Amenopheus uses one of Kramac's newly acquired scroll castings to shrink Jino into a statuette that Kramac drops into a pouch. Then, you climb up on Tahonikepsu's back.
Merab’s citizens shout and point in awe as the huge violet dragon launches into the air, soaring upward until the curvature of the world is visible and then down toward a long stretch of desert south of the Thuvian coast. As Tahonikepsu approaches over the sands, a small encampment comes into view. She descends, and lands at the encampment. The whole flight takes a little less than four hours.
At the camp are two figures, who come to greet you. The first is a Garundi elf woman wearing simple monk's robes and the holy symbol of Irori, Master of Masters. She bows slightly towards you. "I am Dhiara, the Topaz Sage. Thankyou for agreeing to aid us."
The second figure is male, but you cannot place his race nor his origin. His skin is papery and grey, his hair thin and white. He wears fine robes. "And I am Sinuhotep, the Amethyst Sage. Resa lies but a short walk yonder, 'cross the dunes." He indicates the direction with an outstretched arm. His voice is dry and cracking, as though he had not used it for a very long time.
As you make your introductions, another figure approaches from the sky. As he draws nearer, you see he is a man on a flying carpet. "Torch." says Amenopheus.
Grandmaster Torch is a man covered in hideous burn scars. His wounds, and his eyes, glimmer green in the sunlight. He hovers a few feet off the ground on his carpet. "Indeed. Grandmaster Torch, the Emerald Sage, at your service once more noble Amenopheus." Torch bows, and nods towards the other sages, before reaching into a haversack. "I brought the supplies you requested." He hands a vial of antiplague to each of you, giving the seventh vial to Kramac. "This will be for your companion Kramac. Hey, where's your pal with the hippo? What's she called again? 'Mvumbu the Wise and Beautiful', right? I thought you guys were a team?" He takes the two scrolls next. "Nithrandyl, one scroll of Remove Disease. Nice helm by the way! And Vordrek, one scroll of Remove Curse. Rogar, a stash of ghost salt. Best get it applied right away, my friend. Karos, Enora, I'm sure your comrades will share. It's good to be here. Thank you all for allowing me to come along."
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During the flight Nithrandyl is excited at the prospect of riding one such as her.
After the group reaches the ground he will spend a few moments collecting his thoughts and Mending any non magical group broken items from the flight- these things tend to happen.
Nithrandyl bows to each of the Mages in turn, not quite sure what to make of Sinuhotep, but renders respect none the less.
During the introductions Nithrandyl makes note not to turn his back on Grandmaster Torch.
"It is an honor to meet all of you and an even greater honor for all of you to be here at this place to greet us."
Enora is quite flabbergasted that she is truly allowed to accompany Tahonikepsu in her true form.
Arriving at the location and seeing all these sages is a little intimidating for her as well.
"Hel ... hello everybody. I am the little Scarab Sage Enora. I have heard a lot about you. Well, not only good things to be honest but ... I respect your wisdom and follow my orders." Enora says with a slightly insecure tone in her voice.
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Thrilled to be part of such a rare opportunity, Vordrek sits quietly on the dragon's back. Someday I could make this trip myself... but I may never again ride a dragon.
Vordrek makes all the proper introductions when they arrive, as befits the Sages' stations. A lich... Now isn't THAT interesting. We should tread carefully.
"Today we make history, Rogar!" the Sapphire Sage exclaims.
Torch stifles a snort: "I am sure you have heard all sorts of bad things about me from the stooges of the Decemvirate, Scarab Sage Enora. Some of them might even be true. I'm not going to give you any orders."
Dhiara and Sinuhotep tell you that the site of Resa has been abandoned since the Age of Destiny, 8000 years ago. It is just ten minutes walk away from the camp.
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Quite the illustrious bunch we have here! I'm sure we will have no trouble completing our mission with this impressive assembly of expertise! And Kramac, along for the ride!.
Kramac tosses the figure of Jino into the sand, and dismisses the spell. The statue grows to Jino's full size. She stamps and snorts, to indicate her unhappiness with being turned into a statue. Kramac addresses the beast,
Jino! As soon as you you are able to ride on a dragon, we can skip the spell! Good to have you back, friend. Come, there is wickedness to defeat!
With that, Kramac will swing aboard his his companion's back, mutter a brief prayer, then wait for his companions to be ready.
"What I have heard or not heard is of no relevance now. I am confident that we can be successful together. My Halfling luck and Nethys will guide me! And you are the emerald sage now so we are in the same team." Enora says to Mr. Torch.
She then prepares some spells.
"Indeed, Enora, we are on the same team." the Emerald Sage agrees with a smile, his wounds glistening green.
You march the last distance across the sands to the ruins of Resa, to the beat of Rogar's drumming. Tahonikepsu, still in her true form, is alert, perhaps even excited. Dhiara walks with the graceful efficient movements of a warrior in tune with her surroundings, but says nothing. Amenopheus and Sinuhotep both seem lost in their own thoughts, whilst Grandmaster Torch flies his carpet alongside.
Soon, Tahonikepsu points out the village of Resa—now a flat stretch of desert, with a few scattered bricks the only sign of civilization. The wind whips up as a deep feminine voice telepathically announces, Home again at last. The ground shudders; then sand begins draining down unseen fissures and rising in plumes hundreds of feet high as buildings emerge from the desert. The sages realize the sage jewels are the source of the effect and hurriedly try to suppress it as the voice continues. Young, old, war hero, or coward—all served the Plague, and the Plague served me. In the village square, a basalt monolith suddenly looms amid an avalanche of humanoid bones. Living flesh may rebel, but the dead are ever so obedient. The bones twitch as a wave of unholy energy washes over the area. Sickly grey flame illuminates the bodies as the dead rise up. Tahonikepsu cries out over rumbling earth, “Pathfinders, that monolith empowers the dead. One of us will aid you in disabling it while the others hold the creatures at bay.” The winds howl in response as spectral giants appear and disappear within the whirling sandstorm descending on the area.
Rogar and Kramac:
"I think I'm about to save your behinds from a bunch of ghost giants whilst you guys go smash a big rock. That count?" Torch grins at Nithrandyl, whilst he loosens a quiver of arrows and draws a bow.
The black monolith looms amidst the ruins, and above the noise of the sandstorm you hear many wailing, screaming, inhuman voices to the south.
"Let's get that thing shut down Pathinders!" says Tahoniskepsu, as the rest of the Sages head off to intercept the spectral giants, and quickly vanish into the sands.
The claws of the dead reach up through the sands to grasp at you!
Combat round 1
Enora
thing 3
Kramac + Jino
Karos
Nithrandyl
Vordrek
thing 1
Tahonikepsu
Rogar
thing 2
claws
Active effects: marching song (+10' landspeed), difficult terrain, restricted visibility (30'), sandstorm, life bubble
The bold may act!
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"These foul hands coming up from the ground are called Grasping Graves... tis a hazard to us since they will grab at us as we try to walk by... they will squeeze and tear at you if they get a hold of you...best destroy the ones that get a hold of you to break free...positive energy will also destroy them, but more hands will spring up..." he tells the others wondering why none of the sages, who are far smarter and more knowledgeable said nothing...
he casts Gravity Bow defensively...
Enora casts 'haste' on the group!
There are multiple options for disabling the monolith. As Torch hinted, smashing it up is an option. It's big and made of rock. Disable device can work if you are able to disable magical traps. Other skills might also work but you need to get closer and examine the monolith to see what they might be.
You should all be able to edit the map - does anyone else have this problem?
Map issue should be fixed, my bad.
Mighty Jino stomps through the sand and bones, as the ancient dead scratch and grab at her.
When Kramac gets closer to the monolith he sees it is covered in complex, shifting runes.
"You guys fight! I will take care of the runes!" Enora cries out.
"You guys fight! I will take care of the runes!" Enora cries out.
You'll need to get adjacent to the monolith to make use of your skill Enora.
Karos casts divine favor and declares his Judgment of Destruction.
You cannot see any enemies. Your visibility is limited to 30' by the sandstorm. You hear inhuman screaming from the south (to the right hand side of the map). The Sages (except for Tahonikepsu) went to the west, effectively off the bottom of the map, to confront several spectral giants.
Tahonikepsu has said that the black monolith, visible through the sandstorm, is somehow empowering the undead and has asked you to disable it.
Undead arms reach up through the sands to grab and claw at you, as far around as you can see.
Enora hastes the party (including Jino but not Tahonikepsu)
Kramac casts a spell (Divine Favour) and urges Jino through the grasping undead claws, almost reaching the monolith. From up close, he sees that the monolith is covered in shifting runes, and calls for help deciphering them.
Nithrandyl augments his bow-skill with magic.
Vordrek lifts himself into the air, then both he and Karos (who also casts a divine blessing upon himself, and prays to the Lucky Drunk) ask Tahonikepsu to give them a lift. The mighty dragon obliges...
Tahonikepsu's powerful wings lift her off the ground. She extends her serpentine neck, allowing Vordrek to grab hold, whilst Karos climbs on to her back. The buried undead are powerless to prevent her flight, and she comes to rest perched on the crumbling wall beside the monolith; Vordrek hovers in mid-air as he releases his grip on the time dragon's neck frills.
"Fascinating! An Icon of Undeath." says Tahonikepsu as she regards the monolith.
Combat round 1
Enora
thing 3
Kramac + Jino
Karos
Nithrandyl
Vordrek
thing 1
Tahonikepsu
Rogar
thing 2
claws
Active effects: marching song (+10' landspeed), difficult terrain, restricted visibility (30'), sandstorm, life bubble, haste
Rogar is up!
Rogar calls out in a strong voice, audible above the winds; the ancestors of the dwarves are with you!
Enora is grabbed by the ancient dead!
Combat round 2
Enora -8hp, grappled
thing 3
Kramac + Jino
Karos
Nithrandyl
Vordrek
thing 1
Tahonikepsu
Rogar
thing 2
grasping graves
Active effects: marching song (+10' landspeed; does not stack with haste), difficult terrain, restricted visibility (30'), sandstorm, life bubble, haste, inspire courage +2
Enora is up!
Enora gets a grip on herself.
Enora then speaks a single magical phrase.
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Enora looks a the spot where the runes are and suddenly vanishes through a dimensional rift saying: "Bye bye"
She appears out of harms way at the runes and starts disabling the them.
Enora, I'm afraid there is a flaw in your plan.
Liberating Command doesn't work on the caster, because that would require two immediate actions in the same turn - one to cast, and another to make the Escape Artist check. Technically you can target yourself with the spell, but then you don't have a second immediate action available to make the Escape Artist check.
Since your plan for your turn probably rested on that, I will allow you to retcon from that point onwards. (ie, keep your Prescience roll and your Arcane Barrier.)
Alternatively, Rogar knows Liberating Command. Rogar, happy to help out your helpful halfling? (If so I will adjudicate on Enora's turn as posted.)
Enora summons up her arcanist abilities, as Rogar casts a spell to aid her escape from the clutches of the dead.
The spell does the trick, and Enora disappears through the tear that she makes in reality, emerging closer to the monolith. Her hastened halfling legs just manage to carry her close enough to the Icon of Undeath for her to start deciphering the runes.
Quickly, Enora realises that the monolith stores immense amounts of negative energy, and is capable of releasing that energy over a wide area. However, by altering several runes just so, she is able to "reverse the polarity". The monolith begins to thrum as Enora's changes invert the energy flow. The monolith is now building up a charge of positive energy, which it should release quite quickly in a burst that will disable it!
Just then, Tahonikepsu looks to the south-west. "I sense dozens of creatures converging on our position. By the smell of them, more undead. Be ready pathfinders."
Emerging from the sandstorm comes a howling horde of corpses! They pour forwards, arms outstretched, teeth gnashing! They seem to be coming on unseen pathways, some 10 feet up in the air.
tl;dr - like a swarm, but composed of medium or larger creatures.
Combat round 2
Icon of Undeath
Enora -8hp, has disabled the monolith!
undead troop, walking on air
Kramac + Jino
Karos
Nithrandyl
Vordrek
thing 1
Tahonikepsu
Rogar
thing 2
grasping graves
Active effects: marching song (+10' landspeed; does not stack with haste), difficult terrain, restricted visibility (30'), sandstorm, life bubble, haste, inspire courage +2
The bold may act!
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Never afraid to wade into the thick of things, Kramac wheels Jino towards the troop of undead and begins hacking and slashing, as Jino thrashes about, tossing undead to and fro.
Arwoooooo!!!!
Kramac, as much as I would love to see Jino trampling the undead horde, the ghasts are currently air-walking and out of melee reach. Do you want to change your move?