|
Teirc finally gets moving but the steep slope prevents him from getting much further. He slides back down.
-Posted with Wayfinder
|
Moving forward and moving but not drawing his sword Matsu moves closer with an evil smile.
"Let you go...hm, you are members of an organization of scoundrels and thieves, always intent on your own profit. Well now, and do not even try to ask for mercy, because your lot deserve just a shave... and a haircut.... why should we let you go?"
|
Rogar pushes forward trying to reach the others before things get ugly. The 2 Aspis agents don't seem particularly violent yet but he likes to be there to make sure things stay that way...
When he reaches Aimi and Lilli Rogar shouts:"So... you must be Nefty and Kafar, right? We have no problem letting you go but first we expect you to give back the jewels you stole..."
|
"Thieves? Why do you think the Pathfinder Society is something else? Why do you think that the sage jewels belong to you or your organizsation?" Kafar asks. "Why is it stealing when the Aspis Consortium takes something, but not if the Pathfinders take it. We were faster and grabbed the jewels. If you had been faster, you would have grabbed them, right? See, it's exactly the same!"
While Kafar discusses with the samurai Nefti admits that they already sold the jewels. "Here, have a look at the documents." and he presents three documents: two terms of sale and a letter of credit worth 6,000 gp. All three signed by some buyer named Angvar Branmaz.
|
|
Rogar chuckles as Kafar illustrates his point:"You may very well be right but that doesn't matter, doesn't it? The truth is we are here on official orders, same as you, and they are cristal clear. Bring back the jewels, find the diamond sage, find the sanctum of the sages, deal with any opposition appropriately" recites the Taldan. "So... things can really go two ways: you tell us exactly the truth about the stones you stole, and that means you allow us to search you for confirmation or you don't. If you choose the latter option things turn ugly. As simple as that. But, before making your choice be aware of this: we killed a gigantic lizard thing, butchered a pack of otherworldly hounds, tracked you for hours under this blasted sun... we are just waiting for an excuse to vent some of the frustration accumulated in the last few hours, so be extremely careful and know that if push comes to shove we won't be pulling our punches at all"
|
|
"Which means there is death wherever you come along. We faced the same threats, but we were skilled enough to get away without killing something. We were supposed to meet with a prospective client in the Pillars of the Sun. We know how to get there, do you? We don't know anything of the Diamond Sage." Nefti answers.
|
|
Rogar raises his hand at Teric while giving the two aspis agents a sinister smile:"Teric, my friend... I share the sentiment but I would not want to sully our hands with their blood if there's a chance to avoid it. After all they might have some useful information on the Aspis Consortium and I suppose here in Osirion our standards could actually be sso low to take them in..."
|
|
Rogar, Teric, Aimi and Matsu are able to intimidate the two agents so much that they tell the whole story.
They confess their plans to steal money from the Aspis Consortium, they admit that Angvar Branmaz is an alias used by Grandmaster Torch. Kafar and Nefti planned to pocket the payment difference by giving the counterfeit document to the Aspis Consortium and delivering only part of the gold. "We can show you the way to the Sanctum of Sages. We know how to find it."
Kafar keeps ciphers in the pocketed scarf that he wears around his waist like a sash. He also carries the Topaz jewel.
|
|
Rogar chuckles at the two scoundrels contrite faces:"Ah! Thanks! That was refreshing news. So the real mastermind behind all this was the burned man in the bathtub, eh? Very well, we'll deal with him later, although finding the sanctum of the sages at this point takes priority, considering where we are. So lead on... do your job well and maybe we can make this a lasting partnership... but before that... would you mind emptying your pockets? Trust between former rivals is a bit hard to come, you know..."
|
|
Kafar and Nefti lead you further down the path into a valley. While walking they ask you about the Society. "What does it need to become a Pathfinder Society agent? Do you get paid for your jobs?"
Kafar and Nefti lead you to a wall of stone. "The entrance should be there. I'm sure." Kafar says. "But there's a wall, how can that be?" Nefti answers.
|
|
Rogar answer the two thieves questions, grinnning from hear to hear:"To become a pathfinder? You'll need to prove yourselves trustworthy first... and probably keeping in the good graces of a venture captain would help quite a bit..."
Then, when the group faces the wall Rogar looks at Kafar shaking his head:"Well... maybe your map is wrong?" he shrugs..
|
|
[ooc]It does, but I assumed you read the spoilers when somebody rolls high enough.[ooc]
Lilli finds the topaz jewel and a cipher in Kafar's pocketed scarf.
"Sounds interesting." Nefti answers to the Society subject.
"No, the map is correct. Maybe the entrance is hidden somewhere." Kafar says while he searches the wall for cracks.
|
|
"Yes, I run a caravan myself to supply goods to the Society and various groups. As long as I continue to bring good in that they need, the Society usually looks the other way as to how the goods make it there...Now, I could offer you both jobs working for me, or if you'd rather, I can set up a good word with the Society."
"Now what's this about an illusion? Ah, here we go!" Teric notices the flaws between the fake wall and the real stones. He attempts to push through the illusion.
|
|
While you search a way to enter the Sanctum you hear a voice behind you. Amenopheus catches up and inquires as to how you fared. The Sapphire Sage seems exhausted, and although any wounds he may have sustained have been healed, his clothing is scorched and torn. He deigns not to go into details about his recent travels, but he notes with grim satisfaction that the Pillars of the Sun are now a safer place. After dealing with the illusionary wall he simply casts dispel magic to clear the path.
Behind the seamless illusion of a rock wall lies the mountain pass to the Sanctum of the Sages. Beautifully engraved columns support the ornate entablature topped by a wide tapered cornice. The style hearkens back to Osirion’s golden age, and the impeccable design and craftsmanship lives up to the standards set by the ancient dynasties. A short flight of stairs ascends to a stone door in the mountain.
|
|
You enter through the double doors into a room. Water gurgles in fountains set at either end of this crescent-shaped chamber. Fourteen columns support the vaulted ceiling, and the walls are polished to a smooth finish that reflects and scatters any light that shines in from outside. Spouts in the wall replace any water removed from the fountain, replicating the effects of a decanter of endless water.
"Much of the sanctum is sealed to anyone not of the order of the Jeweled Sages, so this room provides pilgrims and petitioners a safe place to take shelter until a sage might acknowledge them." Amenopheus says.
A passage on the other side of the room leads further into the complex.
|
|
"There should not be any traps in this area." Amenopheus answers and leads you to the next room.
This chamber’s floor angles upward as it meets the walls, which in turn angle inward like those of a pyramid, creating a space shaped like a cut diamond. The walls are smooth and somewhat transparent, like foggy quartz, save for where three opaque doors stand to the north, east, and west. In the center of the room, a clear 5-foot diameter crystal hovers a short distances from the floor and spins slowly.
"This crystal is a gatekeeper built to prevent non-sages from traveling deeper into the sanctum." Amenopheus explains. He presents himself as the Sapphire Sage and announces that he seeks the Diamond Sage. The crystal briefly shows an image of a Garundi man walking toward the north door in the room, then a small, keyshaped sliver breaks off of the crystal. Amenopheus nods and picks up the key. "The north door will lead us onward. You have to ask the crystal for permission, step close to it and it should recognize you as blessed by the Ruby sage."