Something Familiar

The day started and I was informed by the group that they were heading to some ancient ruins to clear out some undead. This seemed nice, familiar and most of all straight forward. A simple quest to get rid of some monsters, like before this crystal business.
 
We set out into this wild land. I had never explored much around the prison. It was a beautiful land and it was calming to travel it.
 
We arrived at the ruins. It looked like some bandits had made a camp over it. I wonder if they knew it was there? Seems like the group had dealt with the bandits already so there was no way to know.
 
We descended into the ruins. I do not know what I expected but it was not to see the Chaos Shrine again. Worst of all, the gate was open. This shouldn't be possible. The Chaos Shrine is not supposed to be unlocked until all the crystals have been lit and the monsters at each temple defeated. This sent a shiver down my spine. So much for my straight forward monster hunt.
 
The temple looks like its being reclaimed by the ground. How long has the gate stood open?
 
We traveled room to room. Some of them look like they had old broken traps or tests.
 
We made out way deeper into the temple, finally coming across a holy chapel that had been defaced and there was a man sitting on a throne. I could smell the monster he was before he even spoke. He told us he was called The Oarsman, Archfiend of Earth, follower of Golbez. After a difficult battle we managed to defeat him. I wonder if this monster, or his master had sent the creature to attack us at the settlement? They must be connected to the crystals. Why else would he be at the Chaos Shrine.
 
During the battle Gregor had found a secret passage behind the throne. We descended below and found a well kept tomb. The place was surrounded by regal statues with a sarcophagus in the middle. The moment we entered the room, Dies was almost pulled to that sarcophagus, which the group helped him open. Inside was a mummified body with a beautiful crossbow on it. The moment Dies touched the crossbow, he was magically taken away. In the brief moment I saw he disappear, I recognized the magic. It was deific magic of the Goddess Minerva. How was that even possible? Who is this child to awaken the magic of a long dead greater Goddess? I hope he is well and we find him soon.