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You receive a message from Venture-Captain Diya Akan, asking them to meet with Tahonikepsu, the Diamond Sage, at the Twisting Garden Lodge in Merab. The venture captain has arranged magical transport from Absalom at the Diamond Sage’s expense. With a sandcolored dog at her side, the blind venture-captain welcomes
you to Merab and guides them through the maze surrounding the lodge to a courtyard where Amenopheus and Tahonikepsu wait beneath a pavilion.
Sitting at a large table, Amenopheus looks over a book with a bemused smile as a blindfolded Tahonikepsu cautiously sniffs at several metal vials bearing the marks of local alchemists. She confidently names each alchemist by the scent of the vial before adding with a smile, “The scent of blood, oil, and old books could only be our Pathfinder friends.” Amenopheus closes his book and pushes an ancient Azlanti coin over to the Diamond Sage, remarking that he should know better than to wager with dragons and that these games are merely distractions to relieve the tension of a serious situation.
Tahonikepsu rises, draws forth a small metal box, and opens it to reveal an onyx gem in the cushioned interior. “Our situation is actually quite fascinating, though I agree it presents some difficulties. Each of our order’s sage jewels houses the personality and knowledge of its creator. Through field tests and research, Amenopheus has made a remarkable discovery: each of the jewels contains a second and unidentified persona. Your comrades recovered this jewel, and its former bearer knew the source of this anomaly. He can best explain the situation.” Tahonikepsu intones a rite, and the morning light dims as the spectral image of a bronze-skinned dwarf manifests above the gem. He wears the simple garb of a warrior-monk, but his amulet bearing the ureaus over staff and scepter marks him as an advisor or guardian of the pharaohs.
“Greetings, stewards of knowledge. I am Padrym of Erekrus. I served the pharaohs of old and witnessed with sorrow the decline of a land of wonders. The Diamond Sage has asked me about a shadow within my sage jewel. I know this shadow as Aryana Tahari, an Usij necromancer who served at the court of the Pharaoh of Forgotten Plagues with me. Known to some as the Black Moon, her skill and wisdom were a dark reflection of the virtues of holy Thoth. She knew more of life and death than any living scholar of the time, and her enemies died horribly of exotic afflictions. She vanished from court for a time to her sanctuary beneath the village of Resa, set on a task the pharaoh personally assigned. I can sense her within the gemstone now, and casting back through memory, I feel her presence upon my every thought—perhaps even to my first acceptance into the order of Jeweled Sages.”
Amenopheus worriedly joins in. “The necromancer’s spirit has stirred recently. It may be that as more sages take up the sage jewels she grows in strength. The Usij are working to speed her awakening. With every passing year there is a growing chance she could seize control of us. While certain desperate measures—” Tahonikepsu frowns and Amenopheus hurriedly continues, “— may not be necessary yet, I have a plan to assemble the sage jewels in this necromancer’s sanctuary. There, in a place tied to her life, we can draw forth these fragments of her mind and safely destroy them with a ritual I have devised.”
Tahonikepsu nods excitedly. “We can safely remove this annoyance and perhaps discover some wonders this Tahari hid away. Regardless of her flaws, she seems a remarkable scholar. However, our numbers are too few to safely mount such an expedition. The Pathfinders have provided exemplary aid before; please assist us once more in preserving our legacy.”
Tahonikepsu, Amenopheus, and the spirit of Padrym linger to answer any questions that you may have.
*****
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Jezebel bounces up and down on the balls of her feet, noticeably excited. "Surely the Black Moon—Aryana—has knowledge that's, like, priceless! It would totally be a tragedy if we were to destroy her before we, well someone, writes down all the neat stuff she knows!" Jezebel glances around at Venture-Captain Akan, Amenopheus, Tahonikepsu, and her fellow party members, then quickly composes herself, attempting to conceal some of her obvious exuberance at the thought of ancient necromantic knowledge and wisdom. Jezebel looks down and quietly mutters, "...writing is hard."
Looking up and addressing Amenopheus, Tahonikepsu, and Padrym, Jezebel asks, "Do you know what task the pharaoh gave the Black Moon Aryana?"
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Kaâb is a beautiful ifrit whose appearance almost match the one of her godess, Sarenrae. A light white and red robe with a symbol of Sarenrae - perfect for the hard sun of the desert - is the only protection she seems to have, at her side, two scimitars with guards looking like a miniature sarenrae.
She spokes with the voice of an angel and she moves with the grace of a dancer.
Hello, everybody, I'm Kaâb, follower of the Dawnflower. May her light be upon you and your soul!
I wasn't aware that I smell blood, oil and old book as I'm trying to always wash and parfume after a mission or before.
After listening to the mission briefing she says.
Poor souls, trapped into a jewel! Even as beautiful as these... But I've heard of this when we have tried to clear an old outpost of Wary people. Unfortunately our group was not so well prepared and we were unable to pursue our mission.
Oh! I remember!
She says, quite happily. The Usij are a scattered group of cultists who worship Ahriman and the divs. They do not function as a unified organization, and members range from maniacs seeking destruction to the wicked and power-hungry. They are bad people indeed! When I was in Katheer in the Grand Cathedral of Sarenrae and old people come to speak boring stories, I remember that
once, the Usij were more widespread and acted openly, serving in the courts of kings and pharaohs until we drove them into hiding. Because we are good people.
If this Aryana was an Uji,she's certainly a bad woman.
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Xiaobo is a tall monk standing at 6ft. He his bald and wears simple monk robes. Anyone who can detect magic detects an evil presence coming from the monk. After receiving the brief, Xiaobo will bow politely "We must stop her. We cannot let violence and death spread. We all know that violence only begets more violence. Fellow pathfinders let us bring her to an end and quickly." He looks up at the Dwarf, How did the Black Moon Aryana get into the gemstone and why does that have an effect on the Sages."
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A tall tengu addresses the sage, "Many of this information is far too complicated for me, however, I understand the basics, we need to get a bunch of fragments of a person's soul together in order to destroy them outright.
Now, I'm guessing you either are going to do the assembling or tell one of the more intellectuals here how to do it so that I can help destroy this evil spirit? Also, many of my skills are based on martial realm, when you call this necromancer, will she strikeable, or entirely ghostly?" he says as he tips his hat upwards to better see the sage.
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Jezebel is extremely fair-skinned, tall, and slender.
Tattoos on either side of her neck depicting a sha head match the design on her black lacquered heavy wooden shield.
Her four-mirror armor is lacquered black and her face is partly obscured by a black chainmail hood beneath a black spiked helmet.
Now now, let's not be TOO hasty in the Black Moon's destruction, or powerful secrets might become forever lost to me...Jezebel glances around, clears her throat, and hastily adds, "...and to our fine Society most of all. Of course."
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"Do you know what task the pharaoh gave the Black Moon Aryana?"
Padrym frowns. “She was a strange woman who spoke to unseen spectres more than to people. She had some involvement in developing of the Night Plague. Divs often accompanied her, as they did all the Usij. However, she treated them especially cruelly, and they despised her.”
*****
How did the Black Moon Aryana get into the gemstone and why does that have an effect on the Sages."
The sages glance at each other, and Amenopheus finally replies. “The spirit of each jewel offers its bearer wisdom and knowledge from the past, but a second voice whispers and drives darker impulses. A thoughtless action or response could nudge one toward more ruthless methods. So far the urges are easily quashed, but they’ve grown more insistent.”
Now, I'm guessing you either are going to do the assembling or tell one of the more intellectuals here how to do it so that I can help destroy this evil spirit? Also, many of my skills are based on martial realm, when you call this necromancer, will she strikeable, or entirely ghostly?"
"It is difficult to tell-" Tahonikepsu cuts Amenopheus off. “Amenopheus suggested Tahari’s influence could be intrinsic to the sage jewels and that we should consider destroying them if the ritual fails. We are nowhere near considering such an option.”
Amenopheus produces a scroll sealed with purple wax stamped with a stylized swirl of smoke flame—one of the symbols associated with the Shadow Lodge. “One final matter remains. Grandmaster Torch, through disreputable means, now bears the emerald sage jewel. Torch requests the opportunity to contribute to our expedition in person and purify his jewel. He is untrustworthy, but allowing the gem to corrupt him holds its own dangers. He was an ally once; perhaps he could be again. As Pathfinders, you may know him best. Should we invite him to join our expedition?”
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Oh! You! Poor soul! Says Kaâb seeing Jezebel. You need the touch of the sun to be less pale.
Seeing that she's a Dhampir she quickly adds Oh! Sorry! I wasn't aware of you true nature. Make me remember to not try to heal you because I alway forgot things! I hope you will find redemption in the Warm Light of Sarenrae.
Listening to what Padrym says as well as the two other sage Jewel she says
This Pharaoh of Forgotten Plagues was indeed a very bad person. He unleashed a terrible disease during his war with the Jistka Imperium that ravaged the Imperium’s leadership. That's not the proper way to deal with our ennemies.
Then when the name Grandmaster Torch arrives she happily says ! I know this name! Isn't that poor old man with his skin covered with horrible scars as if from badly healed burns? I think I meet him in Sedeq.
Oh! And I believe I owe him some sort of favor.
If we can help a wounded man to find redemption we can't refuse him!
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"If I remember correct Kaâb, The Usij captured a Jistkan efreeti commander, transformed him into a ghul infected with the plague, and sent him back to his homeland. The disease specifically targeted the Imperium’s royal bloodline, causing a breakdown in society from which the Imperium never recovered"
"If this there is a plague or chance to contract it then let us prepare for it. Will we have time to finish gathering supplies?"
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Jezebel smiles at Kaâb and says, "The Lord of the Dark Desert gives me the variety of energy suited to my...particular needs. I'm afraid the light of your Dawnflower would not be good for me at all. But your concern is appreciated."
"I don't get how you all know so much historical stuff about, like, pharaohs and plagues. It was so long ago! Rememberizing stuff is, like, hard."
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Steelmask, silent for the entire exchange, decides to contribute. From behind the polished mask of steel, you hear the male elf's lilting voice. "Greetings, I am called Steelmask and my tortoise, which you will meet later, is named A'Tuin."
The elf bows slightly to each of you before raising his concerns. "Can you elaborate on why we need to destroy this spirit? I'm not one to murder someone's soul merely because they may do something bad in the future. Based on what you have told us, she has used her gift with poisons and disease to strike down enemies of the Pharaoh and she treated her servant-divs poorly."
Shifting his weight to his other foot, he continues. "I am not know for my niceties with others or with my crew, in fact, my mercilessness is what drove me to my position in the Mordant Navy. Additionally, if we blindly destroy this woman's soul at the bequest of the Society, then we are no different than her. Does this mean that the Society will seek out my soul for destruction in the future?' he questions.
"Also, if you worked for this evil Pharaoh, Padrym, then why should we help you to take over the jewel? Isn't locking both of you in an eternal battle for the control of the gem a better outcome for us?" he says, thinking that keeping two evils at bay is better than releasing one.
"As for the Grandmaster, I have no objections to his inclusion if the Society wishes it."
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Kaâb seems shocked by the elf's words
This evil spirit, this Tahari is a very bad soul. She tries to manipulate those using Sage Jewel to do bad things. We need to cleanse her spirit from the jewel or the Sages will be corrupted by her.
My friend, Venture-Captain Ilmaktar from the Order of the Nail, says that if redemption can't be meet with words, it must be done by Fire.
I agree that if we can talk to her and offer her redemption for all the misdeed she's done, we could let her live, but sometimes, creatures don't want redemption and Sarenrae teaches us that Fire cleanse it all.
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Steelmask looks at Kaab with even-keeled eyes through the unmoving mask. "This evaluation is based on the words of this dwarf who also worked for this 'evil' Pharaoh? How do we know that he isn't manipulating the Society so that he can do some evil act? Why are we taking his words at face value and are willing to destroy a soul of some being that we have no firsthand knowledge of?"
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Al'Aokara looks at the gathered agents, "My name is Al'Aokara by the way. I'm not much for these mental tasks and talk of morality, but should this mission come to a fight, I will certainly do my best to protect you from harm. While I fight with my body, I shouldn't need any help flying" he says opening his Tengu feathered arms.
"I have been trained to devour the essence of spirits as well, so if it comes to it, it sounds like I might be able to cast this spirit out for good. Regardless, I will let the rest of you decide how we handle the mission." he says, tipping his hat back down and stepping back to let the other agents discuss tactics.
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The dwarf looks shocked. "I may have worked for the Pharaohs of old but that does not mean one agrees with them. These sage jewels were meant to pass on wisdom and knowledge. This dark necromancer seems to be trying to use it for immortality and a catalyst of sorts." Tahonikepsu concurs. "Padrym speaks true. It is difficult to explain but the Sage Jewels allow us to meld our minds in a sort of way to share this knowledge. While only recent I feel no intrusion. Nothing like the malevolent force of this Necromancer. Hers feels different." Tahonikepsu shudders at the thought.
"All we ask is to investigate it further with us. Tahari’s influence could be intrinsic to the sage jewels. If it comes to it and you feel there is no other way but to destroy them then it will also destroy myself." Padrym explains.
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The masked elf looks to the Tengu and nods. "Greetings, Al'Aokara. It seems we will be in brotherhood together for the new future. I'll let you handle defense along side A'Tuin, while I provide advice to the rest to secure our victory through brute force and willpower."
Steelmask nods. "So long as we understand each other, then I am satisfied."
"What is our next step?" he asks aloud as he remains standing straight, resting on the balls of his feet.
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Outside the pavilion, Tahonikepsu transforms into her true draconic form. She offers to transport Amenopheus and any who wish a ride. 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 along with the sages Sinuhotep and Dhiara.
Shortly after arriving a carpet of flying skirts the sandy hills as Grandmaster Torch arrives. He lands and greets the other Sages. Landing the carpet rolls into a tight tube that slides right into his handy haversack. Hideous burns cover his body, and his wounds and eyes occasionally shimmer with a green hue in the light. Grandmaster Torch looks to each of you and calls you out by name. "I see the Decemvirate are still incompetent, though at least half of you will be useful."
He drops the handy haversack to the ground. "I have brought potions and scrolls for the trip."
******
Amenopheus: The Sapphire Sage is a longtime ally of the Pathfinders and is wry and businesslike. He is deadly serious about the threat Tahari poses to the order. He feels responsible for the safety of his companions and would sacrifice himself before anyone else. He is companionable and eager to hear each Pathfinder’s story as they explore, letting them take the lead and helping as needed.
Dhiara: The Topaz Sage is new to her role and not used to long-term membership in a team. She is a paragon of the Osirian monastery of Tar-Kuata and wears the holy symbol of Irori. She prefers calm, reasoned discussion, and respects discipline. She is a world traveler who tests herself against villainy wherever she finds it, attacking each threat with a measured response calculated to maximize success and minimize risk. She favors those who support and protect their allies.
Grandmaster Torch: Torch is charming and soft-spoken, but dripping with condescension for fools. Hideous burns cover his body, and his wounds and eyes occasionally shimmer with a green hue in the light. He is intimately familiar with the Pathfinder Society as the former head of the Shadow Lodge. He has nothing but scorn for the Decemvirate, though he keeps it to himself unless certain that he has a receptive audience. He’s determined to see the mission through. He seems to be 10 steps ahead and well informed. He knows each of your name before introductions.
Sinuhotep: The Amethyst Sage is an ancient lich, a scholar who succumbed to despair over his fear that the Jeweled Sages would be wiped out. So convinced, he performed terrible experiments on his apprentices and himself to gain immortality, using his sage jewel as his phylactery. He’s convinced what he did was necessary if not fully thought through, leaving him introspective and not proud of his decisions. Ancient ruins cause him to pause and reflect on the lost wonders of the Age of Destiny: flying cities, the pharaohs of old, and other incredible sights and feats.
Tahonikepsu: The Diamond Sage is the leader of the order. She is eager, curious, and aggressive, often pursuing lengthy mental side tracks without fully engaging in pragmatic concerns. The preservation of history is her priority, and she treats every record (no matter how vile) as worth preserving. She has not yet mastered the humanoid form granted by her sage jewel and experiences a certain amount of claustrophobia when in that form.
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Jezebel cracks a slight smile at the scarred man. Your reputation precedes you, Grandmaster. Nice to finally have the opportunity to work with you. How wise of you to travel well-equipped.
Glancing around at the assembled party, the slight smile still on her lips, Jezebel says, Well, ready when you are.
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The Grandmaster sneers. "Gifts? No supplies to help us survive."
You proceed on foot toward the ruins of Resa. The sages travel alongside, many appearing lost in thought. 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 gray 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.
Near the end of her tenure in the town, Tahari established powerful wards and eventually hid the entire city from passersby. Following her mortal body’s death, the magic sank the town entirely. The presence of the sage jewels has awakened the wards, and the necromancer’s sanctum rises toward the surface once more, albeit with a jarring grinding of stone that suggests the imperfect realignment of buildings.
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That's very kind of you anyway! She says with a warm smile to the Grand Master.
Don't like this place, gives me creeps... she says worried as the voice starts speaking in her head.
Looking at the obelisk she says May be our friend Amenopheus could help us know how to disable the monolith's power while we take care of the rest?
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Steelmask remains quiet, but his boy language is stiff and unforgiving as his longspear, adorned with the Ancient Banner of the Mordant Navy remains unfurled. The group seems to choose Sinuhotep, but the history of the lich does nothing to assuage his suspicions about possible evil coming from all sides.
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Stubbornly Kaâb continues to deny working directly with Sinuhotep
I understand your pragmatism, but when I can avoid working for an evil person, and more than that, an undead one, I do. I'm sure you can understand why, as a follower of the Dawnflower, I can't work with this... monstrosity. It's a firm NO.
I've made already too much compromises.
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Al'Aokara chimes into the discussion with some words of wisdom,"Remember that if you always judge someone based on their past actions, you will never see them redeem themselves because your eyes are not watching them, they are only seeing the past. They cannot change the past anymore than you, but they can change the future. I am unfamiliar with the tenets of the dawnflower and I am not a sage, so I will leave the choice to the rest of you."
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Near the end of her tenure in the town, Tahari established powerful wards and eventually hid the entire city from passersby. Following her mortal body’s death, the magic sank the town entirely. The presence of the sage jewels has awakened the wards, and the necromancer’s sanctum rises toward the surface once more, albeit with a jarring grinding of stone that suggests the imperfect realignment of buildings.
Arcane runes cover the basalt monolith as it pulses with dark energy. Furthermore, the sandstorm reduces visibility to 30 feet.
Steelmask
Al'Aokara
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???
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Kaab
Xiaobo
Amenopheous
Jezebel
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???
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Al'Aokara passively watches as the sanctum rises,"I've fought the runelord of sloth without challenge, perhaps this necromancer will give a better one. I cannot improve without pushing myself to my limits nor can I improve by holding back" he thinks to himself.
He puts his hands together in prayer fashion and his feathered body quickly becomes covered in magical bark. . He then pulls out his trust Rod of Balance.
"So it begins." he says, taking a fused style stance.
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Observing his surroundings, Steelmask notices that A'tuin nudges his leg and taps the ground with his front left foot twice. "Pathfinders, we are in danger. Prepare for some malfeasance." he says forcefully to the small group around him as his leaps astride A'tuin.
Edging out towards the wall, Steelmask peers around the corner as he tries to see in the sandstorm as he grabs the horn slung across his back.
"I will hold off this side, prepare for the assault on the other flank!" he calls out, inspiring the Pathfinders.
Letting the slung horn fall back down towards his waist, Steelmask regrips his elven spear and waits for the approach of the enemy.
This only applies to humanoid creatures (two legs) as I don't have confidence to trip multi-legged beasts! I barely think it might be possible for the humanoids.
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Grabbing the horn at his side Steelmask peers over the very low rubble as the sand sweeps across his mask. He spends a few precious seconds encouraging his allies as Al'Aokara meditates, sweeping through form after form.
Flagbearer - +2 morale bonus on attack rolls and weapon damage rolls.
Inspire Courage - +3 morale bonus on saving throws against charm and fear effects and a +3 competence bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls.
Steelmask
Al'Aokara
Kaab
Xiaobo
Amenopheous
Jezebel
Steelmask
Al'Aokara
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???
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Kaab
Xiaobo
Amenopheous
Jezebel
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???
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"Tahari feels the energy and knows we are a threat." Amenopheous gets a serious look on his face as the Pathfinders continues to enchant themselves and slowly move forward. Nothing shows in the swirling sands though Xiaobo hears strange sounds in the wind. Sounds of bone clattering on bone and a thousand moans all at once or none at all as it could just be the wind.
Jezebel suddenly feels something grasping at her legs. Countless animate corpses lurk beneath the sands, grabbing at the living. Thousands of hands reach up, grasping at anything moving.
The moans from the south become increasingly louder.
Flagbearer - +2 morale bonus on attack rolls and weapon damage rolls.
Inspire Courage - +3 morale bonus on saving throws against charm and fear effects and a +3 competence bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls.- 2 rounds remain
Steelmask
Al'Aokara
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Hordes
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Kaab - fly 20 feet up
Xiaobo
Amenopheous
Jezebel- freedom of movement
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???
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