"The shrine is the Shrine of the Maw. It belongs to the local Lokanan religion, while the Merubat and Guranam generally have small shrines to there own gods within there homes. The Shrine of the Maw is also the only place in the village what has clerics who will reside over and judge what has happened."
"Yes, we could be attacked there or more likely on the way. I imagine many of his followers see him as a saint, not a murderer or thief. To them we are the murderers and our evidence... fabrication."
"Then we should return the gesture by attending and if things do get ugly, then we could use non-lethal methods to paint us in a more positive light," replies Cinta, finishing her weapon routine and beginning to awkwardly eat the food with her one good arm.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Whistler - Lost Mines of Phandelver [Lvl 8 Barbarian] | Cinta Yuliani Lestari- My Island Home [Lvl 3 Fighter] | Shalana - Allansia Wildlands [Lvl 4 Monk] | Roger Durant- Storm King's Thunder [Lvl 8 Monster Hunter] |Rotthran - The Waterdeep Heist [Lvl 5 Thief]
In the morning the companions gather themselves and they leave the compound with Kiwa. Isow and a contingent of his men meets them at the compound gate, many of them obviously uncomfortable in the Garunam Quarter.
" It is good to see you well.", he nods to those he knows, with another slightly quizzical expression towrds those he doesn't.
He is perhaps too overly familiar as he takes Kiwas hands in his and kisses her forehead, but Kiwa makes eye contact with the bristling Khutulun indicating now is not the time.
" Let us hope this evidence you found is what it seems.....or you may want to take me up on my offer of protection, Little One.", said the older man carefully.
" Most Garunam would not be allowed to approach the Shrine but Raj Senem had good standing and it is passed to you, Kiwa."
The procession made its way through the streets, climbing the hill towards the elaborate structure of dark wooden posts and white paneled towers over the houses of the shrine servants, scholarly laborers, and other workers in less tangible goods. A vast court of pale stones spreads out before the shrine, and each dawn a small mob of servants can be seen washing and cleaning the tiles.
The Shrine of the Maw serves as the religious center of the town, with the Lokanan gathering for their festivals and the adherents visiting their chosen teachers each week for their sermons and instruction.
Within the structure is a huge clear pool of salt water, a pearlescent tooth almost a foot across is set into the mosaic base in the depths and keeps the water clear and flowing and oxygenated. Circling eternally within the pool are three large hammerhead sharks: one white, one black and one gray.
The great mahogany doors are carved with intricate scenes of the glories of the ocean and the spirit world, and the shrine itself is connected to a small walled ritual ground and a large hall for the priests. In past days it housed many priests, but nowadays it shelters only the red clad priests Guru Jujur, Yano a junior Priest, and four other elderly clergy of no mystical power.
Tents and temporary shelters around the priests’ hall house the black clad mercenaries recently hired by Guru Jujur to “protect the shrine from insult”.
( All of this is relayed to those who are not aware by Isow on the journey there.)
As the companions approach the shrine doors they are met by Yano, a young Lokanan man with an easy smile and an unruly mass of hair.
" Welcome, Kiwa, Daughter of Senem. Your father is within. Guru Jujur stands ready to speak with his memories."
Cinta marches with the rest, her appearance has been tamed to the nth-degree, her metal is mirrored polished in respect toward Kiwa. Her hair had been braided and she smelled of scented oils, she was not happy.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Whistler - Lost Mines of Phandelver [Lvl 8 Barbarian] | Cinta Yuliani Lestari- My Island Home [Lvl 3 Fighter] | Shalana - Allansia Wildlands [Lvl 4 Monk] | Roger Durant- Storm King's Thunder [Lvl 8 Monster Hunter] |Rotthran - The Waterdeep Heist [Lvl 5 Thief]
Khutulan bows low to Yano as he addresses Kiwa but says nothing. Despite her clam disposition, her muscles betray how uncomfortable she is, expecting danger.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Yevna Galanodel - Wood Elf | Level 8 | Druid/Circle of Spores 6 - Ranger 2 - Ravnica Nyx - Satyr | Level 9 | Rouge/Swashbuckler 5 - Bard/Collage of Lore 4 - Lost Mine of Phandelver/Storm King's Thunder
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Mal trails along, unused to being in grand company like this, but trying to keep his head on a swivel, watching for any signs of danger. Perception: 19
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Krikoris makes no attempt to hide his curiosity as he looks around at the shrine and the people, moving with casual confidence and trying to project it towards any who watch, as well as instill it in his companions.
Cinta marches with the rest, her appearance has been tamed to the nth-degree, her metal is mirrored polished in respect toward Kiwa. Her hair had been braided and she smelled of scented oils, she was not happy.
Khutulan bows low to Yano as he addresses Kiwa but says nothing. Despite her clam disposition, her muscles betray how uncomfortable she is, expecting danger.
Mal trails along, unused to being in grand company like this, but trying to keep his head on a swivel, watching for any signs of danger. Perception: 26
Mals sharp eyes note that the majority of the worshippers and staff at the temple go out of their way to avoid the dark clad mercenaries and that the elderly priests in particular seem to despise them.
His keen senses also pick out some red stains on the white stones around the pool where they have not been cleaned quite well enough....
But he sees no signs of followers or hidden assassins.
Krikoris makes no attempt to hide his curiosity as he looks around at the shrine and the people, moving with casual confidence and trying to project it towards any who watch, as well as instill it in his companions.
Performance: 19
Krikoris appearance generates some small confusion as the worshippers, despite his foreign appearance, note signs of Orang Bunian heritage but also the small patches of scales. One young boy approaches him and stares at him for a few moments before his mother pulls him back with apologys.
The group is lead into a small walled ritual ground, on a rattan mat on the ground lays the body of Raj Senem and standing over him is the stern figure of Guru Jujur.
" Dakuwaqa welcomes you to his Shrine, he accepts all peoples under his shadow and protects even those who once enslaved his people"., Guru Jujur said spreading his arms out and looking pointedly at Kiwa and Mal.
" Today we will speak with the memories of your father, do not fear. It is not his spirit...that has already gone on to his next life....that is your peoples belief, yes?"
" We can only ask for as many memories as the fingers on one hand........and once asked they can not be asked again. Once we are done you may take him away to be burned as your folk do.......or we can deliver his remains into the keeping of the Maw."
" I leave that in your hands."
Kiwa kept her face serene under the somewhat pointed statements of the old Lokanan priest, then turned towards Khutulun, and by extension the others, " What should I ask? This sort of sorcery is strange to me."
She brought forth the jaw and unwrapped it from the cloth around it, keeping her jaw tight, and gave it to Jujur.
The old priest took the jaw and unceremoniously jammed it into the sockets it had come from, Kiwa turned away from the sight.
Jujur placed dried kelp on Senems chest and set it alight causing a pungent smell to fill the air as he whispered and snapped his jaws over the body.
After some moments the ruined remnants of Senem twitched and Kiwa clutched tightly onto Khutuluns arm as the dead mans jaw opened and a soft exhale sounded....
Mal whispers to Khutulun, if he can get close enough - (He'd never dream of whispering anything directly to Kiwa, but Khutulun is pamilya now, family, so he'll suggest some things to her)
"Maybe he knows why they killed him, or maybe there were others that did Seto's bidding, or maybe he has some treasure hidden away for his daughter, hmm?"
Krikoris listens carefully, and starts to wonder where he could find paper to start writing down questions he has about these strange people to ask Mal or Khutulun later. For now, he thinks carefully for a moment before offering suggestions for potential questions.
"Who was involved in your death? Why were you killed? What message do you have for your family? What message do you have for your people? And a fifth as a follow-up for any of the answers he gives."
Khutulun holds Kiwa, clearly moved by her grief. Comforting Kiwa for a few moments she steps away, saying "I will discuss these options with the others unless youwould like question asked Miatress?"
Turning to the others, "I agree. Who was involved in your death. Why did they want you dead? Then a message to family and one for the people. We have a fifth question to clarify things then."
"I hope he answers the way we think he should..."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Yevna Galanodel - Wood Elf | Level 8 | Druid/Circle of Spores 6 - Ranger 2 - Ravnica Nyx - Satyr | Level 9 | Rouge/Swashbuckler 5 - Bard/Collage of Lore 4 - Lost Mine of Phandelver/Storm King's Thunder
Kiwa returns the embrace and gives Khutulun a thankful smile, though her eyes are still filled with tears.
She turned away and knelt beside the body.
" Father.......who was involved in your death?"
The corpse twitched alarmingly but then spoke a wheezing hiss of a voice, " Seto. He plunged a blade into me and I died."
Kiwa breathed out in relief and looked to the others the tension draining from her face and shoulders somewhat.
" Why did Seto want you dead?"
" I angered him, he thought we did not care for our people and that is why he hated us. But I died because my words made him angry, I turned my back and did not show him the respect he thought he was due."
Kiwa wept, " Do you have words you wanted to say to me....to the family?"
" Be better than me, my daughter. You are the future of our people.....ALL of our people. I am proud of you."
Kiwa rocked back on her heels and hugged her knees, but steadied herself and continued.
" What words do you have for our people, Father?"
" Our people have suffered long enough for the grave sins of our forbears. I ask them to look to you Kiwa to lead them into the future.....perhaps a path will be found that an old man did not conceive of."
Kiwa turned towards the companions, " That was......hard. What is the final thing I should ask of him?"
Mal does his best to conceal his horrified expression. He's never seen powers like this before, but he doesn't want to let on that he's in over his head, so he tries to put on a brave face.
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Khutulun nods.
"The shrine is the Shrine of the Maw. It belongs to the local Lokanan religion, while the Merubat and Guranam generally have small shrines to there own gods within there homes. The Shrine of the Maw is also the only place in the village what has clerics who will reside over and judge what has happened."
"Yes, we could be attacked there or more likely on the way. I imagine many of his followers see him as a saint, not a murderer or thief. To them we are the murderers and our evidence... fabrication."
Yevna Galanodel - Wood Elf | Level 8 | Druid/Circle of Spores 6 - Ranger 2 - Ravnica
Nyx - Satyr | Level 9 | Rouge/Swashbuckler 5 - Bard/Collage of Lore 4 - Lost Mine of Phandelver/Storm King's Thunder
"Then we'll have to defend ourselves, ya?" Uce says as he too cleans his weapon.
I have an intelligence of six, I know what I'm doing.
Krikoris listens with a blank expression, "Ok. Is it appropriate for a foreigner to attend a place like this?"
"You are a guest of the Mistress. No one can tell you not to attend."
Yevna Galanodel - Wood Elf | Level 8 | Druid/Circle of Spores 6 - Ranger 2 - Ravnica
Nyx - Satyr | Level 9 | Rouge/Swashbuckler 5 - Bard/Collage of Lore 4 - Lost Mine of Phandelver/Storm King's Thunder
"Then we should return the gesture by attending and if things do get ugly, then we could use non-lethal methods to paint us in a more positive light," replies Cinta, finishing her weapon routine and beginning to awkwardly eat the food with her one good arm.
Whistler - Lost Mines of Phandelver [Lvl 8 Barbarian] | Cinta Yuliani Lestari - My Island Home [Lvl 3 Fighter] | Shalana - Allansia Wildlands [Lvl 4 Monk] | Roger Durant - Storm King's Thunder [Lvl 8 Monster Hunter] | Rotthran - The Waterdeep Heist [Lvl 5 Thief]
In the morning the companions gather themselves and they leave the compound with Kiwa. Isow and a contingent of his men meets them at the compound gate, many of them obviously uncomfortable in the Garunam Quarter.
" It is good to see you well.", he nods to those he knows, with another slightly quizzical expression towrds those he doesn't.
He is perhaps too overly familiar as he takes Kiwas hands in his and kisses her forehead, but Kiwa makes eye contact with the bristling Khutulun indicating now is not the time.
" Let us hope this evidence you found is what it seems.....or you may want to take me up on my offer of protection, Little One.", said the older man carefully.
" Most Garunam would not be allowed to approach the Shrine but Raj Senem had good standing and it is passed to you, Kiwa."
The procession made its way through the streets, climbing the hill towards the elaborate structure of dark wooden posts and white paneled towers over the houses of the shrine servants, scholarly laborers, and other workers in less tangible goods. A vast court of pale stones spreads out before the shrine, and each dawn a small mob of servants can be seen washing and cleaning the tiles.
The Shrine of the Maw serves as the religious center of the town, with the Lokanan gathering for their festivals and the adherents visiting their chosen teachers each week for their sermons and instruction.
Within the structure is a huge clear pool of salt water, a pearlescent tooth almost a foot across is set into the mosaic base in the depths and keeps the water clear and flowing and oxygenated. Circling eternally within the pool are three large hammerhead sharks: one white, one black and one gray.
The great mahogany doors are carved with intricate scenes of the glories of the ocean and the spirit world, and the shrine itself is connected to a small walled ritual ground and a large hall for the priests. In past days it housed many priests, but nowadays it shelters only the red clad priests Guru Jujur, Yano a junior Priest, and four other elderly clergy of no mystical power.
Tents and temporary shelters around the priests’ hall house the black clad mercenaries recently hired by Guru Jujur to “protect the shrine from insult”.
( All of this is relayed to those who are not aware by Isow on the journey there.)
As the companions approach the shrine doors they are met by Yano, a young Lokanan man with an easy smile and an unruly mass of hair.
" Welcome, Kiwa, Daughter of Senem. Your father is within. Guru Jujur stands ready to speak with his memories."
Cinta marches with the rest, her appearance has been tamed to the nth-degree, her metal is mirrored polished in respect toward Kiwa. Her hair had been braided and she smelled of scented oils, she was not happy.
Whistler - Lost Mines of Phandelver [Lvl 8 Barbarian] | Cinta Yuliani Lestari - My Island Home [Lvl 3 Fighter] | Shalana - Allansia Wildlands [Lvl 4 Monk] | Roger Durant - Storm King's Thunder [Lvl 8 Monster Hunter] | Rotthran - The Waterdeep Heist [Lvl 5 Thief]
Khutulan bows low to Yano as he addresses Kiwa but says nothing. Despite her clam disposition, her muscles betray how uncomfortable she is, expecting danger.
Yevna Galanodel - Wood Elf | Level 8 | Druid/Circle of Spores 6 - Ranger 2 - Ravnica
Nyx - Satyr | Level 9 | Rouge/Swashbuckler 5 - Bard/Collage of Lore 4 - Lost Mine of Phandelver/Storm King's Thunder
"Not to worry Khutulan, you have my pike," whispers Cinta, fully on ceremonial mode.
Whistler - Lost Mines of Phandelver [Lvl 8 Barbarian] | Cinta Yuliani Lestari - My Island Home [Lvl 3 Fighter] | Shalana - Allansia Wildlands [Lvl 4 Monk] | Roger Durant - Storm King's Thunder [Lvl 8 Monster Hunter] | Rotthran - The Waterdeep Heist [Lvl 5 Thief]
Mal trails along, unused to being in grand company like this, but trying to keep his head on a swivel, watching for any signs of danger. Perception: 19
Krikoris makes no attempt to hide his curiosity as he looks around at the shrine and the people, moving with casual confidence and trying to project it towards any who watch, as well as instill it in his companions.
Performance: 17
Khutulun and Cinta receive a large number of admiring looks and blessings as they pass the worshippers and acolytes on their way into the Shrine.
Mals sharp eyes note that the majority of the worshippers and staff at the temple go out of their way to avoid the dark clad mercenaries and that the elderly priests in particular seem to despise them.
His keen senses also pick out some red stains on the white stones around the pool where they have not been cleaned quite well enough....
But he sees no signs of followers or hidden assassins.
Krikoris appearance generates some small confusion as the worshippers, despite his foreign appearance, note signs of Orang Bunian heritage but also the small patches of scales. One young boy approaches him and stares at him for a few moments before his mother pulls him back with apologys.
The group is lead into a small walled ritual ground, on a rattan mat on the ground lays the body of Raj Senem and standing over him is the stern figure of Guru Jujur.
" Dakuwaqa welcomes you to his Shrine, he accepts all peoples under his shadow and protects even those who once enslaved his people"., Guru Jujur said spreading his arms out and looking pointedly at Kiwa and Mal.
" Today we will speak with the memories of your father, do not fear. It is not his spirit...that has already gone on to his next life....that is your peoples belief, yes?"
" We can only ask for as many memories as the fingers on one hand........and once asked they can not be asked again. Once we are done you may take him away to be burned as your folk do.......or we can deliver his remains into the keeping of the Maw."
" I leave that in your hands."
Kiwa kept her face serene under the somewhat pointed statements of the old Lokanan priest, then turned towards Khutulun, and by extension the others, " What should I ask? This sort of sorcery is strange to me."
She brought forth the jaw and unwrapped it from the cloth around it, keeping her jaw tight, and gave it to Jujur.
The old priest took the jaw and unceremoniously jammed it into the sockets it had come from, Kiwa turned away from the sight.
Jujur placed dried kelp on Senems chest and set it alight causing a pungent smell to fill the air as he whispered and snapped his jaws over the body.
After some moments the ruined remnants of Senem twitched and Kiwa clutched tightly onto Khutuluns arm as the dead mans jaw opened and a soft exhale sounded....
Jujur stepped back, " Ask what you will."
Mal whispers to Khutulun, if he can get close enough - (He'd never dream of whispering anything directly to Kiwa, but Khutulun is pamilya now, family, so he'll suggest some things to her)
"Maybe he knows why they killed him, or maybe there were others that did Seto's bidding, or maybe he has some treasure hidden away for his daughter, hmm?"
Krikoris listens carefully, and starts to wonder where he could find paper to start writing down questions he has about these strange people to ask Mal or Khutulun later. For now, he thinks carefully for a moment before offering suggestions for potential questions.
"Who was involved in your death? Why were you killed? What message do you have for your family? What message do you have for your people? And a fifth as a follow-up for any of the answers he gives."
Khutulun holds Kiwa, clearly moved by her grief. Comforting Kiwa for a few moments she steps away, saying "I will discuss these options with the others unless youwould like question asked Miatress?"
Turning to the others, "I agree. Who was involved in your death. Why did they want you dead? Then a message to family and one for the people. We have a fifth question to clarify things then."
"I hope he answers the way we think he should..."
Yevna Galanodel - Wood Elf | Level 8 | Druid/Circle of Spores 6 - Ranger 2 - Ravnica
Nyx - Satyr | Level 9 | Rouge/Swashbuckler 5 - Bard/Collage of Lore 4 - Lost Mine of Phandelver/Storm King's Thunder
Kiwa returns the embrace and gives Khutulun a thankful smile, though her eyes are still filled with tears.
She turned away and knelt beside the body.
" Father.......who was involved in your death?"
The corpse twitched alarmingly but then spoke a wheezing hiss of a voice, " Seto. He plunged a blade into me and I died."
Kiwa breathed out in relief and looked to the others the tension draining from her face and shoulders somewhat.
" Why did Seto want you dead?"
" I angered him, he thought we did not care for our people and that is why he hated us. But I died because my words made him angry, I turned my back and did not show him the respect he thought he was due."
Kiwa wept, " Do you have words you wanted to say to me....to the family?"
" Be better than me, my daughter. You are the future of our people.....ALL of our people. I am proud of you."
Kiwa rocked back on her heels and hugged her knees, but steadied herself and continued.
" What words do you have for our people, Father?"
" Our people have suffered long enough for the grave sins of our forbears. I ask them to look to you Kiwa to lead them into the future.....perhaps a path will be found that an old man did not conceive of."
Kiwa turned towards the companions, " That was......hard. What is the final thing I should ask of him?"
Krikoris shrugs, "Maybe if Seto was working with anyone else?"
Khutulun's normally stone expression is tested while listening to and watching the reply.
She just nodes in reply to Krikoris.
Yevna Galanodel - Wood Elf | Level 8 | Druid/Circle of Spores 6 - Ranger 2 - Ravnica
Nyx - Satyr | Level 9 | Rouge/Swashbuckler 5 - Bard/Collage of Lore 4 - Lost Mine of Phandelver/Storm King's Thunder
Uce nods as well.
I have an intelligence of six, I know what I'm doing.
Mal does his best to conceal his horrified expression. He's never seen powers like this before, but he doesn't want to let on that he's in over his head, so he tries to put on a brave face.