Eugeni flies out from the vessel and declares a grand message in the sky using powerful illusion magics.
A somewhat confused cheer begins, but once “giant threat eliminated” goes across the sky, the cheer grows quite enthusiastic. People begin milling about excitedly and the beginnings of an impromptu festival is beginning to take shape.
As Eugeni lands neara the rest of the disembarking Rangers, Sheriff Hemlock makes his way through the crowd. ”Is it true? The giants have been defeated? And who is this Karzoug?”
"Indeed, the giants have been defeated. Karzoug was the mastermind behind almost everything that's happened lately," explains Jeevika. "He was an ancient Thassilonian wizard, the Runelord of Greed specifically. He was the reason the giants attacked Sandpoint, and he was the man ultimately responsible for the kidnapping of Ameiko Kaijitsu. Speaking of who, we brought her home."
Almost as if on cue, Ameiko makes her way down off the boat. She has long since stopped wearing the armor and weapons she had been adorned with by the Runelord, choosing to wear basic attire. She has wrapped herself in a blanket and keeps her head down. She avoids questions from anyone, making her way to her home in solitude.
Hemlock watches somberly before replying, ”Let us get you to the Mayor, allow you to make a report to her directly. She didn’t seem too busy when I last saw her.”
As the Sheriff begins walking with Eugeni, Jeevika, Zoli, Elf-Form-Lorthan, Elthariel, and Halfling-Form-Ayruzi, citizens of Sandpoint approach and clap each of you on the back and offering their thanks. Save for Eugeni. It would seem his appearance still manages to keep many of the townsfolk at bay, much like when all this started.
About halfway down Main Street, outside of Sandpoint Savories and the Curious Goblin, Mayor Deverin can be seen approaching with a couple of men following behind her. As she gets closer, she holds her arms out happily to you all. ”So? Is it true then? You’ve put an end to our troubles?”
The two men behind her each walk with staves in hand. They appear about the same age, and both are elegantly dressed. One striking difference between them, though, is that one of them has what appear to be tattoos sporadically across his skin. Tattoos that glow with a faint blue energy, that seem to shift when not being directly observed.
The two step forward and approach Eugeni.
”An interesting use of illusions, sir. And effective, so it would seem based on the reaction of the citizenry,” the rune-marked mage says with a smile.
He turns and gives a slight bow of his head to Jeevika and adds pleasantly, ”Vindicator.”
Eugeni examines the man for a while. "Indeed. I am Eugeni Silva. With whom am I conversing?"
”Argor Constantine, Grand Councilman of Absalom,” he replies with a similar polite bow of his head to Eugeni. Strangely enough, he is not the least bit shocked or disturbed by your appearance.
He gestures to the man to his side and says ”And this is my friend and fellow practitioner, Master Arryn Giles,” with the man to his left bowing slightly as Argor had.
”Your good Mayor has informed us of your tribulations here, as well as the endeavors you have undertaken to overcome them,” he adds, ”Though, based on your demonstration,” he says as he looks up to the words in the sky, ”...it would seem there is far more at play here than even she was aware...”
A halfling sized, barefoot, winged woman dressed in flimsy metal armor steps out of Sandpoint Savories, carrying a small cinnamon roll. ”Argor! You really should try...” she says before stopping as her eyes lock onto Ayruzi. Her jaw drops a bit before she slowly begins walking forward.
”G-General Ayruzi? S-Sir! It...it’s an honor!” she says as she takes a knee in front of the unassuming halfling beside Zoli.
Ayruzi looks around before reaching out and lifting Adrenia up to her feet. ”On your feet, Cassisian. Only a select few know my nature, and it is to stay that way,” he whispers sternly to her.
”Y-yes sir...Understood sir...” she stammers in reply.
"Ah, a pleasure, Sir. I have followed your meteoric ascent in the Chronicles," Eugeni inclines his own head, remaining 'seated' in cross-legged position, floating above the ground.
"It is true. We have just defeated Karzoug, the Runelord of Greed, who sought to return and bring back Xin Shalast. Most the Varisia's recent troubles were his doing. What brings you to my...to our, fine little town?"
”Word of trouble in other parts of the world tends to gravitate to people in positions such as mine. When I received repeated accounts of disturbing reports in the Birthplace of Heroes, I recalled a visit to my business in Absalom from a band of adventurers in this part of the world who were committed to combatting the threat,” he says as he gives Jeevika a sorrowful look. ”As I had informed Lady Kailani here on her prior visit to Absalom, I wish we had been available sooner to lend our aid. But there were grave matters pressing us in our own home that needed dealt with first. Once those were in hand, I saw to it to make preparations and come lend aid with utmost haste. Though, if what you say is true, it was for nought. You and your ‘Rangers’ have clearly done good work.”
"It is most kind of you to have come. I am planning to undertake a great work here. I will unleash the kind of magics not seen here in hundreds of years. I will build this town into a monument to the sacrifice it took to defend this land, a monument to the greatness of Varisia herself. Would you like to help?"
Argor arches an eyebrow at the incredible trust this mage placed in him. He looks around at the small town, then back to the strange looking mage. ”I am intrigued by what exactly you mean by your statement. Though, based on your creative means of overland travel, I cannot deny at least a moderate curiosity in what you have planned. Perhaps we should discuss this further. As Master Giles would attest, I am always open to new business ventures.”
Arryn smirks and nods, ”Truly, Master Constantine has a love for economics.”
Arryn steps up to Jeevika and bows, ”My condolences, My Lady, for the loss of another of your daughters. I only met Setsuna once, but she seemed a fine young woman.”
Just once? Sabby wrote me that you also met Setsu just after that big attack on Absalom. Granted, she also insisted the Shion was capable of time travel, thinks Jeevika. Aloud, she says, "She was. Like her sister, Setsuna meant the world to me. However, the last words Karzoug ever heard were 'Her name was Setsuna.' His plans lay in ruins. His armies have been broken. Most of his lieutenants are dead or scattered. As such, I think my daughter can rest in peace."
As Eugeni and Argor continue to talk, Jeevika thinks about what has been unsaid.
Just six more to worry about. Thanks to us, Alaznist is out there. Meanwhile, there's Khalib's report about Krune...
Jeevika barely manages to avoid sighing.
I should really mention that to someone. But who? Grandmother deserves her retirement, Zoli clearly wants to settle down, Elthariel and Lorthan need some time to sort out their situation, and Eugeni just seems done with life. I can't leave Shion and Honey with Mom and Dad forever, and I've already stretched Elthariel's mandate thin enough as is.
Her gaze falls on Argor Constantine: a powerful, rising force of arcane might.
I wonder...
Jeevika attends the celebrations as protocol dictates. At first, still very tired from everything, she finds herself going through the motions. However, seeing the sheer amount of sincere gratitude among the citizens of Sandpoint greatly enhances Jeevika's mood; in particular, people just seem to have nothing but kind words to say about Setsuna and her gift to the city.
However, once she gets the opportunity, Jeevika seeks out a private audience with Argor Constantine. And private means private; Angry Sword goes into her Bag of Holding.
"Lord Constantine," Jeevika says with a polished curtsy; she had shifted her heavy armor back to the form of a dress. "There is an urgent matter that I need to bring to your attention."
She hands over the report she found among Khalib's notes.
"Thanks to Karzoug's activities and Alaznist's... return, it appears that Runelord Krune has also started to stir. That's a report from the Claimer's own apprentice detailing as much," she explains. "I thought about bringing it up with the others, but... they need a break. The things that have happened to them recently..."
Jeevika shivers at the thought.
"Would it be possible for you to investigate... and perhaps handle Krune's impending return on our behalf? I suspect that we will eventually get around to tracking down and neutralizing Alaznist, but two Runelords... That's just too much for us, especially since Ryli has retired. I will tell the others soon, but they need to rest, and I'd rather not delay acting against Krune. Another day, and Karzoug would have returned..."
Argor steeples his fingers in front of him while he sits in the candlelight of his private suite in the White Deer contemplating what the ambassador had just told him. He thinks quietly for several long moments, Adrenia anxiously bobbing her legs back and forth from her seat on the edge of the bed.
”That is certainly some vexing information. Especially that another Runelord is already alive and active in Golarion in secret. Perhaps...” he thinks a moment. ”...no. There isn’t time. Adrenia,” he calls out.
”Yes, Argor?” the angel replies.
”Settle our account with the innkeep and let Master Giles know of my imminent departure. He is capable of handling the further planning here. Let him know he has my support in his decisions in this venture,” he says, though his mind is clearly running other calculations and plans simultaneously. ”Return here in thirty minutes and we shall go prepare.”
He then turns to Jeevika and adds ”Thank you for this information. I shall go collect my apprentice and we shall then begin pursuing this Runelord forthwith,” as he extends his left arm towards the bed, his black metal staff floating across the room to his hand.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Argor arrived at the Magnimar Lodge, operated by Venture-Captain Sheila Heidmarch, with a flash of light. He appeared a few feet in front of the manor’s gateway, and casually began making his approach with William Lightstaff close at his heels.
He knocked on the door, which was answered by a young footman. He looked at the pair of mages quizzically before asking ”May I help you, Sirs?”
”Argor Constantine for Lady Heidmarch,” Argor replied bluntly.
The young page arched an eyebrow at him, not recognizing the name, before adding ”One moment,” and disappearing into the Lodge.
Argor tapped the bottom of his staff once against the paver impatiently, and William looked about nervously. But within a few moments, the Lady of the House greeted them and saw them inside. She leads them to an interior chamber where another man was present, another Venture-Captain named Ambrus Valsin. He started to introduce himself, but Argor cut him short by raising his hand and saying curtly ”Ward the room.”
The two VC’s looked at each other, and started to interject, but Argor simply said ”Now.”
The weight of his words was enough to convince them to acquiesce. After about thirty minutes, a half dozen other Pathfinder mages had arrived and faced the walls, concentrating on various spells that warded the room from eavesdroppers.
Argor looked at them both and said, ”My fellow Pathfinders, as you can see, the task that lies ahead for me transcends the interests of Magnimar’s esteemed lodge. It is a mission that could affect all of Golarion and merits the direct attention of the Decemvirate.”
Ambrus looks at Argor, confused. ”The Decemvirate? What do they wish for us to do?”
Argor turned his glowing eyes to Ambrus and replies ”They wish for you to aid me in this without question. They have received concerning reports of what has been transpiring here in Varisia, particularly in regards to the Runelord Krune. They fear his awakening is soon at hand, spurred into action by the attempted rise of Karzoug the Claimer,” he pauses as he turns his eyes to Sheila. ”The Decemvirate has learned that you recently acquired some Refuge Tokens, and divined their command words. I require two of them to enter into his domain and put a stop to him before he can fully awaken and command his full power.”
Sheila shakes her head, ”You cannot do this alone, Sir. Let us gather a team and send some aid with you!”
”There isn’t time,” Argor retorts. ”My apprentice shall accompany me. It will be a good learning experience for him, and his aid may prove invaluable if I become overwhelmed. Either way, we will do whatever it takes to end this threat to Golarion...permanently.”
She looks to Ambrus before nodding gravely, reaching into her desk drawer and retrieving two of the tokens and handing them to Argor, who promptly hands one over to a very pale looking William. Argor looks him in the eye and says ”Make your preparations.”
The two mages then begin layering their defenses upon themselves before they simultaneously activate their tokens and vanish in a flash!
__________
A small ziggurat emerges from the southern wall in a tomb like stone chamber. Most of the structure's blocks are simple but precisely cut stone blocks, but in several places petrified humans-too finely sculpted to be carved-shoulder the burden of the blocks above with scarred backs and hands. A short, steep flight of steps ascends the northern face to a second tier, and to the east and west two are other sets of steps that lead to the ziggurat's apex twenty feet above the ground, falling short of the thirty-foot ceiling. Curled about the apex of the ziggurat is a creature with the upper body of a woman, and the lower body of a serpent. From her back sprouts three sets of green feathered wings, and she wields a serpentine staff within her scaly grip.
Fortunately for the mages, they arrived veiled within an invisibility sphere. Argor held a finger up to William, who looked on anxiously at the creature standing vigil atop the ziggurat. He motions for his apprentice to follow him into the air, and the pair of wizards fly up to about 75 feet away from the outsider.
With a quick incantation, Argor unleashes a spell to cast the creature back from whence it came! The creature looked about in a surprised frenzy, seeing the mages as they appeared from their aggressive spell, but it was too late! She was banished back to her home realm! Before they advance further, Argor holds up a hand to William and says quietly ”There is a ward on the southern half of the ziggurat...an alarm spell. Likely to further warn the guardians further in. Give me a moment to dismantle it...”
He finishes his incantation and studies the area with his arcane sight, before nodding to William and saying ”It is done. Let us proceed.”
The pair then float up to the large door at the top of the stairs south of the ziggurat. They terminate in a large stone door, and carved into the door’s center is a large seven-pointed star...a Sihedron...with a palm-sized disk of blue-green metal inlaid into each point and a handprint embedded in its center. The disks glow softly with blue-green light, illuminating several runes that surround the handprint.
The wizards hover in place as Argor studies the sigils. ”What is it?” William asks softly.
”Abyssium,” Argor replies. ”It is a type of skymetal that gradually sickens those who carry or contact it. It was historically associated with the Sloth Mages of Thassilon. But, in addition to its poisonous properties, it is capable of producing and storing large amounts of energy. Further...these runes have been altered. They originally read ‘Only those who bear the life sign shall pass.’ Someone has altered the Thassilonian rune for Life with a self possessive, making it read ‘my sign’ instead. A sloppy misdirection. But the door is also warded with a necromantic trap designed to sap life force. Do not touch it.”
Argor works a bit more magic and then telekinetically opens the door before leading the way inside. The door opens into a fifteen-foot hallway that extends to the northeast and northwest to create a heptagon also perimeter around a central structure. Great stone plates inlaid with blue-green metal are built into alternating walls, each massive plate inscribed with its own immense rune. Framing each rune is a trio of extraplanar figures cast in stone, each one’s visage twisted in anger, agony, or despair. The only other visible door lies on the eastern side of the central structure.
Argor hovers over to one of the massive plates with the glowing runes, studying it intently. ”Fascinating...William, keep watch...”
William does so, clutching his own staff in both hands as he looks about, occasionally casting curious looks at the runes as well.
”I spent much time doing research on Krune and his methods. These must be the foci for his defensive wards he inscribed on his body. Disabling them should weaken him significantly...” he muses to himself. He hovers to each one in turn, studying it before naming it for William to learn, then attempting to disable it...
”The Rune of Life...” he says before sending a spell its way... ...resulting in the rune’s glow ending.
”The Rune of Alacrity...problematic, but not without a workaround...” he says before beginning a summoning. A moment later, an icy, insectile monstrosity steps through a portal, looking around curiously. Argor held a finger to his lips, commanding it to remain quiet. ”Target this rune with a damaging cold spell, and make it good, devil...”
”Argor...I don’t like it when you summon these abominations...”
”A means to an end, Adrenia. I shall be rid of it once it has fulfilled its purpose.”
The Ice Devil unleashes a blast of chilly death at the rune, and a moment later, it too fades from existence.
”The Rune of Defense...” Argor comments before incanting a spell. Lightning begins to dance along his fingers before the magic launches itself at the rune... resulting in its functioning to cease as well!
They proceed to the next one, ”Another Rune of Life...” Argor mutters before attempting the same tactic that worked before... with a repeat in the result.
Before moving on, William says ”Master...look...”, pointing out an elegant flail wrapped around the neck of the statue of a monadic deva. The Ice Devil chitters quietly with glee, earning a reprimanding look from Argor.
”Yes...I noticed. Good eye, William. Take it. It is quite valuable and does the deva no further purpose,” Argor replied.
William gathers it and places the weapon inside an extradimensional bag at his hip before the duo and their summon continue on around the circuit.
”Ah, the Rune of Armor. Stand aside, it takes fire to remove this one...” he warns before pointing a finger at the rune, sending three beams of flame at it!
...a moment later, the rune fades away.
Continuing on, they come upon another rune on the wall. ”The Rune of Control. Devil, you can be of service once again. Stab this thing until it vanishes.” The devil, compelled to obey, begins stabbing the rune with its spear and in a few quick thrusts, the rune fades away.
They finish the lap around the structure at another Rune of Life which William correctly identifies. Argor nods and sends another spell at it, , and Krune’s final defensive ward is stripped away. He then turns to the others and says whispers ”Now, we advance on the inner sanctum. Be prepared to eliminate any and all threats.”
Standing before the door, Argor turns to the devil and gestures with his head for it to lead the advance. It grips its spear before stepping forward and opening the door...
The walls of this wide atrium curve gently up to an opaque, glassy dome. Tan light from an unseen source filters through the dome, faintly illuminating the area. The room narrows to the west, where a broad stone altar flanked by iron braziers obstructs movement further in. An iron tile mosaic frames a door-sized space on the east wall, with a three-foot-tall stone pedestal bearing a shallow bowl standing next to it. Sickly greenish-purple motes of light play across the walls, shining from the room to the west.
As the ice devil advances, a rune discharges on the ceiling, sending bolts of lightning through it!
Near the shrine are four figures, one woman wearing a silk mask over her lower face, two men wielding greatswords, and a dark naga. The woman says ”Intruders seeking to interfere with our Master’s return. Agarik, Jorgas...end them!”
”With pleasure, Lashmistress Vandiana,” the reply eagerly.
The naga sends a bolt of lightning through the group, but fails to even so much as singe Argor or the devil. Only William seems phased, and he grunts in pain as the electricity surges through him. The two men with greatswords each drink down a potion.
William retaliates with a spell of his own. A small orange bead flies into the midst of their group, exploding in to a fiery inferno! Vandiana retorts with a spell of her own, attempting to befuddle the mages. But their will proves too strong for her enchantment.
”Enough of this! I am not interested in prolonged engagements!” Argor says before sending lightning bouncing between the various members of the opposing group! They all cry out in anguish, the humans all falling as their charred bodies smolder from the assault. The naga remains standing, however, to Argor’s chagrin. He scowls at it before quickly sending a series of three fiery rays at it, finishing the thing off and causing it to fall limply to the floor. All that remains of Krune’s guardians are their charred corpses.
The light in the next room begins to grow as Adrenia uses the healing wand she had left from Argor’s prior adventures on William. He nods a thanks to her as Argor says ”Come. We haven’t much time,” before following the devil into the next chamber.
Four thick chains extend from the walls to suspend a heavy stone sarcophagus several feet off the ground. A dozen cracks run across the sarcophagus's surface-opaque, bruise-colored vapor seeps from these breaks, pooling on the ground. Short lived flashes of energy sporadically dance across the stone and through the mist. Argor narrows his eyes at the sarcophagus before turning back to the altar in the previous room. He hovers over and picks up a gleaming, flawless emerald off of the top of the alter before hovering back into the room with the sarcophagus. Without looking from the gem, he says ”William. Get the book of prayers from the altar.”
”Yes, Master Constantine,” he replies before turning and quickly flying back to the altar as well. Once he is away, Argor says an incantation and a wall of force separates William from the fight!
”Master!?!? What are you doing?” William asks nervously.
”Keeping you safe, William. This could prove dangerous, unless my initial gambit succeeds. If it fails, this chamber will be a battleground the likes of which has only been seen on Golarion a handful of times. Watch, learn, and if I fall, return home with the scroll I gave you and warn Master Giles,” Argor says as he hands the gem to the devil.
”Master! No!” William pleads as he slams a fist against the wall!
Argor turns to the Ice Devil and says ”Break it.”
The devil nods and crushes the gem in his hand. A moment later, a man with a shaved head appears on the floor fifteen feet east of the sarcophagus near the edge of the mist. He is elegantly dressed, and his body is covered in Thassilonian runes. He holds a spear in one hand, the tip fashioned from a dragon’s tooth. In the other, he holds a rod covered in runes as well. He appears to be staggered and disoriented from the sudden forced awakening!
”What...What insolence is this?” Krune says seethingly as he studies his adversaries.
”This is your end, Runelord,” Argor retorts before weaving some magic, attempting to cripple the Runelord quickly! Krune’s mental faculties are ripped apart by the might of Argor’s spell! A defensive ward Krune had placed prior to his stasis kicks in, attempting to remove the effect, but to no avail as the damage was magic had already done its damage and faded!
”What have you done!?!?” a feminine voice cries out. ”You will pay for this, you wretches!” it wails as a beam of black energy flies from the staff and hits Argor, causing him to crumple to his knees, leaning on his staff for support! Krune then stabs at Argor with the weapon twice, but the mage’s defenses prove too thorough!
”The spear! Take the spear!” Argor commands the devil. It reaches out with both hands, as Krune attempts to prevent it from doing so with a thrust of his own! The tooth of the spear hits the devil square in the chest, but does not manage to penetrate the carapace! The devil then grabs it and begins trying to wrest it away from the Runelord. It was a surprising struggle, but he manages to take it away!
”Put it in my pack!” Argor commands as he works a spell to dispel the effect sapping his strength. He is successful, and as he stands, the devil pushes the spear down into Argor’s pack as the spear cries out ”No! You’ll pay for this! I will end you! I will e-“ it shrieks before being cut off by the flap closing down on it, sealing it in the extradimensional space.
__________
Krune, now without a weapon and without his spells, tries to tackle Argor, but the Ice Devil grasps him and holds him back. Argor steps up and stares at the man, studying him and his features intently. ”You and your kin were the stuff of legends, Krune. But no more. Your time is finished,” he says as he raises a hand and points it at Krune’s chest.
”Argor...he is beaten...” Adrenia pleads with her mage.
”But the spell debilitating him can be undone by another. It is too much of a risk, Adrenia. There is already one Runelord at large on Golarion. And another defeated. I cannot risk letting another free due to my own negligence, even if it is merciful,” Argor sighs.
Adrenia looks at the mage, then the the Runelord, before she sighs and nods. She had studied alongside Argor and recounted with flawless memory the atrocities these Runelords were responsible for and capable.
Argor then utters the incantation, and a beam of green energy surges into Krune! Argor repeats this twice before the Runelord is reduced to nothing more than a pile of ash and dust. William watches on from the other chamber beyond the wall of force, his jaw slack from the duel he just witnessed.
Argor collects the Runelords belongings, placing them all within William’s satchel, except for the runecovered rod. He studies it a moment before tucking it within his own robes. He then turns to William and says ”Let us go.”
__________
Jeevika is startled by the sudden appearance of Argor Constantine and another man. The man at Argor’s side is quite young. And Argor himself appears...older...compared to yesterday. Several years older, in fact. He looks at her and studies her face a moment before he says flatly, ”It is done. Runelord Krune is no more.”
"...Truly?" Jeevika asks in sincere surprise. After hearing the accounts from the trio and seeing the evidence, the Holy Vindicator is absolutely floored, "Khalib speculated that we had a year or so until the Runelord of Sloth returned. You killed Krune in just... a single day!"
She studies Argor for a moment.
"Relatively speaking," Jeevika adds with a soft, sad smile, acknowledging all the time Argor sacrificed to fulfill her request. She relaxes slightly, "An astounding feat, Lord Constantine. You have my sincere gratitude, and the world owes you a great debt."
Argor takes a seat in a nearby chair, leaning back into it and relaxing, as if it was the first time in a long time. ”I did what was necessary. However, I cannot put myself at such prolonged risk without taking certain measures to tend to my own endeavors.”
He sighs and looks at William, adding ”But, it was an invaluable opportunity for young William here, and is it not the responsibility of those who possess such skill as we to act when no others cannot for the good of our world? If not, what is the point? We must protect our own, so that we may thrive,” he adds with a sigh.