Lucian downs a potion to recover his sight, and is relieved to see his senses return.
"We'll have to find a way to open that door without calling another of these shining children. Let's venture forth."
When he and his companions reach the strange room, he's at a loss to explain its purpose.
As it seems the door is unsafe to travel through at the moment, you look for another way into the library from the north.
The next vast chamber might have once been a lecture hall, but now the place is empty of furniture. Six five-foot-wide pillars, each carved with spiraling patterns of runes, rise up to support the hundred-foot-high ceiling. Spread through the hall in neatly organized stacks and piles are arcane trappings, candles, books, scrolls, knives, and bundles of powders and ingredients-the entire place looks like an arcanist's laboratory or storeroom. At the west end of the room a wide flight of stairs rises up to a stone door in the wall, just north of a twenty-foot-wide stage. Here sits a large mound of furs, an immense chair, and a tale stacked high with more books and scrolls. An ironbound chest sits under the table against the far wall.
At just over ten feet tall, the runt stone giant standing on the platform above you is still an imposing figure. Morkmurian, from what you have been told, is a powerful giant. "The saviors of Sandpoint," he spits. "I have expected you. But know that you shall not hinder my efforts any longer."
Kufieno quickly casts a spell, creating mirror images of himself.
He then darts to the north, trying to spread out the party.
Kufieno tries to protect himself from whom you have been warned is a powerful wizard. Mokmurian flies out from the balcony, hovering about 15' above the floor, and fires a quick set of firey rays at the party!
He then casts another longer spell that causes a dense solid fog to descend on the party!
Kufieno grits his teeth as the ray hits him.
Kufieno peeks his head out from behind the column, inhales deeply, and watching the caster, prepares to breath an arc of lightning at the caster when he begins to cast.
"Quick, hold hands everyone!"
As everyone does so, Lucian teleports Sealman, Thunderpuss, Rissi and himself out of the fog and onto the stairs, behind Mokmurian's back!
He also briefly touches his Sihedron medallion, and feels invigorated.
Evanya, who was left behind, flies upwards to the edge of the fog and casts lesser confusion at Mokmurian.
Rissi pokes her head from underneath the shirt, and patiently waits for Lucian to use one of the scrolls after he has taken a draught from the remove blindness potion.
"That room was well suited to studying certain *chhh* extraplanar creatures - hounds of Tinadlos"
.......................
Rissi flies free of Lucian and contemplates the magical energies being flung about.
"Yes, Mokmurian, that is what we are, isn't it - a *squeak* hindrance!"
A set of blackish rays leap from her fingers.
Lucian teleports everyone to the stairs that Mokmurian just vacated and then Evanya pops out of the solid fog, to Mokmurian's confusion! Rissi then drains the giant's power with a deep black ray!
"You should've ran while you had the chance. Now feel my wrath. Feel my RAGE!"
Seal welcomes the fire to ignite his rage and fury. With Isoult in hand, he begins to work his weapon like surgeon with a scalpel. Now that he has begun, there will be no stopping him. No stopping until they are all dead.
Seal reaches out from the landing and hits Mokmurian twice, wounding the giant wizard quite badly, although it seems his skin is even stonier than usual for a stone giant. The giant flies back a few feet and casts a quickened shield spell followed by a thin green ray directed at Seal!
Kufieno steps out from behind the column, conjures a snowball, and hurls it the giant.
Lucian calls a blessing of fervor on his companions, bolstering their abilities.
Rissi waves her hand and time seems to speed for the others in the group.
"Isoult will paint these caves red with giants' blood."
"Thunderpuss, defend the priest."
Thunderpuss carefully pads down the stairs to stand at guard in front of Lucian, teeth bared at the rune giant.
Kufieno's snowball comes from below to hit the giant in the leg! Seal then delivers a solid bashing to the giant, allowing Miana to leap through the air and deliver the killing kick, sending Mokmurian tumbling to the ground with the Champion of Irori landing atop his unconscious corpse.
6th
disintegrate
5th
cloudkill, telekinesis, wall of force
4th
dimension door, fire shield, mass reduce person, solid fog, stoneskin
3rd
dispel magic, fireball, fly, greater magic weapon, slow, stinking cloud
2nd
fog cloud, glitterdust, resist energy, scorching ray, see invisibility, whispering wind
1st
alarm, enlarge person, mage armor, magic missile, protection from good, ray of enfeeblement, reduce person, shield
Cantrips
all except enchantment and illusion spells
His spellbooks also contain all spells in the CRB up to and including all 6th level spells except for enchantment and illusion spells.
The impressie collection of books on spellcraft and all of the spell component and laboratory equipment in the room is worth a total of 1500 gp. The chest under the desk contains his remaining wealth of 12 000 gp, 1 100 pp, an amber and sapphire neckalce worth 4 000 gp, a set of ivory runestones worth 1 400 gp, and a scroll of contact other plane.
In addition, scattered among the stacks of Mokmurian's invasion plans, battle tactics, and research notes is a single piece of paper depicting a map of the Lost Coast region of Varisia. A note on the map, written in Giant, reads Hellfire Flume ruins-foundation stones from each would know where the traitor Xaliasa dwelt, and perhaps where he hid his key to Runeforge.
As Mokmurian falls before Miana's critical kick, the rage continues to boil within Seal man. He cries out again as he charges for the door.
"Paint the Walls with Blood!
Thunderpuss follows astride looking for more prey to hunt.
Moving to the central library, you find that numerous glowing crystal lanterns hang on fine chains from the domed ceiling sixty feet above, filling the entire circular room with bright light. The walls of the room are carved with more runes and sigils, while overstuffed wood-and-leather chairs and polished oak tables surround a thirty-foot-wide shaft in the floor.
The central shaft contains the library's holdings. The walls of the shaft, 30 feet wide and 50 feet deep, contain shelf after shelf of books, scrolls, tablets, flash drives and other means of storing information. All of the books are written in Thassilonian.
As you enter the room a shining gold clockwork librarian clatters and smokes to life, hobbling over to you in an ungainly lurch (one of its three legs doesn't seem to work quite right any more). It says something and then waits patiently for a reply.
Seal & Thunderpuss kill all of the stone giants.
Lucian catches his breath after that titanic fight with the stone giants' leader. Once the latter is dead, a brighter future is on the horizon for his people... provided Sealman doesn't slaughter them all first. The Desnan evangelist proceeds to heal his companions (waiting to do so on Sealman once he's out of his murderous rage), then gains an interest in the map.
"Sandpoint? Hellstorm flume? Were they looking for the Old Light? What has a Thassilonian ruin got to do with stone giants? It's most strange... We have to investigate, of course! And what's that Runeforge?"
Once in the library, the young Varisian is delighted to see the clockwork librarian.
"Hello there, we are the Saviors of Sandpoint! How are you doing? Hum, well, I suppose you want to help us with finding information. Can you tell us all you know on the subject of "Xaliasa", "Hellstorm Flume" or "Runeforge", please?"
"I imagine it has a *chhh* rather lot to do, when said stone giant is attempting to master the magic of *squeak* greed."
She considers the constructed guardian after Lucian gives his instructions.
"An abbreviated history of the Therassic Monastery is desirable. After fulfilling the human's request, please retrieve any materials related to soul transference, the sihedron ritual, and sihedron medallions. Any maps from 10,000 years ago would also be useful."
"Subject: Runelords."
"Please specify which runelord you are interested in," the librarian responds.
"Can you tell us all you know on the subject of "Xaliasa", "Hellstorm Flume" or "Runeforge", please?"
About Xaliasa you learn only that they were a turncoat servant of Runelord Karzoug.
Curiously, the librarian next retrieves a tome about landmarks in Sandpoint, opening it to a page on the Old Light, to have been a lighthouse during the ancient Thassilonian empire. Lucian knows, however, that his teacher Brodert Quink goes against the common wisdom, believing that the Old Light was in fact a war machine of the ancient empire of Bakrakhan, capable of spewing forth fire over long distances. From the passage, it seems Brodert was right:
In the time of the Thassilonian Empire over 10,000 years ago, the current coastline of Varisia was simply a series of tors and bluffs overlooking a lower plain. Known as the Rasp, this geological feature marked the boundary between Bakrakhan, the Domain of Wrath, to the west, and the Empire of Greed, Shalast, in what is modern-day Varisia.
Violent conflicts were common between the two nations and both fortified their mutual border heavily. Karzoug, Runelord of Greed, built enormous granite sentinels through which he could spy on his neighbor, while Alaznist, Runelord of Wrath, built massive towers called Hellfire Flumes. Each of these Flumes where staffed by a contingent of her soldiers, in addition to numerous powerful sorcerers and thaumaturges. These mages maintained a vortex of arcane fire atop of the towers, which, upon command, could bombard the nearby countryside with destructive force.
The Old Light is the last of these Flumes, the rest having been destroyed by the fall of Bakrakhan, or the slow passage of time. It survives at only a quarter of its original height, which means that it must have once been over 700 feet tall.
On his query about Runeforge, the librarian retrieves a tome about demiplanes which explains Runeforge is a demiplane created by the seven runelords of ancient Thassilon for the purpose of magical research.
"An abbreviated history of the Therassic Monastery is desirable. After fulfilling the human's request, please retrieve any materials related to soul transference, the sihedron ritual, and sihedron medallions. Any maps from 10,000 years ago would also be useful."
A quick review of the library's history reveals the following: the Therassic wizard-monks who attended this library were not directly affiliated with Runelord Karzoug, although they paid regular tithes to him. Their true loyalties lay with the Peacock Spirit, a god of scholars whose purpose was a closely guarded secret even from many of his worshipers-only the most devout knew his true name. The monks, scholars, and wizards who dwelt in the Therassic Monastery trafficked with devils, creatures of aberrant appetites, and other strange beings now lost to arcane knowledge.
Rissi also discovers the following about Sihedron medallions: A Sihedron medallion is an artifact from the ancient empire of Thassilon. It is generally found in the form of a silver disk and worn around the neck on a leather cord. The medallions come in many sizes, tailored to the creatures to whom they belong. The disk is inscribed with the Sihedron rune, a seven-pointed star which symbolized the seven virtues of rule of early Thassilon. With the decline of the empire the rune became more closely associated with the seven vices and with rune magic in general.
Little useful information is kept in the library about soul transference.
The medallion gives the wearer increased resistance to many forms of danger and allows him or her to draw temporary life force from it. If placed on a dead body, a Sihedron medallion will keep the body from decomposing.
What you did not suspect before is that they also serve as a scrying connection for the runelords of Thassilon. It is also known that these medallions are used by followers of the runelords to identify each other, as they are generally only given out to trusted individuals.
The librarian also provides you with a map.
Lucian jolts. "Master Quink was right all along then! He'll love to learn all that. Why, I could even bring him here to conduct research! We have to get back to Sandpoint as soon as we're done here, once we've spoken to Conna."
The Varisian turns to the archivist. "What about Runelords Karzoug or Xin-Shalast? Anything you might tell us about them?"
Lucian also looks in the library to find some extra information on the Runelords' history, specifically Karzoug.
The librarian collects a range of tomes including
• An Accounting of the Holdings of Greater Shalast
• A Sculptor’s Guide to the Fleshpots of Xin-Shalast
• Lord of Wealth: Karzoug’s Trade and Conquests
• Tributes of Vadan, with Accountings and Predictions
• Whispers from Leng: A Guide to the Beyond
• Spires of Gold—The Rise of Xin-Shalast
• Karzoug: Lord of Lords and Master of All
• The Face above Xin-Shalast—A Lord in Primal Stone
• A Traveler upon the Golden Road
• The Golden Legion: A History of Auric Fleshworks
• Life’s Price: Speculations on Interplanar Soul Trade
armies, the runelords devised methods in which they could escape the world and enter a state of suspended animation, so they could ride out cataclysms. In theory, their surviving minions would then waken them to reclaim their empires once the cataclysms had ended.
Rissi happily darts between books for the rest of day, turning pages as best she can.
"Are you seeing what *chhh* I am seeing Lucian? Mountains piercing the sky, creatures from Leng as allies, blue dragons circling through the sky - fascinating - *squeak* frightening. Abadar might approve of the scale of these things but *chitter* not the ends to which they were used. We will have to prepare carefully. And look here... Karzoug: Lord of Lords and Master of All has a section on the interaction of magic weapons of Pride and Lust against the Runelord of Greed. Fascinating."
"Fascinating and terrifying at the same time indeed, Rissi. What's more, it appears the war between Karzoug and Alaznist was far fiercer than we initially thought. I wonder if we could harness some of Alaznist's power in the Old Light to fight against Karzoug?"
"Regarding Xin-Shalast, there's ample information about it as well. The part about the connection to Leng is not one to be taken lightly, I think."
Sealman and Thunderpuss takes care of Conna and all of the giants while ya'll are researching in the library. He returns very sticky.
Considering all that has happened-the bloodshed, the lives lost, and the miles upon miles of Varisian soil journeyed across to stop the machinations and minions of an ancient tyrant-it seems a nice refreshing break to return to Sandpoint where it all began and spend some time in recovery. Of course, rest can not last forever....
After a short stint in Magnimar to resupply and craft a few new items, you return to Sandpoint. You are greeted by throngs of excited hero-worshipers and grateful citizens. The talk of the town is the Tower Street Sinkhole, although your return eclipses some of that-most of the citizens assume you have returned to investigate the sinkhole, in any event.
You are soon approached by a bashful-looking acolyte of Desna who gives you a message: Father Zantus wishes to speak to you about the sinkhole as soon as possible at the Sandpoint Cathedral.
Both Sheriff Hemlock and Mayor Deverin are there waiting for you at the cathedral with Zantus. They ask for a quick recounting of your adventures in Jorgenfist, listening wide-eyed to tales of giants, headless ogres, and horrors from beyond time itself. Soon enough, however, Fathre Zantus clears his throat and speaks upon the matter at hand.
"Of course, we're all very pleased to hear of your successes. Sandpoint owes you a huge debt of thanks for ensuring its safety yet again. And while I'd like nothing better than to let you relax and enjoy a well-earned break from your adventures, you've doubtless heard about our newest problem. About two weeks ago while you were in Jorgenfist, the ground collapsed just north of the Garrison, right in the middle of Tower Street. The north wall of the Garrison took some damage, and while fortunately no one was seriously hurt when the sinkhole appeared, that's not the case anymore. The guards Sheriff Hemlock sent into the pit to investigate never returned. That very night, we all heard something horrible down there: dogs howling-like no dogs I've heard before-and bloodcurdling screams. Sheriff's roped the sinkhole off, and so far nothing's come up out of it, but those sounds are growing every night. Whatever's trapped in there wants out, and by the sounds of it, whatever it is isn't too keen on emerging friendly."
Mayor Deverin offers a sum of 2000 gp to be paid if you can investigate and quiet the howls and screams.
Kufieno nods to the mayor. "I suppose it's up to us to investigate." He says, cracking hi knuckles.
Lucian hurries back to Master Quink to relate his adventures as soon as he's back in Sandpoint. He rejoins his companions later, as the Mayor makes her plea.
"What? Nonsense. Keep the money, it will be our pleasure to look into that matter."
"Tunneling giants. Next thing you know, they'll be riding in on dragons. Take us to da' hole, keep the coin."
The sinkhole itself stabilized at about 30 feet wide, reaching the diameter of the street and consuming a portion of the Garrison wall to the south-several basement jail cells hang open in the sloping southern wall of the sinkhole. The sinkhole is 15 feet deep and you spot a narrow opening along its northwest side at the deepest point, which seems to be a tunnel leading underground.
Clambering down the steep slopes of the sinkhole, you find that the tunnel leads to a short flight of stairs down and five-foot-wide passageway beyond. You recognize the area as part of the dungeon you explored so long ago in which you destroyed the well which created the sinspawn inhabiting this area. Most of the place has now collapsed due to the sinkhole. You find, however, that the set of stairs which were previously blocked off have now been cleared and the passage down is open....
Thick webs clog the stairs. Visible here and there through gaps in the unusually thick webbing are deep scratches along the walls and floors-this, along with the absence of any mold or mildew, suggests the stairway has recently been cleared.
At the bottom of the stairs is an antechamber in which the walls, floor, and even the arched ceiling are covered with writing, the words spiraling and trailing in the ancient language of Thassilon. Some of the phrases are immense, with words nearly three feet high, while others are written in tiny, spidery script. The medium for the writing varies as well-sometimes dark ink, sometimes blood, sometimes carved into the stone itself. Passageways to the north and east lead into fog-filled tunnels and a pair of stone doors , their faces carved with an immense image of a three-eyed jackal's head, stand to the south. To the west, light flickers in what appears to be an immense cathedral.
From beyond the fog to the north a voice calls out to you in Thassilonian: "What happened to Thassilon?"
Rissi mutters an incantation as they descend down the sinkhole. A few minutes later the draconic skeleton, buried before by her, bursts out of the ground. She flies up to it and settles behind it, applying a smattering of magical defenses to it first.
When the voice in the fog speaks, she responds.
(Thassilon)"What happened to Azlant? What happened to the god Curchanus? What happened to the Rough Beast? The same thing that happens to any god, creature or people; their time came and went. And who... or what... are you to be so removed from time to ask such questions?"
Before entering the sinkhole, Lucian wards himself and his companions with a series of spells.
When the voice echoes through the ancient walls, Lucian answers earnestly.
"Thassilon? It now lies in ruins, but we seek information on that exciting empire of yore. Would you know anything about it? Maybe we could share information on what we know."
Seal will keep his dorn ready but rested over one shoulder like a chef's towel. He'll scratch Thunderpuss's neck as the funny speak continues.
Kufieno begins to quip that he doesn't know anyone named Thassilon, but Rissi speaks first. He quietly waits for an answer as he peers around.