[OutPost] GM Irish202 #09-07: Salvation of the Sages (Inactive)

Game Master Irish202

Barnaby opens his eyes a couple moments after touching the Spinel gem as Mnenoset's ghostly form vanishes back into the jewel. With a sharp cracking noise that reverberates through the entire room, the final orb of light circling Tahari's form vanishes.

END OF INITIATIVE

Tahari lets out an anguished cry with the loss of the last sage jewel from her influence. A rumbling noise starts to fill the entire chamber as a rift in the floor under the orrery cracks open. The device tumbles into the hole, breaking and shattering as it does so. Radek, about to charge over to the ghost, stops himself abruptly as he teeters on the edge of the rift. Looking down, this rift seems to drop straight into a hellish landscape; filled with lakes of lava and mountains crawling with hundreds of horned creatures. Reclining on a throne made out of skulls and bones exceptionally close to the rift is a huge sized horned creature with a rather vicious looking scourge at its side.

Horned Creature Picture

Air starts rushing into this rift, causing loose objects and papers to flutter through the air and become sucked into this other plane. The Emerald sage jewel, unattended, tumbles into the rift to land on the creature's lap. The suction seems ten-fold stronger for Tahari, who is unable to resist its pull as she flails about in the air. The ghost now dangles above the rift helplessly as the horned creature on the throne smiles a wide grin to reveal rows of razor sharp teeth. "Aryana Tahari. What a pleasant surprise," he says with a voice that shakes the very foundation of the study itself. "I was wondering when you would make a mistake and show yourself." The creature, without standing, reaches one of its humongous arms directly through the rift and grabs Tahari with its claws. She struggles uselessly to escape, screaming desperately as she does so. "I will have SO much fun with you," he says as he opens his maw wide enough to swallow a giant. The creature draws Tahari through the rift, drops her into his jaws, and swallows her whole kicking and screaming. The rift then begins to slowly start closing.

The creature looks directly through the rift at Radek and Barnaby with amusement as he gulps down the ghost. "Your struggle...amused me. Briefly." It glances down in its lap to see the emerald sage jewel. With a smirk he pinches his two smallest claws (still incredibly large, however) to pick it up. The creature holds it directly in front of his eyes as he inspects it.

The creature abruptly looks up from the gem towards Radek and Barnaby again. "Ah, yes. A reward, for returning an errant servant to me." It flicks the emerald sage jewel like a marble towards the dwarf. The gem speeds through the air like a hypersonic bullet.

Gem Attack: 1d20 + 41 ⇒ (7) + 41 = 48
Gem Damage: 1d2 + 32 ⇒ (1) + 32 = 33

The gem slams into the dwarfs abdomen and sends him flying backwards at an extremely high velocity; slamming him into the wall ten feet behind him and cracking the wall. The creature lets out a rumbling laugh the shakes the study as the rift closes, leaving the cracked floor behind as it seals.

Radek struggles to maintain his balance on the lip of the precipice, his eyes wide with a mixture of rage and horror as he beholds the terrible demon that waits within the rift. But the dwarf feels only an embarrassing sense of relief when he sees that it is wholly focused on Tahari, and as the evil behemoth swallows her whole, the necromancer struggling helplessly in its grip, he speaks in a savage voice. "So will all evil pass from this world. Screamin' an' cursin' 'gainst the darkness that will eventually take them."

Then the horrible gaze of the demon is upon him, and with a scornful casualness it launches the gem toward him and Radek is nowhere quick enough to avoid it. The tiny stone smashes into him with all the power of a giant's might fist, and the dwarf is hurled back against the wall ten feet behind him, watching through dazed eyes as the rift closes and the floor seals, the creature's roaring laughter echoing in his ears.

Rising painfully to his feet, Radek takes a long look around at the carnage in the room. The bodies on the floor and the terribly wounded survivors giving testament to the savage battle fought. And won. But at what cost? "Be it done?" The dwarf slurs in a voice he barely recognizes as his own. "Wit' Tahari gone be the gems freed o' their unholy corruption?"

OK yeah, that was awesome.

As the rift in the floor seals, Barnaby slumps to the ground, exhausted. He begins crawling towards Radek as the dwarf crumbles against the wall, but as the dwarf begins to speak the half-elf changes course and instead moves to Cassandra. Laying his gloved hand on her as two more gems crack, Barnaby says. That...that was... his voice cracks. *cough* That was Ahriman...Hand ten feet away...

Cassandra heals:: 2d8 + 9 ⇒ (2, 5) + 9 = 16

As healing energy flows into Cassandra, Barnaby lies flat on the floor. Looking around at the battered bodies standing and the slumped lifeless forms around he rasps out. If it's not done, we are.

Roll call: who's still got a pulse?

Cassandra surges to consciousness and looks around at the many wounded.
"Is everyone still alive?

Torch is gone. Barnaby lifts his arm to point at the blood pool to the west, wincing at the movement. Madison too: the body at least though he might not have been in it at the time. I'm not sure about Pscyho, but I don't think he's still breathing.

The half-elf can barely bring himself to smile. But I don't think we'll be seeing Tahari again. Being eaten by a god's not the type of thing you walk off easy.

The sages, knocked off balance from the eruption of the rift, also struggle back to their feet. "Torch? Gone? Knowing him, he is already alive again by now." Amenophus laughs feebly as Dhiara helps him to his feet. Sinuhotep, perhaps the least injured from the battle, inspects the two singed bodies of the fallen Pathfinders. "Indeed, Psycho has passed from this realm," the lich says and merely looks at Madison's gaping hole in his chest as his response for the other body.

Tahonikepsu shifts back to her humanoid form, a mix of joy and sadness struggling on her face. "We are free from Tahari's grasp. I feel a void now where her presence once resided. This should be a time of celebration, but..." she trails off as she looks at the fallen agents. Sinuhotep strides off among the bookshelves not flung about during the combat, avoiding the emotional turn the conversation is taking. She digs through some rubble, and pulls out the obsidian pendant Tahari dropped before she was pulled into the rift. "We will figure our something to be done for them. Come, let us depart from this place to recover from the battle." Dhiara and Tahonikepsu assist the remaining agents to their feet if needed, and will help with carrying the fallen bodies of Madison and Psycho. Sinuhotep returns from his stroll carrying several tomes and scrolls, which he hands to Barnaby and Jing. "I noted some things of interest just prior to the ritual, perhaps you may wish to take these for future journeys."

The group makes their way out of Tahari's complex to the ruined village of Resa above. Once there, Tahonikepsu shifts back to her dragon form and once again offers a ride to everyone. Barring any objections, all are strapped in (or bodies secured) and she takes off back to the base camp. The group arrives about an hour later (the dragon's speed more sedate this time due to her injuries) to find the camp buzzing with activity. Numerous robed acolytes bearing the symbol of Sarenrae are setting up cots and preparing poultices, while a man with a burned face is conversing quietly with an elf; a dog near her side giving the man a very wary look. Venture Captain Diya Akan and Torch approach the group debarking from the dragon, as several acolytes rush up to assist the wounded.

"Looks like our effort was a success, eh?" Torch says with a rare, plain smile as he plays with an emerald gem in his hands. His gaze falls upon the two bodies being passed down to the priests. "...or mostly. Err...anyways. Colleagues, a moment of your time..." He takes the other sages to the side, which is joined shortly by Tahonikepsu as she shifts to humanoid form, to discuss something privately. Diya looks in the general area of the Pathfinders with a concerned look on her face. "I hear less footsteps than I heard yesterday. This saddens me, but it does sound like your mission was a success. The debriefing can wait for a while, at least. Let the clerics tend to your wounds and we can discuss what happened afterwards."

"Looks like our effort was a success, eh?" Torch says with a rare, plain smile as he plays with an emerald gem in his hands. His gaze falls upon the two bodies being passed down to the priests. "...or mostly. Err...anyways. Colleagues, a moment of your time..." He takes the other sages to the side, which is joined shortly by Tahonikepsu as she shifts to humanoid form, to discuss something privately

You...your head %&^$*^& exploded! Barnaby says in shock as Torch appears virtually unharmed before them in Resa. He looks to the other remaining Pathfinders as the Sages decide to conference with themselves. Radek, you saw that too, right? More somberly, he looks towards Jing. How's Tiny? He fine and dandy back on his plane for now?

"Tiny will be back shortly." Jing Kwan says. Then he summons Tiny back.

What are these sages if thay can not cast Raise Dead?

I think Sinuhotep said

These Pathfinders did so much for us so I think it should not be a problem to revive the dead ones. At least we can do this for them.

:)

Once near a truely weak life force, Mr. Madison pushes outward hoping to jump into his dog.

Once near a truely weak life force, Mr. Madison pushes outward hoping to jump into his dog.

Upon landing back at the base camp, you sense a plethora of lesser life forces available. You reach out to possess one...and find yourself indeed in a dog's body. However, it appears you have possessed Horus, Diya Akan's dog.

How's Tiny? He fine and dandy back on his plane for now?

"Tiny will be back shortly." Jing Kwan says. Then he summons Tiny back

Tiny reappears in a flash of light for a happy reunion with his master.

I get the sense that he would joyous to see his master NOT dead, and would give him a hug. I feel that Tiny would give great hugs, if just a tad too tight due to his strength and the hardness of his armor.

What are these sages if thay can not cast Raise Dead?

I think Sinuhotep said: "These Pathfinders did so much for us so I think it should not be a problem to revive the dead ones. At least we can do this for them."

Sinuhotep looks down at Psycho's body after casting speak with dead on it, as the above quoted words come out of his mouth. The lich archly lifts an amused eyebrow, dismisses the spell without a word, and walks away.

While we are on this subject, this following part is actually built into the scenario. Enjoy!

The gathered sages break from their discussions and return to the Pathfinders in one of the medical tents. Several priests are attending to their wounds, while Psycho's and Madison's bodies are in the next tent down to avoid the smell. "This is going to be one nasty bruise," says one of the acolytes as they apply a salve to Radek's back. "How fast did you say you hit this wall again?" she asks as another priest's hands glow with a cure moderate wounds spell. Several trainees are attempting to assist Jing and Tiny, but seem stymied at Tiny's anatomy. "Errr...his armor is attached to his body. Do we just bandage him or something?" one of them says to a higher ranking priest, who simply shrugs. The trainees begin wrapping Tiny in a rather unnecessarily excessive amount of bandages until he looks like a poorly embalmed mummy. Another priest is applying aloe and burn salves to Barnaby's wounds. Cassandra, already well-versed in the magical healing arts, is most likely providing assistance in the medical tent already.

Tahonikepsu, Amenophus, and Dhiara enter the tent; while Torch and Sinuhotep linger at the tent's entrance. "You all have done a great service to our order," Tahonikepsu says with a now genuine smile on her face, "And to us personally as well. We would still be under Tahari's control now if not for your aid." She glances at the other sages who nod amongst each other in some unspoken agreement as Tahonikepsu continues. "You have done all these things selflessly, with all of you having no direct interest in our faction whatsoever. It is in the spirit of your achievements and your generosity that we return it in kind. Our order will pool our resources and will arrange for whatever services your require to restore you all to your full strength." From the next tent over, you hear loud chanting that culminates in a rather excessively loud and ostentatious prayer to the Dawnflower. A burst of light heralds the return of Psycho back to the land of the living.

"Furthermore," Amenophus cuts in to actually interrupt the dragon for the first time in several days, "we also wish to commemorate your accomplishments in solidifying our order's future. We will erect statues of you all in our Sanctum to remind us and all future sages of the deeds that you have done for us." He smiles widely. "You have destroyed an evil that many would not have been able to overcome. Well done!" All of the sages in the tent give the Pathfinders a round of applause; while Sinuhotep (above such things) gives an appreciative nod, and Torch just awkwardly coughs into his hand and looks off into the distance.

Radek winces a bit as he accepts the ministrations of the clerics. "Aye, felt like I broke a few ribs when tha' damned demon threw the gem at me. Faugh! Gonna have te see an armorer te get tha' dent outta me armor." The dwarf reaches into a vest pocket and pulls for the stone that looks quite ordinary now and examines it once again as he listens with half an ear to the accolades heaped upon the party. He snorts at the idea of a statue dedicated to himself, but in his heart Radek is quite proud and pleased at his accomplishments this day, as well as that of his allies. They worked together as a team quite well, and through use of their individual skills and abilities - as well as a bit of luck - they were successful. He is also glad to see that those that fell are brought back to life, being very familiar with the process himself.

Turning to the sages, Radek inquires. "Tell me this, I know damn well tha' this was the emerald sage jewel when that creature threw it at me. An' yet, when I pried it outta me armor 'afore our flight back it 'ad become this ordinary rock. What do ye make o' that?" The dwarf hands over the stone for inspection, if asked to do so. He certainly has no intention of adding another mysterious, possibly demon-tainted rock to his current collection he thinks as he casts a look at the dull grey ioun stone that revolves around his head.

Wagging Horus’s tail, Mr. Madison trots over and observes the goings on. Perhaps someone realizes, perhaps not. As the sages offer to raise his body, the dog seems almost to smile. He had back up plans, but perhaps they won’t be needed. Perhaps powerful friends are even better. He decides to wait around during the casting of raise dead on his body, sending his soul back to his body and causing his death just before the raise dead completes. It is not every day that you get to watch your own body brought back to life.

It’s somewhat of a moot point because of the generousity of the sages. But, Mr. Madison does not die until his magic jar ends by sending his soul back to his body. Does this make him eligible for breath of life, as he has died within one round? Probably varies based on DM. Thoughts? If so, then he would make his condition clear to the sages so they could bring him back more cheaply. I guess it depends on whether breath of life has more to do with the processes of the body or the departure of the soul.

Psycho took a deep breath and opened his eyes. "What happened? Where am I? I thought I was dead. I've already seen light at the end of the tunnel."

Turning to the sages, Radek inquires. "Tell me this, I know damn well tha' this was the emerald sage jewel when that creature threw it at me. An' yet, when I pried it outta me armor 'afore our flight back it 'ad become this ordinary rock. What do ye make o' that?"

Torch smirks and tosses his emerald sage jewel to Radek. After the dwarf catches its, Torch picks up a vial of salve off a nearby bench. He snaps his fingers sharply, and the vial magically switches places with the emerald gem in the dwarf's hands. "A little trick I picked up in Riddleport. Useful, but you have to attune the item with a spell first for it to work." Tahonikepsu frowns disapprovingly at his laissez faire attitude towards handling the jewel, while Torch appears not to notice. Next door, the chanting increases in volume as the clerics move on to address Mr. Madison's body.

It’s somewhat of a moot point because of the generousity of the sages. But, Mr. Madison does not die until his magic jar ends by sending his soul back to his body. Does this make him eligible for breath of life, as he has died within one round? Probably varies based on DM. Thoughts? If so, then he would make his condition clear to the sages so they could bring him back more cheaply. I guess it depends on whether breath of life has more to do with the processes of the body or the departure of the soul.

Your body is the equivalent of "destroyed" for purposes of the spell. A breath of life would bring you back briefly, but you are have several vital organs extensively damaged due to Tahari's coup de grace that the spell could not fix. A regenerate would also be sufficient, for purposes of returning your body to a state suitable for your return after ending magic jar, but a raise dead is lower level and would repair your body in a similar fashion.

The clerics finish their chanting as Mr. Madison's body is infused with the healing light of Sarenrae, restoring his body back to full function and vitality. They continue their evaluations, checking him over physically and magically to address any other maladies present. "Sir, he appears to have some kind of curse or dark magic on him as well," says one of the acolytes to the ranking priest. The priest moves over and casts a spell as he peers at Mr. Madison. "Hmm...smells like Usij magic. Or a Div curse, perhaps," the priest says. He weaves his hands in the air, chanting a remove curse spell. Abruptly, a purple symbol of an eye on Mr. Madison's forehand flares painfully with a bright light, and the priest gets flung backwards several feet as a very familiar sounding rumbling laugh fills the air. The priest, otherwise alright, struggles to his feet with the help of his apprentices. Several other priests attempt the removal of whatever curse Mr. Madison is under, but they all end with similar results.

Radek's eyes narrow as he regards Torch, gently putting the salve back on the bench where it belongs. "Neat trick. Almost as neat as how ye managed te survive when I saw yer head explode like a tanglefoot bag. Reckon yer a man o' many mysteries, eh? Ach, ye fought well, though. Thanks fer yer help." The dwarf gives the scarred man a slight smile and a nod, for Torch did fight well during the battle, despite the dwarf's reservations about the man's character.

Epilogue:

Mr. Madison strides from the tent, now fully alive and mildly confused why all of the Sarenrite priests in the camp are flashing warding signs at him. With all loose ends tied up, the Pathfinder agents bid the sages farewell before they return with Diya Akan to Merab for debriefing. During the goodbyes, Torch somehow disappears when no-one is looking, inevitably to be seen again when least convenient for the Decemvirate's plans. Amenophus hands each of the agents a small scarab made from a precious gem (type up to each individual's preference). "Should any of you require any assistance with research or information that we may be able to glean from our sage jewels, merely grasp the scarab and focus on one of us. We will assist you however we can."

Dhiara delivers a formal bow in the style of her martial training from Tar Kuata, bidding the agents farewell. Sinuhotep, not one for emotional displays, merely indicates his appreciation; though he does extend an invitation to Barnaby and Psycho to his residence at the Sanctum to discuss theories regarding mental and psychic magic. Finally, Tahonikepsu personally shakes each agent's hand, formally offering them hospitality at the Sage's Sanctum should they ever find themselves in the area. She also hands Radek one of her senet boards and set of pieces, made from some kind of purple crystal. Eventually, the base camp is torn down; the sages depart on the back of Tahonikepsu's dragon form as they fly back to their Sanctum to continue the work of their order. The Pathfinders return to Merab, where they tell their story to the Venture Captain. And such they continue on to whatever adventure fate takes them next...

Psycho took a deep breath and opened his eyes. "What happened? Where am I? I thought I was dead. I've already seen light at the end of the tunnel."

You were. Welcome back. Barnaby says as Psycho looks around confused. Hope you don't end up making this a habit. The half-elf gives a smile that gives up halfway through. The weight of what just happens slowly starts to hit him.

As the sages gather them and speak, Barnaby nods to them in appreciation of the gesture as well. As Sinuhotep and Tahonikepsu take him aside to offer additional thanks before departing, he accepts their offers graciously. May not be one of your sages, but the thing needed to be done. I'm just glad we got her in the end, tight as it was. He does give the Diamond Sage a stern and deadly serious suggestion before she moves away. I know Tahari's about as dead as I can think of one being now. But just in case, the next time you manage to recover another lost Sage Jewel out there? Bring more people.

Radek gazes at the game board and the beautifully-crafted pieces with an oddly emotional expression. "Ye know, I don' normally like te travel from one place te another 'less me boots be firmly planted te ground. But I don't think I'll ever be forgettin' the rush o' the wind in me beard and gazin' down upon the land from on high 'tween yer wings. Thank ye fer that. An' fer this. Mebee next time we cross paths we can sit down te another game, eh?"

The irascible dwarf takes his leave of the other sages as well, choosing one of the gems that suits him, preferably one of a color that reminds him of the forest that he loves. He returns then to Merab to give his report, looking forward to his scheduled foray with the Hunting Lodge in Absalom. His membership had finally been approved he learned just before his meeting with the venture captain. Taking his leave of the others, Radek decides that perhaps he has time for a game or two of senet before he heads back to the Grand Lodge to take part in the expedition. If he can find someone that knows the game and is willing to play with a smelly dwarf...

"Thanks to the sages, my death toll remains null."

"Thank you for saving me guys! I owe you!"