[PFS_CORE_Aerondor] 09-07 Salvation of the Sages (Inactive)

Game Master Aerondor

The key itself is not magical. It is whatever is beneath the cloth in the shrine.

Sir Geoffrey soon removes the covering, revealing... a mirror.

As he did this slowly, you can avoid looking into it if you want. Or maybe you do want to see what secrets are hidden within...

Theodore would definitely drunkenly look at it. ;)

I'll let everyone else post before letting you know how many wishes... or saves vs a horrible death... Theodore gets to make.

Being somewhat superstitious, Amiri avoids her gaze.
"What have you found? A mirror, oh keep it way from me. I do not want to loose my soul!"

Jair is curious but prefer to let someone else take a look at the mirror before looking herself in it.

Once Liminy realizes the necromantic item was a mirror "Don't look at it! Although, How do we examine an item that may be dangerous to look at? Cover it back up for now."

Sir Godfrey will abide by Liminy's sudden warning and keep his eyes averted from the mirror. Which will make covering it back over more difficult, but he makes a good (if awkward) show of it over the next thirty seconds or so, first covering himself with the drape more than the shrine before finally getting the mirror blocked from sight. "Well, if you fear looking at it to be too dangerous, I think we not examine it at all. I am inclined to simply smash it for being a shrine of evil."

"Is it evil? Not all Necromancy is evil you know. But the odds are pretty good that a magic mirror in this place is dangerous."

There is certainly evil in that mirror, or perhaps it has just so long lain in a wicked place it is now tainted. Theodore gasps in horror for a moment, but maybe that is just the ale speaking.

Quickly the mirror is covered back up again.

Theodore hiccups. "I sank into a void and I saw some weird giant eyes looking at me through the mirror. Whoever looking at me was unmistakably evil."

"Should we do something with this mirror? Cayden isn't very fond of evil, but I also don't want 7 years of bad luck."

I say let it be. If we think that it could be helpful to use it later. If not, Zarta could be interested in it.

You hear the sound of movement near the entrance, as the other sages gather to share their findings. Each pair has had their own harrowing encounters with undead, diseases and curse magic, although your group seems to have faired the worst.

Checking the secret bottom in the tomb that Sir Godfrey located it turns into stairs leading lower into the complex.

"It seems the best way forward is through that secret passage you discovered !"

Heading further inward you come to a vast library that holds stacks of books filling every ward-inscribed shelf. The room’s design draws the eye toward a central ritual area, inscribed with arcane markings as complex and nuanced as a living mind.

Before following the Sages, Jair says.

May be, before what coming next, we can heal ourselves and use what Liminy created?

Drawing the scroll that Zartha gave her, Jair uses it on herself.

Restoration with 100gp of component

The scroll makes Jair feel much better.

Status: (time in ruins: ~1 hour and a quarter)
Numair (Fading Light-IC-MR) ; two negative levels; fly
Liminy (Fading Light);
Theodore
Jair Anti-plague; (Ghoul Fever)
Amri (Fading Light-IC)
Sir Godfrey
Amenopheus

If you want to use the cures you have made, let me know, otherwise I'll proceed onward.

"Anyone else need that as well?" Theodore says. He always carries 1,000 gp of diamond dust and prepares a Restoration, just in case. ;)

He will cast on Numair if he pipes up.

If I have it right, the cure will also provide immunity/resistance for a few hours. Assuming that's true, Godfrey will strong suggest everyone drink one, including himself since I had to make a fort save in there at some point.

"I am doing quite well, friend Theodore. I will continue storm ahead down this pathway I found at the behest of the sages. Once you and the others feel able to continue." The large, shiny paladin will stand by calmly, but alert, as he waits for the others to recover. Then he'll happily stomp down the path at the front of the party towards whatever new troubles wait.

"Whatever is in store for us we should be healthy for it. I agree we should take the cure now."

Liminy will take a cure.

Liminy feels much better after taking the cure. Even Sir Godfrey feels bolstered.

In the library Amenopheus explains that he has prepared a group ritual that can draw out the malignant presence in the sage jewels so that the assembled sages and Pathfinders can bind, banish, or destroy the entity.

"You can assist if you like, but the nature of the ritual is complex. Casting spells or using magical items - even something as simple as drinking a potion - could have disastrous side effects. After all, anything capable of possessing a sage jewel, but hijack another magic item or process..."

We're going to start with the preparation phase, if you want to have previously taken the cure, that is fine, just make it clear.

You may each either help directly or assist another (please do call out if you are assisting - in particular who you are assisting).

To help prepare you could clear the area of extraneous debris and identify any damage that needs to be repaired quickly (Perception or Survival check). Alternatively, you can provide academic and technical assistance while properly aligning the components, drawing ritual diagrams, and the like ( Knowledge [arcana, planes, or religion] or Linguistics check).

Or you could put up your feet and watch... it is dangerous work.

Status: (time in ruins: ~2 hours)
Numair (Fading Light-IC-MR) ; two negative levels; fly
Liminy (cure taken)
Theodore
Jair Anti-plague; (Ghoul Fever)
Amri (Fading Light-IC)
Sir Godfrey (cure taken)
Amenopheus

Of those my best option is Perception. Does that make me a bad Wizard? But no, Liminy won't sit back and move heavy objects when he could be involved in something so exciting. He will aid them with translating. Do we get to pick one of the sages to be with us during this part? If yes to we get their bonus?

"I look forward to helping however I can."

Liminy will look around the place while the Sages set up.

Not just at the moment, this is just the PF team helping out. If everyone can pick how they help (if they want to, either directly or via aid another of another PF who is making the actual skill check) and make your rolls that would be great

@Theodore: As much as I would love to have my negative levels cured, right now, casting that spell on me would just make me weaker, so I will avoid it, thank-you :-/

That said, I will happily take one of the cures, although OOC, it looks like it won't work on me :-P

Numair does his best to assist with spotting what needs to be repaired, despite his weakness.

Perception: 1d20 + 21 - 2 ⇒ (10) + 21 - 2 = 29.

Jair take the cure before venturing forth.

She listen carefully to what the Sages says about the ritual.

I will try my best to help you.
She draws a heavy tome from her backback to guide her while she helps the Sage doing their ritual. Masterwork tool in Religion

Know. (religion): 1d20 + 13 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 13 + 2 = 30

Skill checks. A 7 int cleric's favorite. ;)

Theodore looks around to identify damage, helping out those also looking around.
Perception (Aid Another): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11
Can roll randomly for who he helps making Perception.

Alas Amiri has no skills that may help.

@Helikon Amiri could make a perception check ;-) She's not bad at it!

Autoaid Perception.

Sir Godfrey will happily assist everyone else in assisting Numair to scour the room for imperfections in the work, but doesn't make an effort to do anything on his own. The last time he tried that he caused a minor explosion in the Grand Lodge.

Auto-aiding perception as well.

Mostly the team just scouts around looking for dangers and removing them. Jair and Liminy however are able to help with preparation in a slighlty more direct way, though everyone's assistance is appreciated.

Last chance for having declared you have taken the cure.

The sages gather around and start the ritual. Amenopheus takes the lead.

Again you can assist if you choose to

Yopu can help maintain the rite’s cadence (Linguistics or Perform check) or monitor the ritual and provide additional support where it’s needed most (Knowledge [arcana or religion] or Spellcraft check). Again you may aid-another if you would prefer (and are trained) or not participate if you so choose.

Status: (time in ruins: ~2.5 hours)
Numair (Fading Light-IC-MR) ; two negative levels; fly
Liminy (cure taken)
Theodore
Jair Anti-plague; (Ghoul Fever) (cure taken)
Amri (Fading Light-IC)
Sir Godfrey (cure taken)
Amenopheus

Theodore will drink a cure. May as well.

Theodore has none of those skills.

Theodore tries to put on a dazzling, if slurred, oratory performance to help the rite's cadence.
Perform: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13

Liminy will pay careful attention and continue to help with translations.

Perform: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (17) + 15 = 32

Sir Godfrey puts his hand on Theodore's shoulder to try and halt his efforts at guiding the cadence. "Good friend, you have many skills, but I fear this is not one of them. You are missing the timing by a good half-step. Follow along with me!"

Godfrey will clap out the smoothest rhythm he can to keep the time of the chanting, trying to bring not only Theodore back in line, but to get the ritual flowing correctly. "You should come to the Ivy district more, they have classes where you can learn many arts to hone yourself with."

@GM: I have taken a cure, but I assume it does not work...?

Not having the skills required for this section, Numair maintains a watchful silence, ready to render assistance, as best he can in his weakened state, in case of disaster.

Indeed the cure did not work on Numair.

Theodore's drunken help seems to actively disrupt the ritual. Everyone participating takes
damage: 3d6 ⇒ (5, 4, 2) = 11

Need confirmation from Amri and Jair about if they are participating and if so their skill check results). Also from Amri if she is taking teh cure

Status: (time in ruins: ~2.5 hours) (3+2 successes)
Numair (Fading Light-IC-MR) ; two negative levels;(cure taken)
Liminy (cure taken) 11 damage
Theodore (cure taken) 11 damage
Sir Godfrey (cure taken) 11 damage
Each sage 11 damage
Jair Anti-plague; (Ghoul Fever) (cure taken)
Amri (Fading Light-IC)

Map is updated, with the pathfinders outlined in pink and each sage in their own colour
For reference:
Amenopheus - Sapphire (blue)
Dhiara - Topaz (orange)
Sinuhotep - Amethyst (purple)
Tahonikepsu - diamond (white) - in dragon form.
Torch - Emerald (green)
Padrym -dwarven sprit- - (yellow)
Mnesoset - Spinel (red)

Amiri shrugs and swigs down the cure.
She will try to aid with the perform checks, also she isn´t trained in anything.
AidPerform: 1d20 ⇒ 1

Jair again with her book tries to actively help during the ritual the best she could.

Know. (religion): 1d20 + 13 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 13 + 2 = 22

Amri and Jair also suffer from ritual backlash.

The sages present their sage jewels, bringing forth the topaz, emerald, amethyst, diamond, sapphire, spinel, onyx, and the shards of the ruby in turn. Amenopheus produces a silver pendant set with an obsidian crystal and places it at the focus. The sage jewels blaze with light as shadows gather, rising up until a whirlwind stands contained within pillars of light emanating from the gems... and suddenly ceases. The sages are utterly still and unseeing, and distortions form around each sage jewel, emitting faint cries for help. At the center of this storm forms a spectral being: a frail, dark-haired woman of middle years wearing the silver pendant. A ring of lights orbits her head, matching
the colors of the sage jewels. She looks around the room as a child inspects an anthill and an eerie murmur echoes through the room: “So much time has passed. I have so much catching up to do...”

Along with the ghostly form, another also appears, this one is a knight. Quickly looking around all the sages appear stunned or... paralysed? by the ritual.

Amenopheus blinks and slowly turns to look at you all.

Meanwhile you are all assaulted by foul memories. You see a girl picking up a rock and smashing it again and again into a young boy. When he is throughly dead she takes a crust of bread from his hand and ravenously devours it.

Will DC 15 for everyone or be sickened.

Status: (time in ruins: ~3 hours) (5 successes) ; Bold may post
Numair (Fading Light-IC-MR) ; two negative levels;(cure taken)
Ermias (knight)
Jair Anti-plague; (Ghoul Fever) (cure taken) 11 damage
Liminy (cure taken) 11 damage
Tahari (ghost, flying 20' up)
Theodore (cure taken) 11 damage
Amri (Fading Light-IC) (cure taken) 11 damage
Amenopheus 11 damage
Sir Godfrey (cure taken) 11 damage
Each sage 11 damage
Memories...

Autopass perception
Will: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13
Amiri is sickened.

"Ahhh! This is wholly unexpected!"

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
Will Save: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (11) + 17 = 28

"Some weird distortion in front of the jewels. Maybe we can do something with it!"

Perception: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (7) + 21 = 28.
Will: 1d20 + 8 - 2 ⇒ (1) + 8 - 2 = 7.

Numair, to add insult to injury, is sickened.

Nevertheless, he weakly steps across, and heads into the distortion associated with Amenopheus.

Note for everyone, to enter a mindscape is a full round action, so you can only do it if you are adjacent (or a 5' step away) from a sage. If you wish to coordinate your actions, multiple pathfinders can try to rouse the same sage at the same time.

Numair steps up to Amenopheus to try to break the sage out of the hold memories seem to have on him.

The knight, who wears the crook-and-flail symbol of Osiris, looks around and charges Sir Godfrey. "You must destroy me, before I destroy you!" he screams Sir Godfrey feels the unusual touch of fear upon his soul.
You are not currently immune to fear while hte knight is so close to you. I'm assuming you do not have a weapon out as you are participing in the ritual.
charge: 1d20 ⇒ 13
damage: 1d8 + 15 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + 15 + (2) = 18 The last two points are acid damage

The knights flail lashes out, dripping acid over the brave paladin.

Status: (time in ruins: ~3 hours) (5 successes) ; Round 1; Bold may post
Numair (Fading Light-IC-MR) ; two negative levels;(cure taken)
Ermias (knight)
Jair Anti-plague; (Ghoul Fever) (cure taken) 11 damage
Liminy (cure taken) 11 damage
Tahari (ghost, flying 20' up)
Theodore (cure taken) 11 damage
Amri (Fading Light-IC) (cure taken) 11 damage
Amenopheus 11 damage
Sir Godfrey (cure taken) 29 damage
Each sage 11 damage
Memories...

"Remember what they said about spells."

Liminy will take a 5ft step next to Tahonikepsu and begin entering her dreamscape.

Will: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (13) + 11 = 24

I think what could happen, happen. Don't be shy with your spells Liminy!

Jair resist to one of the disturbing effect of the ritual she then casts Heroism on herself then calls for her god to create a second self. copy cat

Then she looks at their ennemies trying to know more about them.

Know. (religion) - Ermias: 1d20 + 13 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 13 + 2 = 21
Know. (religion) - Tahari: 1d20 + 13 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 13 + 2 = 35

Following Liminy, she gets closer to Tahonikepsu. 5ft. step

Amiri will move towards the next free sage and prepares to enter into the strange thing with blade in hand.
At least for Amiri it is nothing but a strange something!

The ritual is over now, so you can use spells without concern for the ritual.

Liminy steps up to Tahonikepsu..

The ghost chants and a horrible bilious cloud of noxious fumes billows out.

Torch's gem flashes, and a flaming sphere appears next to Jair, burning her damage: 3d6 ⇒ (2, 2, 2) = 6

Status: (time in ruins: ~3 hours) (5 successes) ; Round 1; Bold may post
Numair (Fading Light-IC-MR) ; two negative levels;(cure taken)
Ermias (knight)
Jair Anti-plague; (Ghoul Fever) (cure taken) 11 damage; Heroism, copy-cat; Reflex DC 20 vs Flaming sphere or 6 extra damage and dazed;
Liminy (cure taken) 11 damage ; Will DC 15 vs memories
Tahari (ghost, flying 20' up)
Theodore (cure taken) 11 damage; Fort DC 23 vs cloud
Amri (Fading Light-IC) (cure taken) 11 damage; sickened; Fort DC 23 vs cloud
Amenopheus 11 damage
Sir Godfrey (cure taken) 29 damage ; Will DC 15 vs memories; Fort DC 23 vs cloud ;
Each sage 11 damage
Torch (green) 11 damage;; 1 CON dam;
Dhiara - (orange) ; 11 damage;; 1 CON dam;
Sinuhotep - (purple); 11 damage;; 1 CON dam;
Padrym - (yellow) ; 11 damage; 1 CON damage;
Other sages - 11 damage;

Memories...

Fort Save: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (3) + 15 = 18

Standard Action
Theodore starts his turn by channeling positive energy to heal.
Channel Positive Energy (Heal): 7d6 ⇒ (3, 1, 6, 5, 6, 4, 4) = 29 - Should get Amiri, Godfrey, Torch, Padrim, and myself. (Just assuming Sinuhotep doesn't benefit from it)

Move Action
He then tries to escape without provoking any attacks. Using Dimensional Hop to get to the other casters, casting defensively. Using up 40 ft. of the ability.
Dimensional Hop (Cast Defensively) DC 21: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (18) + 15 = 33 - Success

Need to retcon my turn then.

save vs sickened: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10

Liminy tries to identify the new enemy.

kn Religion? on the ghost: 1d20 + 11 - 2 ⇒ (1) + 11 - 2 = 10

No clue what to roll for necromancer lady. Local?

Liminy will hit the two new arrivals. And just them. With a Glitterdust. DC 21 Will save or blind.

@GM Nothing from my knowledge check ?

Reflex DC20: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 4 + 2 = 19

Fort: 1d20 + 7 - 2 ⇒ (13) + 7 - 2 = 18
Amiri quickly moves out of the cloud