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"Go get Amelia," Kahel whispered to Amiri. "We may need her as a translator."
Facing the apparent leader of these people Kahel tried to find a common language.
Kahel seriously doubted that ancient osirian or the shoanti language would be useful. Yet she tried in those tongues as well. Regardless of the languages she tried, she kept her tone calm and neutral. She used body language to try conveying that she meant no harm to these people as well.
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Amelia rushes into the room, but is confronted with a language she does not know. She tries to reach out to the woman in Thassalonian, but if she doesnt get a response, she asks the prisoners around her to help translate.
"We are Pathfinders, sent from the future. We mean you no harm, and have rescued your friends behind us. Please, sheath you blade, so we can talk." She sheaths her own swords and moves carefully to the front of the group where she can be seen as non threatening.
If the lady does not answer, she calls out to the prisoners. "Please, someone help me to speak to this woman. Tell her that we rescued you, and please translate my words for me!"
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Solange makes her way up to the gathering , and whispers to Amelia... "Please translate for me."
"As my friend has spoken, we are from the future. A land where a great city built by the last of your people, a man known as Aroden, walked as a god. Through powerful magic, and a reckoning that we do not fully understand, have been sent back to this place, to this time. I can only interpret that as a portent, much as your own mystics have chosen today as your day of liberty. We seek to aid you and perhaps for you to aid us in our quest for knowledge of your times, of your struggles. This was no accident. Perhaps it was Aroden himself that has deemed this to happen. Only time will tell."
She then bows, and looks for aid from the rescued slaves.
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The powerfully built woman steps forward from your words in Thassilonian. You can see as she enters the brighter light that her face and arm were heavily burned several months ago. She sheathes her weapon, and instructs the others to do as well.
"I am Uszanriar, and seeing as we share common foes, for whatever reason, means that the gods have brought us together, perhaps even this god not yet born that you speak of. Our rebellion has just begun, we can use all the help we can get. What can you offer us, besides muscle and steel, formidable though they may be." Her last words are punctuated by an exaggerated stare at Amiri's huge sword.
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While she didn't understand the words, at least there was no hostility being shown. It didn't take a genius to guess some of what was being said. The staring at Amiri's weapon gave a clue as well. They possibly wanted allies in the fight these ancient people still had before them.
"Amelia, would you please relay the following? 'We are warrior scholars. And in our journeys we have encountered much. And overcome more. Our skills are many and varied, our specialties as diverse as the stars in the heavens. But perhaps the greatest aid we might offer is not in the shedding of blood, but the sharing of knowledge. While our time here is short, we may be able to pass on valuable information. All we request in exchange is to learn more of your people and your struggle.'"
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The woman looks perplexed. "I don't truly understand why you have come here from another time, if that is not just a serpent-addled delusion, but I do not have the time for history lessons, either yours or mine. Our very commander, General Krahnaliara Lac Suhn, was dragged away by the snake-priests only an hour ago and I must find him and free the rest of my people. If you can give us any aid, we would appreciate it, we will need all the help we can get."
She steps forward once more to look Amelia directly in the eyes.
"All I can offer you in return is the hope that you find what you are looking for. If it truly is knowledge you seek, tarry not in these slave pens, look to the temples above. You see, these are not our halls, this is the mighty serpentfolk city of Sessegishoss and we are all far from home. But if we meet again, I shall consider you as friends"
She makes motions for the other wounded soldiers to follow her and begins to leave. One makes an exaggerated "swinging of the sword" gesture to Amiri as he passes, smiling.
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With a sigh Kahel followed as well. Why do things always have to involve violence? Is it too much to ask for one expedition that doesn't devolve into fighting for your life? It was annoying. Even diplomatic excursions all too often involved things trying to kill her.
"I was hoping that for once the scholar part of who we are would be more valuable then our ability to fight. I'd much rather exchange information and discuss long since forgotten history then have to constantly fight. Join the Pathfinders, he said. Explore the world, he said. Learn the history of the world, he said. No one ever mentioned how often something is trying to kill you."
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You trudge forward through the dimly lit halls for several minutes when an obvious crossroads presents itself. A basalt staircase spirals upwards. You can see other groups of Pathfinders gathered at the bottom, tending to wounds and discussing plans.
The distant sounds of battle echo in the caverns and halls beyond on this level.
Uszanriar notices the similarities to your group.
"It seems you have found your fellow travellers of Aroden. I would not feel betrayed if you moved on with them. We each have our own destiny. You have given my people hope. Word has spread that our descendants walk the halls with us today. Which means that we will be victorious over the serpentfolk, at least one day."
She continues to move forward into the remaining slave pens with but a second look back and a determined smile on her face.
As she passes, a Pathfinder dressed in the blue and white robes of Sarenrae approaches you.
"Seelah, Amiri, how nice to see you again. We are heading to the temple proper. We can use all the help we can get. Word is that the temple plaza was overrun by stone guardians. Are you ready to move on?"
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"Well met, Uszanriar." "May you liberate your commander swiftly and your rebellion be an overwhelming victory." "But, our first duty lies with our friends." Seelah orates boldly but in common with no hope of being understood.
"Any last minute preparations?" Seelah, sunrod and sword in hand, looks over the group for replies.
Once the group all nods ready, she turns to the follower of Sarenrae, "Lead on friend."
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"Onward to adventure, to glory, and all that I suppose. We are a society of warrior scholars. Why is it that nobody ever cares about the scholar part?" Kahel complained once again.
She was torn once again. History suggested that this leader was probably rescued. But was it only due to her and her companions? "Ladies, perhaps we should stick with out new friend here. These people are injured. I feel uncomfortable letting them go into a fight unaided. Regardless, I will follow the rest of you if you decide not to help them."
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The Azlanti are humbled by the channel from Iomedae, another god from the future.
After what seems like forever climbing the narrow spiral staircase you finally reach the surface, the familiar air of Golarion reaches your nose, and for a brief respite you remember you are actually close to home. Out of your peripheral vision, you can see the vague outline of the mountains surrounding Absalom in the distance but they are faded and colorless.
Wide flagstones cover the plaza leading to a stepped pyramid. Larger-than-life statues of serpentfolk and snakes line the plaza, alongside pictograph-covered pillars and small cages filled with all manner of furry, chattering creatures. On display in the temple plaza is a dazzling array of serpentfolk religion, art, and civic engineering. There are several pathfinders still here, busily gathering etchings and taking notes. You can see that great battles have taken place here recently, and the broken remnants of great statues and strange beasts litter the courtyards.
You can see other teams of pathfinders actively streaming into the temple, so you follow. More time passes as you spread out into the various halls and chambers, each group eager to explore as much as possible. You can see a reddish glow in the room up ahead and you approach carefully.
Glowing coals warm this shrine and cast an eerie under-lighting on the towering, snake-headed statue behind the altar. The reek of ammonia and rotting flesh fills the air and burns the eyes. However, you are not alone. As you enter the room a serpentfolk and his pet await near the altar and spin to face you.
The creature hisses when it sees you, casts a spell and suddenly there are four identical serpentfolk all mirroring the same actions.
Amiri
Amelia
Snake
Solange
Kahel
Wraith
Seelah
Serpentfolk - 3 images
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"Be careful! Its a constrictor snake!" Amelia yells out, recognizing the deadly snake for what it is. "Don't get close if you can help it! It will squeeze the life out of you!"
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Remembering how ineffective her electricity had been on the other snake like humanoid, Kahel decided for now to focus more on the constrictor. She liked Amelia, and didn't relish the idea of anything happening to the other woman. As such Kahel sprinted through the room before spinning to a stop, sky fire already gathered in her hands.
"Eat this!" She cried as the raw energy arced towards the giant snake.
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Amiri smashes down on the creature, smashing an image with brute force. The poor snake had no chance against Solange's beguiling display and it falls limp to the ground, releasing the desperately wounded Amelia. Kahel turns her blast to the serpentfolk, but it does not penetrate his resistance. Wraith races over and strikes hard but only manages to hit an image, thus shattering its illusion. Seelah races over to the serpentfolk as it tries, and fails, to cast a spell with everyone surrounding it.
Amiri
Amelia - 13 damage
Snake - unconscious
Solange
Kahel
Wraith
Seelah
Serpentfolk - 1 image - 4 damage
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As Kahel moved up she wracked her mind for anything she might have read on snake like humanoids. It sounded familiar to her, but from where?
Unfortunately, while she was sure she'd read something about them the details eluded her. Something about... head dresses? Maybe? Her worry for Amelia made it hard to focus on that anyway. While still pondering that she almost absently gathered up the energy to toss another bolt of electricity at the snake like being.
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Amiri comes down hard with one of her blows on the creature, it seems to strike it. The other shot releases the last image. Now it has nowhere to hide. Amelia tries to shoot the creature, but misses wide as Seelah and Solange both rush to heal her. Kahel once again is confounded by however the Serpent nullifies her magical energies. Wraith finds an easy strike as Amiri holds the beast's attention. The bloodied beast falls to the ground.
As you subdue or kill the unconscious snake, it is readily apparent that there are numerous opportunities to make useful notes on the priest's rituals and regalia before moving on. Kahel is eager to do more today than just fight, so she takes the lead in gathering the information and recording it.
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Once that work is done, the group proceeds deeper into the temple. Chaotically twisting tunnels and chambers shoot throughout the temple’s interior, some ending abruptly and others opening into smoke-choked studies, scriptoria, and meditation chambers. Countless alcoves are cut into the walls—almost entirely hidden within the elaborate mosaics.
As you explore one of them, you find a large room with adjoining reading rooms. A single clay tablet inscribed with pictograms lies on a nearby table. It appears to be only part of a much larger set.