Braelex sighs. "I guess we'll have to backtrack and hope the way out is clear." She looks around the wreckage of battle, and herself. "Where are all my extracts..?"
We best heal up first. And you drank all your extracts. I bet you drank everything liquid you had. It was crazy. I think it was related to that shard you picked up.
Vuloo heals the group. He then follows Braelex and the others out into the courtyard. "Maybe we exit the same way we came in?"
Vuloo leads the party, including a bewildered and hungry Braelex, back to the menhir.
The menhir appears the same except this time there is no nauseating yellow pulse and no sign of the rot grub swarms anywhere.
Vuloo examines the menhir and sees if he can find a triggering mechanism of some sort.
Braelex tries to recall how the transport was activated.
"We, er... I am going to need to find an ioun stone to pair with this shard. I don't relish... mmm, I would kill for a pickle sandwich right now." Her stomach growls loudly and she groans, wiping saliva form her chin.
Braelex recalls it just like it was half a day ago, although it feels like nearly a year.
Braelex has a flash of memory and looks around. "I think we can probably touch this to take us out. Relan, want to take the lead?"
Sure. Is anyone not ready? When everyone indicates readiness Relan will touch.
Relan touches the stone and with a flash, you reappear in the wet cavern under the Library with a fading voice in your mind ...
I AM NIGHTMARE ... WE WILL MEET AGAIN
Braelex shakes her head, "I guess we didn't destroy that thing after all."
"Let's get out of here before more... things come after us."
With you all the way Brae.
Dotting In
You are able to quickly navigate back through the Thassilonian laboratory and to the barrier at the back of the library. The guards are surprised to see you, but let you through quickly and call for Koifa.
The librarian that had made fun of Nalar earlier speaks up as you await the chief librarian. "The gnome and sweetalker returned earlier. They are a mess. Did you find the other tow at all?"
Koifa hurries down the hall from afar, his robes pulled up as he all but sprints, the curmudgeonly nature vanished in his excitement at seeing you again. "What, what did you find?"
"Both the naga and her other companion are dead," Braelex explains.
"We encountered caulborn below. They offered to aid us in finding the Sihedron shard, which we ultimately did, but they turned on us and tried to claim it for themselves." She reveals the Shard of Gluttony. "I will need to find an ioun stone to suppress its curse." Her stomach growls in response.
And it appears we have earned the enmity of a never-dying headless entity. Relan comments.
Koifa's face blanches when you mention that caulborn betrayed you, "We cannot take any more risks then."
He turns to the libarian-guards, "Get some brick and mortar, we need to seal this off immediately."
Turning back to the other discussions, his eyes alight at the appearance of the shard ,"It is simply amazing! A real Shard of the Sihedron, here in our library! What we wouldn't give for a chance to study that."
"Let us know how else we can help you as you prepare for your return trip. We will award you 4,000 gold for the returno f Hasari and Luonim. It is unfortunate you were unable to bring back the bodies of their companions. Should you have any interesting texts from your explorations, we can free some funds up to purchase them.
You are welcome to stay here the night before you depart in the morning."
His firm glance lets you know that he considers your business done after this evening.
Nalar suggests teleporting back once you all are ready. He knows the Lodge well and can drop you all in easily once he's rested and memorized.
Turning back to the other discussions, his eyes alight at the appearance of the shard ,"It is simply amazing! A real Shard of the Sihedron, here in our library! What we wouldn't give for a chance to study that."
Braelex narrows her eyes for a moment, but then shrugs. "I will let you study the shards, supervised, for a short time. I could use your help finding out what ioun stone is needed to suppress the Gluttony curse."
"Should you have any interesting texts from your explorations, we can free some funds up to purchase them.
Back in Magnimar, Gemel has used Mnenmonic Esoterica to select Shadow Conjuration for the day. He uses Shadow Conjuration to cast Draconic Ally, to reset the duration on his conjured minion.
Braelex's stomach growls and her eyes perk up suddenly. "Oh yeah, we found these on the dead halfling." She digs out the tomes from her pack. "I believe you'll find these more useful than we."
To the group, she adds, "We need to check in with the Augurs, right?"
"I need to get to Magnimar as soon as possible. Sheila will have the pink rhomboid ioun stone needed to suppress the Shard of Gluttony's curse." To Koifa she adds, "If you would allow it, I'd like to access your archives to study constructs, golem-crafting, and alchemy."
The Council librarians will pay 400gp for the texts.
Once they've spent this first few hours studying the shard and are made aware that you are departing with the job (within the day I'm assuming to avoid the curse hit again), they politely inform you that they are closing the doors to outsiders as you depart and returning to their internal studies ... along with protecting themselves from the caulborn.
Due to the time constraints to suppress the Shard of Gluttony's curse, Nalar offers a quick teleport back to Magnimar to meet up with Sheila's ioun stone provider first
Nalar takes a quick hiatus to catch up with Oriana and then meets you all back at Heidmarch manor for a visit with your Venture Captain.
Sheila meets you in the parlor, Nalar and another man are waiting with her. The manor is noticeably absent of other Pathfinders and you think that perhaps you've caught one of those rare moments where everyone is out on a mission.
As always, the Venture Captain is professionally eager to hear of your stories and to see the Shard, although again she refuses to lay hands on it, leaving it in your care.
"Before we discuss the next step of your quest ... assuming you have activated the Shard of Gluttony to get a vision on where to go, of course ... I need to make a change to your team. I understand Nalar made significant in roads with the Ardoc arcanists in Kaer Maga and has been invited back for future collaborations. I think this is a perfect opportunity to explore the feasibility of a Lodge in Kaer Maga, and Nalar is our in."
The enchanter nods his head respectfully as he sets the Shard of Lust on the table for the party.
"I will not leave you high and dry, though, so I've requested one of our our finest minds to accompany you on the rest of your journey. He has a unique set of skills and experiences that I am sure will more than compensate for the void Nalar is leaving in your team. Let me introduce Gemel Valdemar to you, and welcome him back to his home town where he has returned at my invitation."
*
"Nalar, we had a few rough patches to start, but I think I'm going to miss your flagrant fireball slinging." She shakes the man's hand, before adding, "And there's... something I want to get your help with in Kaer Maga. We'll talk after."
Braelex turns to Gemel, flashing a smile while sizing them up. Before him, Gemel finds a human woman marked with jarring facial tattoos and cosmetic alterations making her the semblance of a daemonic tiefling. Her hair is black and lustrous, but cropped shoulder-length and unruly. Beneath the facade you can tell she is beautiful, almost unnaturally so. She wears scuffed leathers that have seen their share of punishing service, with a remarkable crossbow slung over her shoulder. Nearly every free space along her belt and bandoleer is covered with pouches, vials, flasks and grenades of every descript.
"I am very pleased to meet you all, Braelax, Relan, Vuloo and Nalar. As Lady Heidmarch mentioned, I am a pathfinder of some experience, and she recruited me to help you out on the quest to reassemble the Sihedron. I have been reading your reports of your previous adventures, and I look forward to your report on your latest journey."
Gemel is just short of 6' tall (5'11"), and skinny. He's a bit nondescript, brownish hair and hazel eyes. He has the weatherd look of a who's been outside a fair bit. He has chain shirt on, but is not carrying heavy weapons in a social setting. You notice that there a couple of creatures in the room, a flying fox and a little dragon, both of which you assume to be in his service, as you know Lady Heidmarch does not keep a familiar.
Vuloo shakes Gemel's hand and greets him warmly, "Welcome to the team Gemel! Your reputation precedes you - most impressive from what I've heard. I for one will certainly be glad to have another Pathfinder to compare notes with. Recovering the shards has proven to be most challenging."
Vuloo goes on to provide his background and the party's experiences to date.
[dice= K History]1d20+16
"Very interesting Vuloo," Gemel replies to Vuloo's narrative, "Many questions. But perhaps the most immediate matter is the Black Rider's closing threat; we may need to do significant research, but perhaps we can deal with it proactively? Find it's weaknesses and what will actually kill... Could it be summoned somehow, into a tactical position where we could put it down? Clearly, the Runelords made some sort of accommodation with it; it was guarding the shard..."
Sheila moves to what looks like a glass covered cake dish. She lifts the lid and you spy several ioun stones floating around a tiny spire. She plucks one out, a pink rhomboid, and gives it to Braelex.
"I was able to source this while you were out. Let's see how it works"
You have a flash of a past life ... from Thassilon, given the architecture. You find yourself walking along next to an incredibly gorgeous woman with luxuriant black hair, piercing eyes and a commanding presence that makes your heart and soul melt. You want her. You would do anything for her. Anything, anytime ... there are no boundaries, no limits for what you would do for Runelord Sorshen. Your entire existence is to provide for her needs ... and then the memory is over.
It is at that moment, that you see, staring out from you under the shorn hair, bizarre tattoos and tiefling imagery on the woman, Braelex, the exact features and body of the Runelord from your memory
As you've experienced once before, the world in front of you departs and your eyes glaze over as the vision takes hold.
You find yourself whirling above a peninsula jutting out into the foam-flecked waters of an ocean. Dramatic cliffs plunge down into the splashing tide. On top of the cliffs you spy a seaside abbey with a tall lighthouse, not lit, but with a rainbow-like prism on the inside, visible through absolutely spotless windows.
The abbey, itself, however is in ruins and the surrounding community and countryside is blasted and scorched, dead animals and circling vultures visible.
The shard is made of a pale inubrix. As long as it is carried, its owner can cast vampiric touch as an SLA 1/day, gains a +2 insight bonus to saves vs necromancy spells, and increases max HP by 1/HD.
The pink rhomboid stone attached provides its bonus of a +2 enhancement bonus to Constitution as well.
Gemel:
You have a flash of a past life ... from Thassilon, given the architecture. You find yourself walking along next to an incredibly gorgeous woman with luxuriant black hair, piercing eyes and a commanding presence that makes your heart and soul melt. You want her. You would do anything for her. Anything, anytime ... there are no boundaries, no limits for what you would do for Runelord Sorshen. Your entire existence is to provide for her needs ... and then the memory is over.It is at that moment, that you see, staring out from you under the shorn hair, bizarre tattoos and tiefling imagery on the woman, Braelex, the exact features and body of the Runelord from your memory
Braelex comes to and shakes her head, woozy. "I saw a ruined abbey, a blasted and scorched community nearby... the dead, vultures circling." She concentrates and continues. "The abbey is on a cliffside shoreline. There's a lighthouse... another lighthouse, not the Lady's Light, but it has a rainbow inside. A prism."
"Does that mean anything to anyone?"
Braelex comes to and shakes her head, woozy. "I saw a ruined abbey, a blasted and scorched community nearby... the dead, vultures circling." She concentrates and continues. "The abbey is on a cliffside shoreline. There's a lighthouse... another lighthouse, not the Lady's Light, but it has a rainbow inside. A prism."
"Does that mean anything to anyone?"
Relan greets Gemel as well. A true loremaster. It is a pleasure to meet you. I try to study and perhaps manage more than an common man at arms and even worked as a librarian for a short time. He discusses possible locations for the lighthouse and collaborates with the group.
"I am pleased to meet you as well Relan; I am sure you are much more than a 'common man-at-arms'. I have a lively respect for the abilities of my fellow pathfinders, especially those who keep my arse un-chewed!"
Gemel:
You have a flash of a past life ... from Thassilon, given the architecture. You find yourself walking along next to an incredibly gorgeous woman with luxuriant black hair, piercing eyes and a commanding presence that makes your heart and soul melt. You want her. You would do anything for her. Anything, anytime ... there are no boundaries, no limits for what you would do for Runelord Sorshen. Your entire existence is to provide for her needs ... and then the memory is over.It is at that moment, that you see, staring out from you under the shorn hair, bizarre tattoos and tiefling imagery on the woman, Braelex, the exact features and body of the Runelord from your memory
With the tremendous knowledge of the lore warden, lore master and the Pathfinder library, you easily determine the location to be the Windsong Abbey, just up the Lost Coast from Sandpoint.
Windsong Abbey has long served as a prominent landmark of the northern Lost Coast, with its stately white lighthous standing sentinel over the Varisian Gulf. Founded in 4082AR in the wake of the Even-Tongued Conquest by a group of priests who had grown frustrated by the machinations of politicians in matters of faith, Windsong Abbey was always intended to be a neutral ground for the adherents of diverse beliefs. Its founders envisioned a place outside of established nations where members of the 21 most widespread faiths of the Inner Sea could meet and discuss religion, current events, and philosophy in an ecumenical venue, where all
beliefs were considered equal and all forms of violence between rival cults prohibited. Members of nearly every faith in the region came to represent their beliefs here over the years, with only the cult of Rovagug declining to take part. And while each faith was held equal, tradition held that the eldest priest would serve as the abbey’s voice, wearing a masked headpiece to denote her role. The first Masked Abbess was a priestess of Pharasma, but over the years to follow, different faiths held the vaunted position.
And so, for over 500 years and against all odds, this so called “house of twenty faiths” continued to exist with little to no internal strife or trouble. A small village grew up around the abbey to support the priests, and as the prophesied day of Aroden’s return drew near, the priests watched with keen interest how the world prepared ... and were as surprised and shattered as the rest of the world when Aroden died.
Windsong Abbey lost much of its cultural importance and political influence in the decades following Aroden’s death, it remained a famous pilgrimage site until the present time, and the flashing, rainbow-hued light of its lighthouse, the Pharus Pharasmae, has long been a well-known navigation signal to sailors off the Varisian Coast.
Your present knowledge though is that though many of the temples have withdrawn their priests and the Abbey's influence has declined, the monastery is still active and functioning. Seeing (or hearing about) the ruins is certainly a surprise to you.
Flex Time Items
1) "Lady Heidmarch, does the Magnimar lodge have a mirror suitable as the focus component for a scrying dweomer? I think investigating what has happened at Windsong Abbey would be worth the effort."
2)Gemel will research around both the lodge and the larger city of Magnimar - Suject: Windsong Abbey. He will roust Andel to help him research.
He will try to find any information on the abbey that might be available in the city. Of particular interest: floor plans, what has happened recently, a good map of local geography
+4 if the Burst of Insight spell is applicable (1 round +8 enhancement to CHA)
3) Gemel will inquire in the lodge and the city, looking for an animal trainer who is skilled enough to train exotic animals, and/or vermin. How much would such services cost.
"Certainly Gemel, that seems wise. I have one available for just that thing in the library. Feel free to use it as needed."
Gemel and Andel are easily able to secure semi recent floor plans of the Abbey.
Additionally, it appears word of some sort of recent attack, about a week ago, has made its way to the city. The people are abuzz given Windsong Abbey is a piece of regional history, but the Temples see it as mild curiosity and while a topic of intellectual discourse about the hows and whys, none of them seem connected or inclined to engage. Likewise, the civil authorities of Magnimar are aware and have increased searches and security protocols in the city, but as Windsong is an independent holding, the city isn't organizing any sort of sally.
Gemel pushes hard, eager to prove himself to the new team, and near the end of the day finds several notifications pushing him to a man with "firsthand" knowledge.
A quick encounter in a tavern before the man rushes off to meet his wife for dinner leads to him giving you the following:
"A Varisian peddler and harrower named Pilla was among the first to pass by the abbey after it was attacked. She tried to investigate, and supposedly found something of interest before she was chased away by a giant, of all things! Last I heard, she’d all but moved into a room at the Rusty Dragon in Sandpoint—and I don’t blame her. If I were her, being chased by a giant would certainly put me off life on the road!"
Several days into our downtime period...
"My fellow pathfinders, my research has had results! I found someone who could draw me a floor plan for the public portions of for the abbey; Braelax, we should get together and update it with what you saw in your vision. I also got told about a peddler, by the name of Pilla, who went to visit the abbey recently, and was chased away by a giant. I understand that Pilla is currently staying in Sandpoint. I know you all have things to do , but who wants to take a day trip with me to Sandpoint and interview Pilla?"
Isn't Sandpoint on the way to the Abby. We should all go I think.
"If we all want to come along that's great, but I do want to do this immediately, before Pilla moves on... I don't think we will be proceeding to the abbey from Sandpoint, as we were planning on finishing up item and golemcrafting before going to the abbey. This will take time away from those tasks."
Another flex time item:
Make a careful study of the biggest temple of Cayden Cailen in Magnimar (for teleportation purposes).
Shortly after returning from Kaer Maga, Braelex works quickly to sell off the excess gear and treasure the group collected in the City of Strangers. Then, when Nalar concludes his business in Magnimar, she hitches a telelport back to Kaer Maga with him. There, alongside Nalar, she approaches the Ardocs in the hopes of learning the basics of construct crafting. She brings the Clay Golem Manual to reference and trade for the information she seeks.
*
"Nice! That's way more reconnaissance than we've had before," Braelex nods enthusiastically. She has come straight over from her workshop and is a disheveled mess, covered in glass shavings. "I agree we should speak to Pilla, but I'll need a day or two to finish my er, preparations."