The grand crystal dome atop this structure has collapsed into massive shards that jut from the earth at odd angles, forming an unusually beautiful courtyard within this huge structure. A cracked, tessellated floor and worn stone alcoves highlight an ancient archive. Thin, engraved copper plates float gently in the air, bundled in groups like open books, their tarnished pages no doubt filled with all manner of esoterica.
Ezren rubs his hands together eagerly. "Oh....." He takes a tentative step into the building, tearing his eyes away from the books to look around for trouble.
Kyra is amazed at such extravanganze. She too starts to look around, her words calling upon her patron to grant her mage sight.
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Not wanting the elderly wizard to risk his unprotected skin, Magnus puts a protective arm in front of Ezren, and says, "Would you like me to grab one of those for you? Does which one it is matter?"
First, however, he is going to do what checking he can... he moves up to the entry way (or whatever passes for that, there), and looks around. He will Detect Evil as well, as the spell (not the single-target special).
When directed by Ezrez (or others) he will move up and carefully grab one of the copper plates.
Looking around you notice some insectile monster with four legs, a strange propeller-shaped protrusion at the end of its tail, and two long, feathery antennae.
Initiatives:
Flinders
Valeros
Ezren
Kyra
Bartholomew
Magnus
Monsters
Whole group goes first.
Kyra seeing such and hearing about such a beast, unload a sling stone at it.
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Magnus is a bit worried, in that he is encased in metal, and wield a metal weapon. Archery was never his forte, but he doesn't really want to lose the equipment he has worked so hard for.
He moves two squares north while drawing and throwing a javelin.
"Is there any way to make them just go away, Ezren?", Magnus asks, meekly.
for
"Sorry, I don't know... I wish they were all clumped together though... Grinning a bit, Ezren pulls out a pinch of sulfur and guano. Pointing at a spot halfway between the two southern rust monsters, a small bead of light streaks forth, exploding into a ball of fire that engulfs the two beasts
The group hits the rust monster who is still there after your assault, but the two south get burned to crips due to Ezren's fireball.
last rusty: 12 damage
waiting for Bartholomew
"Excellent work Erzen!" Kyra calls out as she loads her sling once more.
Without any problems you get rid of the rust monsters, and all fighters can relax.
Your first search turns up a text from the archives that has survived amid the floating, rusty crumbs of knowledge forever lost. Entitled Idionestra’s Histories, these early chronicles of Nal- Kashel detail its founding as a small, isolated observatory and its growth as a center of learning. Many of the plates are missing, but referencing the volume identifies most of the island’s buildings and provides a +2 bonus on Knowledge (history) checks relating to Nal-Kashel.
Other books include The Seventh Column, about a secret society who were executed by drowning after a failed coup of Nal-Kashel’s colleges, and Sigil & Glyph, woefully incomplete editorial broadsheets claiming the existence of secret experiments transforming humans into aquatic hosts for alien entities from the Dark Tapestry, under the control of something known as the “unwelcome guest.
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"You've just got to get them in the eye, that's the trick." Bart says as he cleans off his dagger and stows it back on his belt. "Interesting stuff," he comments as he reads through the volumes with Ezren. "Well, let's see what else we can turn up on this island. More dealings with the Dark Tapestry, that seems for sure."
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"Thank you all for a quick fight. I have learned not to fear my enemies, but Abadar teaches to be careful with one's possessions. As it stands, almost all of my wealth is tied into my sword and my armor, and while I could recover from their loss, it would be regrettable.
"So, again, thank you my friends."
Magnus lets the more studious minds work through the papers we have found, but asks, "What is the 'Dark Tapestry'? I know not of this. Demons I have vanquished, as have I devils, but I know not of what comes from the Dark Tapestry. Is this another creation of Hao Jin?"
Nal-Kashel, Nal-Kashel.... hmmm. Ezren distractedly tries to think back to what he knows about an ancient city named Nal-Kashel while perusing the volumes.
Looking around Flinders also finds a copper plate engraved with arcane formulas: an Azlanti minor crown of blasting. As he touches it, the plate separates into stamped metal glyphs that closely orbit his head.
ooc: The item takes up the user’s head slot and reforms into the copper plate when removed.
Ezren remembers that Azlanti lived on the island before. According to the few remaining accounts that he can think of, the Azlanti outpost of Nal-Kashel was a shining testament to the glories and revelations of the old empire. A crowning achievement of engineering, the city served as an ancient observatory and center of learning, and a necessary pilgrimage site for the educated elite of Old Azlant.
Flinders remembers about the Dark Tapestry—the darkness between the stars where inhabitants of Golarion believe true madness lies. The few beings able to survive in the vast, cold void of space are too alien for even the gods to comprehend, and present one of the greatest threats to the known universe should they wish to do so.
As you explore thelaboratory, read the different plates you find - Fortitude save!
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Magnus watches as the more studious learn everything about the library. Although he is quite intelligent, especially for a paladin, he's never had a lot of time for book learning. He and his sister were both driven at early ages to regain the family fortunes and lands, and their callings were divinely inspired rather than by school. Still, such thins have always fascinated him.
Kyra tries to shake off the chill this place gives her especially knowing more about the Dark Tapestry. She chuckle at the obvious restlessness of some of her less bookish companion.
Having explored the library to full extend the rest of the island waits.
natural armor bonus)
ooc: this is very much a sandbox style adventure, so feel free - and you decide how long you want to take.
"We are done here so let us proceed. No sense in waiting anymore here."
"I could spend years in this building, but yes it is time to move on. That sounds like a good direction Magnus. Nal-Kashel here was a center of learning for the Azlant empire. This library would have been a very important building, but it won't give us much more about the current situation." he regretfully heads towards the doors of the building.
You go outside to venture further onto the island - but getting deeper there is a cliff you would need to scale to reach higher grounds - or you could travel around to visit other places of interest.
Looking at the rather long climb to her own senses, Kyra grimaces.
"I'd prefer to take a longer walk as I'm not exactly gifted for climbing."
As you walk along, time passes, and you feel the island tuggung at you - another Fortitude save (except for Barthomolew)
"I'm grateful for your agreement in this."
Ezren looks up at the cliff and glares. "I could fly, but I only have one potion. I'm fine with the walk, this is a wonderous place, but if we are in a hurry I could fly a rope up."
"Whatever may be a lot harder than Walking, climbing or flying." Kyra smiles to take the sting out of her words as she begins to move attempting to find a safe path.