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Barboo moves into the room of lava and approaches the dwarf.
Hello, I come in peace Looks like you are working very hard. It must be so hot for you. Is your boss nearby? I am here with some friends and we are here to find a statue that is the idol of Moloch. If can tell me what you know about this idol or where it is or who has it maybe we can help you get out of here and go someplace that is cooler.
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The surprised dwarf swings around at the sound of Barboo's voice.
Now whata we got here? He eyeballs the gnome, the sorcerer, and the enigmatic druid, then glances at the tiger. That's a nice tiger. He takes a step away before continuing.
See I don't really mind the heat, but your right I ain't got no loyalty to these devil lovers. See I'm suppose to stop anyone like ya if you make it in. But should you make these cultist go away, then it wouldn't really matter would it?
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I'm Vulcus, I was a Qadiran slave, till I convinced Hafshi to purchase my freedom. Told her I could work the forge. She's crazy, devoted to that devil lord. Stop her and the cult will fall apart, she'll be up top in the Lava Temple, with that idol, yeh be seeking. Vulcus replies to Zamar's inquiry. Zamar feels the dwarf is completely trustworthy. Shadow notices how steam seems to escape through vents in the ceiling, located above each forge.
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Hi Vulcus. My name is Zamar and my tiger companion here is named Shadow. It's nice to meet you and thanks for the information. Being a slave can be hard on a person! Tell us about yourself and what you would like to do after we get rid of the cultists. Maybe the Pathfinder Society could be a good fit for your skills and interests as well as a good source of income as you look to do some really good work
So Vulcus, what about these vents? Anything you might tell us about them? Any other things you could tell us that might help us avoid any traps or other annoyances on our way to stop Hafshi? Anything you can provide would be great. We will make sure that you are set free from your indentured servitude to these devil-worshipping cultists!
Do you have any gear or items that we might be able to use to stop Hafshi? Do you know a way we might be able to get the drop of Hafshi or what types of offensive and defensive capabilities we may be coming up against?
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In Dwarven: Hello little one with big hammer! I am Cizish. May a strong wind always stoke your forge. If you are true in your desire to rid yourself of your devil masters, we would be happy to help you. Are you sure you won't attack us after we are done? I am happy to be able to speak to you in your own language, but also must warn you that my friend here with the tiger is also of the devil lover bent. I'm sure he won't harm you though... Anyway, what can you tell us about this Hafshi? She does not sound like a very caring person.
- lol
Cizish also casts Detect Magic around the room.
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Seeing that it looks like we'll have to go by the dwarf to go upstairs I decide to emerge from the shadows so as to not surprise him. Don't want him to begin to not trust us.
Vulcus, I'm Lem, and I didn't want to surprise you; you know us little people are easy to miss. Thanks for your honesty. We hate seeing anyone in bondage as liberty to choose the life we lead is a right we all cherish.
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Vulcus, that's a great name. I thank you for what you have told us. If we can get upstairs, we would be glad to rid you of Hafshi. What would be our best attack? Can you give us any other information that might help us. I agree with Cizish, she does not seem like a person we would want to be friends with.
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Yeah the steam vents reach inta the temple, they make steam jets up there, very hot, the pressure builds up then opens a vent up there, but they can be shut off, spreadin' the steam harmlessly throughout the forge instead. Vulcas explains.
Then adds I think Hafshi's trying to bring more devils here using that idol. She's a cleric for Moloch.
He then responds to Cizish in dwarven.
Yeah I figured any one controllin' a wild beast like that must have some devilry in um.
Cizish doesn't detect any magic.
Yeah that's it just want to make my own way, no I ain't gonna attack ya or raise no warnin', I'll just pretended ya sneaked past me and wish ya Torag's blessin'
Barboo doesn't recall the name Vulcas, but has heard the name of the evil cleric, Hafshi, she's known around Sedeq, for her crazy ideas and zealotry.
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Advancing forward, a long, winding ramp ascends gently in loops through the Citadel. The total ascent is about 60 feet, and the ramp begins 5 feet wide and then grows to 10 feet wide by the time it reaches the next level.
The corridor’s walls are decorated with mosaics of a female pilgrim’s journey. Throughout these scenes, a small golden idol of Moloch perches on her shoulder. The innermost loop is covered in a large mural that shows the devotee of Moloch abandoning her family to begin a pilgrimage to the Citadel, as well as her journey through the Qadiran desert, with sandstorms, steadfast refusal of water, and a heat-induced vision of Moloch. At one point, a pile of black sand lies next to what looks to be one of the steam vent openings. The mural shows the pilgrims placing a handful of sand above the vent and allowing it to scour her bare face. Signifying traveling through the sandstorms.
The middle loop illustrates a passage through a hoodoo maze similar to the one at the entrance of the Citadel. The pilgrim encounters increasingly large fire creatures, but in each case she prostrates herself to them and is allowed to pass. At this point, an obsidian statue of a towering bull-headed man looms over mosaics of pilgrims kneeling before it his in the center of the ramp.
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After giving Lem a bit of Guidance, Cizish hums and skips along oblivious of Lem's comments or even the danger that may be coming their way. He moves towards the stairs with the concern one might have for going out for a Sunday stroll.
Mmm-mm-mmmm. La dee da. Cray-cray-cray. Zee-zee-zee. Whew! It's warm in here! Let's go upstairs and see if we can catch a cool breeze. Far too stuffy for me down here. Too bad Bruce can't come with us. He could have fanned my face with his cooling zephyr.
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Seeing the vents and murals of prostrating pilgrims, Cizish turns to Lem and smiles. I think you may be right about dumplings, Mr Lem. I wonder if these vents are meant to fry would-be pilgrims who do not give appropriate respect to Moloch. What do you think?
I wonder if that stature is Molch? I'm just no good at all these gods and their weird images. Much easier to deal with the wind and sky. <Squinting at the pile of black sand.> Is that sand or are those ashes of a naughty Moloch-ite? I wonder what it feels like to be steamed in one's own skin? Terrifying!
Heal check to determine if they are ashes of a body or just sand. Perception to look for any traps/triggers or signs that there might be something more than meets the eye.
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Let's look around to see if there is anything interesting.
Zamar checks around the room they are in and then heads to the different rooms.
Zamar casts Detect Magic and searches the room for anything of interest.
Shadow
Zamar casts Detect Magic and searches the room for anything of interest.
Shadow
Zamar casts Detect Magic and searches the room for anything of interest.
Shadow
Zamar casts Detect Magic and searches the room for anything of interest.
Shadow
Zamar casts Detect Magic and searches the room for anything of interest.
Shadow
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Barboo's knowledge of the cult grows as she studies the mosaic, she realizes this likeness of Moloch is not the one you are looking for, as the mosaic clearly displays a smaller golden likeness. Instead this statue seems to represent an idol, followers would prostrate themselves to, before heading to the Lava temple.
Everyone is in agreement that there are no traps around this part of the building.
You are able to freely move passed the imposing visage and study the outermost loop, which shows the final judgment of the pilgrim. The golden idol looms over the entire Lava Temple, reflected in every torch, lava pool, and smoke plume. Nevertheless, the murals depict the temple clearly enough that Barboo is able to make a rough sketch of the anticipated layout of the Lava Temple. As the mosaic continues, the pilgrim immolates herself by placing her hand in a bonfire of blue flame. A much smaller brazier of blue flame stands on an ornate sconce in the passage. And it's clear that the mural represents a 3 part ritual for the cult's followers. At the top of the Pilgrim Passage sits an ornate spiral stair leading up. The murals here depict Malebolge, where the pilgrim has been reborn as a fiery warrior clad in black armor and standing in a paradise of water and palm trees (though hints of darker skies and fiery storms can be seen in the distance, reflecting the true nature of Malebolge). Along the walls, choirs of fire creatures sing in celebration, and a frieze on the ceiling shows the golden idol of Moloch smiling over his hordes. Barboo believes that this is a cultist’s idealized vision of Moloch and his domain of Malebolge.
Zamar and Shadow make there way into the four doors along the outermost loop of the Pilgrim Passage. They lead to the residence halls of the old cult, which were spread through the many spires and minarets of the Inferno Heart. They quickly discover each of these chambers constitutes the central hall of a tower with several more rooms, both above and below the entry points, along with bed chambers, guardrooms, a rude kitchen and dining hall, latrines, and storage closets. Nearly all are long abandoned, with the floors covered in a thick layer of desert sand, the simple furniture broken, food long since desiccated or rotten, and no signs of life. The pair search each of the 20 sand-filled rooms in around 10 minutes. In the end, only one of the many chambers contains anything interesting. The first chamber in the northwest tower, shows signs of having been recently cleared of sand and set up with three rough bunk beds and a simple shrine to Moloch. Which implies the reborn cult is still in it's infancy. Also nothing magical is found.
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Cizish whispers in reply to Lem. They certainly were all in, Mr Lem. Very devoted and perhaps misguided. When used properly, fire should be used to create or enhance, like our new friend Vulcus is doing below. Not destroy, like these Molochites seem to revere. Maybe it's for the best that they immolate themselves? Unless that turns them into flaming fire monsters, then that doesn't seem quite as good for us. It would be interesting to see though.
With that, he quietly hums to himself (perhaps the tune that Barboo sings to encourage us during the fight) and moves up quietly with Lem.
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Well, doesn't look like many others are or were here so hopefully we only have to deal with the evil cleric.
Zamar makes sure his crossbow is ready to fire then pets Shadow behind the ears.
Barboo, why don't you and I hang out down here while the more stealthy scout ahead to the top of the stairs. That way we might be able to better prepare for any further encounters especially if we have to go against the evil cleric or any of those fiery demons shown.
Zamar waits patiently for Lem and Cizish to return from scouting out the top of the stairs but being prepared for something unfriendly to come down instead.
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Good Idea, Zamar. I just do not like it when we have to go into battle. I would rather sing a tune and have an ale or two with my friends back at the Wisp. Hope we can get this over fast and get that idol back.
Barboo looks at Shadow and whispers a little song in his ear and rubs his head.
You have been a good traveling companion.
Barboo thinks she hears Shadow purr!
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It seems each of the minarets is only accessible from the outer most level of the central complex, you even spend some extra time looking for secret doors in the side towers. Lem and Cizish sneak up the spiral staircase which opens onto a grand hall of polished obsidian and red marble. The walls are decorated with reliefs of a gleaming brass city, a massive sandstorm scouring a desert, and a horde of fire elementals descending on a city full of terrified humans. Rivers of slowly bubbling lava crisscross the floor, all streaming out of an elaborate altar at the far side of the room. Atop the altar sits a squat golden idol, 3 feet tall, of a bull-headed man, its arms raised and its hands holding a large thorned sword and a huge battleaxe. The idol’s eyes glow a deep crimson. Lava flows impossibly fast out of the bull-headed idol’s open mouth and down its torso, fanning out from there into rivers on the floor. Behind the altar, an obsidian relief of geometric forms stretches from floor to ceiling. Smoky forms flit across the relief ’s surface, their fiery eyes staring out at the room. A female toils away near the statue working at some sort of riddle. She doesn't seem to notice the sneakers, and they retreat with a full report to the rest of the group below.
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After getting back down to Zamar and Barboo: Well, that was exciting but a little warm. It seems we found the statue that we are looking for, but I'm guessing that lady won't give it up without a fight. Now that I think about it, I wonder what she was doing with it?
Thinking back to what he saw, Cizish tries to puzzle together what the lady might be doing and if she was a cleric of Moloch (eg did I see the holy symbol) or could he tell what she was trying to do.
Now, I wonder what kind of friend I should invite along to fight our foe? Perhaps a breath of fresh air would convince her to surrender? I could ask Bruce the Air Elemental to join me again. Or maybe one of those nasty water elementals could come instead? I dislike the fishy smell that they sometimes have, but a fire cleric would probably be upset by that. Or maybe my trusted pal Bruce the War Dog. He's always handy in a pinch. Oh! I know, of course, I'll invite Bruce the Eagle to help out. He can't get entangled on the ground and loves to peck at bad guys.
After considering all of this, Cizish speaks up: Hey friends, assuming we are going to assault that lady up there, I can summon Bruce to help us out before the combat even starts since it takes a few seconds to cast that spell. Or if you want, I can make a lovely bank of fog upstairs and we can slip in unnoticed. Mr Lem might be able to employ his sneaky-sneaky attacks! Obviously she'll know something is up, but maybe we can get the jump on her? I can send Bruce in to attack and then cast the fog bank? Oh! even better, I can see if there is any plant life that will entangle her and then cast the fog bank? If I can sneak into the room, then she'll be stuck in place and then blinded to our attacks! How fun!
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As Lem and Cizish finish talking about what they saw, Zamar thinks of what he may want to do.
Good job getting there and back without any obvious signs of being noticed. We should definitely get the jump on the cleric as they can definitely cast some nasty spells. The only real buff I have is to put an enlarge spell on Shadow but I have to do it at the top of the stairs. Otherwise, he can't get through as too small of an area. Oh, I know! I can cast a Silent Image at the top of the stairs to make it look like the stairs opening so we can get up top without being seen though it won't help with sound maybe that will keep us from being seen quickly. Then I can cast enlarge on Shadow and we can surprise the cleric. I like the idea of entangling the cleric. The mist may make it hard for us to get any ranged shots in and I know I don't want to get close. These robes don't do well on blocking any weapons. I can try and blind the cleric with glitter dust. Any other thoughts?
Zamar starts to prepare for the upcoming battle while everyone discusses the group's strategy.
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If I feel I can get in with Cisish, I'd like to try the sneak ahead bit so I can get closer for a possible sneak attack. Short legs and a ways across the room. Is it dim in the room, helping with hiding or really well lit, ie. don't bother with sneak?
Did you see some sort of smoky form on the obsidian relief? Wonder if she might have some elementals of her own in there? May not just be her we're trying to subdue. I'd love to get a bit ahead of the group if I thought I could but you'd have to be right behind me to help when she notices me.
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Zamar's eyes go wide as he realizes another tactic!
Lem, I can cast Vanish on you and you would have 4 rounds to make it across to the cleric! I can then cast Vanish on Shadow as well and then Enlarge him. Shadow can then attack the cleric and you can then sneak attack from behind! That should give you enough time to get across the area I think. What do you think of that plan?
Zamar smiles to himself as he thinks about the surprised look the cleric will have on her face when a very large tiger appears and then gets poked from behind.
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Round 1: Cast Vanish on Lem
Round 2: Start casting Enlarge on Shadow
Lem starts moving towards cleric
Round 3: Cast Enlarge and Vanish on Shadow
Shadow moves towards cleric
Cizish starts casting Summon spell
Round 4 (Surprise round hopefully):
Barboo starts singing and waving her flag (though not sure what range is)
Shadow attacks the cleric from invisibility
Lem attacks the cleric from invisibility
Cizish's summon attacks cleric)
Round 5: Continue attacking until cleric is taken out.
Thoughts?
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Zamar gets busy casting. First, making Lem vanish. The bold Halfling springs to action, climbing the spiral staircase and scampering across the room. Lem leaps the lava pits and readies his sneaky attack. Cizish quietly counts to himself as he slowly and carefully climbs the steps as well. Zamar begins to cast his next spell and as he completes it, Shadow grows to incredible size, but is only seen for an instant. Zamar also makes Shadow vanish. The big cat gracefully moves into position as well. Cizish begins to cast his spell to bring forth Bruce, as Barboo displays the colors and begins a very quiet inspiring song!
Lost in the rapture of her dark ritual, the evil cleric is completely unaware of the impending Pathfinder reckoning that has found her this day!
Round 1
Map
Zamar
Cizish
Lem
Shadow
Barboo
Hafshi