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Barnaby's eyes widen significantly as the massive ...mass of undead begins to shamble towards them. The fact that shortly thereafter it is followed by a helpful call in celestial merely cause the half-elf to sigh.
Hold on a minute...Mister. I may be able to salvage it. Reversing the polarity, and so forth.
The detective flies toward the obelisk and takes position next to Psycho. Not bad. You've got a good knack for these things. But here, if we invert these two runes...
Hold on a minute...Mister. I may be able to salvage it. Reversing the polarity, and so forth.
The detective flies toward the obelisk and takes position next to Psycho. Not bad. You've got a good knack for these things. But here, if we invert these two runes...
Know Arcana to disable?: 1d20 + 20 + 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 20 + (5) + 2 = 43
Barnaby adjusts a couple runes on the monolith, and abruptly the polarity of the pillar becomes reversed. A blast of positive energy roils out from it, covering the entire landscape as far as you can see. This causes a crack to run down the monolith, and abruptly all of the undead grasping hands vanish instantly. The sandstorm ceases, and the gashadokuro collapses to the ground in a cacophony of bones hitting the ground.
End of Initiative
"Not exactly the way I would have gone about it," Dhiara says slightly disapprovingly as she looks at the gem in the sand next to the force sphere. "But it got the job done, which was the important part." The other Sages rejoin the group a little while later, displaying signs of battle but otherwise unharmed. Tahonikepsu, looking a little exhilarated from the battle and a chance to let loose dragon-wise, approaches the Agents.
"Take a couple moments to recover and look around. There may be something left behind in the ruins of Resa. The other Sages and I will attempt to locate Tahari's facility in the meantime. Let us know if you need anything" Dhiara and Tahonikepsu walk over to the Sages and they begin discussing their approach.
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"Not exactly the way I would have gone about it," Dhiara says slightly disapprovingly as she looks at the gem in the sand next to the force sphere. "But it got the job done, which was the important part."
Unexpected, sure. Barnaby says as he flies back down and sets his backpack on the sands. Pulling out several trail ration, he begins to eat one while offering the two other bars(?) to other Pathfinders. But the concept's not that far off from your gem, isn't it? Use the faceted prism to to preserve a mind and soul?
While Dhiara walks away to strategize with the other Sages, the half-elf turns to Mr. Madison and the others. You all okay? I've seen ghasts and such before, but never that organized. This Tahari certainly was...is quite the necromancer.
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Mr Madison takes a moment to recast Heightened Awareness before noticing the scratch marks on his body from the hands.
Drawing a wand Mr Madison gives it a shake and a little spark of light infuses his body, closing some of his wounds. , unsatisfied he shakes it once more.
Sighing at his now dusty suit he casts prestidigation to at least clean it off. I’ll admit, I’m not a man of knowledge like a couple of you, but I can help take a look at what we’ve found.
Adjusting a silver lined monacle, he begins inspecting the ruins, picking up his small diamond along the way.
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After a brief bout of paralysis that seems to last just this side of forever to the ranger, Radek's gaze meets that of Mr. Madison and the dwarf snorts. "Never seen nuthin' like that before. Ye were actually a part of that creature? Controllin' it?" He shakes his head and intones a prayer of cleansing in the name of Torag (no game effects, just RP flavor) and then sits down heavily, ripping some of his own rations from his pack and consuming them hungrily before using his curative wand on himself.
HP healed
Radek helps to investigate the ruins as well, his natural abilities and dwarven knowledge hopefully serving to uncover any hidden valuables or clues.
(+2 additional for checks related to stonework)
Eventually, he makes his way to Torch and growls. "Used up one o' me talismans in tha' fight. Came in handy, an' if ye got one te replace it I'd be obliged."
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Finding a place to take a seat as well, Soul magic may be the most powerful type of magic. And moving souls and bodies can be incredibly potent, but sometimes the soul and the body, well. he says with a shiver, Sometimes they are quite unnatural. That was an unnatural soul.
Thank you for the prayer, it’s important to ward off any influences that may linger.
Dhiara takes Barnaby's comment pensively, looking at the finely cut topaz she has on a cord about her neck. "I guess it is simiiar, is it not?" She seems lost in thought, and walks away without another word.
Torch smiles widely at the dwarf as he turns from his discussions, and reaches into his "bag" to pull out a strip of parchment covered with sigils in purple and black ink. "Anything to help out our fellow...agents," he says with equal force to Radek. He pauses for a moment, as if he has more to say, but justs gives a curt nod and turns back to his discussions.
The group looks aroumd in the general area, and find two metallic rods tucked into a crevice behind the monolith. A little ways off in another ruined buildings the group also finds a slightly damaged khopesh with the words "Fortune Moon" inscribed on its hilt. After some investigation (magical and mundane), the spellcasters in the group identify the rods as a wand of cure moderate wounds (10 charges) and a wand of restoration (4 charges). The khopesh appears to have once been a version of a luck blade, but the enchantment has been damaged and it now only functions as a +2 khopesh. Perhaps with some work on the blade it could be restored back to its previous glory.
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Barnaby leans against a ruined wall for a moment as he finishes his meal. That quick fight had taken more out of him than expected. Bending his head down, he whispers. I hear you're doing well now Duke. Given the circumstances a little assistance here would be appreciated.
A cool wind whips around the detective, who straightens looking much more energetic. He walks towards Cassandra, and asks he to hit him once as well, extending his own curative wand out towards her.
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Radek grunts a word of thanks, grateful that Torch didn't attempt to weasel some sort of promise or his firstborn in exchange for the 'help' offered. Attaching the magical strip of parchment to his necklace alongside the others he wears, the dwarf goes to see if anyone else might possess the magic needed to wipe away the fatigue that he feels down to his very bones.
Amenophus comes over to the Pathfinders, as it appears the Sages have finished their discussions. "Agents, we have located the entrance to Tahari's facility. However, from the visions we have gleaned from our sage jewels, the complex appears to be mostly underground and rather vast," he says gravely. "We believe it be best that we split up to cover more ground quickly. Time is of the essence, as I believe the surfacing of the buildings may have compromised the integrity of the complex. We maybe have six hours before any collapses occur, but it is best to assume four to be on the safe side. This gives us three hours to search for a suitable location for the ritual, and then one hour to complete it and escape."
Tahonikepsu joins the Sapphire Sage, adding "Indeed. There is one part of the complex I would like you all to search. One of us will accompany you, to provide insight and assistance should you need it. Please decide swiftly, and then we shall depart when you are ready."
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Radek nods. "I'll do me best te keep an eye out for potential collapse as well." Before they head out, the dwarf speaks with Barnaby. "I saw that ye used magic o' some kind te put tha' spring back in yer step. Might ye have some left te give te me an' rid me o' this damned fatigue clingin' te me bones? I'd ask Torch fer a scroll, but..." Radek shrugs, casting a suspicious glance at the information broker. It wasn't like him to be selfless in dealing with others as he had been thus far, and that makes the dwarf uneasy.
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Before they head out, the dwarf speaks with Barnaby. "I saw that ye used magic o' some kind te put tha' spring back in yer step. Might ye have some left te give te me an' rid me o' this damned fatigue clingin' te me bones? I'd ask Torch fer a scroll, but..." Radek shrugs, casting a suspicious glance at the information broker.
Sure Barnaby says. Assuming Torag doesn't mind you getting touched by another for a second.
Raginorri, one more request and then we're even. The dwarf's tired, help him rest up too. You'd probably like him better anyway.
Sure Barnaby says. Assuming Torag doesn't mind you getting touched by another for a second.
{Auran} Raginorri, one more request and then we're even. The dwarf's tired, help him rest up too. You'd probably like him better anyway.
A breeze rolls across the desert hills, carrying with it the low rumble of a distant thunderstorm. It departs with a light caress, taking Radek's fatigue away with it.
The Sages make small talk amongst themselves, looking anxious to depart but still awaiting the group's decision.
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Radek basks for a moment in the breeze, closing his eyes as he feels the awful fatigue that had weighed him down minutes ago dissipate in seconds. Opening his eyes, a craggy smile splits his bearded face and he slaps Barnaby on the shoulder. "Ah! That's much better, laddie. Thank ye! And thank yer patron fer me as well. Didn't quite catch tha' name."
Radek rejoins the others, to see if they have made headway in the decision. It seems they are leaning toward the dragon, and though the dwarf has some reservations about whether the creature would prove more of a hindrance than help in the narrow passages and small rooms they are bound to be exploring, he won't naysay their decision.
The Sages move out to their various locations to explore, leaving Tahonikepsu behind in her human form to assist the remaining group. She looks actually very excited and is smiling widely. "I must admit," she says as her gazes drifts over the Pathfinders preparing to descend into the complex, "I was hoping that I would have the chance to adventure with you all. It is one thing to plan and read the reports the agents bring back to me, but it is another to experience it first hand. Allow me to show you the way to the entrance..."
When everyone is ready, she guides the group between several broken buildings to what appears to be a cellar built into the sands. Tahonikepsu gestures down a set of narrow stone steps that lead down into the pitch black darkness. "I believe that we may find interesting things down here," she says, pausing to allow the Pathfinders to take the lead. At the bottom of the stairs, there appears to be a featureless stone wall. The Diamond Sage holds her sage jewel aloft, causing it to flash with white light as a door slowly carves itself out of the wall; though it remains closed, taunting the group with the secrets it hides. She waits for the group to decide how to proceed.
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Barnaby taps Radek on the shoulder as he reaches the door. I've seen enough shut doors to know nothing's that sealed up without a reason.
He turns to the rest of the party while momentarily putting his mace at his belt so that he can draw out a rod. I'd suggest bracing yourselves. Hopefully its not another pack of ghouls waiting to rush past us. Or, you know, something worse.
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Radek grunts in response to Barnaby as he examines the door closely, then looks to the others. "Ye ready? I'll be th' one te open the door, unless another of ye wants te volunteer." The dwarf grins and waits for the others to prepare, using his wand on himself again, then pulls it open...
Presumes we are now considered 'Underground'? If not, deduct 4 from the roll as it includes Favored Terrain bonus (+4) as well as dwarven bonus for stonework
Also GM, I know you make a lot of the 'behind the scenes' rolls for us, just wanted to remind you that so long as we are underground, Radek will get a +4 to Initiative [+8], Perception [+22 (or +24 to automatically find stone-based traps within 10' of passing of them) and everyone within line of sight and hearing get +2 to those as well (in addition to Stealth and Survival checks, which I figure we will usually roll ourselves.)
Radek grunts in response to Barnaby as he examines the door closely, then looks to the others. "Ye ready? I'll be th' one te open the door, unless another of ye wants te volunteer." The dwarf grins and waits for the others to prepare, using his wand on himself again, then pulls it open...
Seeing the group finished with their preparations, the dwarf cautiously pulls the door open. At the lightest touch the door slams open (barely missing Radek's nose) with a foul blast of rancid, fetid air that rushes past and blows up the stairwell into the desert sky beyond. Tahonikepsu appears alarmed for a moment, her sage jewel glowing erratically for a brief moment after the door opened.
"Something is...wrong," she says worriedly as the Sage closes her eyes momentarily to focus. "I sensed Tahari's...how do you say...esssence? Energy? I am unsure, but something was released when the door opened. It is imperative we learn more. Perhaps something in this complex may shed light on what has occurred..." Tahonikepsu trails off as she squints beyond the door to see what lies within.
A brief distance past the door reveals a circular chamber with exiting hallways to the north, west, and east. A small circular pillar lies in the room's center, bearing several faintly glowing inscriptions in the darkness.
Radek nods at Psycho's suggestion and growls. "Good a place as any te start." Following Cassandra's spoken directions, the dwarf will lead the way along with Mr. Madison, watching for traps and ambushes
The passage to the east turns to lead into a chamber labelled by a tarnished brass plaque. The center of the chamber contains large shelves that house thousands of bones neatly lined up in tidy rows. There appears to be tiny pictographs carved into each bone. A stone door, similar to the one at the complex entrance, lies on the north side of the room.
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Lovely. Barnaby says as he carefully looks at a few bones. Tahari, or her assistants at least, certianly kept their records. Marks of how they died. Her 'experiments' failing - or succeeding in a few cases. Be careful what you touch: looks like enough people have been killed of 'infection's down here already. He looks down the shelves and shelves, each stacked with bones.
Nine Hells... the half-elf's voice quiets a bit, seemingly forgetting the others are there for a moment. What could she possibly have needed so many sacrifices to do...
As the party moves through the room, Barnaby scans the bone scroll tube that Cassandra points out to him. He recognizes aspects of the theorums but frowns. It's been some time since's he's found himself at a loss for understanding something. He doesn't like it.
Tahonikepsu. he asks the draogn, showing her the scrolls. You ever heard of this? 'Crystal Aether'?
Tahonikepsu. he asks the draogn, showing her the scrolls. You ever heard of this? 'Crystal Aether'?
Tahonikepsu steps away from inspecting one of the shelves, a puzzled look on her face. "Crystal Aether? I am afraid I have not. But something about this room...I have been catching brief glimpses of the past. One moment..." The Diamond Sage closes her eyes to focus on her sage jewel, which flashes rapidly in the gloom as she does so. "...Wrong again," Tahonikepsu mutters with a furrowed brown. "...Unintended...but useful?" The Sage opens her eyes, showing mild confusion. "I catch a glimpse of liquid in a vial, clear as water; that shimmers and crystallizes on its own. Perhaps this 'Aether' is a substance that Tahari discovered by accident in her experiments? It feels important, but I am unable to glean more at the moment..." she says with mild frustration.
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Mr. Madison will take a look at the strangly carved bones being handled by Radek, trying to discern if they may be acting like scrolls.
Mr. Madison will take a look at the strangly carved bones being handled by Radek, trying to discern if they may be acting like scrolls.
Barring any further investigations, Radek cautiously opens the north door. This one opens appropriately, as opposed to its more violent predecessor, revealing a rectangular chamber beyond. A twenty foot long by five foot wide pool runs down the middle, with a five foot path on either side. The light from Jing's ioun torch reflects off glass tiles beneath this still pool, revealing a small slightly-glowing bead lying at the bottom about halfway down its length. Another door can be seen on the other side of the room, but the room itself has no other visible features.