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The two animated constructs begin to cast a spell, it is complicated and intricate but they seem to have a hard time completing the components with formidable fighters in their way.
Both Lhug and Eadie smash at the constructs, Eadie's sparkling of mythic power lighting the room in a fantastic blue glow.
With the danger passed. Lore and Ahna eventually figure out how to move the lanterns into different statue arms to create light that follows the light spectrum. Once the lights are in position the crystal structure imprisoning Amenopheus disappears and the sage is able to emerge, unharmed.
Frazzled by his recent imprisonment, Amenopheus
apologizes for not fully understanding what happened
and why, but he recommends continuing on before more
of the sanctum’s guardians decide to attack. The Pathfinders can
push open the newly bisected crystalline door with ease.
As they do so, the statues animate for a moment to pass
the lamps back to their starting positions, resetting the
puzzle for the next visitor.
The next room, is the meeting chamber. A broad, simple, flat-topped column of sandstone rises from
a deep pit in this circular, domed chamber with a white tiled
floor. Though no wind can be felt, particles of sand slowly blow
around the pit as if circulated by a lazy breeze, their movement
creating a soft, rasping susurrus.
Isolated and protected like the treasures and knowledge
they sought to preserve, this room served as the Jeweled
Sages’ formal meeting hall. The sages had no permanent
leader; rather, each member was an equal except when
discussing his or her specialty. The specialists would
stand on the central pillar to direct debate regarding
their chosen subject matter. Upon concluding that
business, he or she would again rejoin the other sages.
The sand responds to the mental commands of any
Jeweled Sage who steps onto it, typically coalescing into a
temporary bridge connecting to the column or creating a
three-dimensional image to illustrate a point.
The only occupant of this room is a Garundi woman
bedecked in the style of an Osirian noblewoman. This is
the dragon Tahonikepsu (young adult time dragon;), who
has embraced the gradual
shape changing influence of the diamond sage jewel to
take the form of a human when convenient. As a time
dragon and the host of a spirit dedicated to preserving
history through the ages, she is extraordinarily patient
and calculating, however, her perspective has changed
over the past decade such that she is willing to accept the
help of mortal creatures rather than do all of the work by
herself, so long as she retains some autonomy as those
allies’ leader. To her, the Jeweled Sages represent the
preservation of history itself, and the order’s restoration
is a most worthy endeavor.
Although she knew that Amenopheus and the
Pathfinder Society were also seeking sage jewels, she
is pleasantly surprised to see they have reached the
sanctum before Kafar and Nefti. The discovery improves
her opinion of Amenopheus and leads her to be more
willing to cooperate rather than dominate.
Amenopheus is cordial but cautious as he
questions the Diamond Sage’s decision to remain
hidden for so long, and he speculates how much
more they might have accomplished in recent
years had they met sooner. He voices his desire
to rebuild the Jeweled Sages—a goal that he and
Tahonikepsu share; however, despite this common
ground, the two disagree on many nuances.
First, they disagree about the true cause
of the Jeweled Sages’ destruction, which
evolves into a disagreement about the
lost order’s hierarchy. Amenopheus
interprets the collapse of the
Jeweled Sages as an unfortunate
accident driven by outside
forces, namely the invasion
of Osirion by the Kelish
thousands of years ago. Had
it not been for this calamity, the
Jeweled Sages would have continued
to thrive. To Tahonikepsu, the invasion and subsequent
purge of the Jeweled Sages reflects a critical weakness in
the organization. She posits that, spread out and without
a strong leader, the order could not respond quickly and
effectively to a new threat. Amenopheus defends the
order’s egalitarian organization structure as a key source
of strength, allowing each member to act independently
when needed. The Diamond Sage retorts that without
consistent, decisive leadership, the Jeweled Sages will
always be vulnerable and disorganized whenever a new
threat strikes.
Second, the two sages disagree on how to rebuild the
organization. Both accept that they will need to recover
additional sage jewels and recruit new prospective sages.
Amenopheus believes that the next generation of sages
must be chosen from among the most learned scholars.
Not only does this match the founding principles of
the organization, but he theorizes that anything less
than a well-trained mind would be unable to harness
the millennia of memories within each sage jewel. To
Tahonikepsu, the thought of populating the Jeweled
Sages with cloistered academics might allow for easier
retention of historic facts but would undermine the
sages’ ability to actually use their knowledge to better
the world. The Diamond Sage would rather recruit a
generation of active and innovative sages who could act
as advisors to powerful leaders, read the current events
to predict future decisions, and participate in making
history rather than simply recording it.
Finally, both sages have their doubts about each other,
no matter how politely they engage in the discourse.
From Tahonikepsu’s perspective, despite the
Sapphire Sage’s talents, he has lost the trust of
Osirion’s ruler. Although his failure is not
wholly his fault, the incident may become
a liability as the Jeweled Sages attempt to
reclaim their place in Osirion. She also
believes that Amenopheus’s insistence on
embracing a failed model for the Jeweled
Sages invites history to repeat itself. On
the other hand, Amenopheus is skeptical
about Tahonikepsu, for only moments
ago she was a complete stranger to him
and the Pathfinders. He has served
faithfully as the Osirion faction leader
for years. Ceding leadership of the
restored Jeweled Sages to her seems
like an irresponsible gambit,
particularly when nobody knows
of her qualifications, background,
or motives. If presented with such
a challenge, Tahonikepsu takes a step
back and reverts to her natural, draconic
form. “I present my credentials,” she retorts. “Now we are
strangers no more.” If none of the PCs can identify her
species, she explains that her kind is dedicated to guarding
history and time itself. By combining her longevity,
cunning, and patience with the ambitions of a millenniaold
society of sages, the Jeweled Sages are certain to thrive.
In summary, Amenopheus wishes to recreate the Jeweled
Sages as they were in ages past, whereas Tahonikepsu
seeks innovation. Seeing that they have reached an
impasse, one of the two (likely the one who seems to have
the PCs’ support) invokes a Convocation of Sages, an old
tradition of the sages to decide the organization’s future
with a vote. Each Jeweled Sage receives one vote, though
because the PCs represent the Ruby Sage as a group, each of
them receives only a fraction of her vote. Understandably,
Amenopheus and Tahonikepsu cast their votes in
favor of their own policies. The PCs can vote for either
Amenopheus’s or Tahonikepsu’s approach to leading the
organization, and in doing so they have essentially voted
for the future leader of the Osirion faction. It is possible
that the PCs nominate a third candidate or strategy, and
the two Jeweled Sages respect this option and include it
in the vote.
If the PCs cannot agree on whom to support, the
candidate who receives the majority of the PCs’ votes
wins. If the PCs are split evenly, Amenopheus observes
that the Topaz Sage has yet to vote.
Amenopheus places the jewel on the central column,
allowing the Topaz Sage to shape the sand to voice her
preference. The Topaz Sage’s vote goes to whichever
candidate received more votes from Osirion faction PCs.
Debating their respective philosophical merits has
helped the two sages develop respect for one another,
and even though each is certain his or her strategy is the
better choice, they both agree that they would
be willing to work together in the future
and honor the winner’s victory.
With the discovery of another Jeweled Sage and the
recovery of a third sage jewel, the PCs have helped
Amenopheus recreate the lost Osirian order.
Both he and Tahonikepsu agree that the sages
shall work with the Pathfinder Society toward
their mutual benefit, and they aid the PCs in
returning to Eto without further conflict. The
Ruby Sage’s power fades from them as they depart
the Pillars of the Sun. Amenopheus is uncertain as to
whether or not the ruby sage jewel can be restored, but he
begins researching the possibility soon. So long as the
PCs completed the scenario, give each PC the Mythic
Legacy boon on his or her Chronicle sheet.
What becomes of Kafar and Nefti depends
heavily on the PCs’ earlier actions
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Eadie's sparkling of mythic power lighting the room in a fantastic blue glow.
Eadie sapphire blue eyes widen. Ooooh … Pretty!
But she hears an odd word repeating in her mind: Susurrus, Susurrus …
I swear I’m getting smarter just soaking up the ambience of the Sanctum of Sages!
Eadie attracts the fiery priestess’ attention. “Psst … Lore. What’s a susurrus?”
☥☥☥☥
When it’s time to vote and the party has sat through the compulsory debate between the candidates … Thank Abadar there was only ONE debate!
Eadie summarizes the event for the other Dragon’s benefit.
“We each get a vote for who’s to be the next faction head of the Scarab Sages of Osirion, Lhug. Amenopheus offers himself for re-election and is in favor of the status quo. The Diamond Sage, who is apparently a Time Dragon (!) stands on a platform of innovation and reform.”
Eadie gives the matter considerable thought before saying. “I really like the Diamond Sage’s clothes and hairdo. She gets my vote!”
♞♞♞♞
As Eadie’s powers fade outside the Sanctum, her flowing locks give her two ‘thumbs up’ ... before transforming into the frizz-bomb from Avernus!
She *sighs* “Bye-bye, Impossible Speed. See ya, Sudden Attack. I’ll miss you.”
The young Pathfinder pulls herself together as she unties Kafar and Nefti. “What are you guys going to do now? We’ve been offered free transport back to Eto. Wanna come? If you’re done with the Aspis, there are worse things than joining the Pathfinder Society you know.”
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"I'm sorry Amenopheus, but I'm afraid my vote will have to swing over to Tahonikepsu and her platform of innovation and change. I think you need fresh blood and new ideas to keep your organization moving forward and able to work with a changing world around you."
Lore walks over to Amenopheus and gives him a hug.. "Doesn't mean I don't love and revere you. May Sarenrae always shine her light on you." She walks back over to Eadie's side, and sighs as the mythic powers within her begin to fade...
Back out with Kafar and Nefti, she approaches the two and nods at Eadie's words. "I couldn't have said it better myself. You two have some mad skills and great knowledge. The Society would welcome you. As it seems your time in the Consortium might be done, you should consider joining the Pathfinders. You could come with us and we'd introduce you, show you around a little. You could do worse than have us as your guides."
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Amenopheus places the jewel on the central column, allowing the Topaz Sage to shape the sand to voice her preference. The sand dances around in a blizzard of activity then stops, revealing the shape of a time dragon. Amenopheus and Tahonikepsu exchange knowing looks which each other and accept the fate that the Pathfinders have given them.
Later, while leaving the temple the two Apsis members talk with the Pathfinders. Ahna and Lore talk with Nefti and Kafar and come to an agreement where they can join the local Pathfinder lodge. It works for the two former Consorption members, who are looking for change in scenery anyway.