She nods at the talk of Thunderbirds and hags and the like Ah yes - like me these rare and exotic sorts that once had too much to fear from humankind can now operate freely in the world - Thunderbirds are fearsome indeed in this open terrain.
She moves to gather a pair of tomes But you wish to speak of the Lirgeni Philosopher-Kings turned God. Well fortunately for you I have studied them as well. Their actual names are long and pompous and ultimately unimportant so I have assigned they and their constellations these sort of nicknames. The first is the founder and explorer - the Hawk she is the one who guided the Lirgeni to live in this spot, a spot which was preternaturally disposed toward the generation of prophecy and augury.
Next was their great conqueror - who in guidance with the stars and the moon was able to tame the great beasts and monsters of Lirgen, the Wolf.
After every great period of conquest, many kingdoms and empires fall apart due to petty in-fighting and the Lirgeni were no different. Their next great ruler was the serpent, able to quash and corral the factions into a single identity.
And finally, there was the height of their civilization - the Oracle who came to identify what it was that having the keys to future in a time ruled by prophecy. It is really probably for the best that this civilization fell when it did following the Death of your Aroden as all prophecy seemed to collapse with him gone. They'd have been powerless and fallen apart into internal squabbles. For the best that they be destroyed at their height by the storms instead. If you seek to use their tools simply beware - those ruled by the mysteries of the foretelling are often crippled by it.
N Female Half Elf Druid 12 | Stonebreak | T'Khan Init +8| HP 111/111 | AC34 T12 FF33, DR5/- , Immune to crits, bleed, sneak| Fort +15, Reflex +12, Will +22, +2 vs ench | CMD 30 | Perception +32 | Sense Motive +28
Buffs:
Wild Shape: Large Air Elemental, Barkskin
Resources:
Reroll: Unused
| Conditions:
Mak'da listens intently as she explains, We thank you for your help. We understand that one of these devices can be used for divination magic, would you have any guidance on how best we might approach that?
Speed 40 ft. (30 ft. in armor) Human (Varisian) cleric of Cayden Cailean 10 NG Medium humanoid (human) Init +3; Senses Perception +8 AC 26, T 16, FF 22 hp 83/83Fort +12, Ref +10, Will +13; +2 trait bonus vs. charm and compulsion
"Can you tell us of the current group who holds the Thunderbird. We would like to free it if possible without harm to it and ourselves. These hags seem very interested in dreamers. Do you know what they expect to gain from a dreamer?"
"We will be very careful not to be ruled, but to use the information. Thank you for your warning."
Ryssina thinks on Vera's question Well dreaming is the most simple kind of foretelling. Maybe they want to use the old Lirgeni magic? How should I know? Maybe searching for a true oracle again.
As for the thunderbird's owners. These hags are probably storm hags and given how much power they hold its probably a whole coven. Tread carefully
She looks curious as you mention a device If you're speaking of the one across from here...I think its simple enough if you know the ritual. I sadly do not know it myself.
The group is able to pretty simply swim across the way - though it IS a little harder without T'Kemba.
The central chamber did indeed have a massive starchart built into the ceiling and as you were underwater, Mak'da noticed there were large Levers beneath the water which probably controlled the ceiling. It was a matter now of only knowing how to work it and what the stars looked like.
This is a ritual in which I need one person to either make a swim check or be able to swim via touch of the sea or what not for 1 hr while someone else directs them with a knowledge arcana, planes, or geography check. You can choose to aid instead if youd like
Speed 40 ft. (30 ft. in armor) Human (Varisian) cleric of Cayden Cailean 10 NG Medium humanoid (human) Init +3; Senses Perception +8 AC 26, T 16, FF 22 hp 83/83Fort +12, Ref +10, Will +13; +2 trait bonus vs. charm and compulsion
"I can cast guidance on you Arisira. You can do this my friend."
Vera will continue to cast Guidance on Arisira over and over.
Arisira takes a moment to compose herself, nervously smoothing out her cloak before sitting down cross legged in the center of the chamber. She quietly reaches in her bag and pulls out the worn notebook that she has kept with her for this entire journey. She hums a simple Quadarian melody to herself while she reflects on the notes- piecing together the ritual from her writings.
"I think the first step is going to be pulling the smaller of these three over there... No, the other one. Pull it. Now we need to be looking for one that is in alignment with the wolf constellation..."
"I think we need to ask about the location of the hags, but we should be careful in how we ask. Many stories exist of people tricked or trapped by the questions they ask or the wishes they seek."
As the planterium comes into focus a vision appears before Arisira's eyes. A mountain peak on a solitary isle. On which sits a throne of a sort. And around it...three hags.One with green skin, wearing long knives, a blue hag with clouded eyes and a hag the color of a stormy sea wielding immense magical power.
The three of them together, together the three study. Looking to find the lost answer. She sees what she recognizes as the Regalia of the ghastly Storm Kindlers - not the more recent ones you dispatched but the original. The plan is simple - to control the Eye of Abendego and use it to rule Southern Garund. But there were missing pieces of the record. So they concocted a plan - send dreams of Hyrantum to any and all who had any connection to the old Storm Kindlers or Saoc Brethren and then force those divinations out of their targets once they were located.
Arisira's stomach drops at the wretched form of the hag. She swallows and then steadies herself against the twisted creature.
"It's a creature just like anything else we have faced"
She takes a small step away from the creatures- preferably behind one of the others- and then calls the fellow pathfinders on to victory!
"They must be afraid now! Busting in here only tells me we are one step closer to unravelling whatever their plans are!"
With nimble fingers, she pulls out a small licorice root. Breaking off a small piece, she places it in her mouth- savoring the bitter flavor. There is a slight moment of pause, and a burst of energy, centered on the halfling, fills the chamber.
The others (including Vera's animal companion) feel a renewed sense of vitality, their muscles pulsing with pent up energy.
Male LG Fighter 8/ Cleric 2 | HP 82/82 | AC 31 T 13 FF 29 | CMB +16, CMD 29 | F: +13, R: +6, W: +12 | Init: +8 | Perc: +12 Sense Motive +10 | Speed 30ft | Active conditions: None |
Disgusted by the hag Valin begins chopping at her companion. Arisira's words filling him with a sureness that had been sapped away by the Hag's horrific appearance, he lets loose a pair of devastating slices.
T'Khan technically goes after Vera so there may be +2 from flanking on all of these attacks if Vera is willing to provide it. I put the grab in on the first attac but shouldn't have as it would prevent the second bite. You can ignore it. I could have reoved it but it then messes up all the subsequent rolls, chanign from their original numbers.
Arisira continues to unleash arrows down range at the hag, the first striking true and driving deep. The others come in rapid succession, aim appearing to be true immediately off the bowstring.
Potential for 61 points of damage from a Bard. I'll take it!
N Female Half Elf Druid 12 | Stonebreak | T'Khan Init +8| HP 111/111 | AC34 T12 FF33, DR5/- , Immune to crits, bleed, sneak| Fort +15, Reflex +12, Will +22, +2 vs ench | CMD 30 | Perception +32 | Sense Motive +28
Buffs:
Wild Shape: Large Air Elemental, Barkskin
Resources:
Reroll: Unused
| Conditions:
Mak'da slides out of the water and sits down next to T'Khan, rubbing his mane. You did well boy, yes, very well against the nasty hag. Not to worry, she is gone now
Looking over at Arisira she says, I suggest we ask where we can find allies against the Storm Kindlers, learn what we might about these storm hag leaders, who their allies are and more about the Thunderbird and if it can be turned against them?
Speed 40 ft. (30 ft. in armor) Human (Varisian) cleric of Cayden Cailean 10 NG Medium humanoid (human) Init +3; Senses Perception +8 AC 26, T 16, FF 22 hp 83/83Fort +12, Ref +10, Will +13; +2 trait bonus vs. charm and compulsion
What can we do to break the power of the coven over this area?” Vera wonders.
When focusing on the Thunderbird, you all feel a deep sense of loss. Like you have just lost a child or mother or deep true love. You see a large egg contained in a cavern lit by a green glow. You also feel as though....you speak Thunderbird now.
The Stormreaders Coven:
You get the first vision over again, this time without the sea hag.
Potential Allies:
You gain a brief glimpse of a brine dragon sleeping beneath a ruined light house tower. You feel its intense desire to end the cycle storms and the unnatural effects it has had on its feeding territories and its INCREDIBLE ego - but that it is eagerly awaiting an alliance, deep down.
You also gain a glimpse of a tribe of angry Locatahs. taking up arms and joining the humans in defending the ruins of Hyrantum.
Ending the Weather Patterns:
They are being unnaturally manipulated - a removal of the manipulators should cause things to fairly quickly revert to normal patterns.
Any others? Otherwise feel free to plot a new course of action
N Female Half Elf Druid 12 | Stonebreak | T'Khan Init +8| HP 111/111 | AC34 T12 FF33, DR5/- , Immune to crits, bleed, sneak| Fort +15, Reflex +12, Will +22, +2 vs ench | CMD 30 | Perception +32 | Sense Motive +28
Buffs:
Wild Shape: Large Air Elemental, Barkskin
Resources:
Reroll: Unused
| Conditions:
Well, that seems to giv us a bunch of leads. It looks like the Thunderbird might be being coerced into working with them. We might try looking for the cave although I am honestly not sure where to start. I wonder if the Naga might have any clue?
"Likewise, this Dragon may be of some use to us. While they are temperamental and egotistical- perhaps we can make our case plane enough for the creature. I am certain that if it had the power to deal with these usurpers it already would have."
Arisra's thoughts drift for a brief moment. Do I have what it takes to convince a Drake? And do I really have a choice?
"But Makda's plan seems most reasonable to accomplish while we are in proximity with the library. Perhaps she does know where this cave and presumably captive egg might be located."
"Hey Makda, mind we we take a look at that map? I was thinking that based on cliffs surrounding the ocean in this area here, there might be some pretty deep cave structures. What do you think?
