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The creature's axe glints in the moonlight, and Silas trusts in his new ghostly shield too much-- the weapon slices him painfully from forehead to jawbone. Summoning all his will just to stay on his feet, struggling to see through the searing pain and the blood trickling into his eyes, Silas raises his sword again. No, you monster. You don't win. You don't win. "You don't win," he growls aloud through gritted teeth.
Silas cuts deep into the man-bull's side--the creature, bleeding now from several wounds, shows something that you haven't yet seen on its terrifying face: fear.
Next up: Waki, Tsadok, Inira
Another volley and the beast is slain!
Janira lies where the minotaur left her, severely wounded but alive for the moment.
Janira thanks you for your help, and congratulates you on your victory. She rises slowly, and says: So, what did you find?
Once the PCs have finished their exploration of the cave, Janira leads the expedition back to Absalom without further incident. Once safely back in the Grand Lodge, Master of Scrolls Kreighton Shaine inquires excitedly about what the PCs found and asks to see their notes. He compliments those who recorded notes for being certain to write down ideas and observations while the thoughts are fresh, observing that it’s difficult enough to remember what one had for breakfast the day
before as it is to recall exactly what one was thinking while studying an inscription. As the PCs are now the foremost authorities on that cave and what it contains, Shaine also invites them to come up with its name. The elf is certain to compliment Janira for her guidance and assistance, much to the halfling’s delight.
Three days later, the Master who best represents each PC’s interests confirms that PCs as a full Pathfinder field agent. As part of the ceremony, that mentor also gifts a personalized wayfinder to the PC, reminding him or her that this is not only the symbol of the Pathfinder’s trade but also a reminder of the three principle duties: explore,report, and cooperate.
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"Well, that was fun." Acel laughs as the beast falls. "Now let's help Janira."
After helping her back on her feet, Acel notes. "For one thing, I learned minotaurs don't care about halflings much" -she nods at the illusion of Janira's halfing backup- "But they also don't like arrows."
"I guess I also learned how to work with others. What's-her-face never let me hang out with anyone."
Acel and Eleanor trade spellcasting notes, although Eleanor's spellbook is much more diverse.
Back in the Grand Pathfinder Lodge, Acel admits she's not much for names and defers to the party.
With her wayfinder in hand, Acel commits herself to the role of a Pathfinder. "Explore, Report and Cooperate? Sounds corny, but it has a ring of truth to it. I haven't seen that in a while."
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"Well, I must admit that the knowledge was important, and the temple. I suppose being a Pathfinder is like that, discovering new things all the time. A little more fighting than I'd like, but-" Tsadok stops at the expression on Marcos Farabellus' face. "Hey, not all Gorumites are trigger-happy maniacs! Battles are sacred, we should conserve them."
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"Glad to see you back in the land of the living!" Eleanor helps Janira to her feet. "We have much to show you. It would be easier to trace back to the beginning from here!"
As Eleanor begins to lead Janira back into the caves, the gnome pulls out her exploration journal and begins explaining the miniature Absalom and how the trials work. "For each of the aspects, there is a task you can perform in the minitature city, and each of the tasks you complete grants a boon! You really need to see it first hand.
Eleanor leads Janira through the tunnels, and finally to the sunken city where she makes introductions to the lovely gillman sage. Eleanor tries her best to introduce herself as last time, walking up politely and tapping the gillman on the shoulder.
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The tip of Silas's sword hits the ground when the monster does. Silas wipes the blood out of his eyes, still wincing through the pain, wipes the blood and gore off his blade and replaces it in its sheath. As Eleanor tends to Janira, Silas kneels by the body. "May the Inheritor take mercy on you." He spits onto the ground some blood that had trickled into his mouth. "And may your demoness scream with anger at losing another servant."