Liam would like to go with Demetra, but finding Sketch is priority number one.

Liam looks around for about two minutes. When he realizes he's not going to find Sketch, he goes with Demetra to her father's house.

The patrons of the tavern collectively groan when it becomes apparent that Liam isn't going to give them another story. Despite their disappointment most call out their fare-thee-wells, and a few even meet him at the door to impart a personal goodbye.
Outside and with Allessia in tow, you find Sketch sitting on the wharf. He's tossing small rocks into the water, his hairy feet dangling over the dock. He jumps up when he sees you and races over to rejoin you.
You follow Demetra to her home. It is easily the largest house in the village. While most are little more than huts, the Wavecrest residence is a proper house. Not a manor, or anything grand, but compared to the others it might as well be. In fact, the only thing bigger, Liam can see, is the silhouette of a stone tower situated on a nearby cliff.

*     *     *     *
The next morning you awaken in the guest room of Wavecrest House, the residence of the "Mer" of Ucho Oyo and his family. Sketch is curled up at the foot of the bed, while Allessia kneels by the window in silent prayer. She insisted on sleeping on the floor, and rose before the rest of you.
Gathering in the dinning room for breakfast, your are presented with a buffet of baked fish, boiled eggs, a soup made of some kind leek and potato type vegetables and light broth, and a medley of sliced garden vegetables.
Mer Cetus Wavecrest, Demetra's father, greets you when you enter, but doesn't engage in conversation until the meal has been completed.

"My daughter tells me you are from the outpost," Mer Cetus says to you once everyone has eaten their fill and things are being cleared away. "What news from the mountain?"

During her communion with Iomedae, Allessia prays for her eyes to be cleared and to reveal the aims of others. She also asks for Iomedae to guide her weapon should weapons be required today.

• Detect Alignment
• Magic Weapon

Allessia partakes in the meal. The soup and veggies might not be what she's used to, but she finds the food pleasant enough.

The next morning, Sketch slips Liam a small vial containing a golden, honey-like liquid.
"It'll make others see things your way," he whispers. "Just in case."

Sketch isn't shy when it comes to breaking his fast. He eats two fish, three eggs, and two bowls of soup. He even eats several of the strange vegetables.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
Sketch gives Liam a vial of Goldenroot poison: The target treats the next creature they see as a trusted ally, until proved otherwise.

---

When they're discussing the sleeping arrangements, Liam offers a suggestion:

"I'm sure Sketch would be happy to share the bed with you, Allessia. And it's not like he takes up too much room."

---

After breakfast Liam is happy to answer the Mer's questions.

"We didn't mean to stay long at the outpost," he says truthfully. "But circumstances have made us residents there."

"We aren't aware what alliances might have existed in the past. We have very few ties to the old management. However, I'm exploring the nearby realms as an ambassador, seeking to build new alliances."

When that line of conversation dries up, and if politeness allows it, Liam tries to turn to the subject of the nearby tower.

Mer Cetus stares at Liam for a long moment before responding. The merfolk is old, you can tell. His face is wrinkled, not unlike a human. He is either bald, or shaves his head of the strange seaweed-like "hair." His skin is pallid, the only coloring present in splotches of light tan around his neck, shoulders, and arms. His facial features aren't as soft as the others you've seen, but more angular. He has large lips and a long nose.
"I asked about the mountain," he says matter-of-factly. "From your answer, or lack thereof, it sounds as if there's trouble up there." He remains in his seat, unmoving, his tiny, black eyes fixed on Liam.
"What position are you in to 'build new alliances?' My daughter told me you are a storyteller. A minstrel, or the like. But you speak to me of alliances. Speak the truth: what brings you to our village?"
"Father..." Demetra says, but abruptly stops when Cetus raises his hand to silence her. He never takes his eyes off you.

"You've been welcoming and forthright with me, so I will return that basic courtesy.

"I was asked to govern the people of the mining outpost, but we have meagre resources. Harmony is easy in times of plenty; but we are barely scraping by. We need food, we need building materials, we need even basic information about our surroundings and our neighbors.

"I don't come to you empty-handed: the mine produces ore and we are willing to work and trade for our share of this land's bounty. However, most people we meet seem to want to exterminate us, or seize our land, or both. We ask only to be allowed to live and enjoy basic comforts.

"Now tell me, Lord Mer, what do you think I should do to honor this land and its people, but be true to my own?"

OOC: Using "Charming and Open" in the "what do you wish I would do?" mode.

Cetus tilts his head slightly, towards Demetra.
"Leave us," he commands his daughter. Obediently, she rises from her seat at the table and exits the dinning room. Once she is gone, he waits another moment, possibly ensuring she is truly gone before speaking to Liam once again.
"That is a difficult question for me to answer without knowing anything about you, or your people. However, you have come to me seemingly in friendship and trust. I've hosted you not only in this village, but in my home.
"You say you have ore, and wish to trade rather than flaunt or bully. In truth, we too are strangers here. Ucho Oyo is a colony; an experiment of sorts. Even with the backing of the Empire, it would be imprudent to make enemies of the locals.
"As important a resource as ore is, I'm afraid we have little use for it. We don't have any smiths. What little metal we have we dredge up from the depths, waste from human wars and forgotten places.
"If you teach us how to shape it to our own designs, we might be willing to trade with your outpost, assuming we knew more about you."

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
Liam's question: What do you wish I would do?
Cetus's answer: Teach us to use ore
Cetus's question: Whom do you serve?

---

Liam explains about being hired by Godfrey, finding Mahlon mad and the mine in shambles, even the monsters from the mountain.

Finally, he says, "And we weren't told when we took the job that this place is --" he struggles for the word -- "disconnected from the world I call home. Is that your sages' understand as well, that we are on some kind of alternate plane of existence?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:24, Fri 24 Apr 2020.

Cetus appears to accept your answer, but doesn't seem overly satisfied with it. He stares at you for a long moment after you speak of alternate planes of existences.
"Alternate existence? No," he says at length, shaking his head. "You may be disconnected from your homeland--most of us are thanks to the Roil. But you're not on an alternate plane... at least, not in regards to existence."
As he speaks, you can't help but pick up on Cetus's plain, matter-of-fact way of speaking.
"Your way home might not be straight forward, and perhaps the path is ever-changing. But I doubt very much the way is closed to you. However, I cannot help you in that regard--at least, not presently.
"As I said, my daughter has informed me that you possess knowledge, in the form of histories and stories of ages past. If this is true, we might be able to help each other."

Liam spreads his hands in a gesture of openness. "By all means."

He enjoys this colony and its residents, and would be happy to spend time with the Mer or his subjects. As long as Liam doesn't feel like he's overstaying his welcome, he'll sick around and share knowledge or lore.

Cetus smiles at Liam warmly. He invites you to go with him to the monastery, located further up the cliffs overlooking the village.

"The monastery is the heart of this entire enterprise," Cetus explains as you, Allessia, and Sketch follow him up a winding path towards the stone tower. Each of you have been given a gift to present to the monks there: a case of smoked fish, a basket of bread, and two small casks of rice wine.
The way from the coastal village up through the cliffs isn't difficult. The little sandy path appears regularly traversed, which keeps the weeds to a minimum. Gusts from the bay buffet the cliffs, however the merfolk have hauled up large rocks and have lined them up along the trail, acting as a barrier to keep you from loosing your footing and falling over the edge.
From this vantage point, you can see a few more boats out in the bay. The wharf is abuzz with activity.
"Fishing may be the livelihood of many," Cetus continues, "but wrecking is the lifeblood of our village. The Empire doesn't like it, but even they can't refute it's usefulness. The things we find, usually on the ocean floor, we send here, for processing."
"Usually?" Sketch asks, the casks balanced on each shoulder, his arms wrapped around each one. "You said 'usually on the ocean floor'," he clarifies to Cetus's inquisitive look.
"We have, on occasion, discovered shipwrecks," the Mer replies matter-of-factly.

The tower is unremarkable in style, likely serving the village in utility. It is made of stone, perhaps ninety feet in diameter and narrows slightly as it raises its three stories. It is topped with wide crenellations.
Inside, the monks greet you warmly and accept the gifts Cetus gave you. The interior is just as unremarkable as the exterior. The chambers appear to have been build wholly to provide shelter, and any artistic expression is lacking.
Here you are introduced to the monks' leader, Abbot Limu. He is a squat, broad-shouldered, round specimen, with pale skin. The top of his bald head is muddy gray and mottled with dark spots that run down his shoulders, back, and arms. He has thin lips and long, catfish-like whiskers.
Mer Cetus explains to Limu that you might be able to help them, that you allegedly possess knowledge about their people and histories.
"Go on," Cetus urges you. "Tell him about how poetry was stolen from us by the surface dwellers."
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:50, Tue 28 Apr 2020.

"Forgive me," says Liam, "for I am new to your ways. But would it not be more edifying if all the brother monks were to gather together and hear the story in assembly? I would be more comfortable performing to an audience, and I think it would be instructive for them, as well. Of course, I understand most monasteries are run on a strict schedule; I am willing to wait until later if need be."

In truth, he'd rather not have to give a repeat performance so soon, and for an audience of only one.

"In the meantime, good Abbot, perhaps I could regale you with a small tale or two, for your personal amusement."

Both Abbot Limu and Mer Cetus appear interested in what you have to share.

Taking a break from fables and myths, Liam instead relates a mostly factual history of the war between two coastal human nations.

"Although it doesn't directly involve the merfolk," he begins as a preface, "most historians agree that this war weakened the seafaring humans of the area and paved the way for the historical ascendency of the Pearl Dynasty, which I'm sure you know is still held to be one of the zeniths of your race's culture."

Liam relates the history as best he can, alternating between an emphasis on individual men and women, and on historical catalysts as broad, impersonal forces.

Somewhere in the middle, the story reaches a somewhat touchy subject. "Of course," he says then, "some slanderers say that this was the point in the war where merfolk began to sell arms to both sides to prolong the conflict. But I can't find any good contemporary authorities that support this theory."

He continues the story to the war's conclusion.

As he acts out the parts, he finds himself drawn to impersonating certain historical figures, mostly the fat or bawdy characters, but he does try to give an individual persona to each human he portrays.

At times during your performance, Abbot Limu and Mer Cetus whisper to each other, as if they are conferring about some detail or point. However, after a moment or two, they usually find themselves in agreement and return their attention to you.
Thoroughly, they enjoy your story--even the touchy parts. Looking around the chamber, you find that the other monks have found themselves to you, and all have gathered around to hear. Cetus snickers as Limu shoos the acolytes away.
"We weren't aware of everything of which you spoke," Limu says at length. "I've never heard of any 'Pearl Dynasty,' but that only proves the importance of our village's mission. We are not here to expand the territorial holdings of the Empire, nor to eek out meager livings as fishermen."
"The entire point to our settlement here on land is," Cetus chimes in, "reclamation. Follow us, and we'll tell you what we know."

The merfolk give you a short tour of the monastery. As they do, they explain the deity to which it has been dedicated: a being known as Cosi.
Cosi is the deity of land and earth. He is part of their religious triumvirate, along with Ula, the goddess of water, and Emeria, the goddess of sky, wind, and clouds.
"I have taken the teachings of Ula as my personal creed," Abbot Limu reveals to you, somewhat proudly. You find that nearly all of the monks here also claim Ula's creed as their own, while Cetus admits to worshiping Emeria.
"None worship Cosi," Limu declares, "at least not openly."
"The Empire has all but forbid it," Cetus adds.
"Why?" asks Allessia curiously. For all this talk about other gods and goddesses, she has been oddly quiet. Normally, the woman cannot help sneak in this or that about Iomedae.
"Because Cosi is known as the Trickster," Abbot Limu replies. "He has shattered Emeria's domain, and is responsible for the Roil.
"Despite these facts, we," Limu continues, gesturing to his fellow monks and Mer Cetus, "understand that Cosi still represents a third of the world. Ignoring him does little to serve us. The Roil will continue. And without seeking to understand his designs, we will always be at his mercy."
"And that is Ucho Oyo's mission," Mer Cetus exclaims. "We have established a surface colony in order to seek out and rediscover ancient Cosi sites of power, lost knowledge, and artifacts. I believe you can help us, and in turn, we can help you and your outpost."

What does Liam do?

Liam uses the moment to make his case. "We won't be around to help anyone, unless we stabilize our community. Religion has been a big help, but we also need food and building supplies. You speak of long-term plans. I'm speaking of making it to next month. I'm sure any help you gave us now would blossom and return to you ten-fold. I will have much more time for culture and the sharing of lore, when those miners are settled."

Limu looks to Cetus in the wake of Liam's plea. The Abbot might speak for the monks within the confines of the monastery, but only the Mer of Ucho Oyo can speak for the entire colony.
"Finding yourself in a foreign land and strapped with the heavy responsibility of others' lives and the success of the entire endeavor is a lonely burden. Even I have  some support from the Empire.
"You ask for food and offer us ore. As I said before, presently we have little use for your metal. What we want," he says, indicating himself and Limu, "is your knowledge. We need to know where to look next. Tell us what you know of the Trickster, or where he might have hidden his temples or shrines. This is the currency by which we will deal. Yes?"

"You've dealt fairly with me, so I'll deal fairly with you. I don't know much about your people. But -- I know where to look, who to ask. I can't be your encyclopedia, but I can be a bibliography and I can make introductions. And what lore I do know immediately, I can share with you.

"You speak of currency. I can't make a lump-sum payment, but I can work with you as a consultant, help you increase your own productivity."

Cetus and Limu agree. They nod excitedly as they lead Liam into another chamber within the tower to share with him their current investigation.
The room is furnished with a simple table and six chairs. A bookshelf has been setup along one of the walls, packed with tomes and scrolls. On the table is a map of the area, weighed down at the corners by large seashells.
"Everyone knows that Cosi broke Emeria's heart, which caused her tears to create the first seas," Limu says. "And it was Ula who brought life to the waters in an attempt to comfort his sister. The first people created by Ula were known as the Vaal. They build a kingdom that has since been lost to time."
"And the Roil," Cetus adds, some what sourly.
"Scholars cannot agree as to where the Vaal kingdom was ceded, but artifacts and evidence of them can be found in every seabed," Limu continues. "Cetus and I are trying to locate the site of the ancient Vaal capital city. We believe the answers might be found on land, possibly hidden within Cosi temples."
"A friend and associate of ours," Cetus says as he returns to the door, "is a local known as Nibs." He opens the door, revealing to you a tall, thin man with blue-gray skin and pupil-less eyes. His long hair is white, and four, short, fleshy barbels sprout from his chin. He is clearly not a merfolk (you may use your Bardic Lore move to identify Nibs's race, if you wish).
He is bare-chested, and sports a series of leather cords biceps and forearms. A broad belt with several pouches hold up baggy trousers, which are in kind, tucked into his knee-high boots.
Nibs enters the chamber and offers you a curt nod, but doesn't say anything.
"Nibs believes he might have found a Cosi temple," Limu exclaims after a moment passes. "However, he cannot access the temple, and we think you may be able to help. There is a door, built a short ways into the cliffs about a league or so further up the coast." Limu produces for you a piece of parchment paper, and on it is an illustration of the door.
It appears to be made completely of stone, although you aren't sure which type. Such things are hard to translate via hand-drawings. Hundreds of swirling sea shells, sand dollars, and sea stars decorate the door, but again, you aren't sure if they are embedded into it's surface, or if the designs are embossed. There is no keyhole or handle.
"Runes appear on the door during high and low tide," Cetus explains. "We don't understand them. We think they are instructions, detailing how to open the door. Perhaps your knowledge of the ancient past might help. Will you help us?"

What does Liam do?

"Give me time to make preparations and choose a suitable party, and I'll gladly investigate.

"If you allow me to return to my people with food enough for a few weeks, I can probably pull a few of the more clever ones from their duties at the mine and take them to this temple. Some of them have arcane knowledge, and some of them have the kind of street smarts that keep adventuring groups alive in strange temples."

Without some kind of trade agreement, Cetus is unable to agree to anything on behalf of the colony, at least until Liam or his people preform some sort of service.
However, Limu interjects, promising a month's worth of food from the monks as a gesture of good will.
You briefly discuss the needs of your people. All Limu can offer right now is food, no other supplies. He asks for the number of people being fed, including children; and the location of the outpost. He passes the information to another monk before asking for a day to prepare.
"The sea door is only a few miles up the coast," Cetus points out. "Since you're going to be here at least another day, you might be interested in at least seeing the door."

What does Liam do?

Liam thanks the monks for their offer of food. "Believe me, we're good for it," he says.

Liam offers to go visit the door, but he's leery of even approaching it. If he can have his way without causing trouble with the merfolk, he'll stay about 20 yards from the door. If Sketch is feeling adventurous, Liam will invite Sketch to approach the door, but he won't force him.

He'll also take some drawing materials so he can make a general map of the area and quick drawings of any insignia. That might help when making a plan of who to bring and how to proceed.

Shortly after your meeting with Limu, Nibs takes you to see the sea door. He alone leads you, Allessia, and Sketch on the trek "further up the coast."
Keeping the sea to your right, Nibs takes you up the cliffs. As you climb higher, the difficulty of the trail increases in kind. Thanks to the rocky soil and constant buffering from the wind, only a few, stunted shrubs grow here along the path.

"You sure that was wise," Sketch whispers to you just before you crest the cliffs. "They asked about our numbers, and you just gave it to them after a song and dance about their gods."

"I also told them we have nothing to be robbed of, and everything to offer in cooperation. Would you attack a mine full of angry men, iron, and not much else?"

Liam explains his plan to stay far away from the door and not be baited into an adventure. He also asks Sketch who he would pick for an exploration party.