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"This is a hard choice... On the one hand the other demon would be quicker to find and put down. On the other the library would be, in theory, safer but take longer. There is also the chance that the Babau, like that thing," Quartz says pointing at the dead demon, "Will try to take over. And that would be bad." Quartz paces for a moment, stroking the spot his eyebrows would be, "I have to say we put down the demon. I would hate to see anything bad happen to you while we waited. But if the library can help return you to normal, I think Kitarlo should still contact his friend and get the ball rolling."
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Mareq considers for a moment. His eyes stare forward, resting on the ashen remains of the demon, Laktharis. But he's not really seeing them. He is remembering the City of Brass. He remembers summoning Husarq. He considers how useful the archons were in this fight. How versatile. Good allies, he thinks. Perhaps I should cultivate more relationships in this sphere of influence. The celestials are good tools.
He turns to Valais. "Yes, Valais, a hard choice. But I think it is better for you to seek the Heavenly Library. Certainly. Your violent nature due to your transformation is as much a moral one as a physical one. You should focus on reforming your soul. And violence, even to save yourself, is still violence. Seek peace and the heavens. Your other demonic tormentor will wait."
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Okie dokie. Given the lack of other opinions, the heavenly library wins!
Kitarlo offers to guide the party through a ritual to remove the Abyssal taint from the charwood staff--he'd do it himself, but he's missing an arm and cannot perform all the somatic components...
If the party wishes to assist Kitarlo, I will need:
(1) a knowledge religion check
(2) a spellcraft check
(3) a knowledge history check
(4) a diplomacy check
These checks reflect the difficult of performing the ritual. Please decide among yourselves (a) if you're going to help Kitarlo and (b) if so, who will attempt the checks.
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Berosius has Diplomacy at +12, so he'll auto-assist Davina.
He has Spellcraft and Knowledge (religion) at +10 each.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Quartz has Knowledge (planes) +7, Knowledge (religion) +6. He can assist Mareq and Berosius on those and Spellcraft +13. He can be primary on Spellcraft.
That Knowledge (History) seems to elude us...
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Hand-waving the remainder of the ritual. Enough rolls have been high enough that the party, working together, has succeeded in purging the staff! (Now you get a potential item on your chronicle sheet.)
It occurs to Davina that Laktharis' corrupting presence here might have skewed the Sarkorians reasons for being here. Does anyone wish to speak with the Sarkorians who are working to excavate this site?
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One of the workers replies: "I will not falter in my obedience to my god. As he has decreed, so shall I act. All else is distraction."
"Wait, did you say demon? Well... That changes everything!"
He explains to the party that the Laktharis they worship was born from the fertility goddess of the sacred heartwood tree, and that his power over nature provided prosperity to Sarkorians in ancient times. He was taught that Laktharis can fight against the taint of the Abyss and restore the natural world, but that he rewards only loyal and obedient servants with such a great blessing.
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Yes, you inspected the staff and it was in the process of being corrupted by Laktharis' demonic presence--and, y'know, the whole 'being in the Worldwound' thing. :-)
You explain this to the Sarkorians.
You successfully convince them that Laktharis tricked their ancestors and that they should abandon their worship of the demon.
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Once the PCs return to Starrise Spire, Venture-Captain Jorsal is eager to hear what progress they’ve made locating a suitable site for the crusade’s new fortress. Ollysta Zadrian speaks with Valais before addressing the PCs.
"I’m happy to hear that Valais’s mind is clearer; she seems happier than I’ve even seen her since we recovered her from Thurl’s laboratory. You’ve given her real hope, something she has lacked recently. Thank you."
Because you advised Valais to seek help from Kitarlo, she adds:
"Congratulations on making contact with such a powerful celestial ally. Kitarlo’s plan to gain Heaven’s aid could work, but archons often have larger concerns than a single mortal soul. Azatas have good intentions, but they always not reliable. I would hate to get Valais’s hopes up."
She pauses:
"Ah, but now is not the time to fret about the risks in Valais’s future. Now is the time to celebrate the fact that she has a way forward, and that the Worldwound has lost a powerful demon that was tricking and exploiting innocent Sarkorians. Thank you, Pathfinders. May the Dawnflower’s light illuminate your path."
In the coming months, Valais’s condition continues to improve. With only one demonic essence to counter, she enjoys the relative quiet within her mind. Though her dreams are still sometimes nightmarish and violent, she is hopeful, and she believes that she will one day fully recover.
Scenario over!
Thank you, one and all, for gaming with me. :-) Your chronicle sheets are now available for you. Please let me know if there's anything I need to update or correct.
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Well, before we switched to "Thralls," I was originally going to run the module "From Shore to Sea." I'm happy to go ahead with that. Or, we can do scenario #7-19: Labyrinth of Hungry Ghosts (levels 3-7). Lastly, I'd also be up for scenario #7-11: Ancients' Anguish (levels 7-11). I ran that one at PaizoCon.
You all are free to choose. We can even keep using this thread.
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RESET
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You have time to make purchases, level up characters as appropriate, etc. You have been summoned to The Grinning Pixie, the Pathfinder Society's only mobile lodge! You will be given your mission by Venture-Captain Calisro Benarry.
If your character has played #6–06 Hall of the Flesh Eaters, please let me know!