A small group gathered to explore some of the ruins on Maelstrom. They head out after breakfast. It is a chilly winter morning that is slightly overcast, but still there is plenty of light. Eventually they make their way to the cleaner air of the plans and the surrounding environs. To the west is the mountains that form a half border to the rebuilt city of Maelstrom. The ruins are a few hours away, in the form of a small city nestled into the foothills.

Wash is moving slowly. Not because he doesn't feel well. He feels great, especially after indulging in that tea Eilonwy offered him. Wash moves gingerly because he's still not sure about his stitches, how much give they have. He's been sewed up before, but never to this degree.

A small group gathered to explore some of the ruins on Maelstrom. They head out after breakfast. It is a chilly winter morning that is slightly overcast, but still there is plenty of light. Eventually they make their way to the cleaner air of the plans and the surrounding environs. To the west is the mountains that form a half border to the rebuilt city of Maelstrom. The ruins are a few hours away, in the form of a small city nestled into the foothills. (reset)

Wash is moving slowly. Not because he doesn't feel well. He feels great, especially after indulging in that tea Eilonwy offered him. Wash moves gingerly because he's still not sure about his stitches, how much give they have. He's been sewed up before, but never to this degree.

Sparte is at the fore of the group, if only because he knows the way. He recounts a bit about where they're heading as they travel. "Roughly a thousand years ago, Thrax took control of Maelstrom from the house that once held it and controlled these isles. It was mentioned in that historical account that Thrax had a lesser holding on this very island that had been their seat prior." Sparte gestures forward for emphasis. "It is an abandoned fort, thought not worth the upkeep, but it also holds some hints of what Thrax was like back then. The last of their time before joining the Compact."

Keeping an eye on Wash, Eilonwy walks with the group. Her eyes move over the area around them, nervous, weary. "Is it really beautiful?" She asks curiously using the trip to keep a look out for plants that might prove useful.

"Is this the place you were at last time?" Wash wants to know, glancing from Rey to Sparte.

It isn't often Halsim takes time to check out ruins, with all the research he does in the city. He is quiet as the others start talking about the place they're heading to though. His tunic has been switch for his traditional black robe, hood down. The brown skinned islander seems very interested in the islandscape, and the fort itself. "I have a pretty good idea, but confirmation is always nice." Halsim gives, his Darkwater Watch accent less subdued, not that they're not in Arx.

Clara makes her way out to meet with everyone. She is dressed in her leather armor and has her weapons with her even if they don't expect to use them. She nods her head to them all and offers them a smile. "Good day."

Rey is also here to keep an eye on Wash, because nobody really approves of him traipsing around a bunch of old ruins.

As the party draws closer, they see the fortified entry to what was once a city stronghold build into the mountains. It is impossible to tell if the city is large or small. The two story-high walled fortifications seem to lead directly into the mountain. The double gates are crumbling and hanging from one hinge on either side, leaving the path open. Towers are either side that likely once had defenders are empty and abandoned.

"Lady Crovane. I've been meaning to thank you for the training you gave my sailors. I think it is due to their tutelage at your hands that I made it back to Maelstrom at all. I was in a bad way." Wash says conversationally along the walk. His breath is good and the shirt hides the bruising that isn't quite hidden by his bandages. Overall, he's not pushing himself, yet.

Of course, the trip may be harder on Rey than it is on her charge, especially with how hard she's been driving herself, the last couple of days. She doesn't have a strong constitution, and she's so small that she has to take two steps for every one of her taller companions'. But she goes on with pale faced determination shining in her eyes

Sparte nods in response to Wash. "It should be, yes." He glances over to the others who've agreed to go for one reason or another, before pulling out a map and making sure they're on track. "It is protected by mountains, a bit out of the way. We should still be there and back all in the same day." He ahs as they reach the gate, gesturing the others ahead. "It was a bit of a maze inside, so take care not to get lost. I suggest a ball of twine or similar. I'm going to spend some time mapping the outside, seeing there is maybe the remains of another dock nearby."

"Bigger than I thought it'd be." Halsim observes, before he looks to the others. "if you had told me about that before we left, I would have brought some twine myself." Halsim sighs a bit, "Nothing for it. Lead the way?" Halsim looks over to the others. He isn't winded, but he's content to leave the traveling to those with experience.

"They lived in a mountain? I should miss the trees if I had lived in a mountain." Eilonwy comments and walks briskly. Seems she's been taking her tea as well to keep her strength up. "Could always mark the turns, a bit of charcoal?" She suggests to Halsim.

Clara looks over the ruins with her white eyes and then offers Wash a smile. "I am glad I was able ta be of service, Lord Wash." She nods her head to him. "I should extend such offers ta assist other sailors as well." She eyes the mountain cruiously and then smiles back at Wash. "Yer alive though, I am happy to know ya were able ta make it back."

"Chalk." Wash says. "Twine snaps." He casts about for some stick of wood. "I suggest that we sit down, have a supper before entering on a full stomach, light a cheerful little fire so we have plenty of charcoal, since chalk is in short supply. Any objections?"

Rey hesitates before going inside. "It's beautiful inside. Or it was. I don't know what it will be now." She doesn't seem eager to plunge in, and so will be just fine with sitting down putting it off for a little bit longer.

"Chalk works." Halsim affirms, before he starts to walk over himself, and inside. "We've lost too much history already, I'd like to regain some."

Wash won't be discouraged from entering the building. He just likes taking his time. Wash likes a little socializing with his walkabout. If he's left to his own devices trying to start a fire it might be a long bout of socializing. He's not known for his firecraft.

Clara walks at Wash's side, since she had just been taling to him, and moves forward to follow people inside. "Aye, much has been lost. Maybe we can find something valuable in here. A key to the past." She nods her head in agreement.

"Well, I didn't bring anything to make a meal of. But I've charcoal to for writing, and two-three healers or out here so we shouldn't tarry. Shall we press on?" Eilonwy asks, curious and feeling adventurous.

Rey seems to be a little less social than usual, but tags along, worried though she may look.

The party starts through the gates and as they do they find it very dark inside. The mountain looms over them as they pass inside and some might feel uneasy or even a touch frightened, depending how sensitive they are.

Halsim checked composure at difficulty 10, rolling 15 higher.

Rey checked composure at difficulty 10, rolling 3 lower.

Clara checked composure at difficulty 10, rolling 7 higher.

Wash checked composure at difficulty 10, rolling 2 lower.

Eilonwy has rolled a critical success!
Eilonwy checked composure at difficulty 10, rolling 19 higher.

Rey knew where they were going, and knew to bring a lantern, this time. She takes the time to light it before going in. The flame dances crazily over the walls, because her hand is shaking a little bit. "... It wasn't like this before." She doesn't sound surprised by this. She was expecting it.

Wash checked perception at difficulty 20, rolling 10 higher.

Rey checked perception at difficulty 20, rolling 10 higher.

Eilonwy checked perception + survival at difficulty 20, rolling 20 higher.

Clara checked perception + survival at difficulty 15, rolling 15 higher.

Sparte checked perception + survival at difficulty 20, rolling 5 lower.

Halsim checked perception + survival at difficulty 20, rolling 12 higher.

This! This Halsim was prepared for. His backpack is shifted just slightly, and the torch and flint is taken off. "This place was abandoned, right?" Halsim starts to work on the torch.

Rey lights her lantern and it seems to work just fine. The walls are illuminated. The party see quite the twisting way before them with a rather sharp corner. This place would be rather hard to navigate without a lantern. The party has a good sense of direction and they are able to follow the path deeper inside if they wish. Sparte seems disorientated. Rey and Wash are looking a little spooked.

Boldly onward! The short northern healer draws a bit of charcoal from a pouch. She walks in excitedly. "I've never seen a ruin before!" She remarks brightly and marks their turns as they go. Eilonwy seems very happy to get out and stretch her legs.

Wash hides his spooked by suggesting what nefarious occult things could be lurking beyond each threshold. "And in this corner, weighing ten pounds twelve ounces... each. Flying barracuda ghosts!"

Wash checked perception at difficulty 15, rolling 0 higher.

Rey checked perception at difficulty 15, rolling 57 higher.

Clara checked perception + survival at difficulty 15, rolling 7 higher.

Eilonwy checked perception + survival at difficulty 15, rolling 14 higher.

Clara reaches out a comforting hand and places it on Wash's elbow. "Ya alright? Flying barracuda ghosts?" She offers him a smile.

Halsim checked perception + survival at difficulty 15, rolling 11 higher.

"Well. It's possible. I mean, live barracudas aren't very scary on land. They just sort of lie there, flopping." Wash gives tiny laugh meant to hide his discomfort.

At first the walls are just walls and then as they go further inside they notice pictures. These pictures are not the horrors of Maelstrom, but rather the beautiful depicitions of life at sea. They celebrate the Goddess Mangata. There are no signs of life right now, but the murals speak for themselves. The artwork is done by gifted artists and with much love. The most repeated image of the goddess of land and sea. They fill the walls and the ceilings of this tunnel, even as it twists and turns.

"Everyone stay close." Rey isn't fascinated with the drawings like she was the last time she was here. She's careful to keep everyone herded within the circles of the lights that people have brought.

When Wash talks, Halsim listens. Then gives him a stern expression, before he takes out his notebook and starts to write. "Very interesting..."

"Aye, that wouldn' be very scary. I'd want ta put the poor thing back in the water." Clara offers as they walk on.

"Is this your goddess?" Eilonwy asks to Rey, looking about with some awe. "She's so lovely and kind looking." She folds her hands in front of her, trying not to touch the pretty murals.

"Remarkably well preserved." Wash comments. "Did that wave move? Be interesting if one of these had a shark in it that just reached out to bite us as we passed. Wouldn't it?" He's spooking himself out now.

The end of the tunnel draws near and the party can see light ahead.

Clara cannot help but chuckle at Wash. "Calm down, lad. Nothin' from the sea is gonna eat ya here. Now... ya might want ta watch fer bats and spiders but that is probably all yer gonna have ta worry about." She gives him an encouraging, but gentle, slap on the back of his shoulder and then looks over Mangata. "Aye, she does look kind. Very... motherly, I'd say." She blinks as they keep walking. "Is that a light?"

"They move sometimes," Rey says quietly. "But not if you look at them too close." She doesn't seem thrilled about the light up ahead, either. "Did we come this way again? I didn't intend..."

"Thank you." Halsim breathes. "I hate stuffy tunnels." Halsim grumbles slightly, before he continues on. "They are well-preserved though. You'd think the air would collapse most of this. Maybe there's something to the construction that prevents it." Halsim muses.

"Probably an inner courtyard." Wash assures everyone. "I mean, not like there are predators that use lights to attract prey that would otherwise be wandering around in the dark forever."

Sparte is a ways back from the group, thank goodness for the chalk marks that he - eventually - found. He is near some of the first examples of art on the wall, attempting to take rubbings of them under the light of his own lantern. Hum dee dum, splitting the party.

If the party leaves the tunnel, they will find themselves in an area with the sun bearing down on them. Did the tunnel through the rock lead them up or down? It is hard to tell. They arrive in a courtyard that is beautifully appointed. To the right is a statue carved into the recess of the rock and connected to the mountain that surrounds them still. This statue is of Mangata. She is standing with her hands cupped outward in benediction or offering. A gurgle of sound greats them as if she were awaiting guests. The water flows clean, clear and pure from a hole in the statue and down into her cupped hands. It then flows into a trough beneath, which swirls into a hole in the bottom and drains into an unknown place below ground. Whatever genius created this it offers water to any who wish to partake, endlessly refreshed.

Rey is a spiritually inclined sort of person who really would like to feel watched over right now. She goes to the statue and sinks to her knees before it, murmuring under her breath in an almost conversational way, like a child confessing her worries to a very patient mother.

"Oh it's stunning." Eilonwy breathes. She opens her eyes wide, trying to see all of it at once. "Spirits, this is...so different-this can't be the same people that live in Maelstrom now. Should we show ummm, the Great Lord this?" She wonders after a moment.

Wash just wanders, relieved to be back in the sunlight. Spooky old ruins aren't that scary after all. "Doesn't seem that different to me. Art. Mangata. Does the water taste good?" He asks. "Seems like someone has been maintaining this place, at least a little bit."

The ornamentation continues around the circular walls of the courtyard - thirteen statues in total, one of each Deity, though none of the carvings are quite as ornate as the one of Mangata. Three doors lead from the courtyard proper, likely further into the mountain.

"Possibly." Halsim remarks, "they'd be squatters, and Thrax is obviously not interested in the place..." Halsim, however, is most interested in the statues, and goes to look them over.

"Oh, very pretty." Clara doesn't look spiritually moved but she does seem impressed all the same. She reaches out her hand to touch some of the water that is dripping down. "Beautiful..."

Halsim checked intellect + theology at difficulty 20, rolling 19 higher.

Wash counts. "Thirteen. Huh. They worshipped the Lost Gods before they were Lost. You'd think someone would have found them... here. You know, on a friendly visit to the old homestead." Wash will try the doors in order, to see if any of them are unlocked.

The doors don't open, they seem to be securely locked.

"She was here, last time," Rey sighs. "She told us where to go." She pauses. "I don't want to go the same way again."

"Who is "she"?" Eilonwy asks and looks at the statues curiously. "I wonder how the lady with water is so pretty and the rest seem worn? Do you suppose they feel sad?"

Meanwhile, Halsim seems preoccupied with doing some writing into his notebook, "She?" That gets his attention.

Wash says, "We aren't going anywhere." Wash says. "Doors are all locked." At the last door he braces a foot against the wall and puts a little effort into it. Then he checks that as his stitches twinge. "Someone bring a battering ram? Probably better not. Place still belongs to Thrax, right?""

Rey looks up at Halsim and Eilonwy. "The goddess. She was here last time." She sighs. "We won't be able to see more unless we're invited."

Clara looks around at the the statues and then looks to Eilonwy. "The Mangata one, sea and air Goddess of the Pantheon. I visited her shrine in Arx." That seems to be about all she knows about the Goddess though and she looks to Rey then. "Invited? By who? Thrax or the Gods?"

"Ah. Well that was a fine walk." Eilonwy declares and looks at Wash. "Perhaps we should get Lord Wash back to resting before he pops his stitches. It's too pretty in here to get blood everywhere."

Wash has given the Gods only cursory attention. He's not a religious man. Or rather he is, but his Goddess is more physical in nature. "Well. It was a nice consitutional. Next time I'll have Jayne bring us a picnic basket. This is a nice place for a picnic."

There's a frown to that, before Halsim looks back to the doors. "Mangata controls the doors? That implies magical barriers." Halsim notes, before he goes over and starts to looks over the doors more closely.

Rey goes into her pack and takes out a little vial filled with white sand. She leaves it by the statue. "I don't know who. The person who this place belongs to. They let us in last time, but maybe they don't have anything else to show us right now."

"Wait? The actual Goddess was here?" Clara looks up at the statue of the Goddess and then looks around at the others. "They can take physical form? I didn' know that was possible..."

"Skald has been walking Arvum for a very long time." Halsim notes to Clara, looking away from the doors a moment, "not that much of a stretch from there to think the others can do the same, if they wanted."

Sparte is still off the way you came from, humming to himself as he tries to make notes about the murals.

Clara looks over to Halsim and nods her head. "Admittedly, I don' know much about yer Gods and Goddesses. I grew up with the Spirits and didn't pay much mind to the Faith. Worship of the Pantheon isn't entirely uncommon back home but not nearly as common." She offers a smile, letting her white eyes look the man over curiously. "I have been tryin' ta catch up and learn more. I went to a thing... At uh... one of the shrines... One of the Gods... Partichor? I don't remember, there are so many shrines that I visited it is hard ta keep track."

After perusing the width and breadth of the courtyard Wash decides to call it a day and meanders back in Sparte's direction. "Something's going on here..." He tells Sparte. "... but I don't know if we can assume it's Gods. Might be a rogue bunch of priests or something."

Rey tags along after Wash when he starts to leave, because he's going to need a light and also she'd kindof like to go.

Sparte glances up as people make their way back down the hall, looking at Wash curiously before offering him a smile. "Doesn't matter, really." He gestures to the paintings. "There is one painting like this I've seen over in Maelstrom, in the barracks. Not quite as good, but similar. A dedication to Mangata." Sparte shakes his head. "Which... Suggests to me that the dead critters and creatures that coat the walls there are not a Thrax custom, but a Marin one." Sparte chuckles. "A thousand years, wearing the decor of their conquered enemy. Might be able to convince them to go back to the old ways though, now that we've evidence of it."

"Or maybe they just really like scary fish." Wash says. "Sailors get up to shit like that. Then they feel the need to top one another. Self-perpetuating oars."

Rey sighs. "Everyone assumes that because they don't like something, that makes it bad."

Sparte glances over to Rey. "Well, can we agree on tacky?"

"Maybe. That, or Mangata just really likes it and maintains it herself." Halsim muses, before he starts to head back himself. All the more interesting things are done with, and when he gets back to Sparte, he listens briefly, before he raises a brow. "Why would they change now?"

"Tacky? Well, when the paint isn't dry yet, sure. But that's true regardless isn't it?" Wash asks.

Clara shrugs and heads back too. "Far more barbaric practices out there."

"Barbaric? I saw a trio of squid that had the most intricate detail. And the porpoise they were having intercourse with... okay. Maybe you have a point there Lady Crovane." Wash admits.

Rey shakes her head sadly to Sparte. "But maybe they will want to add some new styles. Maybe this place would inspire them. I don't know. I just don't think it's right to call something good or bad because of what we like."

Sparte snorts giving a small shake of his head. "Evidence suggests that the worship of Mangata is what held the Darkwater, and possibly other horrors, at bay. That is why everyone and their sister in the stonecarving business is making silver hand over fist. Why there is a giant statue dedicated to her in a cliff face, now. It wasn't some fluke."

Sparte gestures to the murals on the wall. "This is how they expressed that worship, a thousand years ago. I would not mind seeing a resurgance of such beautiful works, though I'm well aware it isn't up to me."

"If nothing else, it shows how art evolved over the centuries." Halsim admits, before he looks back to the murals, and begins to look them over for any creatures unknown.

"Clara, if you please." The white-eyed woman requests. "I'm not feelin' so formal right now. Rarely do but people insist sometimes." She looks to Sparte. "Aye, it is beautiful."

"What held the Darkwater at bay was the Last Lord of House Marin betraying his oaths and being cursed for it." Wash corrects. "I saw that written. The Prince agrees that his words may have been what broke said curse. And while the statues and shrines may be having a positive effect on the weather, they aren't what drove away House Marin's last assault. That was steel and blood. Not godhood. And without Mercies like these, that steel and blood would already be spent."

Sparte glances over to Wash. "Betraying his oaths?" He blinks, thinking for a few seconds before suddenly going wide-eyed. He packs his things, suddenly seeming in a hurry to leave and head back to Maelstrom. "The traitor. Muddle my brains for curdled soup."