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With that she turns her back on them and gives her attention to Vyk, putting a concerned hand on his shoulder. "Are you alright? You seem... stressed or something. Are you ill? Injured?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah. Just a little punch drunk, I think. Those shadows packed a wallop."
He then tilted his head to the side as he studied Tuich for a moment. "Have I ever told you that you have very pretty hair? It's almost as nice as Vincent's."
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The Ruby Sage looks at Vyk. "There were two other gems here until just yesterday when a man came and took them. I was able to glimpse his mind when he picked up one of my gem's fragments. His name was Kafar and he was collecting the gems to take them back to the Diamond Sage at our old sanctum in the pillars of the sun." Amenopheus blurts out, "Kafar! From the Aspis Consortium! This is horrible news and why would the Diamond Sage be gathering the gems in the pillars of the sun?" The Ruby Sage nods, "I agree something is not right, the Diamond Sage should be looking for new candidates through out Osirion, not gathering them in an isolated location. I do not have much power left, but I am willing to aid you should you seek to recover the gems and find out what the Diamond Sage is up to. These powers are great, but only temporary so use them wisely." She looks almost sad as she ponders what to say next. She looks at Dylara, "We spent far to many years hiding here in isolation after the purge. It took it's toll on us all mentally. Distrust turned to paranoia which turned to violence. This is what lead to my gem being destroyed and what turned the Emerald Sage into that creature of madness. Thank you again for ending both of our suffering." With that the gem fragments flash a bright red that bathes the entire room in blinding red light. After the flash the Pathfinders only see the wither corpse before them.
Amenopheus looks at the group, "Well there is no time to waste, we must make haste for the pillars of the sun, this time I will be going with you." He walks over and removes a bracelet from the other corpse and tosses it to Miko. "You'll probably be wanting that." He then mutters a few words and takes the stone from Vincent and unceremoniously tosses it into the pit and it does not come back this time. "You won't want to take that were we are going. Now is there anything else you needed to do here? If not then I suggest we get moving."
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Vincent looks over at Vyk, running a hand through his hair trying to remove some knots. "I appreciate the thought, but my hair has seen better days. Between the desert heat, this insufferable dryness, and bits of flesh golem getting everywhere, I'm going to need some serious re-conditioning after this is all over."
After some thought on what Tuich said, he replies to her as well. "Gorum doesn't take sides, and respects only strength. That man wielded the weapon of my god and wielded it well. I'm willing to overlook his pride for that. Of course, it's his loss if he can't appreciate the other fine things in life such as high fashion and good hairstyling... but no one's perfect." He shrugs before settling into a chair as they wait for Amenopheus.
As the ruby glow subsides, Vincent stands again. He feels the same level of energy that he normally would associate with adrenaline and the rush of combat, but it lingers, taking up permanent residence in his mind and body.
He steps to the side of the room and draws his greatsword, marveling briefly at how much more fluid each motion feels. He takes a few experimental swings before stabbing the sword into the ground in front of him. He stares into the mirror-like sheen of the broad blade at his own reflection.
The image he sees is not that of Vincent, but the very idea of "Vincent" amplified, multiplied, and made manifest in the flesh. His luxuriant hair flows over his shoulders, wafted by an improbable wind. Light gleams from every jagged metal spike that protrudes from the pieces of armor that remain on his body. Somewhere in the transformation, most of his shirt seems to have disappeared, revealing rippling muscles and impressive battle scars but still somehow leaving him properly protected.
Vincent grins, and his dark eyes seem to gleam in the torchlight. "I could get used to this..."
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Vyk growls like a panther as the ruby light passes through him. Mentally, he is caught somewhere between agony and ecstacy as the red arcane energy mixes with his own blue. It appears first as a light purple but shifts in the spectrum until he is awash in a blood red corona.
Vyk has a vision of a powerful devil sitting atop a throne of skulls, he is feasting on the pure divine essence of a soul. The devil looks up, and smiles.
"Well, well. Hello again, my son. What an interesting power you've obtained."
The devil's hand caresses his face, and Vyk realizes that this is no dream. Somehow he is both in Hell and in Osirion. Vyk struggles to get away, but his father's grip is like iron.
"Remember our deal, boy. Twenty years and then you're mine. Grow as strong and powerful as you want, but don't you dare die. Remember, there's no place your soul can go, that I cannot follow."
The devil smiles again, and Vyk can suddenly hear the screams of agony all around him. The screams of the damned.
"Now. Begone."
And suddenly Vyk is back in Golarion. He collapses to the ground and struggles not to cry.
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Khismia reacted on Ruby Sage a bit hypnotised. She was fascinated by Emerald, means Madness Sage and now, she can actually ask anything from a creature, but she is out of questions. She was standing there, listening to her words and thinking about ages being somewhere, cut from normal life and unable to affect that. As sage started to dissolve in the air, spreading her power, as oracle noticed something: Ayu sneaked behind and started grasping Sage's essence and devouring it. She started to become more material, got more statue and she became another...
Like a blossom in a wind, figure flew to Khismia and touched her, leaving burning mark on her hand: "- You wanted to ask her, how to get rid of me, but I know, that you don't want to do it. Right?"
Khismia stood quiet. This was personal and she didn't knew the answer. Or might be she knew, but was not planning to share that. She tried to hide her thoughts, think about something good, for a moment, like Sabah.. Sabah with horses hiding somewhere behind sand hills, soon we will travel this desert again.. And then again..
Ayu smiled. She also was able to hide, could she read her companions mind or not? Suddenly, ghost made dust whirlwind around Khismia and disappeared...
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The oracle's cheeks flushed pink in embarrassment when the Sage revealed she'd seen everything. Knowing someone so important and powerful -- deceased or not -- had seen Tuich nearly throwing a tantrum filled her with shame. She tried to rationalize it away as stress, exhaustion, eerie circumstances... but nothing worked. Tuich knew she should be a better person than that.
She was still wallowing in remorse and mental self-flagellation when the Ruby Sage mentioned aiding them with great powers. As such, the wave of... something... that washed over her came as a bit of a surprise, and she took an involuntary step back.
There was a rush of power, but... power uncommitted. Almost as if it were circling inside, through and around her, uncertain of its destination.
And then its character changed. No longer raw, uncontained energy. It had found a home.
Tuich blinked in confusion. She didn't feel any different, really. But the sensation of immense power was there. Not hers, but within reach, accessible...
"It's okay, it's alright," a young voice said in her mind, parroting the reassurances she'd given Tooley so many times over the years.
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The gem fragments flash a bright red that bathes the entire room in blinding red light. Dylara feels the energy from the ruby sage enter her own body. As part of the energy settles in a new pool, separated from Dylara's own magic energy, somehow part of the ruby sage's magic mixes with Dylara's own pool of magic.
What is this? She's not just aiding me, she's changing me!
The mix of green and foreign red energy in Dylara's own magic pool pulses as the Ruby Sage's magic alters the nature of some of Dylara's own abilities. Dylara feels she's growing stronger and recognizes the main source of her newfound power is the temporary pool of magic within her, but part of her new strength seems to be a permanent change. A second flash, this time of orange light, emits from Dylara. Only Melon is affected by this second flash, and part of Dylara's newfound power is transferred to the roc.
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It's all a blur to Miko. She sees Tuich's frown move over into a dark woman with white hair, then the black hair of Vincent, the threads of the bracelet, the feathers of the roc, and the horns of Vyk, and then they turn into...
...a familiar face. The little eyes, the short brownish-red hairs.
This is real, big sister.
Nini! Miko shouts a single word.
You were right, sister. It was all just a trick. A big fraud. A veil of magic. But look around you...
The room is distorted. She sees Vyk, Dylara, Tuich. Vincent and Khismia, they're all there, but outside. Looking in to a glass window, a glass bell.
...this is real. This is the spark of true divinity. Anyone can achieve it.
Miko gasps for air.
They've already brought out the best in themselves, you only have to take them one step further. Light the beacon. Show them. Write their story.
Miko exhales into a F Sharp, the note she could never hit, as the room returns to normal.
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The group takes a moment to recover from the event while Amenopheus looks on with a knowing smile. "Lets be off then!" Before leaving the Pathfinders stop off in the fountain room to find the water elemental gone. It appears what ever was holding her here is faded. They help themselves to the treasures left behind.
The trip back is uneventful and Amenopheus looks over the group of empowered Pathfinders. "I'll let you make any preparations you need while we are here in Eto. Meet me tomorrow at my place just before dawn. We will go over our plans to enter the Pillars of the Sun and find the Diamond Sage."
The growing light of predawn filters in through a window of the two-story building that Amenopheus has rented in Eto, and the aging Garundi man takes a seat on one of the cushions set out for this meeting. He produces a sealed letter from his robe, placing it in the middle of the floor before speaking. “Good morning, Pathfinders. As you know, we have had our share of setbacks recently. Not only have the emerald and topaz gems sacred to my order slipped through our fingers, but we also faced the frustration of finding nothing but fragments of the once great ruby. Thankfully, its power is not lost entirely, and through the Ruby Sage’s blessing, it lives on in you. I am thankful that you have agreed to act on her behalf and see this through to the end.
“As we speak, the scoundrels who seized the two gems cross the Pillars of the Sun to meet their employer, the cryptic Diamond Sage.” He sighs heavily. “What she intends to do with the gems is a mystery, but the sage jewels are too important for me to take risks with. If the power that you wield is representative of a shattered jewel’s potential, imagine what one might accomplish with three undamaged stones! Until we know what her plans are, it is paramount that we get to the jewels first."
“Kafar and Nefti have a rudimentary map of the Pillars of the Sun, and last night I found a bartender who spotted them poring over it between drinks. She recalled little of the map, and she could not make sense of the marks or annotations; however, the right spells have allowed me to probe her mind and determine Kafar and Nefti’s entry point into the mountains. We will follow them from there.” With a somewhat chagrined smile, Amenopheus adds, “It may be that they will lead us to the Sanctum of the Sages, a hidden complex I have long suspected might be in this area.” He stands and announces, “Prepare yourselves quickly. We shall leave momentarily.”
"Oh and before I forget here is a letter from Venture Captain Tiir making this an official Pathfinder mission."
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1st shock. grasp (2/2), color spray, floating disk | At Will arcane mark, det. mag., presti., ray of frost
Vyk read the letter quietly and then nodded before passing it to the next of his companions.
"Alright then. I have an untapped font of arcane power burning a hole in my pocket; not to mention a spiffy new sword," Vyk says with a smirk, as red lightning momentarily dances in his eyes.
He chuckles, but his usual good humor seems to have been replaced by a more sinister timber.
"Let's have some fun."
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"I'm prepared. Let's get going," Dylara says from on top of her horse, Melon standing next to her.
Dylara takes a look at Vyk's new sword. "that's a neat one. I also bought a new sword."
She draws her adamantine longsword and shows it to Vyk. "It's not enhanced yet, but it's made of adamantine. I'll temporarily resort to oils to enhance it when needed, but plan to get it enhanced some time soon."
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"Let me ask couple of traders about the area, they've might have some good rumors on what to expect or at least about who those Kafar and Nefti are", said Khismia. "This might take up to 4 hours, because I heard, they had some trouble with new tax and I need to record those news as well, as it might affect trade in this region. Please, do not depart without me."
She haven't got new sword, but her armour was new, as well as morning star. Mostly she was proud about amber amulet that was looking like a rising sun, embedded in tree bark. This amulet was complimenting her old golden necklace.
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Miko wanders around, slightly distracted for being in Eto again. She should know the place by now, but events have been so strange and evolving at such a rapid pace that she forgot to get a feel own the town. Failing to remember anything useful, and with no purchases to make, she just wanders around town, trying to catch the latest gossip, and singing that song from the musical The boys from Egorian:
He stared down at the darkness
And his audience stared back
Silent, uninspired
Fascination, utter lack
He thought about the glamour
That only others had
Why he ended up here
And the things his father said
Why won't you be a fighter, my son
Choose the blade, kid, nothing can go wrong
Be a fighter, my kid
Pick a weapon, and just stick with it
The ragers show their feelings
And drinking's all they do
But you're too calm for raging
So that is not for you
Religion's not your talent
And books are not your thing
That also rules out wizards
Or the Magus' arcane swing
Why won't you be a fighter, my son
Choose the blade, kid, nothing can go wrong
A fighter, attack!
It's healthy, and doesn't hurt your back
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Vyk tried getting some answers in a bar, but people seemed even more put off by him than usual. Perhaps it was his smile which seemed more predatory than ever.
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The mountains begin 15 miles south of Eto, and an experienced rider might reach them in half a day. Because of its location and elevation, the region is extremely dry and hot during the day, with temperatures dropping drastically at night due to strong winds.
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Vyk watched Dylara get rebuffed. "Folks in this town are really rude. You can't even have a drink without someone fleeing in fear around here."
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Well, guess the weather forecast is in. Pillars of the sun: hot during the day. Cold and windy at night.
I've also heard some news that Kafar and Nefti are in town. They don't seem to be too happy about their bosses: some caravan driver overheard them complaining about the Consortium, and it seems Nefti even tried to sell their secrets. To whom, I wonder...
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Amenopheus looks up at Dylara on her horse. "We won't be needing such a primitive mode of transport. Now if you will all shut your eyes it will make the trip easier on the stomach." Once the Pathfinders have their eyes shut they feel the ground disappear beneath their feet and their stomach lurches as if they were quickly launched into the air. Just as quickly they feel themselves being pushed back down and their feet firmly planted back on the ground. "We are here you can open your eyes." They hear Amenopheus say.
When the Pathfinders open their eyes they no longer see the city of Eto around them, but instead find a large mountain range before them. The desert sun is just starting to raise as Amenopheus points to a small trail leading into the mountains. "I believe that is where are friends entered the Pillars of the Suns. We must move quickly if we hope to catch them."
As the sun raises the Pathfinders feel the heat raising as the steep trail takes them higher into the mountains.
Eventually the trail comes to a fork with tracks going down both paths. Amenopheus sighs, "It looks like they split up here, since we do not know which one as the gems I think it best if I follow on path while the rest of you take the other. The gems are worth to much to leave anything up to chance. I will stay in contact should I need you." With out even waiting for any thoughts or council Amenopheus takes the path to the left. Leaving the Pathfinders to follow the trail to the right.
The trail leads to a series of switch backs up a steep gorge. The tracks seem difficult to spot at times in this rocky terrain. An hour after splitting up with Amenopheus the group finds it's self at the foot of a cliff were the tracks abruptly stop.
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Khismia left several gold pieces for Sabah and asked her to stay away of trouble:
Place where we are heading is not the best one, for a cute girl like you, she said, but I promise you, when I return... "if you do return", commented her haunting companion, when I do return, continued Khismia, we'll go to some other country, where is lots of trade, and good people around, and might be even visit carnival.
"This was my first experience of travel of this kind," confirmed Qadiran woman, "but I feel myself a bit unfamiliar, without knowing my horse and Sabah are nearby".
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After the teleport, Vyk blinks several times.
"Teleportation always makes me feel hungry. I don't why that is..."
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"Not to mention the whole instantantly transporting all of us who-knows-how-many miles thing," says Tuich as she watches Amenopheus stride off.
"Ah, don't worry. We're all hopped up on ruby power. We'll be fine."
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"The Drunken Hero bless you and your beautiful hair, Vincent," Vyk says as he takes a heavy swig of the cool, conjured water.
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The sun beats down on the Pathfinders and takes it's toll as the group is slowed down by the onset of fatigue. Vincent does his best to rally and push forward, but the tracks prove difficult to track in the rocky terrain and the group loses more precious time before they find the tracks end at the cliff face.
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Seeing Khismia take out her healing wand and heal herself makes Dylara realize that's probably the best to do. Figuring the party has to make haste, Dylara uses her own wand on everyone else.
"Looks like we're all fine again," Dylara says as she puts her wand away.
She points at the tracks in front of the party. "Let's move, time is of the essence."
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"Thanks, Dylara. I feel much better now," says Tuich appreciatively.
When the group reaches the cliff face, Tuich takes Dylara's advice to heart. "ఆశా ఫ గైడెన్స్!" she says as she follows the tracks straight to the rock wall. Kneeling, she runs her fingers carefully along the seemingly solid stone face.
"Something..."
After examining the vertical surface she rises, takes a few steps back, and raises her hands. "మేజిక్ కనుగొను!"
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The trapdoor show no signs of trap, mundane or magical. Opening the trapdoor reveals a ladder which descends into a rough hewn passage. The passage eventually opens up into a larger chamber.
Enigmatic hieroglyphs cover just about every surface of this chamber excavated into the mountain. Bas-relief engravings stretch along the walls all the way from the lofty, tapered ceiling down to floor level, their eerie pictography suggesting an unnerving story. Toppled columns, crumbling shreds of cloth, and potsherds scattered throughout the chamber attest to the place’s abandonment and antiquity. Small holes in the vaulted ceiling let in thin beams of sunlight but do little to illuminate the chamber.