Kiboko believes that many different people were part of the company that found this site first - but they probably couldn’t discover any apparent means of entry. Rather than spend any more effort searching for an entrance, the company started digging and once they unearthed worked stone, they used magic to disintegrate the walls.
Kiboko suddenly hears a sound and shorty thereafter you all hear a voice call out, “Halt, tomb robbers! You shall not enter this sacred site. One more step and you will be destroyed.” You don't see the one who called out.
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"Show yourself, 'guardian'!" calls Kiboko as he stops.
"We are not here to rob, but to prevent the return of an evil Runelord. Kiboko sees the tracks of those who have come before him, whose goal is to bring about great evil. How did they evade you, guardian? It looks very much like they tunnelled in - which took time - and so perhaps these evil cultists set you here themselves."
Kiboko activates Animal Focus (Wolf) gaining the scent ability and sniffs the air for the unseen speaker.
”I am willing to listen... explain yourself!“
Suddenly you all see a figure appearing.
Tall as an Ulfen, with bronze skin that glows as if it had just been removed from the fire. A pair of fiery wings sprout from its back and in it's hand is a flaming greatsword.
Ikarus identifies the being as an Angel, a Monadic Deva!
"Angel, Kiboko spoke true. Will you tell us the terms of your binding so that we might release you?"
The angel is clearly agitated.
"I was called and a bargain was made," It replies in a voice like thunder. "I was told great evil was stored within these halls and that my conjurer needed a rearguard to defend him as he put this evil to rest for good."
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By the ancient codes! An angelic force Endrin positions himself amongst his fellow Pathfinders and lends encouragement while speaking quietly. ”My companions, I am not the most congenial as you have seen. I am prepared to draw blades but would prefer to not squander our resources on a noble creature, albeit an easily swayed one”
The angel steps back. You see that your words are sinking in.
He then eyes you.
”If you would remove your magical items, lower any magical auras and approach to be questioned as I cast Discern lies over you. I could ascertain the truth of your statements without fear of an ambush!“
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As he gently places the last of his weapons and magical items on the ground, Endrin is wary. I hope my companions' knowledge is accurate or it's going to be a short exploration of the tomb.
Stepping forward on faith in his companions and his deity Sarenrae, Endrin approaches the angel. "Celestial, I approach under banner of goodwill and truth. Please hear our words and know that we work to prevent evil, not further its causes.
The angel nods appreciatively at Endrin.
The Deva approaches. He then waves his hand over Endrin, and you feel as if his mind and yours are somehow connected.
"Repeat your words!"
The Angel nods at Endrin and seems to be in thoughts for a moment.
"Your thoughts and answers make me question the legitimacy of my bargain, but without my caller here to defend his honor, I will not break my contract."
He takes a look over the rest of you.
"You all seem worthy to enter this sacred shrine. We shall see how words are fair to the truth after you have discarded your magical items."
He points to those that have already agreed to comply and his voice thunders.
He casts Discern Lies on each of you.
"What is your purpose here? Will You plunder this sacred shrine? Will you desecrate it with foul magics? Do you fight for the cause of good? Sacrificing your own needs for the protection of others?"
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Ikarus sets the trident down and moves forward.
"BLRBLRBLRBLRLBRBLBRLRRLBRLBLRBL!"
"I am here to provide power to my subject, the Elf with no clothes, so that he may complete his bargain to the lords of the sea. I fear you less than my lords, and will not reveal that bargain, but needless to say, it has nothing to do with this shrine so much as the elf's good wishes."
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"This shrine is sacred to Lissala, an evil Thassilonian goddess. If there is foul magic here, it is magic that the Lissalans brought with them. Magic that your conjuror employs. Kiboko is here to stop the Lissalans from gaining the means to return their Runelord to this world, for the sake of free peoples everywhere."
The deva looks at all of you and again nods.
Especially Quiella’s words make him almost move in anger .. not because of your group but the realisation that evil might have used his power.
The angel nods again.
"You may take your belongings and carry on your task. May the Gods speed you along in your sacred duty! And ... and avenge me!."
He vanishes again in front of your eyes but those with acute senses hear his footsteps moving away.
You cautiously move onwards and prepare yourself.
* * *
Each door in the shrine has the Sihedron rune on both sides, and each Sihedron glows with an unnatural flame originating from a rune. This provides the room with normal light in a 20-foot radius from the door and dim light 20 feet beyond that. The double doors are unlocked and swing open silently—opening a door in the shrine uses up 5 feet of movement. If not held open, a door swings closed after 1 round. The walls are worked stone, and the ceilings are 20 feet tall. The air inside the shrine is oddly fresh, and the temperature remains comfortable thanks to ancient magic still in operation.
Inside the entry way the impossibly large blocks of the shrine’s walls are in such good condition that they seem to have been laid only decades ago. Carved into the stone, spiky script is clearly visible throughout the room. Stone double doors stand in the east and west walls. Each is decorated with a seven-pointed star, and each blade of a star displays a spiky rune. One rune per star glows with an amber light that illuminates the room. Also in the western wall, a short square tunnel leads back outside, with a score of muddy footprints showing the way.
A passageway to the south leads to another lit room. The air inside the shrine is cool and fresh.
One male and two female dirt-covered, bald Shoanti sit quietly against the northern wall. Next to them is a disheveled dwarven woman and a foppish and muddied Taldoran noble.
The Taldoran noble looks blankly at you.
” By... By the gods are you real?!“ He asks in a hushed tone.
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After having donned his equipment, Endrin draws his scimitar and approaches the opening to the shrine. Amazed at the interior, he doesn't immediately note the crouched occupants til further in the room. Not releasing his weapon, he closes to a respectful distance before answering.
"Quite real man, quite real. How does a fellow Taldoran get this far afield? You look quite pale indeed."
The Taldan steps forward.
”I am “Marquis" Jeor Haywood!!“ says the foppish Taldan gentleman bedecked in a deep blue waistcoat with gold trim and what were once matching trousers. Dried mud now covers the entirety of his calf-high riding boots and most of his breeches.
His moustache and goatee, however, are meticulously groomed.
”You have to rescue me! The ... the fat man and his entourage kidnapped me ... well ... I don’t understand why I initially agreed to follow the man! I insists you call me “Marquis” Haywood and do your duty and get me out of here young man!“ he says while continually attempting to pick dried mud off his clothing.
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Tofu gets re-equipped with his gear, the elemental returning his trident to him. They follow the party..
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Tofu cannot do much for the ruins, but he does what he can for the Taldan and company. Firstly by recovering their wounds.
Then looking them over for any illnesses.
She eyes the man with a smirk. "I wouldn't say you're in a position to be making demands. How about you start by explaining how you got here and who this 'fat man' is."
The marquis almost wanted to lash out in anger when he realised where he is.
"He went around the corner there," The Marquis responds. Pointing to the hallway behind you, to the right of the entry way. "There were sounds of a struggle, then a few hours later he came through the door right there."
He motions to the double door.
* * *
Suddenly, the female dwarf starts speaking.
”My name is Wattlee ... “ she is a relatively thin dwarf woman, indicating that she spends more time behind a desk than in front of a forge.
”... I have to admit that I am intrigued by the enormity of the stone blocks that make up the walls! You seem like capable adventurers. We should formulate a plan to finance an expedition here to quarry the stone!“ she says pursing her lips as she rubs the gold rings braided into her long, black hair.
She continues, ”I think he charmed us all. The people there," she says nodding to the Shoanti. "Have worked without rest since we arrived though. The fat man seemed to have even greater control over them."
Tofu receives almost no reaction from the Shoanti but the Taldan and the merchant dwarf thank him and are genuinely glad to see you all.
Tofu does not believe that they suffer from any illness.
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Kiboko and Mvumbu enter the shrine.
Kiboko sneers down at the Taldan fop. Corrupt weakling. He turns to the dwarf: "The very stone in this place is cursed. Only a fool would seek to build with the corrupt earth of a shrine to Lissala." And then he sees the Shoanti.
"Kiboko greets you, brother and sisters. How long have you laboured here? Will you join us in taking arms against the conjuror who oppressed you?"
The Shoanti only look at Kiboko with little interest.