Ang will study this location, he wants to fix it in his mind so he can come back.
After he has done this he will head towards Umok, using the hammer’s power if necessary.
Between the hammer and your relative familiarity with the area you make your way back to Umok unscathed. Curiously, you find that the woods are much more quiet than they had been previously and you get no real sense of being watched.
Check back in with Zarbuzel and see if there is anything new in town, owlbear egg status, or news from Korim.
Going to sell the loot and buy some stuff.
Zarbuzel is his usual good-spirited self and very happy to see you return alive from the woods once more. He tells you that the owlbear eggs appear to be in good condition and their nature lore experts thing that the eggs are maybe a few weeks away from hatching.
There is no correspondence or news from Korim.
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After a few weeks you have completed your rest and improved your equipment stocks. Zarbuzel tells you that the local Gnome mages and sorcerers have further studied the two green gems (one you found on the mage with the goblins and one left behind by the paladin Challo Fignoble).
A little awkwardly he admits-It appears they are some type of living rock and will grow over time. In addition, they uh..., they seem to want to come together. While one of the sages was experimenting with them he tried rubbing them together and they fused into a larger, more powerful, stone. Some think that they are all fragments of a larger gem. Some think that they are all a type of 'seed' that has been generated from a source stone. We still aren't quite sure to be honest, but they are fascinating and we will continue to study them.
Do you have any thoughts about what you will do next? No one in the town expects you to further wander into the woods. Any debt to us is quite fulfilled, although the stories you have brought back are curious at the very least as none of it fits what we thought we knew about the goblins.
"I discovered a new way into the goblin caves so I will probably go back at least once more and try to make them think twice before they ever venture out again. I am also a bit concerned that I have not heard back from Korim so perhaps I need to pay him a visit."
Head back to the Halls to pay Korim a visit.
The day before you set out for the Halls a breathless Zarbuzel bursts into your room-Ang come quick! A man just rode out of the air on a horse made of smoke and he says it's urgent that he speaks with you!
You quickly follow the excited gnome to the edge of town where a group of doughty gnome warriors watches a tired looking young man that wears the robes of a young initiate of the Halls of Steel. You don't recognize him but clearly he recognizes you as a weary smile breaks out on his face and he extends a sealed letter to you-Steel defend I'm tired, but Korim would box my ears if I didn't get this to you. He says you are to read it straight away! Your letter took a few weeks to reach us and he deemed his reply important enough to send me back via magical steed.
Ang-It was good to hear from you and I'm glad you seem to be doing well and finding your way in the larger world beyond the Halls. News of your discovery of additional stones is quite disturbing. One from a crypt speaks of evils of old unearthed. Now two near Umok and one actively found speaks of evil afoot and active in our world. You should try to find the source of these stones and take steps.
As to their destruction, I think using your hammer and some holy water in a sacred place should be enough. My guess is that you are growing stronger in the ways of Torag and if you seek his strength I'm sure he will lend you enough to destroy the evil the stones hold. Whatever else happens, make sure NO ONE TOUCHES THEM! The paladin Challo was wise to store the one she found in a container. I know the gnomes will want examine them as they are ever curious. Don't let them!
Additional knowledge of the stones is not worth the risk of their evil influence and I fear for Umok should its people receive too much exposure. Finally, make sure to keep the two stones apart. Individually they are dangerous, together who knows what powers they might have!
Steel give you strength,
Korim
Ang takes the letter and reads it.
Too late Korim, too late.
“Thank you, if you are returning to the Halls can you take a reply?”
The young man smiles wearily-Of course Ang, but it will take a while for me to get it there. I figure almost three weeks march from here, a little less by actual horse. Unless you have some magical conveyance of course. In the meantime, is it OK if someone gets me a meal and a cot? Riding smoke horses at breakneck speed for 24 hours will get you there in a hurry but it's exhausting.
To the courier: "I think I can manage to get you a meal and a place to sleep. By the way, what's your name?"
To Zarbuzel: "Zarbuzel can you put up with another guest? And can you arrange for me to speak with your sages? "
Courier-My name's Elb and I'm grateful.
Zarbuzel-Yes and yes. Let's take care of Elb here and I'll take you to where they are studying the stones...er stone.
A short while later, with Elb squared away and sleeping, Zarbuzel leads you to a large building that appears to be a town hall of sorts. Inside are many rooms, one large one contains several older gnomes who appear to be intently studying and experimenting on the large green stone.
Ang will watch for a while. He will detect evil on the gem, does it seem more evil now or more powerful?
The gem seems both more evil (if that's possible) and you would guess more powerful based on the semi-trance state that most of the folks in the room seem to moving about in.
Zarbuzel's eyes appear to glaze over at the sight of the gem and his breathing becomes rhythmic.
Things aren’t looking very good.
Based on what Korim wrote, does Ang think he can destroy the gem right here in this room? If not, has he seen any place in Umok that he believes might work?
You think it highly unlikely that he can destroy the gem in its current location. There is a temple to Shelyn in Umok that might work.
https://pathfinderwiki.com/wiki/Shelyn
How many gnomes in the room? Is there someone who is obviously in charge?
There are 8 gnomes (not including Zarbuzel) they seem to be older and you guess most are sages or loremasters with maybe a wizard or two thrown in. None appears to be clearly in charge and they all seem to be working on different tests/experiments on the close to gnome fist sized stone. They appear to barely notice your entry into the room. If you didn't know better they would seem just like ordinary scientists strongly focused on their research.
“My good gnomes! Sorry to disturb you at your work, but I have something important to tell you all. Like Challo, I am a paladin and I can sense evil. This gem is evil and has grown significantly in strength since two were joined as one. While I hoped you might learn something by studying it, I believe it has become too dangerous to continue to do so as is evidenced by its effect on my friend Zarbuzel. I’m afraid I must take it to the temple to destroy it.”
You can tell your words have had an impact as some of the glaze leaves the eyes of the assembled gnomes. There is a flash of green light from the stone and you can see the gnome's body language become a bit more hostile. You hear Korim's voice in your head-Let the strength of Torag flow through you and into their hearts.
“Steel yourselves against the evil.”
Channel positive energy to see if that helps any.
The blast of divine energy combined with your earnest pleas seem to be enough to shake everyone from their semi-stupor. The assembled gnomes look about in confusion, some clearly surprised as to where they are.
"My good gnomes, as I said, this gem is both evil and dangerous. I will be taking it to the temple of Shelyn now."
Is the gem in a container? If not, put it in my pack or something without touching it. Then off to the temple.
The bewildered gnomes make no effort to stop you as you carefully scoop up the stone into your pack and head towards the temple of Shelyn.
The temple of Shelyn is a large outer structure building in the center of which is an idyllic garden with statues and fountains throughout. In the center is a larger fountain that feeds strands of flowers and brilliant colored bushes that clearly is the center of sacred power of the place.
Head towards the center. Are there gnomes about? Any that look like clerics?
Several gnomes move throughout the gardens, but you deem most to be worshipers instead of clergy. There are two older gnomes in fine vestments that you deem likely members of the church; as to their powers as clerics you know not.
"My good gnomes! I require the assistance of a cleric! There is evil that needs destroying before it corrupts the good inhabitants of Umok."
One of the older gnomes makes his way towards you-The peace of the Eternal Rose upon you my friend. You are the paladin of Torag I have heard so much about, yes? Why are you so distressed in this tranquil place and how may I help you?
"I carry the gem the sages have been studying. It is a powerful evil and needs to be destroyed. I am a paladin of Torag and my hammer should be able to destroy the gem if I can do so in a sacred area. I need to find the center of power of this temple and any help that the servants of Shelyn could offer would be welcome."
The previously unperturbed look of the elderly gnome changes to one of focus as you have clearly shaken him from his time of idyllic reverie. Indeed? Well you've found the right gnome. Follow me.
He quickly leads you to a lovely bed of chrysanthemums in the center of which is a small fountain and a bird feeder swarmed by magnificently colored birds. This is the center of my Lady's power here. Instruct me and I will aid you as much as I am able.
“If you know any spells to protect against evil they might be of use, otherwise pray to Shelyn to protect is and this place.”
Is there a rock or something hard to place the gem on?
Place gem there, if nothing available then place it on flat of the blade of my MW greataxe.
Wait for the gnome to cast or pray.
Then activate smite evil and smash!
Torag grant me the power to end this menace!
Unable to find a rock you use the steel of your greataxe. The cleric of Shelyn begins to chant and invoke the powers of his goddess. You can feel a confluence of divine energies coalescing about the area as you drive your hammer down upon the stone.
The maleficent gem appears to somewhat resist your blow and blasts a ray of energy at you in return:
With Torag's aid I will persevere!
Your hammer swings in a violent arc, crashing down on the vile stone, rendering it into powder. A loud gong (sounding like a hammer striking an anvil) rings throughout the gardens and the resulting shockwave throws most visitors to the ground. The elderly gnome priest is somehow able to keep his feet but is clearly deafened-
I don't always crit, but when I do, evil beware!
Anything more about the devilish form, does it remind Ang of what he saw in the goblin caverns?
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The seething devil held a vicious-looking, saw-toothed glaive, while below its toothy maw writhed a hideous, twitching beard.
The creature was a Barbazu or bearded devil; an elite warrior from hell's legions. Somehow it was bound to the stone and must have fueled its powers.
"Thank you for your help, good sir."
Old gnome cleric-WHAT? GREAT WORK HERE; THAT WAS SOME KIND OF EVIL! SHEYLN BLESS YOU MY SON!
"GOOD DAY SIR! THANKS FOR YOUR HELP!"
Head back to Zarbuzel's place.
You return to Zarbuzel's abode and find it empty outside a sleeping Elb.
I could use a good rest myself after that.
Turn in for the day.
You wake the next day to find yourself alone in Zarbuzel's home.
Any notes? If not head into town.
You head into the center of Umok and grab some breakfast. The town is strangely subdued and many familiar faces appear to be missing, including Zarbuzel.
Head to the area where they were studying the gem.
You head to the civic center and find a few clerks that are able to inform you that all the gnomes studying the stone have gone to the temple of Shelyn so you go there for your answers and find that most of the sages that had been studying the stone have become sick; almost as if they were having withdrawals. Zarbuzel is there as well, and informs you that although he is not physically sick, he is sick in spirit and spending time in the gardens to clear his mind and atone for any influence the evil stone may have had over him.
Any sign of Elb?
After asking about, you find a much refreshed Elb at the town's metalworking neighborhood. He appears quite fascinated by how the gnomes are able to work metal without an open fire and is asking a bunch of questions and observing their technique.