"We have yet to scout the other side. I'm developing some scouting spells but I don't think I have anything that will help."
Jevar stares more intently at the water this time. He scratches his head a bit "There is a fair few flat stones along our path through the river. I would be careful, even if it was a former road, with the water having washed over it for some time might make for slick surfaces. Go slow, keep the horses from pushing through." he offered as advice.
If no one stopped him, he would go ahead and take his one advice and begin forward since it was him who suggested this route.
Halseen finally sees, thanks to Javar, that there is more here than meets the eye will search for himself after casting heighten awareness.
"There are runes here does anybody know what they mean?"
"Runes, eh? Lemme take a look. " Helferick wades over to investigate.
"The rest of us will keep watch over here."
You see a chunk of similar stone with lots of bushes and several trees around it, that is similar to the stone that is under the water. Upon closer inspection you can see that there are runes on the stone and a smooth circle on the top of it.
Now in the water you can see the column does indeed look like it connects to the rest of the stones under the water.
"Hmm.. yeah, yeah, looks like there's something under the water here. Could already be a bridge, maybe. There's some magic here that'll bring it up, I reckon. Give me a second and I'll see if I can activate it."
Johanna watches on waiting to see what the magicy people come up with. She keeps watch with Koldur.
By now the wagons are coming into view as they continue to slowly follow you.
Halseen sees if he can add anything to the analysis.
With halseen’s insight about the runes, you are sure you just have to touch the top rune to activate it. You do also notice another button on the side you could press which is a symbol of a man: head, torso, two legs, and two arms.
"Seems like raising it is a good idea. We may be able to poke the remaining buttons with mage hand and see what happens."
"Well, looks like there's one way to see what happens." Helferick grins.
He slaps his hand down on the Rise rune.
Halseen pulls back keeping a line of sight on the stones.then he will cast detect magic to try to better understand what is going on.
Koldur stands where he is. Unfazed.
Jevar seeing that it is time to experiment with magic while move cautiously back about sixty feet. Having heard of plenty of experienced wizards blowing themselves up experimenting, he has no interest in being a casualty by proximity in case shite goes wrong.
At first nothing happens.
The runes begin to glow from the base of the column and up to where Helferick's hand hit the top button. Then with massive grinding you see the water begin to displace. Jevar stays dry, not much can be said for the others nearby. Once it stops moving you can see it is a bridge. It is surprising that no plants are growing on it. The pearly white marble blocks appear to lift from your side all the way over the river leaving a 30 foot wide bridge, though the fence that used to be railings is missing.
Jevar moved up once everything stopped moving and the water started to settle. He laughed a bit from the back of his mount. "I'd say that could have ended more...pourly" he said laughing merrily.
"Well there is another bottom thought I fear it may activate a guardian. Can we test it from the other side of the river?"
Dripping wet, Koldur stands stock still.
"I'd require some assistance in getting dry." he remarks dryly.
"It'll be much appreciated. It's also for your sakes." he adds in the last part.
With a shrug....
"Wet armor tends to smell poorly if wet and dried overnight......"
Halseen snaps his fingers and drys off the dwarf.
"To be honest, I find you less intimidating soaking wet."
"I'll keep in mind to work on that. One must always look their best in all conditions." Koldur shakes his head and beard to send any other way ward debris out and brushes it briefly.
The group passes over the marble white bridge the wagons follow shortly after and you all pass with no trouble.
" Heh, that's handy. We should come back and study it some more later. There's another rune, but better to test it when there's fewer people around. We don't know who built this after all. "
"I agree. So does it stay up indefinitely now? Seems silly to submerge it again. We can study it more later for sure."
"That'll prove very useful.. However..." his voice trails off.
"That also means it can be used to deny others travel by those who are learned in the arcane mysteries."
As you ride off you can see it in the distance begin to submerge again. Traveling East you continue to explore finding a few hills but mostly plains and no sites. Another day of clear looking. As you begin to look to make camp you see three figures walking along. They turn towards your group.
Merc and clerics. CG
Shade Wintermore, Rose & Lilly.
Mystery Cultist CR 2
Source Magnimar, City of Monuments pg. 55
XP 600
Female human cleric of Ashava 3
CG Medium humanoid (human)
Init +2; Senses Perception +3
Defense
AC 14, touch 13, flat-footed 11 (+1 armor, +2 Dex, +1 dodge)
hp 20 (3d8+3)
Fort +3, Ref +3, Will +6
Offense
Speed 30 ft.
Melee mwk bladed scarf +5 (1d6+1) or dagger +4 (1d4+1/19–20)
Ranged light crossbow +4 (1d8/19–20)
Special Attacks channel positive energy 4/ day (DC 12, 2d6)
Spell-Like Abilities (CL 3rd; concentration +6)
6/day—touch of darkness (1 rounds)
6/day—touch of good (+1)
Cleric Spells Prepared (CL 3rd; concentration +6)
2nd—blindness/deafnessD (DC 15), lesser restoration
1st—command (DC 14), detect undead, faerie fireD, magic weapon
0 (at will)—detect magic, guidance, light, purify food and drink
D Domain spell; Domains Good, Moon*
Statistics
Str 12, Dex 14, Con 10, Int 8, Wis 17, Cha 13
Base Atk +2; CMB +3; CMD 16
Feats Dodge, Mobility, Weapon Finesse
Skills Diplomacy +6, Heal +8, Knowledge (religion) +4
Languages Common, Varisian
SQ aura
Ecology
Environment any (Magnimar)
Organization solitary, ensemble (2–4), or cult (5–9)
Treasure NPC gear (masterwork bladed scarf, light crossbow with 20 bolts, dagger, bracers of armor +1, potion of cure light wounds, other treasure)
* See Pathfinder Campaign Setting: Dragon Empires Gazetteer.
Just as the legendary Mistress Ordellia Whilwren once prayed to a mysterious angel to save Magnimar from a devastating deluge, other dwellers of the city have likewise devoted themselves to holy figures, including angels, azatas, and agathions. Called “mystery cultists” by most Magnimarians because of their small numbers and esoteric manner of worship, the dedicated followers of the empyreal lords keep to themselves and rarely proselytize. Most mystery cults hold at least one of Magnimar’s numerous monuments in high esteem, whether for their importance in local traditions or their part in Varisian legends. Practitioners of these religions often congregate around structures such as the Arvensoar, the Irespan, or the Mistress of Angels to practice their faith, sometimes forming assemblies of over a hundred worshipers. Although the cults’ gatherings can occasionally be disruptive to the flow of traffic throughout the City of Monuments, Magnimar’s leaders do little to dissuade the cults’ practices, which are almost wholly harmless and serve to promote life, freedom, and other righteous virtues.
Three of the most commonly worshiped figures among the mystery cults of Magnimar are the empyreal lords Ashava, Soralyon, and Ylimancha (see page 25 for more information on these empyreal lords), though smaller cults to other celestial beings are not uncommon in the City of Monuments.
They are searching for a lost monument.
Day 3 - Shambling mound which exludes 1d4 zombies every 1d4 rounds, 3 zombies with it already.
Day 4 - clear
Day 5 - Break camp, Nettle's crossing, travel East, before camp you see a wandering trio (clerics and merc)
Day 6 - clear
Day 7 - hex 7 (Once explored, Perception DC 15 reveals the crack in the side of a hill that leads into the barrow mound's interior...Part III The Lonely Barrow)
Day 8 - hex 8 (E. On the Prowl) (Howl of the North Wind plus 4 more worgs) then 2 worgs with 10 skeletons of their eaten victims.
Jevar squints a bit as they are making camp. He notices a couple of people headed their way and he focuses a bit. "Looks like we got company...A guy in armor and two 'travelers' that hear music in the wind." he said a bit confused by their dapper appearance and dancing like movements.
"Wow what great eyesight."
"Indeed. Sharp eyes you have there my friend." Koldur places a thumb on the haft of his axe.
"Perhaps we should go ahead and meet up with them."
"Let us go and greet them then. Be alert though as you never know what may or may not be a trap."
"Ummm...Johanna I'm supposed to be the skeptical misanthrope." Halseen laughs as he rides forward.
"They can clearly take of themselves, if there's just three of 'em. Ir else they're damned lucky."
"Or they could be something or someone else....."
Helferick casts Mage Armor before they get too close to the strangers.
Now within 30 feet of the other group they stop. You can see the figure in the middle has a breastplate upon which is tied into his leather garb and seems rather seamless. The other two with every step these fashionable Varisians take seems like part of a dance, their dozens of strange baubles tinkling with her every movement. One of the two women speaks up, ”I am Rose, over there is my sister Lily, and our guide is Shade. Travelers on the path of exploring and you are...”
Koldur glances at Johanna and subtly nods towards Halseen, indicating his wish for the man to do the introduction instead....
"My name is Johanna. This is Koldur, Helferick, Halseen and Jevar. We too are exploring. We started a settlement out here and are trying to make the lands safer. These lands are overrun with Undead Rose. I hope you all are keeping safe. Can you tell us anything you may have run into?"
"Hello, nice to meet you. It is dangerous out here. Can we assist you in any way?"
Rose continues to talk as Lilly comes closer with a smile almost dancing forward and greets each of you with a hand shake or hug, "Don't mind her she likes physical greetings, we are searching for a lost monument. Have you seen any? We have not seen much, mostly plains and hills. We found an old odd hermit Bolken I believe, wonderfully tasting potions. A few bands of zombies but nothing we couldn't handle."
"You seem quite capable. Can you describe the monument? Without that don't know if we have seen it but should we see though we could leave word for you in the kingdom."
"It should be a very large stone structure in the shape of an egg. Say taller than 80 feet if the stories hold true. It also glows under the light of the moon." She relays.
"This monument. Does it have a name? What stories are there about it?" Koldur inquires.
"I've not seen anything like that and it seems like it'd be hard to miss. What makes you think it's around these parts?"
Jevar nods as the talk seems to go into interests and non hostility. He looks at the others and back towards the half made camp. "Come, let us join camps this evening. We can hear more of what you are looking for and we can share stories of our own. I must say, I am pleased that my eyesight is so keen that we saw you, else we wouldn't get to enjoy such fine company." he said to the lot of them.
He moved up closer to the one wearing the breastplate "Maybe, I could take a look at that curious armor of yours. It was hard to notice how well protected you are with it being almost completely hidden by lighter, more agile affairs. I'd be curious to know who made it for you and how comfortable and flexible it is." he said smiling.
"As the others said we have seen nothing like that. I haven't even heard tales of such a thing. Do you know any landmarks it is supposed to be around? I would be curious of such a thing myself."
"We were commissioned by our fellow faithful to find the site, the name was smudged off from the records. It is known to be a source of magic, though the record was very damaged." Rose relays with sadness. "It was created by elves and left when they abandoned the outposts in the Stolenlands."
They gladly accept Jevar's offer and join your camp.
Shade nods to Jevar, but after he has a few swigs from his flask on his hip and has his belly full with meat he opens up to the drow, "Dwarves and a Drow... interesting. This armor is of my own make. As a mercenary that has to travel a lot it is best to sleep in light armor and use the breastplate when awake. Through these clasps it is taken off and quickly slapped on when needed, though it is donned faster with help."
Jevar's eyes lit up slightly at the mentioning of his race. He chuckled a bit "You know, I know my kind isn't too terribly well known outside of the Elven communities, lest someone has had an encounter. Most people just assume I've had myself a bit of fun with some make up or perhaps got on the wrong side of a prestidigitation lesson." he said trying to make a joke out it all.
He nodded though at the concept. He hadn't thought himself to make the mold of the breastplate to fit the leather armor instead of a person's own physical form.
He scratched his chin and nodded "Alas, it seems that as great as the idea is...I can't make use of it. Still, I applaud your ingenuity and your craftsmanship. Tell me, have you a place to settle down as a home base to resupply at in the area? We have taken a fort that once belonged to a rather destestible curr. We could try and come up with some kind of trade perhaps for a good place to bed down and resupply at reasonable rates?" he asked in curiosity.
It wouldn't hurt to make some connections and he was certain those two ladies with him would do wonders for the inn/tavern that was built. A good story or dance can work almost like magic for people to spend and drink. And he'd wager they'd make a few gold pieces themselves during the stay while they were at it.
"I work out of the Inn myself, your companions would make for quite enjoyable company and I'd wager their tales and pleasant demeanor would earn them a decent amount to offset any costs you might have...and you'd likely earn a bit money when you resupply instead of end up spending money to do so." he said smiling and sipping a bit from a tankard as he stirred the pot where he was making stew.
"Yes, yes we would be happy for you to come and explore out from our settlement. These lands are harsh and it would make a good base of operations for you. Perhaps we can even help you find the monument your looking for."
She smiles at their new friends.
"Yes as our friend would like to get you out of that armor. So he can examine it in further detail." Koldur adds on.
"The armor that is." He winks at jevar.