Thurrios moves forward and swings at Asp 1
18-20/x2
Crit Confirm:
18-20/x2
With a deadly arc of his blade, Thurrios splits the asp right in half. Like the other before it, it vanishes without a trace.
Sarala is up.
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Sarala steps forward and climbs the wall at the corner, this time taking more care than usual. She ascends ten feet and then wall-crawls over top of the asp to land on the opposite side of it.
"Come on Narks, lets make a sandwich out of this thing, and you're the top bun! And it's... the meat I guess? I'll just imagine it's cucumbers though. I feel better about it that way."
Fortunately, there is an abundance of open spaces on the temple walls to use as hand- and footholds. Sarala is able to effortlessly climb right over the fiendish asp, dropping in a position to cut it off from Ruika. A well-aimed chop takes out a chunk of its flesh.
Julius is up.
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A glowing mist begins to coalesce into a form before Julius. A canine shedding holy light appears.
The holy animal growls and runs toward the asp at Julius directing point.
The dog lunges at the asp attempting bite the large snake and shake it hard to snap its neck. Holy fire pours from its open jaws.
Supporting his arcane canine, Julius runs forth and hurls a javelin past the dog's ear.
"Head's up, Sarala!" the arcanist yells, letting the weapon fly.
The celestial dog's teeth sink into the snake's length, tearing out a small chunk of flesh. Wisps of steam come curling out of the fresh wound, as though the asp had been somehow burnt.
Julius' javelin strikes the far wall, miraculously missing both Ruika and Sarala.
Ruika is up.
Finding herself in a corner, Ruika smiles at the surrounded snake and gives it the evil eye. The smile is a bit more of a grimace, however the bite isn't that bad & she knows there's the chemicals back in her hut for some sort of emergency.
The asp's attention is grabbed by the newly summoned dog, but even so it visibly falters, having succumbed to Ruika's hex.
Meanwhile, the serpent's venom continues to course through the witch's veins...
Narkû is up.
Another animal appears near the altar, but at least this one is attacking the snake, so maybe an ally has joined their fight.
With no where to go but on top of some ancient deity's sacrificial table top, Narkû attempts to climb up and get an advantage of height.
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Current Effects: Torch, 20' radius, 45 min;
Narkû climbs onto the altar and hacks at the final serpent from above. The force of his blow splits its head right open, causing it to vanish in an instant. Julius' celestial hound joins it just seconds later, disappearing into thin air while mid-bark. With the fiendish asps all dead, the glowing eyes on the white altar's pedestal go dim, before fading out completely. Once more, silence returns to the grim chamber.
Combat Ends
Though the snakes have vanished, their venom remains...
Fortunately, in spite of the damage she already suffered from the venom, her body is able to fight it off.
Without any distractions, you are able to get a better look into the room behind the altar. Once a vestry, the small chamber now stands open and barren, a dead end.
"Ummmm, while I am no expert on such things, the rear wall appears to be false. I believe a good push will allow us to continue."
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"I could have noticed that too," replies Sarala to Thurrios while she stows her temple sword, "If I wasn't busy murdering some snakes! Did I ever tell you how much I hate snakes?"
She approaches the rear wall, putting her hands against it and starting to push. While she puts her musicle into it she continues, "Seriously, they're a garbage animal that deserves nothing but contempt. Why have legs when you can just be squirmy and disgusting? That's what snakes probably asked before they became a thing. If I were to give my opinion on creation itself, I would dock it some points for snakes. 'Snakes. Unoriginal design. Blight upon creation. Teeth too sharp. Eyes show a certain deadness in their soul. I would recommend if creation tries again, snakes be removed and replaced with more cucumbers. Cucumbers are successful at everything snakes are somewhat good at. Being long, green and STUPID. But cucumbers are useful in other ways.' In a choice between befriending a snake or letting Julius fall into a bottomless hole... I'd probably save Julius, but he'd owe me big time. Also, what's with their forked tongues? Is one tongue tip not enough? Are they that greedy with their taste? Probably, 'cause sometimes they eat way too much and get really fat in the middle!"
She stops pushing, turns around and says, "Snakes." Then makes a show of giving an exaggerated thumbs down.
Resting a gloved hand against the cool surface of the altar as she listens to Sarala's diatribe about the serpentine species as a whole, Ruika's demeanour indicates appreciation for the Vanarans verbosity.
"Snake good taste." Ruika states simply, perhaps implying their taste in victim was good or that they make good eating or that Sarala's opinions of snakes are correct.
"Snake does taste good, but there is no snake to eat here."
A grumbling can be heard in Narkû's direction as the realization of his own words register to his stomach.
"Are you able to open that Sarala? Do you need Narkû?"
Once Sarala really starts pushing into the wall, an entire section of it slowly pivots. Her entire diatribe against snakes is accompanied by the sound of stone grinding on stone, and when she is at last finished, the door stands open. Beyond is a hall of natural, cavernous stone, a contrast to the constructed qualities of the temple thus far. A noisome mist crawls along the ground in the cavern, carrying the stench of ancient decay. Some of it seeps out through the doorway, harmlessly passing over Sarala's feet before dissipating.
"I must admit that I was expecting to find a treasure trove of unimaginable proportions."
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"Not to worry, Narks! My muscles are pretty incredible," says Sarala, giving a mighty flex. "Though I'm getting kind of anxious for a nap. I was up pretty early for my morning routine!"
She looks down to her feet and says, "I wouldn't have minded a treasure trove, I guarantee you that, but spooky mist and corpse smells are fine too."
Pulling down her veil to protect against the putrid, dry smell that emanates from the newly opened area; the witch moves to look into the area after Sarala. "Old tomb? Next to temple." she states softly being a trifle more cautious around the ancient death.
Thurrios looks to his companions, "onward then." He lifts Tempest and moves into the cave.
Gathering up his torch and then moving forward, squeezing in with Sarala to look at the new area, "So what do you expect Narkû to find in this old tomb?"
"That's amazing Sarala! Imagine what you could do with the Harrow."
Narkû holds the torch high for Sarala, so she can spot any hidden dangers, as he follows her forward.
Ruika goes over to Julius' to try and get him to move onwards too; "You call dog? You houndmaster? Good job. Look at temple later when it safe." She taps him under the elbow to try and ensure that he moves with her, but towards the rear of the party.
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Julius finds himself examining the altar close to where he had stopped to retrieve the thrown javelin.
"Hmm?" is the impressive and educated response he makes to Ruika's cajoling. With a disgruntled huff, the arcanist moves to follow along with the others.
Realizing Thurrios actually said something that may have been a joke, Julius feels like he should say something clever...but his thoughts seem to be whirling in too many directions at once, and any witty rejoinder he may have conjured fades before he can utter it.
His attention becomes wholly the newly opened cave/tomb opening.
"Well, now," he murmurs. "What might this be?"
Sarala leads the way into through the passage, finding that the floor is cold and moist beneath her feet. The small section of cave to the north leads to a dead end, but the southern section opens into vast cavern...
"So there's a magic field up here. Nothing special it seems."
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Julius opens his mouth to say something, but Thurrios beats him to the punch.
"All magic is special, but as ineloquent as Thurrios the Furious may have been...his statement is more or less accurate," Julius ends with a sigh.
He eyes the mist curiously as the magic of ages seems to swirl around in it. He has the nagging feeling there's something about it he should remember. The memory just kept slipping away.
"Ah well...I doubt it is very dangerous, or I would be certain to..." the scholarly arcanist's voice trails off with a slight frown.
Shrugging he increases his pace to keep up with the others.
Ruika walks cautiously forwards into the cave, unused to the damp surroundings. The cold moisture of the cave soaks into her robes, however sauntering next to Julius the orcs' vision is taken in by the swirling cloak. Entranced by the movements, so much like the infrequent clouds it seems to speak to her. Whilst Lyssa clambers up her robes and softly yips at the pale vortex.
The group presses forward.
The eerie vapors from before obscure the entirety of the cavern’s irregular floor. Unnerving outlines rise among the strange miasma, then fade back into nothingness as quickly as they appeared. The fog seems to originate from the passage further west - small puffs of it float into the large cave before sinking to the floor.
But dominating the chamber is an ancient barge, which hangs unsupported in the air. Little more than a skeleton of scorched spars and torn planks, portions of the ancient vessel flicker and fade, almost as unstable as the shifting vapors around it.
“Who goes there!?” says a familiar voice, thick with an Osiriani accent. The speaker steps forward, peering over the edge of the barge - it is none other than Haidar, the man you followed here in the first place. The turban he wore during your first meeting has now unraveled completely, unveiling a messy mane of long, dark hair. His eyes grow wide when they fall upon Sarala, recognition dawning on him. ”The monkey girl from before… What are you doing here?” Before the Vanara can answer, hermit continues, his eyes narrowing. “Did you follow me here? I told you not to! I warned you!”
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Sarala takes her hands out of her pockets and puts her palms forward to demonstrate that she hasn't drawn a weapon. She says, "Whoa! Whoa! Desert guy? You were acting kind of strange out there and I'm not entirely sure if I was concerned about you or for you. It seemed like you weren't telling us something. Then we found this place, and my friend is pretty interested in Nethys, so he's been all salivating all over this place. And then some kinds of creatures attacked us, and then we got attacked by snakes so... I dunno, seems like a bit much to handle for one desert guy?"
She shrugs helplessly and says, "So at least on my end, suspicion turned to concern. Maybe something was going on and you were worried about us getting in harm's way and we could help. What the heck is going on here?"
"You've got Nethys' barge here? Or a reasonable facsimile thereof? Quite an impressive artifact!"
Haidar starts to pace back and forth on the deck of the barge, muttering to himself incessantly. It is not immediately obvious that he has heard what Sarala and Thurrios have said. He shakes his head and runs a hand through his hair before finally speaking again. His voice is frantic, any sense of dignity it had before gone completely.
"No, no, no, you don't understand at all! This is supposed to be my place. The God-King's power is strong here. It is the key to my redemption! I can't have you wandering in here and stealing it. The last ones that tried paid dearly for it!" The man suddenly stops pacing as a crushing realization comes over him. He starts to mutter again, more loudly this time, though his words clearly aren't directed toward you. "Wait. That quaint Anubian was with them... If he gets word of this back to Osirion... Oh, no no no. I can't let that happen."
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"Huh? If you're concerned about Anapa saying something, we can just swear him to secrecy, but I'm pretty sure none of us get what's going on here..." says Sarala, glancing about, "So really, what can I say? Something beyond my understanding is going on! I don't really care-"
Sarala stops, mouth clamping shut with a clack as something that Haidar said didn't sit quite right, and her tone becomes less flippant. "The last ones that tried? Care to elaborate? Are you talking about our friends?"
Narkû lets Sarala and Thurrios continue to occupy the hermit's attention, as he moves closer to the barge. Wanting to show a non-aggressive stance, he leans forward on the hilt of his falchion and braces his legs, forming a sort of makeshift three legged stool. The torch he has been carrying, he places on the ground at his side.
A glace over his shoulder to Sarala and a slight nod, is all the indication he gives that he is ready for any type of hostilities.
Ruika strides into the chamber and looks the floating barge up and down with an appraising nod to the transport. Pulling across her veil, the witch looks calmly at the agitated man.
"Shadow-man like talk-y man, Julius? Both worship Nethys? We no want vision mist outside." She adds with a confidence, though her religious knowledge isn't too extensive about the purpose of this temple.
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"Ah, yes, they are the ones you were looking for, aren't they?" Haidar answers, suddenly lucid again. He does not seem to notice the half-orc's approach. "They stumbled upon this place in their search for gnolls. They found me instead. After what they saw, I could hardly allow them to leave." He glances over his shoulder, at something unseen on the barge. "Still, they survived by a hair's breadth. Most of them, anyway. It seemed a shame to finish them off. And perhaps, in time, they can join me on my voyage..."
The vagabond pulls his katar free from the sash on his belt - En-Nebi, he had called the blade before. "Who among you will join me, I wonder?" he asks, his expression turning dark.
Hmmm, no time like the present to cast true strike, and then I'll attack, but I figure that will be round 1.
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Many things swirl in Julius' mind at this time.
- His admiration of the artwork thinks, What about those frescoes? I really need to get those sketched.
- The spells on the pillars! I must write down those spells! his desire for more magic knowledge bellows.
- The Breath of Nethys! The future could be ours to see! What visions will the All-Seeing Eye bestow? yearns Julius' expectation of future greatness.
- Is that Haidar on the ruin of the imitation Barque of Nethys? Julius' curiosity chimes into the mess of thought. What on Golarion is Haidar doing up there?
As is well known among Pathfinders and other scholars, it is the voice of curiosity which most often wins the day, and today is no exception.
Julius moves forward between Ruika and Sarala, and out of his mouth pours the words,
"What on Golarion is Haidar doing up there?"
Not realizing the danger that may be before them, Julius cocks his head and looks up at Haidar, "Why wouldn't you want help? You hurried us off and ran away...but this!" Julius raises outstretched arms, wand of summon monster i in one hand and a javelin in the other. "This place...these artifacts....these magics! We can all benefit. We can all help to make this laboratory great again!"
Julius eyes shine as visions of doing powerful magical research dance through his head. But suddenly, he blinks noticing Haidar's hostile stance.
"Why do you raise a sword?" Julius asks surprised. "Must we fight over the wonderful magic of Nethys?"
Julius failed to realize the weapons in his own hands before speaking, sadly.
As Julius attempts to talk Haidar down, the putrid mist continues to swirl around the group, assailing everyone's senses. Julius, Ruika, and even Thurrios can feel its power resonate within them, bolstering them with magical power. For some however, its influence proves a little too intoxicating...
Ultimately, Julius’ words appear to have no effect on Haidar, whose expression only seems to grow more maniacal by the second. He jerks his head, noticing some kind of change coming over Sarala.
“Ah, so you are starting to understand," the madman says with a smile, En-Nebi still raised high. "You all will, soon enough!"
Initiative Order
1. Anapa
2. Sarala
3. Thurrios
4. Narkû
5. Julius
6. Haidar
7. Ruika
Anapa is up.
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Sarala turns with with furrowed brows to look right into Julius's eyes, since she wanted to listen to him try and talk Haidar down. He's much better at negotiating than she is. However, when her eyes make it to her friend, they seem to lack any sense of recognition. She then leans back and then gives him a headbutt.
"Snakes about you and in us! Us Julius way we were. So were our cucumbers, something, guys," is what the Vanara says to justify this action. "Boring bottomless buddy."
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Thurrios is up.