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Numair stays away from the field of death, as another blast of negative energy comes out of the monolith. Then, Jair finishes her own adjustments and a blast of positive energy follows.
There is a loud CRACK as the positive energy backfires within the structure and it starts to power down.
The blast of positive energy smashes the hands grasping at everyone, giving the pathfinder team time to evacuate from the field of death.
Status:
Numair 15 damage,
Liminy 14 damage; 15 extra damage (will DC 17 to reduce to 7)
Tahonikepsu 7 damage; (flying);
Theodore , (flying) 15 extra damage (will DC 17 to reduce to 7)
Jair 15 damage, ; Ghoul Fever ; 15 extra damage (will DC 17 to reduce to 7)
Amri 3 damage, ; 15 extra damage (will DC 17 to reduce to 7)
Sir Godfrey 26 damage, 15 extra damage (will DC 17 to reduce to 7)
Ahead of you the ruined village stretches out, occasional ghostly remains of buildings sticking above the encroaching desert sands...
Amiri joins in the search for clues.
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Sir Godfrey shrugs off the worst of the necrotic energy, then basks in Cayden's alcoholic glory for a moment as the undead burn to ash at his feet. "A job well done, and the healing is much appreciated! I feel that could have been a far worse affair if not for your faith."
The paladin will draw out his own wand of cure light wounds to close his remaining wounds.
And after taking a few seconds to trigger and store the item again he'll start wandering the immediate area, eyes alert for any straggling ghouls, gripping hands, or new and nasty surprises. "I am not certain what our next step shall be, but there must be more here than a simple city to bother to raise it from the desert."
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Status:
Numair
Liminy
Tahonikepsu
Theodore ,
Jair Ghoul Fever ;
Amri
Sir Godfrey
Apart from Jair feeling a little under the weather, the team seems to have come through their first trial with little true harm.
Poking around the village you find an ancient stick that, upon checking, radiates a faint aura of magic. The keen eyed Numair also spots khopesh that’s free of any rust or wear. It is also magical. It's aura is moderate, but there is something odd about it, as if it has the potential for significantly more power within it.
The sages all join you as you start your search of the village in depth. They split into pairs, with the final sage accompanying you.
"It will likely be exploring cellars and such from now on." sighs Tahonikepsu, changing back into the form of a human, with some obvious distaste.
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Liminy realizes the wand is a wand of cure moderate wounds (10 charges, if you want to keep track of it).
The sword... is another matter entirely.
Currently it is a +2 kopesh, but the latent powers within it are ... significant, and beyond Liminy's ability to determine at the moment. It will take some time and research to work them out... and possibly restore them.
The sapphire sage smiles his approval at your choice. "It is good to work with pathfinders once again."
The structure rumbles as the ancient wards continue to shift the sunken ruins toward the surface in response to the presence of the sage jewels. "I suspect we have only a few hours - maybe as many as six, but let us assume slightly more than half that, to be on the safe side, before this processes causes irreparable damage and it collapses in on itself. Time is of the essence."
You find some stairs leading down to a sealed door. As likely a looking place as any..
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Sir Godfrey runs his eyes and a hand over the door, not immediately attempting to open it, but consider. "I think you are right, friend Jair. Like as not this would be a good time to protect yourselves from vile diseases, before we press to far onwards." He glances back towards the Sapphire Sage and nods. "Though we must act with some haste, we have been assured that thing are likely to collapse... I'm learning that buildings tend to cave in when I run missions for the Sages."
He laughs heartily to himself, then looks at the rest of the party. "I have not talent for traps, if any of you are capable, please lead. Otherwise I am fine risking the results myself."
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"Well, If a disease awaits us we are very well prepared. I am good at finding traps but have no facility with disarming them. Or opening locks. So at best I could tell you wait fate awaits you before you trigger it."
Liminy will take Jair's advice and drink the antiplague Sir. Godfrey so kindly provided. He will then put himself say 3rd in the marching order.
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Sir Godfrey has no opportunity to use any skills or talents that might be relevant, but he stands prepared to try and force the door open when the party declares itself ready. He'll have his great sword drawn in case of need unless he finds he can't get the passage cleared without both hands.
His shadow, however, can and will try sliding right through the stone to check for any nasty surprises which might be hiding on the other side so the party might be ready.
Amiri looks at the door and shrugs. Anyone have some tools?"
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Sir Godfrey shoves open the door with a precise application of brute strength in just the right place. A low sigh escapes from the darkness beyond, carrying with it a hint of corruption.
Amenopheus sniffs the air with alarm. "That is most unnatural. What have we released on the world?"
Beyond there are stairs leading down into darkness, just as the shadow described.
Status: Fort saves required from everyone.
Numair
Liminy Anti-plague
Theodore
Jair Anti-plague; Ghoul Fever ;
Amri
Sir Godfrey
Amenopheus
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Only Numair seems affected by the foul wind that emanates from the now open portal. After a moment or two the sigh dies down.. the wind carrying its noxious gift.. who knows where.
Carefully heading down the stairs you arrive in a small room.
This small, circular chamber serves as an intersection, with hallways departing to the north, west, and east, and stairs leading upward to the south. A faintly glowing inscription of hieroglyphic writing spirals out from a round stone pillar carved with similar markings in an ancient script.
The inscription in Ancient Osiriani on the floor reads,
“Within frail flesh lie ideas, and they can transform the world.”
Status:
Numair (Fading Light)
Liminy Anti-plague
Theodore
Jair Anti-plague; (Ghoul Fever)
Amri
Sir Godfrey
Amenopheus
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There are abjurations throughout the complex, but they are very very old and fading. Rapidly.
Amenopheus clutches at his head for a moment, then recovers his balance. "I see.. she sees? her life heading toward a close. And looking for ways to extend it." he shakes his head. "Odd, such a powerful memory coming back to me... and not my own."
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"Too many people fear death, it happens to everyone. It should only worry those who have not lead a good life and must face judgement." Godfrey offers without missing a beat before stepping into the circular room to peer down each of the tunnels, checking to see if there's a likely route to follow. "Any particular direction we should go? This place could prove quite large if it's a wizard's home."
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Thousands of bones fill the shelves in the center of this chamber as if they were books. Tiny pictographs cover the surface of each bone.
Amenopheus looks around the bones, eventually picking one up absently. His eyes glazed.."Theros... inflicted with Blister Phage.. lasted less than a week.." he shakes his head as if clearing out the unwanted memory.
"Do you wish to search around here for a bit and see if we can find something... or press onward?"