-/-/- Tomb of Annihilation -\-\-

Oniss follows suit and enters the temple with his flower and feather.  

Irommek puts away his hammer and holds on to the feather and orchid but does not move.  Looking over to Musharib he says, “What gives you pause brother?  Walking into dark places does not normally bother me as a dwarf, but this isn’t really the natural dark of being underground is it?  I plan on following my companions but want to ask you one dwarf to another: You’ve been on this crazy island longer than I have, – is this a god to be trusted or is there more to Inete’s story?”

Quote from Spock >>

Irommek puts away his hammer and holds on to the feather and orchid but does not move.  Looking over to Musharib he says, “What gives you pause brother?  Walking into dark places does not normally bother me as a dwarf, but this isn’t really the natural dark of being underground is it?  I plan on following my companions but want to ask you one dwarf to another: You’ve been on this crazy island longer than I have, – is this a god to be trusted or is there more to Inete’s story?”

OOC, So, Felix, Brunella and Irommek are still outside. The others, NPCs included, are all disappeared. What do you do?

Felix will mutter to himself "I hate dealing with gods...." Taking the orchid in his right hand and the feather in his left he will walk through the doorway.

[Sorry, superbowl weekend]

When Musharib enters the shrine, with Felix right behind, Brunella also takes the Orchid and the Feather in her hands and walks in. 

The adventurers find themselves in the same room on the top of the ziggurat, but very much different. Almost as it is, or was, in another time.

Hanging lamps illuminate the room, while incense burners fill it with exotic scents and curling smoke. Cushions and reed mats cover the floor, pots of blooming flowers line the plastered walls, and singing birds flit from plant to plant.

An immense snake with iridescent scales rests on a heap of cushions opposite the doorway. It rises slowly to a height of 5 feet, staring directly into your eyes as it moves. Its face is remarkably humanlike, and its tongue flicks before it speaks.

“I am Saja N’baza. What do you seek in this ancient place? Speak truly, for I hear your hearts!”

Jon, Dragonbait and Inete immediately kneel before the ancient being in front of them.

Gertrude repeats what she said when entering the shrine: "I bow to you, Saja N’baza, the all-knowing. We are wanderers, trying to find our way, trying to help the people of Chult. The magic is gone and now a curse is crushing its inhabitants. Please help us!"

The face of the guardian aligns to meet the eyes of the speaking Goliath: "What curse do you speak of? Describe it in such a way that I can understand."

Quote from filcat >>

The face of the guardian aligns to meet the eyes of the speaking Goliath: "What curse do you speak of? Describe it in such a way that I can understand."

The Guardian now looks at Felix: " You should reconsider your manners, masked man. " The guardian pauses a moment then continues.

"Now I understand what you were referring to. That is not a curse, but necromantic magic of remarkable power. I observed many omens about it and all point to Omu, a lost city of the fallen Chultan empire. Omu lies between the Peaks of Flame and the Valley of Lost Honor. Be aware that the city is sunken below the level of the surrounding jungle. It may be difficult to spot."

Kurma is bowing.

"Great Saja N’baza, it is an honour to meet you. I am Kurma, follower of Oghma, the lord of knowledge. Thank you for this information, we will try to find this place and put a stop to this necromancy magic. Do you have any other omens or advices on this lost city, what should we expect over there?"

OOC: Do I know anything about this name, creature ? History12...I'm guessing that's a no

"Please, forgive my ignorance Great Saja N’baza. But who exactly are you? I am young and not know all the history and the powerful being of the Chult jungle"

Kurma knows nothing about the Guardian.

"That is a wise question, Kurma, follower of Oghma. We should talk more about this and might have a common goal."

Now the guardian look straight at Jon: "Isn't that true, Artus Cimber?"

Jon, or better Artus Cimber according to the Guardian, still on his knee: " Wise and knowledgeable Saja N'Baza. I seek the return to Mezro. For too long I have been away. For too long I dreamt of my wife Alisandra whishing that the dreams never get away."

The Guardian replies: " You are sincere, Artus Cimber, and your heart true. Know that before the city of Mezro could return on this plane of existence, Ras Nsi, the warlord, the bringer of Undeath, former barae of Ubtao, must die. He joined the Yuan-ti in the very city of Omu. He himself became a Yuan-ti, foolish enough to seek to bring Dendar into this world. He must die for Mezro to be returned."

Artus tightens his right hand: " Then he shall die!"

The Guardian now addresses the rest of the party: " What about you? Will you help each other? Will you kill Ras Nsi the Yuan-ti and stop the soul-mongering magic?"

Felix with suspicions confirmed will tell the guardian "Well I was freed for the sold purpose of stopping the "Soul Monger", so you can count me in stopping it." Felix will bow as he is speaking.

Gertrude listens to what the guardian says, only understanding half the words.

"I am very sorry, guardian, can you please explain a few things to me? What happened to Mezro? What are the Yuan-ti? What is a Dendar? To be honest, we are brave adventurers, but this just feel like we're not well enough equipped for such a fight. And what is your goal?"

The Guardian addresses both Kurma and Gertrude: " What I am and want is not relevant. I protect what most humanoids tend to lose. Knowledge. "

"Mezro was taken in a demi-plane by the will of Ubtao for protection. It was indeed Ras Nsi, full of hatred, who brought the undead army on this land, in the foolish hope to conquer the city and the magic that permeates it. He failed but the price for this land was high and Mezro disappeared. Nsi became a Yuan-ti, a snake-folk, half man half snake. Once again, the fool seeks annihilation by bringing Dendar the Night Serpent into this world. A primordial of destruction. He must be stopped once and for all."

Oniss listens in on the conversation of the Gaurdian and his companions.  He is stuck in a state of awe and fear, having never had such close dealings with a god and its guardians.  Oniss finally shakes it off and interjects.

"Great Guardian Saja N’baza. I am Oniss." Oniss bows his head slightly in kind, "I agree with my companion, Gertrude.  What can our band do against someone, or something, that appears to be strong enough to manipulate necromancy is such a fashion as this curse?  While we travel this jungle we learn more and more of it dangers and have been able to survive thus far but discussing the type of being you mention we may need support.  I ask of you if you have any boon or items that can assist with out quest and our success?"

"Oniss, be aware that Ras Nsi is not the maker of what you call death curse. Someone else, or something else, is responsible. What you can do about it is a question that only you can answer. As for gifts..."

The Guardian close his eyes and pronounce some arcane, mystical words...

OOC Now everyone should confirm if they accept the guardian's quest or not. If you say yes, roll a d4.

[Felix mentioned before that he would stop the "Soul Monger"]

"If this Ras Nsi is the one causing all of this then he's as good as dead."

2

Oniss nods, 

"It seems our quest are interwoven.  You will have my support if it leads to the soulmonger."

3

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