San Xiao stands there incredulous at the new friend Savage found in the fog.
rounds
Meanwhile, to add to the already palpable fear, Noisy starts his doom dirge. The only creature able to see him is Savage's new pet.
To be affected, an enemy must be within 30 feet and able to see and hear the bard's performance.
Then Noisy's fear spell goes down the hall in a cone of terror.
Undead vs Fear
Elemental vs Fear
Unfortunately, he cannot see the results of his handy work, but there is some moaning.
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I can see why Vets moan so much about the Fog of War …
Luisila’s frowns. “Just how many undead do you want killed … uh, unkilled … rekilled ..? Whatever.”
“Disappointed, Saruna! I’m not sure how fighting YOUR battles for you helps either of us. What’s stopping us offering an alliance deal with Osirion’s Dearly Departed instead?”
The priestess lifts her voice above the battlefield din. “Badru, what do you say?”
Luisila shakes off the fog/fear in her mind and completes her channel against the undead, seen and unseen.
vs Channel
The grappled undead burns to some extent, but there is more burning of holy energy experienced in the cloud.
Conan briefly starts to tremble, but calls upon deep reserves and shakes off the fear and hacks down the fear-causing undead held by Savage.
You hear shuffling and flashes of light and screams to the hall to the north.
From the raspy female voice.
I wanted them ALL destroyed. You have only managed to chase off a couple. But it may be enough. Badru will not be please with you now.
You should choose quickly which side you take lest my willingness to negotiate be dissolved.
The odor of more burning paper and wood wafts out of the fog.
There is no response from the male voice.
=== Round 4 ===
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"You do not negotiate." Noisy growls in annoyance. "You demand."
"Stop burning the archive, then perhaps we are negotiating."
He taps out another beat on his drum, the exact opposite of the ominous rhythm he was playing before.
Dunno what our 'friend' is burning up there, but probably not helping the archive at all." He adds, with a worried frown to the east.
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“At least two have fled after a casual brush with us.”
Luisila borrows a nautical analogy from her old friend Omrax the Bold. “Imagine what will happen when we have the weather gage.”
You should choose quickly which side you take lest my willingness to negotiate be dissolved.
“Despite the distance to the Inner Sea, we certainly don’t want you dissolving on us, Saruna.”
Luisila affects her ‘mom’ voice. “If you’ve quite finished setting the Hall on fire, let’s hear what you have to say.”
Noisy is able to restore San Xiao's courage.
Luisila engages with her female counterpart and potentially moves up to bestow guidance on one of her pals.
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I'm gonna wait to see if the rest of the party can finish off my grappled target.
Conan briefly starts to tremble, but calls upon deep reserves and shakes off the fear and hacks down the fear-causing undead held by Savage.
Conan beams at Noisy's spell. "THANK YOU, NOISY. I NEARLY SHAMED MYSELF A MOMENT AGO. I WOULD HAVE NEVER LIVED IT DOWN. NOW ."
He strides forward, into the fog, his greatsword whipping back and forth before him until he comes across a pile of animate bones.
Conan needs very little encouragement to attack undead, really. He'd probably have done it anyway. As soon as he sees more undead before him, he prepares to swing...!
"RAAARRRRR!"
"MADAM, I SUGGEST YOU DO NOT OFFER THREATS."
The first undead collapses to Conan's blade. Disintegrating into various dissimilar parts and wrappings. Oddly many small amethysts are seen in the wrappings.
Conan quickly moves up into the fog, being tagged with a guidance from behind by Luisila as he enters.
He fights off more fear as he sees yet another of the wrapped creatures fighting with a firey one. However, his blade is unable to penetrate the wrappings. (even with guide/bard if that is up).
Savage moves back into the fog to grab another undead, ignoring the large flaming creatures.
vs Fear
He is able to grab one of the arms of the creature.
Fredrik waits to see if another undead emerges.
The undead is not fond of Savage and swings its other arm like a club, apparently hitting Savage on the side of the head.
On Savage for
HITS
More burning occurs in the hall south of Savage. One of the flaming creatures swings a pair of fire-arms towards the grappled undead.
On undead for
HITS
Savage feels the heat as the creature he is holding burns from the searing heat.
Finally, the raspy voice calls out.
I will call off my fire creatures.
You must finish the undead without my assistance if you can.
Then we talk. Agreed?
She calls out in another language and the two large creatures withdraw.
=== Round 5 ===
Party up.
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"AGREED," Conan booms, and his muscles flex and bulge. Unseen by most because of the mist, his face seems to take on scales and his teeth elongate as well. "rrrRRR..."
He launches into two swings of steel, and finishes with a savage snap of his head at the undead creature, bolstered by Noisy's performance.
At the end of his attacks, Conan takes an adjusting step around the creature. "THERE IS A FREE SPACE HERE TO COME STRIKE IT, MY FRIENDS," he rasps around his mouthful of teeth.
Conan turns into a brute and hacks on Savage's new toy.
The first cut is deep and the creature shakes, wrappings coming loose. The next swing misses,
but the third time is the charm and the bite tears the creatures chest and it crumbles.
More of the small amethysts fall to the ground from the cut wrappings.
There are no other visible creatures in the foggy hallway.
There are no signs of any creatures other than the wrappings. There are some smoldering papers that looked like they would have burnt in a few more seconds.
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“Cool trick, Conan. You’ll be more popular than Woprah if you start spitting gemstones into the audience.”
If Saruna answers Conan saying the Pathfinders have done enough, Luisila delays.
Otherwise, she advances 15’ to the north-east and directs a targeted dispel magic against the opaque fog
The misty fog dissipates with Luisila's spell. Leaving the hall clear to the north and south.
Alcoves along the walls hold racks filled with scrolls filled with ancient poetry, but the cracked scroll cases were unable to resist the heat created by the elementals for much longer.
San Xiao spots one particularly valuable scroll resides in a fireproof case hidden in one of the alcoves along the west wall.
The text records the deathbed account of a wizard who witnessed the Pharaoh of Forgotten Plagues binding the daemonic harbinger Zelishkar of the Bitter Flame.
The small gems from the undead are scattered and would take a few minutes to locate all of them.
Before you get too far, you hear a familiar voice...from the eastern wall.
That is much better. Badru will be back, but we will have peace for a time.
Who are you and why are you really here?
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“We’re a legendary league of explorers, archaeologists and adventurers dedicated to discovering and chronicling the greatest mysteries and wonders of this ancient world.”
Luisila emphasises that, “Unlike common tomb raiders, our task here is to take inventory of these halls.”
Who are you and why are you really here?
“Your tone implies I was being untruthful before.”
She pauses and looks openly at the Saruna. “I can assure you that while we proclaim exploration, cooperation and reporting; vengeance and swift death haunt the paths we tread.”
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Noisy brightens as Luisila manages to dispel the fog, allowing for an unobstructed view.
But his mood soon sours at the sight of all the burnt scrolls.
"As my colleague says, we are here to chronicle and explore this Archive, at the behest of those who built it."
He runs one hand through some ash on a nearby shelf, and frowns. "You apparently do not share in our desire to preserve the knowledge here."
"Show yourself if you wish to talk. Or perhaps this Badru will show more concern for what this place holds."
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Conan wheezes for, oh, twelve seconds after the last undead is dispatched, his teeth and face returning to normal as well.
"We will deal honorably with those who deal honorably with US," he adds. "I am an honest man, mysterious speaker."
He gives Luisila an approving nod for the clearing of the mist, peering around.
Noisy's commentary, bolstered by (most) of his companions seems to bring the woman's confrontational tone down a notch or two...
You hear the female voice continue from the east wall.
"Dwarf, you are mistaken. As the head librarian I have extensive experience cataloging tomes and relics,
preparing for the eventuality that most of the owners would become scattered, lost, or otherwise inaccessible.
Right up until San Xiao mentions the Diamond Sage.
She continues in her raspy voice.
"WHAT? I am trapped here due to the Jewel Sages, although I do not recognize that name!
Nevertheless, with our combined forces, I request your aid in defeating my nemesis
Badru and together escaping this archive for you and prison for me.
If you agree, I will provide my assistance and vast knowledge of this place. What say you?"
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Luisila thinks for a while before piping up. “The bearers of Jewelled Sage offices must change over the centuries.”
“Presumably different individuals could have wildly varying agendas and methods. It’s possible our Tahonikepsu doesn’t even know the true name of your Jewelled captor, let alone that s/he kept slaves. All she mentioned was a title – Amethyst Sage.”
Luisila hopes Saruna will try to librarian-educate her. “Say weren’t there amethysts wrapped up in the Mummies?”
“That can’t be a coincidence.”
As Noisy steps through the stone wall.
This air in this chapel carries the scent of incense and old parchment. A simple altar occupies the east wall. An ibis
statue sits behind it, silently gazing over any visitors.
Pale light shines on the altar from a painting of the moon on the ceiling, illuminating stray motes of dust.
A lion-sized winged creature with the face of a woman sits at the far end. Yet something does not quite look right with her...the color or dryness of her skin.
The voice continues, responding to San Xiao first, starting almost as if remembering a riddle.
'A tale of blood and gems these walls would tell. The sage asked for commitment of heart and soul; he left cold stone and a ragged hole.'
Badru was also an apprentice of the Sages. And while I loath being trapped in this place and body, he relishes both and seeks to convert all living to what he has become. You are wise not to side with him.
Responding to Luisila.
"Please enter with your friend if you dare, lest Badru try to overhear our conversation.
She pauses then if others join, continues her riddle-like speech.
'Here above we’re left alone, left to fight over forgotten tomes. Fled or dead? One way to know: seek out the library and the beacon below.”
The Diamond Sages had other responsibilities. The beacon requires a sage jewel to activate. Unfortunately, there is a third party involved, remnants from the initial war on our sanctuary. These invaders came through the portal and hunt the sages and their followers.
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"Please enter with your friend if you dare ..."
“Oh, I love playing ‘Truth or Dare.’”
Luisila smiles and claps her hands together. “Lady Saruna, I am soooo there!”
She stops in her tracks. “Hey, Noisy. That rhymes!” And then breaks on through, to the other side.
Assuming she arrives safely, the half-elf continues. “‘Truth’ for you this time, Milady.”
“You said, ‘Fled or dead?’ That refers to the Amethyst Sage, right? Am I correct in thinking the library and Beacon are on a level below this one?”
“These invaders … do they have names or can you describe them? Why do they hunt you and Badru? Is it to do with the Beacon? Is there a Sage Jewel somewhere in the complex?”
Hmm … Perhaps a living Sage Jewel?
Luisila steps through the wall (check spoiler above).
Noisy is not quite able to figure out what she is.
"There are levels three. The beacon is the lowest, Badru claims below us and the library belongs to me."
She regards Luisila and especially Noisy's attempt to discern her identity.
I bid you not come any closer, as I cannot predict your reaction to my visage. This is what the Amethyst Sage did to me."
Back to Luisila.
"Near the time of my transformation, machine-bodied invaders attacked the sanctum, broke into the library, and somehow bypassed or overcame the defenses intended to keep out anyone but the true sages. So no, there are no Sages here."
She hesitates before the next part, as if considering whether she can trust this to you.
The Amethyst Sage copied the design of her own gem when crafting Badru’s soul focus.
I believe I can purify and empower his gem to create a 'flawed sage jewel'.
Although the replica cannot store memories as a true sage jewel can,
it may be sufficient to fool the portal and other devices and guardians here.
Of course, Badru will not be a willing donor to this experiment.
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Noisy listens to the strange creature with a slight frown, puzzled that he can not quite make out what she is, and taking a few steps forward despite her entreaty not to, though more out of curiosity than disrespect.
"And why the conflict?" He asks. "With this Badru person?
"The two of you were once charged with protecting this place together, and now you destroy it fighting each other, while another loots its contents?"
"And what of the Amethyst Sage? What was his fate?
San Xiao passes through the wall to join the dialog.
The creature continues her story...seeming almost glad to have someone to tell after hundreds or thousands of years of isolation.
Millennia ago, heedful of the impending decline of Ancient Osirion, a cabal of scholars vowed to record every detail possible regarding the nation’s cultural, artistic, and technological achievements. Persecuted by decadent rulers, these intellectuals hid behind new identities and stored their findings in magical jewels, creating the order of the Jeweled Sages. Yet, the power of the gemstones and the vast knowledge of its bearers could not protect the sages from the wrath of the Qadiran agents of the Padishah Empire; following the fall of Osirion, the satrap hunted down the sages and killed or chased away many of them. The survivors hid the gems for posterity, leaving cryptic clues that would one day lead their successors to reclaim the lost knowledge of Osirion’s Golden Age.
She considers Noisy's questions.
Badru probably considers me a traitor since I was not thrilled to be trapped here by the Amethyst Sage like he is. He is deluded and seeks to destroy all not of his mind.
As you approach, you start to get a better look at her...and her skin and features...a palpable fear starts welling up within you. If you approach closer than 30', I will need a fort save vs fear
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Too late I think...
But a little trepidation shouldn't stop a curious dwarf!
Am now wondering if she's a mummy too! Hmm...
Am going to assume this will be enough to save, if not, I can rescind the rest of this.
Noisy stops after advancing a little further in, pausing for a moment as he shakes his head.
"Are you like those others?" He asks hesitantly a moment later, one hand waving back towards the illusory wall. "Is that how you are still here?"
"Wait..." He frowns, as his thoughts work through the prior conversations and he takes another step forward. "Is this what the Amethyst Sage did to you?" His tone shifts to one of sympathy as he asks this last finally thinking he understands her hostility.
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Luisila nods to herself at Noisy’s reasoning.
So Badru is loyal to the Amethyst Sage and stays to defend the Library and Beacon – while Saruna has rebelled and is hellz-bent on sacrificing her fellow’s ‘soul gem’(!) to power the Beacon and orchestrate her escape?
Charming.
And then you have the third party enemy to both factions … who probably seek the Beacon below for their own purposes.
Badru probably considers me a traitor since I was not thrilled to be trapped here by the Amethyst Sage like he is. He is deluded and seeks to destroy all not of his mind.
There are two sides to every story … It might be time to start investigating on our own.
“We mean your library no harm. Do we have free range on the upper level to conduct our inventory free from your fire creatures’ harassment? Are there any other tricks or traps on this horizon?”
Luisila’s expression gives away none of her inner thoughts. “We’ll also deal with Badru, knowing how important his soul gem is to your goals.”
The priestess then waits patiently until the others are ready to depart.
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Conan listens to all of this with a frown creasing his mighty brow.
"I do not believe that any sentient creature should be caged against their will, unless there is no other option. Even great evil should be destroyed rather than left to rot, I believe. If you have been trapped here for so long you have my sympathies. I second Luisila's, and Noisy's, questions."
The library must not be harmed.
I am aware that items have begun disappearing from the library below.
I also knows that near the time of her reanimation, those machine-bodied invaders attacked the sanctum, broke into the library, and somehow bypassed or overcame the defenses intended to keep out anyone but the true sages.
I believe they may be stealing the artifacts.
I am not sure what transpires below. You already encountered the primary defense in the hall outside and illusionary walls.
Dark Archive faction agents are on the lookout for knowledgeable curators, librarians, and archivists to assist Zarta Dralneen in establishing the faction’s credentials and polishing its members’ skills. Recruiting Saruna’s assistance as a consultant would be invaluable.
She considers Savage's offer.
You do not look like the diplomatic type, so I will not hold out hope for a very convincing argument to do as you propose. While I am open to such proposals, but I agree to meet with your Zarta only if you destroy Badru or return my lost heart to me in its canopic jar.