Week of Remembrance

Bacta - Searching you find a satchel, inside there is a pouch with 11 black gems, an odd assortment of what appears to be material components, and a folded note with a symbol on it.
you are not familiar with this symbol, but you are sure it is not from any of the elven families.
Symbol on sealed note:


Nornin - you know that the spell Programmed illusion could be used like this, but Malphas did touch the venetore making this less likely as it would have been discovered. Dominate person is also a possible candidate though you have never heard of anything to this degree. Nothing that matches what you saw exactly, but these two are the closest you can guess.

Marcus -Lysander, visibly pale from the spectacle, nods in agreement. You are incapable of getting into the captains chambers as one of the masts blocks your way. Below deck you do find a wooden tube with several detailed maps inside, they will take some time to examine.

Eldobik - You find a gouge in the side of the ship just large enough for you to squeeze through. On the other side you find yourself inside the captains cabin. Many of the contents have been thrown about making it difficult to sort through. A large reinforced wood chest draws your attention. Luck seems to be with you as the crash has broken the lock open, inside you find: a leather bound book(appears to be some kind of coded ledger and log), a pouch of assorted gemstones, and a large drawstring pouch with a 6" sphere stone that is a swirl of black/red/blue.Roll a D20+1

Bacta - You can see a faint light in the depths of each gem, but are unable to discern any special properties from them. Inspection of the note reveals that it is made from an expensive elven paper. The note reads in elven: Brothers and sisters, his return is near. The temple has awakened and the serpent altar awaits. Join us for the rebirth of the Skaamor, you will be greatly rewarded.

Eldobik - You slide the sphere back in the bag and store it with your other gear.

Marcus - Lysander shakes his head showing his empty hands.

Nornin - You have seen similar diagrams, not exactly like this one, in magic books symbolizing hydras.

Bacta - You have never heard of this group before.

Eldobik - Several groups use snakes or serpents as symbols, but none use the particular one on the note. You do know that there are many pre-cataclysm temples in Zigan that have been long forgotten in the great desert.

Marcus - looking the note over the message doesn't strike a cord, but the image does. You distinctly remember a heretical cult that you and Lysander helped purge several months ago.
~Even as they were cut down the heretics cried out that you are all brothers under the same lord. The leader smiled, clutching the same symbol you see now, right before you ran him through, All will understand his truth soon. The paladins all passed off his words as many heretics spewed blasphemy before they died.~
This cult was not large, only 30 followers, and they did not have a temple or even a place of warship. From the information that you were given on them stated that they were a brand new cult, but this note makes it seem that they are older and far spread.

All - Malphas now standing has regained his usual brooding demeanor, We wont make it to the last ship before nightfall.

Preta is only large enough to carry the two gnomes or Nornin. She is incapable of carrying both Tixhin and Nornin while maintaining her speed.

Eldobik - Lysander takes a comforting tone, Little one never underestimate your worth. The All Father guides each to their destined paths.

Marcus - Lysander stares at the symbol, could be, I know they aren't on the orders hunted list. That means they are either wiped out or we don't know they exists.
Malphas waves a hand at your packs, We could probably make it by nightfall without those, or that armor. He finishes gesturing at Lysander in his full plate.
Malphas/Bacta/Marcus you three are capable of reaching the ship by nightfall. Only Marcus would have to drop his pack as this is Bacta's Preferred terrain.