Chapter 2: The Land of Sulan

[Woe]

"Maju, tell the chief that his ma will be fine. I don't know why that crazy monk is taking the long way, but he'll be here eventually. Now let's have him start providing that assistance he promised. I don't want to be on this sand dune any longer than I need to be."

After Maju is translating, Kanya will study the temple. Can she tell which mythos, which goddess is being worshipped here?

[MevlyTM]

Maju says, "Let's wait to see what Jaali finds in the temple first. There may be items of value here that will make our efforts more worthwhile. Furthermore, if there are still occupants, they may be more susceptible to intimidation with their leader now deposed. We might even be able to enlist them as allies."

He then turns to Teruk, "Your mother was being protected by one of our party. He will likely be returning soon."

[Woe]

You forgot the part about getting off Tatooine.

[Longman]

A gaseous creature can fly at a speed of 10', and can pass through small holes or narrow openings, even mere cracks, as long as the potion persists.

Jaali will have to enter the temple through the door into area 13. He immediately spots a skull warrior standing in the entrance corridor down to 12, on guard. The skull warrior looks burned, as though perhaps someone has recently set fire to him somehow.

Jaali elects to move through the dark room into area 11, and the skull warrior does not see him. Jaali moves forward through the eroded maze. The eroded region slopes down to the north and is full of crickets and chirping insects. It funnels the sound of the surf pounding on the shore. There are lots of fairly primitive pictures painted and carved onto the walls, mostly of insects.

Jaali emerges into corridor 8 and sees the dug hole leading upwards to the top of the ridge. The secret door leading into room 10 is closed, but it's easy enough to find, seeing as he knows exactly where it is. He seeps through a small crack to explore the room beyond.

Room 10 - there is a badly burned skull warrior here who is hiding in the south corner. He doesn't initially see you. There are 3 large, ancient statues in here, along the west wall. There are also 4 smaller pillars. The statues are 15' tall and are of scary looking demons.

Jaali, not wishing to be seen, floats back down corridor 8, and comes to the old but very solid wooden door to area 5. Note that the doorway leading north into area 6 seems to have been sealed off with stone and mortar.

Jaali finds a crack and enters the large chambers the large chamber (5). Unlike the rest of the complex so far, this room doesn't seem like it is in use by the skull cult, and has no lamps on the wall. Consequently it is very dark, and Jaali can't see anything. The place is silent and smells of damp, age and decay. Not much air has been getting in here in a long time.

If Jaali wants to keep exploring he will have to go somewhere else, or return to his normal form so he can light his lantern.

Note that the maps shows there is probably a pit trap of some kind right behind the door into 5, so he had better move forward a bit if he becomes substantial.

More posts to follow...

[Longman]

See post about Jaali, above...

Yuan Cheng - no, there isn't an easy way up. The terrain continues with the 70' cliff for a long way. However, you are no longer being chased by crabs...so you could stop, tie the woman onto you and then climb up. Your silk rope would be perfect for that job.

Kanya - the temple gives little away from the outside. Just plain stone doors. You'd have to go inside to check it out. You are still on the clifftop...or possibly you are all moving back over the ridge to the south.

Teruk has 5 remaining men in decent condition. Two are with him up on the ridge, the other 3 are still back down below guarding the front door. He still wants to get back to the village as fast as possible.

Are you still waiting on Jaali, or do you do anything else up on top? The warriors that flew away are a long way out over the lake now. There's no sign of anything else happening around here.

[Woe]

Kanya can't think of any reason to stay. She'll agree to going to the village so Teruk can live up to his side of the bargain, though she's dubious that Teruk has plans to do so without additional "encouragement."

[mTeasdale]

Jaali will go back to meet his friend and will share his discoveries,

"So do you think its worth the risk trying to explore that dark room ?"

[MevlyTM]

Maju says to Teruk, "Some skull warriors remain in the temple. What do you suggest we do about it?"

[Woe]

"I don't care much either way. If we're going to do it, let's be quick about it. There may be value in interrogating the one skull warrior, and we don't want him to expire before we learn what he knows. Besides, the savages are getting restless." Kanya adds after a quick look at Teruk. "On second thoughts, let's do it now. It might buy us some time with him for our adventurous monk to return with ol' Mum. Anyone else interested?"

Kanya will fish out the lightstone from her pouch. With that in one hand and her pistol in the other, she's ready to go.

[quozl]

Yuan-Cheng will tie the old woman to his back and climb up the cliff then meet up with the rest.