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"I don't know..." Tuich says, her gaze roving over the various statues, looking for anything familiar.
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- Miko, are you sure the statues will stop when you finish?, Khismia asked thing, she was afraid most.
"Yes," Miko answers.
----
At the time I wasn't sure of anything. We were in a locked room, you see, with two statues filled with divine rage coming at us, and our leader embedded in some sort of crystal. I was quite desperate for any solution. Dylara, Vincent and Vyk were fully concentrated on those wrathful statues, so I had little choice but to try.
---- Miko Teppen, testimony in the investigation into the events in Osirion
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Miko eliminates two more possible statues. It looks like it has to be one of the two statues behind the guardian attacking Vyk. The guardians continue to attack.
Tuich places the other lantern into the hands of the ruby sage statue and gets a beam of ruby light to reflect on to the ruby carving on the floor.
Vyk
Tuich
Miko
Dylara
Khismia
Statues (red 29)
Vincent (-3/36)
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The statue takes a swing at Miko with it's staff.
Miko takes a hit, but is quickly able to identify the correct statue. She places the lantern in it's hand to create the emerald ray of light which lights up the final gem carving on the floor. With in seconds the lanterns go out and the statues return to their original positions. The crystal holding Amenophues melts away, releasing a stunned an puzzled sapphire sage. "What in the world just happened?" He askes looking around at the wounded. "Is everyone still alive?" He asks as he rushes over to aid the unconscious Vincent.
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Khismia had not much time for thinking, she moved forward, dropping unused scroll of protection and calling for resources of Ruby Sage. She touched Vyk's shoulder, trying to hold it long enough, until the connection began burn her hand and a little bit more.
Understanding, that her action will definitely bring guardian attention, she raised her shield, and shout from the other side: Will you dare hit me?!
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When the statue turns around, Vyk smiles shakily and says in a punch drunk tone, "Yeah, you better run."
He then collapses in a heap. Moments later he is brought back to consciousness by Khismia.
"Did I get him?" he asks after a groan.
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Miko takes the brunt of the statue's attack, and feels tears rolling from her eyes as the breath is knocked out of her.
Shine on, you crazy emerald.
----
I didn't see much of what happened, I was just closing my eyes and waiting for the staff to come down again. What if I was wrong? I already witnessed the statue knock down Vincent. Tough-as-a-brick-Vincent! Vyk and Dylara were at their limit, how could I last against those statues?
I closed my eyes and waited for the pain. Reality faded and made way for a vision of the past. Those little eyes again.
"You lit the beacon," he spoke, "they truly surpassed themselves."
Nini, my brother. I had so many question, but he just looked at me, stared, and finally said "You better run".
---- Miko Teppen, personal journal
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A bead of sweat runs down Dylara's face. Her heart still races and she feels reluctant to lower her shield.
"I hope this was the worst part," Dylara mutters as she stares at the colored beams.
With Khismia and Tuich already taking care of Vyk and Vincent, Dylara decides to heal herself up first.
Dylara holds up her wand once she's taken care of her own wounds. "Let me know if you want some healing."
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Once the Pathfinders are healed up Amenopheus stands. "I am sorry I did not see this coming and you had to suffer because of it. The sapphire was damaged when it came into my possession so the memories of the original sage are fractured. I just hope that what is behind that door was worth the effort." Amenopheus steps up to the crystal door which now has a seem down the center and pushes it open.
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. The chamber is occupied by a single garundi woman dressed as an osirion noblewoman. "Welcome home." she says to the group.
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"It's a wise thing to do, seek knowledge," Dylara adds, feeling a bit silly as she says it.
I'm awful at this kind of stuff...
Dylara tries to get an impression of the Garundi woman's intentions, but the woman's clothes distract her.
I bet she has a lot of jewels if she's a noble. Though not all as useful as the ones we've been trying to collect.
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The woman nods at Miko's question. "I think you misunderstand my intentions. My name is Tahonikepsu, and I am the current diamond sage. My goal is to restore the order of the jewel sages as their vast knowledge could be of great importance to everyone ones future." She steps forward toward Amenopheus. "I have watched you and your Pathfinder allies for some time now, and the fact that you have returned here first with one of the other sage gems proves to me you are ready."
Amenopheus seems a bit flustered at first, but he soon finds his voice. "You've know about me for how long and you just now decided to work with me? How much good could we have accomplished had you approached me from the start? If you know anything about me you'd know that I too wish to restore the jewel sages."
The two begin to discussing the future of the order, but seem to disagree on a few points. First is the down fall of the original sages, Amenopheus believes it was due to the invasion of Osirion bythe Kelish. While Tahonikepsu believe it could have been avoided had the sages not be so spread out and had a strong leader.
Second they disagree on who the new sages should be, Amenopheus believes they should pick the most learned scholars as they would best fit the role and be able to hand the millennia of memories contained within. Tahonikepsu believes that this 'might' help, but they should focus on those who should be able to use that knowledge to better the world. She suggests recruiting active and innovative sages that could act as advisors to powerful leaders. Or could predict the future by following current events.
Finally Tahonikepsu points out that Amenopheus has already created a rift with the current leader of Osirion and that using his ways would invite history to repeat itself. Amenopheus counters that he knows nothing about Tahonikepsu and her motives or even what experience she may have that would make her fit to lead, making her a complete stranger to these proceedings. To this Tahonikepsu takes a step back and her shape twists and contorts in a matter of seconds to reveal a large purple dragon. "I present my credentials, we are strangers no more."
Amenopheus takes a step back a bit shocked by this new development. "I see, that was a bit unexpected, but I can see that your power and wisdom could be of great benefit to the sages. However I must insist that we keep with the old ways and settle this with a Convocation of the Sages." The dragon looks at the Pathfinders, "Very well, we shall put it to a vote, since they each represent the ruby sage we shall see what each decides to determine the ruby sages vote. So what will it be Pathfinders. The old ways of tradition or a new innovative path?"
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Tuich's jaw drops as the woman morphs into a dragon. She swallows hard and then in a quavering voice says, "Forgive my audacity, but given what we've seen and experienced in our time as Pathfinders... well, what assurance do we have that this isn't an illusion or other artifice?"
Then her tone changes. "As for your question... I'm hardly a person to ask. I wasn't even chosen to represent the ruby sage," she says, her silks rippling as Tooley acknowledges her reference. "But this is a discussion about how great power should be distributed. And talk of 'powerful leaders' having access to even more power... that makes me uncomfortable. Look at the horrors that have already come to pass in the quest for, or the misuse of, power!"
"And 'bettering the world'... well, that's open to interpretation, isn't it." She shakes her head. "No, I think the old ways are best. Scholars, as Amenopheus said; not 'advisors.' "
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May I interrupt you two for a second? I understand that you both have big plans, and you want to put this to the vote, but I first want to know who I am dealing with. Miko casts a brief sideways glance at Tuich, hoping she doesn't scorn her like she did when Miko gave the wayfinder away.
You're a dragon. Fine. My brother was a fox, Vyk here has blood of the fiends coursing through him, and I don't even know what I am myself. I don't see what that has to do with anything. If I am to trust you, answer me this question: what was the plan with those Aspis agents? You do realise you lost two of the sage jewels with that little stunt?
You've been watching us while we lost a friend out there in the desert, while we were chasing those goons.
You two are sitting on this huge cache of knowledge, the memories of generations. You, Miko addresses Amenopheus, propose to store that knowledge and preserve it, yet Osirion still exists! History is still in the making! This chapter is not closed, so why treat it as such? And you, Miko says to the dragon, you advocate innovation? Use the knowledge of the sages to drive a political agenda? Restrict the knowledge for the needs of the few?
We represent the Ruby sage, and we also represent the Open Road, the Society that aims to explore the knowledge of all of Golarion, chronicle these findings, and that looks at the bigger picture. I say make this knowledge available to all, so that everyone may learn from it.
I vote for the ruby sage.
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Amenopheus leans over and whispers to Tuich. "I can assure you that is a real dragon."
The dragon Tahonikepsu listens to Miko's idea. "So instead of controlling the flow of knowledge you would flood the world with it? Even to those that are unprepared? An interesting idea and one your fellows can choose to vote on." The dragon looks to Tuich, "Your friend may change his vote if he wishes."
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Vincent frowns and drums his fingers on a nearby column as he thinks. "Unprepared for knowledge? People are experts at avoiding obvious truths. Those who don't seek enlightenment generally aren't going to find it, no matter how easy the path. I'm the general masses will still manage to stay utterly uninformed either way. But freedom of information will certainly benefit all those who seek it, as opposed to a localized group. I agree with Miko."
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— Is it possible to be unprepared? I think, you are not speaking about putting knowledge into their minds by magic.. You are speaking giving the possibility to take it for those who are ready to work for it. So, there are no unprepared if people eager to learn and become better. If we have advanced society and better technologies it is good for business and for people. Everyone will benefit from that. So I support Miko
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"Every major problem this world has ever faced has to do in some way with wizards and their secrets. You sages might mean well now, but in a hundred years? A thousand?"
"I - I like to think that I'm a good person. But maybe - maybe one day I won't be. We live in an age of broken prophecy, we can't truly know the future anymore. But I take comfort in knowing that if I ever do become dangerous, someone will stop me."
"And the only way to prevent that from happening to the sages is to share their knowledge with everyone. Wisdom will come later. It's price paid in either time or pain. Just as it always is."
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Dylara's eyes burn with such an intensity that one may wonder if Dylara's trying to set the dragon on fire with her gaze. "You were watching us all this time, and you did nothing to prevent the death of my best friend?"
"Then you're not wise. Just a cruel piece of ****," she says venomously through her clenched teeth. "You watched Melon die inside that monster's stomach, while you could've avoided it."
Dylara continues to give Tahonikepsu her death glare. She has to do her best to not draw her sword and charge the dragon.
"As for the vote, I'm with Miko and my other companions... The old ways Amenopheus suggests have proven ineffective, and I dislike your suggestion of hoarding knowledge for the high of mighty... like you fancy yourself to be."
I should gut you, but I know it won't bring forth any good.
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The dragon listens to Dylara's words and gives a curt nod before addressing Amenopheus. "It appears the vote is a three way tie. Each of us wishes to go a separate way." Amenopheus smiles with a adds, "Ahhh but the Topaz sage has not voiced her opinion." The sapphire sage askes for the Topaz gem, which he places on the central platform. Suddenly the sands in the room begin to swirl and take shape. In a few moments a clear image made of sand floats above the topaz gem, that image is of Amenopheus. The dragon Tahonikepsu nods her head," it is decided, Amenopheus while lead the way in restoring the order of jewel sages." She looks over at Dylara, "Watched is perhaps to strong of a word, I was simply aware of the different events that lead you here not the fine details. I am sorry that this journey has cost you and as a token of good faith I would like to offer you a gift." The sands in the room begin to swirl and take shape once again, this time they take on the form of a bird before there is a flash of light. A very confused but familiar bird is standing on the central platform looking at Dylara. "I got a clear picture of her through the raw emotions you shared earlier. The process was a bit traumatic for her so she may not have all of her memories."
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"Well, that's politics for you," Vyk sighs with a sigh.
He then smiles when he sees Melon return. And he discretely turns away so no one can see him shed a single manly tear.
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Amenopheus nods his approval. " A fine gift, and one that will be treasured. No as you can see we have the Topaz jewel, but what of the Emerald? It was at the same location as the Topaz and Ruby, but we could not find it on the two you sent to retrieve it." Tahonikepsu eyes go wide, "I had no idea there would be other jewels at that location. I only sent them for the one, please take me to their bodies, I would like to ask them myself."
The dragon shifts back to her human form and follows Amenopheus back to the dead Aspis agents. Tahonikepsu casts a spell on one of the bodies and asks it. "What have you done with the Emerald Gem!" The young man's mouth opens and a single word comes out, "Torch." Amenopheus's jaw drops, "This is not good at all, I must head back to speak with my contacts within the Pathfinders. The plague gem in the hands of one such as Torch is grave news indeed. We will also need to look into restoring the power of the Ruby Jewel as I can already feel it's power fading from these Pathfinders." Amenopheus turns to the group, "It looks like our work here is done, however there is still much to do. I thank you all for your efforts here and we shall escort you safely back to Eto."
The journey back is uneventful and the Sages wish you well as they depart to deal with the pressing matters at hand. Back at the lodge you each receive a letter from Venture Captain Hestia Themis congratulating you on dispatching the insidiously dangerous duo of Kafar and Nefti.