Filimena raises her eyebrows, impressed. She had an inkling, of course, of the historical significance of Jzadirune, given its sheer size, but it somehow hasn't occurred to her that it might be of significance to anyone today.

A thought occurs to her. "Do you think there might be other such... cities? Underground, waiting to be discovered?" she asks. "We, uh, happen to have come across another portal, a bit like the one that led to Jzadirune, except we haven't managed to locate the keys to this one. I suppose, one has to wonder where this one might lead."

Ricusi ponders for a moment, before pointing to a table and chairs off to one side of the workshop, "Let us sit.  As it seems you've lots of questions and standing around like we are is not the best use of this bench, which I'm sure has been reserved by someone."

As the group moves to the table, an elf man sets out a tea service.  The tiefling nods saying,"Thank you Ebrin." After pouring tea, Ricusi continues, "As you may well know Kalazanbaar's kept a firm hand on their lands, and their reach was long.  They were able to move forces faster than others but even that didn't prevent their down fall with the two front war they fought.  There have always been rumors of how they might have maintained such a reach.  Some believed that they magical means of traveling over large distances, so a keyed teleportation circle or door in this case would fit with that idea."

Filimena follows Ricusi over to the table.

"So then, it's quite conceivable that this other door we've found, might at least lead to another location within Jzadirune, if not an entirely different location altogether," she says, after hearing what the tiefling has to say. She hesitates for a moment, before continuing, "Would your temple have any interest at all in investigating such a door? Or else, would you know who might be?"

She looks over to Marik, and asks, "What do you think? Worth looking into?" Of course, the fact that a door might lead somewhere is not in itself mind-blowing. That's what doors do, after all - they lead places. And given they've already passed through one such door and seen where it's led, it's also not a stretch to imagine that the door in their basement might lead somewhere similar. Still, it gives her some satisfaction to hear somebody else support the idea. She can't help but think also that the door in the basement, and the illithid in the sewers, might somehow be connected, even if she can't imagine in what way exactly. Just the whole underground-ness of them both.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:14, Mon 02 May 2022.

Ricusi takes a moment to consider Filimena's offer, "I'm quite sure there are some in the Church who would love.  I can work on arranging an introduction if you'd like."
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:19, Thu 05 May 2022.

Despite saying nothing (feeling a bit shy with his broken common), Marik listen with great interest. He hadn't thought the discoveries of these old ruins might interest the Church of Saint-Gili that much. Maybe they could be invaluable allies to crack the functioning of that door in their basement and allow them to mount expeditions to the old ruins of the Kalazanbaar. And they could be invaluable to try to pierce their secrets. Maybe then, he would finally find the answers he seek....thinking of it, maybe they already have.

"Yes...please...do so...." answer Marik at Ricusi. "That would...be...most appreciated." He goes on to ask another thing, struggle to find the words, and turn to Filimena.

[Language unknown: "M cehist, eidimi derai wil mini u reantipre we seulen ch oer usnd whove finaei n tr n menre shenceven fo stieraect enloadelwa? Oerticure, toliures, ioerolwhac eststasti pe Etceeine is antfor-virint? A een pl at onetersan al enmi sedihe nc eveaveredyin ma esie'lllodi esofas ek she Houourvernotive?" ]

Filimena nods at Marik and relays his question to Ricusi. "Indeed, it would be great to speak to somebody about the door. We're also interested in learning about the astronomy and the prophecies of the Kalazabaar. If any texts, artefacts, or inscriptions might have been found, in Jzadirune or elsewhere, we would love to hear more about them, if that's not too much trouble."

Filimena blinks as she speaks the words. We would love to hear more about them? Is that true? Would she? She is surprised to find that she would, even as a nagging feeling begins to build up inside her reminding her of her brother.

Ricusi shakes his head at Filimena's inquiry, "Not really Saint Gili's area of expertise.  We are builders and crafters, we are interested in the doors to understand the magics involved more than anything else."  He ponders for a moment before saying, "You'd be better off seeking followers of Saint Ellianth or Saint Sate Abet perhaps?"

Marik, having studied religion for a time, recognizes both names.  Saint Ellianth was a halfling who lost her right eye and became known for her visions of the future, she is followed by those who study divination magics. Her symbol is a milky white right eye on a black background.  While Saint Sate Abet was a human who lived in Zir, and they studied the stars and the heavens, and over the years wrote many works on them including ones that predicted celestial events which came to pass. His symbol is an astrolabe.

Filimena nods, absorbing the information, then turning to Marik to see if he's satisfied.

"Hmmm," she says. Turning back to Ricusi. "Thank you. We'll perhaps pay them a visit. As for the door... It's actually located in the basement of an old manor on Snake Skull Alley which has... somehow ended up our possession. Might you be familiar with the place? We could arrange a visit some time."

Marik nods. It was a long shot but it didn't harm to ask. Maybe indeed it would be worth a shot asking followers of Saint Ellianth or Saint Sate Abet, if only to ask them if any of them had similar visions to him. Would remain to see how much could be gathered from the followers of these churchs. Beyond the legend of both saints, which rightfully had a eye (hihi) for celestial events, there is also no shortage of two-bits soouthsayers and celestial charlatans trying to make a name on their legacy.

He turns to Filimena, speaking in Common so that Ricusi can hear as well.


"Right....Could arrange...with Glonain and the others...for a visit...while we search the road. Ready to go?  Could return....quick... with Rani, warn, gather things and...meet you as City Gate to start search...for Finneas"

Ricusi takes sip of tea, obviously listening as both of you speak, "Of course I'll talk to some of the others followers of Saint Gili and see who's working on the Jzadirune doorway then have them come see your findings.  Let's say the day after tomorrow?  Takes time to get folks around moving on something new."


Who are "Glonain and the others"?

The NPC composing our staff at the tavern. Gloinain (sorry typo in his name) is the master brewer :)

In reply to Marik (msg # 59):

OHHHHHHH! I was looking for Glonain everywhere! Y'all have a CREW btw - lots of folks needed to run a business

ah yes! Duly noted :D

Filimena nods. "Sounds excellent." she says. "We'll see you then."

Turning to Marik, she ponders for a moment. "Hmm... If we are only expecting a visit the day after tomorrow, I don't think there's a hurry to inform anybody. They're probably busy tending to the tavern now anyway, at this hour. Did you have a lot to pick up?"

Ricusi nods to the pair of you and leaves you to talk about your plans more privately.  The ginger cat, Gudane, however stay and rubs against Filimena's leg.


OOC: mostly want to give y'all space to plan before we move scenes
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:58, Tue 24 May 2022.

[Language unknown: "En iturun ev ntimanilloulart N ac"] Marik respond, looking at Rani and her saddle full of pouches and bags. [Language unknown:  "ecsom strtintio sspr pro ng...arederhashis ho chlo our...al lo plnc sta con paatchwh? Iouortain th popapl ho ngenll ou nill peas'ronc conprecon ofncce wil houll ec rat io. Folawh fillhi oneeraandrat aitr more ngeeho longre? Pl sheiouant ssie ie enc we thiil et, ecceofos es eeble ere pe ureca et hewi ngie erith. Hi esslatstr ardhertio io pe ichconver nte, prenom con hisouloul tinse whmiut e moesbe. N evpari, p thil ove p t ic ainmenoulhat iv wh Ous ntepl n icrom icfone nc ro manoul? Ers tioderoer illpa virta ie ek ma Moest."]


OOC: Sorry for the late response! Arrived in Germany this week and didn't have access to Internet for a few days.
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:39, Mon 30 May 2022.

Filimena ponders this for a moment. [Language unknown: "Meith. Util olmoiv,"] she says. [Language unknown: "M, A ureencsti terearear leelng'liwiun m ratti m omeectate thaoutevewil. Dinoek t ck k k, le sheat pa loas iosi verpa. Arar, hiseraear ekch e er oul. Ous stili ngna of el rea, ceel."]

She turns to Ironclad. "What about you. Do you have anything you need to get back from the tavern? Otherwise we could head out towards the gate together.

Ironclad shifts is gaze to Filimena directly, "Ironclad is ready to travel wherever Name is Filimena and I'm Marik wish to go." The strange construct has been standing perfectly still nearby the entire time, apparently just watching the events transpire.

Marik nods and then hops on Rani to make his way to the tavern. After exiting the building, the big cat run and crosses the distance with ease with long strides and jumps. Marik can't help but smiles as he leaps over traffic.

I don' know if you prefer roleplaying it, but since I didn't expect it to be a long trip, I would say that as he arrives to the tavern, Marik will assemble the staff for a few minutes, saying that he and Filimena need to go out for a time. He expects a few days but it could be more. He will tell them a group of clerics of St-Gili might come to inspect the runes in the cellar the day after tomorrow. He would then grab some rations, tea and some little beer barrels for the road before making his way back.

OOC: We can move along -- one question though ... who does Marik leave "in charge"?

In reply to DM5 (msg # 68):

OOC: Marik gives it some thought and thinks about leaving EFrix in charge, having a positive inclination toward her since she was recommended by Fala. Also the bar appears to him as a good place to have a overview of the tavern and what is going on. That being said, Marik would like if possible to do a Insight check into what he knows of the character and personality of each member of the crew, wanting to leave behind someone with a balanced mind and calm personality under pressure.

OOC: Marik would roll 23 for a Insight check if that is possible.

Marik knows a fair bit about the crew of the Snake Skull Tavern

• Efrix Cotte - rather chill and laid back, but enjoys her work and always helping others
• Daadashma - bit of a prankster but never in a mean way
• Cily - very motherly, always trying to feed others on staff
• Bryne Pethey - just wants to cook
• Amagnen - big hot headed but mostly when people insult his cooking
• Gloinain Strongbrew - dutiful and ever ready to aid around the tavern
• Kriemha - quiet and keeps to herself
• Athan - naïve

After giving it some thought, Marik decides to leave Efrix in charge. He trusts that given her personality, she would be able to face pressure with calm.  Plus, she was always quite open about her limits, namely her modest command of liquors, so he believe she wouldn't be afraid to ask the others for counsel on their specialties and that the others would be more than willing to help her, given how much she's appreciated for her help around here. With all of these qualities, Marik think he would be leaving the tavern n good hands.

Efrix os more than happy to look after the place while you are gone.  The others seems okay with your choice.

Btw that 23 Insight looks mighty fish
00:35, Tue 14 June: Marik rolled 23 using 20+3 with rolls of . Insight.

Oh, good eye! Just realized it too. Went to do some testing with a few rolls and I think I just wrote "20+3" instead of "d20+3" for the manual equation (I wrote the previous post pretty quickly as I needed to be somewhere). Apologies. So that Insight wouldn't count. Funnily enough, my test roll for Insight with the correct formula was a natural one. So we can use that instead. In that case, Marik will have absolutely no clue of who to leave in charge and will leave it to a dice toss (Let's pretend there is a d8 in the tavern)

1-Efrix Cotte
2- Daadashma
3- Cily
4- Bryne Pethey
5- Amagnen
6- Gloinain Strongbrew
7- Kriemha
8- Athan


Marik rolled 2 using 1d8. So Marik will leave it with Daadashma, it seems. That should be amusing XD