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Arendel’s Serpent's Skull Journal. (Complete! 06/25/13, With Pictures!)
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<blockquote data-quote="Abciximab" data-source="post: 5580057" data-attributes="member: 46017"><p><strong><p style="text-align: center">Session 10</p><p></strong></p><p>Arodus the 11th (Cont).</p><p></p><p>We climbed back through the pit to reach the outside and talk to Captain Ekubus, the Water Mephit Captain of the Salty Strumpet. After a brief discussion it was determined we have about 6 hours from the time we performed the ritual until the tide turns. We thanked him and reentered the Temple.</p><p></p><p>We decided there must be a way out from the inside and chose to rest within the temple instead of having to repeat the distasteful ritual. Our first priority was to find a relatively safe place to rest within the Temple. Kay’Es had found an opening in the floor of the entry room. Exploration revealed a pile of bones and two strange dolls. I quickly determined the dolls were magical and right on cue, they jumped up and attacked. Chumba quickly crushed them both. Within each was a magical gem that radiated necromantic magic. I shall have to study them further at some point to determine more about them. As most of the floor was covered with shallow water, this location was deemed unsuitable for resting. We decided to explore the eastern portion of the Temple.</p><p></p><p>We found a room that was suitable for resting, once it was cleared of the skeletons that currently resided there. Early that evening we heard the sound of the doors to the Temple closing and the water rushing back in.</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center">----------</p><p></p><p>Arodus the 12th.</p><p></p><p>In the morning I decided to investigate the Azlanti runes that were scribed into the walls of a nearby room, the scriptorium of the temple. As I do not speak Azlanti, I cast Comprehend Languages to facilitate my understanding. Working my way through unusual metaphors and rambling prayers, I was able to determine it was written by worshipers of Zura, self-proclaimed enemies of the Serpent-folk worshipers of Ydersius. The walls were carved with hundreds, perhaps thousands, of strange runes interspersed with the periodic image of a stylized rune that looked like a fanged skull. The writing spoke of the razing of the temple of Ydersius, the Beheaded One, and the rededication of the Temple to Zura. The defeated Serpent-Folk were then used as slaves or animated as undead guardians. This may explain why a ritual to Ydersius is used to gain access to the Temple of Zura. The cultists must have been unable to alter the powerful ritual used to gain access. Within the writings they referred to themselves as the “Misbegotten of Saventh-Yhi,” which I recognize as a reference to an ancient lost city within the Mwangi expanse.</p><p></p><p>I could have spent many hours going over the carvings, but we chose to move on. Though we were being more careful in our exploration of the western portion of the Temple, we still managed to fall prey to two more traps. One was another simple Pit trap. The other was a much more devious and dangerous room. The doors closed and were then blocked by heavy metal doors falling from above. An axe swung wildly about the room threatening all within. Chumba and Kay’Es were trapped within initially, luckily after about 20 second the doors opened and they managed to survive the ordeal with minor injuries. </p><p></p><p>Then, just as we were trying to quickly work our way across the dangerous room, an amorphous blob slid into the room through holes in the wall. A gibbering Mouther attacked us and quickly engulfed Chumba. It’s maddening gibbering confused Max for a short time, but even with these setbacks the creature was defeated. Just as we were exiting this room, the trap went off again. It slashed at Chumba and Kay’Es once more. They managed to survive and we all finally made it through the ghastly room into yet another ghastly room.</p><p></p><p>We entered what was obviously the main temple, with a statue and altar dedicated to Zura. A river of blood flowed down the center of the large chamber. Also within was the Serpent-Folk shapechanger Ieana and small horde of skeletal minions, including two more of the skeletal Serpent-Folk. She attempted to bribe us into joining her, but we responded only with weapons and magic. Her minions attacked in a vain attempt to protect their mistress. They were less than successful and she was soon threatened on all sides. Ieana used mind controlling magic on Max and commanded him to protect her, but after Kay’Es distracted him by running past, I was able to sneak up behind and gift him with a Protection from Evil. This was enough for him to shake her mental control over him. With the team whole once more and Max quite irate, her defeat was assured.</p><p></p><p>Once we had won the day, we proceeded to destroy the altar and statue of Zura at Taraz’s behest. He felt strongly that the evil shrine should not be allowed to remain. Once it was smashed, a wave of evil was released, stunning some of us momentarily.</p><p></p><p>Gathering what we could, including Ieana’s journal, we carefully made our way to the entrance where we found a way to empty the bay and open the doors. It was a little less elaborate than the ritual to get in, but worked just as well. Our plan now is to return to the lighthouse and see how the repairs are going. Hopefully rescue from this place is in our near future.</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center">----------</p><p></p><p>~Notes concerning the study of the Temple and Excerpts from the Journal of Yarzoth, the Serpent-Folk known to us as Ieana.</p><p></p><p>It begins in Varisia…</p><p></p><p>“…exploring dungeons under the ruined fortress of Viperwall in Varisia, I made a shocking discovery. An ancient temple on Smuggler’s Shiv may contain clues as to the whereabouts of a legendary city named Saventh-Yhi. I am eager to discover the exact location of this city, for it may contain great artifacts and relics of Ydersius plundered by his tormentors. I must travel there unnoticed. Legend holds it is where He made His final stand against the oppressors. His prophecy comes to me in dreams, strange visions of His rise from the depths of darkness…”</p><p></p><p>Aboard the Jenivere…</p><p></p><p>“I have the fool Kovack under control. It is only a matter of weeks until we approach Eleder and the Shiv. Alton Devers is suspicious, though. Must keep to myself this week.”</p><p></p><p>On the Cannibals…</p><p></p><p>“These degenerate humans proved to be an easy match. It shows who is the weaker of the two ancient and bitter enemies! Their minds have obviously been warped by time and heat and sit precariously on the edge of madness. I have been allowed to visit with their “Goddess” and bring her a sacrifice. The captain has outlasted his usefulness.”</p><p></p><p>The last few entries concern the temple of Zura. She has sketched the murals in the three alcoves and though her style is difficult to weave through, I have deduced that the southern alcove tells the story of the Cult of Zura’s inception in the legendary city of Saventh-Yhi. From there they were exiled and had to make a dangerous overland journey.</p><p></p><p>The northwestern alcove shows the cult exploring their new home, obviously Smuggler’s Shiv. Here they defeated a large Serpent-Folk population and built the temple. I was only able to examine this section briefly and my study of it is surely incomplete.</p><p></p><p>The northeastern alcove depicts the plans for the cult’s future, such as earning the gift of vampirism from Zura and somehow returning to Saventh-Yhi to “awaken” the nonbelievers with Zura’s “blessing.” This portion of the Serpent-Folk’s notes are incomplete, I will need to study them further to make more sense of them.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Abciximab, post: 5580057, member: 46017"] [B][CENTER]Session 10[/CENTER][/B] Arodus the 11th (Cont). We climbed back through the pit to reach the outside and talk to Captain Ekubus, the Water Mephit Captain of the Salty Strumpet. After a brief discussion it was determined we have about 6 hours from the time we performed the ritual until the tide turns. We thanked him and reentered the Temple. We decided there must be a way out from the inside and chose to rest within the temple instead of having to repeat the distasteful ritual. Our first priority was to find a relatively safe place to rest within the Temple. Kay’Es had found an opening in the floor of the entry room. Exploration revealed a pile of bones and two strange dolls. I quickly determined the dolls were magical and right on cue, they jumped up and attacked. Chumba quickly crushed them both. Within each was a magical gem that radiated necromantic magic. I shall have to study them further at some point to determine more about them. As most of the floor was covered with shallow water, this location was deemed unsuitable for resting. We decided to explore the eastern portion of the Temple. We found a room that was suitable for resting, once it was cleared of the skeletons that currently resided there. Early that evening we heard the sound of the doors to the Temple closing and the water rushing back in. [CENTER]----------[/CENTER] Arodus the 12th. In the morning I decided to investigate the Azlanti runes that were scribed into the walls of a nearby room, the scriptorium of the temple. As I do not speak Azlanti, I cast Comprehend Languages to facilitate my understanding. Working my way through unusual metaphors and rambling prayers, I was able to determine it was written by worshipers of Zura, self-proclaimed enemies of the Serpent-folk worshipers of Ydersius. The walls were carved with hundreds, perhaps thousands, of strange runes interspersed with the periodic image of a stylized rune that looked like a fanged skull. The writing spoke of the razing of the temple of Ydersius, the Beheaded One, and the rededication of the Temple to Zura. The defeated Serpent-Folk were then used as slaves or animated as undead guardians. This may explain why a ritual to Ydersius is used to gain access to the Temple of Zura. The cultists must have been unable to alter the powerful ritual used to gain access. Within the writings they referred to themselves as the “Misbegotten of Saventh-Yhi,” which I recognize as a reference to an ancient lost city within the Mwangi expanse. I could have spent many hours going over the carvings, but we chose to move on. Though we were being more careful in our exploration of the western portion of the Temple, we still managed to fall prey to two more traps. One was another simple Pit trap. The other was a much more devious and dangerous room. The doors closed and were then blocked by heavy metal doors falling from above. An axe swung wildly about the room threatening all within. Chumba and Kay’Es were trapped within initially, luckily after about 20 second the doors opened and they managed to survive the ordeal with minor injuries. Then, just as we were trying to quickly work our way across the dangerous room, an amorphous blob slid into the room through holes in the wall. A gibbering Mouther attacked us and quickly engulfed Chumba. It’s maddening gibbering confused Max for a short time, but even with these setbacks the creature was defeated. Just as we were exiting this room, the trap went off again. It slashed at Chumba and Kay’Es once more. They managed to survive and we all finally made it through the ghastly room into yet another ghastly room. We entered what was obviously the main temple, with a statue and altar dedicated to Zura. A river of blood flowed down the center of the large chamber. Also within was the Serpent-Folk shapechanger Ieana and small horde of skeletal minions, including two more of the skeletal Serpent-Folk. She attempted to bribe us into joining her, but we responded only with weapons and magic. Her minions attacked in a vain attempt to protect their mistress. They were less than successful and she was soon threatened on all sides. Ieana used mind controlling magic on Max and commanded him to protect her, but after Kay’Es distracted him by running past, I was able to sneak up behind and gift him with a Protection from Evil. This was enough for him to shake her mental control over him. With the team whole once more and Max quite irate, her defeat was assured. Once we had won the day, we proceeded to destroy the altar and statue of Zura at Taraz’s behest. He felt strongly that the evil shrine should not be allowed to remain. Once it was smashed, a wave of evil was released, stunning some of us momentarily. Gathering what we could, including Ieana’s journal, we carefully made our way to the entrance where we found a way to empty the bay and open the doors. It was a little less elaborate than the ritual to get in, but worked just as well. Our plan now is to return to the lighthouse and see how the repairs are going. Hopefully rescue from this place is in our near future. [CENTER]----------[/CENTER] ~Notes concerning the study of the Temple and Excerpts from the Journal of Yarzoth, the Serpent-Folk known to us as Ieana. It begins in Varisia… “…exploring dungeons under the ruined fortress of Viperwall in Varisia, I made a shocking discovery. An ancient temple on Smuggler’s Shiv may contain clues as to the whereabouts of a legendary city named Saventh-Yhi. I am eager to discover the exact location of this city, for it may contain great artifacts and relics of Ydersius plundered by his tormentors. I must travel there unnoticed. Legend holds it is where He made His final stand against the oppressors. His prophecy comes to me in dreams, strange visions of His rise from the depths of darkness…” Aboard the Jenivere… “I have the fool Kovack under control. It is only a matter of weeks until we approach Eleder and the Shiv. Alton Devers is suspicious, though. Must keep to myself this week.” On the Cannibals… “These degenerate humans proved to be an easy match. It shows who is the weaker of the two ancient and bitter enemies! Their minds have obviously been warped by time and heat and sit precariously on the edge of madness. I have been allowed to visit with their “Goddess” and bring her a sacrifice. The captain has outlasted his usefulness.” The last few entries concern the temple of Zura. She has sketched the murals in the three alcoves and though her style is difficult to weave through, I have deduced that the southern alcove tells the story of the Cult of Zura’s inception in the legendary city of Saventh-Yhi. From there they were exiled and had to make a dangerous overland journey. The northwestern alcove shows the cult exploring their new home, obviously Smuggler’s Shiv. Here they defeated a large Serpent-Folk population and built the temple. I was only able to examine this section briefly and my study of it is surely incomplete. The northeastern alcove depicts the plans for the cult’s future, such as earning the gift of vampirism from Zura and somehow returning to Saventh-Yhi to “awaken” the nonbelievers with Zura’s “blessing.” This portion of the Serpent-Folk’s notes are incomplete, I will need to study them further to make more sense of them. [/QUOTE]
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