Chapter 5: Yes More Delays

Wonderful! Gallia smiles and the ladies lead them to the fire. In the interest of transparency, I am to inform you that our lady may wish to have an audience with you and ask assistance. However, consenting to her request, she insists, is completely optional, as it would delay your travel home. Please enjoy!

They give you some privacy. The seats around the fire are branch-shaped in rich coral colors, and the available meal is a variety of expertly roasted seafood. The violet flame dances on stones, not wood, but provides a similar warmth and pleasant smell.

Captain! Kouru! You're awake! Sinon waves and begins preparing you both helpings of food. Large scallop shells serve as plates. Kallon, make sure we save Iantha and Chryseis some of these prawns. I'll eat them all if you don't stop me.
How'd you sleep? This place is amazing, isn't it? A cloud of thumb-sized creatures like silvery fish flutter past you. I figured that Gorgon would turn her words but I sure wasn't expecting this!

Chryseis comes back to Iantha with some food and crisp mineral water, offering her some. I'm glad we ended up in a safe place. It looks like a storm is coming.

With the men, Sinon keeps babbling happily until Mikros cuts him off. Hey, what time of day is it?

And indeed, as you all look around, you see that a few hundred yards outside the borders of this (admittedly large) city, things fade very quickly to darkness.

The border of the city is dark as the depths of the sea. That's when it hits you.

It is the sea.

Mattresses of kelp on the ocean floor. Small schools of fish fluttering past like birds. A purple fire able to burn under water. Topiaries of roses, and coral, and the sharp rocks of ancient days.

Gallia smiles with genuine kindness. There is nothing to fear, brave warriors. Lord Hephaestus has taken great care over the aeons to preserve this site as a wedding gift for his bride. She does so love the waters of her birth, and it would have been a shame if this place were lost forever to its hubris. Rest assured you will be able to return to the surface with no ill effects. He is far more capable than a mere sculptor of automata.

Some of the girls giggle playfully and Gallia turns back to you. But I digress. Welcome to Atlantis!

Unfortunately the original inhabitants are long gone. Ages before your kin were born, this place was renowned for its advanced technology and elite society. Alas, infighting and pride were its downfall. The gods smote the city and it sank below the waves.

Now, it is inhabited by all of us, She gestures to the other ladies and the men working the docks. Numerous spirits of the waters, and a variety of Lady Aphrodite's esteemed guests.

You're given time to eat, and the assurance that the Trojans (including the statue) are as safe as your other men. After a little while, Gallia and Hwiz return to invite you on a tour of the city before you meet with their lady - who is apparently AphroditeGallia nods and produces a small 2-layer stone from her belt pouch. She twists and clicks it a few times and a pale blue arrow appears on the face. This will point you in the direction of the palace when you are ready to join us. Please be present by dinner. This will fade to bright red over the afternoon. If you follow the directions without sightseeing, you should still have enough time left to get to the palace when this is dark red. Enjoy!
The depths of the ocean flicker with glimpses of the great beasts within. You see the automata continuing to work diligently around the fire and on the boats. You also notice that the topiaries form an aquatic hedge maze. The ladies lead you up the massive stairs, worn down by countless ancient footfalls. There was no attempt to hide the destruction of the city. Repairs were made with contrasting materials, if they were repaired at all. Many sections have been taken over by corals and schools of fish, by new rock formations and plants. Yet instead of a jarring vision, it paints a humbling yet beautiful scene of unity between man and nature. Perhaps it is a parable, that man should not become so proud that he never looks outside himself.