Chapter Five: Bapdis Orjo's Gift of Reconciliation

Upon completing his sketch map of Vorch, Vhezyen would gladly share it with the party to enable a better understanding of the island's geography. I added some updates and posted it to the About Bload thread.

Having rested, are you guys heading up the stream toward the hill?

Yeah, I'm ready. I'd like to stay within sight of the stream, but remain far enough away from it that we are not immediately visible to something at the water's edge, on the downwind side, if that's feasible.

The stream has broken up into a broad network of shallow rivulets here. Upstream, it's several feet wide but quite shallow, only a few inches deep.

OK I'd say you guys have a quorum on heading south upstream.

The stream narrows and deepens as you follow it through a dense forest of broadleaf trees, ferns, and vines. Bright orange salamanders cling to the rocks and roots near the water.

Whatever is making the crashing noises is to the east of you now, probably about a mile away.

The tree cover grows thinner as you reach the base of the hill, giving way to smaller shrubs and clusters of white flowers on stalks. Here the stream descends in little rocky waterfalls from its source higher up on the hill.

A few yards to the left of the falls stands a stone menhir, about five feet tall, with an eye-shaped symbol carved near the top.

There are no other such stones within view.

It's a very simple almond shape with a circle inside, certainly something you've seen before but not unique enough to connect it with anything specific.

Vhezyen sees no sign of traps or ambushes.

The Detect Magic ritual, however, shows a clear aura of enchantment around the standing stone, concentrated most strongly around the eye symbol.

Investigation on the standing stone, especially for those small details easily missed.