Responding to the humor in Lizbeth's tone, Kitarlo smiles back. "Well organized? It is cataloged by angels and archons who exist for the pure purpose of cataloging the collection according to eternal standards of order. Orderly to within an inch of our lives, I'll wager. They're an obsessive lot, albeit kindly."
"As to the name of the ritual, I don't know. I've only heard of it once, off-hand. But I'm reasonably certain they must have it. They never let go anything once cataloged."
Looking at Kitarlo
"What happens if Valais's demon side causes an issue in Heaven?"Looking back to Valais
"No disrespect intended."
Valais responds, “None taken. I too am concerned about our entrance to Heaven. Kitarlo assures me that as long as we obey the rules and stay where we belong, since we are not ourselves evil, we will not be punished. We could try [color=red]sneaking and slithering[/color] our way in, but stealth and deception are likely to cause more problems than they solve.”
Back to Kitarlo
"If we not know the name of this ritual, how are we to find it in a collection as vast as the one they have obtained? Or will faith provide."
"Something like that," agrees Kitarlo.
"Ask a librarian?" Lizbeth replies with a smirk.
"That, more precisely, I imagine," agrees the one-armed azata.
"We can leave whenever you are ready," says Kitarlo. "But the Venture-Captain said that you might wish to go into the city to make some purchases first?"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When everyone is ready, Kitarlo asks you to form a circle holding hands. He then intones a sonorous prayer to his Empyreal patron and casts plane shift.
Blinding light fills the air and then slowly fades. Golden fields of waist-high grass stretch out into the horizon, sighing with a sound like tinkling crystal. Ahead is a massive mountain surrounding by a glistening wall of diamond.
“It is so beautiful,” Valais whispers, ”but also terrible to behold.”
Suddenly, the baying of hounds fills the air. A pack of beautiful golden-haired wolves and a radiant humanoid figure with a canine head approach rapidly.
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Lizbeth looks around and grins. "Looks..." expensive "...beautiful." she remarks.
As the dogs and dog man surround the group, Lizbeth waits. When they approach near enough she holds up her hand in a wave and remarks, Hi there!" She attempts to sound charming and friendly, but she's more than a little nervous.
Six of the large wolves surround you, sniffing curiously at you and occasionally bearing their teeth. They sniff just a little more suspiciously at Lizbeth and Lydia. A dark-skinned man with the head of a hound steps to the front of the pack. His resplendent golden armor gleams with sacred light.
“Hail and well met, travelers. I see that you are no heavenly souls passed on to the next life, which means you are visitors to Heaven. I have heard no news of your coming, however. What is your business inside the gates?”
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"Hey, guys!" Lizbeth says with a wide, overly friendly smile. She nods her head at Kitarlo. "Kitarlo here is bringing us to the Great Library of Harmonious Scripture. We've got a soul to save. So, if you don't mind we'll just be on our way."
She takes a step forward, curious if they'll let her leave so easily...
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Angie Sen bow to the man with the hound's head
"Greetings, I am Angie Sen. What my friend here is trying to say in her own words is that we request permission to enter to save a soul of Lady Valais here."
Pointing to Valais
"We have been told that the Great Library has information on how to rid this woman of the demonic parasite that has been inflicted apon her. Would you be our guide to the Great Library?"
"Guide?" he says. "My name is Peligos, of the tribe of Andoletta. Perhaps I might be your guide, at least to the to the Gates if I am convinced of your intentions. Such evil is here! Such seething wickedness! Yet you say that you wish to save her from this evil? Can such a thing be permitted?"
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"Uh, yeah. Of course it is." Lizbeth replies. "Leaving her to be slowly consumed by evil sounds pretty bad to me. Are you sure you're the good guys, here? Aren't you supposed to want to save people, and cleanse corruption, and stuff?" She grins widely. "This is your chance to lend a hand! Be righteous and..." she pauses as she searches for the right words... "...and stuff." Apparently no words came.
"What does it profit a man to gain the wold entire if he have not love?" says Felix.
"That is wise," replies Peligos, pleased. "But my duty is here, not within the walls."
"Such is not my fate, but I think perhaps it is yours, honored guest. Very well, I shall escort you to the Gates. Come!"
The hound archon strides confidently towards the distant wall, his pack of celestial hounds in tow. Though it seems but a little way off, the immense wall of diamond never seems to get closer. You lose track of how long you walk. Is it hours? Days? You're not sure as you neither hunger nor thirst nor tire. Some unknowable time later, you arrive at gate. Staggeringly vast it seemed in the distance, but is now just a small and handsome postern guarded by a single lovely woman of indeterminate age. At first her face shines so brightly it hurts your eyes, but soon you can see her without squinting.
"Greetings and blessings," she says. "Any friend of Peligos is a friend of mine, but I must ask. What is your business, friends?"
"They come seeking the Great Library of Harmonious Scripture, Alariel. I speak for them."
"Then it is you who must pay the price," she says.
"Gladly I pay it," says Peligos, "That the afflicted may be healed."
Turning to you, Peligos says "I must leave you now, brave mortals. Welcome to Heaven's Shore. It is Heaven, but the part reserved for visitors, merchants, supplicants and travelers. And researchers, I suppose. You are welcome, but only within this District. Do not leave it without an archon's permission, lest you be cast down. May the Powers smile upon you, and peace be with you."
"And with you," replies Kitarlo. Turning to you, the one-armed Azata smiles and leads you into Heaven's Shore.
"Heaven’s Shore is the mercantile district of Heaven, where mortals and other planar visitors can meet to trade with Heaven’s natives," He explains as you walk through its beautiful streets. Its streets are lined with lush, immaculately trimmed gardens and beautiful buildings. Statues of radiant celestial beings and fountains of crystal-clear water are common decorative accents. Grand staircases and sweeping ramps connect the district’s many terraces.
An eclectic collection of strange creatures strolls through district. Denizens of Golarion mingle with those from other planets entirely. Inevitables from the lawful plane of Axis stride through the streets, their gleaming metallic bodies moving with perfect precision. Representatives from the neutral good plane of Nirvana have a strong
presence as well, such as the beast-shaped agathions and a whole host of angels. Members of nearly any non-fiendish race have visited Heaven’s Shore at one time or another and left their marks upon the district’s eclectic culture and architecture. Some sections of Heaven’s Shore are kept in perpetual night for the comfort of visitors more accustomed to darkness, while other portions of the district provide accommodations for races of all shapes and sizes.
Kitarlo leads you through the winding paths of the district to a cozy restaurant called The Angel’s Wing. True to its name, the restaurant has a winglike shape, as well as a slanted ceiling that tapers downward toward the wing’s tip. The tables and chairs close to the wing’s tip are sized for creatures under 1 foot tall, with the table height gradually increasing toward the wing’s base. Its walls are covered in a soft substance with the appearance of downy feathers, which can be freely molded to create additional seating. Groups of contented patrons talk 1uietly amongst themselves, enjoying the restaurant’s hearty and satisfying cuisine.
Kitarlo guides you toward one of the patrons, a humanoid raven with golden eyes and flowing white robes. They embrace like old friends and the raven eyes Valais curiously.
"This is Zepha," he says, introducing each of you. "Like me he is dedicated to the Lady Andoletta. He can help us."
"Help you with what?" asks the raven-headed man. This question is clearly directed to you, not Kitarlo.
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Lizbeth gives Peligos a sloppy salute. "See ya.' "
Lizbeth gawks around as they walk through Heaven's Shore and enter the Angel's Wing, curious about this weird place.
"A worthy quest!" Lizbeth replies to Zepha with a grin, hoping that her phrasing compels the 'tengu' to help. "We're here to cleanse the evil from this lady over here," she gestures over her shoulder at Valais. "Kitarlo's taking us to the Great Library of Harmonious Scripture to find a ritual that can save her soul." She puts her hands on her hips. "You gonna help, or what?"
Zepha looks at you, his head movements birdlike, but his stare penetrating and unnerving.
After a moment, he nods his head. "I will indeed, for Kitarlo's sake and for the sake of your worthy quest."
He reaches up his sleeve and produces several golden tokens in the shape of small books, handing one to each of you. "These tokens grant mortals access to the Great Library of Harmonious Scripture. You may use them for six hours. But first, eat." He indicates the tavern around you.
Once you have ordered food, he asks "Tell me about yourselves. What journeys have you trodden before coming to the Holy Mountain?"
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Lizbeth grins. "I was a..." she tries to find a better word for pirate. "...sailor on a ship that plied the Shackles!" She looks like she's about to launch into an epic (and incriminating) tale of her exploits when she pauses. "Oh, look! Our food!" She begins stuffing her face with food and to avoid having to speak anymore of her past.
"And you?" he asks, looking at Lydia.
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"I..." Lydia glances around nervously, then down at her large, meat-pie in heavy tomato sauce, somewhat incriminating all by itself...then back up at Zepha with a cryptic expression.
"About 100, maybe 110, Golarion-years ago, there was a priest of Erastil. Pillar of his community, exemplar of his creed in all he did. One night, the entire village became very frightened. I don't recall why - come to think of it, I don't think I ever really knew. Something about blood and violence and helpless victims defiled and local ne'er-do-wells who hadn't been paid much attention to before, but suddenly everyone was an expert on them. Next thing you know, this fine priest led his congregation from door to door shouting confusing questions at them. Didn't feel like proper questions, really. Questions don't normally involve people sobbing and apologizing to the people beating them to death on their own doorsteps. Erastil's faithful don't normally approve of arson, either, I don't think. It's very strange. Anyway, long story short, the night ended with a pale and sickly little girl getting run out of the village and into the woods. She was probably luckier than many, including the very, very few friends she had at the time."
"To your inquiry, an inquiry: This is Heaven, that was about 100 years ago, they were mostly Human...so what became of that good shepherd, and his flock? Are they now Here?"
Kitarlo looks horrified, but Zepha merely regards Lydia with compassion. "How terrible. It must have been very a very difficult experience. Life on the mortal plane is often so."
"I certainly can't answer your question. Heaven is a very large place and I know only a very small part of it. If he is, then there was a good reason for it. But from your story, I doubt it."
"Everyone can change. Even the most debased of us can find redemption, and even the most faithful and pious can fall. I pray that priest and his followers found their way here. And I pray the same for you."
"You have business here, but do not let the opportunity pass. Not one person in a hundred million sees Heaven while still mortal. Here there is no cure for the past, but there is solace and wisdom if you will open your heart to it."
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Angie eats a few mouth fulls and then picks up a token.
"You are correct Lizbeth, time is not our friend since we have no idea how long it will take us to find what we need in the library. Are the rest of you ready because."
Looking back to Kitarlo
“Drink your tea slowly and reverently, as if it is the axis on which the world earth revolves - slowly, evenly, without rushing toward the future.”
"Time is something archons take very seriously," says Kitarlo. But I don't think we will become rushed until we enter the library. Still, if you're ready, shall we go? Thank you, Zepha."[/b]
"You're welcome," replies the bird-headed archon. "I'll walk you there. I have some things for you."
The road winds for hours as you trudge towards the mountain that seems to get no closer. Zepha fishes out six tiny loaves of bread and hands them to you to divide as you see fit. "These are special loaves, made here in Heaven's Shore for the sustenance of mortal travelers. Not only is each a tasty snack, they are so blessed as to heal grievous hurts."
"Furthermore, since you arrived in a timely fashion and did not delay me from my duties, I wish to honor your diligence with a second gift." He produces a beautiful golden apple that seems to be made of solid gold and is one of the most beautiful things you've ever seen. He hands it to Lydia.
"Throw this before an unruly enemy and he may not be able to look away from it. It is something I've had for awhile, but I sense that you may need it more than I."
At last the long trek ends when you crest a hill and see a sparkling building of nine towers. Built from shining white stone and ribbons of crystal, the intricate towers twist into beautiful shapes that would surely topple without magical support.
“Welcome to the Great Library of Harmonious Scripture,” says Zepha, leading the way up a dizzying spiral stair into the heart of the nearest tower. Upon reaching the top, the archon holds open the door into the building with a kind smile and says, “This is where I leave you."
"“Hello!” calls a cheerful voice from inside. An orb of glowing light and spinning wire floats above a stone altar covered with open books. “My name is Akarah,” says the orb. “Please present your token and let me know I can be of assistance."
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He produces a beautiful golden apple that seems to be made of solid gold and is one of the most beautiful things you've ever seen. He hands it to Lydia.
"Throw this before an unruly enemy and he may not be able to look away from it. It is something I've had for awhile, but I sense that you may need it more than I."
Lydia looks the apple over, and quickly spots the odd inscription.
"'To The Fairest'?" She reads.
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Lizbeth snags the loaves of bread and eyes Lydia's golden apple covetously.
She strides into the library and looks around. When the weird ball speaks to her she jumps! Then she looks at it in surprise. She holds out her token.
"Hi...? We're here looking for a ritual meant to cleanse her," she points a finger at Valais. "Care to show us the right place?"
”Hmm,” says Akarah. ”My memory of the collection is quite good. I can think of a few books that might help. There’s The Luminous Libram, the Slates of Kador, Asaru’s Grimoire of the Planes, The Tome of Moon and Stars, Elgar’s Forgotten Compendium, only we never forget, of course, and Incanabulum of the Ages. Come this way, please.
”Marvelous,” says Kitarlo. ”I don’t suppose you could help me find something that would restore my arm?”
”I think I could,” replies Akarah. ”There’s...”
”No, no,” interrupts Kitarlo. ”These are very generous people and they might feel inclined to help me look for the books you name. We’re here to help Valais. Instead, I’ll send you a sending spell and you can reply privately with the information. I’ll look for those books while our mortal heroes here look for the six you named.”
The floating ball of heavenly light leads you up the winding staircase and into the largest room you have ever seen. It extends for miles in all directions. Row on row of bookshelves extend outward in all directions. What is really surprising is that there is no floor. Instead, there is a vast lake. Some of the bookshelves float in ordered ranks high above and some are submerged in mirrored perfection beneath the water.
The great library was not designed to be easy for mortals to use. The stacks in this tower fill a vast room that extends for miles. Moreover, there is no floor to walk on in the library: half the bookshelves float through the air in swaying rows, while the other are submerged beneath a pool of water 100 feet deep. Worse still, the bookshelves are constantly rearranging themselves to facilitate the research of powerful archons, making locating books very difficult for lowly mortals. Short of flight, you must navigate the library using small rowboats or by jumping from bookshelf to bookshelf.
”I have to wait at the bottom of the stairs for visitors,” says Akarah. ”But I’m sure you’ll manage. So listen now while I tell you where each volume is. The Luminous Libram is on a floating bookshelf over there. ”The Slates of Kador are at the bottom of the pool, about a mile that way. Asaru’s Grimoire of the Planes is inside a maze of shelves you will find just over there. The Tome of Moon and Stars likes to remain hidden among similar books, but you’ll find it on a red bookshelf four hundred yards straight up. Elgar’s Forgotten Compendium is on the top of that very tall bookcase you see in the distance and Incanabulum of the Ages tucked away in a hidden corner in that direction. Good luck!”
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Lizbeth lets out a scoff as she looks around. "Right, I'll just grab those then..." She shakes her head in distaste. After a moment she sighs. "Who's good at swimming? I'm a good sailor. I can row someone out to the Luminous Libram that's floating on a bookshelf over there. And then I can row us to the The Slates of Kador that are floating at the bottom of the pool, about a mile that way." She points around as she speaks.
She leaves to fetch a rowboat and hops inside it. "If anyone's coming with me, hop in."