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The priestess looks visibly confused at Eamon's musings, but she pauses. "Though I don't fully know the context of everything you've just mentioned, I do recall of the haunting you've mentioned. A div, isn't that the maniacal disembodied head? We had sent an acolyte to cleanse the undead soul. The acolyte was successful in deterring the menace but the whole thing has scared him. Perhaps you could speak to him regarding this."
She leads you on to a a small catacomb where they are holding the acolyte—a cool, dark room that has yet to be used for any burials. The acolyte, a young man, sits in the corner with his arms around his knees, rocking back and forth.
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"What's more, you'll be doing the world's knowledge of occult happenings a sizable aid!"
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Contemplating on your words, the boy reveals what seems to be contradictory to what Renofre told earlier. He speaks, “The Lady of Graves could not help me… I was powerless! It promised to reveal its secrets to me. It asked me to dig up graves. It said that she who wears the spiral of death would come for me… so I am waiting. It said she would take me east, beyond the Seven Crypts, to the Ever-Dying.”
Renofre gasps, "You would suggest that the undead menace still lives then?! But why..."
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" The poor boy yells continuously rocking himself in his sorry state.
"The seven crypts, is an ancient shrine to Pharasma. But it was destroyed long ago. Every since, our order has served the Lady of the Graves in this crypt." Renofre explains, hoping it would help bring some small information to you.
Satisfied that you are unable to learn more from the Pharasmans, you return to the Scholar's address to report what you've learnt so far in hopes for more answers. Obahar’s home is a dilapidated, ancient stone structure that seems out of place among the more modern dwellings surrounding it. While originally three stories tall, most of the top story fell away long ago. The front door hangs slightly ajar.
Thinking something's amiss, you enter cautiously. Inside the home, the you discover that Obahar lives an austere life—the main floor consists of a tiny kitchen, a sitting room, and a simple bedroom. The second floor is a single large room—the scholar’s study—with a blocked staircase that once led to the third floor. Obahar crouches on a desk in his study, wearing only one shoe and chewing on a scroll. He is addled and unable to speak or understand speech. There are bite scars on his neck and shoulder, though they have mostly healed.
Conveniently, the documents relevant to your investigation—maps of the city from long ago, official records from government archives, and the like—are strewn about Obahar’s desk. However, before you are able to gloss over them, an unexpected guest arrives.
“Good thing I was around, or the old man would be long dead. Those wounds were a lot uglier before I showed up.” The armored half orc tells. "I am Zurnzal, an agent of Grandmaster Torch, and I've come to lend my aid."
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He looks funnily at Eamon, as if he was insulted. "Big ugly guy with heavily scarred face. That good enough?" He replies in a sarcastic manner. Turning to Benedict then, he explains, “My employer has been watching recent events in Merab with keen interest. The doru attacks seemed to draw the eyes of Amenopheus’ agents, and Grandmaster Torch shares mutual concerns with the Sapphire Sage; both of them think there is more to the sage jewels than anyone dares to believe. I am here to offer information to aid in your search for the Dungeons of the Ever-Dying”—the half-orc smiles knowingly—“if you give the Society’s guarantee that when it comes time to act on the threat to the Jeweled Sages— whatever it may be—Torch will be welcome to stand alongside his, ah, colleagues, in the Society.”
Both Eamon and Benedict believe Zurnzal is truthful.
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Eamon furrows his brow and resist clenching his teeth, Well ..of coarse the Grandmaster is entitled to act in whatever mater he deems fit. As for the threat the Jeweled Sages poise, I hardly think low level operatives such as ourselves, are qualified to make decisions anyway. So if you want a guarantee that, I'll stand aside and let my superior act in a manor he deems in the best interest of the Pathfinder Society...I say to you...who am I that you'd need such approval? Of coarse Grandmaster Torch can do as he likes. He doesn't answer to us but the Decemvirate. Eamon arches an eyebrow in triumph. As if he had just won an important point in a debate. Now, that you have our meaningless promise...what do you know of the Dungeons of the Ever-Dying? Eamon offers in his best Taldian pompous sneer.
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"If I have your word, that would be what I need. I know not of demons involved in this, but I am certain the clues I have would be able to assist you in the seeking of the Dungeon." He uses his short sword to prick his thumb, uses his blood to draw a simple dagger design just below his throat, and beckons Eamon to do the same as a oath swearing gesture.
On consideration, you believe that you have enough clues that you would be able to find the dungeon even without the half-orc's assistance. The references, maps are all within Obahar's room.
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Eamon has been suspicious of the 1/2 orc from the beginning. That being said, Only the King of Taldor himself could get me to swear an oath like that! Eamon shivers at the thought of following the 1/2 Orc’s lead in the gruesome ritual. uh yes well aren’t we taking things seriously? Eamon tries to surpress his disgust and fright , with a bit of sarcasm. Well then, uh? Yes well it’s like my friend said Eamon tries to hide the fact that he’s trying to avert his eyes. I nor , any of my companions, are interested in your offer.
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Hearing the conversation and the strong objections towards his offer, he shakes his head and says, “You Pathfinders are all the same. Don’t expect Torch to give up so easily.” Then he takes his leave.
As Obahar comes to his senses, he confirms the fact that he was not attacked by Torch's man and tells of being taken by surprise by a fiendish head. The attack has seemed to have left him so disorientated that he is unable to think straight or normally. In his difficulty, he is unable to contribute meaningfully to helping you find the dungeons but does points out all of his resources and research that he has started to put together before he was knocked unconscious.
After an hour of digging through parchments of archived city maps, layout plans, charters, you find to your pleasant surprise that you find that the location of the attacks, the clues you've pick up that it all triangulates into an abandoned shrine in the middle of the city’s western market and temple district. There is some strong inclination in the records to suggest that it was built over a destroyed dungeon. Your thirst for discovery leaves you with more questions than answers. And without hesitation, the Pathfinders make ways to investigate this location.
~~~
An abandoned shrine to an unknown deity sits where the Dungeons of the Ever-Dying are supposedly located. The people of Merab go about their business in the surrounding area—a relatively unremarkable market and temple district. None of the citizens come close to this shrine, and a few make warding gestures as they hurriedly pass by.
It is very clear that everyone who comes within sights is wary of the shrine and asking about the shrine is received with weird glares and scorns. “That spot is haunted by the cries of the dead. I wouldn’t go near it!” One of the peddlers say hastily before going back about his business.
Approaching the shrine, it takes only a brief search to discover a secret door behind the crumbling altar. A crumbling, twisting tunnel leads deep beneath the streets of Merab past layers of previous occupation before winding down the side of a large cavern. At the bottom, a twenty-foot-high windowless structure occupies much of this space. Stairs lead to platforms on the north and west sides of the building, but no other entrances are visible from here.
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Alexis reminds both Eamon and Kissan in turn of the Dandelion's Riddle before they face whatever it is on the other side of the door.
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While everyone prepares themselves for a potential fight, Alexis gives a little boost to Eamon and Kissan.
The chanting seemingly comes to an abrupt stop as Benedict attempts to fiddle with the locks. Successfully he hits the right notes and forces the door open. The noises from the locks have likely startled the occupants, whom you clearly recognize as cultist of some sort in their garbs, as they stand ready to face you in arms.
Eight stone pillars stand around this room. At the center of the room, a five-foot-diameter spiral of twisted arcane glyphs is charred into the floor. Broken bones stained with blood encircle the spiral, and an onyx gem sits in the center.
A bald headed man, a cult leader, who likely represents something along the lines of a cabalist , dressed in garments of white and gold holds a scorpion whip in his hand, while another similarly dressed cultist behind him carries a Morningstar instead. "You dare defy the ritual as it takes place! You shall suffer the consequence!" The cabalist yells in a manner that suggest he means business.
Get'em
Kissan springs forward, leaping teeth first at the blue creature.
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The team recognizes the outfits, and knows at least that the Cabalist is a cleric practitioner Ahriman, also known as an Usij Cabalist. Ahriman is the embodiment of pure destruction and seeks the utter obliteration of existence through his div servants. You can be more than certain that they have been up to no good.
Combat unfolds with a loud bang as Alani shoots first. Her shot causing a wound to the Cabalist as he yells I pain. Kissan and Edmund follow through with attacks of their own, but can't find the rhythm just yet. The cabalist easily dodges.
The cultist then retaliates by moving around the column to engage Kissan with his Morningstar swinging as hard as he can! The head of the weapon strikes Kissan's skull hurting him greatly.
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Eamon and Benedict hustle into the room to stop the proceedings! Eamon dodges around the Cultist's Morningstar and cuts low with his sword.
Meanwhile, the hidden adversary appears and makes himself known! And he cast a little spell on the cabalist giving him a little bit more reassurance in this fight.
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Iddo runs forward a few steps to understand what's happening, then clears his throat and begins his inspiring speech.
"Just like Valeros the Valorous prevented the Skinsaw Cult from completing their vile ritual in Magnimar, so shall we defeat these evil cultist and whatever necromancy they're trying to accomplish! Go go Pathfinders!"
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Iddo bellows with great confidence to put the Pathfinder's in high spirits in their time of need.
The Cabalist takes a step back, yelling somewhat in pain due to the mind tormenting by the Div, "Leave or perish!" and starts to cast a spell. Soon the ground above roars with thunder as magical lightning befalls underground to strike the jaguar.
A loud yip fills the hall, along with the smell of singed hair as the jaguar collapses in the center of the room.
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No time for worrying as Edmund continues his assault against the evil doer with an arrow that pierces his lungs at a vital spot. Alani joins in and they focus their fires on the cabalist. "Argghh!" Clearly heavily injured, he barely stays conscious.
The cultist turns his attention to Eamon with his arms, but the fighter proves to be a formidable swordsman deflecting the attack with ease.