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…
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Dúrland steps over slightly and fires a Ray of Frost spell at the now-visible imp.
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The party moves up to attack the imp but it swoops out of the way of Durlans ray and only Jasper manages to connect with imp but his spear struggle to barely scratch it hide.
"Can't Smell, Can't Sing Can fight a little" the imp snorts at Jasper.
Thagomiser starts sneezing as the Imp flies over to Skillgannon who has been attacking the imps invisible ally "Hey! Zarta says guys with big weapons are over compensatiing for something shall we see"
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Jasper swings at an opportune moment.
On his turn, Jasper stops his performance and moves next to Durand.
-Posted with Wayfinder
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So bless not yet up but Inspire courage is (+1 competence bonus on to hit and weapon damage)
Skilgannon aoo
Soryan aoo
Etixxi aoo
Rest of imps turn
Sneezing Thagomiser
Tatiana cast bless
Ray of frost Durland (hitting for now)
Etixxi roll to aid
Soryan
Skilgannon
Jasper Moving
Of course everyone does get to choose other actions depending on what happens to the imp.
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Etixxi Nearly slices a wing off the imp but it takes evasive action and the scimitar merely nicks the imp. However its its liitle mid air pirouette uns it straight into Skilgannon's spear "OWW"
It hovers a moment and drops the box and says“Yes, you’ve bested me, but I don’t wish to leave so soon. Take the blasted box, and tell Mistress Dralneen I deserve what comes my way.”
"Yes you do deserve more punishment Kreuvus" Zarta slips in through the door and cracks a whip flecked with silver. The imp flinches as Zarta continues "Say goodbye to my honoured guests they are leaving now" She smiles at you as she opens the door to let you pass. Thagomiser lets out one last sneeze and begins to wind its tail to strike at the imp
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Skilgannon manages to check his anger as the Imp surrenders, snarling at the pathetic coward of a creature as his breathing becomes more laboured for a short while. Re-attaching the long spear to his back the Gladiator gives the Paracountess another formal bow before they leave.
"I do hope you will excuse the mess my Lady, we shall bid you anon for now."
Once outside Skilgannon breathes a deep sigh.
"Well one task completed, regardless of how irritating. The nobleman next?"
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The PCs make their way to the rich estate of Grand Councilmember Dremdhet Salhar, and are greeted by a guard who is expecting them as they reach the tall, wrought-iron gate. Once the PCs are inside, a servant tells the group Salhar is not present, called away on important Council business, but his most trusted advisor is available to negotiate any business they may require. The servant explains this while leading the group down welldecorated
hallways, past expansive rooms.
After a few minutes, the group arrives at a simple study near the end of a long hallway. Inside a tan-skinned old man sits behind a desk flipping through pages in a large tome. Scraps of paper jut from the book marking over two dozen different places. As the group approaches the open door, the wise sage silently gestures the PCs into the study with one thin hand,while closing the tome with the other after finishing what he was reading. Once the PCs are all inside the study, he addresses the group.
“Good day to you, Pathfinders. I am Amenopheus, the Sapphire Sage, advisor to Master Salhar. I understand you were sent here to discuss archaeological permissions. Knowing this was coming, I spoke with Master Salhar at length on the subject and he had this to say." The old man pauses a moment then continues in a slightly different tone of voice trying to convey the mannerisms of the absent nobleman
“Since Osirion was reopened to exploration a decade ago, adventurers, historians, and treasure-seekers flock to my country by the hundreds, perhaps thousands. While most families with ancestral burial vaults maintain guards and keep their sites out of the hands of casual thieves, not all families have the wealth or power to restrict everyone, and as we all know, not every defense is perfectly secure. Unscrupulous tomb robbers and maligned merchant organizations cause Osirion to bleed relics into the Inner Sea—something the descendents of Ancient Osirion cannot afford. We Osiriani have thousands of years of rich history coursing through our veins, and while that power has been out of focus in recent years, we are content to wait, knowing our enemies will wear themselves down. As they fall into arrogance, folly, or greed, we wait for our return to power, knowing we bear the riches of our ancestors at our feet.“
Amenopheus resumes his more scholarly tone "Master Salhar remains impressed by the Pathfinder Society, orating in their favor a handful of times in front of Absalom’s Grand Council, in fact. Due to previous relationships between him and the Society, Master Salhar
has agreed to grant permission to the Pathfinder Society to explore his family’s vaults below Sothis. The only thing he requires is that you retrieve the map of the vaults from his own vault here. The servant will lead you to the basement and show you the room.”
The Sapphire Sage’s eyes twinkle as he smirks knowingly, then he turns back to reading his book as though he had never been disturbed. A servant waits to lead you to the room
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"hmm" he says with a faint hint of a smile. He looks carefully a Tatiana and then responds "Our dusty tomes rarely tell us the whole story. That is why the society sends agents. It is always good to be cautious of wards and the like in any vault. But the bigger danger here is keeping me from my studies" he resumes his reading
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Skligannon follows the serf to the waiting room, impressed by the décor of a different culture and how wealth is displayed through different mediums, but no less flamboyantly. Listening intently to the Sapphire Sage, the Gladiator nods to show that he has understood their tasl.
"Etixxi, I do believe that is a part of our test, to sift for the treasure we seek, as we would in a tomb or complex. Though I could be wrong?"
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After leaving Amenopheus’ study, the servant brings the group back through the spacious estate, leading them down sturdy stone steps into the cool basement. Down a hallway, after a couple turns, the party ends up at a plain wooden door. The servant opens the door, gesturing to the room with a bow, and waits silently for you to enter.
Beyond a plain stone room contains three chests: a copper-banded chest of smooth, dark wood; a red lacquered chest; and what looks to be a cube of solid steel. Behind the chests sits a low table holding a clear glass jar half full of liquid and a covered wicker basket.
Once all of you enter the room, the servant shuts the door and locks it behind you. Written on the back of the door is the message:
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Skilgannon steps into the room after the bowing servant opens the chamber and immediately looks around, his hands clenching as he debates reaching for a weapon. Seeing nought but a test of the mind the Gladiator relaxes slightly and goes to the Jar on the shelf examining it carefully without placing his hands inside.
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You notice nothing unusual about the copper banded chest
The smooth, red lacquered chest looks devious. The solid metal plate surrounding the gaping keyhole pulses with glowing amber runes.
The steel cube has only the faintest crack where its lid meets the base, and would be completely featureless save
for its narrow keyhole.
On the table
A gallon-sized clear glass jar is about half full with clear liquid. At the bottom of the vessel sits a jewelled brass key. You realise with the slightly acrid smell near the table and the pristine state of the key that the contents could be acid
The 2-foot-round wicker basket requires no key to open, its lid resting gently atop its wide rim. Inside, a blue stone key marked with amber runes rests atop a pile of crumpled linens. As she picks up the lid Etixxi spots the flicker of a snakes tongue among the linens!
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Etixxi gasps and backs off just a step. She looks over to her fellow druid. "Soryan, would you be able to assist me? We seem to have a friend in here. And, um, our friend also is venomous, so I'd prefer to try to come to a peaceful resolution." Then, she calls upon her connection to nature and tries to soothe the snake so that she can safely grab the key.
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Skilgannon turns to the others and shakes his head, the Gladiator's visage serious and thoughtful.
"I would believe the Jar here to be full of Acid. I do not think any of us here are resistant to its corrosive touch so I suggest we step back and then I will break it with my spear to avoid the splash. There is a Brass key in here so I doubt it will eat at my weapon's blade."
Hearing about the snake in the distance he chuckles softly, it would seem the Sapphire Sage had thought of plenty of trials and tribulations for the Pathfinders to prove their worth.
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Dúrland casts Detect Magic on the lacquered chest to try and figure out what kind of magic might be on it.