Volume 5, Chapter 3 - Gamble's Journal

General Summary

The Morning After the Night Before

The party arrives at breakfast the next day in various states of freshness. Platters of fresh fruit are served as well as the strange spiced tea, which tastes of tea with spices and rum. Gamble once again refuses but despite his fasting Karu partakes with the others.
Gio had been spotted the previous night leaving with not one but three girls, and when questioned says that he was honouring a friend, adding that some people were on their knees when Rhathgar asks if he was religious.
Rhathgar says he had returned to the hotel early but had enjoyed seeing the young enjoying themselves.
Karnak is not fond of the fruit, as she bites into a banana - skin and all.
When Gio asks to have a look at the journal to get himself caught up, Karnak first hands him the farting book, much to the disdain and tutting of other guests. Karu hands Gio the journal in which he has made notes, correcting some of the old Milagonian island names to those that are on the map purchased the previous day.
Lavanel says that she regrets getting into a drinking competition with a sailor. Gamble had managed to get her back to the hotel, but not before she’d stood in the sea and shouted that she wasn’t cold.
Karnak had been spotted heading off with a hulk of a local, and when asked said that while a lady doesn’t kiss and tell, she is not a lady so can say she had a great time. He was a fine stallion, and she did her part as well.
Gamble, while initially feeling fine, began to feel a little worse for wear, head aching, tired and irritable.
As the Rempeh-rempeh was mentioned in the journal, this seemed like a good place to start. Gio also noted that ‘ceph’ often meant head and ‘oliph’ stone, and therefore the ‘cephiloph’ mentioned in the journal could be related to the Rempeh-rempeh.
Karu had already asked the locals and the Rempeh-rempeh near the market was moved from its original location by Milagonian colonists. Gamble suggests that if his journal indicates he left signs for himself, maybe he moved the Rempeh-rempeh to function as one of these signs.
It was agreed that asking the locals might be a good start.
Karnak remains unimpressed with the fruit as she bits into the shell of a coconut.
They had been told that the storyteller - the Tala’aga - had left for nearby Pala Rhathgar headed off to check with the locals about sects of Oloch, have a quick sand bath and a discreet sunbathe.
The party discuss next moves and it was agreed that Karnak, Gamble and Lavanel head to the market to stock up on supplies and Arpeggio and Karu seek out locals who might know more about the history of the island and the Rempeh-rempeh. They agree to meet back at the hotel for lunch.
Rhathgar gets as far as the barman who tells him that in The Spice Islands you can worship any god. They are not ones for formal religion. The world is your temple and people find a place to be in the world to be with their god. He suggests Oloch may be known here as Olo, but there are no temples to him here.
Bask in the sun after looking around furtively
Karu and Gio head to temple Rempeh-rempeh
The party split off and Karu and Arpeggio approached the edge of the market with the dark volcanic rock carving of the Rempeh-rempeh, face turned down the hill away from them. Once again, Gio takes on a more local visage to avoid the stigma of being associated with Milagon, in a flowery shirt and sarong.

In the Market

It is mid morning and the market nearby is in full swing. A closer look reveals that the statue looks like it has been slotted into a shallow stone holder. A carving on one side of the statue is half obscured by the lip of the holder. Face on the head appears to be that of a grotesque version of a Human - given the rounded ears.
Rhathgar also takes his time to inspect and is certain that the way it has been carved indicates that it was designed with magical properties, and some of the iconography links it to the lightning - the symbol of the Degdia.
The journal mentions that the path was hidden by Pekudea, and Arnaldo Guilliero equates her to the Degdia, and that she (or possibly someone else) called a statue of a great face a Rempeh-rempeh.
Rhathgar notes that this was not where the statue was originally placed, and looks around for a high place, eyeing the mountain towards the centre of the island. He also begins to look for a way to summon a lightning bolt, however Gio thankfully puts a pin in that idea and they go to ask around the locals.

Rhathgar does a very good job of spotting an older native of the island selling mangos, and feels quite pleased with himself, until Gio directs him one stall over to where an older woman is selling carved representations of the statue. She is late 60s and has a tattoo of a chicken’s head on her neck.
Gio enquires as to the price of a statue and offers her a Ǥ1 for the largest one (worth 3$), and asks about the statue.
She has lived on the island her whole life. She says the man who first came here from Milagon found the Rempeh-rempeh on the mountain and rolled it back to town claiming he had defeated it utterly - and placed it as a symbol of the Milagonians having defeating the Spice Islanders. She noted that there was currently a movement to return it to where it came from, however some who remember it from their youth want it to remain and she liked it as income from tourists was her livelihood.
After further pressing she said it represented the face of Kui, folk hero and father to their people. When asked about the announcements she said that she remembered the Tala’aga talking about it, and that it always said the same thing, but the men broke it and it now only says that when anyone dies. If they party wished to know more they should seek out the Tala’aga - who had left for Pala.
She is not forthcoming with further information and it’s likely she only provided what she did as Gio overpaid.
Gio and Rhathgar talk about restoring the item. Gio notes that this would be challenging and he cannot fix anything without all the pieces. The mountain is wide and gently sloping and would take a full day’s journey to reach the top, but Gio suggests he can fly and carry Rhathgar, which it was agreed would be much faster than engaging with the local politics and getting the townsfolk to agree to roll it back up the mountain. They discuss using magic to summon lightning but agree that would be too dangerous near the crowded market.
---
Meanwhile, Lavanel Karnak and Gamble head into the market. Gamble is starting to feel awful, snapping tired and just wants to scream. Karnak almost wanders off looking for help but Lavanel guides them and finds a potioner. In a surprisingly pleasant tone Lavanel asks if the potioner can help with Gamble’s ailments. She gives a cursory look up and down, declares Gamble is hungover and offers her a stick to chew on for 5¢. Gamble grumbles but starts chewing.
Potions are made on The Spice Islands and without the export costs, Lavanel and Karnak secure a lesser and superior healing potion for a good price. Lavanel also takes the opportunity to restock her panther supplies. Karnak also purchases three fishing harpoons, however they are out of luck asking for jewels and it is suggested they may fair better on Kapuluga.
Somewhere else in the market, Rhathgar spots a local dwarf selling metal work and purchases a Ǥ120 silver cage which he attaches to the tip of his staff.
Lavanel asks about the tea and is told that everyone is offered the tea when they arrive but they need to keep drinking it. There is a medicine person on the other side of the island and another on Pala if needed, but clerics can also help. She also notes that the Screaming Sickness are caught on land, but doesn’t magically go away if you get on a boat.
The party buy two weeks’ worth of rations and head back to Mo to buy more spiced tea. He offers a powdered form that needs drinking twice a day but can be mixed with boiling water and is more portable. They buy one month’s supply.
Gamble decides that it could be the tea, or lack thereof, that is making her feel bad and drinks a potion. She begins to feel worse and worse until all of a sudden she screams - for a straight minute. Locals are suddenly very awkward, Mo rushes away and they get the feeling this is massively taboo and people don’t want to associate themselves with her.
From across the market, the other half of the party hear the screams and recognise them as Gamble’s. They head in that direction swapping stories about her incompetence.
Karu approaches Gamble who is now sitting cross legged on the beach head in her hands, and tries to cast Lesser Restoration, which initially seems to work, but she suddenly gets hot again and the feeling settles back in. Lavanel also confirms she tried Cure Wounds which also did nothing.
While Karu is examining her further, Gio and Rhathgar agree to head up the mountain. Gio becomes a giant eagle and dips a wing to allow the Dragonborn to climb aboard, and they soar up. Below they see the heavily treed island from about and fly directly away from the ocean towards the centre of the island. The peak of the mountain is clear with a close treeline and there is no sign of any buildings or structure. Gio lands on the peak and returns to his Half-Elf form to prepare to recast polymorph. Rhathgar has a look around and spots an outcrop of rock that has been shaped to be more circular, like a balcony or plinth. Looking closer he spots carvings on its surface and using prestidigitation to clear the stone sees a set of arcane scratchings.
Rhathgar geeks out over the arcane execution which indicates a summoning and binding along with a trigger once conditions are met. It is very specific to the location and the proximity trigger is linked to death - possibly some kind of sacrifice. The surrounding scratches and the rough middle almost guarantee this was where the Rempeh-rempeh originally sat.
Given its size and how challenging it would be to get the Rempeh-rempeh up the mountain, it was agreed a trip to the storyteller should be attempted first, Gio polymorphs and they head back to town.
---
Back on the beach Gamble refuses a greater restoration in the hope that they can get to Pala and not waste the limited diamond dust.
Karu tells the party he received direction from Arawn, that he should fast when he arrives on land. He is permitted a little in the morning and the evening, but should follow the three fold trial. Arawn has told him he has fallen out of balance and that she mentioned the Charnel Caverns.
Karnak returns with drinks for everyone - they have little trees made of leaves and nails in them.
Karu tells Karnak that due to the fasting there may be a time when he becomes weak. It is possible that he could lose his memory, and if this should happen, he would appreciate it if Karnak was nearby. They also ask Karnak to repeat anything they say if they become delusional. Karnak agrees.
Gio and Rhathgar return and tell the others what they found, before Gio heads off in search of further information. The Screaming Sickness is also known as Pekudea’s curse. She is the goddess of the storm, wind and rain and Kui is her son. He finds very little else as people do not want to talk about the curse, and the party agree to head to Pela in search of the storyteller and the healer.
As the sun heads towards the ocean, they head onboard The Red Princess. Huan lets them know the mast is still damaged and sailing will be slower than usual. He has made enquires and it looks like help can be found in Kapuluga.

Screaming and Stars

As Lavanel starts to talk about setting off, Gamble snaps at her and leaves Arpeggio in charge in her absence, before stalking off to her cabin.
Night passes, and Gio offers Rhathgar another flight, this time as a giant owl as they take their watch.
Gamble is attacked her nightmares, in and out of sleep, and her screaming keeps the crew up. She eventually gives up on rest and emerges onto the deck as the watch changes and Lavanel spots a shooting star. A second, bluish in colour sweeps past. And then another, this time red. They stand on the deck and watch as a multicoloured meteor shower lights up the night’s sky. Lavanel takes a step closer to Karu.

As it ends, Gamble notices that some of the minor stars in the firmament are no longer there. Pointing this out, Rhathgar notes it cannot be a good thing watching light escape Oloch’s embrace and signifies the weakening of a god.
Lavanel asks Karu to send a message to Shin, asking what’s up with the stars. Karu focuses and says
“Shin, It's Karu. We witnessed a meteor shower. When it passed, some stars had disappeared. Do you have any insight?”
A moment later Karu hears Shin’s voice in his head,
“Karu, I saw. I must research this. It is unprecedented, but calamitous.
Gamble stays up to prevent anyone losing any further sleep, and eventually The Red Princess moors up at the jetty and the party head up the beach.
The crew are paid for another three days wages.

Pala

From the beach they can see a cluster of small huts with a larger one standing out in the centre, surrounded by cultivated gardens and a fountain, surrounded by a fence that doesn’t quite reach the beach. A path leads up the beach and another leads into the jungle.
Gio heads off in search of the story teller and Rhathgar approaches the nearest person on the beach and asks after the medicine man. The person in question, turning to reveal himself as Mitzui says talk to the entertainment people. They flag down a local with a tray of drinks who looks at their wrists and directs them to the main house.
The owner of the hotel greets them and says it’s been here for five years. Before that the island relied on exporting pork, vanilla and sugar. She visited Tel’Anar but didn’t want the casino.
She asks if they would like to check in, and says that they can go on excursions to the vanilla groves, accompany a local demonstrating how to navigate the local area, visit the butterflies (Gio notes this could be the Lepidoptera arcana mentioned in the journal), visit the home of their ancestors and see how they look after their dead, visit the fighting arena or the Spa. The spa is also where the medicine woman works, and they would have to check in to visit her. It is Ǥ10 a night, however this is halved for anyone of Ebronian descent, due to the current lull in tourism.
Gamble pays for everyone and they are shown to their rooms by a male resort worker. Each of the three huts has a large bowl of white salt, and a big ugly piece of fruit, in front of a fan. He demonstrates that by squeezing the fruit into the salt, the air is cooled and blown across the room.
The storyteller is not currently on Pala but she should return in a week. While he is telling the truth he picks his words carefully. He says they were on Kurundu.
Gamble once again asks to be taken to the spa and as soon as Karu tells her to try not to scream. She is immediately filled with another overwhelming urge to scream but just about manages to keep it in.
Karu notes that it is very unlikely he would be able to locate the storyteller, as he has never met her. Gio asks their guide to point out her hut on the far edge of the resort closest to the jungle, where it looks like the other hotel staff stay. When telling the desk clerk they are heading to the spa she tells them if you are having a blah day - you should have a spa day.
They are led into the spa. Incense burns, giving off a fresh, bright smell and soothing music plays from nowhere. Sat in the corner is a middle aged woman with dark chocolate coloured skin, her hair up in a bouffant display entwined with feathers and beads. She wears a necklace with the emblem of a tree palm leaf and berry - similar to mistletoe and like a local fauna representation of the traditional symbol for medicine. Hanging on a peg nearby is a suit of armour that looks like it hasn’t been used in a long time.
Rhathgar stops at the door. May I enter the shadow under your leaves? And she says we welcomes all those who seek respite.
Gamble growls that she didn't drink the tea.
She is told that the usual charge to heal someone of the screams is Ǥ500 to offset the cost of components, however if her friends went to the spa at Ǥ40 each she would only charge Ǥ300. When asked what the spa entails the party are told they would first be offered a drink, followed by a cold shower. Oils would then be applied to the skin - at this point Gio’s coin purse is brought out so fast it almost appears to apparate - and then the body would be wrapped in seaweed. After some time in the sauna, they would then be given the change to relax in the mud baths before they were then cleansed one more time.
Everyone agrees and they are taken through to the changing rooms. Rhathgar removes his robe and shudders and layers of dust fill the air as it is expunged from his scales. Gio also undressed, however the illusory clothes remain.
Belongings are left in trunks (with the exception of Rhathgar’s cage), keys placed around necks and they join the ladies in the left chamber.
They find themselves in a room built from rattan and palm, cool, dark and temperate, with a series of cots lined up in two rows of four and she indicates for them to lay down. Lavanel takes the first one, followed by Gamble and the others. The door opens and eight people walk in, three young men and three young women, all local, a half Orc and one other carrying buckets. Without warning one throws freezing water over Lavanel. Another over Gamble (who just manages to contain the urge to scream), and then the others, although Rhathgar is kept dry and blown with cold air instead. Bowls and sponges are then produced and the party are rubbed down with oil smelling of orange peel, mint and spice, their skin then sprinkled with salt before they are massaged. The local girl swaps with the half Orc for Karnak. They are then wrapped in seaweed, pieces of fruit placed over their eyes. Karnak eats her fruit.
The healer comes out, places her hand on Gamble’s chest and suddenly the desire to scream is gone. They are wheeled into a hot and steamy room where they sit for a while. The healer then lets them know that they can buy any of the products they have used today, including the mud, in the attached shop, before being led through to the mud room.
The mud baths are dug out of the earth. Different coloured warm bubbles up in three pits with stones around the outer edges, one black, one white and one grey. The smell is slightly sulphurous and pleasantly combats the sweetness of the scents that have been rubbed into the skin.
Rhathgar skitters forward into the light pool of mud and comes up like a crocodile, eyes and nostrils just above the surface. Staff bring little cups of water with pineapple.
The baths are identical in all but their colour, and a picture on the wall indicates that the different colours are merely to entertain, with a person with shapes and patterns drawn over their skin in the different colours. Gio gets into the darker bath but with his illusion up doesn’t look dirty. The mud relaxes everyone and one level of exhaustion is cleared.
Gio approaches Karu and says that while he is aware he has been told to fast, why couldn’t he have a tiny berry. Karu says that a normal berry would be fine, however a magical sustaining berry would not be in the spirit of what the fast is meant to accomplish. Rhathgar agreeds that it’s not the point before sliding back under the mud. Karu notes that part of the intention is to place oneself into a weakened state, which Arawn needs him in to be receptive.
Meanwhile, Karnak is adding her own bubbles to the mud and Lavanel and Gamble decorate themselves with mud patterns. Gamble takes the opportunity to apologise to lavanel for shouting at her.
As they go to leave, one of the staff - a local girl - pulls Gamble aside, clasping her wrist and covering her tattoo.
“You must be careful,” she whispers, “The Umberlee's Howl is under the Hook. ‘Under the Hook’ is a pirate term. It is issued by the pirate council and used for those that have transgressed and are under orders to be captured. They are drawn back in any who lead’s a ship to catch them is known as a ‘Captain Hook’. I warn you because Odessa is my cousin.”
No one appears to have overheard and Gamble thanks her for the information.
The party get cleaned up and head to dinner and drinks. A roasting pig, rubbed in sugar and salt and cooked in hot coals is served along with bread and various accompaniments including a dark thick smokey smelling sauce. Lavanel pockets some of the pig for Apollo - hint of vanilla.
Argument ???
Large stocky lady - reywa
They are told the Storyteller is old - older than elves - and had left but would be returning, most likely by the end of the week. She had left Pala for Kurundu a month ago. The group are puzzled as she left Kurundu before they did, however she had not arrived in Pala. They are only cryptically told that the story teller travels in many ways.
She tells them there is much to do and calls over a staff member, who she introduces as Nicau. Things on offer include Butterfly Grove, jungle survival excursion, caves of the ancestors. Rhathgar says he would like to see the caves asks about their views on the dead. Nicau tells him that once the soul has left the body, the material remains are just left in the caves to decompose. Karu says he would also like to see the caves and Karnak states she is going with “to keep an eye on the humble parish priest, wink wink”.
To Karu’s exasperation, Rhathgar asks after clothes, insisting that the locals don’t believe the remains to have religious significance, however no one has any spare clothing.
Gio makes an offer to entertain in return for free lodgings and is offered one of the staff cabins, if he plays at lunch and dinner the next day.
As he will be visiting the Chanel Caverns, Caves of the Ancestors, the following day, Karu doesn’t partake of dinner and spends time running up and down the beach in preparation.

Expeditions

Early the next morning, they are greeted by a skinny elderly man knocking at their door telling them he will be their guide to the caves. He introduces himself as J’ma Rekwai and tells them it is a fair walk into and around the mountain to get to the caves are located. He explains they leave so early so that it is not too hot while they travel, especially as he doesn’t like the heat, explaining the large hat woven out of palm leaves that keeps him from the sun.
They are led into the jungle along a well-trodden path. The foliage slowly becomes more dense and tangly and so little light makes it through the canopy it becomes impossible to know what time of day it is. Branches and vines hang down and strange noises echo out beyond their line of sight.
At one point J’ma points out a sour-bag tree, from which they recognize the hard leathery exterior of the fruit used in cooling their rooms. He warns that the inside can be highly corrosive, however once cleaned out the skin is watertight and can be used to hold other liquids.
He confirms they have taken their tea - which was prepared by Karu before the others woke - as the caves are not a good place for screaming.
They continue up and down over hills, round the mountain and roughly a couple of hours before midday, they arrive at a small caldera, overgrown with greenery. They pass through a small entrance and around the edge are ten faces. Looking down the soft humus of the jungle floor is replaced with fine white gravel.
J’ma welcomes them to the Cave of the Ancestors (see Pala.
Karu looks at Rhathgar who looks more than a little exited, and asks what the people of the islands believe when it comes to life and death.
J’ma tells him that on Pala, they believe that people are made from coral. Upon the coral grows the flesh of life - which lives and experiences, loves, has children and then dies. Life leaves the body. And the body of the dead remains like coral on reefs and the life is gone. The bones over time are left to degrade into the soil and bring new life. While some visitors worry about walking on the bones, and think it might be disrespectful, it is just detritus, no more than memory and coral.
Rhathgar’s smile widens further when J’ma confirms that the bones hold no special significance and some visitors even take fragments with them when they leave.
Rhathgar tells him he serves the god, known here as Olo, and it would allow him to honour his god and prey for penitents if he was permitted to take a few fragments.
J’ma confirms he may and notes that the ancestors may even appreciate it, although when Rhathgar takes out five hemp sacks, he indicates that would take the piss.
Karu sighs.
There are ten caves, which as J’ma explains, are linked to the ten tribes, each of which take their name from a constellation in the Fixed Firmament, and people are encouraged to explore on their own and find what is meaningful to them. There are two firmaments - the fixed and the moving. The moving is associated with life and the fixed with death.
Above each of the caves is the representation of one of the constellations.
Karu asks Karnak to wait outside. There is an attempted conversation about the advantages of using a codeword if Karu is not himself and the word pineapple is agreed.

The Mie Saiban (The Three-Fold Trial)

Karu turns and heads into the cave marked with the constellation of the Great Balance. One one side of the wall, skulls are stacked on top of one another and pelviceson the opposite wall. The floor is scattered with small bones and the pieces get smaller as he moves towards the centre. Hunger gnaws and Karu feels tired and weak .Centuries of bones break beneath his feet and he feels himself driven to walk deeper.
The colour ebs as the daylight fades and Karu’s darkvision takes over. As he reaches the deepest part of the tunnel, he comes to a raised platform, free of bone, about 1 meter across with nothing upon it but a single mushroom, speckled in black and white.
Karu partakes of the mushroom. It tastes dry, like ash, and is hard to swallow but he forces it down. As tiredness continues to grow and he begins to feel light headed and he takes a seat on the platform, closing his eyes and begins to take slow meditative breaths.

His mind comes into a level of focus in which he is used to communing with Arawn. He feels his thoughts settling and begins to make out the landscape form which he scries; sat upon the still white water with the black sky above.
Suddenly a voice echos, “…Haiokabutta Karu.”
Karu recognises the voice of his mentor, Haiosentaku Michibiku, who first trained him and was the closest thing he’d had to a mother.
Karu: Sensei, is that you?
MICHIBIKU: I am here for you this day, when I couldn’t be there for you when you first took the trials.
Karu: How? It has been so long…
MICHIBIKU: Time is different here on the other side, but it is nice to see you, and I am grateful to Arawn. She has blessed me to see you now.
Karu: Do you know why I might face the trial again?
MICHIBIKU: Your trial was stolen from you.
Karu: I...I am woozy. I don’t understand.
MICHIBIKU: The trial you underwent was a false trial. You were not prepared and it was done without my say. You have been given a new opportunity. But most importantly you are out of balance.
Karu: This...must be corrected then.
MICHIBIKU: Arawn needs you, but you need to be in balance. Will you face the trial?
Karu: Yes. If it is Arawn’s will.
VOICES: We walk the path that fate has given us. We make choices - but the path we are set on we walk We walk the path - stands Face trial Yes

The Earth spins
Karu finds his feet once more, but the world has been inverted; a bright white sky above a floor of black sand.
“This is your body”
It is the voice of the half Orc, Haisoko Kibishi, a later master for Karu who had treated him exceptionally harshly
The ground below him suddenly tilts and he finds himself on a slope.
KIBISHI: “Karu, how do you put your body in balance?”
Karu starts to take really deep breaths, trying to find balance and calm. The ground below him shifts again and the slope becomes steeper.
KIBISHI: “The way to balance your body - you use it! Run elven whelp!”
As Karu begins to run up the slope it gets steeper still.
“Climb, whelp!” says Kibishi. Karu scrabbles up the sand, and while his body might be exhausted, his mind is not.
“Your body is in balance” comes the voice, “How do you keep your body in balance Karu?”
“Use it, master,” says Karu.
As he says it the world becomes vertical and Karu slides into nothingness.
Karu wakens, standing, opening his eyes to black and white, their separation a vertical line passing through his meridian, separating his eyes, his ears, the hemispheres of his mind. He cannot move. Totally within his mind.
Sounds come to him, snippets of his companions.
“Your mind is out of balance,” Karu recognises the voice of Petryan. “How do you balance your mind?.”
The voices continue.
“This path that you're on, do you believe Arawn put you on it?” comes the voice of Arpeggio.
“Yes, I am but a tool for Arawn,” replied Karu
“Are you ok, Karu?” the voice of Karnak
“It...does not matter.” Karu stammers, “You are the hammer, you don’t ask the hammer. I am but a… It does not matter because Karu is….”
He is interrupted by another voice, “Why do you grieve, old chap?”
“Jed?! This one is not supposed to grieve, Jed Kingsdown.
“Why do you deny yourself joy?”, comes the voice of Gambe
“This one is not to live a true life, although I...This is its purpose; to walk between life and death.”
Arpeggio again, “Arawn is the goddess of balance, right? Do you think she promotes balance in all things?”
“Yes, but balance could be found through counterbalance.”
The voice of Petryan once more, “What are the two great enemies?”
“Those who live with no respect for death, those who kill with no respect for life.”
“What if they too need balance? How do you balance those?” Lavanel’s voice.
“Those who live with no respect for death, all natural life comes to an end.”
“How do you balance those?” Lavanel again.
“Those with no respect for life...their ways must be stopped.”
Petryan: “In most cases life takes precedence prevented from tipping the scale”
“I am a Tool - only way I’;ve know is to remove them”
Gio - “Those who live with no respect for life” Rhathgar - “Those who kill with no respect for death”
The voice of Arawn comes through, “Do you respect the life I have given you Karu.”
Karu: “This life...Karu was not meant to have a life. It has always been so.”
Arawn: “Why do you think that?”
Karu: “This is what I was taught.”
Arawn: “Do you have a life?”
Karu: “I am a life.”
Arawn: “Then use it.”
The world spins, black and white merging into greyness.


“This is your soul”, and Karu hears the prophecy. “What is missing?” she asks.
“Balance is lost.”
Arawn: “What does that mean?”
“Prophecy..the thanes…”
Arawn cuts over him, “What is missing.”
“Balance.”
Arawn: “What does that mean?”
“Karu is... out of balance... that is what you say.”
Arawn: “Who are you?”
“Karu”
Arawn: “Who are you?”
“I’m Karu”
Arawn: “What is missing?”
There is a pause. “...Am I missing, Arawn?”
Arawn: “You are missing.”
“Am I a Thane?”
Arpeggio’s voice comes again, “Do you feel like you're a Thane of Order?”
“It’s not that....a Thane must be life, not a tool?”
Arawn: “Then use it.”
“Is Karu a Thane?”
“Karu,”
“Arawn”
Arawn: “My child,” her face appears before him for the first time. “My gift, I know how you feel. How do you feel?”
“Lost, unbalanced, confused,”
“Why unbalanced?” she asks.
“I am following the wrong way.”
Arawn: “What makes you think that?”
“I live with no respect for life.”
Arawn: “The thing about balance is that if lost, it can be restored.”
“Yes.”
Arawn: “Why do you feel out of balance?”
“I live without respect for life, you are right.”
Arawn: “You are merely out of balance. Learning. Growing. Fate has many paths for us to follow. Your path is yours to walk. There are many teaching beyond the rules. Balance is my rule, which takes many forms. Extremes are not not balance. What have you learnt?”
This one…” Karu pauses, “no...I. I am not a tool. I am not just a weapon.”
Arawn: “Gobnin makes tools. I make lives.”
“I am alive and should ask as like I have life. I should not be Haiokabutta any more.”
Arawn: “The hardest rule, is that there are no hard rules. You are an extension of me. Choose how to bring balance into the world. Trust the way you see. Make mistakes. Balance them with your deeds.”
“I will become Karu.”
Arawn: “Haiosentaku Karu. Waken, and have a good meal.”
--
Karu finds himself back in the cave.
[Karu has gained a modified inspiring leader feat - alignment shift from LG to NG.]
He takes a long drink from his waterskin, takes out his razor, and shaves just the sides of his head, before giving a quick prayer of thanks to Arawn. Putting aside the thoughts of how his first trial was stolen and how all his fundamental teachings had been wrong for now, he leaves the cave.
Outside he is greeted by a waiting Karnak. “Pineapple” she says, and Karu smiles and confirms her services are not required.
“Are you alright?”
“I feel like a great weight has been lifted and another has been placed, friend.” He takes some of the pineapple offered by Karnak, and relishes it’s taste. He claps Karnak on the shoulder. “Come, we should return.”
Karu is told that it had been about two hours since he first entered the cave.
Rhathgar comes waddling out of one of the caves.
“Did you get what you came for? Wink” says Karnak. Rhathgar says that unless they want to wait until nightfall, he is ready to leave, and J’ma confirms he is contracted to have them back at the resort by dusk, and they set off.

Jungle Training

Meanwhile, Lavanel and Gamble also receive a knock on their door very early in the morning. Lavanel opens the door but no one appears outside. Turning back to the room, sitting on the bed is a half-elven Spice Islander, sat cross legged with a bow strung across her back and feathers in her hair. All her clothing appears to be made from animal pelts and plants.
“I hear you want to do the ranger experience.”
“Well if we weren't before we do now!”
She introduces herself as Arawn: Raiana Tanui.
“I will be your ranger guide. You have seen the first thing. How to blend in and make the self… invisible. Some will learn, some will merely have an interesting day.” She stands and abruptly scuttles out the room, “This way!”.
She pauses for a moment, to drink some spiced tea and off she darts again.
They move quickly through the forest. Raiana stops abruptly, and points out the sourbag tree, explaining, as J’ma had done, that it was corrosive, and used to carry things when cleaned out. Once again she takes off at speed, Lavanel keeping pace and Gamble only just keeping up.
Stopping suddenly once again she points to a bubbling mud pool. “This is the only other place the volcanic mud erupts,'' she notes and says that taking a jar and rubbing it over your skin for one hour reduces the issues of exertion and lack of sleep.
“Those of us who know the ways of the woods know how to be tireless. Sit. Feel the mud. Understand the mud.” She gestures for Lavanel and Gamble to remove their boots and put their feet in the pool.
They sit there for about an hour before Raiana asks how they feel. Gambe says that she feels refreshed but nothing more. Lavanel on the other understood the mud and could feel the energy travelling through her.
“Excellent,'' Raiana exclaims before jumping up and dashing off, “now follow me!”
Next they come to a round pool of clear cool water. “You understand mud, now you must understand water,” and jumps in and starts swimming at an incredible pace. Lavanel and Gamble follow suit. Gamble, already a strong swimmer, has no problem keeping pace. Lavanel lags at first but she watches how Raiana moves and eventually also keeps pace.
Next Rainea tells them both to go into the jungle and bring her back a sour bag fruit. Lavanel finds one first and eventually Gamble returns looking disappointed.
Raiana tells Lavanel that like her panther, she also has an animal that is very dear and an enormous parrot lands next to her. They talk about animals and how to hear what the animals can say, and with enough practice, Lavanel can hear not only the messages of the animals but of the flora and fauna as well.
---
Back at the resort, Arpeggio walks past the hut he was told belonged to the story teller. It’s covered outside in charms and trinkets, and while no one is looking, he pockets a small item.

Comparing Notes

The party reassemble at dinner, where Arpeggio is playing for the guests.
Gamble notices that Karu is using different terms and asks if he is ok.
Lavanel tells the others that she didn’t think they would be able to teach her, the Cora of the guard, anything, but she learnt so much and was happy to be wrong.
Karu claps at Arpeggio’s performance.
When asked why Karnak keeps saying ‘pineapple’, Karnak tells them Karu went into a cave and there were strange noises.
Karu clarifies and tells them that every member of the temple undergoes a right called the Mie Saiban, or three-fold trial. There are three orders at the temple: body, mind and soul, and when a new member has been at the temple for enough time, they undergo the trial to find which order they best align with.
Karu says that Arawn had him retake his trial. He was originally told he was Haiokabutta - the way of the body - however this may have been wrong. In the cave he had undergone the trial of balance and shown the error in some of his teachings.
“Arawn designated me Haiosentaku, the highest of…,” he pauses, “It is unprecedented without being a leader of one of the three orders. I am supposed to be Karu. I was acting like my life was not my own. This is not true in the eyes of Arawn.” Karu looks up at the group. “Thank you. Your words reached me in ways they did not before.”
He surprisingly takes Karnak up on her offer of a drink, although she decides not to bring him what she is drinking as he requests, but something a little more gentle to begin with.
Karu tells them that not only did he hear them but he also heard his teachers, as well as Jed. “You were all there on my journey. Without you I would not have had the same experience.” Everyone at the table suddenly feels a little stronger.
While Arpeggio finishes his performance, Gamble tells the others about her visit from Umberlee, and passes on the news about The Lady of Mirrors wanting three children to gain a spring of power, and that they have met the first sibling.
Karu makes a dig at Gamble actually being sensible and sharing the information.
Arpeggio returns and they talk about their day. Gamble says how impressed she was with Lavanel’s new skills, and Lavanel gushes a little more about her experiences. They also consider returning to the mud pool and collecting some.
Gio lets them know he has free lodgings and that he managed to take a small net weight belonging to the seer that will make scrying easier.
Karu uses the fire opal and briefly finds himself in the mental landscape, but the voice of Arawn comes, “My gift, not yet,” and it appears the spell doesn’t connect.
They confirm they want to see the butterflies the next day, and Karu thanks Karnak, apologising for keeping her from the possibility of fighting.
At the mention of fighting, chatter tells Karnak a person with a big nose has been looking at Karnak funny and Karnak heads over.
“My friends are sensitive. They don’t like people starin’.” She says to him. If would wouldn’t mind casting your eyes somewhere else.”
He tells her that his friend was killed by orcs.
“Look, I understand, you might have a problem with my kin. Orcs are ‘orrible. Just understand that I look like this, I have these teeth, but I’m not a murderous barbarian like those green skinned bastards.”
“Well you are… “ says chatter. Karnak shushes him. “But he’s asking for it.”
“What if I am asking for it?”
“Well, that’s different, we can step outside right now.”
He shakes his head, “There is a proper place to do this.”
Karnak asks if he means the fighting ring.
“I am three times undefeated in that Ring. I am Alohi.”
“Well, Aloha Alohi. My name is Sir Karnak Stormhammer. See you in the ring tomorrow.” She spits and walks away.
“Aww...you should have hit him here.” Chatter says in disappointment.
“Nah, this is a posh place. Tomorrow I’ll rip his teeth out and wear them as a necklace, I promise. I hope it’s weapons!” She looks at chatter. “If I could get rid of you I would,” and sends him off to eat rats.

Report Date

01 Mar 2021