Ruins of Azlant IC

[DaOldeWolf]

Hewitt and Lightburn kept talking to one another along the way mentally. Mostly advice of staying put while they left the rest in more capable hands. He wasnt exactly confident about keeping the secret but he understood the position on holding back at least until they were a bit closer to the truth.

Spoiler: OOC

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Well, since they aint doing the talking ....
Hewitt: Bluff (1d20+3)[10] Sense Motive: (1d20)[14]
Lightburn: Bluff (1d20)[12] Sense Motive: (1d20+5)[25]

[u-b]

Ramona, Kurvis and Eamon listen to your report. They seem to be satisfied with it. At some point Eamon looks like he would expect Henri or Taz to add something, but they remain silent and Eamon lets them be. The clerics are, of course, disappointed with continued unavailability of the chapel, and everone is quite worried about the head of the expedition killing a fellow colonist, but overall it seems seems your plan of limited dissimination of information has worked, even if you are not sure you would not be asked questions like "what did you know back then" if things ever go south. Ramona asks if you need any help with your continued investigation.

Spoiler

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It is not too late to depart today if you would be so inclined, so go ahead and do whatever you want.

[DarkOne-Rob]

Henri's quiet, stoic countenance is unphased as several of the colony leaders look at him expectantly. Used to being quiet and letting others speak, he looks passively on and neither nods or shakes his head as their reports are made. Even though he's tried to leave that life behind, it's obvious to anyone familiar with soldiers what is going on - he's not been assigned to speak, and he's waiting like so many military men learn - silently.

At Ramona's question he does look at the others before saying, "We're planning to go out and try to find these ruins. It'd be nice if the colony didn't go crazy while we were gone..."

---

Once dismissed, he grabs his gear and meets the others, intent to go north towards the ruins they've found before. "Let's avoid the goblins, and not take prisoners if we're ambushed. Agreed?"

[farothel]

"So you want to leave now," Laurelata said as she noticed Henri preparing, "we can do that, but let's not push it too far today, okay?"

[DarkOne-Rob]

"To explore the island we have to camp. Do you want to wait more?"

[farothel]

"No," Laurelata said, "but just be cautious and not go stumbling about when it's dark for instance. It's unexplored space and while I can see quite well in dim light, not all of us can and even less of us can see in total darkness. So I would suggest to move out, but make camp when it's still light and not wait until it's dark."

[DarkOne-Rob]

"Right - leave now, camp at dark, keep going at dawn. Sounds like a good plan."

[u-b]

You go north towards the only ruins that you know, expecting them to be one of the ruins mentioned. The day is pleasant enough, the wildlife mainly tends to its own business - you encounter a large colony of ants and, in a different place, a fresh boar trail, but since neither of the parties were interested in a closer contact, no such contact occured. At the ruins you see the dead goblins almost completely eaten and some of their bones scattered in a short radius from where you originally left them. Some other bones are clearly missing. You camp some short distance away from the site and have a guard posted throughout the night. The only notable things the guards saw on their shifts were some normal-looking bats and a clear starry sky.

The morning is nice enough. You have your breakfast and move into the unknown. Specifically, north-west, as the ghost has suggested. The only notable thing to nowth-west that you can see up above the treeline is the lower volcanic peak (the higher peak remains to your right), but the part of it that you can see looks pretty much barren. Eventually, just before the noon, you encounter something you have already seen, if at a different place: a section of ground approximately ten feet wide crossing your path looks as if it is grooved, covered with minute depressions and trampled grass. It seems you have the choice of following the trail, avoiding the trail, or ignoring the trail, which means crossing it. Or maybe you can come up with some other choice.

Spoiler

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Write off a day's worth of water and food.

[DarkOne-Rob]

Henri leans down to study the trail and see which direction(s) it goes...

Spoiler: Mechanics

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Survival (1d20+7)[11]. He would also like to note what sort of traffic there is and anything else interesting, of course.

I think we should follow this back to where it came. If it's the goblins, then we turn around and see where it goes, he says once he's done studying the signs.

[u-b]

A first impression suggests the path was left by hundreds of thousands of insects marching in a tight formation, but none of the plants appear to be eaten or damaged. Where the strange trail intersects with obstacles, it either splits and goes around the obstacle like water, or veers to avoid it entirely. Following the path should be easy enough, no tracking required. the direction it goes is from the south to the north.

Spoiler

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Henri in particular might have been told of the previous time the party has seen the like path, but was elsewhere at the time it happened.

[DarkOne-Rob]

Henri points out the direction of the flow of bugs and looks at the rest of the party quizzically, clearly unfamiliar with this sort of thing.

[farothel]

"We've seen this before," Laurelata said, "but we don't know why it happens. I think we best keep clear, as I'd rather not be assaulted by that number of insects. It is of course curious why this is happening? We're investigating this part of the island, so we can look into it. Maybe it's something magical?"

[DarkOne-Rob]

"Follow it but be ready to run, alright," says Henri as he waits for confirmation from the others. If/when he receives it he turns to lead the party that way, following the trail and trying to keep his eyes out for signs of imminent threats...

[SanguinePenguin]

Taz nods, "I have no idea what that is, but if it were to encounter the colony, it could be bad news. We are exploring, so while the ruins are a priority, investigating any threat to the colony is probably also a good idea."

[Farmerbink]

Jessica looks at the pathway clearly uneasy. "It just doesn't look normal at all, if you ask me. Bugs don't do this. Feet don't do this. Wheels don't do this." She looks both ways, up and down the bizarre trail. "I'll readily admit that I'm not too excited to find the... whatever did this, but I think Taz has the right of it. We're out here to find out whatever we can to keep them safe. We need to know if it's a threat to the colony."

She grimaces, but nods resolutely to Henri, allowing the slower walker but better fighter to take point.

Spoiler: OOC

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Very sorry for my extended silence. The good news is that a pair of fairly major home projects wrapped up today, and with as much success as I can have reasonably expected.

The bad news is I'm out of town for a Spartan race this weekend, and need to weasel time in there to celebrate my 8th anniversary. Doubtful I'll break the surface again before Monday or Tuesday next week. :-\

[u-b]

You make the decision and Henri sort of leads you along the strange trail. It is "sort of" because following this trail don't really need any "leading", the trail itself is clear as day. There is a need to remain observant, though, and after about three hours of following the trail, which seems to veer erratically as it moves around, you notice some ruins to your left. The trail seems to continue north-west past them, not coming too close, so you have a choice of either following it or taking the opportunity to examine the ruins.

[DarkOne-Rob]

As the trail goes further and further from the colony, Henri relaxes a little bit. When he sees the ruins he stops and points them out. "Those are what we came to find. Let's come back to this after we have a look," he suggests, stretching and loosening his weapons in their holders. Then once feeling better prepared to fight (assuming it likely) he looks to the others expectantly.

[DaOldeWolf]

"Yes, of course!" Hewitt replies with quite a bit of excitement in his tone. He casts a spell and begins his analysis.

Spoiler: OOC

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Casting detect magic as he examines the ruins.

[Farmerbink]

Jessica eagerly agrees, more than happy to stop following the eerie path. "That thing gives me the heebie jeebies," she groans, as they approach the ruins. "It'll be easy to find again, too-" she glances back towards the path, and is relieved to find it still there- "at least, I figure."

[farothel]

"Oooh, ruins," Laurelata said. She liked exploring stuff, ruins were very interesting and Jessica was right, the insect trial was weird.

[u-b]

You leave the strange trail and approach the ruins. In a grassy field pockmarked with piles of fallen stone and sparse trees stands a monument that is relatively free from damage. A path of broken white marble leads to it (you don't walk along this path, but approach from another direction), and the grass is curiously cut and edged away from it. The monument itself is a smooth marble disk, about thirty feet in diameter, and marked with representations of the phases of the moon. A semicircular row of thirteen columns surrounds the northern side on a curved marble base, the ends of which have broken off and subsided into the ground. Two adjacent columns near the center are broken and the lintel between them is sundered. Two curved stone benches sit before the semicircle on either side of the path, and two stone buildings lie to the north. There are two darkish-gray metallic statues standing ready to greet anyone who would approach along the marble path from the south.

Spoiler

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You are some short distance east-north-east from the map, but feel free to move closer.

[farothel]

Laurelata hoped the ruins would be just that, ruins, but apparently they were just as creepy as the path.
"So who comes all the way out here to cut the grass," she wondered aloud, "and those are some weird looking statues."

[DarkOne-Rob]

Henri approaches the ruins just enough to get a good look before he gestures for everyone to stop and get a good look. "Strange things happened here before, right? We should be really careful," he says quietly. In spite of his warning, the half-orc takes out his notebook and charcoal writing stick, clearly intent on noting the location of the ruins on his hand drawn maps and drawing the various items of interest. He waits to start writing, though, until he's confident they aren't about to be ambushed (again).

Spoiler: Mechanics

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Henri would take some time to look around, Taking 20 if possible for a 28. Otherwise: (1d20+8)[14]

[u-b]

Henri takes a good look at the scenery. He's not in hurry anywhere. The buildings have pitched stone roofs and columns on all four corners, with open window spaces that admit light and air. Each has a single door that faces the other structure. The lawn is more interesting. Whoever was tending to it left some footprints. Seemingly a barefoot medium-sized humanoid, and quite overweight one at that. Henri would need to come closer if he would try to actually track the creature.

[DaOldeWolf]

Hewitt is a bit surprised by the reaction. "How can you guys say that? I for one think its a magnificent display. We are basically standing on history! Just imagine everything these statues have seen over the years! All of the mystery hidden behind beautifully detailed creation."Hewitt replies in admiration while holding his hands together.

Lightburn isnt as excited. "We should probably look for magic traces." Lightburn suggests to Hewitt who had almost forgotten the reason they were there. "That´s right!" Hewitt replies in embarrassment as he goes ahead and cast the spell.

Spoiler: OOC

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Casting detect magic. I´ll roll in the OOC thread if anything is found.

[u-b]

From where he stands, Hewitt senses just one aura: the marble disk, around which the columns are places, registers as faintly magical.

[Farmerbink]

Jessica nods eagerly along with Hewitt. She gives Henri just enough time to mark the ruins' location and other details before casting the same cantrip and approaching slowly. Awestruck by the detail and craftsmanship that appears to have lasted through the years, Jessica makes a cursory effort to ensure no Goblins or swarms of insects lie in wait, and then eagerly covers the last dozen feet or so between herself and the statues.

She caresses the figure, almost overcome with emotion. "It's gorgeous," she whispers, relishing in the moment.

[u-b]

The statue notices Jessica's approach and turns around to face her. So does the other statue. One of the statues speaks.

Spoiler: Azlanti

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"Greetings. Have you come to learn about Acavna?"

[Farmerbink]

Jessica yelps quietly, stunned by the statues apparent consciousness. "Ack!" It takes a moment or two to gather her wits and even recognize that the statue spoke, much less what it said. After a brief silence, she bows her head respectfully, folds her hands together, and responds in Azlanti.

"I... don't know. We are here to learn, but I don't know what Acavna is. If you would, I'm eager to hear more."

Spoiler: OOC

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uh... diplomacy?? With the statue(?)?

(1d20+8)[19]

[u-b]

The statue gestures towards the marble benches. By the look of the gesture it seems to be adressed to everyone, not only to Jessica.

Spoiler

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"Please take a seat on a bench and listen."