[PFS] GM Lithrac's Beacon Below (#6-04) (Inactive)

Game Master Cyril Corbaz

Sorry for the holdup.

Seeing the new threats, Oswin calls upon Iomedae for a blessing.

If I have the ability to affect Atum and Maldoc, I'll do blessing of fervor on the party. I used up my move, so I can't get into the hall itself. Line of effect may come into play. If I can't hit everyone, it's divine favor on me.

By the looks of it, Atum and Elithir are 5 ft. further than they need to be if you want to affect both of them. So I guess divine favor.

Oswin calls upon Iomedae's might!

The mummified gynosphinx growls at Elithir and Tyrion.

"You who slay the minions mine, is your aversion for them so great that you shouldn't rest your sword? An abomination I may be, but you are you to meddle in business of unknown ties?"

With those words, she pounces on Elithir with unnatural speed, claws lashing at his throat.
Claw, haste: 1d20 + 19 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 19 + 1 = 363d6 + 8 ⇒ (3, 3, 1) + 8 = 15
Claw, haste: 1d20 + 19 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 19 + 1 = 303d6 + 8 ⇒ (5, 2, 6) + 8 = 21
Hasted attack, haste: 1d20 + 19 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 19 + 1 = 323d6 + 8 ⇒ (3, 5, 1) + 8 = 17

Initiative - round 3 - bold may act!
1. Atum, Tyrion, Maldoc, Elithir
2. Mihstu, Mummies
3. Oswin
4. Mummified gynosphinx (hasted)

"They be making fires at the scrolls we were tasked to protect by the Diamond Sage! Ye be eager enough to attack us too! Ye can summon more mephits surely." Tyrion shouts back.

not sure if that can get a reaction?

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"That is who is desecrating the scrolls?" Atum asks. But she is a sphinx! From whence my powers come! I cannot betray my order!

"Leave the sphinx!" Atum says, conflicted. "We should hear what this fight is really about before choosing sides!"

He calls out to it, "Jeg er Atum , et medlem af de levende Monoliths . Jeg er en ven af ​​sfinkser . Vi vil ikke skade dig , og vil høre, hvad denne konflikt er virkelig om."

"I am a sphinx that is not a sphinx. A veil of lies conceals much, even spoken in words of yore. Slay my adversary's minions and I may come to believe you." she yells as she tears through Elithir.

Atum calls back to the sphinx, "Call off your attacks then! We will not harm you!"

"Friends, I cannot attack that wise beast!" Atum calls to his companions. "This one who controls undead though. . . that is not a good thing to do."

Atum then takes a step to the side, enlarges himself by the power of the sphinxes, and swings his polearm at the creature controlling the mummies!

+3 impact adamantine bec de corbin, power attack: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (9) + 18 = 27
damage: 3d8 + 23 ⇒ (2, 6, 3) + 23 = 34

+3 impact adamantine bec de corbin, power attack: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (6) + 13 = 19
damage: 3d8 + 23 ⇒ (1, 6, 2) + 23 = 32

Eli, blood burbling up from his mouth after the vicious injuries he sustained so swiftly, he could barely bring his sword up in an attempt to parry, nods his agreement.

"Indeed *cough*, we were merely trying to protect the knowledge within. We are allies of the Jeweled Sages, after all..."

Eli'thir wills some of his wounds to knit (spontaneous healing, 5hp) as he backs away from the pouncing sphinx.

"What of this red mist, is this friend or foe to you sphinx?"

Eli'thir backs away from the sphinx and returns to the long hall to survey the scene of the battle.

Eli'thir will ready an action to throw a bomb at the two mummies should the sphinx seem to not be attacking them and confirming the mummies are indeed their foes.

Maldoc looks utterly confused by the entire event. Seeing Atum attack the one controlling the mummies, he follows suit after casting Shocking Grasp!

Black Blade: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (9) + 11 = 20 for Damage: 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9 plus Shocking Grasp: 5d6 ⇒ (5, 5, 1, 6, 6) = 23 +3 to hit if that guy has metal.

"There we be attacking them mummies master, now ye best show yer true nature and stop yer and yer pets attacks on us so we can talk about it! Otherwise I be forced to strike at ya to keep me mates alive!" Tyrion shouts at the mummy.
Could I get a response from her on that or will I have to roll actions?

The mummified sphinx enrages as she hears Tyrion then Elithir admit to being agents of the Sages. "So you were sent by these treacherous, untrustworthy shades of gems? You deserve your fate, then!" As Elithir walks away from her, she claws at him.
AoO: 1d20 + 19 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 19 + 1 = 273d6 + 8 ⇒ (3, 5, 4) + 8 = 20

Atum strikes the controller of the mummies twice, dismembering the creature which is more like a doll or a mannequin than a real person.

"Treason! I..."

Maldoc strikes with a famed trick among magi, finishing off the construct and destroying it completely! A split-second later, the doll becomes silent.

Keep in mind that the sphinx hasn't seen you destroy the doll from where she is.

The gynosphinx replies to Tyrion with much anger. "Should the agents of treachery be trusted, or shall I fall prey to the same trick twice?"

At this point, I'll allow Diplomacy checks to have her stop her onslaught even though you don't have a full minute to do it. One main rolls, other may aid another of course.

"We have ended your nemesis!" Atum calls to the sphinx (speaking in Sphinx again to try to impress her). "Call off your attacks!"

oh boy, Atum's rolling Diplomacy: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (5) - 2 = 3

"Look lady, my companion just finished off the controller of the mummies. Take a look for yerself. If ye be a reasonable creature like most sphinxes are we can stop this useless fighting. We only attacked them mephits because they were setting things on fire. Perhaps we rushed in too quickly and ended up fighting the wrong person. On me honor as a servant of Abadar and a native of Osirion we wish to preserve the contents of this place and not kill those on good paths. It be my task to ensue that justice be served." Tyrion says as he takes a five foot step back and slowly lowers his weapon eying the sphinx carefully.

diplo: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (11) + 11 = 22

suggest Tyrion rolling main as he is next to her and has good mods ;)
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Any more aids?

Yes, perhaps it would be a fine idea to just take a moment and sort all of this out?

Diplo Aid: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (14) - 2 = 12

"Indeed, we have no wish to continue pointless hostilities."

Diplo Aid: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18

Eli'thir keeps his mouth closed and his eyes focused on the scene, knowing that often his blunt logic causes more issues that it seems to solve around the more irrational races.

The sphinx stops her attacks, and the mihstu follows her lead. She raises an eyebrow, curious yet somehow satisfied.

"If truth is served and Badru is slain, then one's anger is unnecessary, save against oneself. Speak, servants of the treacherous gems, and make your will known to the unliving, undeserving, ungrateful Saruna."

"We are working with the Diamond Sage, it is true," Atum says, entering the room and taking a knee to the sphinx. "But we are foremost agents of the Pathfinder Society, seeking secrets of the world past and present."[b] He finishes in Sphinx, [b]"And I am Atum Nakhti, a faithful servant of the Ruby Prince and a member of the Living Monoliths."

"Tell us of your problems in this place. We've come to unlock and preserve its history."

Saruna disregards Atum's cues at using the sphinx language, a hint of disgust and shame on her face.

"Words are lost on me, for I have long abandoned what I once was. If self-hatred is self-consuming, then Saruna burns in the deepest pits of the Nine. A heart is missing, and all hope is lost."

"The gems have wrought nothing but lies in the past, why should it be otherwise as the sands rise and relics vanish?"

"History and tales were once my trade, yet the tale is told, ash only remains."

Atum raises his head to the sphinx, finding her far different than the other majestic beasts he encountered in the sands between Rahadoum and Osirion. "The Sages have had a troubled past but they are under new and far more capable leadership, if you will accept my humble opinion. Tell us what the Sages did to earn your ire. We cannot heal your wounds but maybe you can help us to avoid the past's mistakes by teaching us."

How much of this is in Common vs Sphinx?

Eli'thir waits patiently as Atum and the undead sphinx converse, trusting Atum to sort out the details while it seems the sphinx has stopped murdering him.

I imagine with all the dialogue that we are out of combat? Eli would start using his wand to mend his wounds if so...

Atum is back in Common now.

The dialogue is in common, Elithir. Saruna has not spoken a single word in Sphinx, though she speaks like one-in riddles.

Saruna's voice is dusty and ragged, much unlike other sphinxes. She clearly remains wary of you, you're far from having won her over. Yet she answers your question with a tone of bitter resentment.

"A tale of blood and gems these walls would tell. The sage asked for commitment of heart and soul; he left cold stone and a ragged hole."

"Could ye tell us about the current situation? Who was that undead directing fellow, Badru?" Tyrion asks politely.

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"Though as ancient as the stones, a mere puppet he became, soulless and vain." Saruna cryptically replies.

Oh c'mon, how about in plain words and not all this mumbo-jumbo stuff? Does anyone know what she is talking about? Maldoc is obviously not fond of riddles and games.

"The Sage left her like this," Atum explains, familiar with the speech of Sphinxes. "She feels betrayed at being made undead, apparently. She feels that the other guy with the mummies was just a puppet of the Sages, also left in a form not originally his own."

Atum also sees a pulsating purple light being emitted by something inside her chest. He's familiar with the anatomy of sphinxes, and can tell it's pretty much where her heart should be.

Glad you chose to destroy the other one, as the sphinx is much funnier to roleplay with!

"Right...So we were asked to catalog all that is down here and preserve what we find. Could ye tell us what's down here?" Tywin asks

"One may have spared your life, but friendship isn't earned with words. The most precious lore is one found by yourself." she says, still resentful of the intruders. "However, acts may redeem the servants of the treacherous gems. If one's heart was to be found..."

OK, so it sounds like it wants its heart back, or something. Maybe we can find it and it'll stop talking in circles.

If you are done speaking with Saruna for now, what are you doing?

"Could ye tell us where to find yer heart lady? Surely you must have looked for it before."

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Eli'thir stands with his arms crossed, his face impassive and apparently unemotional at the events that transpired.

Cure light: 6d8 + 6 ⇒ (2, 5, 1, 4, 5, 8) + 6 = 31

2/50 charges remain on Eli's older CLW wand. He is now 64/66hp.

He then leans near Atum.

"Perhaps our... host... can also describe what other dangers we may face yet within?"

Saruna shakes her head. "Heart lost may be lost forever, a fate remains a mystery."

With these words, she withdraws into her sanctum, leaving you alone in the room.

Terrific. Well, lets just keep doing what we were doing and if we stumble upon it, great.

"I agree. I don't mind helping her out, but these riddles are beyond me as well. Thank you Atum for explaining things. In matters of faith I am better versed..."

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What's your next move? You haven't surveyed the halls where the fight took place, nor the room where you talked with Saruna. A Perception check may help you for the first, whereas a Knowledge (history or religion) would be appropriate for the second.

perception: 1d20 + 15 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 15 + 2 = 23
know religion: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 7 + 2 = 20

Tyrion checks the room then moves back to the other room and starts looking about there as well. He also casts bloodhound on himself providing him with a keen sense of smell.

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Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20
Knowledge (history): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

Atum leads the crew in surveillance of the area.

Tyrion identifies the statue in the large room where Saruna was as Thoth, the Ancient Osirion god of magic, writing, and the moon. That god was a patron of archivists and libraries. Such an information would undoubtedly interest Tahonikepsu.

The remaining three pathfinders can still attempt the Perception check, then tell me where you are headed next.

Let's take a closer look while we are here.

Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (7) + 12 = 19

Perception: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (11) + 14 = 25
Knowledge (history or religion = the same): 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 7 + 2 = 21

Eli glances at the other Pathfinders who give the area a "casual" once-over and sighs to himself, knowing it will once again fall to an elf to provide a more detailed observation and analysis of the area.

After much searching around, the Pathfinders manage to recover the precious scrolls they saved from the elemental's burning flames. Elithir in particular comes up with a scroll that was hidden in one of the alcoves on the west wall. It records the deathbed account of a wizard who witnessed the Pharaoh of Forgotten Plagues binding the daemonic harbinger Zelishkar of the Bitter Flame. Quite a find indeed for the Scarab Sages!

Excellent find, Elithir. Maybe now we can move on.

Eli gives the others a curt nod and a thorough reply.

"Indeed."

Satisfied that the area has been properly searched, he begins moving south (within A2, ideally as a group).

Moving through the halls of stone, you are especially wary of any illusion, knowing that doors may be hidden in this way. The most acute minds among you see past what their treacherous eyes tell them, and percieve three doors. After some convincing and some time spent to gaze at mere walls, all of you now see them. Unfortunately, they are locked via magic. Additionally, the halls on your left turns north after some time, and appears to lead into a room with no door.
Map updated

Atum marches forward, leading the way to the open room!

Maldoc will follow close behind, allowing Atum to boldly lead the party.

Oswin follows the others in silent awe, wondering at the many sights he sees.