece. The end of the pipe is inlaid with silver in similar fashion. It looks quite expensive as far as smoking pipes go.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Still perplexed at Sthara's behavior, Nenne picks her way around the statue, keeping a respectful distance so as not to disturb the sorcerer in her supplications. Her gaze fixes on the jungle overgrowth and its curious absence around the statue.
Is this the power of Ubtao keeping it clean, or is a caretaker responsible? she wonders. She looks more intently at the vines, trying to determine if they look pruned, or if they seem to be growing away from the statue.
(Perception 23 or Investigation/Nature 4, whichever's appropriate. The bonus for the latter two is zero, hence the combined roll.)
Thanks for all the rolls when you guys feel it's necessary. It's saving so much time. I'm kind of waiting on Sthara before we continue this scene anymore. Her thing might make things a bit different.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
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With the rest of the party coming to from their night's rest, Sthara is reviewing the directions that Aerin gave to reach the shrine to Ubtao in the ruins.
"The shrine that man mentioned, may we please stray from our path to find it. I do not wish to delay our journey, but I cannot help but think that the shrine being mentioned on our way is a message from Ubtao like the marks I saw on your bags. We do not need to stay long. Eku, can you aid us in finding it?"
Wishing the two strangers well as they leave the camp, and stares at their path, long after he has lost sight of them.
Overhearing Sthara's conversation with Eku he adds, "Aerin said that the shrine was attended but the village abandoned. Something tells me we may find answers with your god at this shrine." He laughs "They may be answers to questions we haven't asked, mind." Sighing, he looks in the direction of the fort, then shrugs his shoulders in a resigned way. "I think the delay worth the risk. So far there are so many loose threads and very little to tie them with, besides this journey has turned somewhat interesting. If I ever get round to telling this story, it's so fantastical no-one will believe it!"
Packing away his gear he says to the others, "I have no way of proving it, but I believe those two were communicating with each other through scent. You all must have noticed during our conversations last night," and he looks round for confirmation that they had. "I think those two could face Tiamat herself and overcome her!"
“I’m usually not in favor of changing plans and routes on the fly. But this...“ obviously Allister is trying to find the right words to express his thoughts while chewing on his lower lip. „I’ve been in the company of sailors for nearly 12 years. With some of the most superstitious people you will ever meet. One guy I knew always emptied his cup with 9 gulp because he thought otherwise he’d be struck by lightning. I never had any room for such nonsensical beliefs in my life, but this.. this is so... strange. Mazes, curses, gods, meeting giants and people talking about shrines in the middle of nowhere. I don’t know about fate or destiny, the will of the gods...“ He looks at the others. “To make this short, if Sthara thinks this is some path she has to follow, I will follow.“ He walks towards Sthara and whispers “Sorry for proposing the mind reading.“ He puts on a strong face again and motions for Eku to lead the way.
Magenta blooms afresh in Nenne's skin and she shoots the bard a sly smile. "Perhaps you should insist this tale is a legend. Folk inevitably try to convince themselves such things are true."
Turning to Sthara, she tucks her thumbs in her armor and surveys the woman with kindness. "A shrine to your patron in this remote region is no small matter. I agree with the storyteller that a pilgrimage would be beneficial. In any case, I am indebted to you for supporting me in my own quest for answers with the wolf, so I can do naught but return the favor." Her eyes crinkle with gratitude, and hints of rose gold sparkle in her hair as the dull morning light touches it.
The rain slacks off to a light mist that comes in spurts, but it's the ground water that becomes the real problem. The going is slow and arduous, but Eku plods on, seeming to even be enjoying herself. She smiles frequently and tries to make jokes, but she never quite gets any of the punch lines right. The trek east to the pond was all downhill, but the 'wall of trees' proves to be a line of great trees creating a sort of open wall going uphill away from the pond. Sure enough following the tree line places the party at a ruined, stone structure all grown over with moss and vines.
The area is especially 'talkative' as an assortment of colorful birds occupy the area. They swoop down to bathe in puddles and chase each other in the air over a courtyard some 400 feet east of the ruined structure. There are other buildings around the courtyard and the stones are all popped loose here and there slowly caught up in vines over time.In the center of the courtyard is a 10-foot-tall statue stylized like a Chultan king, devoid of any vines or moss. Light filters through the canopy like a spotlight falling over the statue and the mist from the rain makes the light all that more visible.
//Sthara I'm sending you a Discord PM\\
“There is a priest there!” Sthara says excitedly. She starts into a run towards the shrine and the priest, slowing up halfway there as to not disturb their prayer.
She dips her head and traces a finger along a circular maze-like track on her chest as she approaches.
”Hello, do you mind if I join you in prayer?”
"Beautiful if I must say. The birds, the surrounding wildlife. The ruins itself." Funderburk surveys the area for what it is. Looking at the village, abandoned from what his friends had told him, he decides to ride atop of Dunk and guide him towards it and roam around, looking for anything that catches his eye. "I will go to the village and roam about to see if anything catches my eye. I will take Dunk with me, whoever cares to join me may." Funderburk looks towards the statue, giving it a nod of some sorts, for respect. "Be careful Sthara! Keep a watchful eye." He smiles anyways, knowing Sthara is excited to see a shrine of her deity.
"Let's go girl," he tells Dunk, as they head towards the village.
@DM
It is on Discord, but incase you want it on here also, I rolled for my Divination rolls a 3 and a 5.
Made you look.
Nenne hangs back, watching her companions go their separate paths, and turns her attention to the ruins. She wonders about the difference in the state of their upkeep versus the statue as she takes in the sights.
"I think I shall remain nearby," she says to the rest of the group. "If any of you wish to go on ahead with the storyteller, do not wait on my account."
Eku walks to the edge of the courtyard, taking in the remarkable scene beside Nenne. She sighs and remarks to the eladrin, "This. This is why I prefer the jungle to the coast. The jungle takes back everything in time and it does so with splendor!" Her words are tinged with excitement, but they are only loud enough for those just next to her to hear. Dunk plods on directed by Funderburk, circling around Sthara and the statue. Any birds in or near the large beast lazily flap towards a higher perch out of reach. The wizard rides by three buildings that have been reduced to two to four foot high wall sections. Nothing strikes out to Funderburk as out of place or any more interesting than the beauty of the place.
Sthara:
The figure stands, hearing your calls and foot steps. He turns towards you and pulls back his brown cowl to reveal a deep set featured face with dark hair. Izifo's smile is wide and genuine as he makes a prayer gesture meant to honor Ubtao.
"By Ubtao, Izifo!" Sthara exclaims through a wide smile. "By what wonder are you here and not in Mezro?"
She crouches down to meet the man on her knees. "I have missed you deeply while I have been away."
Nenne takes a step closer to the statue where Sthara is kneeling and looks on in rising puzzlement. She folds her arms across her chest as the rosy highlights in her hair fade into a pensive pewter.
"I know I am ignorant of her religion," she muses aloud, cocking her head slightly, "but why does she call the statue Izifo? I believed him to be among the living."
Allister walks towards Nenne, whistling at the birds and taking in the scenary. "You´re not the only one ignorant to this religion. I can´t figure Sthara´s relationship to Ubtao out. She seems more devout than many priests I´ve seen yet her magic is not divine. Hey, how much you think rich people in Calimshan or along the Sword Coast would pay for these birds? They look magnificent..."
"This is like nothing I've ever seen before," says Boosey to the party as they arrive at the ruins, wonder heavy in his voive. The exotic birds and magical scene fill him with a sense of peace, event though he knows very little of the God Ubtao. While the others are busy, out of sheer curiosity he has a look in the ruined building that surround the statue
ooc: not looking for anything in particular, just curious - if he does happen to spot anything interesting though....
Investigation check 20
//Sthara in Discord or PM here\\
Speaking in agreement with the rest of her allies Eku says, "I don't understand it either. She speaks as if she has a personal understanding to her Ubtao, but it is my understanding that a deity gains power through followers, no? If the stories are to be believed, Ubtao's followers are few and scattered." She shrugs and finishes with, "I suppose this is just another mystery lost to the Chultan peninsula." She laughs as Dunk steps into an uneven space sending Funderburk skittering to stay in his saddle. Some time goes by as the four are content to just stare and Eku says, "300, 100, 150, 75. I do not even know what that bird is..." She is pointing at various birds while she calls out numbers, but continues, "I have been on bird hunting safaris before. I cannot confirm these prices...The man was greedy and liked to boast about his winnings.I have never in my life seen so many of these kind of birds gathered in one place before though."
Boosey walks along the edge of the square, with a cocked eyebrow aimed at Sthara, but decides to check out one of the ruined structures. Time has really ravaged this place it seems. Everything is grown over and the stones are worn heavily in this environment. Whatever stories this place might be hiding seem to be lost in time at least on the surface. The bard makes his way towards the same hole in the wall he came in and spots something white stuck behind some vines.
"Hmmm, 300 for a bird... Say I can get 100 eggs on a ship, that´s... well, more gold than I´ve seen in my life. If Tymora favors me again and we make it out of the jungle in one piece, I think I´ll convince some rich snob to sponsor me and make a fortune!!" He look around and tries to find out what the others are doing, but not paying much attention. His mind is flooded with shiploads of bird eggs, worth their weight 1000 times in gold.
The ruined structures fascinate Boosey, and as he explores them he can only guess at the stories of the lives of the people that built this place. He runs his hand gently across the stones as he walks, as if in hope that they might divulge some of their secrets to him. His exploration has done nothing to reduce his sense of wonder, and has increased his curiosity. Leaving the buildings the same way he comes in, he spends a moment watching Sthara, who appears to be talking to herself (or to the statue). As he's about to step out into the square he spots something unusual in the vines growing in the wall. Reaching out, he moves the vines aside to take a closer look..."What's this?"
Boosey moves the vines aside to discover an ivory smoking pipe. It's dirty, covered in ground muck and some moss is starting to cover it, but as the gnome moves his small finger along the thing, it proves to still be in good condition should he clean it. It's carved with an elephant caravan down the sides and ends in a silver mouth piece. The end of the pipe is inlaid with silver in similar fashion. It looks quite expensive as far as smoking pipes go.
Still perplexed at Sthara's behavior, Nenne picks her way around the statue, keeping a respectful distance so as not to disturb the sorcerer in her supplications. Her gaze fixes on the jungle overgrowth and its curious absence around the statue.
Is this the power of Ubtao keeping it clean, or is a caretaker responsible? she wonders. She looks more intently at the vines, trying to determine if they look pruned, or if they seem to be growing away from the statue.
(Perception 23 or Investigation/Nature 4, whichever's appropriate. The bonus for the latter two is zero, hence the combined roll.)
Thanks for all the rolls when you guys feel it's necessary. It's saving so much time. I'm kind of waiting on Sthara before we continue this scene anymore. Her thing might make things a bit different.