Part 3: Isig's Well

Approach
The path approaches Isig's Well from the hills above. Before they come close, dozens of vultures and condors are visible in the sky, circling but not landing. Coming over a rise, the PCs are afforded a view of the oasis.

Isig's Well nestles up against a cliff at the foot of the Eiritha Hills. The oasis is a lush garden of date palms lying behind white walls, with small conical huts scattered amongst the greenery. A large green-blue pool shimmers in the heat: this is fabled source of the once pure water of Isig's Well.

As the PC's approach the oasis the stench of death becomes almost overpowering. Dozens of corpses of animals are scattered about, as they approach the site, human bodies become increasingly visible as well. There is no one left alive at Isig's Well, and the scavenger birds circle uneasily above, wary of landing, but reluctant to leave a tantalising site with so much ready meat.

As the wind whips around the PCs, it has a wailing quality about it, as if hundreds of people are crying out in anguish.

The headman's hearth is the largest of the wattle and daub huts. Outside it, a large fossilised tree-trunk is planted in a stone base on the ground. It is about 6 meters high, polished smooth and covered with runes. Deep notches are hacked out at regular intervals, that serve as rungs. This tree trunk is the last remains of the garden Isig and his people lived in before the Darkness. It is inherently magical, but specialised knowledge of the Isig clan is required to activate any of the powers. To unearth the tree trunk requires requires a combined strength of 40. To carry it any distance requires a combined strength of 60.

• The PCs can search the village freely, but, due to the smell and revulsion, must roll CON x 3 to enter any structure or examine any body. If the PCs need any type of common equipment it can be easily found here (Search).

The wailing, moaning wind continues as the PCs wander in the village, which is otherwise silent. Clouds continue to build up over the hills.
 

The Cave of the Ancestors
A number of caves are visible from the Well, high up on the cliffs. Carrying the ladder to a spot underneath is difficult but not impossible. There are about 20 holes, all about 10 - 20 meters from the ground. The wailing, moaning sound seems to becoming from these holes.

• The cliff actually hangs at an angle past the perpendicular, making climbing to them extremely difficult (Climb -20%; fail means a fall; roll 1d20 to see how high up).

• Climbing the ladder is fairly easy, requiring three Climb rolls at +30%.

• It is possible to climb or use the ladder to get to one of the other caves. Most contains the remains of the Isig clan, dating back since the Dawning. The caves are now haunted by hundreds of spirits of the oasis people, who died after drinking from the Well. They are all in a frightened and confused state, and will attack anyone who enters in spirit combat. Describe dozens of howling spirits swarming around the character and tearing and grasping at him with incorporeal fingers: it should be enough to chase 'em out.

• Some form of lighting (eg. Light spell) shows that the cave stretches about 5-6m further and ends in a large open space. Strange shadows seems to flit about in the light: are they bats or insects, or something else less altogether?

The end of the cave opens out into a large cavern. Skeletons are heaped in drifts around the sides of the room and there are several decaying baskets and large, sealed earthenware urns tucked away into nooks and crannies. Four coffin-like holes are dug into the sides of the cave which contain human remains. Scan reveals 5 more such holes which are still sealed with mud and clay.

• If the PC's search through any of the contents of the cave, call out, or simply wait for a few minutes, Isig appears.

Isig Stirs
A low reedy voice can barely be heard. To Peltas, it is in the oasis tongue. To the others, in Pavic:

"Who are you?"

If no one answers the sense of menace grows and the question is repeated.

If the PC's still do not answer then a random PC is struck by Isig's Fire and the question is repeated.

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Isig's Fire (2 points, ranged, instant)

Isig's Fire is magical attack which hits a single hit location and ignites it with a pale translucent green flame. This flame gives off a low hissing sound and burns for 1D3 melee rounds. It cannot be extinguished or dispelled. Each melee round it does 1D2 damage to the location (ignoring armour) and consumes an equal number of the victim's magic points. 

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His second question is, "Who sent you?"

The right answer must mention White Crane Woman (Peltas) or Yelmalio (the others). "Old Man Tree" is not a right answer. Failure is again punished. Success brings the the question, "Why have you come?"

The correct answer here includes any variation of the following: "To serve you." "To cleanse Isig's Well." "To purify your hearth." etc.

Once these three questions have been answered to Isig's satisfaction the mud covering of one of the burial niches crumbles and Isig commands:

"Reach into my grave and retrieve only my flute and beaded bag."

• The open grave is impossibly dark, and even Light spells cannot penetrate into its murky depths. Reaching into the hole is an unnerving experience; inside, it feels warm, and filled with bones, teeth, and moist soil. Worms and bugs seem to slither through the dirt on over the PCs hand. The flute and bag can be located with a successful Luck (POW x 5) roll. Retrieving anything else is especially unwise, and the thief is struck by Isig's Fire until he restores the item.

Once the PC's have retrieved the bag Isig orders them to seal up the grave once again.

After this is done, Isig continues:

"There is a cavern behind my pool. Follow it to the source within the earth. Find the painting which I made there and restore it. Then play my flute, the song will come of itself. Those who are not playing must sing. This will reseal the source of chaos which is buried there. When you have finished return my things to me here. Go."

After this Isig is silent. As the PC's begin to leave he adds:

"This obscenity was crafted by the one who calls itself Phloxx. Bring me its horns and I will grant each of you a boon. Now go."

The audience is over.

Next: The Source of Isig's Well

• Go to Last Tango in Pavis Part 1
• Go to Last Tango in Pavis Part 2
• Go to Last Tango in Pavis Part 4
• Go to Last Tango in Pavis Part 5
• Return to Last Tango in Pavis Introduction