Against the Whispering Tyrant in his own backyard.

Game Master Vrog Skyreaver

So, what's the plan for getting past the half-orc?

Let Hiram and Baergar do their thing? If Baergar gets the jump on someone, the battle's are over pretty quickly.

Can I do it? :)

Baergar steps into view and hails the half-orc. "Declare yourself friend or foe. I'm already irritated. Please don't make me angry."

The dwarf king rests his sword on a shoulder.

Turning, the half-orc smiles, says "Hello again, how's your winged friend?" and then vanishes. He's gone for now, but he'll probably be back. Feel free to react and then head up the stairs.

Baergar turns to the others and shrugs. "Should have just hit him..."

lol you made me chuckle when I read that Baergar

"We'll remember that for next time," Hiram says with a wry smile before taking point up the stairs to whatever new horrors awaited them.

Chapter 4

The stairs wind their way around the tower twice, rising about 50' into the air, before opening into a vast room, several hundred feet high. As you rise up, you once again feel yourself pass through one of the "icky" wards, however unlike the one downstairs, this ward was not designed with lethal intent. The only immediately obvious effect is that anyone who is invisible becomes visible, and anyone who is shapechanged reverts to their original form. The massive room upstairs is dominated by a gargantuan crystal statue of Tar-Baphon, which stands floor to ceiling in this chamber.

The crystal of the statue is a dark red color that reminds one of the color of fresh blood. The insides of the crystal appeared to be filled with some sort of smoke, and the thing fairly radiates mythic power. Even at this distance, you can see that the statue has some sort of magic circle around the base, but you would have to get closer to examine it in detail.

There is another being here, Who looks like this.

As she sees the first of you, she stands, makes a squeeeing sound like a hyperactive teenager, and says "Visitors! Oh, it's been so long! I'm not even wearing anything. You must leave and allow me to prepare! Why didn't anyone tell me there were visitors? This will not do, not do at all." At this point, she will start rambling, having disconnected conversations with herself, as well as imaginary beings (or at least beings you can't see).

Those of you who are mythic beings can tell that she is as well. Those of you with the divine power source can tell that she used to be a god. Feel free to roll knowledge checks as you see fit, and I'll just post info based on the best check for each skill.

knowledge (arcana): 1d20 + 38 ⇒ (11) + 38 = 49
knowledge (history): 1d20 + 31 ⇒ (1) + 31 = 32
knowledge (nobility): 1d20 + 31 ⇒ (18) + 31 = 49
knowledge (planes): 1d20 + 31 ⇒ (15) + 31 = 46
knowledge (religion): 1d20 + 31 ⇒ (16) + 31 = 47

Know (History): 1d20 + 29 ⇒ (12) + 29 = 41

Know (arcana): 1d20 + 41 ⇒ (12) + 41 = 53
Know (history): 1d20 + 38 ⇒ (1) + 38 = 39
Know (nobility): 1d20 + 28 ⇒ (15) + 28 = 43
Know (planes): 1d20 + 40 ⇒ (13) + 40 = 53
Know (religion): 1d20 + 28 ⇒ (15) + 28 = 43

Star silently curses as her cute little gnome form gets dispelled. In all honesty, her human self does not look too different. In fact, Star only looks like she aged from roughly twelve years old to her late twenties.

Knowledge (Arcana): 1d20 + 29 ⇒ (12) + 29 = 41
Knowledge (History): 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (17) + 20 = 37
Knowledge (Planes): 1d20 + 29 ⇒ (19) + 29 = 48
Knowledge (Religion): 1d20 + 29 ⇒ (13) + 29 = 42

Thanks, Hiram! ;)

KN: Arcana 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (15) + 16 = 31
KN: Dungeoneering 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (20) + 16 = 36
KN: Geography 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (17) + 16 = 33
KN: Local 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (5) + 16 = 21
KN: Nature 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (20) + 16 = 36
KN: Planes 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (15) + 16 = 31
KN: Religion 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (4) + 16 = 20

+6 vs Dragons, +4 vs Humans, +2 vs Magical Beasts & Undead

One of the few knowledges it makes sense for him to have.

Huh. I just realized how smart this party is.

Knowledge checks in order:
Arcana (Best check 53): This is a being of immense mystical power that has access to a huge variety of magic both arcane and divine. She is hunting for a set of artifacts called The Bloodstones of Arazni. She is a powerful wielder of Mythic Power. She is not a magical beast, dragon, or construct.

History (best check 46 [+5 because Hiram saw her a long time ago]): This being was once the Herald of Aroden, Arazni. She was summoned by the knights of lastwall in 3818, but was humiliated and slain by Tar-Baphon in 3823 during the battle of three sorrows. It is commonly accepted that she is the current ruler of Geb, after the disappearance of the Ghost-King of the same name.

Nobility(best check 49): She holds the position of ruler of the benighted nation of Geb. She has a retinue of reanimated knights of ozem as bodyguards. She holds the title of "Harlot Queen."

Planes(best check 53): The being before you is not undead, which countermands all previously given information about her (it is commonly accepted that she was raised as a lich by Geb in retaliation for his failed attack on the knights of lastwall). What she is, however, appears to be a Kyton of some sort. An incredibly powerful one. Those of you who rolled planes may ask 5 questions total about her.

Religion(best check 47): Arazni once held the position of Herald of Aroden. Her domains were good, nobility, and protection. She is not, as has been previously mentioned, an undead creature.

Dungeoneering(best check 36): The inside walls of the tower here are made of steel, not the stone that is prevalent throughout the lower areas of Gallowspire. The steel has been created in such a way that it resembles the stone around it. This much steel was not naturally mined and worked, it was created with powerful magics.

Geography(best check 33): The crystal that makes up the giant statue was mined in a very remote area of the shattered range mountains, in southern Garundi.

Local (best check 21): The statue of Tar-Baphon upon closer look, the giant crystal statue appears to have writing on it, in a small hand. there is also some sort of moving smoke or cloud within it.

Nature (best check 36): Arazni is actually alive, as opposed to all the undead you have seen here. She is also bound to this plane and if killed here would actually die.

given all the information you have learned, you think that the giant statue is probably the phylactery of Tar-Baphon. As Arazni has not attacked you, you could talk to her if you wanted, but since she is probably the statue's guardian, you probably want to get any interaction with her out of the way first.

I'm going to take some time to think this through. Good info. Love the lore.

Very cool! I gotta think a bit, too.

Lorelei does have one question to ask Great Cthulhu. Why is Arazni acting as a guardian here? Based on what the groups knows, she should hate Tar-Baphon beyond words (the whole "humiliating and killing her" thing) and be chilling on some other continent.

Shaking great 8-ball in the sky: "Answer unclear."

feel free to ask her though!

ya, I love the story of Arazni. The crusaders summon her with (I'm sure) fairly powerful magic, and then she gets her hindparts handed to her by a lich. Then her body is stolen by a ghost and she is sith-style "tortured til you like it" turned to evil. Ironically, this part of my tale of woe is designed to give her something of a happy ending.

"Your Majesty," Lorelei begins with a polite bow. "Might I inquire about why you are here? For a number of reasons, your presence is quite unexpected."

It seems that Star's voice, speech, and mannerisms have aged along with her appearance. Her accent is vaguely Chelish. She also seems rather... distant. Almost as if remembering something that happened long ago.

For that briefest of moments, Lorelei decides to let the world remember who she is.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 37 ⇒ (13) + 37 = 50

Lorelei momentarily suppresses her No One of Consequence mythic ability. For now, no more DC 40 will saves to remember anything about her, lol. Anyway. Arazni is the last "living" bastion of Star's old god. As such, Lorelei is naturally going to be friendly.

Turning to star, she says "Well, aren't you the cutest thing! You need ribbons! little girls should have ribbons in their hair!" She speaks a word of power, and sure enough, Star has ribbons in her hair. "Much better, dearie. Now, who are your handsome gentlemen callers? Why, I remember..." and with that she trails off, staring into space while little furrows of concentration crease her face.

"Thank you for the gift, Your Majesty," Lorelei says thoughtfully.

Not objecting to the ribbons (they will look quite cute on her gnome form), this more lucid Lorelei starts thinking about Arazni's strange behavior. Something about her seems off. In all honesty, it is almost like looking a mirror.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 33 ⇒ (20) + 33 = 53

Manisha considers the woman before her, she nods her head in respect, I've heard of you. Many think you dead, and yet here you are, straight out of fairy tales and myths. This is a long way from Geb your highness.

Manesha stops next to Starling, nice ribbons.

Do you still answer to Lady Arazni? What do you desire?

Turning to Manisha, Arazni says "Isn't Arazni a god? the herald of Aroden? I'm not Arazni. I believe you are mythtaken." she has a fit of giggles at her own joke.

Whatever the situation, this creature was not being immediately hostile. Getting a better handle on the situation took priority. He sheathed the Song, trusting the weapon to leap into his hand if needed. If she had the memories of Arazni and a less than perfect mental state, the naked blade might provoke her.

"Oh, we are no one of import, m'lady, just an old general, a king of the north, and assorted capable souls," Hiram said, deciding to turn the ol'charm on. "May I ask who you might be?"

Diplomacy (Trying to improve attitude): 1d20 + 30 ⇒ (7) + 30 = 37
Sense Motive (Looking for a hunch about her): 1d20 + 28 ⇒ (16) + 28 = 44

Arazni turned to Hiram as he asked his question about her identity and said "I....that's odd, I don't know my own name. How silly of me. I'd forget my head if it wasn't attached. No matter. You must have some exciting stories. Are you The King in The North?"

"Oh no, ma'am, nothing quite so grandiose for me. I'm the old general, but I'll wager any one of us has stories enough to last a lifetime... or two," at the best of times Hiram's age was hard to guess but many placed him in his early forties or late thirties. He bowed low, the picture of courtly manners without a touch of mockery in his form.

"Hiram Morrow, a pleasure."

Stepping forward into a sweeping bow, Baegar addresses the lady. "I am the Northern King milady. Do you have busienss with me?"

Arazni shudders, and then begins speaking, rapid fire and in a much lower octave "When the king of the north/Tip of the horn/approaches the mountain of the dead/Some will stand/One shall fall/or death shall find it's own." shaking again, her voice returns to normal, and she says "Hello mr. dwarfie. What brings you to....where are we again?"

"Well, I am literally here to protect all that is good in the world."

Baergar emphasizes key words, hoping that their value to the lady is remembered.

"Good is good. Or should I say protect is protect? Herald is herald. I knew a herald named Herald once. told him his name was redundant. He didn't like the joke. Can I go home now? no. But I don't like it here. tough. but there are scary monsters! they won't try to attack you. but.....I'm lonely."

when her voice changes (as denoted by the italics), it's like someone else is speaking through her. Someone not very nice, it would seem.

"You can stay with us if you so choose," Hiram offered, making a quick glance to Baergar. She seemed powerful but currently harmless and he would rather have her where he could see her as opposed to skulking in their shadow.

What's up with the split personality?

sense that motive: 1d20 + 29 ⇒ (9) + 29 = 38

She definitely seems to have what, many years from now, psychologists would call multiple personality disorder, although usually the different personalities would not verbally communicate with each other.

At Hiram's offer, she says, voice barely above a whisper, "The mean man won't let me. He says I have to stay here and watch his filocory." which she indicates as the statue by sticking out her tongue.

"That's a shame. We would have loved to have you."

Baergar's face lights up as if he'd just had a revelation.

"What if we watched the 'filocory' for a while so you could have a break? Or maybe you could come with us if there was no 'filocory'?"

"Now these are only suggestions. Friends? Do you have any ideas about how we can get the lovely lady a respite?"

She shakes her head and says "if you mess with the thingee, I'd have to kill you, and I don't wanna do that, cause you all seem nice. It's a shame, really, as you're stuck here by now, I'm sure."

Is this the goddess, or an avatar?

The elf stays silent and undetected.

knowledge (arcana): 1d20 + 38 ⇒ (11) + 38 = 49
knowledge (history): 1d20 + 31 ⇒ (20) + 31 = 51
knowledge (nobility): 1d20 + 31 ⇒ (4) + 31 = 35
knowledge (planes): 1d20 + 31 ⇒ (16) + 31 = 47
knowledge (religion): 1d20 + 31 ⇒ (15) + 31 = 46

Don't know much about history... Oh, wait. I do. :)

"Stuck here?" Baergar asks with mounting frustration.

Lefty, see my post for knowledge skills, above.

"yes, stuck here, mr. dwarfie. He likes to open holes in the wall, then close them once adventurers come in. He's got a couple of closets full of stuff that belonged to them."

none of you are hurt, right?

I think Baergar is down around 20 HP. Otherwise, no.

"Perhaps, perhaps not," Lorelei comments with a shrug.

Knowledge (Arcana): 1d20 + 29 ⇒ (13) + 29 = 42

These wards don't seem to affect artifacts. Is that true? That could explain why I was given the Nexus Crystal even though Plane Shift is supposedly useless here.

"By the way, what is our esteemed host like? He sounds like an interesting man."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 42 ⇒ (17) + 42 = 59

I forgot a couple of bonuses on my last diplomacy check. I have since fixed there error on my sheet. Hence why it's five points higher.

good question about artifacts star. they interact weirdly with artifacts. Artifacts *can* work in the wards, but they might not work to full power or work different.

"He's a bad man who likes to hurt people." Arazni has a moment of clarity, in which she says "He sundered me and bound me to guard his Philactery. Specifically to have me from prevent anyone to approaching it."

Then her moment of sanity is gone, and she starts drooling.

Without moving from her current position, Lorelei, suddenly aware of how little the group has looked at it, takes a glance at the Philactery.

Knowledge (Arcana): 1d20 + 29 ⇒ (2) + 29 = 31
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 29 ⇒ (9) + 29 = 38

She also has Arcane Sight.

Second question for the Divine Magic Eightball: How could Tar-Baphon's agents get all the way to Geb the Country, beat both Azani and Geb the Ghost Wizard King, and then drag Azani all the way back to Garrowspire? Tar obviously couldn't do it himself since he's sort of trapped, and none of his merry men are as powerful as he. By extension, has Geb finally moved on in this timeline? The info post seems to indicate he is no longer on Golarion.

It's my understanding that both Geb and Nex are missing. Arazni is ruling the country in his place, and Nex is...no one really knows. there are a council of wizardly types that rule Nex atm. Arazni being here is a diversion from the standard pathfinder lore I'm taking, but one that (I think) makes sense within the context of the world.

As far as examining the phylactery using arcane sight, it has the fluctuating aura that you have come to associate with artifacts. If you want definitive information regarding it, you would probably want to use legend lore.

From what I've read, Nex is missing for sure. However, Geb seems to pop up every so often if his country is invaded. For example, he once turned an army of invading Amazon women into stone zombie things and then left to who knows where. Last Wall picked a fight with him, and he personally repelled them and then sent his men to grab Azani. Just wondering. If it's different for this game, then that's cool.

"Besides that bad man and us, is there anyone else here, Your Majesty? You seem awfully lonely."

Arcane Sight pick up anything on Azani? I know Mind Blank blocks it, and she's a high level wizard, so it's pretty much standard issue for her, but you never know!

Lorelei also decides to take a peek around the room. What does it look like?

Sight - Star: 1d20 + 39 ⇒ (2) + 39 = 41
Hearing - Rose: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (20) + 15 = 35

Star can see in any darkness.

the room is ridiculously large, but other than the truly massive crystal statue of Tar-baphon (which is appearantly his phylactery), the magic circle around the statue that you would have to enter the room and get closer to truly inspect, the chair that Arazni is sitting on, and arazni herself, this room appears empty (it's possible that there is something high above that you can't see as it's out of the range of darkvision, but nothing else has reacted to your presence.

"Azani? You say this statue is Tar'Baphon's phylactery and that you are bound against your will to defend it, but does it not strike you as odd that such an important facet to his survival be left so obvious to unwanted inspection? Could you be being played?"

"Please don't tie me up! Is there someone else there with you Girl? No. Are you lying to me? no. Good, see it stays that way."