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Seeing Amennekht bring down one of the creatures Quarr decides to hurl his bomb at the remaining one.
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Quarr throws a bomb at the northern guardian, barely scratching it.
Chasik swings, but misses the guardian.
The northern statue swings its scimitar at Chasik three times!
The southern guardian gets back to its feet and swings at Amennekht.
The northern guardian's stony flesh mends slowly.
Initiative - round 3 - bold may act
1. Ardisen, Amennekht, Quarr, Chasik, Ignatius
2. Graven Guardians
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Quarr looks at the statues and back at Ardisen. The Statues are faith bound. They will not attack an individual who follows their faith. Be careful of their blades. The wounds that they cause will not allow your wounds to close and you will continue to bleed though they are suseptible to Adamantine.
Quarr flies downward as he grasps the red lantern.
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Amennekht hesitates a moment too much, and by the time he acts again, the statues continue defending the sanctum with alacrity!
Both of them strike their quarry, Chasik and Amennekht respectively.
Initiative - round 4 - bold may act!
1. Ardisen, Amennekht, Quarr, Chasik, Ignatius
2. Graven Guardians
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Chasik takes a powerful swing to his shoulder, at the last possible second, Chasik once again calls upon the amazing powers of the Sage. Chasik, somehow turns aside the mighty blow that would carve most people in two. The second swing, lands true, but his skin manages to turn aside most of the damage that would have been inflicted.
I go down. I WILL press on. Hurry up guys, I don't know how much more I can fend off the relentless of the enemy!
Chasik, grips his hammer, and takes another mighty swing, wondering to himself if the enemy will succumb to his own relentless attacks.
Chasik, with his swing at the apex, he moves just a hare and his swing goes wide. His hammer, crashes on the ground, leaving a large "hole" in the stonework.
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Chasik holds on, just refusing to go down to the guardian statue's blade! He misses, but he's still there, moved by his indomitable will.
Ignatius withdraws from the fight, seeking safety.
Quarr sets the red lamp where Ardisen suggested, and a sign immediately tells him that the wizard's guess was good. A ray of red light is emitted by the lamp and goes straight to the southernmost carved prism near the door.
Initiative - round 4 - bold may act!
1. Ardisen, Amennekht, Quarr, Chasik, Ignatius
2. Graven Guardians
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Instantly, another beam of light -this time a yellow one- surges to illuminate the carved prism.
Initiative - round 4 - bold may act!
1. Ardisen, Amennekht, Quarr, Chasik, Ignatius
2. Graven Guardians
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Ardisen attempts to defend himself against the statue whilst his fellow Pathfinders relocate the remaining lights are only moderately successful. As Ammenekht looks on the enchanter collapses, heavily wounded from the superior combat prowess of his attacker, mercifully kept alive by the Ruby Sage's power.
-Posted with Wayfinder
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As soon as the lamp is put into place, a blue ray surges fortth towards the carved prism, leaving only one of them unlit.
Meanwhile, Chasik charges to succor poor Ardisen , smashing bits of the statue and definitely getting its attention.
Initiative - round 6 - bold may act!
1. Ardisen, Amennekht, Quarr, Chasik, Ignatius
2. Graven Guardian
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As Amennekht sweeps the graven guardian so that it falls to the ground with a loud crash, Quarr sets the green lamp in the correct slot, allowing for the fourth beam of light to hit its intended carving. Immediately, the graven guardian stops moving, reverting to a simple statue. This is the ideal opportunity to save Ardisen, and the large gem in the wall seems to melt away from around Amenopheus, freeing the Sapphire sage!
Amenopheus frowns at you and apologizes. "I had thought that being blessed with the Ruby Sage's powers, you would be able to pass through the entryway as well. I did not fully comprehend what would happen. Still, we should press on before anything else unexpected happens."
As you pass through the space the gem once stood, you hear the sound of grating stone. Looking back, you see all of the statues moving, returning the lamps to their original location. Once so returned, the lamps extinguish and await their next visitor.
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 only occupant of this room is a Garundi woman bedecked in the style of an Osirian noblewoman. "Amenopheus," she says, her voice like a low grumble, "welcome home. I did not expect you to arrive before Kafar and Nefti. Out of curiosity, did you slay them to get to your prize or did you bring them under your wing? I do not see them here."
Turning to you, she opens her arms. "And welcome to you as well, Pathfinders. Ah, yes, I do know of some of you. Always asking in the strangest of places as to my whereabouts. I have been following your work. As you may have guessed, I am Tahonikepsu, the Diamond sage."
In the minutes that follow, both sages start exposing their vision about their the jeweled sages, sometimes by pointing fingers at each other, sometimes by being visionaries. 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.
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, Amenopheus 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 you represent the Ruby Sage as a group, each of you receives a fraction of her vote. Understandably, Amenopheus and Tahonikepsu cast their votes in favor of their own policies. The future of the Scarab Sages depends on you!
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Ardisen staggers into the room, bowing to the Diamond Sage but allowing the conversation between the two sages to play out as the young wizard still grips his tender wounds.
When the moment for his vote finally comes, the enchanter seems to ponder the decision heavily. Finally, with some reservation, he speaks his part.
"Honored Amenopheus, I hold nothing but respect for you and what you have accomplished for your country, the Pathfinders and the Sages, however, had the old ways of your order been successful, we would not be here now. I feel Tahonikepsu's interest in innovation and progression offers you and your order the best chance in the future. Ultimately, the decision rests in your hands, but you have requested my decision and I offer it."
Given his measured tone and seasoned smile, it's hard to perceive the Chelaxians reason for voting as he has. Whatever the outcome, the youth seems relatively happy with himself as he recovers from his wounds in the days that follow. As the strength of the Ruby Sage gradually leave the Pathfinders, so do Ardisens nightmares return. Despite the exhaustion that comes with nocturnal terrors, the prodigy still remains somewhat upbeat, electing to stay in Osirion alittle longer before returning to Absalom. If pressed about what has prompted his good mood of late, the enchanter will eventually admit that following his success here and his newfound membership in the Sovereign Court, Lady Gloriana Morilla has agreed to see that his noble heritage is formally recognized. Despite his fatigue, Lord Ardisen Greymore disappears into the crowds of Sothis with his trademark smile on his face.
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Quarr looks about him, a bit worried on how much his decision weighs.
There is always a time for change and innovation in my opinion. If we stick to old traditions and are unable to adapt with the current events and diplomacies then those that are will easily take over. I am in agreement with the change and innovation Honored Amenopheus
Quarr steps back as he offers his piece of the vote.
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Ignatius watches the exchange between the two sages with a feeling of awe - not completely understanding what is discussed. He bows curtly to each of the sages before saying his peace.
"Having only recently become familiar with the ways of Osirion and the sages, I feel my opinion may still be considered that of an outsider. However, I ask myself 'What would the Decemvirate want?' In response to that, I must conclude that they would like to see Osirion brought into more modern times. I am sorry, master Amenopheus, but I must agree with the Diamond Sage."
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With a majority of the party leaning towards the Diamond Sage, Amenopheus bows his head. "And so the wisdom of the followers have chosen the one followed. Though I do not agree with your methods, your tactics are not unsound. I will follow you."
"I believe you, Amenopheus, the Sapphire Sage. You have brought the topaz jewel to this place. It is a shame the emerald is not also here. Where has it run off to?"
As you relate the information of the credit slips for the jewel, Amenopheus' brow furrows. "That name... Angvar Branmaz... This is dreadful news. That name is the pseudonym of Grandmaster Torch, enemy of the Society. With such a powerful artifact, who knows what scheme he can concoct. Upon my return, I shall use every contact and every resource to find him and get it back."
The Diamond Sage nods and smiles towards you, one hiding aeons of wisdom. "I expect we shall be needing your services again the future, bright warriors. If you discover any more secrets of the sage jewels, let us know immediately. The loss of the ruby gem will slow our plans considerably, but it is not insurmountable."
With that and a hasty farewell, Amenopheus and the Sage ensure safe passage for you back to Eto. From there, it is but a short boat ride elsewhere to further adventure...