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A crumbling, unkept wooden facade is built over an opening in the cliff face here that leads directly into a narrow sandstone cliff wall.

Above the facade, carved directly into the stone, is a large winged sandal. Smaller versions of this symbol are carved into any flat surfaces you see on the wooden entryway.

There are neither guards nor doors of any kind blocking the path into the tunnel beyond.

Amos guides Tuurma and Cormag through the streets of Xambaala, back into the Docks District, stopping just outside the grottos tunnel entrance. He develops a concerned look once shouting is suddenly heard coming from inside. The multiple voices yell for a moment before the sound of running footsteps is heard echoing from within the tunnel, clearly heading towards you at the entrance.

Amos quickly jumps to one side, craning his neck awkwardly to peer into the tunnel from a safer vantage point. He doesn’t say a word or even look at you, completely focused on the dark opening.

Actions?

Cormag quickly draws his sword, and moves to the side of the opening, with the point toward the ground, waiting to see what may be emerging. but with the point NOT pointing up in case it's members of the local watch.

Tuurma takes a few steps back, standing fully visible in front of the opening, but just enough paces back to be able to raise her shield, should someone lunge at her. She keeps her weapon sheathed and her shield down, not to cause any misunderstandings.

"Who's there? Reveal yourself."

Once the four sprinting teenage boys exit the tunnel, rushing past the trio at the covered wooden entrance without as much as a stray look, Amos smiles at Tuurma’s aggression.

“Runners no doubt, acting out the commands of our wise leader. Do not be wary, as you are among friends here at the Grotto.”

With that, Amos leads you into the dark passage and after about 30 feet, you pass a pair of stout bronze double doors that can be closed and barred from the inside to keep the areas beyond secured. The walls of the tunnel here are a tightly packed sandstone, though it has clearly eroded and crumbled in many places along the passage. This area is apparently left dark intentionally.


Beyond the doors, the cave opens up into a larger area that Amos calls the meditation cavern. Inside this torch-lit room sits a large marble pool of water supporting a finely carved statue of a naked man in a wide brimmed hat and winged sandals at its center. The nude stone figure is obviously a depiction of Rel, God of Thieves, holding a long spear tightly against one bare shoulder. 3 men in sandy colored robes sit around the lip of the fountain, tossing in offerings of coins and small gems. The contents of the pool are not hidden to the eyes of the newcomers, revealing a small fortune in treasure laying below the surface of the water.

2 men in priestly robes approach your group from a naturally cut stairway located towards the back of the complex, looking at Amos suspiciously. “May Rel’s blessings rain down upon all of us. And who have you brought to us this time Amos? More recruits to join the bulging guild ranks? Or something else entirely?”

Amos whispers to the pair of priests as they stare at you both, still sizing you up for possible work. Finally one of them asks for an official introduction.

“You must forgive our less than cordial recruiter sometimes. So who might you two be then? In your own words, please.”

Actions?

Cormag I am Cormag, strong and a true companion to those who are true to me! I'm good with a sword and a bow, not one for sneaking and subterfuge.

Tuurma

"I am Tuurma, of Pandoros. However, I've travelled wide and far for most of my life."

She pauses for a bit and seems to be considering her choice of words next.

"I...I'm not used to people being interested in me, or even wanting anything to do with me, so I guess I am happy to be invited by you and Amos, and hope to get a chance...be a part of something. If that makes sense. Actually, most people just circle around me and look the other way, if given a chance."

After that revelation, she puts on her usual more stern-ish face again.

"I'm not someone you'd want to pick a fight with. And that is not meant as a threat, simply information. So. My good men, thanks for inviting us. Is there something we can assist you with? We'd be happy to." She looks at Cormag to see that he doesn't disagree.

As the priests listen, Amos rushes past the group, down the stairs, and out of sight. Both men suddenly seem terrified by Tuurma’s replies.

“I see. So……you are clearly strong fighters, but neither of you possesses any purloining skills whatsoever? Most people who come here looking for work are either professionals, or looking to start their profession. But you two are…..neither?”

As you chat, an older couple enters the chamber from outside. They stop and sit at the offering well, dropping the few coppers they possess into the water. The woman makes eye contact with Tuurma and suddenly looks enthralled, unable to take her eyes from the fighter.

Actions?

Tuurma, a little bewildered as to where to go from here, looks back at the woman, trying to look as non-threatening as possible.

"Can I help you madam?"

The priests continue their limited conversation with Cormag while Tuurma addresses the new arrivals. The native Xambaali woman responds tentatively.

“You. You look strong. And brave. You could help us. You could get the answers we cannot.”

The older man looks saddened by his wife’s outburst. “I am sorry. Please forgive my wife’s grief at the loss of our only daughter. It has been……..difficult to bear.”

Cormag What is it that you are after having done? Is there coin or reward in the doing? And what has happened to this woman’s daughter?

The older couple seems confused by the sudden questions, looking towards the priests for assurance. They both nod solemnly and urge them to continue, so the man does.

“Our dearest Ilynin is dead. MURDERED! And no doubt by one who cannot be punished for his crimes, no matter how many times he commits them. Rotten bastard.”

The woman reaches into a pouch to retrieve a polished gemstone, possibly a carnelian. “We have offered the guild our life savings, but they only look upon us with pity. If you are willing to exact vengeance upon the son of a bitch who murdered our Ilynin, we will reward you with this.”

She holds up the semiprecious gem for your inspection.

Actions?

Oh lord, I'm so being set up by Amos. I'm sure the old couple was created by him in some sort of scheme. Anyway, here we go.

Tuurma has stayed very calm this whole time, quite a complete makeover from the raging lunatic Cormag experienced in the Mausoleum. At the mention of a murdered daughter however, a spark of fire is lit in her eyes.

"Murdered, you say?! And the murderer walks free? I know this is painful, but tell me more of this vile deed. How do you know who did this to your daughter? Was she a warrior?"

Tuurma is visibly aroused or enraged in some way, hard to tell what.

Cormag eyes the gem with no small interest but says tell us what you know and we’ll do what we can. You can determine later what value we have provided

Cormag gets the sense that we’re doing this regardless

The priests of Rel listen intently as the woman suddenly takes over the conversation.

“Our dearest Ilynin was working for the clergy at the temple of Helios. That’s where that piece of shit Jak’n became obsessed with her. She was so beautiful, and deserved so much better……….”

“He chased her around that atrocious temple as she fled in tears, never relenting in his lust for what she wouldn’t allow him. She told us about him, and that she was worried he might do something drastic if she didn’t submit to his demands.”

She struggles to hold back her tears, clearly an emotional wreck from rehashing it over again in her mind.

“She threatened to leave the temple…….and he killed her……………”

“Left her to die in a seedy back alley, to hide any suspicion from the temple. But we have since learned that he has done this before, and that our sweet, sweet Ilynin was not this monsters first obsession.”

The man puts his hand on his wife’s shoulder to calm her. “The authorities will do nothing against the temple priests, and probably don’t care whether Jak’n is guilty or not. So we want to take these matters into our own hands.” He looks down at his palms. “Though these hands haven’t committed a violent act in many years.”

He trails off, waiting for any other questions.

Actions?

Tuurma is about to answer without hesitation, but first turns to look at Cormag for approval.

While Cormag considers, she asks the old couple. "You said you heard he has done this before, even. Is there someone I can talk to that is able to tell us more about this monster?"

Cormag nods to Tuurma, feeling the woman will react better to another woman.

The frail woman sobs and nods.

“We met a man recently who told us this same thing happened to his sister about a year ago. She refused the disgusting pigs demands and wound up dead as a result.”

The couple stare into each others eyes, sighing.

“He won’t speak to you of this matter though, as he has since been harassed and threatened by the authorities who run the Temple of Helios. It seems they don’t want rumors spreading about one of their priests being a sex crazed murderer.”

Actions?

Tuurma clenches her fist so tight it goes white, but then manages to relax again and take a breath for the first time in what seems like an eternity.

She puts her hand on the shoulder of the woman and says in a reassuring voice.

"We will speak with some friends that might be of help. Please, meet me here at the same hour tomorrow. Okay?"

By that she leaves the Grotto to discuss the matter with Cormag. (Next post.)

Outside and well away from the Grotto, Tuurma airs her suspicion together with Cormag.

"I don't know. The woman really seems to be in pain, and I could not help feeling sorry for her, and angry. But...our friends did warn us about this god who has played tricks on them before. The whole thing could be a setup, a scam. I don't know if we should get involved in government matters either. I mean, I feel horrible about what happened, but I'm not sure what we could do. I mean, I could rough the man up, but I'm a little concerned I might go overboard so to speak and slaughter an entire section of the town guard before they hang me."

She pauses for a while.

"The only way I can think about that might work is if we get one of our friendly spellcasters to put a spell on the man or any of his friends, and make them speak the truth. What do you think?"