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The eagles moves right along with the Seru, continuing to attack.
Pea'nut hearing the cry come from Kharina, lets out a howl and charges the flying serpent
Tsadok moves around the brazier to the right, hearing a warning growl from his companion when Kharina gets caught by another glob of poison. Pulling his swing to avoid both eagle and mountain lion.
Muroi, Pea'nut and the eagle manage to finish off the barely flying serpent. The flying creature falls out of the air and folds on the ground like a rag doll, blood pooling all around it.
With the serpentfolk guardian defeated, the part can opt to make useful notes on the priests’ rituals and regalia.
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After a minute or so she still felt the venom coursing through her, she felt herself become even more fatigued than before and remained blind. She sat then and continued to wipe at her eyes to get the venom out of them and, after another minute, felt the effects of the poison wear off. She was able to see again but still felt weak. "I think I hate snakes."
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Katswiri huddles next to the pillar, her skin growing pale and her breath gasping, growing gradually more shallow as the poison works its way through her body. She continues to weep silently, terror setting in as the darkness persists. As the poison finishes running its course, her vision begins to clear, and her tear streaked face takes on an expression of intense, incredible relief. She rises unsteadily to her feet, wiping her eyes and face on her sleeve. "I-I think I'll survive, although I feel terribly ill. Oh Shelyn, that was awful, lost in the dark. T-thank you all for killing that horrid thing." She slowly moves over to where she dropped her morning star and shakily retrieves it.
Sapper is able to properly document all pertinent ritual information for the party while Kharina and Katswiri are recovering from their poisonous encounter with the Seru. Once everyone is back on their feet and ready to go they continue on through the chamber.
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. A single clay tablet inscribed with pictograms lies on a nearby table. It appears to be only part of a much larger set.
The party spreads out and begins to investigate the room for additional information.
Katwsiri recognizes the tablet as part of a Ydersian holy text is only a small portion of a much larger work. Pathfinders and other people from their time know little about Ydersius and his faith prior to the serpent god’s decapitation. Looking around closesly she locates another tablet depicting Ydersius’s legends, history, and religious rites tucked into an easily overlooked compartment in an alcove. As she attempts to remove the text she realizes too late she's made a mistake. Once the text is removed a soft click sounds somewhere in the alcove. Quickly she pulls the text into her body and tries to move out of the alcove but not before the darkened alcove comes to light with a torrent of flames and fire all around her.
Aid Another: A Pathfinder agent helps the PCs solve a puzzle, disable a trap, or accomplish some other task as if performing the aid another action for a PC. In Subtiers 5–6 and 7–8, the bonus granted increases by 1. In Subtier 10–11, the bonus increases by 2.
Allied Offensive: A Pathfinder agent strikes a creature at the same time as the PC, increasing the damage dealt by one attack by 1d8 points. In addition, after the attack, anyone attacking the target is considered to be flanking it until the beginning of the attacker’s next turn. In Subtiers 5–6 and 7–8, increase the damage dealt to 2d8 points. In Subtier 10–11, this amount increases to 3d8 points.
Burst of Healing: A Pathfinder agent heals all of the PCs of 1d6 points of damage. In Subtiers 5–6 and 7–8, the amount healed increases to 3d6 points. In Subtier 10–11, the amount healed increases to 5d6 points. Alternatively, in any subtier the agent can instead cast neutralize poison, remove curse, or remove disease with a caster level equal to the table’s APL (minimum 5).
Spellcasting Synergy: A Pathfinder agent casts a spell at the same time as the PC, increasing the save DC and caster level of the PC’s spell by 1. In Subtiers 7–8 and 10–11, the PC’s caster level instead increases by 2.
Timely Inspiration: A Pathfinder agent provides the effects of a bard’s inspire courage bardic performance for 3 rounds. In Subtiers 1–2 and 3–4, the competence bonus is +1. In Subtiers 5–6 and 7–8, the competence bonus increases to +2. In Subtier 10–11, the competence bonus increases to +3.
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Katswiri's curiousity overwhelms her as she spies the ancient slate of religious writings, and she reaches into the alcove to pick up the tablet. She receives a premonition of burning doom, and snatches away the book and turns aside as flames wash over her. Katswiri sets down the tablet. "Argh, that hurt! At least the tablet survived. Ydersius...this will be of interest to the society, I believe. Allow me to paint a copy before we proceed." She will take out her paints, and quickly replicate the relevant information before continuing onward.
A group of Pathfinder's comes rushing in from behind you, excited by the sound of the flame trap that Katswiri just triggered. Noticing that several members of your party are injured and could use assistance, he raises his holy symbol of Sarenrae and says a prayer for the group. The warmth of the sun washes over each of you when the prayer concludes and the other party quickly makes their way past you down the tunnel.
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earlier after the fight with the Seru
Tsadok and Pea'nut clean up after the fight, yet the cat keeps turning to the side of Katswiri, recognizing her battle still continued, with a chuff at the hunter to gain his attention; the cat lays beside the oracle licking her hand.
Moving to the oracle's side, Tsadok gently wipes the poisonous goo from her eyes, whispering spells of his own over her as he works; one to help her naturally resist the poison and one to give her guidance as she fights this battle.
"Come on Kat, this is rough but you are stronger than you realize. Focus and fight the poison"
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Earlier, while fighting for her life against the poison
Katswiri flinches away and gasps as Pea'nut licks her hand, then reaches out and holds on to him with a trembling hand once she realizes he is not an enemy. As Grok starts to wipe away the poisonous mucus from her eyes, she looks towards him with unseeing, tear filled eyes. "Thank you."
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Kharina was relieved for the aid of the Sarenrae priest, personally she wasn't a fan of them, but she wasn't going to refuse the help. While her obvious injuries faded the lack of energy brought on from the poison didn't return. She resolved herself that she was just going to have to let that heal on it's own. She nodded her thanks to the priest as he and his group scampered off and went to pick up her morningstar from the ground, putting it back in place and resolving to stay away from potential foes now. She knew that Katswiri was likely in bad shape and would need some additional support so she moved over to give the woman a hand up once she was recovered from the blindness. She made sure that her small crossbow was reloaded and prepared to move out again, keeping a place near Katswiri to both protect the woman and to keep some distance from any potential enemies.
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Daisy had winced in sympathy seeing Katswiri be blinded. Must be rough having no sense of what's around you except for touch. Distracted by the oracle's distress she missed out on an opening to strike the snake, but thankfully the rest of her team were able to dispatch the venomous creature without the aid of Daisy's sword.
Afterwards, once the other Pathfinder team has helped them with healing, Daisy gives a nod of thanks to the priest. She remains near Katswiri and Kharina, with her rapier at the ready, knowing the other two women are weakened from the poison and hoping to protect them if she can. "I'll look out for you two if you need help... Can't resist damsels in distress, after all."
With the poison taken care of the party pushes on further into the temple. Some heavy presence within this massive, domed chamber claws at the chest and weighs the air itself down. Strange glows emanate from the cardinal points of this massive, circular chamber. In the center of the room, an elevated, spiraling staircase entwines a column of stone, atop which sits an altar. On top of the altar a humanoid clan in brilliant armor appears to be bound and restrained. Rising above him is a large snake which speaks in an eerie and strange tongue. While the words escape the large majority of the group, it's quite apparent this is some ritual taking place. The spiral staircase leading to the altar is populated by four armed skeletons wielding broken scimitars.
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As Kat spins to avoid the gout of flame, Tsadok retrieves the wand from it sheath. "Seems we are getting a bit beat up, who needs this?
Sapper, Daisy and Muroi seem to have weathered the trip so far, remarkably well. Tsadok uses the wand to remove the cuts and burns from himself, Kharina and Katswiri.
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"Now this is diplomacy I can deal with" The hunter mutters before whispering an incantation over his greatsword. The sword glows briefly becoming more solid looking. cast lead blades - 2 mins
swift action- aspect of the bull +2 str/1 min
swift action - Pea'nut - aspect of the tiger +2dex
standard action - cast lead blades
"Come Pea'nut we hunt"
Both begin moving up the pathway towards the creatures above.
Free trip if bite hits
Sapper bomb explodes exactly where the pyro expected it to. Pieces of bone fragments scatter to the corners of the room as the skeleton disintegrates.
Shortly after the explosion the nimble kitty leaps up on ten foot ledge above and lands directly in front of another skeleton. Pea'nut grabs a hold of the femur of the beast and pulls it down to the ground, prone. The skeleton slashes back at the large cat but misses terribly. It attempts to stand again and try to get to its feet despite the impending provocation.
The two remaining skeletons quickly make their way down the spiral steps towards the party.
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Kharina was grateful for the healing that Tsadok gave them. She nodded her head and prepared to move on keeping her crossbow in hand. As they came tot he next chamber she was curious as to what was going on. Obviously the ritual but what was it for? It was about then that the skeleton's attacked them. She saw them deftly handled at first and by the time she could react there were only two left. She wasn't sure how well the bow would work on them but decided it was worth a try. She moved to get a better view of one and then lined her weapon up before she pulled the trigger.
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A crack of thunder and the tang of ozone cut through the complex. The figures before you, and indeed the walls, the floor, even the air itself seem to crumble and fall away like glittering sands through an hourglass. Unfamiliar figures—their heavy, hooded robes embroidered with the symbol of a winged eye—stand about the field, their hands crackling with lightning. Dozens of Pathfinder spellcasters lie dead at their feet. A gargantuan image of a woman appears and shimmers like a desert mirage. She has a regal bearing, but her features are lined as if by years of endless duty.
”Arrogant Pathfinders! Your ridiculous Society spends fortunes and lives to reassemble a treasure that turns time itself like the pages of a book—a key that could undo all the misery and suffering our world now knows—and you use it for this? Poking at snakes and playing at heroism? Golarion knew a true hero once! Our Lord Aroden—who raised the Starstone from the sea and imprisoned the undead tyrant Tar-Baphon—could already walk the world again were it not for your petty games and delays. Every death in your hours of playtime now hangs as a weight around your collective necks, you spoiled children.
“I am Lady Arodeth, and on behalf of the Harbingers of Fate and the God of Mankind himself, I have seized your Sky Key. Its defenders threw their lives away trying to stop compassion and destiny from returning to this world. I advise you not to throw your own lives away attempting to do the same.
“Behold the return of the Last Azlanti! Behold Aroden!”
The ground begins to shake as the temple crashes down around all of you.
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Kharina called out in pain as the temple collapsed and a heavy block came down on her. The only thing saving her was the fact that another piece of debris had landed in such a way as to keep the block from completely crushing her. When it was over she rose and recognized something she thought was impossible, someone with the holy symbol of Aroden, and if she was what she claimed this could become very interesting. The lovely priestess knew enough that she'd best keep herself, and her affiliations, quiet for now so she limped over to Katswiri and stayed next to the deaf woman while they waited to see what would happen next.
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Katswiri has a premonition of impending disaster, and stands where the blocks will not fall as the temple collapses around the group, and the giant image of a woman fills the sky. "The last Azlanti? Is she trying to use the Sky Key to pull forth the Aroden of ages past? Can it even DO that?" More immediate concerns bring her focus back to the group. "Is everyone alright? Tsadok, Kharina's hurt. Can we use your wand to heal her?"
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Muroi dances, not so gracefully, but he avoids the rocks falling. "Is everyone ok? Sorry about my ignorance, who is Aroden? Katswiri, what did you mean when you said to use the Sky Key to pull forth the Aroden of ages past? Ok, I am confused. Who is that lady Arodeth? Is she the Aroden's wife or at least lover? What's going on?"
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Tsadok scrambles to clear the stairs as the twmple falls to pieces around him, while Pea'nut easily clears him in a graceful arc over his head. "Show off" the hunter grumbles with a smile.
As the companions right themselves afterwards Tsadok passes the wand wordlessly to Kat, surveying the fallen Pathfinders. "Look here witch, I didn't crawl through a jungle and avoid a tyrannosaurus just so you can kill my guild mates and resurrect some fool a thousand years dead!"
Tsadok looks for something to use his sword on.
The robed Heralds begin casting, and arcs of lightning leap to the rods made of skymetal. A deep thrum from somewhere below reverberates with chest-tightening force, then the earth begins to heave and quake. Emerald green miasma lashes out, snaking back along the arcs of arcane lightning and infecting hooded casters throughout the crowd. Your body—or perhaps the whole world—crumbles to dust and you hear a distant scream of “She’s overloaded it!”
And just as swiftly, the world is whole again, but in place of a flower-speckled field stands the sprawling marketplace of a small city. Ivory-white buildings and columns feature reliefs and endless statuary all depicting physically perfect human specimens in poses of glory over serpentfolk. A chiton-clad crowd of gawkers stares, both at you and at the roiling dome of green light that encompasses nearly a square mile of territory, beyond which this strange city stretches on.
Robed Heralds panic as they sprint beyond the edges of the glistening dome, only to collapse just beyond its border. There they scream and writhe, their bones cracking as flesh and sinew age to dust in mere moments. Meanwhile, those unfortunates consumed by the green miasma scream and stagger, their features warping and bloating as if the power seeking refuge within them were too big for mere flesh to contain. And high overhead, a looming stone glows with a light visible even in the growing light of dawn.
The local citizens shout at you in a strange tongue (Azlanti).
• Recover one or more spells or spell slots whose total levels are equal to your character level.
• Regain one daily use of a class feature. If you would normally be able to use the feature five or more times in one day, instead regain two uses.
• Heal 1d2 points of damage to all ability scores.
• Heal 1d8 hit points. Add your character level to the number of hit points recovered.
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Katswiri takes the wand from Tsadok and heals Kharina with it as the world goes mad.
When the world clears, Katswiri looks around, dazed. A sinking feeling enters her gut like a stone as she recognizes where they are, and she goes suddenly pale. "The Azlanti architecture...the location. That burning stone in the sky. She's transported us back to Earthfall, at the Azlanti colony city of Lacsuhnollo. We have..." She checks the position of the sun in the sky, the size of the rock, remembering her historical readings about the disaster's timing. "Perhaps two hours before that rock finishes falling from the sky, causing massive devastation across all of Golarion. I would suggest we not be inside the bubble of this time when that occurs."
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Kharina was dumbfounded at what was happening, she'd just been touched by the wand and her weakness fled her, then the the changes were coming too fast and it was starting to annoy her. The only upside to the whole thing was that she felt like she did before being affected by the venom and she felt a little bit of her well of negative power return. Having decided that things could be much worse, and with the lovely Katswiri in front of her, Kharina gave the woman a quick kiss on the lips and said "Thank you. Now, let's see what's going on around here hm?"
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Katswiri stiffens in surprise as Kharina kisses her, then gives Kharina a long appraising look before shaking her head slightly and turning back to the rest of the group. "Whatever these people did to the Sky Key, I don't think it is supposed to do this. These...Harbingers of Fate. They are from our time, yes? If they are being destroyed by trying to leave the bubble of the past, we can't assume we would do better, and this whole area will be destroyed by the Earthfall in two hours time. We need to find someone who might know what they did, or how we can undo it."
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Tsadok simply arches an eyebrow at the exchanged kiss, leaving the wand with Kat for the moment.
Between the transportation spell and everything else, the crowd has not yet made itself known, he's still a bit oblivious to their intent. Granted he is still a pissed off half-orc with a mountain lion companion, they may still be giving him a wide berth :)
While you discuss your new situation, you notice that the locals are beginning talking in excited tones and point at you nervously. Clearly they have identified you as outsiders and are looking to blame you for recent events. Soon they are yelling at you, and it looks like unless you do something to calm the crowd, something unfortunate may soon happen.
Unless you actually speak Azlanti or ancient Azlanti, you can only partially make out what the locals are saying. It seems they have never seen beings like Torrag, Van and Hakime, and believe your sudden appearance to have something to do with their impending disaster.
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Katswiri shades her eyes, looking at the mouths of the nearest members of the crowd. Azlanti...parent language of so many tongues. ...Fear...outsider...an archaic Varisian term for catastrophe. "I think I understand some of their words. They believe we are the cause of this disaster. I will try to speak to them in the closest languages I know."
She steps forward, raising her unarmed hand and speaking slowly in a loud voice, as clearly as she can. She repeats herself in Varisian and Polyglot, the two languages she knows most directly descended from Azlanti.
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---------******************************************------------------------ --------+-++++-*++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++9 ++++++.
Tsadok begins picking out words here and there that remind him of his mother's dialect, she was Varisian, her gypsie family had settled long ago in the Five King's region.
", we are not you enemy."
"Guard" He calls out to Pea'nut fearing things are about to get completely ugly. "Looks like we might not have to wait on the asteroid"
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Muroi is confused, he can't understand his fellows, but it seems they can't comunicate either. So... After listening the word Guard coming from Tsadok, he decides to act. Raises both arms to the air and starts screaming as crazy. Probably, those gutural words have a meaning in that rare language, Who knows?
Actions apparently speak louder than words. Even though the crowd can't undertand the sorcerer, they back off (for now) and find other places to turn their attention to.
Shortly afterwards, a familiar figure limps out from between two buildings. The weight of years seems to hang over Kreighton Shaine, the Pathfinder Society’s illustrious Master of Scrolls, his face more deeply lined than it was this morning.
“My apologies for not reaching you more quickly, but I have been quite distracted,” he pants. To the left and right across the ancient marketplace, other versions of Kreighton Shaine are speaking to other, equally bewildered Pathfinders. The strange sight is enough to disperse the remains of the local mob.
“It seems redundant to say so at this point, but the Harbingers of Fate have seized control of the Sky Key, and we all appear to be trapped in what the Isle of Kortos used to be eons ago, if you have not already figured that part out. The same sort of temporal bubble that brought the serpentfolk city of Sessegishoss to us now keeps our forces pinned down here."
“We are attempting to uncover the Sky Key Vault now. While the vault itself seems to be here in this time period, our entrance to it wasn’t projected back, and we’ve lost our bearings relative to its location in this new landscape. What’s more, I worry simply reclaiming the Sky Key will not be enough to allow our escape— that green surge we all witnessed seems to have invested many of the Harbingers with enough of the Sky Key’s energy to maintain our chronological exile.”
Shaine looks worriedly up at the sky. “We will need to work together to uncover the vault and cut the tethers that anchor this time period to the Harbingers’ spellcasters. We must do both so we can use the Sky Key to escape.”
A crack of thunder sounds overhead as the dome of green light twists and arcs down to the surface with a thunderous crash, and strange, hairy beasts stride where it struck.
“And we would be wise to move quickly.”
He hands you a potion of cure moderate wounds.
"If you have any questions, you'd best ask them now and ask them quickly. We have precious little time!"