Venture-Captain Norden Balentiir rubs sleep from his eyes as faint pre-dawn light filters into his office. He shutters the
window as a thrush begins singing loudly in the garden below before gesturing for everyone to have a seat and addressing
the matter at hand. “I’ve received a request from the Diamond Sage, Tahonikepsu, the leader of the Jeweled Sages. You may
be familiar with her as an associate of Amenopheus, longtime friend of the Society and our trusted expert on matters of
Ancient Osirion. She has asked the Pathfinder Society to send its best Osirionologists to the Pillars of the Sun to help explore
a sealed-off area in the sages’ stronghold there—so I have recommended you.”
He searches his desk for quill and ink and scribbles out two notes, sealing one with wax imprinted with the Way of the
Open Road. “I’ve made arrangements with a caravan to Eto and provided directions from there to the Pillars of the Sun. Once
you’ve reached the Pillars, Tahonikepsu has promised a guide to see you the rest of the way. We have maps and sketches
from the last expedition if you want to familiarize yourself with the site, and I have also withdrawn several scrolls from
our reserves in case your Ancient Osiriani is rusty. Feel free to arrange alternate transport—at your own expense. Don’t try
using magic to reach the sanctum directly, though; there’s no telling where you’d end up.”
He is looking at the assembled pathfinders, waiting for them to introduce themselves.
The venture-captain rises from his seat to see everyone off, and hands over the two letters. “Show the first letter to the
caravan master. The sealed one is your letter of introduction to the Diamond Sage. Remember, the Jeweled Sages are invaluable
allies in our exploration of Ancient Osirion, and it’s a privilege to be invited into their sanctum. Treat everything there with care, and help to preserve the region’s past.”
Kyra tries to recall the significance of the Pillars of the Sun and the Sages Strong hold. She ask Sarenrae for guidance on the mater.
Not exactly sure what or who the Sages Stronghold is; Kyra bows as she accepts the scrolls and sketches from Venture-Captain Norden Balentiir. If it pleases the Venture Captain could you explain a little more about the Sages Stronghold? And I don't believe I'm familiar with Amenopheus, will this person play a roll in our mission? Or are we to have the honor of just the Diamond Sage, Tahonikepsu's company alone to escort us?
Norden Balentiir smiles and replies to Merisiels question."Well I have prepared some scrolls that grant the reader the ability to comprehend languages and one to cast tongues."
Norden Balentiir shrugs and replies to Kyra´s question.“I’m not sure where Amenopheus is—Absalom, I think. When he found the Diamond Sage a few months ago, they held a vote and, with the support of certain Pathfinders, she became leader of the group.”
You may recall—or use the library in Sandswept Hall to research—more about the Jeweled Sages.
seems to enjoy warm relations with the order.
items that contain the history of Ancient Osirion and some of the power of the Age of Destiny.
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A second tall man, with mid-back length snow white hair tied back in a ponytail and sharp blue eyes, stood up and looked around the room at the assembling Pathfinders. He was dressed in simple clothing at the moment, black cloth pants and a simple dark green tunic with its sleeves rolled above the elbow. A silver holy symbol of Sarenrae hung around his neck.
"Well I'm glad to see that our skills are being recognized." he said, standing up and crossing the room to collect the two letters from Norden. "Fortunately, I've known the Osiriani language for quite some time. Shouldn't be too hard to get back to using it."
"Hmm. Maps, you say? Can't imagine it would hurt to have those with us. I don't see much of a reason to disregard the caravan you've set up for us either. Since they're invaluable allies, it would be better to arrive with their guide than to show up on our own.
Also, if we're going to a sealed off region, there's probably a very good reason. Is there anything else you can provide us?"
Kyra nods her head and accepts Sparkred's statement and follows it up with one of her own.Hmmm, Yes in the past, the old dynasties and the Qadiran satrapy outlawed the Jeweled Sages...But the current government seems to have reversed their feelings on that particular organization. Perhaps, you are correct Sparkred, a day spent at the library, may better prepare us for our mission. Kyra offers a slight nod to the elf.
Story will process in 12 hours.
Kyra stops by a local adventure's store and picks up a scroll of remove Paralysis she then heads to the Library with Sparkred.
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He caught the Sorceresses gaze and gives her a quick smile.
As the group made their way from the meeting and began to disperse in their own directions, sure that those who had volunteered to research at the library would share any new information they came across, he went over to where the sorceress stood.
"Well that was a short introduction, although it left us with a day to prepare, it hardly seems worth getting up so early just for that. I suppose Venture-Captains are busy people with a lot to deal with." He glanced over at her. "I don't think I've had the pleasure of meeting you before. My name is Erwin. And you are...?"
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"Hoho! There you are. Did you find what you were after?"
A small halfling wanders up to the table, from around the corner of a bookshelf. You recall him possibly being present at the lodge, but may have assumed he was 'the help'.
"Wake up, big fella. You look bored out your skull."
"Books are fine, in a pinch, but there's other ways of discovering things. Fun ways."
He smells faintly of whiskey, and in his pocket is a half-eaten pie.
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(1/day Take 20)
"I can't believe I just walked right in here, without being asked my business. But then, I did hear talk, of how there's a shortage of librarians, lately. Seems a bunch of them went trooping off on some errand for Lady Tahonikepsu.
Now, who told me that? Never mind.
The young'uns went to watch it, but some of the older sorts were muttering how it wasn't done, back in the day.
Used to be an illegal order, you know. Had to keep their heads down.
Bit difficult, when you're sporting a great jewel in your forehead. They do that, you know, these sages. Supposed to be full of memories of old Osirion, voices of their ancestors, and the like.
Still, now their ban is over, they can walk free as you please, talking up their 'Age of Destiny', and claiming royal approval. Seems to go down well, with the youth."
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"Well, there's plenty worse things to blow your wages on.
I don't want to stand before Pharasma, when she asks me what I did with my life, and have nothing to show for it, but a hundred years of virginity, on stale bread and water."
"My folk have a saying, 'You can judge how well a person lived, by how many people get arrested at their wake."
** spoiler omitted **
Using the library and using some of the books Kyra gets some insight. Kyra, you can open all spoilers for 15 and 20.
Armed with some knowledge you start your trek along the desert trail.
Be aware that it is VERY hot
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Erwin eyed Seoni. "Charmed, Seoni, though I don't believe it's anything to do with the magic in your blood." he put a hand on his hip and turned his gaze upon the dawning light. "It seems today is going to be a good day after all. I have a few preparations to make before tomorrows journey. Would you care to join me over breakfast afterwards?"
Erwin now wore his full plate and carried a heavy laden bag with him.
"Kind words, little friend. Though hopefully that will only have to see minimal usage through our journey. I don't believe we've met before. My name is Erwin." As he said this he offered his hand to the Halfling.
Kyra feels the heat of the morning sun pick up and cast endure elements on herself.
Kyra withdraws a scroll from her pack and touches Merisiel lightly, Receive relief from the heat...it is a gift..from the Dawnflower.
Kyra smiles shyly as she cast endure elements, from a scroll, on Merisiel.
Strangely you encounter no noteworthy obstacles on your journey west to Eto and then south to the Pillars of the Sun.
There, two sage acolytes wait for them: a handsome young Garundi man in white robes named Garai Weheliye and a sweating, middle-aged Taldan woman named Helena Arendall.
They greet the Pathfinders excitedly. Garai smiles and speaks up.
"Welcome, welcome, welcome. We are ready to bring you to Tahonikepsu."
Bowing deeply Helena adds."We have cool water and dates."
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Erwin nodded at Kyra following the exchange. "Ah, a fellow Sarenite. I wonder if it's the whim of the Dawnflower or coincidence we ended up with the same task before us."
The Paladin had found the journey across the desert landscape to be bearable thanks to Sarenrae's blessing, even enjoyable thanks to the company he kept. But even so, after hours of trekking in his heavy armor, he had began to wish he'd known that nothing was going to happen.
"Hmm, two guides? And here I'd thought we'd only be meeting one."At the mention of food he realized he was feeling famished. "Thank you, Helena, I'd be happy to accept your hospitality."
Knowing Kelishites, are not always welcome in Osirion..Kyra decides to forgoe her traditional praise of Sarenrae for delivering them safely to their destination. She instead only nods and says a polite, thank you, at the offered refreshments.
The two guides shrug and shake their head.
"We do not approve of alcohol, it cloudes the mind. And we only brought water and dates, the welcome gift of our ancestors. Shall we start our trek?"
As your are closer to the pillars of the sun you can make a knowledge geography check.
Garai and Helena lead the PCs along a secret trail, guided by hidden glyphs they sense with the aid of detect magic.
Kyra stares at the magnificent natural monuments in awe, Beautiful, I wish I knew something of their history.
Kyra just made a major mistake.
For the next hour or two she is bombarded with historical facts in a manner that no one but the hardest history nerd can follow.
But they seem to take a liking to the cleric!
Helena turns around and smiles at Lem.
"Actually non. Our master takes care that this path is free of any dangers."
After quite some time you finally reach the entrance toyour destiny
The Sanctum of the Sages is an extensive underground complex set into the side of a mountain. At a distance, illusions disguise the structure’s features. Within about a hundred feet, however, the illusion fades, revealing a beautifully engraved facade and door carved directly
into the mountain face.
You can see a dozen acolytes living outside the sanctum in a small tent community, where they meditate and debate the finer points of Nethys’s holy text, the Book of Magic.
You are greeted by Tahonikepsu inside the entrance hall.
Ornate rugs and a small pile of sitting pillows create a small soft space in the marble room, where a finely dressed Garundi woman sits by a fountain. She looks up from a puzzle of broken pottery fragments as the two escorts announce the Pathfinders. After thanking and dismissing Garai and Helena, she beckons her visitors forward.
“Welcome, Pathfinders. You and your venture-captain have my thanks for agreeing to aid us. I am Tahonikepsu, the Diamond Sage.”
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Erwin bowed lightly at the welcome given to them by Tahonikepsu.
"Well met, Tahonikepsu. Though I do believe it is as much a formality as proof, we are grateful to assist you with your troubles and will do so to the best of our abilities as representatives of the Pathfinder's Lodge." As he spoke, he produced the letter of introduction which had been written by Venture-Captain Norden Balentiir and moved forward to hand it to her.
Greetings honored Tahonikepsu, we are at your service. How is it that, the Pathfinder Society can aid you? Kyra offers a small and respectful bow.