GM supervillan's 9-07 Salvation of the Sages (low tier) (Inactive)

Game Master supervillan

Getting closer to the other end of the room Nithrandyl spends time to detect magic. Feeling a certain magical aura on the sarcophigi
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 10 + 2 = 21
he determines the object features runes that are meant for the living and not the dead. He informs the others he believes the object would work like a ring of sustenance to whoever is placed inside.

For the living you say? Perhaps one of her victims still lives, after all these years in that coffin!

Kramac, having found a potential small ray of hop in this desolate, evil place rushes over to the closed sarcophagus, gives it a quick once over, then rips the lid off, hoping (probably in vain) to find a survivor of the horrors here.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 9 + 2 = 20

"This place makes me miss the pleasantness of home," Vordrek grunts. "And I'm from Cheliax."

Can we take those wands? The reach levitate wand could definitely come in handy.

Once they reach the large sarcophagus, Vordrek takes a closer look.

Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (9) + 11 = 20
Also casting detect magic.

You can absolutely take the wands from the statues.

Vordrek and Kramac move to the large sarcophagus. Both of them spot what seems to be a brass plate affixed to the sarcophagus. It is too badly damaged to make out the inscription, but Vordrek is certain that the characters are draconic, rather than ancient osirion.

With a good deal of effort, Kramac removes the bindings and slides off the lid. A cloud of dust puffs up, but your Life Bubble prevents you from inhaling any of it.

Inside the large sarcophagus you find the remains of a blue dragon. It is most definitely dead; it appears mummified. The creature is severely contorted. You see that inside the lid of the sarcophagus are deep scratch marks made by the dragon's claws. It likely lived for a long time inside the sarcophagus. The magic of the sarcophagus would have sustained the dragon without food, water, or air.

Vordrek, you detect magic spell doesn't turn up any further auras but it lets you discover the same information as Nithrandyl using Spellcraft, and you can take 10 on the check.

"Evil destroys its own," says Karos.

"What could they have been hoping to accomplish here?"

Curses... I'm sure no one has survived this long, even with the magic... but I must check...come friends, help me check the sarcophagi.

Kramac will set about opening the rest of the sarcophagi, and generally giving the rest of the room a search.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 9 + 2 = 20

It takes about half an hour to open the rest of the sarcophagi - although you find that one in the eastern end of the room already lies open. It conceals a hidden passageway - the passageway that you 'saw' Aryana Tahari enter in the memory stolen from Omid of Sothis. Assuming that the memory is accurate, the passageway will lead into a great library.

The other sarcophagi hold the mummified remains of humanoids. Brass plaques on the sarcophagi might give the names of the occupants, but they are largely too corroded to make out. Only one plaque is actually readable - it reads (in ancient osirian) 'Ermias Dalla.'

You open Dalla's sarcophagus, desperately hoping that the paladin might still be alive. Alas, he is just as dead as the rest of the inhabitants. However, unlike the others, Dalla's corpse is clad in armour: fabulous golden dragonhide armour, untouched by the ravages of time. He clutches a golden disc to his chest. The disc features a crossed crook and flail.

Also of note, Dalla's resting place contains an amount of the crystalline aether sufficient for three doses of cure if you carefully recover it into containers. I'll assume you have suitable containers with you.

EDIT: those of you employing Detect Magic will note that Dalla's armour is enchanted.

"we should use this for 3 more cures and bring the paladin with us for proper burial."

Knowledge (Religion): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24

"This man worshiped Osiris, Osirian god of the afterlife. I do not think we should disturb him or his golden armor."

"I was really hoping to find at least something that would give us an edge. And now look at this!" Enora says smiling.

She collects the crystalline aether and analyzes the area to detect magic.

Spellcraft with Detect Magic: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (18) + 15 = 33

"Unbelievable, this armor is so light and strong that any agile fighter would never want to wear anything else! Does anyone want to try it on?"

"It is interesting. This armor is a thing of beauty from the past. I agree with Karos though, it is best left undisturbed until we clear the entire structure."

"You would leave him to rot in this evil place? ok..."

Ermias Dalla? Enora, wasn't that the name of the Paladin on one of the visions you saw? There is no god a Paladin would worship that would approve of this final resting place for one of their servants...we should take his body and see that he is properly laid to rest. But after we finish our mission. I have no desire to lug a corpse through the rest of this complex if we can avoid it. Let us return on our way out, and bring this noble warrior for a proper burial.

Kramac will wait a few moments for everyone else to have their say and then lead the way down the passage to the library.

Come friends. Let us continue our exploration.

GM, can we imagine any place in this complex that would qualify as a good resting ground for the paladin? What would be the right process?

Karos made a good enough Knowledge (Religion) roll to have some idea of ancient Osirian funerary rites. He can tell you that the dead should be properly embalmed before being entombed in an appropriately consecrated place. Servants of the gods might be interred in temples. Wealthy citizens would typically have a family mausoleum. There is nowhere suitable in Aryana Tahari's sanctum. The best thing to do would probably be to remove Dalla's remains for proper burial elsewhere. Perhaps further research would locate any family, or a temple to Osiris.

Knowledge religion: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (7) + 13 = 20

Vordrek nods. "He needs to be buried properly somewhere else. But not here. And his armor is better suited for the living than the dead, any paladin would agree. We can worry about it when we come back this way, after we investigate down there." He indicates the open sarcophagus with the hidden passageway.

Karos speaks to the dead, as though it can hear him. "Rest awhile friend, and be easy. We will bury you properly when we've brought an end to your killer's legacy. Be assured that we bring justice, or at least vengeance."

”If nobody wants to wear this shiny armor then I will do it!“ Enora says with an ironic grin.

Is Enora wearing the celestial dragonhide? It does have an arcane spell failure chance of 15%

No!! I was just pointing out to the others that they have to take it! ;-)

”Can we already take the paladin’s body with us in a container with an extra dimensional space or do you want to carry him? There is only one room that we have not searched yet! Let us go and do that!“

Ok, that makes more sense! It looks like most of you want to come back for Dalla to give him a proper burial, and nobody seems to want to take his armour now. So, without further ado...

Kramac leads the way down the secret passageway. It emerges into a vast library that holds stacks of books filling every ward-inscribed shelf. The room’s design draws the eye toward a central ritual area, inscribed with arcane markings as complex and nuanced as a living mind.

"Here!" exclaims Dhiara. "This is the place. This is the heart of Tahari's sanctum. This is where we must conduct Amenopheus' ritual. I will contact the other sages via my Jewel and call them to us. You should explore the library, or if you wish return to the laboratory and make more of the cure. We have made good time pathfinders. I do not know how long it will take the others to rejoin us, but we have about an hour before we must begin the ritual. The ritual itself will take an hour and we must leave sufficient time to escape before the complex collapses." As if to emphasise Dhiara's point, the ground shakes under your feet and dust falls from the ceiling.

The library is vast, and its shelves are full, these are effectively mutually exclusive choices unless you split up.

Several notable objects catch your eyes even without a thorough search. A lifetime of trophies and curiosities line the shelves as bookends, including a bulette head, a Jistkan legion banner, a framed page from a Thassilonian necromantic text, a Tekritanin idol dedicated to a forgotten sky god, and within the ritual space a brass orrery enchanted with a rudimentary adaptation of the flying Shory cities’ Aeromantic Infadibulum. A small leather journal lies near the ritual area; it is written in Ancient Osiriani and contains notes and schematics for constructing a magical jewel. It opens with, “Life is fleeting, but undeath leads to stagnation. Only ideas endure, moving from host to host, alive and undying. That is true immortality.”

We are now on slide 4. Your Life Bubble has now expired. You have been underground for almost two hours. Search the library, return to the lab, checkout the 'Doorway to Oblivion'? Or something else?

Edit: one vote from Enora for checking out the Doorway to Oblivion. It looks like the consensus was to come back for Dalla's remains rather than take them with you. You are all free to change your minds about that of course.

Rogar will begin researching in the library. because bard...

Vordrek looks longingly at the shelves of the library. "Since we have the time, I believe we should return to the lab and mix up more doses of the plague cure." Much though it pains me to admit.

I vote we use that crystalline aether and go back to the lab.

"I wonder if Enora's right and we should take the paladin's body with us," muses Karos. "Maybe we won't get the opportunity to come back this way."

You may split up at this point if that's what you want to do. So I'd like you all to indicate both where you want to be, and whether or not you are happy to split the party. So far Enora and Vordrek intend to go back to the lab, and Rogar intends to search the library.

Firstly, I would like to check out the room that we have not searched yet! Then, creating more of the cure is ok for Enora. If the heal assist is necessary then here is the roll:

Heal assist : 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (15) - 1 = 14 +4 if successful

Kramac is happy to accompany Enora to the final room. Once we check out the last room, Kramac will escort the members of the party who wish to make more cure to the lab, then, since we have time set about recovering the body of the Osirian Paladin. Since it seems we don't have time to get it properly taken care of now, I will secure the body to Jino so that we can take it with us in case we need to make a hasty retreat.

@Kramac: Makes sense for me and sure also Vordrek!

"If we do intend to split group activities I will go with Rogar to the library and see what is of use there with him." Nithrandyl informs the others as the discussion goes on.

So we've got Enora, Kramac and Vordrek going to the lab. Nith and Rogar searching he library. Karos?

"Make sure you are back here in less than an hour" says Dhiara to those who are heading back to the lab, as she sits down in a meditative pose and focuses on the Topaz Jewel.

Questions:

Vordrek, if you are making cures please give me a Heal check for handling the disease sample. You may use Guidance, and Enora is giving you +4. Kramac you may attempt an Aid roll for Heal if you wish.

Enora, Vordrek and Kramac you have 7 doses of the crystalline aether. Each dose of fading light cure takes 5 minutes to manufacture. Each dose of Blood of Nethys takes 15 minutes to manufacture. You have up to 45 minutes in the lab. You can work separately, but each of you making cures rather than Aiding Another would need to make your own Heal (or Knowledge - nature or Profession - herabalist) check. Anyone wanting to make Blood of Nethys needs to make a Spellcraft or Craft (alchemy) check: Enora you may add a +2 circumstance bonus to this for your previous success.

Kramac when do you collect Ermias Dalla's remains? On the way to the lab, or on the way back? This task will take you around 10 minutes.

Enora, Vordrek and Kramac do any of you investigate the 'Doorway to Oblivion'? If so, when?

Karos, do you go to the lab or help search the library?

I will accompany them back to the lab, check out the doorway on the way there. Once they are working, I will return to secure the body. Once the body is secure, I will mill about the entrance in case something happens while they are working. I am going to avoid going into the decontamination room with the body.

Enora suggests to create 5 cures (25 minutes) and 1 blood of Nethys (15 minutes) so that we have 20 minutes to investigate the doorway to oblivion. Is that ok?

Enora, Kramac and Vordrek follow the route to the 'Doorway to Oblivion' on their way to the lab. Room is now revealed on Slide 3.

The dimensions of this room are perfectly square, and every sound and motion feels profoundly distinct yet unreal. A large shrine rests against the wall, draped in a flawless black silk cloth.

Next to the shrine is a large onyx key decorated with a black and silver eclipse.

Not much use in a library, Karos checks his ammunition and follows the larger group into the lab.

Karos talks over with the others what he remembers of the Pharoah of Forgotten Plagues.

Assist Other Knowledge (History): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21

Enora studies the large onyx key to understand what it is but she cannot deduce anything.

Kn(History): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15

* * * * *

GM, did you assume we did what I proposed with the crystalline aether? I yes then here the Spellcraft check for the blood of Nethys:

Spellcraft with +2 bonus: 1d20 + 15 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 15 + 2 = 37

A shrine to her unholy god... this wicked place makes me even more uneasy than the rest of this laboratory. I have sated my curiosity about this room.

Kramac eyes the shrine draped in cloth with suspicion and fear. With that, Kramac will stand just outside, ready to rush to Vordrek and Enora's aid, should they need help.

Yes, Enora's proposal for what to do with the aether is fine. Nobody else seems to have a different idea.

Enora successfully reproduces the Blood of Nethys.

Just need the Heal check from Vordrek (and any further Assists from Kramac or Karos). Vordrek can also decide if he wants to risk the decontamination protocol, or bypass it again.

Enora suggests to create 5 cures (25 minutes) and 1 blood of Nethys (15 minutes) so that we have 20 minutes to investigate the doorway to oblivion. Is that ok?

Agreed.

Knowledge (history): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26
Feel free to read the spoiler.

"This place is... unsettling. Like something very dangerous is hidden just out of view."

* * * * *

In the lab, Vordrek sets to work distilling five of their doses of crystalline aether into cures.

Heal + Enora's aid + guidance: 1d20 + 15 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 15 + 4 + 1 = 31
Heal: 1d20 + 15 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 15 + 4 + 1 = 26
Heal: 1d20 + 15 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 15 + 4 + 1 = 37
Heal: 1d20 + 15 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 15 + 4 + 1 = 29
Heal: 1d20 + 15 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 15 + 4 + 1 = 36

"Should we take the large onyx key with us? It is too heavy for me but maybe it is useful later on."

"This place is... unsettling. Like something very dangerous is hidden just out of view."

Indeed, Vordrek gets the unshakeable feeling that there is something behind the black cloth.

The Key to the House of Oblivion has great value as a rare antiquity, as well as a most dangerous use.

Together you work successfully on production of the cures, and then head back to the library.

Kramac makes ready to retrieve the remains of Ermias Dalla.

At this point, the following spells and effects have expired:
Life Bubble, Triple Time, Enora's Mage Armour, Kramac's Anti-plague and Heightened Awareness, Jino's Anti-plague, Rogar's Heightened Awareness and Heroism. You have been in the dungeon for nearly 2 and three quarter hours.

Enora uses her wand again to cast mage armor.

So we took the onyx key with us, right? We did not take off the cloth, yet, but we should do that, right?

Enora steps forward.

"I am just too curious to see what is behind this" she says and takes off the cloth to see the large shrine.

Rogar continues to study in the library... no rolls for us in there? Im assuming noone got us for the doorway since it wasn't stated

The library is just a matter of time - no rolls are needed, but you need a full hour.

Back in the library, Dhiara finishes her meditation and helps Rogar and Nith search.

Over the course of an hour the three turn up several items of note. Rogar has Read Magic so I can just tell you what these are.

There are two spellbooks with preparation rituals these are a Book of the Grave and Quest Eternal; whilst there is no time to study them now, Vordrek and Enora will certainly be interested in them, as well as two scrolls of magic circle against evil, a scroll of magic circle against good, and a scroll of dominate person.

"The others should be here momentarily. It is time to prepare." says Dhiara.

At the Doorway

Enora removes the black cloth, and gazes into some sort of mirror. She sees herself falling away into inky blackness, and as the mirror-Enora disappears an alien eye fills the mirror, gazing straight back at her. Enora feels the attention of an extraordinarily evil force.

Enora, Will save please.

The Key is not so large that you couldn't carry it so I'm happy to assume that one of you brings it back.

Kramac, any special preparations or precautions before you handle Dalla's remains?

Once we've resolved Kramac and Dalla, (and the interactions with the Doorway to Oblivion) we'll be moving on to the Sages' ritual.

Uups! Mirror does not sound good! :-(

Will: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20 +2 if fear effect.

As this sarcophagus was used to keep people alive while diseases ravaged their victims so the necromancer could observe the effects, it seems reasonable that lingering disease might be of concern? Can I scrounge up some sort of large cloth or blanket? I'd like to lay it out on the ground, and use it to wrap the body, hopefully containing any disease that might be lingering (From Jino and others - won't really help me). I'll also go ahead and use the two anti-plagues we found in the waste disposal room on Jino and myself before handling the body, assuming no one objects.

Once those precautions are taken, I will set about removing and wrapping the body, before lashing it to Jino's back for transport.

Kramac prepares Dalla's remains, being as careful as he can. However, your concern regarding possible infection is well-founded. Kramac and Jino both need to make Fort saves vs Disease. You can use the additional Anti-plagues, and I'll give Jino a further +2 circumstance bonus since it's Kramac that's in closer contact.