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For millennia an order of scholars known as the Jeweled Sages catalogued the wisdom and lore of northern Garund's greatest minds within crystalline artifacts. Though these sage jewels have recently resurfaced, so too has the new generation of sages learned that something else dwells within besides ancient memories. The entire order gathers where the Jeweled Sages truly began in order to confront their hidden past, purge an ancient evil that has haunted them for ages, and define the future of the Scarab Sages faction.
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Sitting at a large table, Amenopheus looks over a book with a bemused smile as a blindfolded Tahonikepsu cautiously sniffs at several metal vials bearing the marks of local alchemists. She confidently names each alchemist by the scent of the vial before adding with a smile, “The scent of blood, oil, and old books could only be our Pathfinder friends.”
Amenopheus closes his book and pushes an ancient Azlanti coin over to the Diamond Sage, remarking that he should know better than to wager with dragons and that these games are merely distractions to relieve the tension of a serious situation.
Tahonikepsu rises, draws forth a small metal box, and opens it to reveal an onyx gem in the cushioned interior. “Our situation is actually quite fascinating, though I agree it presents some difficulties. Each of our order’s sage jewels houses the personality and knowledge of its creator. Through field tests and research, Amenopheus has made a remarkable discovery: each of the jewels contains a second and unidentified persona. Your comrades recovered this jewel, and its former bearer knew the source of this anomaly. He can best explain the situation.”
Tahonikepsu intones a rite, and the morning light dims as the spectral image of a bronze-skinned dwarf manifests above the gem. He wears the simple garb of a warrior-monk, but his amulet bearing the ureaus over staff and scepter marks him as an advisor or guardian of the pharaohs.
“Greetings, stewards of knowledge. I am Padrym of Erekrus. I served the pharaohs of old and witnessed with sorrow the decline of a land of wonders. The Diamond Sage has asked me about a shadow within my sage jewel. I know this shadow as Aryana Tahari, an Usij necromancer who served at the court of the Pharaoh of Forgotten Plagues with me. Known to some as the Black Moon, her skill and wisdom were a dark reflection of the virtues of holy Thoth. She knew more of life and death than any living scholar of the time, and her enemies died horribly of exotic afflictions. She vanished from court for a time to her sanctuary beneath the village of Resa, set on a task the pharaoh personally assigned. I can sense her within the gemstone now, and casting back through memory, I feel her presence upon my every thought—perhaps even to my first acceptance into the order of Jeweled Sages.”
Amenopheus worriedly joins in. “The necromancer’s spirit has stirred recently. It may be that as more sages take up the sage jewels she grows in strength. The Usij are working to speed her awakening. With every passing year there is a growing chance she could seize control of us. While certain desperate measures—”
Tahonikepsu frowns and Amenopheus hurriedly continues, “— may not be necessary yet, I have a plan to assemble the sage jewels in this necromancer’s sanctuary. There, in a place tied to her life, we can draw forth these fragments of her mind and safely destroy them with a ritual I have devised.”
Tahonikepsu nods excitedly. “We can safely remove this annoyance and perhaps discover some wonders this Tahari hid away. Regardless of her flaws, she seems a remarkable scholar. However, our numbers are too few to safely mount such an expedition. The Pathfinders have provided exemplary aid before; please assist us once more in preserving our legacy.”
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Liminy appears to be a homely middle aged man in good health wearing the clothes of a scholar. He has a toad on his shoulder and a rat in his pocket.
"Hmm. Pharaoh of Forgotten Plagues, Sometime during the Age of Destiny yes?"
He pauses for a moment eyes closed.
"So parts of this Aryana Tahari reside in each gem and you want us to help you remove her. The sages wield great power. A good reason to stop her but it also makes me wonder why you need us. And what is this desperate measure you speak of?"
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Jaïr is a petite woman in simple black robes who highlights her silhouette. She had pale complexion but her charming smile and her simple green make-up make her immediately friendly.
At her side, a short sword and several wands.
I'm Jair, follower of Knowledge. It's an honor to meet you again Diamond Sage.
She says, bowing to the two Sages and to her comrades.
Since our last meet, I have found a trinket that give me the ability to understand Ancient Osiriani. I hope it will be convenient in this new mission. she adds as she show a pendant of Ancient Osiriani design.
Following Liminy's question she says And how this Aryana Tahari was able to denaturate your jewel? What will be our help?
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Both Jair and Liminy know a bit of the history of the area.
The Usij are a scattered group of cultists who worship Ahriman and the divs. They do not function as a unified organization, and members range from maniacs seeking destruction to the wicked and power-hungry. Once, the Usij were more widespread and acted openly, serving in the courts of kings and pharaohs until the Sarenite faith drove them into hiding.
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Amidst the gathered group stands the rather ostentatious presence of Sir Godfrey. He appears as perhaps the most stereotypical paladin most have laid eyes upon. He wears armor polished to an obscene shine and marked the symbols of the Dawnflower, a great sword strapped across his back at the ready, and a long red cape also emblazoned with Sarenrae's heraldry. His jaw is chiseled, his teeth actually sparkle when he smiles, and his blonde hair wafts just so in the the breeze even when there doesn't appear to be one.
The sturdy man crosses his arms over his chest as he listens intently to the ghostly dwarf's story. "Of course Friends Tahonikepsu and Amenopheus. I am always at your service or my name isn't Sir Godfrey. If there is an opportunity to purge villainous evil from the Sage jewels and maintain their purity I shall not neglect this duty."
He narrows his eyes as he works to consider all of the conversation passing about. "My other friends make a good point, what precise help do you require from us? You are all very capable. Also, what "exotic afflictions" do you mean? Is this something we need worry about? I've had to help clear out such problems before, you know."
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Jair also recalls that Usij often use their div-granted knowledge and power to infiltrate the halls of power as advisors and sages, earning sufficient trust to then undermine leaders from within, all to bring about death, misery, and destruction.
Liminy remembers a bit of his ancient Osirian history.
The Pharaoh of Forgotten Plagues unleashed a terrible disease during his war with the Jistka Imperium that ravaged the Imperium’s leadership. The Usij captured a Jistkan efreeti commander, transformed him into a ghul infected with the plague, and sent him back to his homeland. The disease specifically targeted the Imperium’s royal bloodline, causing a breakdown in society from which the Imperium never recovered.
The ghostly Padrym frowns. “She was a strange woman who spoke to unseen spectres more than to people. She had some involvement in developing of the Night Plague. Divs often accompanied her, as they did all the Usij. However, she treated them especially cruelly, and they despised her.”
The sages glance at each other as the question about 'exotic afflications', and Amenopheus finally replies. “The spirit of each jewel offers its bearer wisdom and knowledge from the past, but a second voice whispers and drives darker impulses. A thoughtless action or response could nudge one toward more ruthless methods. So far the
urges are easily quashed, but they’ve grown more insistent.”
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Theodore is a middle-aged gnome (120 years) with green hair wearing a breastplate and carrying a silver holy symbol of Cayden Cailean; a silver tankard. The holy symbol is actually currently filled with beer that he occasionally takes a swig out of. He has various scrolls and wands in his possession and, most of the time, a smile on his face.
As he enters the briefing area, he proudly says in a calm and friendly, although somewhat slurred, voice,
"Hello everyone! My name's Theodore, and it's nice to meet all of you!"
"A familiar face! Godfrey! Pleasure to see you again, my friend!"
Theodore continues to take swigs of alcohol as he talks and mingles with everyone. Eventually, he pipes up about himself, talking with a drunken slur. "Oh sorry, I'm sure you want to know what my abilities are should a situation arise. I focus myself on healing others as well as calling upon the blessings of Cayden Cailean to enhance our fighting capabilities. I'm elusive, but I'm no fighter!"
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Theodore drinks while the party gets briefed, scratching his head before finally coming up with something to say. "A darker side to the sage jewels? And a necromancer? Hrm..."
"Anything more you can say about this necromancer?"
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"Not really." sighs the sage. That she worked for the Pharaoh of Forgotten Plagues is more or less the limits of our knowledge. The Pharaoh himself though... He was one of the mightiest and cruelest of the pharaohs. He crushed the Jistka Imperium with the Night Plague, won Ahriman to his service with the construction of the House of Oblivion, and bound the daemonic harbinger, Zelishkar.[/b]”
A young woman enters the room and shruggs.
"Am I ready here. Seems that way."
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I withered half-elf, with weathered, tanned skin, leaning heavily on a darkwood staff, one end of which burns with eternal, smokeless fire, joins the gathering.
"Greetings. I am Numair, Numair Salmalin. My main skill is using honeyed words to convince others of the truth of my speech, and when that fails, blowing things up."
As he speaks, you can't help but notice a fine patina of scales across his skin, slightly pointed teeth, and slit, cat-like pupils...
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Sir Godfrey rubs his chin for a thoughtful moment, then shrugs helplessly to everyone else present. "I can think of little else to ask, but the wiser of you may have better ideas." He gives Theodore a broad grin and a dip of his chin in greeting before continuing. "That said, she was apparently involved with diseases across the lands. The Dawnflower protects me from such concerns, but I feel the rest of you may not be so well guarded."
"I happen to have an old friend as a supplier that can provide me with vials of an anti-plague they developed after I helped them stop the spread of a rather malignant disease in my earlier days. I could purchase a supply for all of you to take if there is interest"
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"We know little of the sanctuary. It is likely long buried in the sands. As for its protections... she was a necromancer, so undead are likely."
Amenopheus produces a scroll sealed with purple wax stamped with a stylized swirl of smoke flame—one of the symbols associated with the Shadow Lodge. “One final matter remains. Grandmaster Torch, through disreputable means, now bears the emerald sage jewel. Torch requests the opportunity to contribute to our expedition in person and purify his jewel. He is untrustworthy, but allowing the gem to corrupt him holds its own dangers. He was an ally once; perhaps he could be again. As Pathfinders, you may know him best. Should we invite him to join our expedition?”
Amiri shrugs and takes out a piece of sausage to let the others do the discussion.
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I’ve heard that once he has obtained what he wants from the society he betrayed it. But that he’s still provinding informations for us, at his price. His knowledge will be handy to have at disposal as well as his ressources. I prefer having him as an ally rather than an enemy and if his absence could jeopardize the mission the risk to have him with us is worthy.
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Numair frowns.
"I know a different story... Torch is the way that he is, because he was betrayed by the Society, long ago; he was once a field agent, exploring Osiriani ruins - but his team met a situation that they could not handle, and when he, alone, staggered out of the ruins, horrifically burned by a curse, and frantically contacted the Society for aid, he was abandoned."
He then sighs.
"The reason I know this, is that I have seen the physical evidence, and experienced several haunts that backed it up...
As for the jewel, well, he did not murder the former bearer - factors of his recovered it from some abandoned ruins, and passed it on to him."
Numair then shrugs.
"Nevertheless, I agree, he can be quite dangerous, but that does not preclude him from being useful..."
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"I am no fan of Torch, whatever his history and reasons... his decisions have become increasingly vile and actions more unacceptable by the day. Under normal situations I would beat him over the head and drag him off to Absalom immediately for justice after his decision to help a demonic army assault the city." The paladin frowns and runs a hand through his hair while he purses his lips in thought.
"However, I do owe him a favor for information provided, as Jair noted he tends to have. That favor will be not bringing him to justice this one time if we choose to take him along, but my immediate concern will be him betraying us at first opportunity. His reputation is poor." Seeing as no one expressed an interest in him purchasing any protection from disease for them he makes no move to head to the market for it and instead readies himself to travel by slinging his pack onto his shoulders.
"Never flew on a dragon. Would be a cool story!"
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Godfrey will see the sudden change in Tahonikepsu and immediately ask her to wait one moment before charging off into town. When he returns at haste he'll toss Jair a pair anti-plague vials.
"If you are offering transportation we shall not deny it. It is likely we will want our resources reserved at much as possible, and you can move us with haste." Godfrey feels slightly bad about climbing on someone's back white wearing full plate boots, but imagines he'll be told if he steps somewhere he shouldn't as he finds a spot to settle down.
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Merab’s citizens shout and point in awe as the huge violet dragon launches into the air, soaring upward until the curvature of the world is visible and then down toward a long stretch of desert south of the Thuvian coast. As Tahonikepsu approaches over the sands, a small encampment comes into view along with the sages Sinuhotep and Dhiara.
Another spec can be seen approaching by air. It quickly resolves itself into a flying carpet and a (for some) familiar, burnt, face. Grandmaster Torch.
Pointing to the other flyer Amiri shrugs."Who is that burnt face?"
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You all land and introductions are made. The man on the carpet introduces himself as "Grandmaster Torch, bearer of gifts!".
He opens a small sack he carries, which is stuffed full of potions and scrolls. "I brought a little bit of everything.
The other sages also introduce themselfs.
Amenopheus, the Sapphire sage just gives you a nod, having met almost all of you before at one stage or another.
Dhiara, the Topaz sage is one of the newest members. She is from the Tar0Kuyata monastery and wears the holy symbol of Irori.
Torch appears charming, if hideously burnt. This eyes occasionally shimmer with a green hue in the light, and is the current Emerald sage. "Nice to meet you Amiri, I have heard much of your story.." one by one he greets you, knowing your names and some of the more colourful bits of your history...sometimes thinks you yourself had forgotten.
Three of you look with a degree of concern at the next sage, Sinuhotep the lich and amethyst sage. He glowers at Sir Godfrey for a short while. "What you did was necessary but in poor taste. The same might be said for what I had to do. I hope that provides a bit of perspective for you."
Lastly there is Tahonikpsu, the diamond sage, dragon and leader of the order.
There are two others present, PAdrym, the ghostly sage and Mnesoset the Spinel sage - is an athletic Garundi woman who keeps her hair in braids, and her outfit includes accessories and garments from a wide range cultures.
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Nice meeting you Grand Master. I've heard so much about you, that's it's an honor to finally meet. Says Jair with a smile.
Turning to all the Sage she adds bowing to each of the people in front of her Likewise, it's an honor to meet such an assembly of knowledgable people. My god encourage seeking knowledge to keep is safe. I hope you will be able to share a part of it with me when we will have time and our mission a success.
I'm Jair Whisper, pathfinder and seeker of knowledge.
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Sir Godfrey is amicable with the various Sages, spending a brief amount of time confirming mission details with Amenopheus and Tahonikepsu, thanking the latter for transporting them in the process. He'll give Dhiara a polite salute, complementing her and her school of study on their reputation for physical prowess.
Now Torch, his face is stoic, but he gives the man a stiff nod in greeting. "Your gifts are appreciated... friend Torch. But do know that this will clear debts owed to you. Your actions recently have made you much like the people you have problems with, if one such as I doesn't bring you to answer for them, then no doubt you will find yourself chased by the families and friends of those who died so you could try to teach the Decemvirate a lesson."
He sighs, so many of the sage jewels are in the hands of those that don't show the restraint to carry them. Perspectives indeed, it must be the need for perspectives he tells himself as he looks at Sinuhotep. "The difference, is the only person I harmed is still here and suffered little, and I did not do it for self gain. The Diamond and Ruby Sages have deemed you worth a chance of redemption, I hope you do not waste it."
Amiri takes a Potion of Heroism, 2 potions of enlarge person, 2 scrolls of lesser restoration and a scroll of fly.
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Potion of heroism is 750
enlarge person are 50 each (850 total)
lesser restoration scrolls are 150 each (1150) total
fly is 375 (1525) - that would be the selection for the entire group (you'd need to drop one of the enlarge person potions as well I think to get down to the 1500 limit).
Are you all okay with that selection?