GM Bold Strider |
The Pathfinders look over the control panel and it is clear to the more arcane-adjacent individuals that the box controls golems, but it is going to need someone with some engineering know-how to get the golem to do anything with the box as most of the labels have worn down to the point of non-existence and the few that remain are in a language lost to time.
Alie Saechel |
Is this considered a magical device? Could I try to UMD it, if we don't have the proper Knowledge skill?
Grimnir Foehammer |
"Yall gonna get that blasted contraption working or what?"
GM Bold Strider |
The golem lurches forward and swings itself around violently as it rejects Alie's control, nearly stomping Marianix Karn in the process as Jarlgur is able to get it under control. "Hey! Watch out! I'm working here!"
The behemoth golem trudges towards the left and you hear loud grinding as a large click occurs and the door swings open effortlessly.
Alie Saechel |
Allie stops fiddling with the controls. "Well, are we ready to see what's inside there? I'd expect more golems at a minimum.". She waits for the others to take the lead, and follows behind.
GM Bold Strider |
The group ascends the stairs and walks through the golemic castle through the open door to find a strikingly beautiful woman seated on a throne. Around her sits opulence, fine fur rugs, golden accouterments, gilded bookcases filled largely with books of which the Society has never heard.
"Greetings, saviors. You have freed me from my stasis here. I am Empress Severina Helsprix. Let me reward you. It is the Jistkan way." she states proudly to you.
Alie Saechel |
Really wish I had Knowledge History or Nobility!
"Greetings Empress. You look really good to have been down here for a very long time. How long have you been here? I've not heard of the Jistkan way before. Does it involve any of those neat looking books in your shelves?"
GM Bold Strider |
"It may, if that is what you desire. Look around and you may each choose something to commemorate this glorious occasion." the Empress offers gratiously.
"I've been down here so long, trapped under the arcane magicks that time is untellable. Now that I am free once more, I shall leave to see the what has become of the world. Hopeful to never see this place once more as I move the rest of my valuables to a safer location."
Alie Saechel |
"Well, if you were in a gifting mood, we've heard a bunch about some pretty strong golems that might have been locked in with you. If you could allow us to take a few of them to study for a short time, we'd be most appreciative."
GM Bold Strider |
"Ah, yes. My famed golems are still known in this day and age, it would seem." the Empress chuckles to herself as she snaps her fingers. Two curtains, one on each side of her, part to reveal ten total stone golems.
She brandishes an ivory baton that she produces from her sleeve. "If this is what you request, then you may have this baton to control them and keep them for yourselves." she offers to Alie.
Alie Saechel |
"That would be so nice of you. Is there anything we can do for you? I'd imagine those golems were pretty expensive to make..."
GM Bold Strider |
"If these golems are what you would like, then you may have them, but good luck getting them out of this room. They won't fit through the doorway. You will have to find a transportation crystal in the city to activate the teleportation obelisk." the Empress offers as she points to a jet black, obsidian obelisk in the corner of the room.
Alie Saechel |
Alie looks at the others. "Any idea about finding a transportation obelisk in town? Would the Society have one hidden somewhere? I don't think they told us about one."
GM Bold Strider |
"The Society? Is that who you work for? Hmm... I have much to learn about the outside world." the Empress muses.
She begins to tell you of the obelisks. "The obelisks were one of my greatest creations. You need the key which is the teleportation crystal. There should be some hidden in vaults around Rachikan. It will let you visualize where you want to teleport and create a portal to that place."
Alie Saechel |
Have we found any of those teleportation spots in our previous adventures in this series, DM? I can't remember.
Alie Saechel |
"Well guys, it seems we still have a bit more to go to finish our mission. If we can't get the golems out of here, it doesn't do us much good. So we need to find one of these transportation crystals. Anyone able to figure out any spells that might help us locate one?"
Alie Saechel |
"Well, it was certainly nice meeting you, Madame Emperess! I hope you will find things well in this time and place. Look up the Pathfinder Society if you could ever use our services in the future."
GM Bold Strider |
"How kind of you." the Empress smiles at Alie as she sets herself to gathering objects and placing them into sacks. She moves to the bookcase and removes two books before busying herself with various gems and treasures in the opposite corner.
If no one has anything else...
The group sets off to find an elusive teleportation crystal.
Been over 48 hours since someone besides Alie and myself have posted. I know that Jarlgur is in Italy on vacation, but Maaarv and Mathais have been perma-AFK since the big boss fight with the demon. So.... should I wrap it up?
Jarlgur Flamnord |
Jarlgur nods to Allie, as he peers at the woman.
KN: religion?: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27
Pulling Allie aside, he whispers. "We know nothing of this woman. Do you think it wise to just set her loose on the world after all this time?"
Grimnir Foehammer |
In as mush as a smile as he can muster.. "Well met Emperor Lady.. Are we taken a rest or heading out post haste?"
Maaarv Bergavsten |
"I don't suppose you have a teleportation crystal with you, do you, empress?" He reaches around to grab a sack and shakes it.
"I mean, I know you've got a bunch of wealth, but wouldn't you like a little more? I'd pay you a lot if you got yourself a crystal we could use. Or, I've got some magic items I'd be willing to trade as well."
I'm pretty much quitting PFS after I'm done with current scenarios. I'm sorry my apathy has dragged things down. But Maaarv is seriously offering up all he's got to trade for a transportation crystal.
GM Bold Strider |
@Jarlgur: Ah.
"I wish I could help as thanks for freeing me. I truly do, but if I had a crystal, then I would have left a long time ago, rather than be trapped in here." the Empress informs Maaarv.
GM Bold Strider |
The Empress moves to the other side of the room while the Pathfinders talk amongst themselves while she grabs a few large rubies and other sundry items before tying off the bags.
"This shall be enough for the first trip, I would think. Good luck in your search. Treat my golems well as you only have an hour at most to move those golems with the Ivory Baton."
500 minutes of use. Each golem activated consumes a charge per minute. Ten golems means you have 50 minutes of activation.
Alie Saechel |
Alie takes the ivory baton. "We'll be back when we find a transportation crystal. Those golems are exactly what we have been searching for."
GM Bold Strider |
If Jarlgur isn't going to call her out...
The lady smiles at you and disappears with her two sacks of treasures as you begin your hunt. After two grueling days, you return to the room with the teleportation crystal to find a stack of books on the table in the room.
Read these things too many times during my centuries in here. Repaired them a bit for you. My debt is repaid.
-Empress Helsprix
Alie slots the crystal into the obelisk and it begins to hum. As she focuses on Absalom, a portal begins to coalesce in front of her and the image of Absalom's Lodge appears before them.
Grimnir wields the Ivory Baton and commands the golems to move, marching them through the portal in under a minute, preserving 490 minutes of usage on the ivory baton.
Conveniently, this also allows you to return to Absalom in record time.
The fate of Rachikan is once more left to its native morlocks, who welcome the departure of the Pathfinders and Chelish explorers from the morlocks’ ruined city as Empress Helsprix, the kind lich that she is, walks free on Golarion.
And that's the series!