About 2 feet of sediment-laden water occupies the bottom of the well, obscuring a submerged horizontal shaft. Bending down and crawling through, the Pathfinders slog their way through the shaft and emerge into a chamber.
A dark pool fills the center of this vast chamber spilling out of its cracked basin. The trickle of water flows west through a short tunnel of rough-hewn stone and pools at the bottom of a collapsed well. Alcoves set in the walls give the illusion of staring at the flared hood of a cobra. Two altars face each other across the pool in the chamber’s northwest and southeast corners. A statue of a robed human male stands in the northeast corner, and what must have been its twin lies toppled in the southwest corner.
As the Pathfinder approach the alter, two large snake like creatures emerge, hissing and spitting.
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"This is a two-headed snake, friends..." Xûll looks sheepish after he realizes he stated the obvious, "Sorry, that's about all I can tell you. Oh, and I think I've heard it referred to as an 'amphisbaena' before."
A successful check allows you to remember a bit of useful information about that monster.
hands moving faster than the eye can see, Amarok fires numerous blots towards Two of the arrows slam into its thick body.
Warpac, swings but stumbles in a shallow hole and it throws him off.
Spit slithers forwards and bites out at Pooks, its tongue flicking in and out of its mouth.
Its sharp fangs cannot pierce the halfling's thick armor.
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Once Toorin gets down the rope, incurring some rope burns when he slipped early on, he attaches the glowing waterskin he created earlier to his belt and casts Dancing Lights, so the group has light accompanying it as it slogs through the tunnel. Once in the larger chamber, he spreads the lights out as much as possible and has them move around to allow the group to see the extend of the room. When the snakes emerge, he brings the lights back to shed light on the combat area.
Toorin casts Mage Armor on Amarok using a wand. "Mind the beastie's poisonous bite!"
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Korasu's eyes glint with a cold light and he murmurs low, dangerously, "Nevermore..." His blade flashes out in the glint of the Dancing Lights as he rushes forward, light as a feather, Vanish entirely a moment as he advances, appearing only as he brings his curved blade up in a vicious arc, right through the neck of the serpent!
The Tengu approaches the two-headed snake and slashes out with his elven curved blade. He swings so hard that he slices the amphisbaena in two.
He flashes a triumphant smile before seeing each half of the snake turn towards him, before they last out.
Both Hiss A and Hiss B turn and attempt to bite the bird man.
One of the snake half's bites get past the Tengu's defenses. Though the bite does little damage, the Tengu can feel the poison course through his veins.
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"Beware the snake's bite, it's poisonous!" Xûll shouts out at the same time as Toorin, remembering another fact about the creature. Considering it's a snake though, he hardly feels this information is a revelation. Also 'beware of the bite' is kind of obvious - poison or not. As Korasu slashes one in twain, he mutters, "Oh, and they also split into two when struck hard enough, it seems." Xûll winces as Korasu gets bitten by one of the regular snakes.
Xûll rushes forwards, allowing rage to overcome him. His arms elongate strangely as he draws his Nodachi while getting around the other side of 'Spit'.
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"Too many snakes in our dealings lately..." Pooka grumbles as he guides Luna to the side in the tight quarters.
Now flanking the remaining intact snake, Pooka lunges with his lance, though unfortunately without the momentum of a full charge.
for
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Warpac dispatches the remaining half-snake, while Xull and luna make small snack size bits out of Spit.
The snakes defeated, the Pathfinders search the alters. They find a secret compartment in the intact statues base. The compartment contains several items, including a burial mask carved from lapis lazuli , three clay tablets describing funerary practices, and a rod carved from a single piece of petrified wood to look like a fanged serpent. The second tablet is also a scroll with the spells gentle repose and speak with dead. The third clay tablet is a scroll with the spells deathwatch and false life.
Reminder
An associate has delivered a shipment of valuable Osirian artifacts to just outside Eto. She claims that the objects are hidden inside a dry well southeast of the Sunrise Gate. Retrieve these and bring them to me. The magic rod is of particular importance; everything else is expendable.The items secure, the Pathfinders travel back to Eto. If Mahu was tired before, the man looks outright exhausted now. "Ah my friends, was your trip beneficial?" valuable Osirian artifacts to just outside Eto. She claims that the objects are hidden inside a dry well southeast of the Sunrise Gate. Retrieve these and bring them to me. The magic rod is of particular importance; everything else is expendable.
The items secure, the Pathfinders travel back to Eto. If Mahu was tired before, the man looks outright exhausted. "Ah my friends, was your trip beneficial?"
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Korasu attempts to identify what the staff is and see if any of the other items are magical. As the group looks over the loot, he cocks his head a moment. "Ah, so we must come to a decision... do we wish to bring these items forthright and have taxes assessed, or should I bring them over the wall, as swift as a bird? I would wish to stay on the good graces of our friend Mahu, but I am unsure what such a thing would cost."
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Other than checking the magic items to confirm what we have, Toorin has no preference about what to do with the items Torch said were expendable. He doesn't consider them ours to take but neither are we obligated to smuggle them in or pay the tax to deliver them. "Leave them here and deliver what Torch wants or bring the lot in and perhaps win some extra favor from him. Makes no difference to me. Some of you are trying to curry favor with him, so it's your decision. Let Mahu collect the tax and earn his bread, if I had to choose how to get things inside. Just so long as the item is not linked to Torch. Mahu might figure it out knowing we were looking for him, but he doesn't seem one to try to make trouble for Torch."
Korasu attempts to identify what the staff is and see if any of the other items are magical.
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With the snakelike creatures felled and the necessary items gathered for their 'benefactor', Amarok replaces his drawn arrows and examines each piece, marvelling at their beauty. He nods with Warpac's assessment.
"I agree, our friendship with Mahu has gleaned us important information and we should build on that as it may be useful in the future. We should take these yo our friend and pay th taxes so that he can help fund his current goal of political office."
Toorin studies the rod for a moment, trying to unlock it mysteries.
He successfully identifies it as a Rod of the Viper.
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"I agree with all of you. We have a budding friendly relationship with Mahu, and we may yet be in town for a while. I would far prefer to pay for our trinket, and stay in his good graces. One false act could break any trust we would hope to build with him. If we can pay with some of the other trinkets we have found, even better.
"That is an excellent point about leaving some of the other things outside of town, since we don't need them anytime soon. No point in paying for something we aren't planning on using."
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"The sooner we get this to Torch, the sooner we get our information and the closer we get to fulfilling our assignment. Mahu is a friend, so we do as he asks and get on with it. I have gold to help pay what we will owe. I'm not that knowledgeable about the market value of this rod, but it will be in the thousands of gold pieces, so it may cost us a bit, assuming Mahu recognizes it for what it is. It normally functions as a mace with considerable magical enhancement, but it can also have the head turn into a serpent and for a short time it will poison whomever gets hit with it. I would covet it for myself except that we need to give it to Torch, that plus it had to be made by someone devoted to evil."
Toorin sees no purpose in using the group's codename so far from anyone.
Edit: On the way back to the city, Toorin muses, "That room was obviously constructed by the serpent cult of Apep, which we learned was one of the old faiths replaced largely by Saranrae. The rod is obviously related to serpents and the spells we found were all necromantic spells. Torch said the cache was left there by an associate, but I think that was a lie. I think he learned about the room and the magic item it possessed and so he sent us to get it, without informing us of the likely risks. Not surprising, given his reputation, but something to think about. It may be he is in league with followers of Apep who need the rod for some foul deed." Toorin thinks a moment, chuckles, and adds, "Delivering this to Torch may come back to bite us down the road."
A PC can dispel the lingering magic by casting bless, consecrate, or any 2nd-level or stronger spell with the light descriptor.
As the Pathfinders return to Eto, they see an absolutely exhausted Mahu. His two guards look even more tired and bored, frequently looking to the gate.
"Ah my good friends. I trust your excursion was successful. You are my last client of the day. I can taste the warm coffee and feel the warm fire prepared for me after this. Let us be quick so we can all get some rest. What is it you have found?"
"Ah, this is an interesting one. It feels, wrong somehow, but I trust you know what you are doing. Just because something is valuable does not mean it should be found, eh?
"Let us do this, for my good friends. You give Mahu 25 pieces of gold, and this has passed inspection? Sound favorable?"
Handing the man the tax, well wishes and handshakes abound, a few kisses on both cheeks, and they enter Eto.
They trod along now familiar roads; yet they no longer see the friendly faces from the baazar and the streets are mostly empty.
Without thought, they enter the the House of White Uraeus. The half-orcs usher them back into to the pools where Torch is still soaking.
After one of the half=orcs takes the rod, and nods to Torch, he begins.
"First, Xull, as promised. I contacted a friend. From what I recall,” he muses, “al’Hakam tried to set up shop in the ports of Varisia, but he never paid much attention to the true trade hub on the Storval Plateau. Let him know to expect word from Kaer Maga.”
Grandmaster Torch again nods to the half-orcs who hand over a leather satchel. True to his part of the bargain, inside are found several old maps. One is a map of Osirion, clearly marking Eto and an unnamed site to the north. The second map has a much smaller scale and marks the route between Eto and the mystery location. The last sheet has a charcoal drawing that depicts two large rock outcroppings connected by a smooth wall with a single gate. It is entitled “Seeker’s Folly” and signed “V.L.”
“Those will take you where you want to go. Deviate from the path only if you know what you’re doing. Otherwise, stick to the landmarks.” He pauses to consider another thought. “Normally this is where I would say ‘pleasure doing business with you.’ However,” he adds with a grisly grin, “I’m going to throw you something extra for free—just because I’m such a caring individual. You’re not the only ones who know about that site. I hear a group of foreigners set out from Totra not too long ago and are after the same prize. Sounds like there’s no time to waste.”
And indeed there is not.
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As the group turned to leave the inspection point, Korasu considers a moment and turns to Mahu. "Ah, friend Mahu, I had a thought. You have perhaps heard of the organization known as the Scarab Sages? We seek to return Osirion to the glory age of its past and spread knowledge throughout the Inner Sea. You, my friend, have proven to be quite honorable in our meetings with you and I was wondering if you might have an interest in joining our esteemed order? A man such as you with an eye for antiquities would be invaluable in identifying authentic from fake that scavengers might try to pass off and alert us to particularly valuable artifacts that we might take note of. What do you say?"
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"Thank you for the warning, Torch," Xûll frowns, arms still crossed, "I must say that your behavior is often as expected, but every now and again unexpected. You have an honor of sorts. There are things that I have heard from my fellow Pathfinders - especially what went down in Riddleport with The Spider - and that alone is reason enough to mistrust you.
"However," the Shoanti pauses a long while and exhales deeply after this, "I have failed to follow one of my personal tenets in such matters: judge a man your own observations, not the observations of others. I will do better in future."
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"However," the Shoanti pauses a long while and exhales deeply after this, "I have failed to follow one of my personal tenets in such matters: judge a man your own observations, not the observations of others. I will do better in future."
"Hmph. True enough, true enough. I wouldn't have been half as reticent if I had known that I would get to put a few assassins under the ground... Then again, you didn't know that did you?"
Again, another one of his statements you are not sure if it is a poke or a compliment. Seems he does that a lot.
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Toorin listens and keeps quiet, observing this powerful man, looking for any signs of lying. When he saw the map, an eyebrow raised for a moment as he noticed that the handwriting on the charcoal drawing was the same as on the list of tasks the group was given. Perhaps Torch was merely writing out what had been described for him. Still, it suggested the man might be sending us there with the promise of finding the sage, but with an ulterior motive. Time would tell.
"We thank you, Grandmaster, for this informaton. What, if anything, can you tell about the provider of these maps and how you came to possess them? The provenance of such information can be as important as the information itself when searching for that which was lost or hidden."
Grandmaster Torch nods his head towards Xull while flashing a half-smile.
Turning to Toorin, "These maps have been paid for with a great price. One I care not to discuss. Know that they are true and accurate. Of that you have my word."
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"Well the good news is, we are ready to travel. For the most part. I suppose we may need to rent some camels and get some extra water. Warpac can you create water with your faith?" Pooka asks genuinely, not intending any insult.
"I may need to stock up on methods to deal with the desert as well, perhaps a few more endure elements scrolls, eh Luna?" he says with a smile, patting his mount on her rump.
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Amarok gives Mahu a deep bow before offering his hand for the man to shake. "Thankyou my friend, you are a true man. I do hope your day becomes much better now that you have finished your tasks." He then departs with the rest of the group back to the house of healing.
As before Amarok stays mostly silent throughout the exchange with Torch, lest his disdain for the man's way of dealing shows through in his tone. He examines the map carefully, looking for key recognisable landmarks. At he mention of the foreigners already heading to the site, he speaks up.
"I have a few purchases to make, mostly provisions for the travel through the desert, also some scrolls. I suggest we rest for this evening as we have been working all day and setting off tired is a folly."
A new day dawns in the Osirian trade city of Eto only hours following the meeting with Grandmaster Torch. In exchange for a handful of services, he delivered several maps and sketches of landmarks that collectively point the way to the last known resting place of one or more sage jewels—enchanted gems capable of storing memories of Osirion’s past and reviving the Sapphire Sage Amenopheus’s order.
“Those will take you where you want to go,” Torch declared while handing over the maps. “Deviate from the path if you know what you’re doing.” As an afterthought, he added, “You’re not the only ones who know about that site. I hear a group of foreigners set out from Totra not too long ago and are after the same prize. Sounds like there’s no time to waste.”
The Pathfinders reflect on their completed tasks, and are glad to begin to put some distance between them and him.
Before departing, they take stock of their possessions. They are reminded that they still possess the weathered geode, a magical sending stone they can use to contact Amenopheus.
Grandmaster Torch also has given the Pathfinders two maps of Osirion and a charcoal drawing.
- The first map clearly marks Eto and an unnamed site to the north.
- The second map has a much smaller scale and illustrates a winding route marked with many landmarks between Eto and the mystery location, though it’s clear that traveling in a straight line would be a faster, if more difficult, trip. An oasis is marked on this map near the final destination, and notes describe a marker stone nearby whose shadow at sunset points toward the ruins.
- The charcoal drawing depicts two large rock outcroppings connected by a smooth wall with a single gate. The drawing is entitled “Seeker’s Folly” and signed “V.L.”
They once again visit their contacts in the bazaar, hoping to glean some lifesaving information before braving the trek across the desert.
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Toorin looks for a merchant selling scrolls. If he can find a scroll of Windy Escape, he will haggle appropriately and buy it. As he shops, he also asks casually after information about the region of the desert the group is bound for. "I will be traveling north into the desert of Eto when I'm done here. What can you tell me about that part of the country? Any threat from local tribes or any special weather to be wary of?"
Toorin returns from his shopping and shares the news he uncovered. I learned much. Seems one big threat are gnoll clans who attack caravans, particularly during the heat of the day when caravans rest their camels. Heat shimmers on the sand make it harder to spot the gnolls approach. Also, two others were asking after the same oasis. One had a badge with an emblem of a snake. I'm thinking the same folks interested in the item we delivered to Torch are after something in the same place. Perhaps Torch shared the same information with them, hoping to maximize his profits from the same piece of information.
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"I ran with a Pathfinder team that included a strange bard who seemed to have a split personality. One of his personalities had a thing for gnolls and seemed to be evil to me. He ... or she, actually, since her evil persona thought of herself as female, would talk to herself in Gnoll. As a check against her evil tendencies, I went to the trouble of learning to speak gnoll. So if we encounter these gnolls and need to parley, I can talk their talk, for what it's worth."
"As for traveling through the desert, I'm not much help. Does anyone else know something about the ways to survive in a desert? I have some scrolls of create water spells which I can't cast, but I assume Warpac can."
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"I tend to leave off praying for one of my orisons in case I need something special. If we find ourselves in need of water I can gain an orizon that allows me to conjure water in 15 minutes. We should be fine."
"I'm down for taking any shortcuts, but the whole riding thing - well, you will have to teach me or I can buy a cart though I don't think that will work very well in the desert. "
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Amarok gives Torch a short bow before leaving for the market, ensuring. His waterskin is filled and he has his full compliment of arrows, he also purchases a few more scrolls from a local contact before rejoining the rest of his comrades in the square.
"Emblem of a snake? It could mean Aspis involvement? We should use the geode to contact the sapphire sage and see if he has any knowledge that may be of use. I am happy to scavenge and scout the desert for us, my eyes work perfectly at night as in day so I will gladly take the darkest watch."
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"Warpac, my friend," Xûll pats the dwarf on the shoulder in a friendly manner, "You do not need to do much to ride a mount in a procession. Simply sit on the saddle, feet in the stirrups and hold on to the reigns. Pull left to go left, right to go right... easy! Now, doing tricks or forcing a camel to do something it doesn't want to do, that takes effort. Luckily, Pooka here can do the handling for you."
Xûll then takes the opportunity to sit down next to Toorin, a warm glass of fresh camel's milk in hand. "I found out as much from the people I spoke to also. The route Cutie Pie chose may be a short cut. It is seldom used - but I find that the path less traveled is usually less travelled for a reason. We should be careful. Gnolls are tricky adversaries, but I'll die before I let one abduct me or any of you.
"Also, despite being a northerner, I am no stranger to the desert heat," Xûll continues, "But I doubt I could keep all of us safe."
The Shoanti looks unsure at Amarok's suggestion, "Using the geode was supposed to be for when we found one of the famous jewels or the Diamond Sage, was it not? As I recall, the thing will only work once. I think we can deal with a few Aspis agents without needing to bother the Sapphire Sage. *crunch*" No-one knows where Xûll pulled the fresh apple from. Rivulets of condensation drip tantalizingly from its unblemished golden skin.
"So, we mount up on camels... and try to rest where we can easily see the approach of any adversaries. I suggest we do not run but fight should it come to that. I do not think we will be more skilled at a mounted race than we are at the more martial skills we possess. I'm sure that with Amarok at the lead, we can also improve a little on Cutie Pie's chosen route, here."