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Toorin listened intently to both sages, committing as much to memory as he could, so he could report on this moment to the elves. He was taken by surprise when given a vote about the future of this ancient tradition.
He listened to the other Pathfinder's, until he was the last to speak. The consensus coalesced around the side of the diamond sage, now revealed to be a time dragon. His vote would not change the outcome, which took some pressure off and so he spoke at last.
"Although I am a young elf, my people have faced a similar choice since returning from Sovyrian. Many elves have sought to resettle former homelands and return to the way things were, as Sage Amenopheous desires for his order. But the world has changed and new realities have made some of us realize we will not survive without adapting to the new shape of the world. I therefore would vote for the progressive attitude of the Diamond Sage. May Yuelral bless your efforts. If there is anything the elves can do, please allow me to convey your thoughts to the leadership when I return to Kyonin."
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Korasu listens thoughtfully as each of his travel companions speak, the Tengu's eyes closed with his head bowed almost in prayer.
"Ah, my learned Sages. You are both paragons of wisdom and history, in your own right, but each of your memories are colored by your own perceptions and measure of mortality. Sage Amenopheus, you find strength in the trappings of the past, like Osirian drawing from our ancestry buried in the sands. Yet your eyes are to the ground. Sage Tahonikepsu, your timelessness causes you to focus on the future, not feeling the weight of history has for one truly mortal."
with an additional bow, he withdraws his blade from his scabbard and inscribes in quick motions the Ancient Osirion the characters 'Past' and 'Future'.
"And yet, perhaps we can find a bridge between the Past and Future? My friends and I seek the past, look to the future, but walk the paths of the present. We can ill afford having our heads buried in the sand or be caught stargazing when matters that threaten all of Golarion present themselves" He marks the character of 'present' on the ground. "Past, Present, Future, they all bear great import." He draws a triangle between the three characters.
"Then we come the the matter of leadership: To be flexible in the face of change, yet diversified in the case of calamity. We have seen firsthand the dangers of two few leaders: the guidance of the Sages has been lost for ages. Yet a congress of collegiates could take too long to decide matters." He inscribes a circle in the triangle, then makes lines to lead to each of the points. "What I propose is that there be a trio of Pillars: Past, Present and Future, supported by those that look to the past, those that look to the future, and those that look to the present. Three pillars, with four supports should satisfy both needs, would you not say?"
The sage nods their heads as they listen to the tengu, and peer at his illustrations.
Tahonikepsu is first to speak, Luna resting comfortably near her, "Korasu, wisdom comes from many places, in many forms, and from unlikely sources. There is wisdom in your proposal, and in this discussion all voices are heard and respected."
Amenopheus continues, "Fellow sages, we now have a third option, one that Korasu has envisioned. A trilateral council, made up of three sages, the past, present and future."
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Luna lifts her head slightly at Xull's boistrous laugh. She huffs, yawns, stretches her legs out, and rolls over to her side, quickly back asleep.
Her head and front legs now conveniently cover a portion of the dragon's foot as well. Should she not move it, it will surely begin to tingle from the sensation of falling asleep.
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"Such a course of action does seem wise, Korasu. That is a very interesting solution."
Pooka purses his lips in deep thought, trying to weigh the potential consequenses of this weighty decision.
I am not qualified for this! he grimaces internally.
In the end, the wisdom of the Tengu seems to outshine that of both the sapphire and diamond sage. That alone seems to speak to the halfling, that another voice must be heard, else the order will be divided once again from internal struggles and strife. No one man or woman should wield that much power unchecked.
"I change my vote to side with Korasu, and Xull. We must learn from our history to put perspective on our present, and guide our future."
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Amarok foes back to his state of deep contemplation over the new idea proposed by Korasu and subconsciously slides down into his lotus pose, a look of deep thought etched onto his face. After some time he nods to clear his mind of jumbled thoughts before speaking again, this time remaining in the meditative stance.
"A most interesting assesment Korasu and i thank you for the enlightening thought. I however, out voted or not, wish my vote to be still cast to the Saphire Sage Amenopheous."
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"Korasu's proposal has the virtue of calling attention to an important decision you'll both have to make, regardless of how you wish to proceed. You'll need agents to assist you. You have a jewel to track down. You have fragments of another which perhaps could be reconstituted or recreated. You have the notes that suggest how more jewels could be created. And then you have to deal with the current powers of Osirion. I suggest you engage the Pathfinder Society's Scarab Sage faction to begin to work on these various projects. Perhaps that would fulfill what Korasu proposed. If so, I would consider that my vote. You also have two fellows just outside this hall who need to be cured of a parasite infection that will turn them into zombies before too long. They know to whom they sold the other jewel, so you had best see to their health as soon as possible if you hope to find that jewel. We have an inkling of who may have bought it, and he is an opportunist who may have already sold the gem or may be trying to use it for his own purposes."
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"What I propose is that there be a trio of Pillars: Past, Present and Future, supported by those that look to the past, those that look to the future, and those that look to the present. Three pillars, with four supports should satisfy both needs, would you not say?"
"Well, that does sound like a good idea. With only 3 leaders that would avoid most of the issues you get with a full committee and the dangers of a single leader. I really like that solution if you can manage it."
The Convocation completed, Amenopheous emerges as the elected leader of the Jeweled Sages.
Debating their respective philosophical merits has helped the two sages develop respect for one another, and even though each is certain his or her strategy is the better choice, they both agree that they would be willing to work together in the future and honor the winner’s victory.
With the discovery of another Jeweled Sage and the recovery of a third sage jewel, the PCs have helped Amenopheus recreate the lost Osirian order. Both he and Tahonikepsu agree that the sages shall work with the Pathfinder Society toward heir mutual benefit, and they aid the PCs in returning to Eto without further conflict.
The Ruby Sage’s power fades from them as they depart the Pillars of the Sun. Amenopheus is uncertain as to whether or not the ruby sage jewel can be restored, but he begins researching the possibility soon.
Because Kafar and Nefti defected and joined the Pathfinder Society, they are able to give their new patrons ciphers and secrets known only to the Aspis Consortium, though the Society’s leadership are cautious about trusting the two turncoats too much. No doubt such a development would anger the Aspis Consortium and potentially invite special reprisals later.
The loss of the emerald sage jewel—ostensibly to Grandmaster Torch, a known enemy of the Society—weighs heavily on Amenopheus, and he sends his assurances to his Pathfinder allies that the Jeweled Sages will find Torch and recover their stolen property. What mischief the scarred information broker can cause with such an artifact in hand haunts the Pathfinder Society for months to come.
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Toorin congratulates the sages for their willingness to compromise, something he's seen as an essential quality of wisdom during his time as a diplomat.
Once back in Eto, Toorin congratulates the other Pathfinders on surviving and on accomplishing their mission. He makes his farewells and then visits Madam Zelekhati at the Dancing Dunes, seeking information on his lost love. After spending a few days on the search--and sampling some of the pleasures at the establishment--he becomes convinced Val has not been through this area. He books passage on a caravan and heads back for the Inner Sea to file a report at the Elven embassy in Absalom, happy to get back to places where water is a luxury everyone can afford, not a scarce commodity and he does not need magic to deal with the climate.
His contact with the sages and the mythic power he briefly enjoyed helps him understand some new arcane principles and he locates some more powerful spells to add to his spellbook.
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"Amenopheus, when you find Cutie Pie," Xûll doesn't bother to explain their nickname for Torch, he figures someone as powerful and all-knowing as a Jeweled Sage would figure it out eventually, "Please let me know. I have made some alliances in Eto using his contacts on behalf of my faction, but I made no promises that I would spare him.
"I would dearly love to be on the mission where we have our revenge." Xûll shrugs, as though knowing such an eventuality would be unlikely at best. Still, he would hate himself if he never put himself out there for such a mission.
As the power leaves his body, he gives his muscles one last mournful flex before turning to Pooka. "So, until we meet again? Perhaps in the Napolis of India? Will you be coming to witness Jen's Con?"
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With the conclave complete and the Ruby sages' great power flowing free from his body, Amarok visibly relaxes as if taut as his bowstring and gives a grand bow to his fellow companions.
"I too would relish a chance at vengeance on the thief of a sage jewel," he replies to Xull with a stern grimace. On his second point he shakes his head sadly. "I fear Napolis is too far across the ocean for such a visit this year, maybe in time."
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Pooka stands idly as the activity buzzes around him in the city. The urgency of the recent days melts off of his shoulders, allowing him to relax. Had they not had to resort to such brash methods at the dancing dune, he might have made his way there to blow off steam.
"I think it's time I focused on my farmstead, in the fields just outside of Absalom. I shall be spending some time there, perhaps doing my part to train more members of the order of the paw." Pooka smiles.
"however, I have heard of this spectacle, this... Jen's Con. I do believe that Luna and I shall have to make an appearance."
"It was a pleasure working with all of you. Until next time!"
-Posted with Wayfinder