From Westaven

Contents 1 The Scroll 1.1 Origins & Marnor's Appraisal 1.2 Marnor's Proposition to Yule & co. 1.3 Priest Ulta Reveals A Clue 1.4 Marnor Explains His Proposition 2 The Oracle 2.1 Nak'hat & Lothar Join--and Eaidig Rejoins 2.2 Of OAKs and Oracles 2.3 An Audience with the Oracle 2.4 The Next Step 2.5 A Mad Priest, Ancient Lore, & an Embarrassed Sailor 3 The Holy Isle (Part One) 3.1 Arrival Ashore & the Search for Entry 3.2 Denizens of the Isle 3.3 The Choked Garden & Statuary 3.4 Ischoarius’ Words 3.5 Departure to the Mainland 3.6 ”The Brotherhood of the Font”

[edit] The Scroll

This portion of the campaign events occurs concurrently with "A Tale of Two Merchants" and is interwoven with it; for the complete story read both summaries.

[edit] Origins & Marnor's Appraisal

Following "The Battle of the Merchants' Guildhall", the men who had accompanied Shimtalk were in disarray, split into two groups. James was healing in a cell of the Eneini Merchants' Guildhall, while the rest were elsewhere. The intrigue, adventure, and glory of "The Scroll, the Oracle, and the Holy Isle" begins on October 8, 985 with a conversation held between James and Marnor, Head Selectman of the Eneini Merchants Guild.

As Marnor returned James's belongings to him, he inquired about one item he had noted in the *carpenter's pack: a scroll in a mysterious language. James revealed the following information:

• he had been told it was worth only 30 coppers, but he had "a feeling" about it so he never sold it.
• it once belonged to a man he once knew--a "dearest friend in letters"--an exceptionally scholarly priest in Lognia who never told him the scroll's origin and could not translate even one word of it, despite his great learning
• the old priest had been fascinated by it, and actually lost his life for it: a dishonest servant had gambled it away, and the priest won it back in a duel--at the cost of his own life. The dieing priest had given the scroll to James.

Marnor's response to all of this? He handed back the scroll, and said:

"Well, I certainly would never have surmised such great trouble over this [lifts the scroll]. I assure you, Master James, that in decades of handling such odds and ends as this, the 30 copper farthings you could gain from this may be under value—-but not overly. You are surely right that the markings on it is language of sorts, but from my experience these sorts of things turn out to be either some dead Mawk'hidu sect’s blatherings or some mad clergyman’s last cry to Gharv!"

[edit] Marnor's Proposition to Yule & co.

The following day the entire party was reunited. The scroll comes to the fore of the campaign at this point, for Yule, Eaidig, and Heron--before James's return--had been left word to visit the physician who had healed Heron [and James], a man named Lyntannic who had close ties with the Merchants Guild. The servant at the physician's door handed Yule a scroll--an exact copy of James's--with a message scribed across the top: "If you care, translate this document; if you can, reap any rewards to which it leads. The reward for each will be substantial, although not guaranteed. You may contact me with questions. Signed, Marnor, Head Selectman of the Eneini Merchant Guild."

The group agreed to put this business proposal on hold for a few days, for they set off for Hadrian to inform Davlin's family of his death.

[edit] Priest Ulta Reveals A Clue

In Hadrian, Davlin's brother Gereth Hargold was able to translate the markings on the scroll on Oct. 14, 985:

WHEN ARROWS FLY O'ER HEATH AT NIGHT

TO SKEW PALE STAG, PALE BOAR, PALE FOX,

WHERE WINDS BE DRAWN FROM SALTY ROCKS

BY MINIONS FOUR OF ROTTING RITE--

THEN SHALT THREE BLACK'RONS' TALKS

BESTOW UNWONTED SIGHT.

But not until the next day was any light shed on this enigmatic ode. Priest Ulta revealed the writing was in some mystic language--and that Gereth's ability to read them displays his magical "talent." Also, Ulta believed that even James's original scroll was a copy of an older text of unknown origin. Finally, he suggested the "salty rocks," the "rotting rites," and other allusions may point to the Pythonic Sisters of the Oracle of Trin. Soon after suggesting this, though, Ulta had nerve-ridden second thoughts about his "impetuous hunch" and begged Gereth to both wait a couple weeks before departing and to consult to the [[Keepers of the Scrolls (aka Greybeards) at the great library of Altuth in Pollex, the capitol city, instead of traveling to Trin. He appeared to believe the road to Trin a dangerous road.

The men determined they had three choices: (in Gereth's words) "Pollex and the wisdom of the grey beards there, Lognia and trying to learn more about the origins of James' priestly friend, or the Oracle by way of Eneini." Within five minutes they decided "the poem seems to mention the sea with its 'salty rocks,' and so toward the sea we should go!" They departed the next day for Eneini with plans to afterwards sail south. At Yule's request, Gereth consented to accompany the three men.

[edit] Marnor Explains His Proposition

In Eneini they first had conference with Marnor, both about his dealings with Shimtalk (about which see "A Tale of Two Merchants") and also the mission to investigate the scroll. On Oct. 20 the group--not including James, who deemed the merchant a liar and a thief--met Marnor. The merchant explained his interest in the scroll was paltry:

When I was handed his scroll [from James], I was interested because my former trade before I became a sedentary selectman was in odds and ends such as that scroll. This scroll, while so short and unassuming, was obviously a copy of something much older, and I myself did not recognize its markings. Nor did the learned men I consulted. This, of course, raised my eyebrow, so to speak, and I became curious about it. That is all, really. Curiosity. But the truth is that I traded such material for a long time, and far, far more oft than not, what initially seemed promising as map to treasure turned to an ancient Aenean laundry list."

Marnor did later admit his scholar advisers believed the scroll "some ancient script transcribed by a priest of Pylsephion," God of Winds, but nothing more. He also showed disappointment when told it translated into an ode. Still, he refused to release Guild interest in the scroll to the group without knowing exactly what it meant.

Yule bargained hard for traveling expenses or some other advance; Marnor payed 20 gold pieces--the amount owed to the party by Shimtalk--to "purchase whatever you need, and if you return with goods, valuables, or information worthy of your travels and my time, then I will repay your expenses within reason, as well as split whatever earnings are netted." Although afterwards he added, "Failure, I'm afraid, is out of my hands." Both sides agreed and parted ways.

Within a few days the party booked passage on a boat heading south. See "The Manacle Debacle" for details of this sad journey. Note that two of the original party did not set sail: Eaidig announced he would catch up later because his father had gone missing; and Heron went "missing" himself, presumably losing himself to wine, women, and song.

[edit] The Oracle

[edit] Nak'hat & Lothar Join--and Eaidig Rejoins

When Yule and Gereth disembark in Fish Side on Oct. 31, 985, they find their fellow voyager Nak'hat is also heading to Trin wiht the intention of using his entertainment skills on pilgrims seeking the oracles.

Because the entire town is very crowded due to an annual Moon Hunt Festival, the three then share an inn room with Lothar, a just-discharged soldier. Lothar was traveling first to see his parents, then to return a surcoat to a knight of the Order of Aenean Knights who had protected him on Lognia from some "flame-colored vaguely manshaped figure." Yule invites this man to join them on their journey to Trin (as an "extra sword"), which he eventually accepts--mainly as a means to regain honor he felt he had lost in the war.

The next day marks the return of Eaidig, and the story of how he finally found his father and somehow managed to get married (see the description of Eaidig's wife for this amusing tale...)

[edit] Of OAKs and Oracles

On the 2nd of November the party finally makes its way to the Oracles of Trin. After passing through the marketplace that is Trin, the men--Eaidig specifically--are attacked in the courtyard by a knight of the Order of Aenean Knights named Khiltael; his fellow knight, Stalfix explained their order's Grand Master had sent "to ask and obey the Pythonic Sisters' words, 'to the betterment of our order.'" And the soothsaying spoken to Khiltael? "End the life of he who approached [the Oracles] with russet hair"--which was Eaidig. While Stalfix found this entiure situation "absolutely ridiculous, outrageous, and unmerciful...it's madness! This entire place!" he vowed to issue the challenge to Eaidig. Later, Stalfix says his companion is a good man, but radical about what he feels is his duty, although Yule beleives the Oracles had "witched" the man, although Lothar is kinder, later stating Khiltael had been "blinded by his duty, whereas the other knights of the order are honorable men."

(Oddly, as a side note, this is the second time a prophecy hit on Eaidig directly, the first being a month earlier during "Confronting Gharvsman"...)

The resulting battle was amazingly short, for Eaidig shot one arrow, perfectly aimed, that pierced Khiltael's throat, downing the knight as he charged. This definitely stopped a greater battle, for Eaidig's fellow travelers readied to defend him from the knights and their men-at-arms. Stalfix is shocked: "You, sir....That was perhaps the most accurate bow work I have seen in my life! Though, I have traveled with this man {Khiltael} for over a year, and fought beside him for many a conflict, I would never have believed one arrow could take his life!...good master bowman, that was a miraculous shot. You indeed have immense skills." Gereth heals the fallen knight, out of kindness (and perhaps a hope of other benefits), and Lothar accompanies them to speak of the matter of returnign the surcoat, mentioned above (Later he is in fact issued letters of introduction to the OAKs by Stalfix.)

[edit] An Audience with the Oracle

With Nak'hat left behind to mind the supplies, the party travels down the path toward the Oracles' temple (for a description, see the Nov. 2 log). At the temple, they discover many people loitering, seeking an audience, for "no one has been allowed in for two days now. It's said the Oracles are disconcerted by the postponement of the Hunter's Moon Festival due to the weather. See it as a poor omen." The only pilgrims admitted in days had been the Aenean Knights who had attacked Eaidig--and only then because they claimed the came on the Emperor's business of state.

After showing the scroll to a concealingly-robed acolyte in the doorway, however, Yule, Gereth, and Eaidig were lead into the temple and even down into the inner sanctum cave set on a circular ledge above an oceanic tidal whirlpool, where they were granted an audience with the four Oracles (for their descriptions, see "Oracles of Trin".)

The sisters had different reactions to this visitation, and most words ranged from confusing to enigmatic, but essentially they claimed:

• the men's coming had been fortold, and it "knelled" the "end of all"--or, at least, the death of the Oracles: "Your coming we foretold long ago, and after was the turn of fortune's wheel--the downward turn...let us die. Let the wheel turn."
• they wrote the words of the scroll (?) to this party of men (?)
• On interpreting the scroll they say little, except: "Westaveners: your fate is windswept. Go to your own loves, is my word, but my prophecy is: The holy font on the holy island---drown your birds, and see what you will. But my word is return to your loves and die."
• One of the sisters--the androgynous, pregnant eastern woman--was actively hostile, ordering the men to leave, to go rot, etc. She also adds, "I HAVE SEEN YOUR DEATHS! IT IS YOU WHO SHALL DIE!"

[edit] The Next Step

As Gereth claims after leaving the Oracles, "We've merely gone from one riddle to another, where the is holy island and what is the holy font?" After locating Nak'hat, who was making money storytelling the afternoon's fight with the OAKs, they are approached by one of the Oracles' giant guards escorting the robed temple acolyte. In the voice of the western sister (the lounging, sickly one)--and, with her too white face, which she revealed to them--the acolyte said, "There is no holiness....die as we die. I am a love, the Oracle, and I have spoken with the words of my loves, my wives, my kin. "There be no holiness, so go home and die." Then it and the giant walked back to the temple path. This, and their unexpected audience with the Oracles, caused great commotion throughout Trin.

Gereth commented the belief that this visitation was a trick (by the pregnant sister) to dissuade them, and that Eaidig was not the sole focus of the Oracles' murderous intent. That night Eaidig reveals, however, when "that women or whatever and her giant came out after us, I don't know how but I heard her say to me, and I mean me alone, that I was the death of all. I can't explain it. It would appear that I am a marked man. I'm the one the universe seems to be after, and I'm probably putting all of your lives in danger." This lead to much discussion as to the next step:

• Gereth: "I feel the woman and the giant were sent to convince us to leave off this new riddle, but I'll have none of it!"
• Nak'hat: "I have stole ... er... told a fortune or two in my time. Perhaps ... they speak of the end of faith? Perhaps the end of all things speaks of the end of faith. I do believe none that sit here can deny that the cup that holds the faith is arguably 'less' than full in the times in which we dwell? It is no secret that the faith 'tires'. Perhaps this is what your odd 'friends' speak of. Though I cannot imagine such an event .. .nor how any of you might play a hand in such a queer tale."
• Yule: ""Hummmm....this mystery is much more entertaining then working on the docks..."

They decide Trepindia--an island of ruins Yule had heard the slavers of the Manacle tell was cursed--was perhaps the "holy island" of the Oracles' words. Yule unsuccessfully searches for information and sailors' clues the next day when they return to Fish Side; but one day later they learn a strange man in town had sailed to Trepindia, and they find him living in a half-ruined "shrine" by the docks.

[edit] A Mad Priest, Ancient Lore, & an Embarrassed Sailor

The old Fish Side "priest" lived in shack stuck along a sea cliff, hidden among scrubs and brush--once a fisherman's temple, now dilapidated. The man was overjoyed initially because he believed the group had come to worship, to "return" to the "Way," to "drop the heathen ways of this land and find the purity." Soon, though, his mood swings, for Yule mentions the Oracle: the old man cries out "The Oracle! Damnable things they! Why did you go to the Oracle? The Young Gods--false! all false! Away, away! Go to your false gods, New Believers!" On word of the "fountain" on the Trepindia, he shouts "I have spit at it from the sea... You ask Veek, he saw me do it!"

Nak'hat soon remembers lore dealing with an island (Trepindia?) and a holy font: "The 'thrice isled font' because it's on an island 'in an island' in an island ... whatever that means. The font was a place for ritual cleansings ... early national rites of Aenea. Not associated with any one god. The songs don't mention any specific one. But the ones I 'know' have them fighting over it, drinking from it and bathing in it. Sort of like a preferred piece of land. Miracles supposedly happen from it ... and it's said to be the source of the sea itself." Gereth also confirms some of this mythology was written in a book he inherited from James. Later (on Nov. 8), Gereth elaborated on the tome’s “vagaries” concerning Trepindia:

“It appears that the gods and goddesses at one primeval time or another, gathered around a temple of Aeneus and declared it their seat of earthly power, and defended it against the forces of chaos, from which they spread out the life of the world. It was said this may be the heartbeat of their collective parent--the progenitor of the entire Westaven Pantheon, it seems. It where the older gods seem to have stabbed him and drank his blood (?), and then used as their life spring. On the other hand, the Holy Isle appears to be some sort of temple fortress, where they defended their worldy power. And finally, the font mentioned here was also the source of the oceans on the surface of the world.”

This seemed to confirm to most of the men that Trepindia was their next stop. On Nov. 4th, Yule & Eaidig use the latter's wife's family connections to hire a fishing vessel to take them to the island. Meanwhile, Nak'hat, Gereth, and Lothar eventually find Vreek in a dockside tavern. The old sailor claims "Only codbrains and slavers go to Trepindia," and explains his having taken the old Fish Side "priest" to the island:

"That eel-crowned old priest was set on reaching the old island off Trepindia, something to do with reclaiming a pool or fountain or some such madness, so he hired me to drop him off as close as I could--which is actually on the Trepindian mainland, y'see--no one can land on the cliffed island itself. I waited for him for an entire night. Next morning he comes rolling back to the beach in a whorl--covered in leaves, bitten, scratched, bumped, red-faced...Looked as though the entire forest had pummeled 'im! We sailed back that morning and he was all a'-gibberin about this and that, and swearing and spitting at the island as we passed. Fainted soon after, and I took 'im for dead. He weren't, though. Now I don't hear the end of ribbings from all Fish Side. Right-near ruined my reputation as a sailor--or, former sailor, I should say--and right near lost me my job as Lord Archienioux's sub-quartermaster!"

Vreek also refused to go back, and claimed most others wouldn't go there either, although he did say to go to an island off the southern tip: "'Tis attached to the mainland by the great bridge. Any sailor worth his legs knows the one, 'tis no secret...No sailor worth his legs needs a map. They can't mis it."

Although there is more discussion about "Old Gods," "Old Believers," and what the old Fish Side "priest" had said, they decide to set sail the next day to, in Yule's words, "see what this island is all about."

[edit] The Holy Isle (Part One)

[edit] Arrival Ashore & the Search for Entry

On Nov. 5, 985 the men set sail to Trepindia on the fishing vessel, and without much trouble other than cold, rainy, and choppy conditions they find the small rock of an island off the southern tip which Vreek had described. The fishermen are a bit disconcerted for they claim "it's befouled by evil spirits from the Old World... We can't say, though 'tis eerily quiet there, and even the fish avoid its shores..." They also say "Ruins cover that place like maggots on a horse carcass," and that "Slavers visit the central and northern places, for some Mawkies live as tribes there, they say--and some more hearty slave hunters use it to cage their wares and transfer them to sellers, but even the most ferocious of these dogs stay near the beaches and avoid the southernmost regions." The sailors will not anchor there, so they agree to come back two days later (Nov. 7) for a pick-up--although on that date, Yule rows back out to bargain for them to wait two days more time.

From the open water the "holy isle" is a once-great castle or tremendous temple ruin set atop the sea cliffs, connected to the mainland by a stone bridge set 200 feet above the waves. Because the cliffs are sheer, the group rows to the mainland and searches for a pass up the rocky cliffs to reach the bridge on the crag above. They find numerous ruins, but for two days of exploring the cliff-line and dense forest, they have no luck finding a pathway up to the bridge--and even Eaidig's trained woodsman eyes cannot find a foothold. Later (on Nov. 6, after circuitously walking completely around the cliff line to enter an ancient, tree-lined path on the other side, they discover a rock slide had filled the gap which once contained the path.) Aside from frustration on that first day ashore, some excitement was generated when a carnivorous "tangler tree" attacked Nak'hat; while the other men rescue him from its "living" vines, he was rendered unconscious, badly wounded.

[edit] Denizens of the Isle

Finally, on Nov. 8 the great, cracked bridge was reached and, with much rope-work, traversed. The great temple fortress of the isle contained at first many courtyards, each separated by gates. In some there materialized ghostly apparitions:

• The first was an apparition of a man, old, bald, and bent over double. In one hand he held an incense bowl; in the other he held a scepter of some sort. He wore robes of some sort--or perhaps the clothes were merely misty. He chanted something, some ancient rite of sorts, in a language no one understood.
• Around a font materialized many forms of men much like the one above, but these bent over washing themselves in the ghostly waters; as the "water" hit them, their "skin" dissolved, leaving muscle, blood, and bones.

These "ghosts" terrified the men, but offered no direct challenge to their presence. Yule even touched one, but his hand felt nothing but a tingling sensation.

Aside from courtyards, rooms, and passageways of age-old ruin through which the vast and intricate carvings of the ancients could be detected, the rest of the place was empty--until the men discovered a concealed entryway in a great columned chamber, which they soon realized was only concealed from age, not purposeful design. This stone door lead down to a crypt within which guards of the island were arisen: skeletons "wrapped" in ghostly skin, wielding arms and armor. These undead "speak" to the men in an unknown language, and it sounds in their heads rather than on the air. Soon they howl "Achtonicaei!", awakening scores more. In a great battle these dead spear men attacked the men on the stairs, nearly killing them. But due to heroic efforts they escape, slam the door, and wedge it shut, locking the undead below.

Unfortunately, as they turned from their work at the door, they noted other skeletal spirit guards had awoken, too. One--obviously a leader of sorts--seemed to listen as Lothar and the others spoke, and eventually it grasped rudiments of their language: while its "accent" was heavy &/or the words so garbled in its mind-whisper, it clearly said, "For thousand lives we guardians Trepind holyness isle holyness font. Guardians sent for seek gods, holyness font. Authority isle pass thee?" After some rough attempts at discussion, including a read from the scroll and a mention of the Oracle of Trin, the skeleton guard then stood defiant and said, "Naught authority of the holyness font or Trepindia. Ye may not pass. For thousands of lives of men--but breathing to gods--have guarded the sanctity holyness, we! Naught vileness may pass. Go back, go back!"

The men, wounded and exhausted from the crypt battle, chose to retreat to a safe tunnel on the island where they healed, rested, debated, and calculated, all under constant guard. “Forward or back” being their only options, after a close vote they agree to engage in this new battle, although Gereth needed time to fully heal the others, so not until the next evening did this melee occur. Another horrible battle, even despite the men’s strategic planning and Gereth’s magical aid; in fact, Lothar falls unconscious and is nearly killed—and even after he is healed there is a fleeting worry his weapon arm is crippled. The only real booty gained was the head guard’s ancient helmet, upon which Gereth had noted traces of unspecified mana during the battle.

[edit] The Choked Garden & Statuary

Due to time and despite the night’s dark rain, Yule, Gereth, and Eaidig forayed into an open terrace beyond the guards’ column chamber. Being choked with vegetation, they had to cut, climb, and crawl through the Autumn branches and vines to follow what was once a clear flagstone path. Eaidig, the consummate woodsman, also noted that the range of plant hybrids was astonishing---most of these were planted here, and over the years of this place's abandonment had gone wild. The next morning the entire party took up the search. They found stone “boxes” among bramblewood thickets containing human remains (including children’s), and later, encased in a hedge, a gold statue of a man (god?) stomping on a child (from which Nak’hat breaks of a leg using a stone.)

Beyond the garden plateau was a building containing long rows of statues--obviously deities of every conceivable sort, covering a vast range of image styles (some beautiful and well-carved, others crudely formed; some mere caricatures by a child-like mind, others true works of art.) About these statues, also odd was that while modern Westaveners have seen many forms and images of deities in temples from childhood, not a single statue there appeared familiar; it was as if this was an entire new pantheon.

[edit] Ischoarius’ Words

After a bit of quick exploring (including briefly entering a crypt-like room unsettlingly similar to the scene of the undead battle before…) the men press through the Statuary, outside, and on to the next building, which proved to be as far as their journey would proceed. In a courtyard before the structure sat three large pools in octagonal basins. As they approach, an apparition appears much as two days ago, but this time the figure “sees” and converses, stating mainly:

• “Ischoarius I was called when once my fleshly soles pressed the earth. Ischoarius died--I am the voice of the Trepindian gods. The writings of old fortell our words--I now live the dreams of the gods.”
• ”Pilgrims? You are liars to say such, may your tongues rot into ash. Disturbed this place you have. Do not tell me you are pilgrims: I hear your speech--have heard your chatter. You are here to fill yourselves, on some errand of another, distant land.”
• Ischoarius states he does not know the Oracles or any of the modern gods such as Altuth.
• ”The world has moved. But not moved beyond, but behind. The world is falling away. The world has left. I am here perpetual. I will be here, keeping the rites of the gods when the young, green world has faded and fallen. Alone, for never shall it return to me.”
• When he was read the ode he did not recognize the words; but when allowed to read the scroll himself, he recognized them. “These words are inscribed upon the stones here. Long, long before Ischoarius' day.”
• He denied the men entrance to “the sanctum of the gods.” “Your coming hearkens the death of the gods. My death. You shall enter the sanctum of the gods, but not this day. The time has not turned, the tide has not shifted, the sun has not set. This day is not the day of your passing to Aeneus's Well.
• When asked when they should return, he replied, “The gods do not move time. The gods live and die in time. You are the pall-bearers, the men of the bier. Return when your duty is called by the dreams of the gods.
• ”Others have come. Few. None have yet passed the temple guard but one--who treated with me, and would not leave--and great hero of elder days, but slain by the denizens of the sea god's wells {points to the three pools}.”

The men retreat when Ischoarius stops conversing, and later they decide to depart—much to Yule’s (and the others’) frustration; as he stated, “I hate leaving this place with only more question than answers.”

[edit] Departure to the Mainland

The men rush back to their vessel, and—with the assistance of an obviously unnatural wind blowing from the island—make great haste back to Fish Side. This all on November 10. After paying the fishermen—who were unnerved by the entire affair—they mentioned “Lord Archienioux's interested in your little foray, for some cause or other. That's not good, if you'll keep my word to yerselves.” The group decides to ignore the suspicious summons, and at nightfall they leave town.

[edit] ”The Brotherhood of the Font”

Arriving in Fasdal to Lothar’s family home on November 16, 985, the men stay for a short time, then part ways for the remainder of winter. Each has his own business to attend to, and a few (Gereth, Yule, and Nak’hat) decide to meet earlier in Pollex, but all agree to meet but back at Lothar’s family home at the onset of summer—to reassume roles as the “Brotherhood of the Font!”