Isle of Frogs PRP has started at Outside Arx - Lyceum near Ischia - Isle of Frogs.

A ship has brought this little band of adventurers to this particular island in a pleasant and relatively warm little archipelago south of the Lyceum, a welcome relief for many from the chill of Arx's snowy days. The ship's boats have brought the group to the little dock in the bay of the island so that the ship itself does not get beached, and it's a lovely if very windy day. Nonetheless, the weather is balmy enough for there to be frogs sunning themselves at the edges of the foliage. A recently worn trail leads one way, but a second trail, far more overgrown, leads deep into the leaves of the island.

A haunting moan comes from the direction of the thickest of the foliage, deep on the island.

Ysabel is among these adventurers glowing with the beaming smile she wears on her face. Ysabel is excited to be going on an adventure and discovering new things even the haunting moan does not dampen her cheery attitude at this moment

Gregory looks around, leaning on his cane as he listens to the moans on the wind. He tilts his head to try and work out where the noise is coming from, before looking around to see if anyone has anything to say about the noise.

Lyceum and no snow do a change in condition make. Delilah fearlessly suns herself from the desc as best as one can, not unlike a cat on a windowsill or a frog on a... Though in this case, she clearly makes the most of the change in the weather. Hair pinned into braids isn't much affected by the wind and she all but joyously nudges Lisebet's arm. "Doesn't it look beautiful and /smell/ as much? The soil warming up, springtime in a nutshell. I miss that." Her smile tips upwards as she takes in her surorundings, but doesn't immediately suggest crashing of into the undergrowth. It doesn't matter /something/ is moaning out there, she hardly looks daunted. With a thoughtful sound and checking over her hairpins, a dagger, and other assorted gear, she inches forward to the path proper with an eye for the ground and a few trees. Not that she shows any signs of running of and leaving them behind. "We might be the first travelers here in some time. I don't see proof of any other foraging parties or people passing this way. Nor giant salamanders or irate bears, if that satisfies anyone's curiosity."

Merek has made his way to the isl on the ship, while he has put on his best black leathers with his cloak, and places up his sword upon a hip, with his daggers as well as a few other pieces of his gear. He also adjusts a sparklegas lantern which he has brought with him, and places upon a steel ring upon his belt also.

Lisebet hasn't been on many adventures, and she's happier with a spot of warmer weather certainly. The sound of the moaning from deep on the island gets a bit of a frown. She smiles at the exuberance shown by the others, curious and calm. "It is beautiful, and I am so looking forward to spring in Arx as well," she agrees. "Giant salamanders and irate - I think I'm glad I missed those." She looks around the beach, and then at the foliage. "It is beautiful."

It is not usual for Alessandro to be a) on a ship to anywhere unless it is to Setarco from Lenosia for a vacation, and b) on an island apparently overrun with frogs. However, apparently he could not resist the call of whatever the ancient ruins might hold, and so he has braved the amphibious denizens of the island in the hopes of finding something exciting. Thus, while he is looking slightly as though he wishes there were not //quite// so many frogs, he mostly seems to be anticipating whatever it is that they might find.

The moaning has him looking in that direction, though, and his eyes widen slightly, but while he looks slightly concerned, it does not seem to be about to stop him from continuing with the party.

Ilmia had taken the opportunity for a warmer climate and an investigation. She had Aurous with her, but the golden eagle is having fun swirling on the air currents. She heads down from the ship and there's a look around, the moan getting her attention and she shudders a bit, "Wonder if it's just the wind?" she looks around.

Countless hours were spent on the vessel's bow; sea spray and the icy winds whip past the Legate who smiles and tugs lightly at the edges of her cloak. The hint of summer, the warmth of the sunny day gradually melts away the winter's kiss that has claimed many in Arx. Ailith shrugs aside her cloak and makes her way starboard side to admire the horizon and upcoming sights. "Where there's overgrown foliage awaits mystery and adventure -- or a very angry boar at being disturbed from a midday nap," she teases with the others on the vessel. She leans slightly forward, a touch over the ship's edge, to peer intently toward the direction of the moan and thick foliage. "At least it isn't the screeching eels."

Ysabel checked perception + investigation at difficulty 25, rolling 8 higher.

Gregory looks over to Delilah, mostly be he knows that this is what she does, and he doesn't know that of the others. "Should we go find out what that noise is? Or just ignore it." he asks. "Because I'm not entirely sure I want to know what it is. Okay, thats a lie, I do want to know, I just suspect it might be a bad idea." He looks around the group. "Anyone else have any opinions on which path to take?"

"Remind me one of these days, Sir Merek, what it takes to obtain one of those lanterns. Are you able to procure or make them?" Delilah asks as she looks over her shoulder, sleek in her sable and sunset leathers. Not exactly the most colourful look but it works for her. A hint of a smile lifts from her lips at Alessandro's response, and she carefully looks about for a suitable stick to test the footing of the path with as a force of habit. One long and springy enough to give a sense for sponginess of the ground, she alights ahead without quite so much. "Does anyone recognize whatever that moaning might -be-? I'm disappointed oddly in a lack of screeching eels." She glances between the two of the trails, and looks to the path less taken. "In the spirit of exploration, I am inclined that way, but group decision."

"Frogs? Spirits?" Merek lifts up his shoulders a bit, "As for the lanterns, I am able to make them, but it's mostly like keeping any other lantern with you," he says also.

Ysabel is keeping close to her friends Gregory and Delilah. Ysabel listens to see if she can make out what this moaning might be. Ysabel for once is not talking very much

Lisebet looks to the two paths identified, and then she says, "I am curious about the odd sound. Also, should there be this many frogs here? I mean, maybe it's just the mama frog?" A delicate shrug, and she says, "I'm good to try either path, though it looks like more - people, things have gone that way." With a finger pointing to the road more often taken. "It loooks like an easier trip that way too, I note, but they might not go to the same place. I do think we shouldn't split up, though. so we should definitely all go together."

"I do not," Alessandro replies of Delilah's question, looking in that direction as though he could discern what it is from just...well, looking in that direction. Unfortunately, he cannot. "I would vote to explore it," he says slowly after a moment's thought, and he looks over at Lisebet then with a nod to confirm her last words. "On that I am in agreement," he says. "I think I may be the most likely to get lost." There's a hint of amusement in his expression as he says it, as well as a little upturn of his lips.

Merek has rolled a critical success!
Merek checked perception + survival at difficulty 15, rolling 39 higher.

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

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

Delilah checked intellect + occult at difficulty 15, rolling 58 higher.

Alessandro checked intellect + occult at difficulty 15, rolling 61 higher.

While the vessel's crew handles the chaotic order of docking, ropes tugged, sails turned, and sailors rushing about, Ailith bends low to sweep a hand across her journeyman's pack -- hoisting a strap over a shoulder. Hooked to a metal ring dangles a Lantern of Flammas, its light only a glimmer of its origin, the Eternal Flame. She takes a moment to tighten the clasp of her belt, ensuring her sword is positioned on the opposite side of her healing packs. Blue eyes dart between those gathered before she strides forth, down the gangplank to the dock, and veers in the direction that Delilah gestured. "There's no sense in resisting the temptation to discover that answer, Duchess."

Ysabel checked intellect + occult at difficulty 15, rolling 43 higher.

"That would be a rather big mama frog, Duchess. So maybe we don't want to meet her." Ilmia gives a chuckle to Lisebet, who is now her Duchess in Ashford! So it's happy times. "Though I am not picky which way we go. If people want to take the stick the well tread path I wouldn't blame them, but some things we need to go off the path to search for." she smiles. "We'd need to hack our way through there, which I can help with." she adds.

Merek points to the same place others note, then he nods a bit for them also, while he takes a moment to keep the hood of his cloak up while he shifts his gaze about also.

Listening to the discussion going on around him, Gregory smiles. He is quite content to leave the leading to those who think they know the way. Hopefully his own skills will be useful later on, but as is probably quite evident, he is not an outdoors style of person. "That sounds to me like we have a consensus." he suggests. "Anyone want to lead the way?"

Lisebet grins at the comments about the mama frog and she says, a bit impishly. "Well, let's go see, shall we? I think that means the overgrown path, if there's folks willing to help with the brush and blocking vegetation?" She gestures gracefully, but certainly doesn't look like she's about to do such a thing. A glance to Gregory as well, and Lisebet nods.

"I concur with the necessity of staying together as a group. The wisdom in that is considerable. A second thing." Delilah slides a hand into her bag and comes up with a handful of simple cloth ribbons of varied colours: mostly silk, a few linen, a few wool. She offers them. "Take a colour and all that match. If you get lost or see something we want to return to, tie a marker. We can easily remove them, and it will help us track anyone who gets too far off the trail. Though I'm fairly sure Sir Merek or Baroness Ysabel and I might locate you." She beams warmly at Ailith, the lantern a welcome thing. "Temptation and resistance? We -are- in the Lyceum, my darling Legate." Her wink is full of contentment there, and she smiles at the others. "Lord Alessandro, does that sound like a rather too constant sound? I wouldn't call it a horn or Aeolian harp, but it feels shaped differently." She stands on her toes and then pivots, heading for the trail. "Sir Merek, if you're willing to come with me knowing I'm about as useless as a harp given to a frog at deflecting boars or giant mother frogs?" She is more than ready to take the fore, with a finger-wiggle to Gregory. "You can blame me then, Brother."

Though Alessandro has said he doesn't know what the moaning was, he has apparently decided to think a little bit harder about it, his eyes narrowing just slightly as he listens. Delilah's words have him looking her way, and after a moment, he nods once. "I am no musician," he says, "but I believe you are right. I would also say it is something quite large, whatever type it is." He looks from one to the other then, as though to confirm it, as he is, as stated, not a musician. He takes some of the cloths offered then, putting them inside the pocket of his coat just in case.

"I must agree with you all about what is causing the noise we are hearing. I am happy to be along on this venture to discover anything we might here," Ysabel says brightly as she keeps pace with the group. The young Baroness seems distracted.

Lisebet checked command + leadership at difficulty 15, rolling 9 higher.

Gregory will take some of the strips of fabric offered by Delilah. He will be surprised if he actually uses one, but the idea is sound. He does smile at Delilah's words though. "It is the sworn duty of a leader to take the blame for everything."

Ilmia checked strength + medium wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 8 higher.

Ilmia gives a nod to the others, "Through the overgrowth it is then!" the tall redhead gives a laugh. She's not even worried about chopping the overgrowth herself. She's careful to make sure she's not going to hit anyone either. It was a lovely time to chop foliage.

There's green strips of ribbon in there, right? Those are the ones Lisebet looks for. She then gestures to her minions - guards, and sets them to path clearing. She glances to Delilah and the others, with a shake of her head, as they are brave enough to start hacking and slashing. "I admire all of you who are so skilled," she says, as she does keep herself along with the rest.

Ailith checked command + leadership at difficulty 15, rolling 48 higher.

Gregory looks at Delilah directing her minions and sighs. "Do you mind if I handle this particular matter for you, Lady Delilah? I have experience with organising things."

The First Seeker of too-many-titles flashes that smile over her shoulder to Gregory. "Not in the least. Thank you for asking. I leave them in your capable hands."

Merek checked strength + medium wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 41 higher.

Merek draws from the blade of his, then he begins to sweep into the greens with his weapon while he does so also.

After some chopping -- and particularly the work of some Godsworn templars who have come to keep an eye on the Legate -- a path opens through the thick foliage and the group is able to walk, though it requires constant chopping and pulling of plants to get to where the sound is coming from. The path winds a bit, avoiding large trees, and most of the rocks that once marked it are heavily overgrown.

Eventually, they come upon a stone shrine covered in vines. It is fairly small, but it has been carefully carved with images and with words, most of which are worn down by time or difficult to decipher due to the plants clinging to them. It is quite dark inside, and there are large and aged spiderwebs in the doorway. The canopy of the jungle seems to have largely grown over the building, and when the wind blows, the shrine itself lets out a haunting moan.

The moment the Legate's fingers lace around the hilt of her blade, the two Templar guards stride forward. Murmurs between them and with an overdrawn sigh, those fingers fall away from the sword and the guards clear the way for a few to walk alongside. Ailith smiles back over her shoulder to Delilah. "Throwing oneself to excess may not be the wisest route, even if it can produce some of the more remarkable ballads. Traversing foliage may not even be on a Lycene menu of summer activities. If it were--hmm--" She ponders a particular game but becomes distracted by focusing on their surroundings. "--the last I heard near similar moaning, we were drawn into a fog that plagued the others in my party into sheer madness and sorrow. But this--" another look, then a shrug, "--doesn't feel exactly the same." Another look about. "Maybe." The edges of her smile upturn teasingly.

Lisebet walks along, looking cool as can be in her blue and white leathers. Seems she doesn't have Ashford armour at all, but she does have some nice high quality leather that looks delightful to boot. She pauses as they arrive at a shrine, glancing as the wind blows and the haunting moan comes from the shrine itself. "Oh, how sad sounding," she observes. She moves to look at the words, to try to puzzle them out, if she can. "I wonder what this says?"

Ysabel moves close to look at the words as well curiously. "hmm," she muses, and takes a moment to think them over

Gregory follows with the rest of the party. Listening to the comments made by Ailith, he asks "Where was it that that happened? I've been reading accounts about various effects that influence the mind. I'm curious to see if it is already on my list of places that I should avoid."

Alessandro checked intellect + linguistics at difficulty 15, rolling 18 higher.

Lisebet checked perception + linguistics at difficulty 15, rolling 22 higher.

Merek checked intellect + linguistics at difficulty 15, rolling 36 higher.

From a hidden pocket of her robe's sleeves, Ailith tugs free folded pieces of parchment to proceed in a very rough, extremely rough, why it's quite a feat of a doodled outline of the shrine. "From this distance, I can barely make out the outer ridges of the symbols. We've discovered in the more recent years such ancient symbols that at one time or another splintered from our known religious sigils. These, however," she hms softly, then motions over to the scholarly types, even Gregory, "considering we've encountered Abandoned tribes who worship sects of the Pantheon--quite different from ours, this may not be wholly of the Faith." She strides a tad closer, lingering over by Ysabel to observe the Baroness. "Intriguing, isn't it?"

Ailith checked perception + theology at difficulty 15, rolling 17 higher.

The flashing blades and chopping back opens up a path less traveled indeed, though in their company, several people move about with relative ease. Delilah tends to shift back and forth while the foliage falls, a bit of it landing in her hair. Clearly not something she gives two whits about, she is the kind to stoop and pick up a leaf for later inspection or push aside branches for others. As they reach the vine-swaddled shrine, her gaze continues on and she circles around slightly to see whether any other entrances might be shrouded by shadow or worse. "I have only faith you might keep me from madness," she murmurs in an aside to Ailith, clearly not quite up to the thrill and excitement of clambering up the side of the building. "Lycene Shav?" An inquiry directed to the same as she considers the shrine proper. "There is a quiet and eerie quality to the place, beautiful in its way."

"Supplication to all the gods, but a focus upon Mangata for sea breezs and fishing," Merek, a fishing champion says to the others while he looks at what it says also.

The mention of madness does get a little sharper look from Alessandro -- but notably it does not make him attempt to turn back, so that's good. Instead, he looks back toward the temple, studying the writing, and when Merek speaks, he nods once in agreement. "It does seem that way," he says. "And makes sense, considering the location." That is, right by the water. His eyes close briefly as a particularly persistent moaning sound moves through the temple, and his smile softens a little bit as though in enjoyment of the sound, now that he knows it's probably not something that's going to kill them all.

Gregory takes a look at the notes that Ailith shows him. "That doesn't surprise me, I'm not trained in linguistics, but I heard plenty a story or message that spread around the village and changed in the telling when I was a Seraph. That remote tribes at all had something approximating the pantheon is interesting, " He studies the symbols, and tries to make sense of them, thinking back to his studies of the various differnt religions that are known, to see if he understands anything.

Gregory checked perception + theology at difficulty 15, rolling 31 higher.

Lisebet examines the writing, thinking carefully, and then she starts with, "Prayers to Mangata, yes." She steps back, and eyes the doorway. "Those are very large spiderwebs." She shakes her head. "Old Arvum, this writing. I don't think it's Lycene Shav?" She looks to the other linguists to see if they have differing opinions.

Ilmia didn't have a problem with chopping things and when it's not needed anymore she holds the machete at her side. She keeps an eye on things as the others do their thing with the languages and things.

Ysabel checked intellect + riddles at difficulty 15, rolling 43 higher.

Gregory nods as the others speak about this being a shrine of Mangata. He doesn't feel the need to add his voice to theirs. It makes sense really, given that this is an island.

Ailith traces the sigils with a finger in the air -- a quite fluid motion. There a nod directed at Merek, "Quite undoubtedly dedicated to Mangata." And a flash a smile follows when she turns toward Delilah, moving with a gradual pace alongside the shrine. "Have Faith and Trust in the Gods and you'll discover light through the darkened tunnel. Madness tries to slip through the cracks and plant seeds of doubt. As long as you bolster yourself, focus on the--" Her attention diverts upon listening to the others, and she comments to Gregory, "It's not a surprise the Abandoned do worship the Pantheon, but it's different." A shrug as she steps up to the first stone and kneels low. From her hip, she removes a flask to pour droplets upon the ground. "By breath and water, you nourish and provide -- may this offering and our hearts devoted in worship of you be a symbol of our earnest and well-spirited venture. O Azure Mother, Goddess of Air and Sea, we thank you." She bows low and motions with her hands fluidly in the air -- thanks be to Mangata. It is only then that she is ready to face the others and take in what the scholars and nobles interpreted. "Last venture into a place as this, corruption took root. We may want to decide who will take lead and rear."

A messenger arrives, delivering a message to Ailith before departing.

Delilah dips to draw a small fish in the dirt with her fingertip, and blows the dust away with an affectionate degree. She murmurs something soft and then stands up, finishing her obeisance in that discreet fashion. "Is there anyone comfortable carrying a lantern, given it's quite dark? Lady Ilmia, perhaps? I have a simple enough one if you don't mind green." Her smile is warm there, even as she considers the building. Frenetic energy is briefly held in check by something deeper, more respectful of her surroundings. "We might take copies of the writing afterward, something to add to the Scholars for further study if no one is particularly troubled by it. And I agree, it's a fine idea to decide order. I'll stay near the front if no one minds. Though I am happy to keep volunteering Sir Merek to go even more to the front." Mind the grin impishly in his direction.

"Very curious," Ysabel muses as she continues to puzzle over the words. "Looks like they are mostly prayers to Mangata," she says. She turns from her study and directs her attention back to the voyage

"Somewhere in the middle. I have no ability with a weapon, which I what I presume we are looking for in the front and rear guard?" Gregory adds. "I'm also happy to hold a lantern or anything else if a spare hand is needed." He looks at the spiderwebs and wonders. "What kind of trouble would you be expecting, if corruption has taken hold?" he asks.

Lisebet smiles, and offers her own silent prayer, such as it is, to Mangata. "I can carry a lantern,though I freely admit it might be best in the hands of someone taller." She stops there, glancing at the door, and those webs. "Do you think - are the vines supposed to be here? Would it help to clean the outside of the shrine - if so, maybe we can set someone to that task, once we are sure it's safe?" That's someone else of course, not the folks here. And the petite duchess is definitely going in the middle of the group.

"Envision the darkest corner of your mind, then let that fester and twist into the most horrific nightmare -- that might barely scratch the surface. Corruption is sinister and vile. The level of its danger in there," Ailith thumbs toward the shrine, "-if- it's there, is anyone's guess. I must agree with the Duchess. Sir Merek is the more experienced of our party to quickly react that whatever lurks ahead. I can take up the middle with my guards. They'll lend aide to any without a weapon. But there's always the hopeful chance what moans is the whistling of the wind or the rush of an undercurrent beneath the shrine." From her pack, she unhooks the lantern of Flammas to hand over to Lisebet. "Any light is better than none at all. Thank you," she says softly with a smile.

Ilmia gives a silent prayer to Mangata for the moment and tends to look around to make sure there's nothing that is trying to skitter over and try to eat someone. "Light is a good thing, yes." she chuckles softly.

Merek nods a bit to the others, while he keeps his sword in a hand, while he moves forward after Delilah's words. "I will do so then," he says, while he looks to Ailith and blinks a bit at her words. He nods as they all find their places.

The wind blows across the top of the canopy. The little shrine moans in almost a musical way, and this close to the building, it sounds like the shrine itself is the mother frog, as it were.

As the party enters with lanterns, they discover almost immediately that the roof is open to the weather, and they can see the canopy of the jungle from within. The light from the lanterns glitters against dirty murals on the walls, dusty from the years of disuse.

Delilah checked perception + investigation at difficulty 15, rolling 43 higher.

Gregory checked perception + theology at difficulty 15, rolling 36 higher.

Alessandro seems quite content to keep toward the middle of the group after he has puzzled out the writings, and he continues on with those ahead, though stops once they get to the place where the murals are. There's another little widening of his eyes, and he takes a step or two closer to the nearest one, peering at it with obvious interest.

"I'll cover the back while others take the front." the tall red head states. Ilmia falls to the back while Merek takes the lead of the back. She's looking like she's keeping her focus on the ruins and the back making sure that no one is lagging behind.

Ysabel checked intellect + occult at difficulty 15, rolling 45 higher.

Alessandro checked intellect + occult at difficulty 15, rolling 58 higher.

Gregory checked luck at difficulty 15, rolling 10 higher.

Alessandro has rolled a critical success!
Alessandro checked luck at difficulty 15, rolling 60 higher.

Merek checked luck at difficulty 15, rolling 10 higher.

Lisebet checked luck at difficulty 15, rolling 5 lower.

Ilmia checked luck at difficulty 15, rolling 1 lower.

Ailith checked luck at difficulty 15, rolling 5 lower.

"Rapturous beauty," Ailith whispers as the words suck away upon the whistle -- a melodious moan caused by wind and stone. She slows her strides to sharpen her gaze upward to the canopy, dazzled by how the sunlight strikes the canopy interwoven by the sparkling of glittering lanterns against the stone facing. Life is breathed anew -- "Creation and wonder." The Legate halts, enchanted as a child tasting chocolate for a first time, and her smile slacks, mouth slightly ajar. It is a while before she begins to truly decipher as if opting to truly soak in the sights, absorb this into memory.

Ysabel checked luck at difficulty 15, rolling 2 lower.

Lisebet definitely looks up, catching sight of the open roof, the canopy of the jungle and whether or not there's anything up there waiting to slither down. Or jump. Or - whatever it might be. It is beautiful though, as Ailith has pointed out. "This definitely seems a lovely place to pray," she murmurs softly.

Gregory looks around the temple for a bit, trying to rebuild it in his mind, to figure out where things might be. His eyes stop on a pile of rocks at what seems to be the front of the temple. He points over at it and says "There, that looks to be the remains of an altar. I can see the symbol of Mangata carved into it."

As Alessandro looks at the murals -- fish, most of them -- something seems to occur to him. He takes a step forward, and then to the side, and he doesn't seem to be looking at them anymore, but is instead paying more attention to his steps. He looks over at Ailith when she stops, glancing down at the Legate's feet, and then toward the rest of the party. Finally, he says, "It seems to me that there is something strange about our steps. I believe there may be a lower level. Perhaps we should look for the way down?" He looks around at his companions, eyebrows raising to punctuate the question.

Merek checked intellect + riddles at difficulty 15, rolling 5 lower.

Circling around the shrine, Delilah takes her sweet time of navigating the shrine. Those elaborate architectural details beg for her attention, the sort that beckons to learn the shapes surviving under the coiling vines in the spaces where windows once stood, glass long gone. She just about might start sketching out her findings but for the essential importance to venture on further, even as she carefully navigates her way around. Alessandro's statement yanks her from her reverie, such as it is. "Mmm?" Hello, did someone clang the bell? "We should." As if going down was any question whatsoever. Glancing askance at the others, she offers a bright curve of a smile. "I dare you."

Lisebet checked intellect + riddles at difficulty 15, rolling 3 higher.

Ysabel checked intellect + riddles at difficulty 15, rolling 22 higher.

Lisebet is now watching her steps a bit more guardedly, and she frowns. "I think - Is that a fish? It looks a bit odd," she says, pointing out one of the fish paintings on the wall. That's about as far as she can get, but it is better than nothing. Meanwhile, she's checking the floor, cautious about moving very much.

Ailith tetters her feet left and right when noticing Alessandro's interest. Her eyes follow but distractingly as her brow furrows linger on the sewn stones on the tips of her boots. She looks strangely at the nobleman until he speaks and her entire expression awakens with excitement. "Like a puzzle! Does it sound like our steps have triggered a rhythm or melody? Maybe," she takes a single step back and makes a soft gesture to Lisebet to head in a different direction, "do we sound even more different, Lord Alessandro?" And to Delilah she motions, "Huh. Do you hear things, too?"

Ysabel moves closer to inspect the eyeball of on of the fish paintings as she is looking at the mural. "Wait look at this, is it not peculiar," Ysabel questions,motioning over to the painting she is looking at

Merek checked intellect + smithing at difficulty 15, rolling 38 higher.

Ailith's words -- and more so, her expression -- have Alessandro's smile widening further, his own excitement building to mirror hers. He does like mirrors, after all. He listens again when Ailith, and then Lisebet move, his expression turning even more thoughtful, before he replies, "I cannot be sure, but perhaps..." He looks slightly uncertainly toward Lisebet, and then Ysabel, gesturing toward the two of them, though he defers to them both to make the final statement about whether they have found a way down or not.

Lisebet takes a step as she's asked to, head tilting a bit, curiously. She listens, and heads over to join Ysabel, to look at the fish eye. "There is something," she says, quite seriously. "If we can only figure it out." Fisheye and dance floor - how intriguing. Lisebet hasn't figured it out as yet.

Merek takes a moment to put on his goggles, then he examines the walls as well as the floor, "The shrine has been sinking into the island, whatever you do is best to make sure that you're careful. The tiles are a bit less... Firm, where Baroness Ysabel is, so I would look there, but try not to, you know, break the floor also."

Lisebet glances to Ysabel, and then to the rest. "Do you think," she says, reaching a hand up, "That maybe if we press the eye, it might do something?" And should she press it?

The wind blows and the shrine moans like a giant frog, crying out to the surrounding jungle with haunting froggy music.

Delilah still possesses that stick and she can poke happily at the floor where necessary. What worked for a trail works just as well for rock. She inclines her head slightly and offers Gregory her stick. "Go ahead, Brother, press it. What could it possibly do?" Her smile is a thing of dangerous delight.

"Tick. Tock. Left. Right. I forget the rest of the ditty," Ailith brushes aside her distracted thought, torn between excitement to decipher the sounds and steps. Her nose twitches, a sneeze following. "If this is an altar room and worshippers gathered for Mangata -- I wouldn't be surprised there's dance involved. This far south, the styles I know wouldn't apply. An Oathland jig, a Marin'alfar twirl, or Maelstrom tap hardly suit and--" She overhears the two, Lisebet and Ysabel, confer accompanied by Merek's warning. To Alessandro, she gently remarks, "I assume my over exuberance lent to the mystery. Seems this is more about mural pressing and careful steps along the tile. Shall we move toward the altar to--" Croak! Her own gasp of breath and she calls out, "Now that's nature calling. Well, out with it. Let's continue on our merry way." She mmhmms and follows behind the rest of the party for the adventure ahead. Go ahead, folks, push.

Gregory checked willpower at difficulty 15, rolling 6 lower.

Gregory takes the stick from Delilah. "Certainly. I've been curious to know what it does." he says, his cane in one hand, and Delilah's stick in the other, he heads over to poke a fish in an eye with a stick. *poke*

"I am not sure what shall happen if we press the eye, maybe it is not the," Ysabel says and then what does Gregory do. Sigh. He presses the eye. Ysabel watches to see what happens though

Ysabel checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 4 lower.

Alessandro checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 8 higher.

Merek checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 5 higher.

Lisebet checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 9 higher.

Delilah mutters, "See! Perfectly safe when you are the person ... facing the wall."

The floor opens along the wall as the button is pushed, revealing a stairwell down to the lower level, and the Baroness of Caith tumbles down the stairs into darkness in a very sudden way. Everyone else seems to manage to get away from the stairs in time not to take a tumble.

Of course, the words spoken lead to action. Lisebet takes a breath, and says, "I'm pushing the fish eye. That sounds really definitely odd." Mind you, her fingers are moving towards the fisheye even as Gregory pokes it with a stick. So she backs off, and doesn't fall, but does hold the lantern in her other arm up, trying to see down the stairs.

Ailith hastens ahead to hear the tumble-crack of body to stone. "Baroness!" she shouts, crouching low to peer into the dark descent. "Who has the lantern? We need light." Who knows how far down she went.

Gregory calls down into the darkness. "Ysabel! Are you concious?" he calls, realising in time that asking if she was okay is not a great question. "Shout if you can hear us".

Ysabel tumbles down the stairs into the darkness alone. "Oww," is all that can be heard from the darkness. "Anyone got a light," chimes Ysabel

Merek sighs while he takes his sparklegas lantern, turning a dial on the bottom to light it, then he makes his way down the stairs to find the Baroness.

"Oh no." Ilmia's breath rushes out when Ysabel goes tumbling down the stairs. She's at the back so she has no chance of getting there in time.

Alessandro smiles a little wryly at Ailith, still with amusement in his expression, and he nods, replying, "It did. I shall make it a point to go on all expeditions with you, for the drama." He sounds like he's joking -- or mostly, anyway -- and he begins to follow those who have figured out the way down. Only to nearly fall down them, though he manages to jump back. Ysabel is not so lucky. "Baroness!" he calls, the humor gone from his expression now. "Are you all right?"

"I am fine, nothing a soak in the Grotto after this won't cure," Ysabel calls back as she sits in the dirt at the bottom of the stairs

"Drama?" Her eyes playfully roll at Alessandro. "Pfft. There's little flair and more about embracing wonderment. Life is far too short to--oh yes," Ailith peers downward as Merek takes lead, "--phew! Good to hear your voice, Baroness. We're coming down. If it hurts to move, don't. One of my guards to be your crutch if needed." And tut-tut it looks like croaking frogs kind of a day, the Legate carefully but quickly descends behind Merek.

The room at the bottom of the stairs, when illuminated, is mostly a muddy basement, frequently flooded, with stones behind the mud. It is utterly filthy. There are two boxes in the middle of the room, both covered by a layer of cool damp mud. One is about six feet long and three feet wide, and the other is beside it, small and square and about a foot on each side.

"We have extra bandages, too!" Delilah calls out, though no one is like to trust her to do more than basic first aid and asistance. Carefully she picks her way down the treacherous stairs after Merek and the others, using the wall to guide her. "Your attitude commends you well, and I shall remember that when you aim to lead your own expeditions, Baroness Ysabel." Silver linings abound as she glances about, cautiously regarding her surroundings. That box holds her gaze. She glances back to Ailith if the woman can see it, and inquires, "Coffin?"

Merek checked wits + performance at difficulty 15, rolling 9 higher.

Gregory makes his way carefully down the stairs, noting the dampness of the whole place. He first checks on Ysabel, but seeing that Merek has it well in hand, moves on to looking around the room, trying to figure out the significance of it.

Gregory checked intellect + theology at difficulty 15, rolling 26 higher.

"If we open it, perhaps the frogman comes out to feast upon us," Merek makes up that story, while he nods a bit. He offers up a hand so he can assist the woman up, "He only feasts upon those that come upon his ancient sleep."

Lisebet too follows down, since she has the other lantern, and it's dark down there. Besides, something something, never separate the party. She doesn't say anything, but she watches carefully to make sure that Ysabel is alright, nearly holding her breath, until she's sure.

"Coffin?" Ilmia perks up considerably when there's a coffin brought into the trip. Maybe she was a death person. Or maybe something inside was gooey and going to try to eat them?

Gregory nods to Delilah. "I agree, I think that they are coffins. Though someone would need to clean them if we wanted to read the inscriptions and symbols to figure out any more meaning."

Ysabel stands up brushing herself off and beaming at the group as they come to join her. "Took you long enough," Ysabel says, smirking. She moves to inspect the inscriptions and symbols

Alessandro has to concede Ailith's first words with a nod and another smile -- returned once Ysabel calls up that she is all right, or at least mostly so. "Embracing wonderment," he says, "a very apt way of putting it, Legate." He continues down the stairs nearer the back, again looking around in some wonder at the surroundings, and the mention of a coffin clearly piques his interest as well.

"My apologies," Merek adds also, while he takes a moment to look to the containers, then he nods a bit as he shifts his lantern upon his belt also.

Muddy coffins? Right, Lisebet moves and looks at them. She actually goes to start scraping mud aside, but is stopped by her own guards, who start to do that for her, with a protest. Even Ramona, though with a long suffering look back over at Lisebet.

Ysabel checked intellect + linguistics at difficulty 15, rolling 31 higher.

Given the abundance of cloth used for markers, another bit of cloth at hand. See the benefit for Lilah is that long-suffering Octavian, her confessor, knows better than to deal with his particular charge when she's in one of these moods. Moods that involve 'discovery' and 'adventure' and 'open the really questionable box probably full of someone's froggy hearts.' There will be a sigh, and none of the usual gaggle of guards about to halt the copper-haired duchess from going to her knees and reverently cleaning up the smaller box of verdant death. She's quite thorough about it, uncaring about the state of her leather gloves. Rotating the cloth around sends away the muck and dust, revealing more of its surface. What's the fun of ONLY cleaning the little one's top? All of it, or else Ailith could make that disappointed look and no one wants that.

Ysabel begins working to help scrape away the mud from the Large Coffin. Ysabel does no just get mud on her hands, no she gets mud all over herself as well. The Baroness and her clothes are now very very dirty. She says, "Anyone know what Non Omnis Moriar, means?"

"It's Draconic, a farewell," Merek says.

Down in the muckity-muck, the schlock ssssshmock sounds of her boots squishing into the muddy trail does little to damper the Legate's spirits. In fact, she seems quite at peace being in dirt. Squish-squash, she tries to make her way over to the smaller of coffins and crouches to peer at the designs embedded along its side. Her hands wipe across the surface. "Possibly, Duchess Delilah. Most of this ancient design I've encountered were decimated by corruptions. This is a first that I have time to read and study the symbols to make out the theology and tales. Of course, I could be struck by inspiration." She shrugs, happily getting dirty alongside Delilah, and calls out to the others, "Take care not to open the surface as of yet. I would prefer if we do so, have Brother Gregory and myself bless them as disturbing our deceased is not what I'd call--suitable." Holy. The words said by Ysabel are met by a furrowed brow.

Ailith adds, "The First Children. I shall not wholly die."

"It was spoken by dragons to their beloved of men," Merek adds also.

Ilmia and her guards are the last down the stairs it would appear and there's a curious look, "Draconic." she looks between the others. "Interesting..." she whispers.

Lisebet checked intellect + linguistics at difficulty 15, rolling 24 higher.

For one who looks as though he would be very fastidious about his clothes, Alessandro seems game to scrape some mud off the larger coffin with the others. He leaves the translation for others, though when Ailith obliges, he looks over in her direction, taking in a little breath. He's quiet now, looking around at those gathered, though he does not say anything for now, just listening thoughtfully to the discussion.

Lisebet takes a moment, as she and Delilah get the smaller coffin scraped clear enough. "This is Draconic as well. It says Beloved Friend." She pauses and says, "A burial of a Dragon and Rider?" she wonders, thoughtfully. There's definitely a thoughtful look on her face. "They came I think from the south, originally."

"Dragons, curious. I am afraid I have only heard the stories I have not really dug into them yet," Ysabel says but does not seem to care about taking the mud off her person.

"I would be more than happy to assst you in performing a blessing." Gregory says in response to Ailith. As rider is mentioned, Gregory suddenly understands why they were buried here, the question he was about to ask dying on his lips.

"No, it's not big enough, though I suppose a human could be in that one. And this one - " Lisebet shrugs. "I don't know." She frowns a bit. "Is there any other writing on that one?"

"Sir Merek, you know the full tale?" Ailith glances to the remainder of the group. "Who doesn't know of its origins? It's quite one linked to the Cairn Valardin if you're ever by that part of the Ward in Arx. Or it seems to judging by the descriptions and inscriptions. It is said there's organizations now that follow the trial left behind by the Metallics to use the turn of phrase -- a statement before self-sacrifice." She quiets a moment to hear Lisebet. "Hmm. What rider and companion would be buried in a temple of Mangata? Curiouser and curiouser. We'd assume Mangata-Thrax, but it isn't too surprising of any from Lycene, either, to have such a bond." She peers over at Gregory, lifting her eyebrow to ask of his expression, then says, "Of course. First, we should see what the smaller says."

"Beloved friend," says Delilah as she continues to clean the smaller of the two boxes. "I have no intention of opening this at the moment. If this contains someone's companion, it would be its own form of desecration." She continues to work the muck off the box, thoroughly running the cloth back and forth around the finer details. When satisfied with her work, she places it in front of Lisebet. "I concur. And no, not necessarily a rider or dragon. All the First Children spoke the variation of the language, evidently."

Triage, The white dove of Mercy arrives, delivering a message to Delilah before departing.

Down here, the croaking of the shrine sounds particularly frog-like, the moan musical but haunting.

Alessandro checked luck at difficulty 15, rolling 16 higher.

Alessandro looks from one coffin to the other, and a little smile settles on his face again, this one very fond, though also a bit sad. "It seems very like something my daughter might do," he says, "burying a frog-friend somewhere. Perhaps the smaller box is that?" The larger, of course, being the person, but he does not mention that -- perhaps the idea of equating his daughter with a coffin is too much to voice.

Ilmia checked luck at difficulty 15, rolling 1 lower.

Merek checked luck at difficulty 15, rolling 1 higher.

Lisebet checked luck at difficulty 15, rolling 7 lower.

Ailith checked luck at difficulty 15, rolling 4 lower.

Gregory checked luck at difficulty 15, rolling 13 lower.

Ysabel checked luck at difficulty 15, rolling 9 lower.

After the words about his daughter, Alessandro seems to need to look away from the people -- maybe he thought a little bit too hard about the coffin and his child. However, his eyes catch on something there, and he squints, before making his way toward something in the mud. "What..." He murmurs, before he reaches to pluck something up from the ground. It seems to be a frog charm, on a gold chain. He reaches into his pocket for a handkerchief, before he shows it to the others.

"Curious," Ysabel exclaims brightly as she inspects the chain. "What do you think is symbolizes," she questions

Lisebet looks at the chain and the charm, and she smiles. "It's very cute - adorable. I wonder," she asks, and then looks at the smaller coffin thoughtfully. "Perhaps Mamma frog is in the coffin?" she suggests softly.

"It's utterly lovely." Delilah smiles brightly and looks up to Alessandro, then nods smartly to him. "Whomever is here, let's not disturb their rest. Set things to rights perhaps by tidying up here. The song was one more of grief and requiem for them, perhaps?" She runs her fingers affectionately over the smaller of the two boxes, and then turns her gaze to Ailith and Gregory. This is their province, to a degree.

"It's a beautiful piece." Ilmia states as she gives a bit of a smile to the frog. She then looks around, her guards trailing her movements as she does. "Wonder who they were to be buried with such things." she murmurs quietly.

"That sounds like the right thing to do to me. Clean up what we can and pray to Mangata to continue looking over this place" Gregory says, looking over to Ailith for confirmation.

"Now that you mention it, Lord Alessandro, that isn't uncommon for a child to do. There are numerous companions throughout history that had symbolic meaning and true partnership. It is entirely probable," Ailith crouches to peer at the smaller coffin more, "this is a beloved companion -- one linked with the Goddess. Or as Duchess Lisebet suggests, the mother." What the nobleman discovers draws her attention and she smiles. "Quite stunning. It--" She steps over a tad closer, her eyes lowered to the pendent, "--has--hmm. Something about it."

Ailith adds, "The frogs may have been calling out due to this place being disturbed once upon a time. We can quite set to rights. Brother Gregory, if you have holy water." And she motions for him to traverse the outer perimeter to bless with holy water. And she takes a while to consider the coffins and what's available for the rest of a rite. "Duchess Delilah, I have to agree on cleaning it slightly. If we could find lily pads, they would be an unique gift to place upon each coffin. The mud isn't too terrible. It is made from the domain of Petrichor and Mangata's rains enrich and provide."

Delilah checked perception + occult at difficulty 15, rolling 41 higher.

Alessandro seems affected by the little frog charm, looking at it for longer than a grown man might reasonably be expected to look at a little frog charm, but hey, he did say he had a daughter, so, you know. He looks up then, reaching up to touch the corner of one eye very briefly with the back of his hand that is not quite as muddy as the front. "It does seem well-loved," he says in reply to Ailith. Delilah's words get a nod, too, as well as Lisebet's -- his smile widens then, and Ilmia's question makes him look again to the coffin, the suggestion of cleaning getting another nod.

Ysabel checked intellect + occult at difficulty 15, rolling 40 higher.

Ailith checked intellect + theology at difficulty 15, rolling 33 higher.

Merek looks around a bit, then he begins to walk around in the place, looking for something with a nod for Alessandro as he finds the frog trinket. He looks from beneath his hood while he searches the walls also.

Gregory will do as requested by Ailith, traversing the outer perimeter with holy water, speaking soft words as he sprinkles it.

"Something about it?" Lisebet asks, moving to look at the froggy charm more closely. She pauses though, looking at Ailith. "I'm sure we could go find some lily pads, there must be some."

"Curious, there is something about it," Ysabel comments but she does not give away what that something is. "I am up to assist in whatever plan that is decided upon," she says as if directing the conversation else where

Merek moves around a bit, then he begins to rub his face a bit, "... This, must be, like that," he says, while he takes a few parchment scrolls from his belt then he begins to scribe upon it. He brings that to Ailith, handing it to the woman. "It's a lake system to place around in this room, it will gather the water, and allow it to touch the place in reverence without deteriorating it as fast, you can even place the lilies upon it, and..." He motions a bit. Where he came up with that is anyone's guess.

Ailith motions in a wispy manner -- different. "It's hard to precisely put words to the hunch. There are times, a pendant is a pendant. And others," her nose twitches, "since it is within this shrine to Mangata -and- I haven't felt anything peculiarly horrid," she distractedly steps aside to carefully attend to the coffins, "I'd recommend if Lord Alessandro plans to be its steward, then meditation within the shrine of Mangata in Arx may lend to answers of the pendant."

It is now that the Legate focuses. She draws in a breath and calmly pours holy water from coffin to coffin. "By my breath, by holy water, we reverently thank you -- life to life, may their souls continue to be at peace with the Queen -- if there is need of our aid, to bring light to these dark depths, may these waters carry our message and be our guide of where to go -- bless you," she motions to the larger coffin, "and you," the smaller one, "and above all, the Gods. Mangata shall provide and nourish. The Queen will carry us." And her head bows in conclusion as she lowers to the depths, her knees pressed into the muddy depths.

She focuses. Meditates. And rises afterwards by Merek's words. "Lilies would be acceptable, too. Thank you." Her eyes drift about the room to study this lake system and she heads in a direction to study further of this tomb and shrine -- what lies within and why.

Lisebet takes a moment, and then she says, "I'll go get some lilypads." She promptly moves up the stairs, leaving the lantern to light the dark basement, and heads out of the shrine. Of course, her guards go with, but she finds a small pond not too far away, and with a bit of a splash here and a "Eek," as a frog jumps into the water, she finds several lily pads, collecting them, and bringing them back with her, heading down and pausing, with them, looking over at the religious types. "Now what?"

Alessandro's expression sobers at Ailith's words, but not in concern -- just for the gravity of the task. It may a little frog charm, but he seems to take the responsibility seriously, and he nods once, holding the frog more tightly now to make sure he does not lose it somehow. "Thank you for the advice, Legate," he says, "I will do so." Then he quiets, though he will also contribute to whatever is necessary to clean up the shrine.

Merek looks upon the walls a moment, then he nods a bit while he begins to work on cleaning the place and also creating something nice around it all.

Clean up? Not too proud for that. Delilah can help Lisebet and Alessandro carry down whatever they might need, or figure out ways to haul out any excess soil, chopped up roots, or clusters of material that deserves to be returned to the isle in question. All cycles come and go, air to flame to earth to sea.

"I can help as well." Ilmia offers to that. She wasn't afraid to get her hands dirty or anything like that.

Gregory joins in with the cleaning, plus he still has the stick from earlier, if that helps him. He does take care to try and not cover his cane in mud, as he needs to be able to grip it in order to lean on it. But apart from that, he gets stuck in.

The party is muddy but somehow feels the peace of the little shrine on the little isle, with its paintings of fish caught and likely enjoyed or offered to Mangata, with its tombs of a devout fisherman and his companion frog, with the little charm that once belonged to those interred here. They may want to go swim in the chilly waters of the bay before returning to the ship, where hopefully they have a change of clothes before they sail for Arx again.

And yet, what was down the path unexplored? How was there a dock in good repair here, when the shrine was in such poor shape, overgrown with vines and covered in spiderwebs, worn down by the weather and flooded regularly? The Isle of Frogs holds secrets still.