Xiao tries to follow through with the strategy and contact the contacts.
[dice=Diplomacy]d20+10
Before long, a harried courier flies to meet you, and rushes up to Xiao, puffing for breath:
"From vizier Mithradatha. <huff> Letters of passage."
With these papers in hand, you can confidently make your way to the Cobalt Gallery, where mahogany bookshelves encircle the walls of the chamber with two rows of freestanding shelves spanning its length. Desks and chairs of varying sizes offer seating accommodation for the library’s diverse patrons. Small tendrils of mist spiral up from the vapor fountain in the middle of the room—an elegant display of anchored cyclones. An open door on the western wall empties out into a hallway, and a ladder near the eastern wall leads up to the second floor balcony. The ceiling reaches sixty feet from the floor and is painted with a mural of imperious djinn soaring in the sky. The most striking details of the room, however, are the thick clouds suspended in the air between the balcony and the ceiling. Atop these stationary clouds rest additional bookshelves, chairs, desks, and podiums.
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As they enter the library, Sunlight Under Stone looks around in awe.
Shaking its head suddenly, the leshy furrows its brow in concentration. Moments later, the glittering stones animate as Ancient Stone Glider zooms up to one of the floating bookshelves and screeches with the sound of glass on glass before pecking at something as if trying to open it.
"Can anyone see what they're doing up there?" Sunlight Under Stone asks grumpily. "All I can tell is that they're very excited and quite proud of themselves."
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Robyyn's eyes follow Ancient Stone Glider as the stone bird flies up into the clouds, and he's barely able to pick out what the bird has seen. "It's some kind of secret compartment!" he exclaims, with admiration clearly ringing in his voice.
He turns to Sunlight under Stone with surprise. "That bird has great eyes!"
Robyyn moves underneath where Ancient Stone Glider is tapping, concentrates briefly, then starts rising through the air, eventually joining the bird at the secret compartment.
Opening the secret compartment, you find a simple, leather-bound book branded with the sigils of the elemental lords on its spine. Opening the book, you see the same phrase repeated on every page:
"Without wings, I soar
Without throat, I roar
I can be touched
But never clutched
I am free within the skies
You cannot see me with your eyes
What am I?"
When Sunlight says "wind," there is a sudden flash of light. The plain-looking leather book is replaced by a jewel-encrusted platinum tome with the title etched in Auran on its cover.
The book falls open to a center page, and suddenly the animated image of a young girl wearing a jeweled turban appears on the page in scintillating ink. Melodic laughter echoes from the book as she offers a deep bow. “Hello, gentle reader,” the illustration says in a lilting voice. “How may I assist you?”
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Xiao is clearly surprised.
”Hello, I hope that you are well!? We are a group of researchers that would like to know if you have any knowledge about the prison of the good lord of elemental air who is currently trying to escape and whom we would very much like to help! Could you potentially provide us any hints on how to achieve this task?“ Xiao says.
“I have collected many theories on how to free my lord, the Duke of Thunder, but the one I feel is most credible involves the creation of a hammer crafted from the purest elements of fire, water, and earth. Metal from the core of Aryzul’s kingdom must be forged in fire hotter than Ymeri’s hatred and then quenched in water colder than Kelizandri’s heart. When such a weapon is applied to the Untouchable Opal, the gem should break and release my lord. Ostensibly, a similar treatment using equally powerful components might also suffice. For further reading about this subject, please refer to page 109.
Do you have other questions?”
"Not to my knowledge, no. Such a weapon would be jealously guarded by evil elemental lords."
At Sunlight Under Stone's question, the book flips its pages to page 109. It is covered with symbols and esoterica. With enough time, you could probably make some sense of it, particularly with the book's aid, but it is probably too involved to pick up quickly.
As you are perusing the book, Fairuza Bereket, the female djinni librarian from the gala, bursts into the room.
"Put that book down at once! Don't you realize how dangerous this rash plan of yours is?! By nature, the balance among the elements depends upon the balance of power among the elemental planes. For tens of thousands of years, one elemental lord has reigned supreme over each plane. To release a second in the Plane of Air would disrupt that balance. It would bring about chaos, with the promise of war and suffering."
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Menarul practically starts to drool over the book with a talking and communicative organizational structure able to handle questions and respond with clear and concise answers. I want one! Though I hope it's not a sentient being in there, or at least one who didn't want to be in there. Before the group gets too far he slides in closer and asks the book quietly "YOU aren't trapped in there are you?"
As the librarian bursts into the room and explains things, Menarul gives her a no-nonsense look and cocks an eyebrow. "So what you're saying is we need to free all four good elemental lords? If a combination of all three of the opposing elements can break one it stands to reason the same would work with the other lords assuming we can find them of course."
Menarul practically starts to drool over the book with a talking and communicative organizational structure able to handle questions and respond with clear and concise answers. I want one! Though I hope it's not a sentient being in there, or at least one who didn't want to be in there. Before the group gets too far he slides in closer and asks the book quietly "YOU aren't trapped in there are you?"
"Oh no. I transferred my consciousness to this book shortly after the Duke of Thunder and the other good-aligned elemental lords were imprisoned, to preserve me knowledge of the planes and the lords. This book is my home and where I keep all my knowledge."
The librarian seems to consider your claims, but as she opens her mouth to answer you, a group of creatures enters the room. A sylph leads the pack, followed by a small air elemental, an air mephit, and a pegasus.
The sylph angrily addresses your group: "Ah, I see we have located the traitors. How dare you plot against Hshurha! And Fairuza, I should have known you would be involved in this. You will see what befalls those who oppose the Duchess of All Winds!"
Fairuza turns to you: "No time to talk now; fight for your lives!" At this, she lets out a blast of electricity which strikes the pegasus and the mephit, then exits into the hallway, pursued by the fuming creatures. This leaves you facing the sylph and the air elemental.
~+~Combat Initiated~+~
Round 1:
Calvert
Air Elemental
Xiao
Sunlight Under Stone
Robyyn
Menarul
Sylph
Vaylin
The air elemental swoops over to Calvert and attacks him.
for
Round 1 (cont.):
Calvert (-4)
Air Elemental
Xiao
Sunlight Under Stone
Robyyn
Menarul
Sylph
Vaylin
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"Wait! But... I wasn't finished talking with you yet!" Sunlight Under Stone yells after Fairuza's rapidly retreating form. Incensed, the leshy turns their ire on the interrupters. "Why don't you go away!" they say forcefully as the ground trembles beneath their feet. A large ball of earth flies at the elemental as Sunlight Under Stone attempts to push it away from Calvert.
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Robyyn turns to face the intruders, and seems saddened at first--but then quickly enraged--to see that they all share a bloodline with him.
"Oh no! Ranginori will be freed; you've chosen the wrong side of this conflict, my unfortunate cousins. If the Duchess of All Winds intends to rule the realm of air, she can earn that place against the realm's true lord."
He steps forward and focuses on the elemental, letting the arcane wickedness of his gaze work against the creature as he begins a chilling laugh.
The air elemental dodges all of the physical attacks, but Robyyn's gaze engenders in it a sense of doom.
BOT
Maenarul takes aim at the sylph with his longbow.
END BOT
The sylph sneers at Robyyn, shouting, "How could you betray our mistress?!" He then unleashes a burst of force at Robyyn.
Round 1-2:
Calvert (-4)
Air Elemental (Evil Eye: -2 AC)
Xiao
Sunlight Under Stone
Robyyn (-7)
Menarul
Sylph
Vaylin
The elemental swings back at Calvert.
for .
Round 1-2:
Calvert (-7)
Air Elemental (Evil Eye: -2 AC)
Xiao
Sunlight Under Stone
Robyyn (-7)
Menarul
Sylph
Vaylin
The air elemental is pummeled by the rocky kinetic blast, dropping it to the ground.
Round 1-2:
Calvert (-7)
Air Elemental (Evil Eye: -2 AC)
Xiao
Sunlight Under Stone
Robyyn (-7)
Menarul
Sylph
Vaylin
The eagle's last attack seems to strike true against the sylph, but he mutters a brief incantation and his form becomes momentarily insubstantial as a cloud of mist.
Round 1-2:
Calvert (-7)
Air Elemental
Xiao
Sunlight Under Stone
Robyyn (-7)
Menarul
Sylph
Vaylin
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"Nice trick! Bet you can't pull that again!" Robyyn steps forward, quickly calling up powerful magic, incanting and weaving strands of power with intricate motions that he then wings in a hurling motion towards the sylph. A thick and intricate web of sticky threads explodes in front of the sylph, trapping it between the balcony railing and the library stacks.
Web creates a many-layered mass of strong, sticky strands. These strands trap those caught in them. The strands are similar to spiderwebs but far larger and tougher. These masses must be anchored to two or more solid and diametrically opposed points or else the web collapses upon itself and disappears. Creatures caught within a web become grappled by the sticky fibers. Attacking a creature in a web doesn't cause you to become grappled.
Anyone in the effect's area when the spell is cast must make a Reflex save. If this save succeeds, the creature is inside the web but is otherwise unaffected. If the save fails, the creature gains the grappled condition, but can break free by making a combat maneuver check or Escape Artist check as a standard action against the DC of this spell. The entire area of the web is considered difficult terrain. Anyone moving through the webs must make a combat maneuver check or Escape Artist check as part of their move action, with a DC equal to the spell's DC. Creatures that fail lose their movement and become grappled in the first square of webbing that they enter.
If you have at least 5 feet of web between you and an opponent, it provides cover. If you have at least 20 feet of web between you, it provides total cover.
The strands of a web spell are flammable. A flaming weapon can slash them away as easily as a hand brushes away cobwebs. Any fire can set the webs alight and burn away one 5-foot square in 1 round. All creatures within flaming webs take 2d4 points of fire damage from the flames.
The sylph becomes tangled in the web's sticky fibers!
Bot
Menarul fires his longbow at the trapped enemy, skewing it with an arrow.
End Bot
The sylph attempts to break free from the sticky strands, and miraculously manages to do so!
The sylph seems to tear a hole in space as he moves from out of the sticky strands, suddenly appearing on the far side of the room.
Round 2-3:
Calvert (-7)
Air Elemental
Xiao
Sunlight Under Stone
Robyyn (-7)
Menarul
Sylph (-3)
Vaylin
Battlefield Conditions: The sylph is on a balcony 5' above the floor. (Melee attacks from the floor level against him will have cover.) The area of the balcony within the grey template are covered in web. The webbing on the main floor is not attached to anything and provides no impediment to movement.
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Sunlight Under Stone tracks the sylph as he moves around the room, then grins. They hustle over to a better angle, then launches another mass of stone as they yell, "Watch your step - it's a sticky situation behind you!" The leshy seems a bit worn out from their effort, but their rocky skin seems even harder than before.
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Robyyn looks startled by the sylph's quick escape from his webbing, but locks eyes with his foe even as Sunlight over Stone begins pushing the sylph back into the webbing. Sending pure manevolent fury through his eyes, Robyyn's laughter bursts forth as he imagines the sylph's sticky backwards fall.
The arrow strikes more deeply that was at first evident, and the summoned eagle lands two blows against the sylph, who is starting to look very ragged.
The leshy's blast catches the arcanist full in the chest, and his body goes limp as it flies backward into the mass of sticky webs. He looks like he is unconscious and barely clinging to life.
Out of initiative.
A boom of thunder resounds through the hallway outside the room, and moments later Fairuza re-enters, carefully picking specks of dust off her gloved hands.
Behind her, a tall male suli with glowing eyes strides into the room, "I am Ashasar, Liaison of the Seat of Balance, the ambassador of one of the Concordance of Element’s five leaders." He clears his throat before continuing.
“Protecting the balance among the elemental planes has been the most sacred task of the Concordance of Elements since its founding. When we learned that the Pathfinder Society came into possession of the Untouchable Opal, your organization loomed as a threat to everything we have dedicated our lives to defending. Tampering with the Opal could create a devastating imbalance in the fabric of the planes. I believed that the Pathfinder Society sought to create this imbalance without consideration for the consequences or, at the very least, was poised to bring about calamity through ignorance. However, I have come to understand another perspective. There are some within the Concordance that have been making the case that the only way to achieve true balance would be to liberate all four of the imprisoned elemental lords. I acted rashly, without consulting
the Seat of Balance for approval.
“I am truly sorry for the trouble I have caused you by sending my agents against the Society. I allowed fear to blind my judgment, and I take full responsibility for the harm I have caused, both directly and indirectly. I understand that, under these circumstances, your instinct may be to retaliate, and I would not hold it against you if you were to do so. However, we face a more immediate threat—the forces of Hshurha have labeled the Concordance and the Pathfinder Society as conspirators and traitors. In light of both the nuances of the decision regarding the Untouchable Opal and our common threat, it would be in both of our best interests to share information and resources, so that we may come to the most informed decision and protect each other from what may otherwise be an insurmountable opposition.”
The suli makes a shallow bow of apology to you and awaits your response.
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Satisfied with how well their plan worked out, Sunlight Under Stone moves over to check the sylph's pulse and try to stop the worst of the bleeding.
Turning to the newcomers, the leshy scowls. "Well, you could have just asked us. And where are the things Jamila stole from the Society? Why did you lot want them in the first place?" They try to smile, but their expression is obviously strained.
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Xiao bows as well and looks at his companions.
"Dear Ashasar, dear Fairuza, it was never our intent to harm and we are truly sorry for the loss of one of your agents ... but please understand that we acted in self-defense. My friend Sunlight Under Stone is correct that we are still missing items that were stolen by one of your agents. If you could show your good faith and return the item We would very much like to take your message to the Pathfinder Society leadership so that we can start to discuss how a joint collaboration can look like. We do not know much about your organization but you seem to have a lot of knowledge - the Society has knowledge and resources too. Pooling them will surely be a measure that needs to be tested."
Ashasar answers: "Yes, I think it is high time that you met Jamilla and we came to the end of this whole affair. Unfortunately, she is away on a business mission of some importance. I will send her a message instructing her to return to Armun Kelisk with all haste. I would ask that, if you are willing, you remain in Armun Kelisk while I perform follow-up investigations and speak to my superiors so the Society
and the Concordance can move forward as allies rather than adversaries." Ashasar thinks a moment. "I'm sure that Jairo will be able to entertain you as guests until Jamilla and I can return."
And with that, the curtain closes on The Tyranny of Winds, Part II: Secrets of the Endless Sky!
You all earned your primary success by discovering the Concordance’s goals, by questioning Concordance agents and speaking to Ashasar, and learning Ilyralene’s theory on how to break the Untouchable Opal to free Ranginori.
You earned your secondary prestige by accomplishing two of the following three objectives: finding three or more of the five clues during the Gala; finding and interpreting the Codex of Fundamental Dominion before the Concordance agents arrive; and find and interpret the Primordial Key Of Ilyralene before the Duchess's agents attack.
There are also some boons coming on the chronicle sheet, which I will get for you soooooon.
As a preview, the gold reward is 513 for in-tier (1-2) and 1,205 for out-of-tier (3).
~+~+Tyranny of Winds Part III: Caught in the Eclipse+~+~
As you are waiting in Armun Kelisk, you receive a letter from Venture Captain Norden Balentiir.
Pathfinders,
Former enemies are now allies. I have been in communication with Ashasar, a senior member of the Concordance, and our organizations have reached an understanding. The Concordance will be compensating the Society for their theft of our property, and is now looking forward to working with us. I’ve offered your services as representatives for the Pathfinder Society in this newfound truce. You and your fellow agents are our eyes and ears on the Plane of Air for now. Unlocking the secrets of the Untouchable Opal is our highest priority, so assist Ashasar and the Concordance, while keeping an eye out for ways to strengthen our position over there.
When we release Ranginori, we must be ready to combat Hshurha if we are to reap the benefits of an alliance with the Duke of Thunder.
— Venture-Captain Norden Balentiir
Loyal Agents of the Decemvirate,
The Ten recently concluded important deliberations regarding the Pathfinder Society’s agreement to work with the Concordance of Elements. During the end of these negotiations, the Concordance asked for a group of agents to assist in retrieving a magical relic useful in battling the malign forces of the Plane of Air.
The Decemvirate is divided on where this item should stay after its retrieval—be it with our new Concordance allies, or in the vaults of the Grand Lodge. This missive is sent to reinforce the Decemvirate’s trust in your judgment on this matter, as you’re to be the agents sent to retrieve the item. If this relic returns to the Grand Lodge, we’ll have another powerful item at our disposal. If the item is presented to the Concordance, we’ll cement our new alliance. The choice is yours.
—Venture-Captain Ambrus Valsin
Ashasar, Liaison to the Seat of Balance of the Concordance of Elements, keeps a modest office atop the Four Winds, one of Armun Kelisk’s less conspicuous structures. He sits atop an expansive turquoise pillow, intently listening to a barely visible mass of cloud dancing near his ear. Before speaking, he stands and delicately removes a lantern from a nearby bookcase. Ashasar lights the lantern with a snap of his fingers. He gives a knowing smile as he walks a slow perimeter around the open rooftop. Seemingly satisfied, the janni takes a seat with a contented sigh.
“One can never be too careful when dealing with the Duchess Hshurha. With the winds themselves at her beck and call, who knows what kind of agents she has hiding about? It appears our organizations are not as at odds with one another as we once thought. While the Concordance was initially resistant to breaking open the Untouchable Opal and freeing the Duke of Thunder, the Duchess has grown too bold and forced our hand. We must work together to free Ranginori from his prison before Hshurha throws the Inner Planes into utter chaos. As a token of our mutual new goodwill, I ask for your help in a sensitive mission that could prove pivotal in our fight to maintain balance.
When the Concordance considered the Pathfinders Society to be a threat, I sent one of our agents to retrieve a powerful weapon we have hidden here on the Plane of Air. I believe you are familiar with her, no? Jamila’s task was to retrieve the Horn of the Hurricane, which allows its wielder to call forth tremendous elemental force. These energies are particularly devastating against creatures native to this plane. Since the accord between our organizations was cemented, I have been unable to reach Jamila, and I fear that she may be incapacitated. Worse yet, it’s possible she’s been killed and the horn is now in Hshurha’s hands. Since we cannot be sure, we must take every precaution to protect the horn and rescue Jamila, if she lives. I have already arranged for your transportation to her last known destination and ask that you leave at once.”
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Menarul nods at the briefing adding another page of notes to his notebook. "Also, do you know what the most common Agents of the Duchess are or look like? It might be good to know what they look like ahead of time. Also do you have a note or seal or something we could show Jamila if we find her to prove we are telling her the truth?"