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Kintampo has used detect magic where applicable
"Did you see the fire damage in that storage room? I am sure that was caused by a fireball spell. If that was cast by those people Selena spoke of we must be careful"
Kintampo looks at the water elemental "Mareck, can you translate that we will try to find a way to break her bonds, no one should be held in slavery."
He pointedly avoids looking at Husarq, not entirely sure what the precise relationship is between him and Mareck.
"Shall we see what the archives contain?"
Kintampo is unable to identify either the nature of the magical liquid in the cylinder or the magic of the belt, other than to note that the magical aura on the liquid is faint, consistent with a low level oil or potion, and the aura on the belt is moderate, consistent with a number of magical belts, including those that increase physical abilities.
He can make knowledge arcana checks to determine the nature of the auras, which might provide more guidance.
As previously stated, the rich scent of palm wine, cinnamon, and myrrh wafts out of the archive. The room is magically illuminated. Each wall has deep slots filled with papyrus scrolls. A white-and-black marble altar enveloped in faint wisps of faerie fire sits squarely in the center of the room. A ladder to the south leads up to a walkway, with more shelves, a golden sarcophagus, and a chest.
A quick check of the scrolls reveals that they date from the Age of Destiny. Apparently, the Jeweled Sages managed to preserve a great deal of lore through the decline of the pharaohs and the purges directed against the Sages' order.
You find four magical scrolls amongst the other, non-magical scrolls.
The chest on the walkway contains five bottles of holy water, a stack of ancient platinum coins, five spell component pouches, and three scholar’s outfits in red, yellow, and green, cut in a style common millennia ago.
A small shrine next to the golden sarcophagus on the walkway holds coded notes in Ancient Osiriani.
"His corruption is so strong and pervasive now, that I feel it everywhere. I noticed it was concentrated on the cube when it was close. Perhaps I could notice it on other items if you bring them near the pool. I am not sure. I do know that my pool is pure and that I kept the corruption from reaching the wand I gave you."
"Thank you all for your kindness. If you cannot stay, and if you are unable to free me, please at least visit me again if you are able. It has been a pleasure talking to you. I would enjoy talking to you some more when you have time."
"Oh, and I also know that I have kept the corruption from reaching into the archive. Nothing there should be tainted."
Kintampo and Mareq place the belt and cylinder, respectively, on the edge of Sellana's pool. She peers down from her perch at the base of the maiden's statute.
"The cylinder has thus far escaped the Emerald Sage's curse. However, I am afraid that I may not have protected my little fish and his belt as well as I thought. It seems that the curse has started to overcome my ability to protect myself, this room, and the archive. Be careful."
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Kintampo says a prayer to Nethys at the alter before looking at the scrolls.
"These scrolls contain the spells bless, magic weapon, ghostbane dirge and resist energy."
Kintampo uses a minor spell to unbuckle the belt of the corpse and moves it into a corner.
"Both the belt and the liquid in the cylinder radiate transmutation magic, the belt has a moderate aura while the liquid has a faint aura. Considering what Selena said I suggest we leave the belt here for now."
"Is it an idea that we place the corpse of "the little fish" in the coffin, so you can question him?"
When Kintampo contemplated the cube, he determined that it is a stone of alarm. Although he knows it is somehow cursed, that fact is not apparent from his examination.
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Mareq walks forward to the sarcophagus and puts his hands on it, communing with the skeleton of the dead librarian of the Song Pharaoh.
"Oh librarian, it is Mareq ibn Bolthune al-Shamiri, Ambassador to Golarion from His Eminence, Grand Vizier Abdul-Qawi of the City of Brass, who commands you to answer. Speak! What were the last five questions you were asked? How long ago were you asked them? Who asked them of you?" he says in straightforward tones that are devoid of any empathy or diplomacy. The animating force (spirit?) that enables a response from the skeleton is unreal, unhuman, unimportant to Mareq. It is not worthy of effort or feeling on Mareq's part.
The ifrit's manner reminds his companions of how he addresses Husarq.
The ifrit's manner reminds his companions of how he addresses Husarq.
Husarq listens to his master speak to the skeleton of the librarian.
He turns his bulky red form away, his eyes shadowed and brooding, his head downcast.
He listens and his efreeti heart recognizes his own unreality in the eyes of his master. Somewhere inside him, in that fiery place once inhabited by genie arrogance and derisive condescension for all, something sprouts. A green shoot of emotion, long-planted but never until now watered, begins to grow.
"Oh librarian, it is Mareq ibn Bolthune al-Shamiri, Ambassador to Golarion from His Eminence, Grand Vizier Abdul-Qawi of the City of Brass, who commands you to answer. Speak! What were the last five questions you were asked? How long ago were you asked them? Who asked them of you?"
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Having waited quietly, taking notes as the others do the heavy lifting, Oronia finally speaks up again, "Perhaps a question about hunting the gems...so we can find a lead on the Diamond sage?"
After a moment.
"Oh...and perhaps a way to repair the gems, since Amenopheus's gem has suffered some damage."
She is scribbling down so much at the moment.
Anyone wishing to answer Mareq's questions may attempt a Knowledge (history) check.
Soldiers of Kelesh did not claim Qadira in the name of Padishah Emperor Adalan IV until -43, at the close of the Age of Destiny.
Qadira overthrew Pharaoh Menedes XXVI in 1532, over 1500 years later, in the Age of Enthronement. Because the Song Pharaoh preceded the Qadiran occupation by centuries, it is more likely that the Song Pharaoh had something to do with the founding, or at least the support, of the Jeweled Sages.
Because the founding of Qadira did not occur until nearly 2000 years after the Song Pharaoh died, there was no Qadira for her to oppose.
The eyes in the face of the sarcophagus blink, and the lips twitch as the party discusses what questions to ask and the rudiments of Osirion history. In flowing, lyrical Ancient Osirion, the Court Librarian says "Ask your remaining three questions, ere the magic ends."
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The eyes in the face of the sarcophagus blink, and the lips twitch as the party discusses what questions to ask and the rudiments of Osirion history. In flowing, lyrical Ancient Osirion, the Court Librarian says "Ask your remaining three questions, ere the magic ends."
"Aye, librarian. Here are my questions: First, is there a way to locate the gems? The Diamond Sage is missing and we must locate him. Second, the Sapphire Gem has been damaged and some capabilities lost. Is there a way to repair the gems? Third and lastly, how do the gems work to preserve the lore of Osirion?"
The eyes of the face on the sarcophagus close, and its lips purse as if in contemplation. After a few moments it answers, "There are none specific to the Jewels themselves. However, they were not protected from being located when they were created, so they can be found like any other object, through research and investigation."
The hand of the person depicted on the sarcophagus reaches up to scratch its beard. "Hmmm...repair a Jewel....Yes, I believe that could be done." The librarian launches into a theoretical explanation regarding the creation of the Jewels and the potential application of that information to the repair of the Jewels that essentially repeats the information that appears in the notes next to the sarcophagus.
After answering the second question, the Court Librarian continues with hardly a pause. "My knowledge is limited to that which I accumulated in my life. The Jewels were crafted to preserve knowledge directly, by extending the lives of the Jeweled Sages and then preserving their spirits after they perished so that later bearers of the Jewels could consult with the spirits and themselves live extended lives dedicated to the accumulation of wisdom. It is possible that the Jewels preserve not only the spirits of the original Jeweled Sages after they passed, but also of their successors. That was the intent at least. The original Jeweled Sages were all still alive when I passed, so I do not know exactly how the Jewels worked in practice in preserving the spirits of either the original Sages or any successors."
"May Nethys guide you!" The librarian's voice fades as the magic ends.
With the final word, the visages eyes close, its lips freeze into place, and its hands return to the sides of the sarcophagus.
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"Oronia, why don't you try questioning the librarian? I have exhausted my opportunity, but... you should be able to, as well."
"Maherpa, let us see if we can put the Little Fish into the sarcophagus. Oronia, do you think that will be possible?"
I think it is INCREDIBLY important not to damage the librarian in such a way that he cannot be re-interred and asked questions. The Sapphire Sage must have access to the librarian and his knowledge.
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Oronia finishes scribbling down all the librarian's words, then stands and walks over to the sarcophagus and activates.
"How many gems were there? We have heard the Emerald Sage referred to as the Sage of Plagues, do you know of the other's specialties? Is your sarcophagus limited to you or is it useful for others, as well?"
The sarcophagus does not respond to Oronia's inquiry. The notes you have deciphered contain far more than four sets of questions and answers, implying that multiple sets of questions can be asked of a corpse in the sarcophagus, but apparently not in the same day.
Opening the sarcophagus, you find the mummified remains of a humanoid. The corpse seems unusually well-preserved and probably can be moved without damaging it.
The remains of the "little fish" are dessicated. With care, you believe you could transfer them into the sarcophagus without damaging them.
Kintampo and Maherpa carefully remove the mummy of the Court Librarian from the sarcophagus and then place it nearby on the upper level of the archive.
Then, they carefully lift the body of the starved male half-elf, haul it to the upper level of the archive, and place it in the sarcophagus. However, when the party attempts to ask the half-elf questions through the sarcophagus, nothing happens.
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"You are correct Mareck, I think the sarcophagus can only be used to ask three questions each day, irrelevant to whom. You see those minor marks here to the side of the sarcophagus? The first are used often in arcane writings to denote "three". This mark means something like "unknown" and the last mark is for "day". The difficulty is in interpreting that. With the knowledge that it does not work now I am confident that the correct interpretation is that three questions per day can be asked using the instrument."
"Maherpa, can you help me place the librarian back in the sarcophagus. I would like to leave this place as undisturbed as possible. Mareck or Oronia, can you ask Selena whether she wants the company of her "little fish"?"
Assuming everything is returned to the state we found it in
"Let us continue to these other doors"
Sellana indicates to Mareq and Oronia that she knows her "little fish" does not really belong here and says that if you know how where he belongs and will take him there, she will allow you to take his corpse with you. However, if you do not know or do not wish to take him, she asks that you return him to the fountain room, so that she can look after him.