12. Temple of Habbakuk and some annoying dragon riders

After the battle with these water elementals, this elf simply walks up and asks us what we are doing aboard his ship. Does he not realize that he could have killed us? What are we, common bandits? I tell him that this ship does not match the surroundings, and so we came to take a closer look, then his ship attacked us. He again, without much bother, tells us that the ship would not have attacked if we had not trespassed. It seems we'll be going around in circles if this continues. He proceeds to ask us what we are doing here, again. Like I didn't hear him the first time.
 
I ask if he has heard recent news of the Dragon Army. He says he has not. I tell him that this is why we're exploring north - we want to know what the Dragon Army is doing up here, and looking for anything that can help us turn the tide. He is here to survey the area for ruins for a Zesdrael. Or something like that. His name a Dalamar. Since he may be more familiar with the are, I ask if he knows about the City of Lost Names, and he says he does not. He says that near here is an encampment of Sylvanesty who came with him. Arinona asks about his house, and he says he is from House Mystic. I ask about whether he is familiar with the Dragon Army in his lands, since that is what those captured Dragon Army soldiers mentioned, and he says that his homeland had been attacked by them, and this is why he is here.
 
They are also searching for something that can help. heir mission is to survey for magical traces, and hope that leads to anything that can help. Thalassa mentions that maybe that is why the Red Dragon Army came north in the first palce. We decide to visit his encampment as he has invited us. Before we go, we reach Darrett on the Fargab, and tell him that we are going to carry on scouting, and that they can come to this bay and dock the ships in relative safety.
 
On the way to his encampment, Dalamar chats with us in a friendly manner. Turns out, he was actually directly involved in the fight to protect his homeland. Their king remained behind to try and defend them, and they all were sent here looking for magic as a punishment. What kind of king would punish his warriors for not dying in a bloody battle that cannot be won? Theirs is the Green Dragon Army, and we recognize that it must have been a tough fight for them. Dalamar says that his fight included a dragon that was being covered by a wyvern. Mal tells him that we all recognize their struggle, and honor them as heroes, even if they have been defeated this time. They trade more war stories throughout the day.
 
By evening, we finally make it to an encampment atop a high hill. There are about 10 people there when we arrive. Dalamar starts to introduce us, when an elf with grey hair strides forward and says something to him in elvish, in a tone of "your cake is obviously moldy." Then he turns to us and tells us that we have been brought here in vain, and that we have nothing to speak about. I ask if he means that we have the means of finding something to help us fight the dragon army scourge, he is not interested? That makes him pause, and he says that we are free to pursue our deaths. He tells Dalamar to escort us away. He takes us a little ways away from the encampment, and then tells us that given how that man reacted to us, he believes elements of the Red Dragon Army have been seen. They were heading north, looking for something. Then he proceeds to tell us more about the fabled City of Lost Names. He has heard many stories about it, and he proposes some places that we can research, since he is not at liberty to do what he pleases, but has to follow the orders of that curmudgeon. If we bring him details of what we find, then we can help each other.
 
I tell him we would be happy to share information once we find any more ourselves. He then shows us 3 places on his map, all somehow linked to the City of Lost Names. He will meet us at the north-most one, and that is where we can exchange information. I worry that if we find an item, he will have to take it from us and return home, so I ask what the next step will be for him if we find the City. He says that the City itself is the treasure. Therefore, we all agree to helping each other out.
 
Since we cannot return to his encampment, we set up our own camp. Arinona pulls out her bedroll and trances. Out of nowhere, a little red owl appears on her forearm, and she is looking at it like they are communicating, despite neither making any noise. Soon it flies to a taller vantage point around us. We then discuss what the best strategy is for our following army, since they will be slower than us, but we still want to rely on them if things get tough. We decide to send them north, towards where we'll meet Dalamar. With our time, we should be around 1 day's journey from each other at all times while we check out the three different spots.
 
Then next morning, we start heading towards our first stop. We walk, and we walk, and we walk. By the end of that day, I am sore at tired and everything I own has been snagged by some sort of bramble at some point. I am miserable, and the best way to deal with this is to let others know.
 
Day 1: Ooh, look at that brush. It is a brave brush. Wow.
Day 2: Oh goodness. I'm going to be so happy when this is done. It'll be nice to rest my feet and not be hurting all the time.
Day 3: What the hell is wrong with this place? Why is it constantly attacking me? I hate this and this is the worst. You know how long I have had this cape without it having runs all over it? Why is it that this place is so unyielding and I hate the whole thing.
 
At the end of the 3rd day, we can see something carved in the face of the ravine walls. It looks like the face of an ancient shrine. We also see some other humanoids around there. There is a river at the bottom of the ravine, and we can climb down. I think this is a great idea, because water sounds so refreshing after 3 days of dirt, sweat, and more dirt. While we talk about this, Thalassa noticed some of these people heading our way, and waves at them. They approach, Sterling greets him, and he greets us.
 
He speaks in common, and tells us that he and his people are passing here on their annual pilgrimage. And some of their group were killed or captured on their way. We ask what happened, and he tells us that the group used to be about 20 of them sea elves. They were set upon by a group of about 60 creatures and men, and even their priest was taken. They were ambushed as soon as they came out of the river. They aren't sure why the dragon army was able to enter the shrine. They will probably not be able to complete their pilgrimage without their priestess. His name is Ishvern. When they come here, it is usually Urikel, the high priestess that opens the door with a special prayer. But looking at the door, made of white granite and covered with algae and a picture of a giant bird. The bird Mal recognizes as a blue phoenix, the symbol of the god of the seas and animal life. As Mas starts to explain this to us, he mentions the god's name, "Habbakuk", and the door opens.
 
We are all surprised, but Ishvern is pleasantly so. We agree that we will check the temple for signs of the Dragon Army. The ideas is to make sure they were not there, and then we could leave his people safe inside there while we go try and rescue Urikel.
 
We enter a beautiful long room, with pale blue light and depictions of waves on the walls. There is an alter with some coral-like motifs. An archway opens to the west, and there is a door to the east. Ishvern suggests we should cleanse ourselves in the cleansing room. The whole area is flooded with 2 feet of water. In the cleansing chamber there is a 3-ft basin, and Thalassa helps me reach the basin. Once cleaned, we feel more refreshed.
 
Ishvern went to the alter, and then looked at the door on the right. He says that this is not the alter where they pay respects. Sometimes Urikel would say some words here. I ask Urikel to see if there is anything here. Usually it is a ceremony guided by the priest. He suggests that we search for magic around here, after I explain that we are looking for any help against that dragon army. Arinona casts a spell to find magic, and cannot see anything yet. There is a mark there, and Ishvern translates it for us. We need to honor those who came before us and walk on.
 
In this chamber there are sarcophagi, including the one devoted to Irwentel, the first priest. At the west end, there is Herzon, who built this prayer in stone. The lid has a design that shows the layout of the temple, and it shows us that there is more to this shrine than we have seen. Sterling goes to look, and I will help. Actually, I'm searching, and he's helping me. There is a very fine line, and I can see something. Arinona notices that there is magic on the door. This is where they would pay their respects. It has been hidden from all of us, and Ishvern is also not familiar with this door.
 
There are stairs that lead up behind the door. In the center of the room there comes the sounds of distant waves and the sound of sea birds. Ishvern looks around and says, "this must be it, the place where offerings go." He pours beautiful blue pearls into the well. I get closer to watch, and I feel good, like something enormous and positive has my back, like I'm being watched over. We have been granted Habbakuk's blessing. He is blessing our travels through the northern waste, giving us advantage checks to notice the wash coming in. Also, while traveling, we ignore difficult terrain. We can move at double the pace.
 
We teach him how to open the door while we go look for Urikel, and then they can stay here in peace. There are a total of 4 captured people in his party. As we leave the shrine, one of the elves of his party tells Ishvern that they found the camp that took their scouts. They are set up in the middle of a murky lake, very far from here. They point out a location by Sky's tears, where there is a giant lake. Ishvern tells us that he knows this is a long and dangerous journey, but if we help save them, he'll give us the remaining 5 pearls. If the captives go to the sea, then they should find each other. He gives Mal the pearls, and says that his word is good. Mal says that if we are not successful, he will come back and give these pearls as offering.
 
We set up our camp and have a great night's sleep. Mal tells Darrett of what we are up to. We wake up to the sound of Arinona telling us to wake up. Sterling tells us there are winged creatures coming from 3 different directions. There are wyvern type creatures with humanoid riders on them. We defend ourselves. It is a tough battle, and in the end, an office and a dragon and office manage to get away. They keep us awake all night by throwing stones at us. We'll have to figure out if we want to rest or if we want to try and sleep during the day.