2: The Citadel

After the battle, Tonic will make sure anybody in need of healing gets help. Hopping not to make things awkward, he does take that opportunity to ask many questions to the grippli and the benevollant yuan-ti he treats about their anatomy, ignoring that many of them probably can't answers the more specific questions. When offered, he will gladly accept to participate in the ritual of friend marking.

Nirion will also accept the offer of the blessing. He is curious about the sarcophagus but is hesitant to explore too deeply.

Subjugated people even usually mild mannered grippli can violently throw off their bonds of oppression and they did. Turner had meant to give chase but opening the curtain on the yuan-ti's body being torn asunder, the wizard withdrew into the temple until the bloodlust that had overtook the mob abated.

Do you think it will scar? The wizard inquired of Tonic as he treated the puncture wounds at her neck. To be honest...I rather hope it will. I do believe we might be in a rather exclusive club of mages that can claim to have been in the death grip of an yuan-ti and survived. A visual prop to illustrate the story would be welcomed.

As usual Turner enjoyed the energy of Khezzik's retailing. And how did that secret monster go again? Yes! Just like that! A bark of laughter followed before swiveling to Vanessa, Most impressive skill but you were hired as a guide and you went beyond that description tonight. Thank you. Without you I'm afraid the probability of a different outcome was high. If anyone here could be accused of hiding...it was me! Although with a little liquid courage I was planning to return to the fight. No, really I was.

Bandaged Turner addressed Takeshi, The sarcophagus still poses a significant threat. Some foul magic was being performed to release what I assume was an evil entity that maybe past our capabilities to handle. There is no guarantee another group of abominations won't follow to finish what was started. Neither the yuan-ti from the South nor the grippli are capable of mounting an effect defense. Thus, I feel the only responsible action we can take for the community is to place the sarcophagus in our hold removing the threat when we leave. Do not think I have the knowledge on how to bind the coffin as I was inspired in the moment to overstate my abilities.

Vanessa is not one to pass up what sounds like a good time, and who wouldn't want to make a friend? She will muster up any alcoholic beverages the locale has if it seems appropriate for the occasion.

Takeshi spots 4 new magical auras. The lantern and the chime are magical as expected. One contains divination magic and the other transmutation. He also detects an oblong magical aura evocation kind and a bundle with an abjuration aura from inside the sarcophagus.

The elf stroked his beard as he mused over the preternatural presences. He said to the others, "I suspect wards cover an object of evocative power. It may be a corpse or a stave, but I cannot see through stone. Perhaps we should clear this sarcophagus and secure its contents for these people."

The scholars among you figure out that you have a Chime of opening and a lantern of revealing. With a focused strike on the chime in front of the sarcophagus makes it crack open, revealing a magic armor is made from shimmering scales and a single-edged magic sword made of the scrimshawed fang of a giant serpent. This was properly the final resting place of a yuan-ti of legends. Good or evil you don't know.

Back in the village the Pond Mother offers to perform a ceremony for the party’s benefit, called the ritual of friend marking. You brought to the pool in the center of Pond Mother’s home at midnight. The grippli, croaking sonorously, surround you while they stand in the warm water and Pond Mother pours the contents of a jar into the pool. The liquid swirls, and motes of light begin rising up around you.
In the warm water gently lulls you into a trance until dawn—when you come to your senses, completely rested and healed - and you can speak and understand the Grippli language from now on.

The elf captain instructed that the armor be identified and reported these findings to the yuan-ti. He said, "I lack the sources to delve into its proper origins, yet these things I can tell you..."

He then addressed Pelk with a mental burst of mana, "Grippli trade secured. Preparing rendezvous with your fortress. We come prepared to discuss navigations and equipage for long hauls out of your domain."

Takeshi gathered the crew and addressed them, including Vanessa, "You have battled boldly and with surprising skill. We may have to fight several times more as we explore. Vanessa, you may debark at the Citadel or remain with our crew. We would enjoy the strength of your fighting spirit, so long as you can direct the beast toward aggressors against our partee."

He then set to the tasks of reboarding the vessel and making way.

The armor and weapons are those of a warrior. Takeshi divines their purpose and abilities. The yuan-ti of the scale-mother (the good guys) are impressed by the treasures, but they also recognize the spoils of war - and that you saved them. The pureblood scholar asks if she may take rubbings of the sword and armor (a quick paper drawing) so she studied the inscriptions.Back on your ship, it is an easy task to take off and set course for the citadel - and then have a good long rest.

That concludes the Book of Cylinders from Candlekeep mysteries

"Shiny-shiny scales. Pretty and safe, and quick and quiet. Extra scales for this scaly one, yes?"