Tameku drew Lutorian aside, to a place where they couldn't be overheard, then quitely asked: "So... were you successful? Any troubles?" He shot a meaningful glance at the mining robot.

In reply to Tameku (msg # 671):

"We were... but we have to return down there, we came back up to make sure you were alright." Lutrorian replied, "And we have to take the robot back down with us..."

Tameku frowned. "You mean you found the - " He glanced around to make sure no one was near, then lowered his voice further, "Makuta, but he couldn't yet... transfer to the robot?"
Pacing up and down a few steps, he thought about it for a moment. "It will be tough to convince the Turaga to let us go down there again", he finally said, "The Earth artifact is the only thing down there we're supposed to know about and from what I've heard it's fine staying where it is. The problem seem to be the other artifacts that have been removed from their shrines. Also keep in mind that our real mission is to find those archeologists."

In reply to Tameku (msg # 673):

"He is with us..." Lutorian slowly replied and folded his arms over his chest as Tameku spoke, "Very well, we were given a collection of disks while down there, He however, will require a new vessel soon, I don't think they'd let us take the robot outside of this place, perhaps they'd let us take it outside as long as we send it back, but the Makuta has said he can inhabit a Rahi, as perverse as that may be, it's our only option here, as for the archeologists, I didn't find anything about them while down in the ever-dark."

Tameku threw another glance at the robot. "You're right, a robot following us would be very suspicious. But couldn't He... I don't know, use His powers to trick the guards and go hunting for Rahi in the tunnels?" It was more a question for the Makuta than for Lutorian, but he hoped the Makuta was listening. Striking up a conversation with a mining robot might look weird.

"If what He told us is true, then the archeologists split up. I'm sure Turaga Zuhras knows more or can at least confirm that. Also I retrieved some information we should consider when planning which group to follow." Tameku put down his backpack, drew out the two tablets he took from Schemer and handed them to Lutorian. "This could give us a hint about where the Dark Hunters might strike next - and of course where to find the different elemental artifacts needed to return this island to normal."

Tablets:

Transcribed from an older stone tablet.

FIRE		In the shrine at the end of crater bridge. Keeps the volcano calm.
WATER	        In the sunken ocean dome. Water pressure helps it charge.
AIR		At the top of storm peak. Controls the weather. Walk the wind.
EARTH	        In the deepest vault. Absorbs and stills seismic energy.
STONE	        Hidden in the great monument. Keeps the stone from eroding.
ICE		Kept in the glacial cave. Stills the blizzards.
PLASMA	        Secure in the vault of ash. Its power wards off intruders.
GRAVITY	        Stuck into the cliffside in the vertical land. Impossible to move.
MAGNETISM	Hidden in the tech lab. Keeps everything in place.
LIGHTNING	At the top of storm peak. Draws in lightning.
SONICS	        Kept in the silent vault. Lets us work in peace.
IRON		Kept in the great lab. Used to create great designs.
THE GREEN	Hidden in jungle grove. Keeps the area alive despite storms.
PSIONICS	Rests in the meditation shrine. Let it calm your mind.
LIGHT		Scattered across the universe. Gives everyone light, and hope.
SHADOW	        Lost in its own darkness. Let it sleep eternal.

---

Dark Hunter private notes.

- The Psionics artifact is secured. Found in shrine near our landing. Appears weak - maybe we missed something? Texts make the rest sound stronger, better protected. No resistance from Matoran. Odd.
- The entire volcano is an elemental site. It may erupt if the artifact is taken. Find the vault containing Plasma first? Is Frostbite needed here?
- Found some writing about a guardian in the water. It may still be alive.
- There’s a single ancient map that has some kind of box shape drawn beneath Storm Peak. Air and Lightning artifacts may be on top of a hidden chamber? Look for signs of something important up there.
- Earth is in the Seismic Cavern. Tunnel map is very vague, but shows some big door, and a pit with a pillar that holds the thing.
- The great monument is on the map, in the desert. Spotted a Skakdi camp around it on the way in with the ship. Work out a deal with them first maybe?
- Too many caves to search for Ice. The villagers must know which one. Seems like the Ko-Matoran keep Sonics too.
- Gravity is used for something (?) up in the northern mountains. See map. Documents make it sound like taking the artifact will tear the village off the map. Are we allowed to call that shot? Contact TSO.
- Magnetism is in "a lab". Could be anywhere. Must be really really old given ancient-looking writing. Let’s search each village we visit, and come back to this one when we know more. → Also check the Great Temple?
- Iron is not in a lab, it is in the vault of the desert fortress. DO NOT ENTER. DO NOT SPEAK WITH THE TURAGA. No interaction until the time is right. Full team only!!
- The Green stone location is inaccurate. Someone took it years ago. Lost in the jungle somewhere. We’ll need the scanner device for this, or more people at least.
- There are no Light or Shadow Artifacts. No names, no descriptions, nothing. There are no Toa of this kind. It’s all just legends. No point in looking for them.
This message was last edited by the player at 09:49, Sun 25 Aug 2019.

Yes, I am here. The now familiar voice echoed through the Matoran's minds. The robot housing the Makuta stayed quiet, only moving as much as was needed to look around itself. My power is returning to me, thanks to Lutorian's efforts in bringing me a body.

This robot is a good start, though I will fashion myself a greater vessel before leaving this place. I fear the villagers may react badly if I simply... appropriate some of their Rahi for this purpose, so I must locate a wild one. It's a trivial task, so you do not have to accompany me.

The Matoran you seek have indeed split up, going east and west. I may command another Rahi and send it to scout for them, if you wish.

---

I have copied the stone tablet information into the Documents topic.

Lutorian spent some time reviewing the notes Tameku had given him, "still I am curious, the Dark-Hunters were here looking for the earth stone, these notes... They say it absorbs seismic energy, but this village has been experiencing quakes, perhaps something has happened to it...  The Turaga may know but is likely to keep that to himself."
He took a pause.
"Makuta, how long do you intend to stay with us?"

My kind has the luxury of traveling quickly, now that I am unbound. As soon as I have the chance to I will leave to hunt for Rahi, but when I return I shall fashion a way for you to call for me. Then we may go wherever our paths take us, and still be within arm's reach of one another.

The mining robot creaked faintly, creeping closer without engaging its motor in full. The Makuta appeared to be trying to get a look at the tablets in the Matoran's hands.

There are many artifacts, but despite recent events I believe only a handful are truly in danger. The one in the mine may have been isolated for so long that it has had time to build up power beyond that of its equals. Do you plan to return for it?

Tameku leaned the stone tablets in what he hoped looked a casual way against his backpack, so that the Makuta could read them.

"Right now I don't feel confident planning for anything. I think it is time we talked to the Turaga and hear what he's making out of all this. If what Widrua said about handling the artifacts is true, I'm not sure if we would be able to retrieve any of them, even if we wanted to."

Tameku threw a quizzical glance at Lutorian, silently asking him if he had something else to add or if they should now go and talk to the Turaga.

I understand. Know that despite being both learned and wise, your Turaga are set in their ways. They will advice you to let the artifacts be. I possess the will and the resources they lack. I am the only one who can truly save this island from itself, once and for all.

In reply to Tameku (msg # 679):

"We should speak to the Turaga" Lutorian nodded, "He'll keep his secrets, but he still knows more about these things than the dark hunters did, maybe we'll find out more than we currently know."

"To the Turaga, then. I believe he said he lives over there." Tameku pointed at the stone gateway the Turaga had indicated earlier.

Resolving to speak with the Turaga further, the two Matoran proceeded to the place where he had directed them earlier.

Assembly Hall

The floor of the great chamber used for meetings between the village's inhabitants was made of well-laid stones perfectly aligned in a hexagonal pattern. The walls had been smoothed out and carved with a wide bas-relief recounting stories of the past.

Beneath the carvings were benches suitable for seating a large number of people.

Most of the villagers had calmed down now that there were no Dark Hunters left, and in true Onu-Matoran fashion they immediately focused on work. Those in positions of leadership had gathered in groups dotted around the hall and were discussing what measures to take in securing the tunnels beneath Parau Koro.


Turaga's Abode

Tameku and Lutorian found Zuhras's sparsely furnished home to be a much quieter place than the rest of the mining village. Whoever built it had made sure to twist the short entry corridor such that the room was cleverly sheltered from external noise, even with the assembly hall right next door. All sound seemed to fade away the moment they passed its threshold.

The chamber was bathed in a soft orange glow from a large lightstone inside a shell of amber glass, giving off the impression of a late evening on the surface.

Apart from the tall lightstone flask, the room contained little: A stone slab table, bedding, a modest shelf holding a collection of carved trinkets, and a battle-scarred Great Kanohi Pakari hanging on the back wall. There was space for a second mask, but that one appeared to have been taken down.

Zuhras was standing with his back to them in front of the only table in his room. The elder appeared to be steadying himself with both hands as if very tired.


What do you wish to ask him?

Tameku knocked on the wall to announce their presence to the Turaga.

"I'm sorry for the interruption, Turaga, but as I said we really need to talk to you before we leave Parau Koro." Tameku took out the tablets with Schemer's notes. "I believe you should read these tablets I... retrieved from one of the Dark Hunters. The other settlements should probably be warned."

"Besides that, I am wondering how the weather anomalies, earthquakes and other natural disasters could be shut down. What can be done? From what I heard either all the elemental artifacts need to be returned to their shrines or all of them need to be taken to this Storm Temple. But... the Hunters have the Psionics artifact, the Plantlife artifact is lost and Widrua said a mere Matoran wouldn't even be able to carry one of the artifacts safely. Is there nothing else that can be done?"

In reply to Game Master (msg # 683):

Lutorian felt guilted seeing the state of the Turaga. "we apologize for the intrusion Turaga, we won't bother you for long."

Turaga Zuhras turned and relaxed his posture, letting his hands slip from the flat stone into a gesture of greeting. "It is no trouble," he replied to Lutorian. "My body grows tired, but my mind does not."

The Turaga of Earth took the tablets when Tameku offered them, and read each line carefully while listening to the Bo-Matoran's words. His expression grew concerned. "I will need to confer with my fellow Turaga about this," Zuhras said, frowning. "Perhaps we must bring the artifacts together after all, if the situation grows any more dire. With the threat of Dark Hunters our shrines are no longer safe. We must search for their ship. Hopefully the Hunters will feel confident enough to stay on the island, and not send away the artifact they have already taken..."

"You are right about the shrines," the Turaga continued: "The artifacts harness power, and the shrines direct it so as to not disrupt the natural order. It is not the entire truth, however - a Toa of the right element could fulfill the purpose of both a shrine and an artifact, and control their power safely. Alas, we have none."

He stroked his chin, deep in thought. "Perhaps Turaga Tiowaka - up on the glacier - would know a safe method to carry and store them; the Ko-Matoran are well stocked with science equipment, and Tiowaka was always interested in studying the artifacts. I should think such research would require safety first and foremost. He's had some... lapses in judgement, but he's never been reckless."

Zuhras shifted one tablet behind the other and glanced quickly at the text for a second time. A humored smirk suddenly appeared in his face. "The Dark Hunters fear Turaga Ponolu, it seems. Rightfully so! Inside the walls of his fortress is the safest place you can be, and the Fe-Matoran will endure any hardship. Even the Skakdi are reluctant to harass them. Go there if you ever need shelter from evil."

He grew concerned once more. "If the Dark Hunters aim for the easiest marks first, they will take the mountain path. The Ko-Matoran possess two artifacts, and few warriors. Luckily the Hunters fled west, and will have to take a long round-trip if they wish to go this route."

"I will send messengers to warn the other villagers of the Dark Hunters, and ask to convene with their Turaga. Wherever you choose to go, please do the same."

---

Suggestions for places to go next:
* Follow the Dark Hunters west, to the desert, and perhaps seek out the fortress there.
* Look for the Dark Hunter ship along the coastline.
* Find Tiowaka in the glacier village and ask about how to transport artifacts.
* Try to find any of the lost Matoran who may know more.
* Go back into the abandoned mine before Zuhras has the tunnel sealed off.
* Check out one of the other locations on the list.

"Isn't there some way to request help from outside this island?", Tameku asked, "To call some Toa? Or with problems of this scale you could maybe even turn to the Brotherhood of Makuta for aid. I know of other regions where that has been done in times of need."

In reply to Tameku (msg # 687):

"Indeed," Lutorian said, agreeing with Tameku, "we can offer what help we can, but we are mere Matoran, we beat the dark hunters down in the mines, but I don't think we'd be able to do so again, we should try to contact some Toa-heroes."

"It's certainly something we must consider. If you brave the sea and travel all the way north to the mainland, there may be Toa who have not yet left for Metru Nui," Turaga Zuhras replied.

"If you need a ship, our best ones are at the docks by the forges, in the shadow of the great volcano. Regardless of where you go, we will provide you with steeds to ride, should you need them."

---

Though he was suspicious earlier when you went into the tunnels on your own, the Turaga appears to have warmed up to you and is happy to receive your help.
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:42, Mon 13 Jan 2020.

"Hm... well, ultimately we're mainly here in order to find those archeologists", Tameku said, "So only once we've found them and talked to them can we actually make any other plans. If I recall correctly, we heard that they split up, two going west, two into the mountains and the rest stayed in Parau Koro a little while before heading to some great temple... Could that be this Storm Temple? So in theory we would stand the best chance to catch up to the last group.
"How does one get to this Storm Temple? Is it the same path as the one leading to the glacier village?"

"As to ships - we had our own ship with which we came to Rangi Motu, but shipwrecked on the beach near Lebotu Koro in the storm. Come to think of it, I don't recall if we ever told Turaga Lerwan about that. Since you're no doubt sending a message to him, could you maybe mention our boat? If they can fix it, we'd be very grateful, but if not they might perhaps find a use for the materials.

"They could very well mean the Storm Temple," Zuhras said. "We have another temple in the valley near the foot of the mountains, but that one is not so grand as to truly earn the title. You will find both on the same road. It goes through the valley, and up the mountain past the glacier. If you follow the path till the very end you'll find yourself at the peak."

"I will make sure our green friend gets your message."

"So we could head for the Storm Temple in hopes of catching up to some of the archeologists, and on our way back take a detour to the Glacier Village to talk with the Turaga there", Tameku mused, "After that we could then decide what else to do. What do you think, Lutorian?"

In reply to Tameku (msg # 692):

"Happy-plan Tameku" Lutorian replied, "If we can find a way to safely transport the artifacts, we may want to retake the artifact the dark hunters already have before they leave with it."

The Turaga of Earth nodded in approval. He pulled a blank iron slate from a stack on his desk and used a sharp tool to etch words onto its surface.

"Consider this my official endorsement of your actions," he said as he handed the slate to Lutorian. "When I message the other village elders, I will recommend that all Dark Hunters, Skakdi, and other strangers - including Matoran - should be banned from entering our villages during this time of crisis. If you carry this mark," he explained, "members of your group may still act freely."

---

You have obtained Turaga Zuhras's Mark of Trust.
It carries your names on it, meaning it can't easily be used by others.

"Thank you, Turaga", Tameku said. "If you can indeed spare some mounts for us to use, we would be even more in your debt."

Looking at Lutorian, he added: "I think we will rest a few hours in Parau Koro before continuing. We hadn't really had the chance for that since we shipwrecked. Perhaps we should also check the market again to prepare ourselves for the cold mountain weather. Afterwards we'll then head for the Storm Temple."