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Arcanis: Gonnes, Sons, and Treasure Runs (COMPLETED)
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<blockquote data-quote="talien" data-source="post: 2675308" data-attributes="member: 3285"><p><strong>All That Glitters - Part 2: The Temple of Althares</strong></p><p></p><p>The Temple of Althares was, surprisingly, one of the grander structures in Freeport, nearly rivaling the nearby Temple of Yarris. Massive pillars stood in a double row down the center of the enormous vaulted room, and shelves of scrolls and tomes stretched from floor to ceiling, interrupted only by the walkways that formed the second floor. </p><p></p><p>“Whatever possessed the Altherians to build such a repository here?” asked Sebastian.</p><p></p><p>“Humans worship their gods in the strangest of places,” said Ilmarė. “They’d build a temple in a sewer if it wasn’t for the stench.”</p><p></p><p>Bijoux wrinkled her nose. “This whole city smells like a sewer.”</p><p></p><p>She and Calactyte had joined up with them as they were leaving the Nikko’s place. There was still no sign of Kham and Vlad.</p><p></p><p>A young acolyte watched them from behind a desk just inside the entrance. “My name is Brother Norton,” he said. “Can I help you?”</p><p></p><p>Sebastian thrust out the piece of parchment. “We found these rubbings,” he said. “One of them mentions this temple.”</p><p></p><p>Brother Norton squinted at the rubbing. “Ah yes! We used to allow people to make rubbings of the original stone. But it’s very soft has started to crumble, so we don’t let anyone touch it anymore.”</p><p></p><p>“In that case,” said Ilmarė. “we’d like to see the stone.”</p><p></p><p>“I’m really not the one to ask,” said Brother Norton. “Brother Oriku has made a study of it, but he hasn’t been able to decipher the text. I’ll have him stop by.”</p><p></p><p>Brother Norton disappeared into the cavernous temple, only to be replaced by a rotund, pleasant-seeming little man of middle age with a large bald spot on the top of his head. </p><p></p><p>“You must be hunting for Captain Krubach’s treasure,” he said. </p><p></p><p>“We know of him,” said Sebastian. </p><p></p><p>“Legend has it that he plundered a treasure fleet carrying treasures from Khitan, just before the beginning of the rainy season. He hid the treasure and set off for one more raid, but…” Oriku shook his head. “He never returned.”</p><p></p><p>“We found the remains of his ship, the Black Egret,” said Bijoux. “He won’t be back for his treasure.”</p><p></p><p>Oriku took off his spectacles to polish the lenses. “We haven’t had anyone interested in the carving for awhile.” He peered at Ilmarė. “The last group was going to speak with a Loremaster they knew in Altheria. If memory serves me right, they took a rubbing with them.”</p><p></p><p>“You mean these?” asked Sebastian, showing him the pieces of paper.</p><p></p><p>“Ah yes, that looks like them. They’ve been a bit mistreated, I see. It’s no wonder you had to come to look for the original. How did you come by these?”</p><p></p><p>Beldin grunted. “We won it off a beggar.”</p><p></p><p>“Do you know where he got them from?” asked Oriku, nonplussed.</p><p></p><p>“We were hoping you could tell us that,” said Sebastian.</p><p></p><p>“I lost track of the rubbings after they were made,” said Oriku, “but I can show you the stone, if you like.”</p><p></p><p>With Oriku’s consent, he led them over to another room containing the stone. The room was filled with blanks sheaves of paper and parchment, chalk and charcoal. The stone hung on one wall, protected by a glass frame. Covering another wall was a map of the area surrounding Freeport. </p><p></p><p>“This makes no sense,” said Sebastian, studying the stone fragment. “It’s letters, but not in any form I can understand.”</p><p></p><p>Beldin stepped up to the frame and looked over the various letters. “It’s in Low Coryani, but I can’t make heads or tails of it either.”</p><p></p><p>Ilmarė peered over his shoulder. “It’s a riddle. What did the verse say?”</p><p></p><p>“Captain and his seven officers,” said Sebastian. “Perhaps it is every seventh letter?”</p><p></p><p>“Try it,” said Ilmarė. Behind them, Calactyte took up a piece of chalk and begin scribbling on a blank piece of parchment.</p><p></p><p>“No,” said Sebastian after a moment, “that doesn’t work.”</p><p></p><p>“If we denote the first letter as the captain, then count seven letters after that...”</p><p></p><p>Sebastian shook his head while Cal scribbled furiously. </p><p></p><p>“No, that won’t work either,” said Sebastian.</p><p></p><p>Ilmarė bit her lip. “Well, the captain also chose the first of nine. So let’s try every ninth letter.”</p><p></p><p>“Hmm,” said Sebastian. “I think we may be on to something. The first word is ‘at’ and the second appears to be…’isles’? Calactyte, what have you come up with?”</p><p></p><p>The big lizard stopped scribbling to blink back at the smaller sorcerer. “Huh?”</p><p></p><p>Bijoux sighed. “Cal can’t read. Or write.”</p><p></p><p>Cal beamed with all his teeth and displayed his sketch. It looked vaguely like a boat. And a pirate.*</p><p></p><p>“That’s helpful Cal, thank you,” said Ilmarė without skipping a beat. “For the rest of us who can read, I think I’ve got it,” she said:</p><p></p><p>“At isle’s northernmost point,</p><p>Serpent overlooks the whale.</p><p>Seek the serpent den below.”</p><p></p><p>“I’m confused,” said Bijoux. “Do serpents and whales normally live together?” </p><p></p><p>“No,” said Sebastian. “It’s a code for something else. I think we’ll need to journey northwards.”</p><p></p><p>“But northwards where?” said Beldin. “That could take years to find.”</p><p></p><p>Ilmarė glanced behind her. “There,” she said, turning around. “There’s a whale marked on that part of the island,” she pointed one long finger at the crude drawing of a whale that was inland.</p><p></p><p>“Interesting,” said Oriku. “I thought it an error of cartography.”</p><p></p><p>“But I don’t see a snake,” said Sebastian.</p><p></p><p>“Here,” said Oriku, pointing at the bottom of a compass rose near the whale. “The ‘south’ direction looks strange.” He adjusted his glasses and peered closer. “It’s not just an ‘S’…it’s a serpent. Yes, I can see its tongue now!”</p><p></p><p>Ilmarė squinted. “Yes, I see it. It does look like a snake.”</p><p></p><p>“Then we know our destination,” said Sebastian.</p><p></p><p>They turned to leave, but Oriku blocked their path.</p><p></p><p>“I know I’m just an old man,” said Oriku, “but this mystery has been gnawing at me since I joined the Temple. To be able to see it to the end…it would mean a great deal to me.” He ran a hand through his remaining hair and straightened up a bit. “I won’t slow you down. And I have learned a few tricks, even if I’m not a priest.”</p><p></p><p>Sebastian looked him up and down. “Fine,” he said. “But if you betray us, you will not live long enough to regret it.” Then he brushed past him.</p><p></p><p>Oriku looked shaken but nodded at Sebastian’s back. </p><p></p><p>“Why was Sebastian so mean to that man?” Bijoux asked as they exited the temple.</p><p></p><p>“Ymandragorians put him on edge,” said Beldin.</p><p></p><p>“Freeport will do that to you,” said Ilmarė with a smirk. “I’ll be glad to leave this cesspool behind for a few days.”</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="talien, post: 2675308, member: 3285"] [b]All That Glitters - Part 2: The Temple of Althares[/b] The Temple of Althares was, surprisingly, one of the grander structures in Freeport, nearly rivaling the nearby Temple of Yarris. Massive pillars stood in a double row down the center of the enormous vaulted room, and shelves of scrolls and tomes stretched from floor to ceiling, interrupted only by the walkways that formed the second floor. “Whatever possessed the Altherians to build such a repository here?” asked Sebastian. “Humans worship their gods in the strangest of places,” said Ilmarė. “They’d build a temple in a sewer if it wasn’t for the stench.” Bijoux wrinkled her nose. “This whole city smells like a sewer.” She and Calactyte had joined up with them as they were leaving the Nikko’s place. There was still no sign of Kham and Vlad. A young acolyte watched them from behind a desk just inside the entrance. “My name is Brother Norton,” he said. “Can I help you?” Sebastian thrust out the piece of parchment. “We found these rubbings,” he said. “One of them mentions this temple.” Brother Norton squinted at the rubbing. “Ah yes! We used to allow people to make rubbings of the original stone. But it’s very soft has started to crumble, so we don’t let anyone touch it anymore.” “In that case,” said Ilmarė. “we’d like to see the stone.” “I’m really not the one to ask,” said Brother Norton. “Brother Oriku has made a study of it, but he hasn’t been able to decipher the text. I’ll have him stop by.” Brother Norton disappeared into the cavernous temple, only to be replaced by a rotund, pleasant-seeming little man of middle age with a large bald spot on the top of his head. “You must be hunting for Captain Krubach’s treasure,” he said. “We know of him,” said Sebastian. “Legend has it that he plundered a treasure fleet carrying treasures from Khitan, just before the beginning of the rainy season. He hid the treasure and set off for one more raid, but…” Oriku shook his head. “He never returned.” “We found the remains of his ship, the Black Egret,” said Bijoux. “He won’t be back for his treasure.” Oriku took off his spectacles to polish the lenses. “We haven’t had anyone interested in the carving for awhile.” He peered at Ilmarė. “The last group was going to speak with a Loremaster they knew in Altheria. If memory serves me right, they took a rubbing with them.” “You mean these?” asked Sebastian, showing him the pieces of paper. “Ah yes, that looks like them. They’ve been a bit mistreated, I see. It’s no wonder you had to come to look for the original. How did you come by these?” Beldin grunted. “We won it off a beggar.” “Do you know where he got them from?” asked Oriku, nonplussed. “We were hoping you could tell us that,” said Sebastian. “I lost track of the rubbings after they were made,” said Oriku, “but I can show you the stone, if you like.” With Oriku’s consent, he led them over to another room containing the stone. The room was filled with blanks sheaves of paper and parchment, chalk and charcoal. The stone hung on one wall, protected by a glass frame. Covering another wall was a map of the area surrounding Freeport. “This makes no sense,” said Sebastian, studying the stone fragment. “It’s letters, but not in any form I can understand.” Beldin stepped up to the frame and looked over the various letters. “It’s in Low Coryani, but I can’t make heads or tails of it either.” Ilmarė peered over his shoulder. “It’s a riddle. What did the verse say?” “Captain and his seven officers,” said Sebastian. “Perhaps it is every seventh letter?” “Try it,” said Ilmarė. Behind them, Calactyte took up a piece of chalk and begin scribbling on a blank piece of parchment. “No,” said Sebastian after a moment, “that doesn’t work.” “If we denote the first letter as the captain, then count seven letters after that...” Sebastian shook his head while Cal scribbled furiously. “No, that won’t work either,” said Sebastian. Ilmarė bit her lip. “Well, the captain also chose the first of nine. So let’s try every ninth letter.” “Hmm,” said Sebastian. “I think we may be on to something. The first word is ‘at’ and the second appears to be…’isles’? Calactyte, what have you come up with?” The big lizard stopped scribbling to blink back at the smaller sorcerer. “Huh?” Bijoux sighed. “Cal can’t read. Or write.” Cal beamed with all his teeth and displayed his sketch. It looked vaguely like a boat. And a pirate.* “That’s helpful Cal, thank you,” said Ilmarė without skipping a beat. “For the rest of us who can read, I think I’ve got it,” she said: “At isle’s northernmost point, Serpent overlooks the whale. Seek the serpent den below.” “I’m confused,” said Bijoux. “Do serpents and whales normally live together?” “No,” said Sebastian. “It’s a code for something else. I think we’ll need to journey northwards.” “But northwards where?” said Beldin. “That could take years to find.” Ilmarė glanced behind her. “There,” she said, turning around. “There’s a whale marked on that part of the island,” she pointed one long finger at the crude drawing of a whale that was inland. “Interesting,” said Oriku. “I thought it an error of cartography.” “But I don’t see a snake,” said Sebastian. “Here,” said Oriku, pointing at the bottom of a compass rose near the whale. “The ‘south’ direction looks strange.” He adjusted his glasses and peered closer. “It’s not just an ‘S’…it’s a serpent. Yes, I can see its tongue now!” Ilmarė squinted. “Yes, I see it. It does look like a snake.” “Then we know our destination,” said Sebastian. They turned to leave, but Oriku blocked their path. “I know I’m just an old man,” said Oriku, “but this mystery has been gnawing at me since I joined the Temple. To be able to see it to the end…it would mean a great deal to me.” He ran a hand through his remaining hair and straightened up a bit. “I won’t slow you down. And I have learned a few tricks, even if I’m not a priest.” Sebastian looked him up and down. “Fine,” he said. “But if you betray us, you will not live long enough to regret it.” Then he brushed past him. Oriku looked shaken but nodded at Sebastian’s back. “Why was Sebastian so mean to that man?” Bijoux asked as they exited the temple. “Ymandragorians put him on edge,” said Beldin. “Freeport will do that to you,” said Ilmarė with a smirk. “I’ll be glad to leave this cesspool behind for a few days.” [/QUOTE]
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